These shows GOT relationships. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the romantic relationships on TV that best represent real-life partnerships.
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00:00We knew that there would be a bump today and here it is. We're getting it done early.
00:03This is our bump.
00:04Welcome to Ms. Mojo and today we're counting down our picks for the romantic relationships on TV
00:10that best represent real life partnerships. Spoilers ahead.
00:14You gotta forget about all the other stuff. You gotta forget about logic and fear and doubt.
00:22Number 20. Emily and Richard Gilmore. Gilmore Girls.
00:26When you showed up at my fraternity party in that blue dress, I had no choice.
00:30You stole my father with fashion. I can't believe you remembered the dress.
00:35There are lots of different relationships with a variety of dynamics on this show,
00:38from Lorelai and Luke to Rory and Logan, but the most relatable one is that of Lorelai's parents.
00:44Richard, we just have to get the Rose Room.
00:46Don't you worry. Our company insures that building. We don't get that room.
00:50Suddenly they have a very expensive foundation upgrade to go through.
00:55I married a wonderful man, girl.
00:57Of course Emily and Richard have their problems.
00:59They navigate their strained relationship with their daughter,
01:02sometimes struggle to communicate their real thoughts and feelings,
01:05and deal with power imbalances when it comes to decision making.
01:08But like all good, long-lasting partnerships,
01:10they also balance out their issues with love and compassion.
01:13They even go through a separation and a vow renewal as they fight to stay together until his passing.
01:19I did not sign on to your dying and it is not going to happen.
01:22Not tonight, not for a very long time.
01:25In fact, I demand to go first. Do I make myself clear?
01:30Yes, Emily. You may go first.
01:33Number 19.
01:34Steph and Lena Adams Foster.
01:36The Fosters.
01:37It's not every day we see a show about a family with an LGBTQIA plus couple at the forefront.
01:42Thankfully, this series does a great job of portraying them authentically.
01:46I'm a mushy.
01:48Do, uh, bring kids home more often?
01:50No, please do not, because any more kids it's gonna be like the Brady Bunch around here,
01:54and we're, we're definitely not the Brady Bunch.
01:58Steph and Lena are the heads of a complex family unit,
02:01complete with biological, adopted, and foster children.
02:04In addition to taking that responsibility very seriously,
02:07they try to prioritize their relationship while also balancing their demanding careers.
02:11That's something many real-life couples experience.
02:14Go back to work. If you want to save all the kids in the world, fine,
02:16but we have a kid here at home who's sick.
02:21And he needs saving too, and I feel like I'm the only one who cares.
02:25I care too.
02:26Then why do I feel like I'm in this all by myself?
02:28We see them stand by each other through health scares,
02:31career crises, and relationship struggles that test them in all ways.
02:35The way they tackle those ups and downs,
02:37always emerging stronger on the other side, is nothing short of admirable.
02:41Talk about an authentic couple we can look up to.
02:44I'm gonna marry you. I'm gonna marry all of you.
02:48The scar, the bullet, and the cop.
02:51Lynette and Tom Scavo, Desperate Housewives
02:54Tom and Lynette prove that opposites attract,
02:57and in some cases, even bring out the best in each other.
03:00Although they're both headstrong, Lynette is the driving force,
03:03while Tom takes a more easygoing approach.
03:05Wow, the food's late. God help you.
03:07Beautiful. I don't need a pamphlet. It's not brain surgery.
03:10They're just kids, for God's sake.
03:13They are parents to many children, and as anyone with kids will tell you,
03:17it's hard to figure out who should handle what in the household.
03:20These two fight on multiple occasions, and try out a few different approaches.
03:24We were having a discussion about the future of our community,
03:26and you attacked me and turned it into a referendum about your manhood.
03:30You know, I wish I didn't have to do that,
03:32but I'm tired of all of our friends thinking that I'm just a buffoon.
03:35For a while there, we're not sure if their love for each other will be enough.
03:38After all, real life is messy, and their story proves that.
03:42Thankfully, they eventually find their way,
03:44supporting each other and living happily ever after together by the end.
03:49Because you, Lynette,
03:53you will always be the love of my life.
04:05This is how it starts.
04:06What?
04:07Babe, Junior wants to play field hockey.
04:10I know. What's wrong with that?
