It doesn’t matter if it’s sworn enemies for reasons unknown or former friends who just can’t stand each other anymore, rivalries keep us tuning in again and again.
Check out our list of duos whose clashes, feuds, or fights were some of the most exciting on television.
Stefan vs. Damon – The Vampire Diaries
These two brothers had a rivalry that lasted for centuries. Women were the main cause, but in the end, these two were able to put beauties aside and restore their once strong brotherly love.
Krystle vs. Alexis – Dynasty
There is no greater rivalry in television history than that of Krystle and Alexis. The wife and ex-wife of Blake Carrington were the most compelling part of the original Dynasty. Their cattiness, jealousy and epic fights made for dramatic and sensational viewing. Who wouldn’t tune in week after week for that kind of fun?
Penguin vs. Jim – Gotham
Jim and Oswald have a long history. There’s a love/hate relationship between them that is unrivaled on television today. Each is privy to the other’s secrets yet neither rats the other one out. Jim may want to end Penguin’s reign and Oswald may want to end Jim, but the two of them complement each other in more ways than they are ready to admit.
Angel vs. Spike – Buffy the Vampire Slayer
It never turns out well when two men are in love with the same woman. When Spike came to town wanting to kill Buffy, Angel did all he could to stop his old friend from doing the deed. Eventually, Spike ended up falling in love with her as well which created all sorts of havoc and jealousy – and complications.
Sheldon vs. Wil Wheaton – The Big Bang Theory
Sheldon has held a grudge against Wil for what seems like forever. The ridiculous rivalry has included Twitter wars, an epic card game and ruined movie premieres? And all because of a Star Trek convention gone wrong. Go figure!
Buffy vs. Faith – Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Buffy and Faith may have had the same goals, but they had very different ways of getting there. While Buffy wanted to save lives, Faith had no problem taking them. It became worse between the two when Faith jumped over to the dark side, but eventually she found her way back into Buffy’s good graces.
Clark Kent vs. Lex Luthor – Smallville
The good guy always has to have a bad guy in his way otherwise what would be the point? Clark Kent and Lex Luthor are like peaches and cream or salsa and chips. You can’t have one without the other.
Jerry vs. Newman – Seinfeld
There was never any clear explanation of why Jerry and Newman disliked each other, but the rivalry between them made for entertaining television. Jerry and Newman’s looks of disgust whenever they ran into each other was classic. Don’t we all have a neighbor we can’t stand?
Cookie vs. Anika – Empire
Cookie and Anika made for the ultimate enemies. When Cookie was released from jail and learned that the love of her life was engaged, Boo Boo Kitty didn’t have a chance. Lucious will always love Cookie over all others, but he had as much fun as we did watching them spew their nastiness at each other.
Sue vs. Will – Glee
It’s Cheerleading versus the Glee Club. How much do they hate each other? Let us count the ways. Oh, wait, there are way too many ways for us to count in this small space. Let’s just say the competition between the two was fierce and provides endless hours of glee.
Bette vs. Joan – Feud: Bette and Joan
Both these film goddesses wanted the same thing: to restore and hang on to their own falling stardom even if it meant making a film together. But as we all know, two divas being together for as long as a movie takes to film won’t have a good ending.
Homer Simpson vs. Ned Flanders – The Simpsons
Ned is everything Homer wants to be, but not really. Ned may pretend to be oblivious to Homer’s jealousy, but Ned knows what’s going on. He may not blatantly taunt Homer, but he’s had no problems making little digs from time to time.
Phil Dunphy vs. Gil Thorpe – Modern Family
Phil and Gil have been business rivals for years and no matter how hard Phil tries, he’s most always outdone by Gil. Phil once said his rivalry with Gil was like the rivalry between Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding. That says all we need to know!
Dexter vs. Doakes – Dexter
Doakes always knew there was something up with Dexter, but while we knew he was on the right path, we secretly hoped Dexter would keep the upper hand. Dexter did and things turned bad for Doakes, but at least our favorite serial killer prevailed!
Jim vs. Dwight – The Office
Pranks, pranks and more pranks highlight this office rivalry. Jim could not resist taunting Dwight at every turn and even though Dwight knew he was being played, he fell for the pranks time and time again. It was hilarity at its finest!
