BEYOND THE SCREEN

From Lucy Ricardo to Michael Scott: 10 characters that made it big

Image: Nabil Saleh

From belly laughs to moments of deep reflection, TV shows and movies have been our trusty companions, bringing endless entertainment right into our living rooms. But what really makes them unforgettable are the iconic characters that jump from the screen straight into our hearts. While we each have our personal favorites, there are those special characters that are universally adored.

Today, we will remember 10 of these figures who've left an indelible mark on entire generations and will hardly be forgotten by popular culture.

Image: Kelly Sikkema

Yoda, one of the most outstanding characters in the captivating Star Wars universe, embodies traits we all admire: serenity and wisdom. Despite being small in size, his strength is monumental, and his demeanor captivates audiences, something evident since his debut in 1980's The Empire Strikes Back. Moreover, Yoda's influence on Luke Skywalker shapes the trajectory of his story, proving his indispensable role in the saga.

And if you needed another reason to love Yoda, here's a delightful fact: the make-up artist Stuart Freeborn revealed that part of the character's unmistakable face was inspired by none other than Albert Einstein!

Image: Ilse Orsel

Among the six main characters on Friends, Chandler often steals the spotlight as a fan favorite, and it's not hard to understand why.

His charming blend of shyness and fear of commitment adds depth to his character and makes him relatable to many. Despite his struggles, Chandler's wit and inclination for humor and jokes serve as his coping mechanism, making him effortlessly lovable.

A good friend and generous companion, this character also has colorful peculiarities, such as his notorious third nipple and an unusual middle name, Muriel.

Image: Attentie Attentie

Created and personified by Sylvester Stallone, Rocky Balboa is a great character who has taught us about discipline and resilience, qualities represented in one of his phrases, "It ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward."

Rocky isn't just a boxer; during the series of films that have him as the main character, we see the evolution of a tenacious man who will not stop fighting (literally) until he reaches his goals. In addition to his determination, the ability to learn from his mistakes and take care of those he loves are some of his greatest traits. He is truly a champion in many ways!

Image: Thomas Schweighofer

Created by J. R. R. Tolkien for his novels, Gandalf is one of the most beloved characters in the world of epic fantasy. With a beard as wise as his words, this wizard plays a crucial role in the saga. His magical abilities and his commitment to goodness make him an admirable figure who serves as a guide to other characters in the universe created by Tolkien.

Fan love for this character has also grown in no small part thanks to the captivating performance of the immensely talented Ian McKellen in Peter Jackson's cinematic versions of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Many people have a Gandalf-like figure in their lives, right? So, who is your Gandalf?

Image: Rick L

When movies portray the arrival of extraterrestrial beings on our planet, it is usually in the form of invasion, war, and misunderstanding between two species. But every so often, there's a different kind of alien encounter that warms our hearts instead of scaring us.

Unlike the aliens that can be seen in other movies, E.T. is a curious creature full of love and understanding that establishes a deep connection and friendship with Elliott, a boy who shares these qualities.

E.T. symbolizes unity through shared experiences and feelings rather than focusing on differences. This character resonated deeply with the generation of the ‘80s and continues to be a beloved part of pop culture today.

Image: Yosuke Ota

Forrest is a character who has captured the hearts of people all across the globe. He is frequently described as having a low IQ, but his emotional intelligence is certainly very high. This character possesses several admirable traits, chief among them being his kindness, loyalty, perseverance, and integrity.

Plus points for Forrest because, well, Tom Hanks plays him, and let's be honest, who doesn't have a soft spot for Tom Hanks?

Image: Stephen Monterroso

Can you believe it's been more than 70 years since the iconic sitcom I Love Lucy first aired? However, its characters are still in our hearts, particularly the one after whom the show is named: Lucy.

Portrayed by the legendary Lucille Ball, Lucy Ricardo is undoubtedly an iconic character in TV history. Lucy has given us endless laughs, but her friendly, curious, and ambitious personality also made us stop and think about the role of women in society, something revolutionary for the time when the show was first aired.

Image: Adolfo Félix

Not all the characters on this list are flawless, and Michael Scott from The Office is a good example.

Played brilliantly by Steve Carell in the U.S. version of the show, Michael is an eccentric boss who is as lovable as he is exasperating. His constant self-doubt often sabotages his authority, as he usually craves the approval and affection of others.

Despite his selfish and quirky tendencies, Michael also shows surprisingly kind and caring actions. This blend of flaws and virtues makes him so authentic, proving that you don't need to be perfect to be loved.

Image: Ben Griffiths

Similar to Michael Scott, Sheldon Cooper is a mix of positive and negative characteristics.

Undoubtedly, his defining feature is his extraordinary intellect, particularly in the realm of science, especially physics. However, this brilliance contrasts with his lack of empathy and his struggle to connect emotionally with others. This rare combination results in many comedic moments for viewers to enjoy.

