Limiting the choice to the six most frequent characters (who have played a significant role across multiple seasons). Who is the biggest asshole, overall?
I think it will be really interesting to hear thoughts on this, and if there is any consensus. There's plenty to be said, at least for the main four characters (Larry, Jeff, Cheryl, Susie).
Larry - Whilst he has done a lot of morally repugnant things, I think Larry's good actions and (usually) intentions puts him out of contention. He very frequently shows a lot of kindness and thought.
Jeff - I think Jeff is a lot like Larry, but with less redeeming features. His moral lows are more repugnant, and with less redeeming acts of kindness and good intentions.
Susie - Actually, not sure i'd have her down as that much of an asshole. She can be annoying, and rude, but broadly find myself agreeing with her a lot. She is often needlessly hostile to people, but overall don't think she can compete on the asshole levels.
Cheryl - Actually perhaps my front runner. Often uncaring and rude, with very little examples of kindness. Yes, it's her idea to house the Blacks for example, but then doesn't give a second thought to them, is happy for them to miss job interviews because she needs Larry to make her toast etc... Often ignores (and is actively frustrated with) Larry's attempts to show compassion to others.
Leon and Richard - I think are clearly a much lower order of asshole.
I find the role of Cheryl and Susie in the show particularly interesting. Especially in the earlier seasons, both play the stereotypical role of nagging wives causing problems for the protagonists (Larry and Jeff) - just providing the peril for many of the minor moral conundrums that they face. They show that world where husbands don't really like their wives, and just have to obey a certain set of rules which cause them problems. So perhaps it is therefore not fair to judge Cheryl as the main asshole, when for the first 6 seasons she is purely a plot device to cause trouble for Larry.
I think it will be really interesting to hear thoughts on this, and if there is any consensus. There's plenty to be said, at least for the main four characters (Larry, Jeff, Cheryl, Susie).
Larry - Whilst he has done a lot of morally repugnant things, I think Larry's good actions and (usually) intentions puts him out of contention. He very frequently shows a lot of kindness and thought.
Jeff - I think Jeff is a lot like Larry, but with less redeeming features. His moral lows are more repugnant, and with less redeeming acts of kindness and good intentions.
Susie - Actually, not sure i'd have her down as that much of an asshole. She can be annoying, and rude, but broadly find myself agreeing with her a lot. She is often needlessly hostile to people, but overall don't think she can compete on the asshole levels.
Cheryl - Actually perhaps my front runner. Often uncaring and rude, with very little examples of kindness. Yes, it's her idea to house the Blacks for example, but then doesn't give a second thought to them, is happy for them to miss job interviews because she needs Larry to make her toast etc... Often ignores (and is actively frustrated with) Larry's attempts to show compassion to others.
Leon and Richard - I think are clearly a much lower order of asshole.
I find the role of Cheryl and Susie in the show particularly interesting. Especially in the earlier seasons, both play the stereotypical role of nagging wives causing problems for the protagonists (Larry and Jeff) - just providing the peril for many of the minor moral conundrums that they face. They show that world where husbands don't really like their wives, and just have to obey a certain set of rules which cause them problems. So perhaps it is therefore not fair to judge Cheryl as the main asshole, when for the first 6 seasons she is purely a plot device to cause trouble for Larry.