04:13Today, it's field hockey. Tomorrow, he's running from the police in a white Bronco.
04:17The Johnsons make us laugh throughout Black-ish,
04:20sometimes butting heads on their approaches to parenting and life
04:23in their predominantly white neighborhood.
04:24But they also make us cry, as they deal with a rough breakup
04:28that gives them a chance to reevaluate and rebuild their relationship.
04:31That's what you need sometimes.
04:33I think we need more than just space.
04:41I think so too.
04:42Through it all, Bo and Dre keep their love for each other
04:45and their family at the center of their focus.
04:47After watching this relationship for eight seasons,
04:50we're convinced that humor and keeping things light,
04:52even when times are tough, is the key to a long-lasting marriage.
04:56Needless to say, we are taking notes.
04:59I'm so proud to say I did this with you, Dr. Rainbow Johnson.
05:06I would take a leap with you, anywhere, anytime, anyplace.
05:15While we love watching Alexis and Ted's relationship mature
05:20and admiring Moira and Johnny's enduring love,
05:23seeing David and Patrick together is simply the best.
05:34As their partnership grows, so do they individually.
05:37David learns to be less selfish and more vulnerable,
05:40while Patrick comes into himself, embracing his identity and opening up his heart.
05:45I was getting a little scared that I was gonna let you leave here
05:48without us having done that.
05:50So, um, thank you for, um, making that happen for us.
05:58They aren't afraid to call each other out and tease one another,
06:01which keeps things fun, but they're also always there for each other,
06:04whether they're wetting the bed or loopy from dental surgery.
06:08In moments big and small, these two model a realistic,
06:11supportive relationship, proving fairy tales don't just exist in movies.
06:16It's not been an easy road for me,
06:17but knowing that you will always be there for me at the end of it makes everything okay.
06:26Patrick Brewer, you are my happy ending.
06:34They started out as friends and became an iconic, lovable married couple.
06:39Their trajectory was equal parts hilarious, heartwarming, and relatable.
06:43You are one of my favorite people,
06:45and the most beautiful woman I've ever known in real life.
06:48Although they are nothing alike, these two balance each other out perfectly.
06:53Monica is a stubborn perfectionist who helps Chandler see the important things in life.
06:57Meanwhile, Chandler's more easygoing nature helps her relax.
07:01And when you get upset about the little things,
07:03I think that I'm pretty good at making you feel better about that, and that's good too.
07:08So they can say that you're high maintenance,
07:10but it's okay because I like maintaining you.
07:16They go through their fair share of issues,
07:18dealing with fertility, exes, and figuring out how to commit.
07:22With the help of loved ones and each other though,
07:24they can tackle any obstacle that comes their way.
07:27After all, isn't that what real-life marital bliss is also all about?
07:30I knew you were likely to take a wife.
07:33Can we come in yet? We're dying out here!
07:36Number 14. Frankie and Mike Heck, The Middle.
07:39While some shows are about glitz and glamour,
07:41others offer brutally real depictions of what many deal with in real life.
07:45The Middle fits more into the latter category,
07:48as this middle-class family navigates problems that ring true for a lot of viewers.
07:52Hey mom, do you think you could make me my favorite dinner on Saturday?
07:55I can hardly think to tomorrow.
07:57How about you ask me Friday about what we're having for dinner on Saturday?
08:00Not only do Frankie and Mike deal with making ends meet,
08:03they also raise three very different children in sometimes funny and unconventional ways.
08:08Their day-to-day lives are humdrum,
08:10and they're just trying to keep their heads above water, as most of us are.
08:13You really want to go shopping the night before Thanksgiving?
08:16No choice, Mike. The Pioneer Galaxy Mall has moved Black Friday up to Wednesday.
08:20Tonight, everything is 60% off. We wait till Friday, it's only 30% off.
08:24If I keep talking to you, it's gonna cost me another 10%.
08:26Of course, with their senses of humor,
08:29Of course, with their senses of humor,
08:31mutual respect and open communication,
08:33the duo manages to survive anything.
08:35That's how you have to do it, whether you're a TV couple or a real one.
08:39They may not have been the flashiest ovaries, but they got the job done.
08:42Hey, they gave us three great kids.
08:45Well, at any given time, two of the three of them were great.
08:48Or at least good. No one's in jail.
