Sitcoms are a delightful blend of comedy and romance. While laughter takes center stage, there’s always room for love to bloom. In most sitcoms, there’s a primary duo that everyone expects to end up together, even if they endure countless breakups. Yet, amidst the predictability, there emerge these wonderfully surprising pairs that may seem odd at first glance, but upon closer inspection, make perfect sense.
These unexpected unions are forged through the magic of on-screen chemistry, which doesn’t always begin romantically. We often witness characters who start off as adversaries or competitors slowly morph into friends and eventually find themselves falling head over heels. They retain that irresistible whirlwind of energy that initially made them such a joy to watch. Somehow, these couples defy the typical romantic tropes and leave us spellbound with their eccentric yet undeniable connection.
1. Jake And Amy On ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’
Jake and Amy, the main couple on the show Brooklyn Nine-Nine, bring a surprising and fun energy to their dynamic. They are both so proud of their detective work that they start off the series with a bet on who can catch more criminals. Jake ends up winning and as a joke, he takes Amy on the “worst date ever.” Little did they know, their connection would grow deeper.
Despite their competitive nature, even after they officially become a couple, Jake and Amy remain adorable in their immaturity while also serving as an inspiration. Their engagement, for example, happens during their annual Halloween Heist challenge. Jake surprises Amy in a playful competition, adding to the quirkiness of their relationship.
Their love story is predictable, but it is the unique and unconventional ways they express their feelings that make it so captivating.
2. Nadja And Laszlo On ‘What We Do in the Shadows’
All relationships have their ups and downs, and the vampires on What We Do in the Shadows are no exception. Nadja and Laszlo, in particular, have been married for hundreds of years and their relationship has seen it all.
From secret affairs to the infamous 1937 orgy, Nadja and Laszlo have faced numerous challenges, but somehow they always manage to stick together. Their connection is truly chaotic, as evident in their unconventional dirty talk. They have a knack for saying things like, “I want to peel you like a potato and mash your insides.” It’s definitely unique, to say the least.
What’s interesting is that Nadja and Laszlo have an open marriage that seems to work for them. They are both extremely attracted to each other, but they also explore relationships with other partners. Despite this, their love for each other runs deep. You can see it in every interaction they have, even when they playfully tease each other.
3. April And Andy On ‘Parks and Recreation’
April Ludgate and Andy Dwyer are two characters on Parks and Recreation who couldn’t be more different. April is brooding, apathetic, and misanthropic, while Andy is like a happy-go-lucky golden retriever. However, despite their contrasting personalities, they prove the saying “opposites attract” to be true.
From the moment they become a couple in Season 2, April and Andy become one of the most endearing and entertaining duos on the show. Whether they’re embracing each other’s quirks or immersing themselves in their alter-egos Burt Macklin and Janet Snakehole, they always manage to make the audience and each other laugh.
4. Phoebe And Mike On ‘Friends’
Phoebe, played by Lisa Kudrow, is definitely the quirkiest member of the main cast on Friends. Her strange songs, references to her childhood on the streets, and her delightful alter ego, “Regina Phalange,” always add a unique vibe to any situation. While others in the group find their romantic matches, like Ross and Rachel or Chandler and Monica, viewers might have wondered if Phoebe would find someone who could appreciate her eccentricities.
And then, along comes Mike Hannigan, played by Paul Rudd, who joins the show later on but turns out to be a surprisingly great match for Phoebe. It all starts with a chance encounter, thanks to a mix-up by Joey. Mike manages to charm Phoebe with his “invisible piano” skills, and their relationship quickly becomes strong. Despite his stuffy, wealthy family disapproving of Phoebe’s unique personality, Mike stands up for her. It’s unexpected for viewers to see Phoebe with someone who seems so normal, but Mike is never put off by her quirks, and their relationship is genuinely sweet.
5. Ilana And Lincoln On ‘Broad City’
In Broad City, it’s pretty obvious that Ilana (Ilana Glazer) and Lincoln (Hannibal Buress) have different relationship goals. Ilana is all about being free and not into monogamy, while Lincoln is a dentist who wants to settle down and start a family. Despite this, they genuinely enjoy each other’s company and hold onto the hope that their desires might align someday.
When they’re together, their energy is consistently delightful. Lincoln may be more laid-back, but he appreciates Ilana’s antics, like the time she surprised him with a puppy. They have their moments of support too, like when Lincoln fixed Ilana’s tooth after she bit a jawbreaker, or when Ilana cheered on Lincoln at his trapeze school graduation. Labels aside, they always have each other’s backs.
