Oh no fair, everyone knows that Zoe Washburn was the best wife on TV ever!

embers | May 07, 20:28 CET

Julie Benz's character on Dexter (aren't they married yet?) is so completely lovable, it pains me to realize I myself don't get to have and hold. Except vicariously through the Dexter character, upon whom her affections are wasted as is youth on the young.

peacemonger | May 07, 20:35 CET

Barb's more of a manager than a wife most of the time - that Big Love family is bigger than my workplace, and a hell of a lot harder to keep in order.

But I agree with embers - Zoe for best TV wife ever!

Ildeth | May 07, 21:14 CET

Yeah, seeing the headline, Zoe immediately came to mind for me. But then I also realized she is one of the only wives in the Whedonverse! Really, think about it...

[ edited by fortunateizzi on 2009-05-07 21:15 ]

fortunateizzi | May 07, 21:15 CET

I assumed Zoe would be on the list, too. She is truly wonderful in every way. But I agree with the writer that Tami Taylor is best. Sorry, y'all.

If they get divorced (or cheat), I'm throwing my TV through a window.

And I cannot even tell you how much agree with that statement. Though I would have said the same thing with Wash and Zoe as well.

Lirazel | May 07, 21:25 CET

I think the only reason Zoe didn't make this list is because it said current TV shows so she sadly doesn't qualify.
I loved the last honorable mention... it was Gossip Girl followed by "not that I watch that show"
Liar.

Minxie | May 07, 21:35 CET

Molly from the Unit? If that's one of the best tv wives, I'm not sure I trust that list.

Walkdogger | May 07, 21:47 CET

Tami! Tami! Tami!

cronopiogal | May 07, 22:31 CET

So glad Tami Taylor got some recognition here, she is such a great character, and personally my favourite on Friday Night Lights.

escapist_dream | May 07, 22:40 CET

Echoing the expectation that Zoe would be on the list.

Loved the time after Wash had saved them all again, about "I have to tear the clothes off my husband" or whatever it was.

And, conversely, "Remember that sex we were going to have EVER!?"

And, of course, "Take me, sir, take me hard."

Chris inVirginia | May 08, 00:39 CET

I thought of Zoe before I saw the word "currently". Ah, well. Yes, Lily is cool, and I'm missing her on HIMYM right now.

Braeden Fireheart | May 08, 05:07 CET

It saddens me a little bit every time Alyson's "American Pie" character is referenced and Willow isn't, particularly when the latter seems more appropriate. (If yer gonna mention bi-curiosity....)

WilliamTheB | May 08, 09:13 CET

It saddens me that 'wife' is a category worth putting people into.

digupherbones | May 08, 10:09 CET

It saddens me that 'wife' is a category worth putting people into.

Me too. Particularly when many of the TV wives on this list effectively function as mothers to male characters who can't or won't take care of themselves. And that's seen as a positive.

ActualSize | May 08, 15:16 CET

It saddens me that it saddens people that wife is a category you can put people into. Sure the list is a bit flip and frivolous and chooses to highlight some eye-rolling points, but 'wife' is not a limitation; these characters happen to be wives - that's just ONE aspect of who they are. Sitcom stereotypes about husbands being overgrown children and wives being their mothers aside, this list highlights two of my favorite husband-wife relationships on TV (and also brings up characters from The 'L' Word) -- Tami & Eric Taylor and Carla and Chris Turk. As much as I love the show (HIMYM), I think Lily as a character is manipulative and dishonest (granted, its for comedy, like Marshall's extreme childlike-ness) to the point of not being very likable.

Husband and wife are not demeaning categories to me - they are multi-faceted roles that require a lot of a person. What's demeaning is the way that some sitcoms choose to portray those relationships parodically for laughs. The list actually ends up being a lot more thoughtful than I would've expected and takes some time to highlight unconventional/non-stereotypicalrelationships. Sometimes you bring your own subtext to the table, as is generally well known in these parts.

zeitgeist | May 08, 15:47 CET

Sorry if I'm bringing my own (feminist) subtext to the table, although I'm obviously not the only one with an agenda. I find this offensive on every level. Sure there's the cursory inclusion of a lesbian couple (with the qualifier that "this may be a bit controversial").
But the "and husbands, fiances, partners, etc" just doesn't cut out the inherent sexism. Because they don't include husbands, fiances and with one exception, "partners".

The most offensive element of this exercise in Pleasantvillle-think, is including Barb from Big Love. They're rewarding a woman who submits herself to the ultimate sexist culture, that of polygamy, as a "best wife"?

And the "honorable mention" of Betty from Mad Men .... don't they get that she's a tragic character, a victim of the socially accepted and culturally enforced misogyny of the early sixty's, before the next wave of feminism kicked in?

I'd have no problem with a list of "best partners", that included males .... husbands, fiances, gay/straight, whatever. But this is just appalling. IMO, obviously.
And I'm really disappointed that I'm only the third person commenting on this thread who has pointed out the blatant sexism in this article and it's list. I realize that there's a lot going on in the fandom right now, but I really would expect better of whedonesquers.

What I'd really love is to see a comment from Joss, I feel pretty certain of where he'd come down on the topic.

Shey | May 09, 00:28 CET