Top 10 Will They or Won't They Sitcom Couples
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Script written by Alysa Scanzano.
Their on-and-off romances kept viewers guessing – and hoping. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 “will-they-or-won’t-they” sitcom couples.
For this list, we’re looking at couples who stayed unmarried for the majority of the show’s run – however they’re still eligible if they end up getting hitched near the end of the series. We excluded couples like Kevin and Winnie because “The Wonder Years” was considered a comedy-drama, not a sitcom.
#10: Jim Halpert & Pam Beesly
Jim and Pam took audiences through a whirlwind of office flirtation, and for the longest time Jim remained king of the friend zone while Pam was perpetually engaged to the warehouse boy. After years of drama, their relationship was finally set aflame – and eventually we got to see them get married, have kids and quit their paper-hawking jobs at Dunder-Mifflin, allowing them to ride off into the sunset together.
#9: Leslie Knope & Ben Wyatt
While this pair was initially introduced as enemies, we knew there was going to be more to their relationship – and they turned out to be a dynamic-duo. With shared interests and overlapping expertise, they’re a match made-in-heaven – even though they’ve been known to clash. The play-by-play of their romance has been one for the ages, and we’ve loved watching Ben and Leslie fall into mutual love and like.
#8: John “J.D.” Dorian & Elliot Reid
For years, they were stuck in a cycle of dating, breaking up, sleeping together, rekindling, breaking up again, etc. By the show’s final season, J.D. and Elliott finally got their fairytale ending, complete with marriage and baby on the way. “Scrubs” may’ve often veered into unexpected territory with creative plots and wacky characters, but the constant tug-of-war between its central doctors kept us on the edge of our seats.
#7: Sam Malone & Diane Chambers
In a place where everybody knows your name, the ones of most concern to us were Sam and Diane. Bringing us on a ride of break-ups and make-ups, their relationship dominated the show’s storyline for the first five seasons. The mismatched pairing of a womanizing athlete-turned-bartender and his overqualified waitress was doomed from the start, but we loved watching their sexual tension build and unravel a few hundred times.
#6: Eric Forman & Donna Pinciotti
It took them almost 17-years to realize that boys and girls can’t just be neighborly friends, despite having grown up childhood besties. From season-to-season, break-up to make-up, and friendship to romance, we saw less ‘70s sexual freedom and more of an amusingly sarcastic association between an effeminate man and a woman of very strong character – but we’ve never doubted they were made for each other.
#5: Carrie Bradshaw & Mr. Big
Here’s the abridged version of their relationship: whirlwind romance turns sour when things get too serious; next thing you know Big is married to another – much younger – woman. Some ill-advised cheating on the part of these commitment-phobes is just one part of their complete dysfunction; however, they eventually get to a place of mutual respect and love, which finally gives way to a healthy relationship – and some unnecessary movies.
#4: Niles Crane & Daphne Moon
An odd couple pairing like no other; he’s the snooty psychiatrist, she’s the eccentric physical therapist. Niles’ unabashed flirtation coupled with Daphne’s unapologetic romantic ignorance made us laugh every week. But, all along it seemed that the awkward-geek-getting-the-girl was too much of a distant fantasy for “Frasier” writers to pull off. Fortunately for Niles, he does get the girl in the end. And who can forget their first kiss?
#3: Leonard Hofstadter & Penny
A pretty blonde moves in across the hall from two of television’s biggest nerds. Recipe for disaster, right? No; it’s actually a recipe for sitcom gold! Their differences in interest have cause surprisingly little relationship stress; it’s actually Penny’s fear of commitment that keeps these two apart the most. After seasons of teasing audiences with the inevitable, will Lenny and Penny finally settle down for the long haul?
#2: Cory Matthews & Topanga Lawrence
Who could forget Mr. Feeney’s sarcastic discipline towards Cory and Shawn as they made a mockery of class, while quiet and brainy Topanga sat in front of them playing teacher’s pet? Starting in grade school and FINALLY culminating in a TGIF marriage, the Cory and Topanga story was one for the TV ages, and we fell just as in love with them as they did with each other.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- Zack Morris & Kelly Kapowski “Saved by the Bell” (1989-93)
- Jeannie & Major Nelson “I Dream of Jeannie” (1965-70)
- Nick Miller & Jess Day “New Girl” (2011-)
#1: Ross Geller & Rachel Green
They’re the reference point for all on-again-off-again TV couples. Ross and Rachel’s romance has been more of a rollercoaster than their friends’: but their will-they-or-won’t-they tension eventually gave way to real love. However they couldn’t survive a short time-out. Even though they had a baby together, our hope for reconciliation was fading – but in the end, Rachel ditched Paris to set up shop with everybody’s favorite TV paleontologist for the long-term.
Do you agree with our list? Who’s your favorite will they won’t they couple? For more nostalgic Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
Top 10 Will They or Won’t They Sitcom Couples
Their on-and-off romances kept viewers guessing – and hoping. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 “will-they-or-won’t-they” sitcom couples.
