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Poll: Who is the Best TV Duo currently on TV?

Back in the day it was Kirk and Spock, Batman and Robin, Starsky and Hutch. Today, it's House and Wilson. Brittany and Santana. Castle and Beckett. That perfect pair of TV friends. We've nominated a ton of our favorite TV duos. Which pair has the most chemistry? You decide!

There’s nothing quite like watching two actors with amazing chemistry play off each other. Your votes in this week’s poll will decide the Best Duo currently on TV. With so many fantastic pairs of characters out there, I asked the CliqueClack team to nominate their favorite duos from shows currently airing.

Debbie: I’m really supposed to choose between House and Wilson, Sam and Dean, and Castle and Beckett? I’m not sure I can, but if I am allowed to nominate them all, here are my reasons:

House and Wilson — True friends to the core, so brutally honest with each other yet so sneaky and conniving all at the same time. Big fun to watch.

Sam and Dean — Brothers, friends, partners, banter. The deep characterization the awesome writing on Supernatural has provided shows us that no matter what the separating force be to these two, like the apocalypse for example, nothing will keep them from having each other’s backs. And wise-ass banter.

Castle and Beckett — Chemistry, banter, friendship and the promise of more. The serious cop and the fun-loving writer are perfect for each other.

Ivey: My vote is going to be Brittany/Santana, but I’d add Booth/Brennan, Castle/Beckett, Chuck/Sarah, Peter/Olivia, and Marshals Mary/Marshall.

Julia: I vote for Merlin and Arthur, obviously, but this is waaaaaaaaaay too broad a category for me, so I’m bowing out beyond that.

Bob: Okay, I don’t even watch Psych and I know that Shawn and Gus need to be on this list.

Keith: But I did say Shawn and Gus….

[Unfortunately Keith only sent his list to Ivey.]

Keith: I’d add Abed/Troy, Walter White/Jesse Pinkman, Shawn/Gus, and Pete/Myka.

Carissa: Rizzoli & Isles. They’re completely different, share an incredible bond in spite of those differences, and always have each other’s back while still reminding each other of those differences through witty banter.  The best female BFFs I’ve seen on television in a long time. If ever. Their dynamic is usually reserved for male/female couples playing the will they/won’t they get together game.

Michael: Well, naturally, House and Wilson. But….

[Decrying the “doofus caveat” of limiting nominees to shows that are currently airing, Michael proceeded to make his case for including Batman and Robin (i.e. Adam West and Burt Ward), Starsky and Hutch, and Cow and Chicken. I threatened that if we were breaking rules, I would nominate Craig Ferguson and his rattlesnake mug. Keith told us to hush-up, as we already have a battle royale on our hands.]

Michael: Yeah, I know. There are tons. Literally. I’m still sticking with House and Wilson, the perfect Asshat and Flabbergast pairing ….

Jen: Oh wait. You guys are forgetting Mary and Marshall on In Plain Sight and, possibly my favorite, Neal Caffrey and Peter Burke (TV’s hottest bromance) from White Collar.

Bob: Liz Lemon and Jack Donaghy: A perfect odd couple that make 30 Rock what it is. They have some of the best chemistry on screen in a comedy and balance out each other’s quirks really well. Cool and calm Jack trying to mentor the neurotic and overly hyper Liz is some of my favorite TV.

Jeff: Troy and Abed from Community. Why? [Jeff provided several compelling reasons, including this one. And this one. And this one.]

Carla: I have to add Peter and Walter Bishop to this list. The father/son dynamic has grown from awkward to endearing to estranged. But the love is there. Even more so the humor.

An: My choice – Shawn and Gus. Why? Pop culture meta-reference fan-gasm. ‘Nuff said.

It’s time to vote for your favorite TV duo. If we forgot to nominate someone, leave a comment and make some noise.

