Funniest Dynamic Duos In TV History
There's really nothing that makes a show more memorable or enjoyable than some great characters, and that goes double for a pair of characters who are genuinely hilarious in the way they play off each other. There have been numerous duos that fit this bill over the decades — so many, in fact, that it would be practically impossible to compile a full list of them. While there are some truly great pairs that didn't quite make it onto this list, the pairings that did can thank the ones who came before them for paving the way for top tier TV hilarity.
Considering the wide range of humor and comedy styles that have been represented on the small screen throughout the decades, we're going to try to do comedy justice and shed light on some of the very best and most humorous pairings. Here are the funniest dynamic duos in TV history.
Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele (Key & Peele)
The hilarity and all around timelessness of "Key & Peele" is what you get when you give two men of similar humor and intelligence their own TV show. Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele were already regular faces on television and had worked together on the likes of "MADtv" when they landed their own sketch series, and the content they created together is now practically burned into the minds of a generation.
The closeness they share in creating content and pitching ideas to each other translates beautifully on screen, with their comedic timing and all around chemistry shining through. "The collaboration I have with Jordan, for the most part there was a bit of magic to it really that I sometimes feel like I can't even really explain," Key told PTI (via the New Indian Express) when speaking about the sentiments he has for his creative partner. "It's like we share a brain."
Out of all the pairs on this list, Key and Peele could well be the most dynamic, truly embodying the definition of the word. Together, they created jokes and sketches that changed with current events while also standing up to the test of time.
Shawn and Gus (Psych)
While a lot of the dynamic duos on this list are more similar to each other than not, Shawn Spencer and Burton "Gus" Guster from the fake psychic detective procedural comedy "Psych" are truly two sides of the same coin. On the surface, they are foils for one another; Shawn with his spontaneous and just plain ridiculous persona and Gus with his responsible and no-nonsense approach to life. Once you get past that surface layer, however, you are able to see that they actually aren't that different.
What is interesting and really gives Shawn and Gus a leg up on other funny TV duos is that they are equally hilarious when they are showing similar personality traits and when they're at odds. Gus' running gag of uttering a serious "Shawn!" whenever he is uptight and reprimanding his best friend is just as endearing and hilarious as his willingness to join him running with a high pitched and long winded scream from a perceived threat. It's just as amusing to watch Gus fight Shawn to stay at his boring pharmaceutical job as it is to see the two of them decked out in full '80s hair band costumes recreating iconic music videos.
Kramer and Frank Constanza (Seinfeld)
Frank may not be one of the central characters in "Seinfeld," but George Constanza's father is seemingly the perfect match for the eccentric and intense Kramer. The two feed off each other in a way that no other characters on the show do, with Frank playing into Kramer's whims and wild ideas without much convincing needed. Some of the show's best bits and lasting moments are a result of the shenanigans the two get into, which is saying a lot as Frank only appears in a small percentage of "Seinfeld" episodes.
This pair have had such an impact on fans that in more recent times, after well over two decades since "Seinfeld" ended, fans on Reddit have discussed the desire for a spin-off centering around the duo. While the likelihood of that actually happening is just about zero since Frank Constanza actor Jerry Stiller is now bringing joy to those beyond the pearly gates, we can't help but long for that which could have been.
The interactions between Kramer and Frank were too few for fans' liking, but the scenes we did get from the duo are absolute gold. From Festivus, Frank's made-up holiday that Kramer latches onto, to playing pool in their underwear, this dynamic duo is one for the ages.
Scooby and Shaggy (Scooby-Doo)
It would be very hard to have a list of dynamic duos and leave out possibly the most iconic pair of all: A pup named Scooby Doo and his human companion Shaggy. In addition to being both a classic from the late '60s and a consistently reinvented and beloved pairing, Scooby and Shaggy are actually quite hilarious. They are another duo who use both physical and verbal comedy to great effect, employing exaggerated motions as well as subtle and well-timed one liners. They also, out of all the members of the Scooby Doo gang, are the ones whose comedy most blurs the line between kid and adult humor.
Considering all the different programs that Shaggy and Scooby have shown up in, and the many different variations the classic characters have had, it's likely that this dynamic duo has had a significant impact on pretty much every living generation. As characters marketed toward a younger audience, it's also reasonable to believe that Shaggy and Scooby represent the first run-in that many of us had with comedy.
Charlie and Frank (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia)
Some of the very best duos are the ones that are the most unexpected, and if any two characters in the history of TV can claim to be complete wildcards, it's Charlie Kelly and Frank Reynolds from "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." In many ways they don't seem at all compatible, as Charlie is a very hard worker — in the most maniacal way possible — when it comes to things he cares about. This is exemplified in his dedication to the bar's upkeep. Frank, on the other hand, is pretty lazy and totally willing to let his fortune go to live in squalor.
