Ok, let's get some discussion flowing... here's a topic: who do you think is a great and under-rated supporting character? i.e. not the main star of a show but often steals the scenes.
Here's my nomination: Inspector Grim (seen below) from The Thin Blue Line, played so well by David Haig. In my opinion his rants steal every scene.
I would like to vote not for one character, but for a group of characters. I vote for Green Wing's four fine human resources adminstrators, Harriet, Karen, Kim and Rachel.
My reason is that they are each different, but they blend together very well. Harriet's problems with her children, Rachel's outrageous behaviour, Kim's terrible attitude and Karen's failure to succeed at anything create a separate little world away from the hospital staff, but is equally funny and surreal.
Good thinking! Definitely agree with you there. Superb writing on that show, creating a real, truly multi-dimensional platform for all of the little tangents and stories to branch off into!
In regards to Mark's original question, I think I'll have to have a think about that one! (Although Inspector Grim is a great place to start!)
I'd say best supporting charcter imo would go to either Rona in 2 Point 4 Children or Pamela (Played by Lisa Tarbuck) in Watching
Norma Speakman (played by the wonderful Liz Smith) in the Royle Family, She barely in half the show but it would not be the same without her
Bless the old dear
Barry
This is a great topic and a tricky one. I've got 4 or 5:
Mr Barrowclough - Porridge - Not only is he a great character, he makes 'Fletch' a better character when he's around. As good as Mr McKay is, I think Fletch is funnier when he bounces off Mr Barrowclough.
Trigger - OFAH - No topic about supporting cast would be complete without Trigger. He's wonderfully acted and has great lines. He only needs to be in the backgorund looking gormless and he'll crack you up. His tale of going out with an office girl at the council is his best moment. She suggests a weekend away, but they split up over it. Trigger: "I heard later, through friends, that she wanted to go with me!"
George - Men Behaving Badly - The scenes with George are such a change of pace. He's a very funny character, intelligent but stupid. Gary plays well off him and Anthea and it creates some great conversation.
Ron & Reg - Goodnight Sweetheart - A joint nomination. I'm not sure whether you'd call them secondary, or main characters, but whatever, I'm picking them! Almost every funny scene involves one of the 2, they are wonderfully naive and completely loyal.
Eddie - Early Doors - Again, it's difficult with Early Doors to distingiush secondary characters, but I think Eddie is great. He's so boring, but never tedious, which is quite an achievement.
I could think of lots more. I agree with Rona and the Royle's Nana. Don't quite get the adulation for Green Wing. It's funny, but not brilliant.
Ah, Trigger. Yes, a good nomination Rick. I'd throw Boycie (and possibly Marlene) into the mix too. They've proved their worth by successfully branching out to a show on their own.
I'm Alan Patridge has some great supporting characters, especially Michael and Lynn. Alan and Michael make a great double act.
Alan: You threw a monkey in the sea? That's awful. I mean, I was fishing for some sort of funny story. That's just upsetting.
Michael: Well, you know, I wasn't thinking straight. I just, kind of, got the red mist in front of my eyes and I just grabbed the monkey and hurled it in the sea.
Alan: Will you stop saying you threw a monkey in the sea? All I can see is a monkey spinning towards the water.
Michael: Well, it didn't go straight in the water. It bounced off a rock.
Haha, classic. 
Quote: Aaron @ August 21, 2006, 1:02 PMAh, Trigger. Yes, a good nomination Rick. I'd throw Boycie (and possibly Marlene) into the mix too. They've proved their worth by successfully branching out to a show on their own.
As good as they are, I've never felt like Only Fools would be a lesser show if they were missing. I suppose the awesome episode where Del beats Boycie at cards would be a loss, but not a lot else. Trigger, on the other hand, provides tons of great cameo's and I feel the show would be less funny if he wasn't in it.
In saying that, I do really enjoy Green, Green Grass, so the characters do have some strength.
I'd also say Jane in Waiting For God is a brilliant supporting character
True, she's not too bad. Unfortunately the programme is. >_<
LoL I love Waiting For God!
Well, each to their own etc. - I just find it utterly, boringly, depressingly unfunny and annoying, sorry!
That is how I find Only Fools and Horses and Dads Army.