There have been a lot of great complex television characters over the years, like Walter White and Tony Soprano. But sometimes audiences just want to spend time with nice, friendly people who will help put a smile on their faces.
These lovable television characters have an infectious kindness about them, from their childlike optimism to the positive vibes they project. Some of these characters don't necessarily exist in a happy environment and other characters might not appreciate their kindness, but they are always easy for audiences to love.
Darius - Atlanta
A lot of the characters in Atlanta take themselves very seriously and try to maintain a certain perception of themselves. This is never an issue with Darius, who marches to the beat of his own drum at all times.
While some people find his odd musings to be annoying, Darius never lets that negativity change him. He is always curious and seems to be interested in every moment of life. He tries to get those around him to share in his enthusiasm for the world but is never deterred when they refuse.
Phil Dunphy - Modern Family
Though Phil Dunphy's occasionally immature behavior might frustrate his family, he is an endlessly entertaining character for audiences to enjoy. He really is like a big kid who loves his toys and can easily get distracted by absurd ideas.
Phil's fun-loving energy is often dismissed as foolish by others, but there are times when his loved ones cannot help but get wrapped up in his wild adventures. While there are some overly critical characters on Modern Family, Phil is always the one with the biggest smile.
Jessica Day - New Girl
When Jessica Day is introduced in the first episode of New Girl, she is devastated by a breakup and has moved in with a trio of guys. But even in the midst of heartbreak, she is a friendly and warm presence for these more cynical men.
Jess is a responsible young woman, but her bright energy and enthusiasm make her seem like a young kid. In fact, her youthful spirit rubs off on her roommates at times, helping them embrace that aspect of their personality and look at the brighter side of their lives.
Hurley - Lost
Being trapped on a deserted and strange island would no doubt be very stressful. Not surprisingly, some of the characters on Lost do terrible things while stranded. In contrast, Hurley always seems to be a beacon of hope and positivity.
Though he is stuck in the same dangerous situation as everyone else, Hurley always tries to find the silver lining. He goes out of his way to help people make the most of their new existence and rarely lets the troubles of others get his spirits down. Eventually, even the more villainous characters on the shows must admit to liking Hurley.
Ted Mullens - Schitt's Creek
Initially on Schitt's Creek, Ted Mullens was meant to be so overly sweet that it seemed only natural for Alexis Rose to leave him for bad boy Mutt. But the show seemed to quickly realize that Ted's kind behavior was actually very likable, and the audience wanted more of it.
Even when Ted and Alexis are not a couple, he is an extremely supportive, patient, and caring friend. He seems to take great pleasure in being polite and thoughtful, representing the kind of small-town charm that makes Schitt's Creek such a lovely place to live.
Kenneth - 30 Rock
It's not uncommon for some of these kind-hearted characters to be totally unappreciated by the people around them. Such is the case with Kenneth in 30 Rock, who is mistreated and used by the showbusiness people around him — and he would not have it any other way.
Though Kenneth certainly had a strange upbringing, it gave him a somewhat magical view of the world. He seems to see his purpose in life as to help people in any way that he can. And though he is very loyal, he also acts as the voice of conscience for many of the other characters.
Richard Splett - Veep
It's especially fun to see a warm-hearted and friendly character in a world where such people are so rare. Veep is a very unflattering look at the world of politics where people lie and backstab in order to gain just a little more power. But Richard Splett finds success by being incredibly agreeable.
Though he is not the brightest person in the world, Richard is always eager and hard-working regardless of how effective he is. Though unqualified, his friendly personality allows him to rise to great positions of power.
Kimmy Schmidt - The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
After being kept locked in an underground bunker for years, Kimmy Schmidt emerges ready to enjoy life to its fullest. With her years away from the real world, Kimmy has a somewhat childlike innocence that feels very out of place but refreshing in her new home of New York City.
Kimmy has a mix of ambition and positivity that seems to make everyone around her a better person. Kimmy's friendship with Titus helps him to realize his dreams while she inspires Jaqueline to be a more independent person. Kimmy makes it her mission in life to help people find their inner strength.
Leslie Knope - Parks And Recreation
While there are a lot of great characters on Parks and Recreation, Leslie Knope has always been the heart of the series. She is one of the great female role models on television as she follows her dreams and makes the world a better place all based on love.
From her town to her friends to the government in general, Leslie loves things so intensely that it is hard not to get caught up in her view of the world. It's no surprise that by the end of the series, Leslie has helped everyone in her life find happiness.
Ted Lasso - Ted Lasso
Ted Lasso is a character who is endlessly ridiculed but refuses to let the joke be on him. While very few people believe in him as a soccer coach and criticize him endlessly, he maintains the outlook that he just has to try his best.
Not only is Ted kind to himself when it comes to handling a difficult job, but he helps others recognize their potential. Many people want to hate him as soon as they meet him, but with his compliments and friendliness, he just makes it impossible to do so.