Desmond one of best new characters on TV

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Screen gems: Great characters shine in new season's shows
By Amy Amatangelo
Thursday, October 20, 2005

Great characters pop off the screen and command our attention. They can make a mediocre show good (think Alan Shore on ``Boston Legal''), a good show great (where would ``Without a Trace'' be without Jack Malone?), and a great show exceptional (``24'' is Jack Bauer).


Here are our picks for this season's best new characters:




Randy (Ethan Suplee) on ``My Name is Earl'': When it comes to the best new comedy of the season, it takes two to make a thing go right. Jason Lee is fabulous as the mustachioed title character. But his sweet, simple brother Randy is the Gilligan to his Skipper. It's hard to imagine Earl on his path to redemption without his trusty sidekick.
Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) on ``How I Met Your Mother'': The erstwhile Doogie Howser finally got a role worthy of his talent (let's pretend that whole ``Stark Raving Mad'' phase never happened). Like Jason Bateman reinvented himself a few years back, this is the role of Harris' career. As the hip quipper on CBS' new comedy, he gets the best lines (because seriously, have you met Ted?) and delivers them with excellent comic timing. Think of Barney as a Chandler for the new millennium. His character could be, wait for it, legendary.


Dr. Addison Shepherd (Kate Walsh) on ``Grey's Anatomy'': It would be so easy to loathe Dr. McDreamy's wife. How dare she come between Meredith and Derek? But Addison is not only likable, but we just might understand why Derek would go back to her. The best love triangles are when the person in the middle has two equally viable options.


Desmond (Henry Ian Cusick) on ``Lost'': His appearance in the opening moments of the second season immediately managed to quell the complaints of the masses. Viewers finally learned what and who was in that blasted hatch. Mysterious with a face that's not exactly trustworthy, we're hoping we see Desmond in another episode, brother.


Kendall Casablancas (Charisma Carpenter) on ``Veronica Mars'': No it's not just because the arrival of sexy trophy wife Kendall Casablancas has provided a reason to see Logan (Jason Dohring) sans clothes more often (really, it's not). As the show entered its second season, it needed to introduce some new adult characters (after incarcerating most of last season's characters older than 20). Carpenter puts a new spin on an old cliche. She's already having an affair with her stepson's best friend. What will she do next?
Matthew Applewhite (Mehcad Brooks) on ``Desperate Housewives'': As Betty's (Alfre Woodard) son, Brooks' subdued performance has infused the show with some much needed oomph. He's the only one who hasn't revealed too much and leaves viewers desperate for more.


Chris (Tyler James Williams) on ``Everybody Hates Chris'': Let's be honest: Usually child actors are annoying. They're either too aware of how cute they are or they can't act. Newcomer Williams is a true find. As the young Chris Rock, Williams captures Chris' necessary bravado and adolescent awkwardness. The best part? He gets better in every episode.
... and some wear out their welcome


With the good comes the bad. Here are the worst new characters of the season.


Zach (Miguel Nunez Jr.) on ``Joey'': Stick a fork in your spaghetti, Joey, because you're done. Nothing against Nunez, but his wacky, only-in-a-sitcom character reeks of the desperation of a frenetic show.


Taylor Townsend (Autumn Reeser) on ``The O.C.'': Sure the series needed to expand its social circle and shake up this season, but Summer's bratty rival was not the way to do it. Taylor is a bad amalgamation of every bitchy high school girl in every '80s teen movie.


Melinda Gordon (Jennifer Love Hewitt) on ``Ghost Whisperer'': Frankly, we wish the dead would just take Melinda back with them. And can anyone tell us why Melinda sleeps with full makeup and perfectly coiffed hair?


Special Agent Jason Gideon (Mandy Patinkin) on ``Criminal Minds'': Patinkin is the only actor who could make David Caruso on ``CSI: Miami'' look like he's giving a restrained performance.