If you don’t follow my Twitter, then you probably don’t know that I’ve been doing something I never thought I would do. I’ve been watching Sex and the City. I don’t know why, either, something possessed me, and I have not been able to stop. I think somebody tweeted about it and made me curious, and as I wasn’t going anywhere for a while and the new
ben wyatt, benton fraser on due south (kind of the show's whole premise but still), amy santiago, chidi anagonye. i think what i like about them is just that, they're always honest, they're never trying to deceive someone except by occasionally withholding harmful information. and they don't take part in the 'exaggeration into absurdity' except in ways that are extremely relatable and realistic ("could a depressed person make THIS" et al).
A 14-year-old Cynthia Nixon plays a funny, earnest character (a hippie kid named Sunshine) in this 1980 summer camp movie, "Little Darlings," which is completely underrated. (It also stars Kristy McNichol, Tatum O'Neal, and Matt Dillon.) In fact, if you haven't seen it, the movie as a whole is this trope, actually. It starts out as Porky's for Teen Girls and turns into this really earnest Judy Blumesque story about growing up and friendship.
Earnestness is why I enjoy Parks & Recreation so much - you have Leslie Knope, Ben Wyatt, Chris Traeger, Andy Dwyer, Jerry/Gary... I re-watched the show for the first time in while some time ago and had a much harder time liking April than I remembered, because she was so MEAN, especially in comparison to the others.
Same goes for the Good Place. Eleanor is pretty much the only jaded one - and even that changes - surrounded by sweet cinnamon buns (well, and also demons), and I love the show for that.
Also, a mention for Jake Peralta on Brooklyn Nine Nine, who is so much more than he initially appears to be.
My current favourite is Arthur from the BBC Radio sitcom "Cabin Pressure". It's a show with astounding good writing, and heart-warming too in a way I've been finding perfect for these times. If you haven't listened, I definitely recommend you do.
Jamie Kennedy as Randy in SCREAM— earnest characters stand out in horror movies anyway, but Randy was simultaneously deeply jaded and disarmingly sincere.
André the Giant as Fezzik from THE PRINCESS BRIDE— seriously. Goldman could have named the character "Earnest" and nobody would blink.
Jeff Ward as Deke on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.— Deke is very smart, and clever, a little awkward but relentless, and always, always kind... if sometimes a bit cowardly. he's getting better.
and really, Clark Gregg's Coulson, too— he's Coulson. Captain America's biggest fan. SON OF COUL. spawned memes and everything. there hasn't been a federal agent that Mulder and Scully
I’ve been rewatching Sabrina the Teenage Witch and honestly Sabrina’s wide eyed optimism and never ending drive to do the right thing is kind of refreshing. I’m on season 5 and I’m thoroughly enjoying college Sabrina.
Also Jessica Fletcher from Murder She Wrote is a feminist heroine and her earnestness while being a smart badass (And silver foxette) is unmatched.
For some reason I always tend to gravitate towards those unbelievable characters. So from SATC, Samantha was my favourite. No one like her could actually exist but it's fun how over the top she is. Another unbelievable character that I love is Mary Cherry from Popular, and from the Golden Girls, although I do love Dorothy a ton, I've always had a soft spot for Blanche.
I haven't seen many SATC eps but Charlotte was always my fave. I think earnest characters attract me because it seems like they aren't trying so hard, or, even if they are trying hard, they are honest about trying hard. Is this also why I like Rory Gilmore? Rory obviously tries hard, but at least she doesn't elaborately pretend she isn't. I consider Rory Gilmore earnest, but maybe it's all relative, and I'm just comparing her to her Lorelai, who strikes me as more Carrie-esque in a self-absorbed way. Would love to hear your thoughts on Gilmore Girls if you've seen it. :)
Dreama Walker's character in don't trust the B is a fun earnest character. I never thought I'd enjoy a show about an asshole, her vain friend and the earnest girl who gets stuck with them, but it's truly a warm and funny show.
Opinions about Game of Thrones/ASoIaF aside, Brienne of Tarth will forever be a favorite character for her sincere belief in goodness as a concept no matter how much she's mocked for it and her earnest pursuit of goodness. I sometimes tear up just thinking about her simultaneous gentleness and steely resolve. As others mentioned, Chidi Anagonye is also a favorite for pretty much the same reasons. Our social conventions tell us that we're expected to be good and value goodness, but in practice believing in or pursuing kindness and compassion and generosity and understanding gets you mocked for being stupid and/or naive. It means a lot to me to have the rare few characters who persist in goodness anyway, and who dig deep inside themselves to find confidence in their ideals and carry on doing what they know is right no matter what anyone says. Those characters are rare and I cherish them.
(Shoutout to Midge's sister-in-law in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Giselle from Enchanted who are honorable mentions here. Also noticing a concerning trend in the white woman-ness of these characters and I'm not sure if that says more about the media that gets made or the media that I've consumed. Probably says nothing flattering about either of us.)
