For sitcom characters, it’s deal or no deal

Not everybody loves Raymond.

I certainly don’t. I find him and his entire family extremely irritating.

In fact, I find his family so annoying that I refuse to watch the show (and when it’s on, because my mom loves it, it hurts).

You could say that it’s a deal-breaker.

But with Michael Scott from “The Office,” who is, of course, equally annoying, I don’t seem to mind it. I’ve thought of some of the TV show characters I find most annoying and analyzed which of them are deal-breakers.

Feel free to debate me or add to my list.

“Everybody Loves Raymond”

Character names: Raymond Barone, Marie Barone, Debra Barone, Robert Marone, Frank Marone

Actor names: Ray Romano, Doris Roberts, Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Peter Boyle

Annoying characteristics: Always yelling and screaming at each other. Situations are uncomfortably uncomfortable and a bit too realistic.

Redeeming qualities: Occasionally work through their problems in humorous ways.

Deal-breaker?: Yes. I will not watch this show if I can avoid it.

“The Office”

Character name: Michael Scott

Actor name: Steve Carell

Annoying characteristics: Is the definition of “awkward” and “tactless.” Says things that make you want to claw your eyes out.

Redeeming qualities: Shows his soft side with Jan and other female characters. Is not a terrible boss on purpose.

Deal-breaker?: No. I still love “The Office.” And the fact that all of the other characters are equally annoyed with Michael makes me feel like I’m in good company while I’m watching the show.

“Arrested Development”

Character name: Gob Bluth

Actor name: Will Arnett

Annoying characteristics: Sorry. It’s been so long since I’ve been able to get myself to watch the show, I don’t remember!

Redeeming qualities: None that I can remember. But at least when you watch him, you also get to watch Michael Cera (George-Michael Bluth).

Deal-breaker?: Yes. I will not watch this show. Though maybe I should give it another chance, because it is supposedly a very good show.

“Seinfeld”

Character names: Estelle and Frank Costanza

Actor names: Estelle Harris and Jerry Stiller

Annoying characteristics: Take the elderly couple in Everybody Loves Raymond and add New York and “Serenity now.”

Redeeming qualities: They let their lazy, adult son, George, live with them in their house. That’s pretty darn nice of them.

Deal-breaker?: No. I live and breathe by the ways of the wonderful world of “Seinfeld.”

“The Nanny”

Character name: Fran Fine

Actor name: Fran Drescher

Annoying characteristics: That voice. And that laugh.

Redeeming qualities: The kids seem to like her.

Deal-breaker?: Yes. It’s a pretty annoying show. Mostly because of Fran’s voice.

“Family Guy”

Character name: Peter Griffen, Lois Griffen, Chris Griffen, Meg Griffen, Stewie Griffen

Actor names: Seth MacFarlane, Alex Borstein, Seth Green, Mila Kunis

Annoying characteristics: I could never make it through a full episode because of that stupid talking baby man.

Redeeming qualities: The show makes “The Simpsons” appear even funnier.

Deal-breaker?: Yes. When this show comes on before / in between / after “The Simpsons,” I do all that is in my power to find an episode of “Seinfeld” on another channel.