This author has delved into the psychology of narcissism lately for reasons I won't go into (!). The more I analyze, and the more I think about it, the more I realize we have had a lot of narcissists on the television shows we have known and loved over the years. In fact, narcissists have really made the world go 'round, when it comes to TV. They make for interesting -- albeit compelling -- characters. If you'd like a primer on just what narcissism is, from a psychological standpoint, you can do an online search, or I can recommend this playlist from MedCircle. In the meantime, why don't we have some fun with a little look at TV characters we could probably peg as narcissists? It happens to be that these are all female, but hey, that's just how it worked out, since this author has a chick perspective!!!
Blair Warner, "The Facts of Life"
From her love affair with the mirror to the continual catty exchanges with her no-nonsense schoolmate Jo, Blair was always a treat (or an ordeal) to watch. Lisa Whelchel portrayed her with such ease, acting circles around most of the other cast members in the 1979 first season (and she was a teen) before the show winnowed the girls down to a core of four the following year.
Hilary Banks, "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"
BRBTV always considered her the Veronica Lodge of the "Fresh Prince" show, and she did it with such style. Oooh, la-la, those '90s fashions -- we loved them. We always admired her flair and her confident air, as portrayed by Karyn Parsons.
Ginger, "Gilligan's Island"
This author is a redhead, so how could I not admire Ginger? Always my fave "Gilligan" character, hands down. Her slinky golden dress (which I actually tried to find online one time, when I was considering cosplaying the show at a con with a couple buddies), her soft, lilting voice, her coo-ing ... her self-absorption. Wow, what a package. In the eternal question of Mary Ann vs. Ginger, BRBTV highly recommends Ginger!
Alexis Carrington, "Dynasty"
Oh, boy, now here's a good one. You couldn't get any more fiercely, beautifully, shrewdly, intelligently and very highly female-ly (?) narcissistic than the queen antagonist of the classic '80s soap "Dynasty." We have to qualify this by saying this is the Alexis of the original "Dynasty" series, not the CW remake, as beloved as it is by BRBTV (such wonderful eye candy, for one thing). The latter Alexis had far less bite, far fewer smarts. The original Alexis as portrayed by Joan Collins was always a force to be reckoned with, someone you admired without wanting to.
Miss Piggy, "The Muppets"
That beautiful porker with such amore for her co-star Kermit the Frog will always be dear to our hearts. She's fashionable, she's really quite dazzling, and she never has a hair out of place. Even if pigs don't really have that kind of hair. OK, whatever.
Veronica Lodge, various Archies series in animation and live action
We can't mention Veronica Lodge above without including her, too! And she's been portrayed in several TV Archies incarnations over the years. We especially love the quite whiny version in the animated "Archie's Weird Mysteries" series of 1999, in which there was, appropriately enough, a Veronica-focused episode called "Me! Me! Me!" Voiced by Camille Schmidt, she was so true to the comics version of the character. Also the case for Alyson Court's voicework on "The New Archies" of a few years earlier. Not so true to the comics version is the Veronica of the live-action "Riverdale." In fact, as portrayed by Camila Mendes, she is intelligent, savvy and often kind. She thinks about others in her actions.
Hmmm ... that just doesn't work, ya know??? Anyway, take heart, another live-action incarnation, the TV movie "Archie: To Riverdale and Back Again," featured Karen Kopins as a Veronica in high Veronica style.
Daphne Blake, various Scooby-Doo series
We can't say that Daphne has always been depicted as a narcissist, but she sometimes has. The late '80s "A Pup Named Scooby-Doo" comes to mind, where the lovely Kellie Martin's voicework lit up Daph in some nice full-color, self-involved splendor. What a surprise, knowing Martin so well from "Life Goes On" and the later "Mystery Woman" series. But anyone will tell you (I'm looking at you, Wendy!) that Daphne Blake is very smart, too. And she's so often kind and considerate. Even if she is a bit of a klutz.
Any others? Who have I left out? How about some male examples? Feel free to comment below!
