Everyone with a brother and/or sister, and even those without siblings, know that it’s not always plain sailing. There’s arguments, fallouts, but sometimes siblings actually do get along; even if it’s only on TV.
To celebrate National Sibling Day (April 10th), we thought we’d have a look back at some of the most famous siblings on television!
Adam and Johnny – Friday Night Dinner
Friday Night Dinner is a simple family show from the mind of Robert Popper, who based the characters loosely around his own relatives.
Adam (Simon Bird) and his younger brother Johnny Goodman (Tom Rosenthal) are the sons of the wonderful couple of Jackie (Tamsin Greg) and Martin, played by the late Paul Ritter.
The two brothers are always at each other’s throats; they’re constantly scheming one another and trying to ruin dates and even one other’s jobs.
There are a few running gags between the lads that occur almost, if not every episode; one of the boys puts salt in his brother’s water at dinner, and on one occasion, Johnny duct-taped Adam’s phone to the toilet lid – like you do.
Their constant antics and frequent agreement between the boys about how ridiculous their parents are being is a joy to watch and sparks some legitimately funny jokes.
Frasier and Niles – Frasier
Frasier is truly a show like no other. It is a sophisticated, charming collection of moments shared by a perfect cast and the hilarity that is the titular character (Kelsey Grammer) and his brother Niles’ (David Hyde Peirce) relationship.
The series follows radio psychiatrist Frasier Crane, his wonderful father Martin (John Mahoney) who lives with him, his brother Niles who is also a psychiatrist), and a selection of other brilliant characters.
Frasier and Niles are two birds of a feather… most of the time. Their shared interest in fine wine, opera, and other posh things bring them closer together. However, when any form of competition arises, the boys get a little feisty.
The wit that the brothers have is what makes their petty arguments so amusing; their jabs at how the other may be wearing a suit that has two buttons as opposed to three, or simply Grammer’s performance when he yells an insult at his brother in the perfect pitch and tone that brings you tears of joy.
Monica and Ross – Friends
Monica (Courteney Cox) and Ross (David Schwimmer) Geller are a truly iconic pair of siblings. Friends is well-known for its ability to throw comedy into almost any situation, the relationship shared here is no different.
The show follows six friends who all live in New York, and simply runs with them as they all have blunders and celebrations; it’s a show that brings out every emotion possible.
Monica and Ross may act more like friends than brother and sister, but their unique rivalry comes from their childhood.
In a specific episode Chandler (Matthew Perry), Ross’ college friend and Monica’s partner, tells her something rather private about Ross. While Chandler laughs, Ross says he can embarrass him just as easily.
What follows is a hilarious exchange between Ross and Chandler about some of their most shocking moments, but quickly turns to Monica and Ross sharing some hilarious home truths as well.
In all honesty, while they may disagree, the Gellers are a wonderful example of siblings at their best. Despite their disagreements, Ross and Monica always have each other’s backs.
Malcolm and his brothers – Malcolm in the Middle
If there were ever to be a shining example of siblings play-fighting and causing genuine mischief, the brothers from Malcolm in the Middle would be right at the top.
Malcolm (Frankie Muniz) is, you guessed it, the middle child in his family, and is always getting into trouble.
The boys are constantly fighting and pranking one another, driving their mother Lois (Jane Kaczmarek) and father Hal (Bryan Cranston) absolutely mad.
Their constant amusement and the chaos they cause at each other’s expense is classis and perhaps the best representation of what it’s like to have three sons at three different ages.
The Crains – The Haunting of Hill House
Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House is a very charming, eerie and sometime hard-to-swallow depiction of siblings; the show is so clever in the way it chose to represent the Crain family.
The original series goes back and forth throughout; sometimes we see the siblings as children, and sometimes we see them in the present as adults.
Each child has been through their own trauma due to their time in Hill House, and despite the fact there is always tension in the air whenever they meet up, they still have a very close bond.
At the funeral of one of the siblings in question, the rest of them talk about their childhood and face facts that they would never discuss otherwise. The show’s dark and gritty atmosphere somehow bonds them all and creates a shroud that contains only them.
While it may not be the most realistic depiction of family, the Crains have been through thick and thin and despite some of them not being good people, they still love each other and look out for their own.
Written by Melissa, who you can follow on Twitter @melissajournal
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