20 Fictional Characters We Should All Hate… But Don’t!

So what is it about some less desirable TV and Movie characters that we all “love to hate” or even in some situations “love to love”.

These characters can range anywhere from fat sexist slobs to full blown serial killers and mass murderers, yet the audience craves more and more.

Here is a countdown of the most evil and despicable yet widely adored fictional creations to ever grace are screens.

*Check the inline links for youtube clips.

#20 Bodhi (Point Break)

He was a violent bank robber responsible for the death’s of nearly his whole crew, and all this just to fund a glorified surfing holiday.

However, I would like to meet the person who didn’t want him to be released at the awesome conclusion of the film, for his “One last ride“. Buy the DVD here.

#19 Doctor Gonzo

Dr Gonzo: sidekick, attorney and partner in crime of main character Raoul Duke In Terry Gilliam’s on screen adaption “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas”.

“Mother of god, i thought, here it comes.”

He’s a paranoid, psychotic and violent drug user, untrustworthy and a pervert of the creepiest kind but fans just can’t get enough. Buy the DVD here.

#18 Jared – king of the goblins

He abducts small babies, attempts to drug teenagers and leads a goblin army… All this while wearing skin tight trousers. The perfect formula for a hated individual. But hey, it is Bowie, so we’ll let him off! Buy Labyrinth here.

#17 Ian Beale

This one is for the British only i’m afraid. Ian “Snake Eye’s” Beale, long time member of the Eastenders cast, arch enemy of Phil Mitchell and complete and utter backstabbing git!

There is no such thing as going to far for Ian, as long as he gets his own way. Devilishly spineless and a horrid individual in every way.. The show just wouldn’t be the same without him. Buy the DVD here.

#16 Bender

Futurama’s very own gambler, heavy drinker and all round professional extortionist… Bender the robot. He’s about as trust worthy as a crack head in a chemist and will do whatever it takes to make a quick buck….

His comical rudeness and outstanding unreliability has undoubtedly made Bender the show’s most popular character by a long shot. Buy the DVD here.

#15 David Brent

We all know a David Brent (at least to some extent) and in reality they are generally the kind of people we try to avoid. There is however something very entertaining about someone else being subjected to such awkward social encounters.

What makes Brent so lovable (regardless of his bone shivering behavior) is the fact that beneath it all, we know he just wants to be liked. Buy the DVD here.

#14 Homer Simpson

Homer is a character that certainly needs no introduction. Bad father, husband, lazy worker, gambler, alcoholic, binge eater and generally all round horrific person. This list of flaws could go on forever….

However, as with David Brent (above), he always means well and at least try’s to do the right thing. That coupled with the fact that he has a mental age of a small child has made him infinitely adored world wide (myself included). Ask yourself this though, could you live with him? Buy the DVD here.

#13 Audrey 2 – The Plant

“If you wanna be profound, if you really gotta justify, take a breath and look around, a lot of folks deserve to die!”

I think the quote above says it all really, yet how can you be mad at a giant singing plant. I also would like to meet the person who didn’t let out a little smile at the end of the movie when the baby Audrey 2 pops up. Mwahhahahahaaa! Buy the DVD here.

#12 BeetleJuice

“Beatlejuice, Beatlejuice, Beatlejuice!!”

Utter those three words and you’ll be in a whole world of pain and sexual innuendo… if your dead that is…Buy the DVD here.

#11 Hal 9000 – The Computer

Hal 9000 (or Heuristically programmed ALgorithmic Computer) the homicidal computer, from Stanley kubrick’s 1968 film “2001: A Space Odyssey” was possibly the first time audiences actually felt sorry for a non conscious being.

The relationship between Hal and lead role “Dave Bowman” concluded with Dave slowly but surely removing Hals Modules, effectively “Killing” him in retaliation to Hal’s murder attempt. Hal then begins to plead…

When HAL’s logic is completely gone, he begins singing the song “Daisy Bell”, which gets slower and slower until complete disconnection. If at this point you felt nothing, you must have had a heart of stone. Buy the DVD here.

#10 Gollum

Possibly one of the most annoying characters ever created but also one of the most fragile. Gollum or Smeagle (depending on who is in the drivers seat) is arguably evil but also has a sense of desperation and humanity about him. Poor confused little bugger, we all kind of wanted him gone but killing him off just felt a bit wrong… Stupid Hobbitsis!! Buy the DVD here.

