In honor of Mother's Day (it's this Sunday, people!), we've put together an appreciative list of our favorite television grandmothers. 'Cause where would the characters on our favorite shows be without their moms and their mom's moms? (Psst... don't forget to CALL YOUR MOTHER this weekend!)
20. Martha Rodgers (Susan Sullivan) on Castle
Martha is pretty fabulous woman. Not only is she a Broadway star, but she's a sassy grandmother who's hip to the ways of internet dating.
19. Adele Stackhouse a.k.a. Gran (Louis Smith) on True Blood
The only clip of Gran that I could find of was kind of a bummer, and truth be told, this one isn't much better. At least it's a testament to the devotion she inspired in her granddaughter?
18. Sophie Cohen (Linda Lavin) on The O.C.
The Nana is a feisty one, fiercely devoted to social work and the demise of Orange County Conservatives.
17. Maxine Gray (Tyne Daly) on Judging Amy
Maxine is always ready to lay down the law, even with her family.
16. Estelle Winslow-Thomas (Rosetta LeNoire) on Family Matters
In many ways, mother Winslow is the prototypical grandma, with her little cardigans, big glasses, perfected updo, and the ability to fix anything with an simple heart-to-heart. Cue the cheesy music:
15. Emily Gilmore (Kelly Bishop) on Gilmore Girls
Rory's grandmother won't hesitate to deliver a good old-fashioned tongue-lashing if someone wrongs her family.
14. Evelyn Harper (Holland Taylor) on Two and a Half Men
Called the devil by some, she is still the mother of Charlie and Alan and the grandmother of Jake. And call me crazy, but in this clip she just might have the right to be pissed over her grandson spitting sushi all over her fancy carpet.
13. Betty Johnson (Susie Garrett) on Punky Brewster
To my knowledge, Betty is the only (and hopefully last) TV grandma to ever rescue her granddaughter from a refrigerator.
12. Lorraine Saracen (Louanne Stephens) on Friday Night Lights
While she has her moments of off-her-rocker craziness, all she wants is for Matt to be happy.
11. Beverly Harris (Estelle Parsons) on Roseanne
Grandma Bev, while quick to judge others, knows that women can still do great things later in life.
I'm glad Thelma Harper ranked #1 and Sophia Petrillo #2. But Betty Johnson on Punky Brewster didn't actually save her granddaughter's life, Punky and her friend did with CPR. Anna Huxtable is cool, so is Mama Winslow and especially Mona Robinson, she's a unique Grandma!
You forgot one of the greatest. Penelope "Grams" Halliwell(Jennifer Rhodes) from Charmed. How can you forget bout that?
Martha Rodgers (Susan Sullivan) on Castle is my favorite.. She is a marvelous woman..
I guess you forgot Reba Hart. Reba
bs'dI was going to say Yetta from the Nanny, but someone beat me to it.
Yes, Emily Gilmore tottaly deserves to be in the top3!!!!!!!
Interesting.
Another vote here for Supergran - she has a theme tune sung by Billy Connolly!
I can't believe they forgot "SuperGran"... She's "super", it's right there in the name!
Unofficial grandmother---"Lovie Howell"
no benny from george lopez :(
The grandma from the Addams Family?
Counting the Honorables I have only seen or heard of 8.
How about Karen and Deb from One Tree Hill? How about Grandma Walton from The Waltons? And from The Jeffersons, Gandma Jefferson and Louise Jefferson?
Sophie Cohen is by far the awesomest :D
I think Grandma Ida from Malcolm in the Middle should have been on the list.
pfffff the grandma of roseanne was so much more fun XD
Where's Granny from the Beverly Hillbillies? She deffinatley should have got a mention. Irene Ryan was a classic on that show deffinately the best TV Granny.
And Yeta from "The Nanny" should have been included! lol
If you ask me, Emily Gilmore (from Gilmore Girls) and Beverly (from Rosanne) should have been higher. Otherwise, good list
Evelyn Ryan ( Mary Beth Peil) on Dawson's Creek on Dawson's Creek should have been top 3.
How the heck did Dawson Creek's Grams end up outside the top 20?? And where's The Nanny's grandma Yetta? Also, Livia Soprano deserves a higher spot.
also jennifer rhodes as grams in charmed!!
Ruth Fisher, Livia Soprano and Lucille Bluth.
Evelyn "Grams" Ryan (Dawson's Creek) should be in TOP 5, not just a "honorable mention"... With all these years she spent with Jen Lindley, she was like one of the main keys of the show...
The One From Dawson's Creek should be in the top 10, just like Emily Gilmore from GG
yeta in "the nanny"
Marie Barron should be #1 Evelyn Harper should be #2
Lucille Bluth should be number 1 and Betty White is ranked too high
Gotta love Emily Gilmore and Marie Barone. They both should be one and 2.
Susan Sullivan is Number 1 for me! "Mona Robinson" was a bit of a kicker too ;o}...
Marie Barone should be number 1. She reminds me so much to my grandma. Always annoying the hell out of me, but taking care of me, feeding everyone, talking about people on their backs and so on.
Yay for Emily Gilmore :D
I don't even care for the Top 10. Nana Cohen rules!
Evelyn Harper for sure. The squab clip is my favorite episode from Two and a Half Men. I also like Cece Rhodes from GG. I also really think Tabitha Wilson from 90210 was one of the best characters on the show.
I loved Nana Mary from Roseanne.
aha i love emily gilmore! such a great character and actress.
Good list. Im happy that mama from mama's family is number one. and yay for Emily Gilmore being recognized.
I totally agree with Martha Rodgers from Castle and Evelyn Harper from Two and a Half Men.
Of the modern era I would pick Emily Gilmore and from TV's past Grannie from the Beverly Hillbillies the TV series not the movie that smelled lol