Well, shit. Like Lassie.
Most Under-rated sitcom character Page 2
I think it was 'Tristram' out of 'George and Mildred'.
The Trekkie out of 'Frasier'.
Captain Duff from 'High Life'.
Oh and the guy who did the outside broadcasts on 'Back to You'. The rest of it well... not so good but I did like him.
Holy Mary from Phoenix Nights.
Grouty, Blanco and Lukewarm - brilliant.
Ah, Tristram. With his massive, thick-rimmed glasses. Bless him. 
Elizabeth Mainwaring
One that fits the criteria and is one of the best for me regardless is Aldo Stiles the incompetent Police Chief in Bakersfield P.D. His inability to make a decision was quite beautiful to watch, a gem of a performance and character.
The shoe-shine guy in "Police Squad!
I don't even know from memory whether he had a name but he was essential to the whole idea of the show.
"I hear a lot of things..."
Quote: bigfella @ March 17 2009, 1:50 PM GMTNick Swainey - One Foot In The Grave.
You beat me to it. The whole fence thing always made me smile. The only quote I could find this morning was:
"Wakey, wakey, everyone! It's a beautiful morning! I've just been watching two frogs having sex!"
I enjoyed all the 'mother' stuff too.
Jx
The Office (American) would be a poorer place without Creed.
Quote: Badge @ March 18 2009, 1:04 AM GMTThe shoe-shine guy in "Police Squad!
I don't even know from memory whether he had a name but he was essential to the whole idea of the show.
"I hear a lot of things..."
Johnny the shoeshine guy! He was definitely one of the highlights of the show, along with the forensics cop, who always seemed to be saying inappropriate things to children. On IMDB, Johnny's full name is given as Johnny the Snitch.
Det. Frank Drebin: Johnny, I need some information and fast. There's a woman in trouble.
Johnny the Snitch: You mean Mary, the boxer's wife who was just kidnapped?
Det. Frank Drebin: Right. You know anything about it?
Johnny the Snitch: Maybe I do, maybe I don't.
Joyce Brothers: Johnny, I've been getting a lot of mail about the Cinderella complex.
Johnny the Snitch: So?
[Dr. Joyce Brothers gives Johnny a dollar bribe]
Johnny the Snitch: Women's fear of success has left many of them confused about their wants and needs. Consequently, the stress-related burnout has driven many women from feminist aggression to female passivity, dependent upon their partners for vicarious fulfillment.
Joyce Brothers: Well, what do I tell them?
[she gives Johnny another dollar bribe]
Johnny the Snitch: Tell them to get in touch with their unconscious feelings and to share the growth process with their partner.
Ralph and Kirk St Moritz from Dear John....
Vince & Penny's parents in Just Good Friends were great characters as well.
Lionel in Brush Strokes. The series wasn't the same after he died.
Terry the chef in Fawlty Towers. How could they not have had a regular chef in the first series of the Towers!
Well, look on the bright side, if they did, they probably wouldn't have had the classic episode Gourmet Night.
Quote: Aaron @ March 17 2009, 10:45 PM GMTAh, Tristram. With his massive, thick-rimmed glasses. Bless him.
I think he was a sitcom favourite of Gary Glitter. 
I remember re-creating one of the shoe-shine scenes, from Police Squad, when I did a little play, in front of my class, when I was in Primary school. I don't think any of the other kids knew what was going on, as they'd probably never seen Police Squad before, because it was on quite late.
Super Hans. Peep Show.
"This crack's really moreish!'"