08:55Some couples are relatable because they struggle,
08:57or because they take time apart only to come back together again.
09:00Some, however, are relatable because they're madly in love
09:03and supportive of one another through everything,
09:06which is exactly what we see with Mr. and Mrs. Burke.
09:09Neil just bought himself four more years in prison. For what?
09:13For what? If you were Neil, you wouldn't have run for me.
09:22They both deal with a lot of chaos in their professional and personal lives.
09:26So, to see them as each other's anchors when everything else
09:29feels out of control is refreshing.
09:31Who might this right woman be?
09:32Oh, well, she's about five foot five, brunette,
09:36most beautiful blue eyes I've ever seen, smart as a whip, and gorgeous as hell.
09:40Oh, perfect.
09:42They encounter unsafe situations, opportunities for infidelity,
09:45and trouble managing work-life balance.
09:48However, it's clear that their commitment to one another trumps all of that,
09:52as is the case in the best real-life relationships.
09:55Will you marry me again?
09:59Yes, as many times as you ask.
10:03Number 12, Lily Aldrin and Marshall Erickson, How I Met Your Mother.
10:07You know, there really are a million things I could tell you about Lily and Marshall.
10:11But really, the only thing you need to know is that 10 years into their relationship,
10:18they still couldn't spend a single night apart.
10:20These college sweethearts-turned-married couple have their ups and downs,
10:24but they are an example of what a healthy partnership looks like.
10:27Although they're clearly soulmates, with classic opposing personalities
10:31and unwavering support for one another,
10:33they aren't immune to struggles that so many couples face.
10:36I know this sucks.
10:38It's just something I'm going through.
10:41I'm not asking you to understand it.
10:43I'm not asking you to be happy about it.
10:46I'm just asking you to support it.
10:49Lily leaves Marshall to go to San Francisco and chase her dreams,
10:52and Marshall initially ruins their plan to move to Rome
10:55by accepting a job without consulting her.
10:57They don't always get along with their in-laws either.
11:00Yet they can practically read each other's minds,
11:02and we never really doubt them because they always take the time and effort
11:06to figure things out and compromise, together.
11:08They're undoubtedly the most steadfast, convincing couple of the series.
11:12Falling more and more in love with you every day, Lily Aldrin,
11:16which is what I vow to do for the rest of my life.
11:20Crap, I already broke my crying vow.
11:25I'll forgive you.
11:29Number 11.
11:30Leslie Knope and Ben Wyatt.
11:31Parks and Recreation.
11:33You wanna get a beer?
11:35It's like 10.30 in the morning.
11:36Yeah, you seem like you could use a beer.
11:39Let's get a beer.
11:40Leslie Knope is undeniably motivated and determined,
11:43and she meets her match in Ben Wyatt,
11:45the colleague who eventually becomes her husband.
11:48While they don't exactly hit it off at first,
11:50their feelings grow so intense that they're forced to choose
11:53between work and each other.
11:54Leslie, everything you've accomplished,
11:57you have earned and you have worked for.
11:59I don't want anyone to think that you got where you are today
12:02by sleeping with your boss.
12:04This is a real-life issue that viewers can identify with,
12:07as so many struggle to balance their romantic relationships
12:09with their career aspirations.
12:11Ben and Leslie are always there for one another,
12:13and they handle conflict and disagreements
12:15in a way that we should all be envious of.
12:17They mature together,
12:19raise kids together,
12:20and accomplish their goals together.
12:22We should all be as lucky as them.
12:24You, Leslie Knope,
12:25the queen of planning and binders and pro and con lists,
12:30you wanna leave this to chance?
12:33Yes, because whatever's next,
12:36you and I are in it together.
12:38Number 10.
12:38Hattie Braverman and Alex.
12:40Parenthood.
12:41You know, I haven't been able to be here with you.
12:46Okay, that's pretty stupid.
12:48Michael B. Jordan had a brief stint on Parenthood
12:50just before his break into megastardom.
12:52But what really surprised us about the actor's time on the show
12:55was just how believable the relationship was
12:57between his character, Alex,
12:59and series regular, Hattie,
13:00played by Sarah Ramos.
13:02What is this?
13:04What are you doing?
13:05How did you set all of this up?
13:07I pulled some strings, you know?
13:08Called in a few favors.
13:11This is my favorite movie.
