We all know this character. They’re mean, they’re heartless, they’re vain, and they’re selfish. The whole world revolves around them and their petty desires, and they create chaos in the world around them. Chances are, they have some sarcastic comebacks to go along with their ruthlessness. And yet, every show seems to be incomplete without them.
Take “How I Met Your Mother’s” Barney Stinson, for example. He lies to girls to lure them into bed, he thinks he’s God’s gift to the world, and he spends all of his time insulting the people who love him. Nevertheless, he’s most likely your favorite character.
Why is this? Well, there are many steps writers take when crafting their perfect lovable villain. Here are a few of them:
1. Make the character humorous.
It’s difficult to unleash your wrath on a character if you’re too busy laughing at their witty lines and sassy remarks. If the character has well-written funny lines, they're much more likely to escape our slander.
2. Cast them well.
You've got to admit that it's nearly impossible to dislike any character that's played by Neil Patrick Harris. He's cute, funny, and incredibly talented. Heck, he can even sing! If a writer makes sure that their character is portrayed by the right person, they'll likely win the approval of their audience.
3. Give them a love interest.
Nothing intrigues an audience like a bad-person-turned-good-by-love story line. "How I Met Your Mother" captures this completely, bringing together the two commitment-phobic characters and crafting the long, intricate journey of them falling for one another. Not only is it adorable, but it gives room for character development. After all, "The Robin" definitely stole all of our hearts, as well as Robin's.
4. Make them liked by the main character.
Where would Ted Mosby be without his counterpart, Barney Stinson, to balance him out? Sure, he claims time and time again that Marshall is his best friend, but his life would definitely lack the zest and excitement that Barney brings into the picture.
5. Give them an insecurity.
It's hard to blame a character for acting out when they obviously feel like they're lacking something inside. For Barney, it's his constant need for companionship. Even though he makes it look like he could take or leave the gang, everyone knows he would be lost without their love and support.
6. Give them memorable catch phrases.
If you're a true HIMYM fan, the phrases "Legend-wait-for-it-dary" and "Suit up!" have become just as much a part of your vocabulary as "Let's Go to the Mall" and "Blue French Horn." If you're more likely to remember something witty and quotable that a character says, then you're probably going to end up liking them in the process.
7. Give them a backstory.
As the story line progresses, the audience learns of Barney's very bizarre past. Apparently, before his suit-wearing Playbook days, he was a hippie who was madly in love with his girlfriend. However, once said girlfriend cheats on him, shattering his heart, he appears to be changed forever. In crafting this storyline, the writers make Barney's characteristics much more understandable.
8. Bonus: Give them a ducky tie and an awesome nickname.
It's pretty difficult to hate a character who is forced to wear a ducky tie and called "Swarley." By crafting humbling story lines such as these, it gives the audience a reason to laugh and even sympathize with the character.
So, there you have it - eight fool-proof ways to write a bad character but still make the audience like them. It's a challenge, but it's possible. After all, when we all think of "How I Met Your Mother," we think of Barney, our favorite scumbag.
Keep writing, and keep it legend - wait for it - dary!