Towards the end of the series, they part ways amicably. However, it’s clear to viewers that their time together will always hold a special place in their hearts. Their bond is something that will continue to be important to both of them in the future.
6. Winston And Aly On ‘New Girl’
In the TV show New Girl, the main group of friends always enjoy teasing one another in a lighthearted way. This includes the romantic pairs as well. One such example is Winston and Aly, played by Lamorne Morris and Nasim Pedrad, respectively. They met while working together for the NYPD and gradually transitioned into a romantic relationship. Along the way, they often playfully tease each other, like when Aly makes jokes about Winston’s strong attachment to his cat, Ferguson.
Despite their playful banter, Winston and Aly have a strong and healthy relationship. They have some hilarious moments, such as Winston’s over-the-top marriage proposal where he dresses up as a bobcat. They also have their fair share of dramatic moments, like when they choose godparents for their child, inspired by The Godfather. But through it all, they support each other’s quirks and find happiness in life together.
7. Frank And Artemis On ‘It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia’
In the wild and wacky world of It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, chaos reigns supreme. This means that even the romances are far from traditional. A prime example of this is the unexpected and somewhat unconventional sexual relationship between Frank, played by Danny DeVito, and Dee’s actor friend, Artemis, portrayed by Artemis Pebdani.
These two characters engage in some rather explicit and boundary-pushing sexual acts that would make most other sitcom pairs blush. They even have a favorite spot for their amorous encounters – inside a dumpster behind a Wendy’s restaurant. While this may sound outrageous and ridiculous, it’s actually quite refreshing to see these two characters, with their unique and non-traditional sexual appetites, explore and experiment with each other.
In a strange twist, their relationship stands out as one of the more positive ones on the show. Despite the absurdity and comedic tone, it’s oddly heartening to witness these two characters embrace their unconventional desires and find solace in one another.
8. Barney And Robin On ‘How I Met Your Mother’
The seeds of Barney and Robin’s relationship were sowed early on in How I Met Your Mother. Initially, Robin was with Ted, but it becomes clear that she and Barney share a lot of similarities. They both enjoy scotch and cigars, and neither is looking for a serious commitment at first.
As time goes on, their relationship grows and fans loved seeing them together. So, when it was announced that the final season would revolve around their wedding, everyone was excited. Unfortunately, the series finale took an unpopular turn and separated them after an entire season dedicated to their marriage. This left fans disappointed.
However, it’s worth noting that the episodes where Barney and Robin are together are some of the show’s best. Their dynamic is both unlikely and perfect, which is why fans enjoyed watching them so much.
9. Jason And Janet On ‘The Good Place’
Janet, played by D’Arcy Carden, is a truly unique character on The Good Place. She constantly reminds others that she is “not a robot” and “not a girl”, but rather an informational assistant who helps Architects maintain the afterlife neighborhoods. While there are many Janets, the main Janet forms a special connection with Jason Mendoza, played by Manny Jacinto. He trusts her enough to reveal his true identity, someone who definitely doesn’t belong in the Good Place. Janet is a great listener, and surprisingly, Jason is one of the few who sees her as a real person.
Their relationship is definitely unconventional. Jason spontaneously proposes to Janet after she gives him jalapeño poppers, and their past involvement is often wiped from Jason’s memory when the neighborhood is reset by Michael, played by Ted Danson. However, no matter how many cosmic obstacles come their way, they always manage to remember their unique bond. Despite the fact that Janet isn’t even human, their love turns out to be one of the most genuine and stable relationships on the show by the end of the series.
10. Jenna And Paul On ’30 Rock’
In 30 Rock, Jenna Maroney, the lead sketch actress played by Jane Krakowski, is portrayed as conceited and self-centered, but also deeply insecure. So when she starts dating Paul, played by Will Forte, it’s no surprise that Liz, played by Tina Fey, worries about Jenna getting hurt. The twist is that Paul is actually a drag performer who does a parody impression of Jenna, and Jenna knows about it and is attracted to him because of it.
It may seem strange to outsiders, but this unusual pairing turns out to be a great fit for both of them. Paul gets to date the actress he idolizes, while Jenna essentially gets to date herself. Unlike many sitcom couples whose conflicts fuel the chaos, Jenna and Paul find trouble through their shared sexual interests. They have some very specific preferences when it comes to sex, such as mirroring each other until they reach climax without even touching. They also enjoy creating elaborate couples’ costumes together, often involving both of them dressing in drag.
11. Barney And Robin On ‘How I Met Your Mother’