13:12The two young lovers had a passionate but tumultuous
13:15and ultimately brief relationship,
13:17one that came to a close with Alex telling Hattie
13:20the two were just at different points in their lives
13:22and it wasn't gonna work out.
13:23The storyline was disappointing,
13:25but isn't that kind of the point?
13:27Young love usually doesn't turn out the way we hope it does.
13:30A lot of times when we're together,
13:32it feels like I'm not even there with you.
13:35And, Hattie, you deserve somebody
13:37that's gonna be there for you
13:40all the way, all the time.
13:58Those early relationships don't always turn out so bad, though.
14:01From the very first episode of The Wonder Years,
14:04it seemed like Kevin and Winnie
14:05were destined to wind up together.
14:07Over the course of the series,
14:08as their relationship slowly developed,
14:10we saw Kevin and Winnie go through so many
14:12of the same awkward issues we remember from growing up.
14:15Through their ups and downs and ons and offs,
14:17it seemed like it was still inevitable
14:18the couple would end up together,
14:20only for the finale to reveal
14:21it wasn't meant to be for the two.
14:23Theirs wasn't a story about eternal love,
14:25but about first love,
14:27and how valuable that can really be.
14:38For the next eight years,
14:40I was there to meet her when she came home,
14:43with my wife and my first son.
14:49It's malleable rum in a lotion bottle,
14:51so no one will know the difference.
14:55You are so cute when you sneak in alcohol.
14:58Despite the slapstick humor
15:00and utter absurdity of Malcolm in the Middle,
15:02the real heart of the series
15:03always shined through when it came to Hal and Lois.
15:05It means that you love me more than I love you.
15:09Well, honey, that's always been true.
15:12Of course I love you more.
15:14And you're okay with that?
15:16Oh, yeah.
15:17I mean, think about it.
15:18If you loved me as much as I loved you,
15:20we'd never leave the bedroom.
15:21No matter how stressed and wound up Lois would get,
15:24how completely distracted Hal would become,
15:26or how chaotic Francis, Reese, Malcolm, Dewey,
15:29and eventually Jamie could make things around the house,
15:31the loving marriage between the two
15:33was what held everything together.
15:34Of course, the show was a comedy,
15:36and fittingly never missed a chance
15:38to playfully poke fun
15:39at some common marriage and parenting issues,
15:41especially concerning husbands
15:43who may be a little more on the playfully immature side.
15:47Who wants to make five bucks?
15:48How?
15:49I need someone to take the fall.
15:51Oh, my God.
15:52What did you do?
15:53I can't tell you.
15:54Yes or no.
15:55No questions asked.
15:56Oh, my God!
15:58Make it ten.
16:00Done.
16:02You're a good son.
16:03I got him, honey!
16:06Whether through personal experience
16:10or by watching it happen,
16:11we all know that the workplace can foster
16:13memorable and lasting romantic relationships.
16:16I kind of wish something could happen between us.
16:20Romantic styles.
16:21Combine that with a couple whose love
16:23is built upon constantly messing with one another,
16:26and you've got the perfect pair
16:27in Detective Jake Peralta and Sergeant Amy Santiago.
16:30We kissed three hours ago.
16:32Yes, we did kiss each other for reals.
16:36As the show has gone on,
16:37the couple has moved from mutual attraction
16:39through a budding relationship
16:41all the way to their marriage.
16:42The show has given us a realistic portrayal
16:44of a workplace romance
16:45that's progressed in a mostly appropriate way,
16:47keeping audiences laughing all the while.
16:50No, Jake, you are not dieharding off this roof.
16:53I am definitely dieharding off this roof.
16:55For you and only for you and also for me
16:57because I've always wanted to do it.
17:03It's happening.
17:04Okay.
17:04And when it happens,
17:06it's going to kick your ass, Beasley.
17:09So stay sharp.
17:12I've been warned.
17:13A bumpy road leads these two together,
17:16but their trials and tribulations
17:17make them both genuine and stronger as a couple.
17:20Their timing is initially off,
17:22with Pam being engaged to someone else in the beginning
17:24and Jim dating a co-worker later on.
17:26But their chemistry is always on point.
17:29When they finally get together,
17:30they are thrown some curveballs
17:32that they ultimately conquer
17:33thanks to mutual love and respect.
