Ok last one, call it a three part series on food servers, I guess.
Housekeepers are fixture in TV, it’s as simple as that! From Aunt Bee on Andy Griffith to Rosie the Robot on The Jetsons to Mrs.Featherbottom on Arrested Development, we have seen all kinds of housekeepers, male and female. I guess because these characters are always the fun characters. They have the great lines and quick often, and often manage to be smarter than anyone else on the show (even if no one else realizes that!).
So here are my fifteen favorites. Wait, 15???? Yeah there were way to many to limit this to ten. The only rule is these have to be regulars on the respective series, and not one shots.
#15.Florida from Maude
Maude was a very strong willed woman, the kind of person that it would be hard to stand up to. Which is probably why people enjoyed the way Florida took none of that nonsense. She was so popular they spun her off to Good Times after two seasons.
#14.Berta from Two and a half Men
I have always been big fan of Conchata Ferrell, with her dry humor. I’m glad she finally had a role that made her popular, just sorry it was on this show as the housekeeper. But to be fair the scenes I have scene with are funny and I get why she was popular. In fact she went from recurring in season one to full time by the end of the series.
#13.Daphne from Frasier
At first I thought this one didn’t count since she was mostly there to be a physical therapist for Martin. But I guess she did double as live in housekeeper, as she did chores and errands for Frasier. Course when she finally got together with Niles that all got thrown out the window.She was also not the best housekeeper in the world, though not a bad some others down on the list.
#12.Rosario from Will & Grace
This may seem like an odd choice since Rosario was a supporting character. So why add her? Because she was the only who was successfully able to stand up to Karen and hold her ground. In fact, that’s exactly why Karen loved her! I think she needed someone who would keep her in line once in awhile (even if she’d never admit) and it was clear Rosario really did deep down care for Karen.
#11.Benson from Soap
Before he had his own show Benson was the housekeeper of the Tate household (and iy just occurred to me how many of these housekeepers get their own shews, even Florence got spun off in the awful “Checking In”). Even if Walter didn’t exactly like him. Benson always had a smart line or clever comeback. And it’s no surprise that not only did he get a spin-off, but was a very successful one! I also admired his relationship wth Jessica, that was a true friendship.
#10.Kraus from Benson
After Benson got his spin off we needed a new head of the kitchen, That’s where Inga Swenson came in. That job went to Kraus, the German housekeeper who kept order in the Governor’s Mansion and made everyone scared of her. Yeah they watered her character down later on but in the early years she was tough, especially when she squared off with Benson. Kraus was the one person who kept Benson on his toes. And maybe that’s why deep down they really respected each other.
#9.Nell Harper from Gimme A Break
Nell became housekeeper to the Kanisky family as a favor for her friend, who was the Kanisky’s mother. Course while she was a housekeeper the relationship went way past that as the series evolved. She became an aunt and then surrogate mother. Nell was sarcastic but was also a lot of fun, even The Chief couldn’t help but respect her good natured heart.
#8.Florence from The Jefferson’s
A lot of people say that wisecracking housekeepers on TV all owe their thanks to Florence Johnston. Marla Gibbs is a bit underrated these days, man when she threw a sarcastic comment at you look out! She was always standing up for herself which wasn’t easy when it involved George Jefferson. Florence was probably the biggest break out on that show, and of course Gibbs would eventually get her own show called 227.
#7.Mrs.Garrett from Diff’rent Strokes
Before she was spun off onto The Facts of Life, Edna Garret was the housekeeper for The Drummond’s. Unlike some of these maid’s who are sarcastic, and even lazy, Mrs.Garrett was like a second mother to the boys. She kind, patient, and understanding. It doesn’t surprise me that when they spun her off the shoe was a major success. When Mrs.Garrett left she was replaced with another character who was ok, don’t remember her name.
#6.Geoffrey from Fresh Prince of Bel Air
Geoffrey was just a lot of fun. One minute he was the serious butler, and the next he acting like a goof off. . He always had a comment or a joke at someone’s expense. It’s been said his role was to basically say the things the audience would want said. And Geoffrey loved it. He often pretended he didn’t care at all about The Banks family, but the truth he was he really did.
