Great comedy relies on many working parts, including casting, chemistry, and setting. The best comedy, though, comes from the snappy dialogue between two characters who play off one another perfectly. There are plenty of fun ensemble casts in comedies and dramadies, but a witty duo always manages to shine brightly, stealing the scenes and audiences’ hearts.
Popular comedies range in tone from romantic to situational to farce, but whether the humor is standard, a bit tortured, or flat-out ridiculous, the most memorable belly laughs come from duos whose lines and delivery are on-point.
Nandor & Guillermo – What We Do In The Shadows
This mockumentary is full of fish-out-of-water jokes, with the vampires rarely grasping common technology or attitudes. Though dry sarcasm flies back and forth throughout the show, the core humor comes from the interactions between Nandor and Guillermo.
Guillermo handles modern issues like email, even though Nandor protests that he ‘knows how the Ether works.’ Nandor assumes that his familiar will instantly obey him, which Guillermo does, especially at the beginning of What We Do In The Shadows. Over the seasons, Guillermo’s confidence grows and his dialogue explicitly challenges Nandor, such as when he says, “The only reason you’re alive is because I let you live.” Through this journey, fans are treated to a viciously witty pair with a sharp bite.
Midge & Susie – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
The title The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel says it all. Midge is marvelous, especially when it comes to delivering cutting humor. There are not many characters in the show who can match wits and timing with her, but Susie does. As much as Susie wants to declare Midge a ‘super-coiffed science experiment’ rather than a friend, Midge is the only one she will trust to teach her to swim (or with her true feelings of insecurity).
This duo is fiery and can have an entire conversation that consists of “f*** you” back and forth, yet still entertain the audience. Whether they are discussing yellow teddy bears or mermaid eye shadow, these ladies deliver the laughs “tits up.”
Johnny & Miguel – Cobra Kai
The obvious duo is Daniel and Johnny since their deep rivalry in The Karate Kid inspired the revival show, Cobra Kai. But, many of the best scenes are between Johnny and Miguel. Good comedy has give and take, and both Johnny and Miguel manage to get in burns while also trying to see the world from each other’s viewpoint.
Johnny’s jokes that rely heavily on ’80s trivia are made relatable to younger audiences through the filter of Miguel’s responses, and older audiences sympathize with Johnny’s struggles. As their relationship shifts to something like father/son, their growing knowledge of one another allows their humor to become more insightful while their flaws continue to keep the humor fresh, yet bittersweet.
Fleabag & Claire – Fleabag
This Amazon hit has fantastic dialogue overall, but there is a special flow between Fleabag and Claire. As siblings, the audience expects them to share history (and at least some positive memories with one another), but there isn’t much on the surface that seems to connect them. The spark comes from Claire’s shut-down emotions that occasionally explode to the surface in the form of pencil haircuts and Fleabag’s attempts to temper her self-destructive impulses, such as punching Martin.
Whenever they try to communicate, chaos ensues. From the first episode when Claire tried to hug Fleabag with disastrous results, the show established their desire to connect with each other while at the same time making it clear that this journey would be a bumpy, yet hilarious, road to the best compliment Claire could ever give: “You’re the only person I’d run through an airport for.”
Rebecca & Keeley – Ted Lasso
Many comedy series use humor that exploits one character’s weakness, often bordering on cruel, but some shows, like Ted Lasso, manage to be heart-warming while still delivering plenty of laughs. Comedies are commonly focused on dysfunctional relationships, but the friendship that grows between straight-laced, reserved Rebecca and open, effusive Keeley is very healthy.
When one woman makes a bad decision, such as tricking Ted or not communicating with Roy, the other woman reminds her to be her best self. Keeley’s adoration (‘You’re amazing. Let’s invade France’) boosts Rebecca’s self-esteem, and Rebecca’s presence gives Keeley the female friendship she needs. They use gentle teasing and well-timed delivery to give the audience a rare treat that is funny and touching all at once. Even as secondary characters, they steal the show.
Otis & Eric – Sex Education
There’s no place for dullness or toxic masculinity in Otis and Eric’s friendship. Whether they are supporting each other through embarrassing erections or ill-timed outbursts, they present an open, intimate friendship. On their path to becoming “awesome killer whales” instead of “sad, lonely fish,” they see each other through their individual weaknesses, making them stronger as individuals and as friends.
Otis brings Eric out of his shell, and Eric offers his admiration for Otis’s bravery. And when they do use their words as weapons, they also show they are not afraid to own up to their mistakes and apologize in a style that is bound to bring smiles to viewers’ faces.
Janet & Jason – The Good Place
In this show, there is plenty of one-liners and physical comedy as the different personality types of the cast play off one another. Back and forth banter, though, comes through the strongest in scenes with Janet and Jason. Janet, a being who knows literally everything, does her best to explain common sense and give comfort to Jason, a Florida man who knows barely anything.
The intelligence gap between the characters in The Good Place allows for laughs, as Janet tells Jason she is “not a girl” for the 100th time or Jason tries to illustrate the significance of his “budhole” with football and buffalo wings. Janet’s struggle to find metaphors that Jason can relate to becomes even funnier, as Jason ultimately misunderstands 80 percent of what she says, yet their interactions lead to positively hilarious character development.
Issa & Kelli – Insecure
As soon as Issa sang “Broken P***y” in the first episode, it was clear to viewers that her brand of comedy would be no-holds-barred. Insecure has several running jokes among the characters, but the best pairing for witty repartee is Issa and Kelli because neither woman hesitates to speak her mind.
Both ladies believe in brutal honesty: Kelli explains Issa’s financial situation in amused horror, and Issa reminds Kelli of her spotty church attendance. This lack of placation actually makes their friendship less co-dependent than Issa’s with Molly. Throughout the series, Kelli is the friend who can give it to Issa straight and keep her on her toes.
Jake & Captain Holt – Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Brooklyn Nine-Nine has one of the best ensemble casts of all time. Every character gets a chance to shine, but the duo with the best banter is Jake and Cpt. Holt. Their differences in age, experience, and patience make them great foils for one another.
Jake’s desire to impress his father figure combined with Captain Holt’s reluctant affection and praise gives their dialogue emotional urgency, but they aren’t afraid to get competitive during the Halloween Heists or poke each other physically and verbally when they are quarantined with the mumps. These two deliver a complex relationship that never suffers from a stale line.
Kenan Thompson & Everyone – Saturday Night Live
Just this March, Kenan Thompson made history when he delivered his 1,500th sketch on SNL. He has become the backbone of SNL, rarely breaking character and always bringing the laughs. The key to his success is not only due to good material and his own talent, but the fact that he manages to be consistently funny no matter who he is paired with.
Whether he’s opposite Betty White in “Scared Straight,” managing Tom Hanks on “Black Jeopardy,” singing “Come Back Barack” with Chance the Rapper, or entertaining (and ignoring) guests like Al Gore and Morgan Freeman on “What Up With That,” Thompson has shown he has the chops to make banter with anyone and everyone.