17:35I knew we'd need a backup plan.
17:36The boat was actually plan C,
17:38the church was plan B,
17:40and plan A was marrying her a long, long time ago.
17:46Pretty much the day I met her.
17:47Jim's career ambitions grow,
17:49as does Pam's desire to pursue art.
17:51Plus, they're forming a family
17:53and trying to keep the spark alive.
17:54They always find their way as a unit in the end though.
17:57It's a realistic romance that isn't perfect
18:00or tinted with rose-colored lenses.
18:02It's also beyond worth it.
18:04You watched it?
18:06Yeah.
18:07Well, then I guess you're ready for this.
18:25One of the many fascinating things
18:26about the genre-defying FX series Atlanta
18:29is the way the show manages to blur the line
18:31between harsh reality and surreal fantasy.
18:34When it comes to the relationship
18:35between Earn and Van, however,
18:37the series definitely skews towards the real.
18:39I don't want to keep waiting around for you.
18:44And I don't want you to waste any more of your time.
18:46Atlanta uses the relationship
18:48between Donald Glover's Earn
18:49and Zossy Beat's Vanessa
18:50to portray some of the day-to-day complications
18:53of modern dating,
18:54life as a single mother,
18:55poverty,
18:56and more.
18:56While many TV series feel the need to nail down
18:59and define all the relationships between characters,
19:02Atlanta has shown the relationship
19:03between Earn and Vanessa
19:04to be fluid and complicated,
19:06a refreshing change from the norm.
19:20Modern Family is a show built entirely
19:22on the relationships between its characters,
19:24and as much as we love Claire and Phil,
19:26none is as heartwarming as Mitchell and Cameron's.
19:32Though at first they may seem like polar opposites,
19:47and they do still clash from time to time,
19:49eventually it became clear
19:51that their two personalities
19:52complement one another perfectly,
19:54with Cameron's outgoing exuberance
19:56tempered by Mitchell's more reserved
19:57and uptight demeanor.
20:02From their adoption of Lily
20:08all the way through their lovely wedding and beyond,
20:10Mitch and Cam have helped raise the bar
20:12for positive portrayals of LGBT relationships on TV.
20:32Few shows have tackled the topics of mental health,
20:40addiction,
20:41and modern dating
20:42as well as Netflix's Love.
20:43The series told a funny
20:45but dark love story over three seasons,
20:47one where the main characters
20:48didn't always make good decisions
20:50or even seem very likable.
20:59That understandably turned some people off from the show,
21:01but those who stuck around
21:03got to see the light at the end of the tunnel,
21:04as Gus and Mickey eventually worked through their issues
21:07and maybe unexpectedly found a happy ending together.
21:19The stark and upfront way
21:21Love tackled serious relationship topics
21:23wasn't always easy to watch,
21:24but without a doubt,
21:26it had a strong basis in reality.
21:32Another show heavily built around familial relationships,
21:52This Is Us features several couples we absolutely love,
21:55but if we're talking about realism,
21:57it's hard to argue against Randall and Beth.
22:02Through the show,
22:13we see Randall and Beth support each other
22:14through financial and workplace troubles,
22:17family drama,
22:17and eventually communication problems.
22:19Despite their best efforts,
22:21it all takes a toll on their marriage.
22:29No matter what they're going through as a couple though,
22:31parenting remains their first priority.
22:33They find their way as husband and wife too,
22:36and of course in the end,
22:37supporting each other's individual dreams
22:39while prioritizing the relationship.
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23:26No couple on TV has been able to bring to life
23:29the small day-to-day moments of living as a married couple
23:31the way Eric and Tammy Taylor did
23:33on NBC's critically acclaimed high school football drama,
23:36Friday Night Lights.
23:56Tammy and Coach Taylor,
23:57as he's commonly known,
23:58are the perfect example of what a partnership should look like,
24:01full of love,
24:02mutual respect,
24:03open communication,
24:04and understanding.
24:06The series never resorted to injecting cheap drama
24:08into the relationship to grab viewers,
24:10instead focusing on more minor disagreements and conflict.
24:20The result is a down-to-earth portrayal of a happy married couple,
24:23something that's surprisingly rare on TV.
24:29Which TV couple makes you feel like you're watching a reality show?
24:32Let us know in the comments.
24:42Do you agree with our picks?
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