Luckily for us, though, Frank and Charlie live in squalor together. Some of the best and most iconic scenes from the show stem from the odd living arrangement that sees Frank and Charlie share a bed and countless other things. Their unlikely friendship has been widely praised as one of the best on the hit show, but what gives them a place on our list of funniest dynamic duos in TV history is their unique ability to keep fans on their toes — you never know what they will do next, whether it's a friendly game of Night Crawlers or Frank sewing himself into a couch to spy on Charlie. As Vice once put it, "no love is as pure as the love between Frank and Charlie."
Fry and Bender (Futurama)
The showrunners of "The Simpsons” were under pressure to put out something truly great in their follow up series, and "Futurama" managed to be as different from the iconic show as possible while still maintaining the same style of humor that fans came to love. The hit series effectively brought sci-fi to the world of adult animation, a choice that co-creator Davide X. Cohen was "especially nervous about" when pitching Fox execs. "I think they thought it was going to be a family flying around on a sofa in space," he told Lightspeed Magazine. The show boasts several hilarious characters, but none click quite as seamlessly as the dim-witted Fry and his immoral robot buddy Bender.
"Futurama" has a pretty dark nature under its hilarity, lampooning the human condition to great effect. Although things like corrupt societal overlords are featured in the series, the tight bond of friendship between the cryogenically frozen Philip J. Fry and the foul-mouthed Bender Bending Rodriguez adds a layer of ironic warmth in the detached world of the future. Fry and Bender use the fantastical nature of their world to deliver peak comedy in situations that are completely new and unique.
Mr. Lahey and Randy (Trailer Park Boys)
Is it a hot take to give a duo from a low budget, endearingly trashy mockumentary that blurs the line between sitcom and reality TV a spot on this list? Maybe, but there are actually a number of duos scattered throughout "Trailer Park Boys" that could fit the bill. Julian and Ricky are the central duo of the series, and Jacob and Corey get some major laughs, but it's Mr. Lahey and Randy who steal the show. The booze-swilling Sunnyvale Trailer Park supervisor Jim Lahey and the cheeseburger-loving Randy make for a dynamic pair whose relationship has quite the arc throughout "Trailer Park Boys."
The truly great thing about Lahey and Randy is the number of memorable running gags they're responsible for. Lahey has a slew of recurring jokes centered on his drinking and his hilarious s***-isms, while Randy's "frig off" exclamation is iconic and the fact that he always takes his pants off to fight never gets old. There's also a groundbreaking element to this dynamic duo in that they are one of the first openly gay couples in Canadian TV history. Despite that fact, though, "Trailer Park Boys" never sets out with plans to be a progressive leader — and that's admirable in its own way. As highlighted by Paste Magazine, "Trailer Park Boys" doesn't treat their sexuality as anything but a normal part of human existence.
Beavis and Butt-Head (Beavis and Butt-Head)
Mike Judge's "Beavis and Butt-Head" is proof that if you create two characters with a strong set of mannerisms they can be funny forever, in practically any situation you put them in. The titular slackers are simple guys with base level needs who don't take themselves seriously, and their timelessness can be seen by fan reactions to their recent Paramount+ revival. In a promotional short for the revival series shared on YouTube, fans gushed over the simplistic comedy in the comments, with many saying that the basic video of the pair reacting to ASMR is the funniest thing they've ever seen.
Beavis and Butt-Head became beloved for making a mockery of the MTV generation when they first appeared on television in the 1990s. They were often terrible to each other and to everyone around them, but the fact that they were "equal opportunity offenders" is what made them likable, according to CBR. "What made the two teenage dolts remarkable was how they made viewers laugh. Fans laughed with them but also at them; for every burn they scored on someone else, they did something even dumber." Speaking to IndieWire, creator Mike Judge said that this dynamic duo are "just too stupid to even be hateful. They're just clueless."
Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell (Kenan & Kel)
If there's one thing that millennials hold near and dear, it's their '90s and '00s references, and a good amount of those can be traced back to the classic pairing of Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell. They worked well together in the film "Good Burger" (home of the Good Burger), and they played off one another for some hilarious sketches in "All That," but this dynamic duo is best known for the sitcom named after them, Nickelodeon's "Kenan & Kel."
Kenan and Kel's exaggerated and good natured slapstick humor is timeless. Their outings together helped launch Kenan Thompson's career, which would lead to him becoming a "Saturday Night Live" cast member with over 1500 sketches under his belt. His career trajectory makes total sense, seeing as "All That" was basically a kid friendly version of "SNL." The pair were reunited on stage at the Emmy Awards in 2022, and there's even been talk of a belated "Good Burger" sequel in recent years.