#9 Peter Griffin

Now, where to start…. Homer times 1000, minus any sense of guilt, class or decency….you get the hilarious Peter Griffin! Buy DVD here.

#8 Q – Star Trek

Straight out of Q Continuum and straight up Jean-Luc Picard’s nose, we have the ultimately mischievous Q. He loves a good prank and likes to make a point, now if that means wiping out human existence in the process, hey, what the hell! He’s a pain in the arse but we sure do love him! Buy the DVD here.

#7 Starscream G1

Megatron’s number two and possibly THE most sly, untrustworthy and deceitful entity in existence. Maybe it is because he is a cool jet, maybe it is because he is SO immoral but we all love him regardless of his crimes. I was mortified when they killed him off in the Movie (I still have issues watching it). Buy the DVD here.

#6 Darth Vader

I would have ranked Darth higher than this but as the audience never really gets to engage with him as an individual until later on in the saga he only makes my number 6. He’s a mean, lean, Darkside machine, the epitome of universal evil, Darth “The Father” Vader!!! Buy the DVD here.

#5 Lestat – The Vampire

As far as undead movie monsters go Lestat and Louis from Anne Rice’s “Interview with a Vampire” are certainly two of the most personable. However we will ignore Louis for now as he is a bit of a pussy and has no place in this countdown.

“I’m going to give you the choice that I never had”

Lestat on the other hand is one mean neck biting son of a stake, he kills indiscriminately and in a more than reckless style. Yet he does this with such style, grace and composure that it is hard not to like him. That’s what makes him my number 5. Buy DVD here.

#4 Sylar – Heroes

As far as “super villains” go, you can’t really get any more super than heroes very own Gabriel Gray. Until recently he has had absolutely no redeeming features whatsoever, yet has captured the audience since day one.

The formula of this is very simple, create a character that taps into the viewers needs to feel special and unique, then make him as evil as possible. After all, everyone loves a bad ass. Buy the DVD here.

#3 The Joker (Heath ledger)

I don’t think much needs to be said about this particular character, or the actor that played him. Those that have seen the film already know the awesomeness involved, and those who haven’t seen it SHOULD! Buy the DVD here.

#2 Doctor Hannibal Lecter

Another character that really needs no introduction, Hannibal “The Cannibal” Lecter as played by Sir Anthony Hopkins in arguably the best horror film ever “Silence of the Lambs”. Anthony plays this character so unbelievably well, it is my belief that no one else could have achieved what he did in that role.

“I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chiante.”

Not only did Anthony play the “Evilest of Evil” as the role dictated, he did it in such a manner that created a sympathetic link to the audience by the use of his natural charm and elegance. Of course Hannibal’s cult status is not just accredited to the actor who played him. The Writers created a lovable “gentleman” serial killer who ate his victims, this is no easy feet.

“i’m having an old friend for dinner”

Of course all good story’s come to an end, and villains normally meet theirs. This is of course untrue for Hannibal, as one of the very few villains who get to walk off to freedom as the credits roll. It couldn’t have ended in any other way. Buy the DVD here.

#1 Eric Theodore Cartman

Eric Theodore Cartman….. Could there have been a more fitting number 1 for this countdown?? Well actually yes, if it wasn’t for one particular episode of South Park that I will talk about shortly. Even from the very first episode, Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s “porky little bundle of fun” started on a slippery slope to depravity, crudeness and downright pure evilness.

“You so much as TOUCH kitty’s ass, and I’ll put a firecracker in your nutsack and blow your balls all over your pants..”

Eric has no morals, no sense of empathy and no differentiation between right and wrong. He is also about as politically correct as Bernard Manning at a swimsuit competition.

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the only way to fight hate….is with more hate!!!”

Some of his antics so far include, convincing an unwitting town into a nazi march against the jewish community, attempted genocide of all “non-gingers” and competing in the Special Olympics masquerading as a disabled person to win a thousand dollars. But the Worse and clincher of the deal was yet to come…

“Scott Tenorman Must Die” aired on July 11, 2001 and was by far Cartman’s greatest, most evil moment. As retaliation for Scott selling him his pubes, Cartman exacted revenge in the only way that he knows, brutal and swift. At an arranged chili festival, Cartman fed Scott his own pre-murdered parents in a bowl of his dubbed “Mr. & Mrs. Tenorman Chili.” Buy DVD here.

For this reason Cartman is my number one for “Fictional Characters We Should All Hate… But Don’t!” and concludes this countdown. I have no doubt I have forgotten a few classics, please feel free to drop me a comment if I have. Thanks.