Of course, as the show unfolds, we witness some growth in Sheldon's character. Despite his stubbornness, he gradually begins to make efforts to consider the feelings of his friends, even if it initially seems illogical to him and his big brain.

Image: Jr Korpa

Played by the famous Uma Thurman, "The Bride," also known as Beatrix Kiddo, is the central character in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill film series.

As we have come to expect in a Tarantino film, this character is frequently surrounded or stained with blood. But The Bride has her good reasons. Driven primarily by a thirst for revenge, the compelling backstory of this character evokes empathy and awakens the desire to join her on her path of revenge.

Despite the huge challenges she has to face, she stands as an example of tenacity and perseverance, which is shown through her admirable physical and combat skills.

NOTHING LASTS FOREVER? APPARENTLY, SOME THINGS DO!

Did You Know These 10 Food Items Never Go Bad?

Image: Jason Tuistra

Everything has an expiration date—even the things that don’t really expire. The truth is, everything has an expiration date because the law says it has to, just to be on the safe side. As for the things that don’t expire, the list is not too long but it's probably longer than you expected it to be. For the sake of brevity, we narrowed it down to 10 items. Can you guess as to what you will find in it?

Image: Timo Volz

This first one is quite obvious. A few years ago, a running joke on the internet had the picture of a Himalayan pink salt package with a label that proudly stated "Formed 250 million years ago" and, in the small print at the bottom, said "Expires in 1 month". The joke being that salt does not expire. This is because salt is a mineral and, as such, it is not subjected to the decaying nature of organic matter.

Image: Arwin Neil Baichoo

This one is also quite legendary. Can you imagine smearing 3.000-year-old honey discovered in the tomb of Egyptian King Tut on your toast? Aside from the spectacular price tag such an item would go for, it would be perfectly safe for your health because, yes, you guessed it, honey lasts forever.

Bees create this elixir with almost no water, which is something microbes need to exist. And no microbes equals no decomposition. So, grab that honey jar at the bottom of the pantry and pour some on a cup of hot tea!

Image: Precious Plastic Melbourne

This one might not be as legendary as the previous too but it surely deserves a spot on our list. White****vinegar has an indefinite shelf life thanks to its high acidity (above 4%). Microbes don’t grow in acidic conditions. This is why you often see pickled products preserved in vinegar: because this liquid prevents spoiling due to its high acidity.


A bottle that was bought ages ago for a barbecue or a Bloody Mary cocktail and then forgotten in the pantry or the refrigerator door is still perfectly safe to consume. Worcestershire sauce doesn't really go bad. This happens because it is mostly made of white vinegar, and we already know what’s the deal with white vinegar, right?

So, use it for your tomato juice and vodka drink, pour it on your steak, and then cast it aside for a year or two, the trusty fellow will be there waiting for you as if time hadn’t passed at all.

Image: Nathan Cima

Do you remember those old liquor cabinets, usually in grandparent homes, filled with ancient alcohol bottles that nobody ever really drank? There is a reason those dusty bottles never went bad and it is a single word: alcohol.

Bacteria do NOT like alcohol, and beverages with high alcohol content keep bacteria from growing, thus, decaying.

Image: Lucy Wolski

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) says that powdered milk lasts between 2 and 10 years. We know that is nowhere near the shelf life of the other elements in this list but still, it's quite impressive for a dairy product. Some survival stores even sell non-fat dry powdered milk labeled with a 25-year shelf life.

Image: Shelley Pauls

Every person who has ever bought dry beans knows that this product lasts a long time. How long, you might ask? Dry beans are usually given a shelf-life of 3 to 6 years under optimal storage conditions, in a low humidity environment. But there are recorded cases of dry beans lasting longer than 24 years without significant taste loss or hardening and even a case of a carbon-dated 1,500-year-old batch of white beans that could be planted and grown perfectly in normal conditions.

Image: Myriam Zylles

In the same manner that we can count on salt forever, sugar is another thing that won’t go bad. Due to their resistance to microbial growth, commercial sugars have an indefinite shelf life.

While sugars are recommended to be used within 2 years, that is because of lumpiness or hardening in granulated sugars and crystallization of sugars in honey and syrup. It is still safe to use even when lumpy or crystals are present. The color and flavor of liquid sugars may change over time, but they can still be consumed.

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For most people, coffee is a comforting beverage to have around and, as such, it is nice to know that it won’t go bad anytime soon. Instant coffee, while unopened, has a shelf life of up to 20 years, depending on the package and the processing methods. Coffee, while it can lose some of its flavor over time, consistently proves itself as a long-lasting contender.

Image: Kobby Mendez

Another comfort food, pure maple syrup can last a really long time, due to its high sugar content. According to various sources, the shelf life of pure maple syrup is pretty much eternal.

If stored properly, that is, in a dark and dry place, and, ideally, in a glass container, pure maple syrup will last indefinitely. If crystals form in the bottle, placing the vessel in boiling water will undo them and make the syrup as good as new.