Photo Credit: NBC

71 Responses to “Poll: Who is the Best TV Duo currently on TV?”

September 15, 2010 at 12:46 PM

What about Michael/Sam – Burn Notice (gotta love Bruce Campbell)

September 15, 2010 at 1:11 PM

I am sad to see the Venture Bros. unrepresented on this list. While I would argue that the show would fit better in a “Best All-Around Cast of Characters on TV” debate, the glory that is the Venture Bros. must be heralded. And while many might choose Hank and Dean Venture, I would advocate for Henchmen 21 and 24. If you haven’t seen the show, think Rosencrantz and Guildenstern as super-villain henchmen. Number 24’s death has only enhanced the relationship.

I would also argue that Eliot and Hardison from Leverage are contenders. Every time they are on screen together brings me joy.

September 15, 2010 at 4:17 PM

A poll about best ensembles on TV would be awesome. Venture Bros, Leverage, Fringe …

September 16, 2010 at 1:18 AM

The West Wing, SportsNight….

September 16, 2010 at 10:20 AM

Chuck, The Closer, Community, Burn Notice, Human Target, Eureka, Warehouse 13, Dexter, . . .

The problem would be isolating the quality of the ensemble from the quality of the show. Nobody would argue that Warehouse 13 or Human Target are contenders as the best show on TV, but they have ensembles that work extremely well together.

Valley, McBride, and Haley clicked almost immediately and made an otherwise relatively basic action-adventure show worth watching.

It would also be hard to compare certain ensembles based on depth. Burn Notice has four (recently five) characters who make up the primary ensemble, so they all get relatively meaty stories on a regular basis on a show that is very much about the character relationships. The Closer has twice that many people on a show that is more about Brenda Leigh and how people relate to her than it is about the ensemble as a whole. This past season we barely got anything from Gabriel, Tao, or Taylor and primarily comic relief from Provenza and Flynn.

And to comment on this particular poll, I was sad to see Chuck/Morgan not represented. Also, it is disconcerting, if not surprising, that only two of the duos on the poll consist of two women. And while I lament that, I also have a hard time coming up with a female duo who interact enough independent of the show’s ensemble to warrant inclusion, which is sad. It would be nice to see more of that on shows that aren’t exclusively about women interacting.

September 15, 2010 at 2:16 PM

The basic problem with this subject is we could probably come up with dozens of duos. Still, it’s a fun topic!

September 15, 2010 at 2:37 PM

You’re right, we definitely could! But I think each of us has a few true favorites. (Mine are Abed/Troy, Merlin/Arthur, and House/Wilson.)

September 15, 2010 at 5:41 PM

Merlin and Arthur are running away with this poll! They’ve got more than 200 votes right now, and it’s only been a few hours. O.O

September 15, 2010 at 8:26 PM

Merlin & Arthur definitely had my vote. I wish I could have chosen Neal and Peter too, though.

September 15, 2010 at 8:54 PM

Wow, there sure are a lot of characters on the list named “Pete” or “Peter”.

September 15, 2010 at 10:18 PM

Neal Caffrey and Peter Burke! Awesome!

September 15, 2010 at 10:32 PM

Matt Bomer & Tim DeKay no doubt the best duo – clearly, not even a contest!

September 15, 2010 at 10:55 PM

Who are Merlin & Arthur – never heard of. Only one dynamic duo now and it’s Caffrey/Burke on Collar!

September 15, 2010 at 11:32 PM

LOL. Never heard of Merlin & Arthur? Who are you? :P

September 16, 2010 at 6:11 AM

O.O you’ve not heard of Merlin and Arthur!! king Arthur, knights of the round table? They are iconic myth. You should check the show out, they have so much chemistry :)

September 15, 2010 at 11:36 PM

What a great idea–but it is just too difficult to come up with only one, when so many of the shows are built around chemistry of the casts, (not only the main characters), but several of the supporting casts such as those in “Burn Notice”, and the play between all of them in “Closer”. Since you penned me down, I had to take Neal & Peter in “White Collar”. Plain Sight, Bones, Psych, Castle, and several others have to be honorable mentions. Again, in almost everyone of those shows, the entire group chemistry is just outstanding.