For this list, we’re looking at couples who stayed unmarried for the majority of the show’s run – however they’re still eligible if they end up getting hitched near the end of the series. We excluded couples like Kevin and Winnie because “The Wonder Years” was considered a comedy-drama, not a sitcom.
#10: Jim Halpert & Pam Beesly
“The Office” (2005-13)
Jim and Pam took audiences through a whirlwind of office flirtation, and for the longest time Jim remained king of the friend zone while Pam was perpetually engaged to the warehouse boy. After years of drama, their relationship was finally set aflame – and eventually we got to see them get married, have kids and quit their paper-hawking jobs at Dunder-Mifflin, allowing them to ride off into the sunset together.#9: Leslie Knope & Ben Wyatt
“Parks and Recreation” (2009-)
While this pair was initially introduced as enemies, we knew there was going to be more to their relationship – and they turned out to be a dynamic-duo. With shared interests and overlapping expertise, they’re a match made-in-heaven – even though they’ve been known to clash. The play-by-play of their romance has been one for the ages, and we’ve loved watching Ben and Leslie fall into mutual love and like.#8: John “J.D.” Dorian & Elliot Reid
“Scrubs” (2001-10)
For years, they were stuck in a cycle of dating, breaking up, sleeping together, rekindling, breaking up again, etc. By the show’s final season, J.D. and Elliott finally got their fairytale ending, complete with marriage and baby on the way. “Scrubs” may’ve often veered into unexpected territory with creative plots and wacky characters, but the constant tug-of-war between its central doctors kept us on the edge of our seats.#7: Sam Malone & Diane Chambers
“Cheers” (1982-93)
In a place where everybody knows your name, the ones of most concern to us were Sam and Diane. Bringing us on a ride of break-ups and make-ups, their relationship dominated the show’s storyline for the first five seasons. The mismatched pairing of a womanizing athlete-turned-bartender and his overqualified waitress was doomed from the start, but we loved watching their sexual tension build and unravel a few hundred times.#6: Eric Forman & Donna Pinciotti
“That ‘70s Show” (1998-2006)
It took them almost 17-years to realize that boys and girls can’t just be neighborly friends, despite having grown up childhood besties. From season-to-season, break-up to make-up, and friendship to romance, we saw less ‘70s sexual freedom and more of an amusingly sarcastic association between an effeminate man and a woman of very strong character – but we’ve never doubted they were made for each other.#5: Carrie Bradshaw & Mr. Big
“Sex and the City” (1998-2004)
Here’s the abridged version of their relationship: whirlwind romance turns sour when things get too serious; next thing you know Big is married to another – much younger – woman. Some ill-advised cheating on the part of these commitment-phobes is just one part of their complete dysfunction; however, they eventually get to a place of mutual respect and love, which finally gives way to a healthy relationship – and some unnecessary movies.#4: Niles Crane & Daphne Moon
“Frasier” (1993-2004)
An odd couple pairing like no other; he’s the snooty psychiatrist, she’s the eccentric physical therapist. Niles’ unabashed flirtation coupled with Daphne’s unapologetic romantic ignorance made us laugh every week. But, all along it seemed that the awkward-geek-getting-the-girl was too much of a distant fantasy for “Frasier” writers to pull off. Fortunately for Niles, he does get the girl in the end. And who can forget their first kiss?#3: Leonard Hofstadter & Penny
“The Big Bang Theory” (2007-)
A pretty blonde moves in across the hall from two of television’s biggest nerds. Recipe for disaster, right? No; it’s actually a recipe for sitcom gold! Their differences in interest have cause surprisingly little relationship stress; it’s actually Penny’s fear of commitment that keeps these two apart the most. After seasons of teasing audiences with the inevitable, will Lenny and Penny finally settle down for the long haul?#2: Cory Matthews & Topanga Lawrence
“Boy Meets World” (1993-2000)
Who could forget Mr. Feeney’s sarcastic discipline towards Cory and Shawn as they made a mockery of class, while quiet and brainy Topanga sat in front of them playing teacher’s pet? Starting in grade school and FINALLY culminating in a TGIF marriage, the Cory and Topanga story was one for the TV ages, and we fell just as in love with them as they did with each other.Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- Zack Morris & Kelly Kapowski “Saved by the Bell” (1989-93)
- Jeannie & Major Nelson “I Dream of Jeannie” (1965-70)
- Nick Miller & Jess Day “New Girl” (2011-)
#1: Ross Geller & Rachel Green
“Friends” (1994-2004)
They’re the reference point for all on-again-off-again TV couples. Ross and Rachel’s romance has been more of a rollercoaster than their friends’: but their will-they-or-won’t-they tension eventually gave way to real love. However they couldn’t survive a short time-out. Even though they had a baby together, our hope for reconciliation was fading – but in the end, Rachel ditched Paris to set up shop with everybody’s favorite TV paleontologist for the long-term. Do you agree with our list? Who’s your favorite will they won’t they couple? For more nostalgic Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
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