#5.Niles from The Nanny
Niles is just hilarious. He comes off a little more like cranky grandpa than he does a refined English butler, but man are his insults just gold! Of course the majority of those insults are directed to the suffering CC. And we wont discuss how the series ends with those two. He can short tempered at times but does have a heart of gold and is a good friend. I think he really does care about his job and the Sheffield’s, though he doesn’t always show it.
#4.Stephanie from Newhart
Most of these maid’s and housekeepers were competent. Oh sure they were full of wisecracks and all, but for the most part they did their jobs well. Stephanie was a huge exception. She took over for Leslie when that character vanished from the show. She was a socialite. totally vain and self absorbed. Maybe that’s why she did less than stellar work. Why was she never fired? No clue.
#3.Tony Micelli from Who’s The Boss?
Would you believe I almost forgot this one? Tony came at a time when having a male housekeeper was..wacky! Course after that came several, including Charles on Charles in Charge (who you will not see on this list). The thing about Tony was that he was a real fun loving guy, and had no trouble being a housekeeper if that’s what it took to make a better life for his daughter. Later on he gravitated toward college and a degree, but housekeeping was always his true calling.
#2.Mr.Belvedere
I talked about the wise cracking, wise ass housekeepers that seem to dominate this list. Mr.Belvedere was the total opposite of that. He was a refined English butler who had a very impressive resume of work, including the royal family. While Belvedere influences The Owens as most of these characters do, this is one of the few times when the family affects the housekeeper as well. By the end of the series Belvedere he was much more relaxed and less uptight. And while he teased the family a lot he truly cared for them.
#1.Alice from The Brady Bunch
Duh, who the hell else? I mean what can I say that I haven’t already? She takes all the best qualities of all of these other characters. She is a live in housekeeper who does a great job. She has a heart of gold but also a sharp tongue with comments and jokes all the time. The kids think of her like a surrogate parent, and The Brady’s just wouldn’t know what they would do without her. She is a maid, housekeeper, favorite aunt, and best friend all in one adorable package. Sure she had hew flaws but dammit she was always in charge and always ready to pitch in!
There are other professions that I could do lists of but I think that will do for now. I know I left off a ton (believe it or not) from Hazel to Alfred on Batman to Lurch on The Addams Family. So if I left off your favorite comment and let me know.
Housekeepers are fixture in TV, it’s as simple as that! From Aunt Bee on Andy Griffith to Rosie the Robot on The Jetsons to Mrs.Featherbottom on Arrested Development, we have seen all kinds of housekeepers, male and female. I guess because these characters are always the fun characters. They have the great lines and quick often, and often manage to be smarter than anyone else on the show (even if no one else realizes that!).
So here are my fifteen favorites. Wait, 15???? Yeah there were way to many to limit this to ten. The only rule is these have to be regulars on the respective series, and not one shots.
#15.Florida from Maude
Maude was a very strong willed woman, the kind of person that it would be hard to stand up to. Which is probably why people enjoyed the way Florida took none of that nonsense. She was so popular they spun her off to Good Times after two seasons.
#14.Berta from Two and a half Men
I have always been big fan of Conchata Ferrell, with her dry humor. I’m glad she finally had a role that made her popular, just sorry it was on this show as the housekeeper. But to be fair the scenes I have scene with are funny and I get why she was popular. In fact she went from recurring in season one to full time by the end of the series.
#13.Daphne from Frasier
At first I thought this one didn’t count since she was mostly there to be a physical therapist for Martin. But I guess she did double as live in housekeeper, as she did chores and errands for Frasier. Course when she finally got together with Niles that all got thrown out the window.She was also not the best housekeeper in the world, though not a bad some others down on the list.
#12.Rosario from Will & Grace
This may seem like an odd choice since Rosario was a supporting character. So why add her? Because she was the only who was successfully able to stand up to Karen and hold her ground. In fact, that’s exactly why Karen loved her! I think she needed someone who would keep her in line once in awhile (even if she’d never admit) and it was clear Rosario really did deep down care for Karen.
#11.Benson from Soap
Before he had his own show Benson was the housekeeper of the Tate household (and iy just occurred to me how many of these housekeepers get their own shews, even Florence got spun off in the awful “Checking In”). Even if Walter didn’t exactly like him. Benson always had a smart line or clever comeback. And it’s no surprise that not only did he get a spin-off, but was a very successful one! I also admired his relationship wth Jessica, that was a true friendship.