September 15, 2010 at 11:46 PM

Feels both very happy and completely conflicted about this poll. I found it in the Merlin and Arthur comm, voted for Merlin and Arthur after headdesking about Peter and Neal… And then tiptoed into the Neal and Peter community to post about this poll.

I watch and like all but, like, six of the show and duos listed.

September 16, 2010 at 12:47 AM

Best duo for me Definitely is Matt Bomer & Tim DeKay ,,

September 16, 2010 at 1:15 AM

. . . . .

*psssssssssssssssssssssssst*

Ruby!

Next time, don’t tell Keith you’re doing something like this and we’ll be able to get away with murder.

Your Partner In Crime, Michael

September 16, 2010 at 3:11 AM

Merlin & Arthur!

September 16, 2010 at 3:25 AM

Merlin & Arthur!

September 16, 2010 at 3:59 AM

Honestly, I’ve never seen anything like the chemistry Jared and Jensen as Sam and Dean in Supernatural have, ever before! So there goes my vote!

September 16, 2010 at 4:23 AM

Always Sam and Dean

No one else compares. Their chemistry is magic and cannot be beaten. Ever.

September 16, 2010 at 8:36 AM

Sam and Dean Winchester, all the way.

September 16, 2010 at 9:41 AM

Sam & Dean Winchester. It might be a show that the top TV exec refused to acknowledge or promote cause it lacks the Twilight Highschool hype & didn’t show sex scenes every few episodes but you can’t beat the fandom who knows the truth. These brothers went to hell for each other.

September 16, 2010 at 10:07 AM

Booth and Brennan!!!!! They r just sooo adorable!!!!! B&B FOREVER!!! Bones FTW!!!!

September 16, 2010 at 10:44 AM

Troy and Abed crack me up. I love that there’s a portion of the show devoted just to them.

September 16, 2010 at 12:02 PM

My vote went to Merlin & Arthur, because come on! They’re legend! Two sides of a coin, destiny, because a half cannot truly hate that which makes it whole and all that!

But I also wish I could vote for Sam & Dean!

September 16, 2010 at 1:12 PM

SAM N DEAN R ON TOP CUZ THEY R AWESOME

September 16, 2010 at 2:03 PM

OH YEAH SAM & DEAN ALL THE WAY!! Supernatural RULES!! :)

September 16, 2010 at 2:42 PM

Sam and Dean Winchester, for sure! Hands down the best duo on tv. When you add in Castiel and Bobby, it’s just golden!!!!

September 16, 2010 at 2:45 PM

my vote goes to Sam and Dean… honestly the chemistry Jared and Jensen have is incredible!!!! Supernatural rules!! :) it’s one of the best shows ever!!

September 16, 2010 at 3:38 PM

Sam and Dean, of course! :-D

September 16, 2010 at 3:59 PM

I kinda did the same, only with Sam and Dean instead of Neal and Peter. I like all three duos, but the Winchesters come out on top*g*

September 16, 2010 at 4:57 PM

oh my gosh I love CHUCK and Supernatural ! but I choose Chuck and Sarah ’cause I knew they would get the fewer votes and my boys Sam and Dean would get a lot =)

September 16, 2010 at 5:26 PM

I voted for Neal/Peter because they are great and obviously no one comes close to the hotness that is Matt Bomer.

September 16, 2010 at 5:28 PM

If adults were voting in this poll, the hot White Collar duo would be at 90%.

September 16, 2010 at 5:49 PM

I choose Shawn and Gus from Psych since their friendship is the most stable.

September 16, 2010 at 5:50 PM

Sam & Dean FTW!!!

And I am an adult.

September 16, 2010 at 7:14 PM

I’m 35. Sam and Dean, no question about it.

September 16, 2010 at 7:47 PM

Sam and Dean always!!!!! <33333 hehee Supernatural is amazing!

September 16, 2010 at 9:13 PM

MERTHUR is made of WIN!

