Who’s Your TV Soul Mate?

Columns, Shows

I have a TV soul mate. I don’t mean soul mate like, I looooooove them, I want to kiiiiiiiiss them. I mean like a character that is your kindred spirit. Someone you can relate to better than your average TV show character. I’ve seen a few of them over the years. I always felt a special affection for Lorelai Gilmore on Gilmore Girls. Sure, I didn’t run away from a wealthy life at the age of seventeen to raise a baby. But there was something about the way she’d react to a situation that felt very familiar.

I also always felt a certain connection with Rhoda Morgenstern on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Sure, I wanted to be Mary Richards, with her perfect hair and amazing wardrobe and plucky spirit. In fact, I think Mary Richards has a little bit to do with why I took journalism in school. And I’d say I’ve got her spunk (I hate spunk!) But really, I’m a Rhoda – the sarcastic, tough love, can’t catch a break friend.

Right now, though, my television kindred spirit is April Ludgate on Parks and Recreation. I didn’t see it at first – my boyfriend pointed it out to me after watching a few episodes, and I whined that I’m not nearly as moody. (Case in point?) But I had to admit, the girl does have all my facial expressions down pat:

The best part? I often wish I could have a mockumentary crew follow me around so that when people annoy me, I can stare at the camera with deadened eyes that say “Can you believe this?” Instead, I’m forced to make that face to a wall.

So, who’s your TV kindred spirit? And be honest – because if I were just picking who I wanted to be, it’d totally be someone way more awesome like Veronica on Veronica Mars. Unfortunately, I never had what it takes to be a teen detective.


You can follow Jill at her blog, couchtimewithjill.com, or on Twitter @jillemader Jill has been an avid fan of TV since the age of two, when she was so obsessed with Zoobilee Zoo that her mother lied and told her it had been canceled. Despite that setback, she grew up to be a television aficionado and pop culture addict.