#10.Kraus from Benson
After Benson got his spin off we needed a new head of the kitchen, That’s where Inga Swenson came in. That job went to Kraus, the German housekeeper who kept order in the Governor’s Mansion and made everyone scared of her. Yeah they watered her character down later on but in the early years she was tough, especially when she squared off with Benson. Kraus was the one person who kept Benson on his toes. And maybe that’s why deep down they really respected each other.
#9.Nell Harper from Gimme A Break
Nell became housekeeper to the Kanisky family as a favor for her friend, who was the Kanisky’s mother. Course while she was a housekeeper the relationship went way past that as the series evolved. She became an aunt and then surrogate mother. Nell was sarcastic but was also a lot of fun, even The Chief couldn’t help but respect her good natured heart.
#8.Florence from The Jefferson’s
A lot of people say that wisecracking housekeepers on TV all owe their thanks to Florence Johnston. Marla Gibbs is a bit underrated these days, man when she threw a sarcastic comment at you look out! She was always standing up for herself which wasn’t easy when it involved George Jefferson. Florence was probably the biggest break out on that show, and of course Gibbs would eventually get her own show called 227.
#7.Mrs.Garrett from Diff’rent Strokes
Before she was spun off onto The Facts of Life, Edna Garret was the housekeeper for The Drummond’s. Unlike some of these maid’s who are sarcastic, and even lazy, Mrs.Garrett was like a second mother to the boys. She kind, patient, and understanding. It doesn’t surprise me that when they spun her off the shoe was a major success. When Mrs.Garrett left she was replaced with another character who was ok, don’t remember her name.
#6.Geoffrey from Fresh Prince of Bel Air
Geoffrey was just a lot of fun. One minute he was the serious butler, and the next he acting like a goof off. . He always had a comment or a joke at someone’s expense. It’s been said his role was to basically say the things the audience would want said. And Geoffrey loved it. He often pretended he didn’t care at all about The Banks family, but the truth he was he really did.
#5.Niles from The Nanny
Niles is just hilarious. He comes off a little more like cranky grandpa than he does a refined English butler, but man are his insults just gold! Of course the majority of those insults are directed to the suffering CC. And we wont discuss how the series ends with those two. He can short tempered at times but does have a heart of gold and is a good friend. I think he really does care about his job and the Sheffield’s, though he doesn’t always show it.
#4.Stephanie from Newhart
Most of these maid’s and housekeepers were competent. Oh sure they were full of wisecracks and all, but for the most part they did their jobs well. Stephanie was a huge exception. She took over for Leslie when that character vanished from the show. She was a socialite. totally vain and self absorbed. Maybe that’s why she did less than stellar work. Why was she never fired? No clue.
#3.Tony Micelli from Who’s The Boss?
Would you believe I almost forgot this one? Tony came at a time when having a male housekeeper was..wacky! Course after that came several, including Charles on Charles in Charge (who you will not see on this list). The thing about Tony was that he was a real fun loving guy, and had no trouble being a housekeeper if that’s what it took to make a better life for his daughter. Later on he gravitated toward college and a degree, but housekeeping was always his true calling.
#2.Mr.Belvedere
I talked about the wise cracking, wise ass housekeepers that seem to dominate this list. Mr.Belvedere was the total opposite of that. He was a refined English butler who had a very impressive resume of work, including the royal family. While Belvedere influences The Owens as most of these characters do, this is one of the few times when the family affects the housekeeper as well. By the end of the series Belvedere he was much more relaxed and less uptight. And while he teased the family a lot he truly cared for them.
#1.Alice from The Brady Bunch
Duh, who the hell else? I mean what can I say that I haven’t already? She takes all the best qualities of all of these other characters. She is a live in housekeeper who does a great job. She has a heart of gold but also a sharp tongue with comments and jokes all the time. The kids think of her like a surrogate parent, and The Brady’s just wouldn’t know what they would do without her. She is a maid, housekeeper, favorite aunt, and best friend all in one adorable package. Sure she had hew flaws but dammit she was always in charge and always ready to pitch in!
There are other professions that I could do lists of but I think that will do for now. I know I left off a ton (believe it or not) from Hazel to Alfred on Batman to Lurch on The Addams Family. So if I left off your favorite comment and let me know.
What was the name of the TV show was a little girl set in the window and there was a male maid or housekeeper
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