The Dumb Guy Theory

Ever notice that almost all successful sitcoms have a stupid guy? Woody from Cheers, Joey from Friends, Luther from Coach, Lowell from Wings (i said successful, not good). Seinfeld is really the only exception that comes to mind and Kramer was no rocket scientist. I wonder what that says about society's overall comfort with having a dumb person in their life.

These characters are always arguably the most likable in the cast, but they're never the central role. Joey's creatively titled spin-off "Joey" is a good example of that dynamic not working. So that means people like having a dumb friend, but they don't like identifying with a dumb person. That makes sense- no one wants to be the dumb guy.

My biggest problem with this is that I know dumb people and the last two characteristics I would ever give them are likable and funny. They're usually annoying, judgmental and over-opinionated. So where are all these dim-witted-but-big-hearted people? I guess if we learned anything from sitcoms, it's that if your neighbors are nosey and 1/5th of your friends are no smarter than tube of yogurt, your life is probably marginally funny for about 30 minutes a week.