April and Andy (Parks and Recreation)
"Parks and Recreation" is basically made up of hilarious character pairs, from Donna and Tom's luxurious friendship to the brotherhood of animal control workers Brett and Harris. However, Aubrey Plaza's April and Chris Pratt's Andy take the cake when it comes to the funniest dynamic duo in the Amy Poehler-led mockumentary series. Their characters take the grumpy and sunshine trope to the extreme, with April being the downer in the relationship and Andy being her labrador-like, happy-go-lucky partner.
Even though they are polar opposites in so many ways, April and Andy make ample room for each other's quirks and they thrive when mixed. This dynamic duo is not only heartwarming, but also absolutely hilarious. Reddit users and fans of the show consider them one of the best TV couples of this decade, largely due to the comedic moments shared between them and their interactions as a couple with other "Parks and Recreation" characters.
Larry and Leon (Curb Your Enthusiasm)
While the majority of the dynamic duos on this list are made up of central characters that were on board from the beginning, Leon actually joined "Curb Your Enthusiasm" pretty late in the game, with his first appearance not happening until Season 6. What's even more interesting in this pairing is that the other half consists of the show's main character, who doesn't have nearly the same kind of dynamic chemistry with anyone else on the show. This might be odd in general, but it makes a lot of sense for Larry David's brainchild and semi-autobiographical show.
Larry spends the majority of the series on long-winded complaints, which isn't exactly conducive to super tight relationships. When Leon comes in as his housemate, he is more tolerant of Larry and his antics than most other characters, who regularly get burnt out from his negative rants. The surprising nature of this friendship only adds to the comedic element of the show, and Reddit users have recognized how much Leon adds to both the series and to Larry's character.
J.D. and Turk (Scrubs)
With "Scrubs" practically being a spoof series based on pretty much every hospital drama ever created, it makes sense that the show would offer up some pretty hilarious characters. While J.D. and Dr. Cox make an amazing duo for both moving moments and funny banter, J.D. and Turk's relationship steals the show from its very beginning right up to the final season — a season that we, in solidarity with "Scrubs" fans on Reddit, will be pretending never existed.
J.D. and Turk's tight relationship was strengthened by how well their humor meshed and how they were able to play off each other for some of the greatest running gags in "Scrubs," like "Eagle!" and their co-parented stuffed dog Rowdy. The high energy besties just might go down in history as one of the greatest on screen bromances ever. In fact, their friendship has been credited with changing the game when it comes to platonic male relationships on TV.
Troy and Abed (Community)
One relationship that J.D. and Turk from "Scrubs" may have helped pave the way for is Troy and Abed from "Community." At face value, the two duos are very similar. They are both centered on two men who are unlikely friends, one being a former jock and the other being unabashedly nerdy and weird. In both cases, their fantastical skits often become the overarching plot of an episode. And, like J.D. and Turk, Troy and Abed are widely seen as one of TV's best bromances ever.
Troy and Abed are just two of the seven main characters in "Community," and both characters can comedically stand on their own and in their larger group of friends without relying on playing off each other. Not only are Troy and Abed funny in their own right, but the skewed and exaggerated world that "Community" exists in throws them into some seriously hilarious situations. From paintball warfare to a battle between pillow and blanket forts, "Community" places Troy and Abed in some pretty unique positions and allows them to thrive there.
Fred and Lamont Sanford (Sanford and Son)
The central father and son junkyard operator pair from "Sanford and Son" are something truly special, especially when you consider the series is half a century old but still holds up today. The titular characters and the actors who played them (Redd Foxx and Demond Wilson) helped pave the way for Black actors to have strong TV careers with huge networks, and the series is still one of the most iconic and celebrated Black family sitcoms in history.
White writer Ted Bergman revealed during an interview with The Television Academy that the show was authentic because the cast often made adjustments to the dialogue. He remembered one scene involving a board game being totally changed when Foxx told them that it was unrealistic. "Redd said, 'Black people don't play Monopoly,'" Bergman recalled. Details like this resulted in the genuine comedy seen in the series, and this is just one of the reasons why the show still stands up many years later. The main reason, of course, is the chemistry between the show's dynamic duo, which was as heartfelt as it was hilarious.
Lucille and Buster Bluth (Arrested Development)
While they may be far from dynamic in the traditional sense, we can't deny the hilarity that is Lucille Bluth and her mama's boy son Buster in "Arrested Development." The duo may not fit the exact qualifications for this list, but they deserve an honorable mention because they stand up comedically to the more practical pairs found here. The two frequently share scenes, as Buster is rarely far from Lucille's side — when he's not deserting the military and losing his hand to escaped sea lions, that is — and out of all of the show's great team-ups, theirs is one unlike any other.
We don't really have to dive far into the series at all to see just why Lucille and Buster deserve a special mention here. Between Buster sucking the smoke from his mother's cigarette exhale to blow out the window and Lucille's spite for Buster that drives her to literally adopt a child to make him jealous, this pairing is pure gold. The hilarious duo plays a central part in many of the best episodes of "Arrested Development."