I recently started watching Modern Family and to my surprise, it’s really good. Phil Dunphy is the best character, he’s innocent, hilarious, and goofy. I wouldn’t say that he takes himself seriously but he’s very earnest in all of his endeavours and does everything for the love of his family. I just wanna give that man a hug lol
ben wyatt, benton fraser on due south (kind of the show's whole premise but still), amy santiago, chidi anagonye. i think what i like about them is just that, they're always honest, they're never trying to deceive someone except by occasionally withholding harmful information. and they don't take part in the 'exaggeration into absurdity' except in ways that are extremely relatable and realistic ("could a depressed person make THIS" et al).
A 14-year-old Cynthia Nixon plays a funny, earnest character (a hippie kid named Sunshine) in this 1980 summer camp movie, "Little Darlings," which is completely underrated. (It also stars Kristy McNichol, Tatum O'Neal, and Matt Dillon.) In fact, if you haven't seen it, the movie as a whole is this trope, actually. It starts out as Porky's for Teen Girls and turns into this really earnest Judy Blumesque story about growing up and friendship.
Shout out to Dr. Zoidberg wins the day for me.
Earnestness is why I enjoy Parks & Recreation so much - you have Leslie Knope, Ben Wyatt, Chris Traeger, Andy Dwyer, Jerry/Gary... I re-watched the show for the first time in while some time ago and had a much harder time liking April than I remembered, because she was so MEAN, especially in comparison to the others.
Same goes for the Good Place. Eleanor is pretty much the only jaded one - and even that changes - surrounded by sweet cinnamon buns (well, and also demons), and I love the show for that.
Also, a mention for Jake Peralta on Brooklyn Nine Nine, who is so much more than he initially appears to be.
Hurray for earnest characters! I love them too.
My current favourite is Arthur from the BBC Radio sitcom "Cabin Pressure". It's a show with astounding good writing, and heart-warming too in a way I've been finding perfect for these times. If you haven't listened, I definitely recommend you do.
Jamie Kennedy as Randy in SCREAM— earnest characters stand out in horror movies anyway, but Randy was simultaneously deeply jaded and disarmingly sincere.
André the Giant as Fezzik from THE PRINCESS BRIDE— seriously. Goldman could have named the character "Earnest" and nobody would blink.
Jeff Ward as Deke on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.— Deke is very smart, and clever, a little awkward but relentless, and always, always kind... if sometimes a bit cowardly. he's getting better.
and really, Clark Gregg's Coulson, too— he's Coulson. Captain America's biggest fan. SON OF COUL. spawned memes and everything. there hasn't been a federal agent that Mulder and Scully
OMG MULDER AND SCULLY
I’ve been rewatching Sabrina the Teenage Witch and honestly Sabrina’s wide eyed optimism and never ending drive to do the right thing is kind of refreshing. I’m on season 5 and I’m thoroughly enjoying college Sabrina.
Also Jessica Fletcher from Murder She Wrote is a feminist heroine and her earnestness while being a smart badass (And silver foxette) is unmatched.
For some reason I always tend to gravitate towards those unbelievable characters. So from SATC, Samantha was my favourite. No one like her could actually exist but it's fun how over the top she is. Another unbelievable character that I love is Mary Cherry from Popular, and from the Golden Girls, although I do love Dorothy a ton, I've always had a soft spot for Blanche.
I haven't seen many SATC eps but Charlotte was always my fave. I think earnest characters attract me because it seems like they aren't trying so hard, or, even if they are trying hard, they are honest about trying hard. Is this also why I like Rory Gilmore? Rory obviously tries hard, but at least she doesn't elaborately pretend she isn't. I consider Rory Gilmore earnest, but maybe it's all relative, and I'm just comparing her to her Lorelai, who strikes me as more Carrie-esque in a self-absorbed way. Would love to hear your thoughts on Gilmore Girls if you've seen it. :)
ooo i just remembered Bredan Fraser in (well, in a lot of Brendan Fraser roles but) BLAST FROM THE PAST is the earnestest
Dreama Walker's character in don't trust the B is a fun earnest character. I never thought I'd enjoy a show about an asshole, her vain friend and the earnest girl who gets stuck with them, but it's truly a warm and funny show.
Opinions about Game of Thrones/ASoIaF aside, Brienne of Tarth will forever be a favorite character for her sincere belief in goodness as a concept no matter how much she's mocked for it and her earnest pursuit of goodness. I sometimes tear up just thinking about her simultaneous gentleness and steely resolve. As others mentioned, Chidi Anagonye is also a favorite for pretty much the same reasons. Our social conventions tell us that we're expected to be good and value goodness, but in practice believing in or pursuing kindness and compassion and generosity and understanding gets you mocked for being stupid and/or naive. It means a lot to me to have the rare few characters who persist in goodness anyway, and who dig deep inside themselves to find confidence in their ideals and carry on doing what they know is right no matter what anyone says. Those characters are rare and I cherish them.
(Shoutout to Midge's sister-in-law in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Giselle from Enchanted who are honorable mentions here. Also noticing a concerning trend in the white woman-ness of these characters and I'm not sure if that says more about the media that gets made or the media that I've consumed. Probably says nothing flattering about either of us.)
I recently started watching Modern Family and to my surprise, it’s really good. Phil Dunphy is the best character, he’s innocent, hilarious, and goofy. I wouldn’t say that he takes himself seriously but he’s very earnest in all of his endeavours and does everything for the love of his family. I just wanna give that man a hug lol