September 16, 2010 at 9:19 PM

Has to be Dean and Sam, too many great things about them to mention, those who watch will know what I mean.

September 16, 2010 at 9:21 PM

Has to be Dean and Sam, too many great things to mention, fans of the duo know what I mean!

September 16, 2010 at 10:13 PM

Is this even a question? Sam & Dean of course, no buts about it.

September 16, 2010 at 11:53 PM

I would have included Lisbon and Jane from The Mentalist…..

September 17, 2010 at 1:08 AM

WTF?! Sam and Dean for sure!

September 17, 2010 at 3:21 AM

Merthur sounds like some horrible disease. *shivers*

But yes, Merlin and Arthur! (or, you know, Neal and Peter.)

September 17, 2010 at 3:50 AM

Merlin and Arthur, without a doubt! :D

September 17, 2010 at 4:31 AM

Merlin and Arthur of course! They’re adorable to watch and have on screen chemistry even when they’re not really supposed to. Plus, do you not want to tug Colin’s ears? Can you really say you don’t want to? :D x

September 17, 2010 at 5:01 AM

Oh god, how to choose between Sam and Dean and Merlin and Arthur…this is just killing me ><

September 17, 2010 at 6:22 AM

Merlin & Arthur, no question!

They’ve got destiny and a slash dragon on their side! What could beat that!?

September 17, 2010 at 7:10 AM

OF COURSE P/N
but peter’s name should before neal’s
you know what i mean

September 17, 2010 at 7:32 AM

peter & neal!!

September 17, 2010 at 9:59 AM

Neal Caffrey / Matt Bomer is WC…

September 17, 2010 at 11:59 AM

SAM AND DEAN, and nobody else. I am 32 by the way :D

September 17, 2010 at 12:29 PM

As for Troy and Abed, just you wait for the season premiere. Just saw it. Ending = epic.

September 17, 2010 at 1:12 PM

I’m planning to watch it Monday – can’t wait!!!

September 17, 2010 at 8:27 PM

Sam & Dean!!! The most awesome sexiest duo on tv EVER!!!!

September 18, 2010 at 8:47 AM

Sam and Dean. Is there even an argument? No… as Jensen would say… SILENCE!!

GO SPN!

September 18, 2010 at 3:28 PM

I most avidly place my vote for Dean and Sam Winchester. I have been looking forward to this Sept. 24th ALL FREAKING SUMMER. I am anxiously looking forward to watching another season of these brothers. I have my box sets 1-4 and will have Season 5 by years end. I can say it’s rare I find a show that doesn’t eventually disappoint me. SUPERNATURAL has never let me down as a viewer. GOOOOOOO TEAM FREE WILL! LONG LIVE THE WINCHESTERS! KICK IT IN THE ASS FOR SEASON 6!!!!!!!!!!!

September 18, 2010 at 8:27 PM

Liz Lemon & Jack
30 rock!!!

September 19, 2010 at 12:47 AM

Sam and Dean Winchester are the best!

September 23, 2010 at 6:46 PM

Neal and Peter! Just wish we could see new episodes year ’round. C’mon January!

If you haven’t seen White Collar, it lives at ABC and aired on
Tuesdays this summer. You can get the Season One disks at Amazon for twenty-something dollars, a great buy for such quality entertainment. Action, suspense, but lots of humor too. It’s a really fun show!!!

What about best teams?

September 26, 2010 at 2:12 PM

Sam and Dean!!!!!!!

October 1, 2010 at 6:30 PM

Are you kidding us? :D Sam and Dean Winchester, of course!

October 10, 2010 at 10:50 AM

Sam & Dean for the freaking win!

I was gonna say Dean&Cas but okay ;)

November 1, 2010 at 4:58 PM

Merlin and Arthur, defiantly ;)

November 23, 2010 at 1:11 PM

House and Wilson used to be the best double act before Wilson’s role was downsized to ‘Huddy’ cheerleader/relationship counsellor. Now? Abed and Troy all the way.

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