Close Enough: Main Characters Ranked By Likability
The characters from J.G. Quintel's HBO Max series aren't exactly the same as the ones from Regular Show, but they're just...Close Enough.
Coming off the success of his decade defining Cartoon Network series, Regular Show, J.G. Quintel has once again struck animated comedy gold with his more adult-oriented series, Close Enough, on HBO Max. Fans of Quintel's original series are finding that his current project not only ups the ante with its chaotic and surreal humor, but has also introduced them to characters that are just as lovable and easy to root for.
The show's main characters are not only relatable in several ways, but they all manage to be incredibly likable even with their personal flaws. But how many of their positive qualities manage to outweigh their flaws and vice versa? And upon closer examination of both, where to they rank against each other in terms of how likable they really are?
7 Randy Watson
They say "don't judge a book by it's cover", but as it turns out, Randy Watson's personal eccentricities perfectly reflect his usual outward shirtless appearance. As Pearle's adopted son, he cares very much about his mother, but perhaps a little too much, as seen in a particular episode where he immediately assumes the worst in her absence and goes to high extremes to ensure her safety.
Although he acts as the duplex's property manger, regularly fulfilling the duties of the position, it's by no means his actual job as he doesn't get paid for any of his work and still relies heavily on the direct care of his mother. While he's perhaps the most immature character, managing to avoid the financial and personal difficulties faced by the others and coursing his way through life, he remains a loyal friend to the main group and helps them out whenever he can.
6 Bridgette Hashima
Emily's best friend and Alex's ex-wife, as the youngest member of the gang (excluding Candice), Bridgette manages to get away with much more than the rest of her friends. Much like Randy, she doesn't exactly have a real job, with her title of "social media influencer" being more of a hobby and relying on her family's wealth to cover all of her bills and partying.
She can be spoiled and lazy at times, seemingly oblivious to the problems her cell phone and social media addictions cause for those around her, but she's never reluctant to offer support to friends in difficult situations (even if her methods of doing so aren't very effective). Despite her divorce from Alex, the two still get along extremely well as roommates, and even manage to rekindle their romance at the end of season 3. Whether or not they manage to keep a more stable relationship going forward is still up in the air though.
5 Alex Dorpenberger
Voiced by Jason Mantzoukas, Alex is Josh's best friend and Bridgette's ex-husband, who, much like some Mantzoukas' best movie and TV roles, raises the energy level of the main cast's dynamic with his neurotic and bizarre behavior. At one point he was a successful UCLA professor, but was fired for dating Bridgette (who also happened to be a student of his) and now teaches as an adjunct professor at local community college while consistently failing to get his career as a novelist off the ground.
Despite his oddball personality, he's extremely loyal to his friends; at one point he seemed perfectly fine and willing to sacrifice his life to save them from a murderous night club of ageist 20-somethings. Sure, his deep dives into conspiracy theories and the fact that he sleeps in the closet of the duplex may seem off-putting and concerning, but he appears more than content with the life he leads.
4 Candice
For anyone who has yet to do so, there are many reasons to watch Close Enough, but one of the show's most endearing elements is the family dynamic between Josh, Emily, and their daughter Candice. At six years old, Candice can be a handful at times, but she's no better or worse than any other kid at her age.
It would seem that Josh's personality has really rubbed off on her, as she's just as impulsive and carefree in her behavior. She's especially dangerous when it comes to the consumption of candy, as her strength and hyperactivity increases, turning her into an untamed wild animal. But just like every other kid, no matter what kind of dangerous or surreal misadventure she finds herself in with her parents, she's always learning and growing from them.
3 Josh Singleton
If Mordecai from Regular Show were human and only slightly less childish and more responsible, he'd be Josh Singleton. Voiced by and based heavily on the show's creator, J.G. Quintel, Josh's kind heart and optimistic outlook on life are extremely admirable, but his impulsive decision-making tends to get the best of him most of the time.
While Alex struggles with the hopes of becoming an author, Josh faces the same setbacks trying to become a video game developer. Putting the pursuit of his dream on hold to provide for his family, he works a day job as a TV installer, but the job he loves most is being a dad to Candice. While he may occasionally be too easygoing and even irresponsible at times in his approach to parenting, he cares deeply for his daughter and always has her best interests at heart, making him one of the more underrated and best TV dads of the last decade.
2 Emily Ramirez
On an instinctive level, Emily Ramirez is rather logical and organized: everything that her husband, Josh, isn't. She's also been shown numerous times to be a more responsible parent to Candice. Oddly enough, however, her similar fun-loving personality makes her a perfect match for Josh despite their slight differences in maturity.
Of course, like every mother and wife, she isn't perfect. She tends to give in to peer pressure, goes to great lengths to please people regardless of the inconveniences to her friends and family, and occasionally partakes in ill-advised ways of coping with her stresses. At the end of the day however, much like Josh, she always bounces back from whatever crazy and nonsensical situation she finds herself in, and she always comes through for the people she truly cares about.
1 Pearle Watson
Retired from her days as an LAPD Officer, Pearle Watson now acts as the landlady of the duplex where the rest of the main characters reside. Breaking away from the irritable and pushy landlord stereotype, Pearle has an extremely good rapport with her tenants, giving them both support and trustful advice when needed most.
Despite her retirement, Pearle certainly hasn't lost any of the her skills from her days on the force, putting her reconnaissance, self-defense, and fast driving techniques to extremely good use, especially to the benefit of Emily and the rest of the group. While her son Randy hasn't shown much development in life, she still appears very patient and nurturing to him, and has even acted as a maternal figure to Emily and Bridgette in their times of struggle.
NEXT: HBO's Animals & 9 Other Underrated Adult Animated Series
Next 10 TV Characters Better Than Their Book Counterparts, According To Reddit
