TV Shows That Handled Bipartisan Friendships Perfectly

Television has long served as a mirror for society by reflecting our political divides through character dynamics. The following series managed to portray friendships and relationships that crossed party lines with nuance and humor. These shows demonstrate that human connection can transcend voting records and ideological differences.

‘Parks and Recreation’ (2009–2015)

Leslie Knope and Ron Swanson represent the gold standard of opposing ideologies finding common ground. Leslie believes government should serve the people while Ron thinks the department should barely exist at all. Their relationship thrives on mutual respect for the principles they hold rather than the policies they support. They constantly challenge each other to be better public servants despite their massive disagreements.

’30 Rock’ (2006–2013)

Jack Donaghy and Liz Lemon showcase a mentor dynamic that transcends their voting records. Jack is a staunch corporate conservative who loves capitalism while Liz is a bleeding heart liberal writer. They bond over their shared drive for success and their chaotic personal lives. The show uses their banter to highlight the absurdity of both political extremes without breaking their loyalty to one another.

‘Boston Legal’ (2004–2008)

Alan Shore and Denny Crane share a bond that anchors the entire series. Alan is a passionate progressive lawyer who fights for the underdog while Denny is a gun-loving conservative legend. They end every episode sharing a drink and discussing their day on the balcony. Their friendship proves that deep affection can exist between men who disagree on almost everything fundamentally.

‘All in the Family’ (1971–1979)

Archie Bunker and his son-in-law Mike Stivic provided the archetype for televised political clashing. The conservative patriarch constantly bickers with the liberal student living under his roof. Their arguments cover everything from civil rights to the Vietnam War during a turbulent era in history. Beneath the shouting matches lies a grudging familial love that keeps the household together.

‘The Good Wife’ (2009–2016)

Diane Lockhart and Kurt McVeigh offer a romantic twist on the bipartisan trope. Diane is a staunch Democrat running a liberal law firm while Kurt is a conservative ballistics expert. They navigate their relationship by compartmentalizing their professional beliefs from their personal attraction. The show depicts their marriage as a complex negotiation of values and compromise.

‘Family Ties’ (1982–1989)

Alex P. Keaton is the ambitious Young Republican son of two former hippies. Steven and Elyse Keaton constantly find themselves baffled by their son’s worship of Richard Nixon and corporate greed. The humor arises from the role reversal where the child is the conservative traditionalist and the parents are the counterculture liberals. Love always bridges the gap between their starkly different worldviews.

‘The West Wing’ (1999–2006)

Ainsley Hayes enters the White House as a Republican lawyer who instantly clashes with the senior staff. She forms a surprising and respectful friendship with Sam Seaborn despite their constant debates. The series uses her character to show that patriotism and intelligence exist on both sides of the aisle. Her presence forces the Democratic staff to sharpen their arguments and check their prejudices.

‘Last Man Standing’ (2011–2021)

Mike Baxter is an outspoken conservative who frequently butts heads with his liberal son-in-law Ryan. Their interactions often revolve around parenting styles and social issues affecting the family. Mike uses his vlog to vent while Ryan attempts to introduce progressive ideas into the Baxter household. They eventually find a rhythm where they can tease each other without destroying their family bond.

‘Will & Grace’ (1998–2020)

Will Truman and Karen Walker could not be more different in their lifestyles and social outlooks. Will is a conscientious lawyer while Karen is a wealthy socialite with questionable ethics and conservative leanings. Their friendship works because they bond over their shared love for Grace and their biting wit. The show utilizes their differences to create sharp comedic tension that highlights the absurdity of their bubble.

‘Spin City’ (1996–2002)

Carter Heywood and Stuart Bondek are colleagues in the Mayor’s office with opposing perspectives on life. Carter is a gay activist while Stuart is a cynical staffer with insensitive views. They manage to become roommates and close friends despite their constant bickering over social issues. The series portrays their friendship as an evolution from workplace hostility to genuine brotherhood.

‘Dharma & Greg’ (1997–2002)

Kitty and Edward Montgomery represent the stuffy country club establishment while Abby and Larry Finkelstein are free spirits. The marriage of their children forces these two couples to interact constantly. They frequently clash over how to raise their grandchild and how to conduct themselves in society. The show finds humor and heart in their forced proximity and eventual mutual understanding.

‘The Jeffersons’ (1975–1985)

George Jefferson and Tom Willis are neighbors who break barriers simply by being friends. George is a successful businessman who mistrusts white people while Tom is a white man in an interracial marriage. They argue frequently about race and society but support each other during personal crises. Their dynamic was groundbreaking for showing complex racial and social discourse in a sitcom format.

‘King of the Hill’ (1997–2010)

Hank Hill is a conservative Texan who values tradition while his neighbor Dale Gribble is an anti-government conspiracy theorist. They stand in the alley drinking beer every day despite their divergent views on reality and authority. Hank often has to save Dale from his own paranoia while Dale remains loyal to Hank to a fault. Their friendship is a testament to the idea that shared history matters more than shared opinions.

‘The Newsroom’ (2012–2014)

Will McAvoy is a registered Republican news anchor who is pushed by his liberal producer MacKenzie McHale. They work together to report the news with integrity regardless of their personal biases. The show centers on their mission to elevate public discourse above partisan shouting matches. Their professional partnership is fueled by a shared belief in truth over political expediency.

‘Designated Survivor’ (2016–2019)

Tom Kirkman is an Independent president who must work with politicians from both major parties. He forms alliances with fierce competitors like Kimble Hookstraten to stabilize the country. The show focuses on the necessity of cooperation when the entire government structure is threatened. It champions the idea that leadership requires listening to opposing viewpoints to serve the greater good.

‘Black-ish’ (2014–2022)

Dre Johnson frequently finds himself at odds with his son Junior regarding social activism and identity. Dre holds traditional views on success and race while Junior represents a modern and often confusing progressive generation. Their conflicts highlight the evolving nature of political discourse within the black community. The show uses their relationship to explore how different generations approach the struggle for equality.

‘Murphy Brown’ (1988–2018)

Murphy Brown and her colleagues often display a range of social perspectives. Anchor Jim Dial represents a traditional and stoic conservatism that contrasts with Murphy’s boisterous liberalism. They maintain a deep professional respect and personal affection despite their differences in style and substance. The show uses their dynamic to anchor the newsroom in a sense of balanced journalistic integrity.

‘Madam Secretary’ (2014–2019)

Elizabeth McCord is a non-partisan Secretary of State who serves under a President with his own political agenda. She often has to negotiate with her husband Henry who approaches issues from an ethical and religious perspective. Their debates at the dinner table model healthy discourse for their children and the audience. The series emphasizes that solutions often require compromising on methods without compromising on morals.

‘Cheers’ (1982–1993)

Sam Malone and Diane Chambers have a relationship defined by the collision of two different worlds. Sam is a working class sports figure while Diane is an intellectual academic with highbrow ideals. Their romantic tension is fueled by their arguments over art and politics and social status. The show illustrates how attraction can bridge the gap between the blue collar and the elite.

‘Veep’ (2012–2019)

Selina Meyer and her staff are united by ambition rather than ideology but they frequently interact with opposing figures. The show satirizes the hollowness of political friendship by showing how transactional these relationships are. The bond between Selina and her team transcends party lines when they face external threats. It offers a cynical look at how personal loyalty operates in a hyper-partisan environment.

Please tell us which of these dynamic duos is your favorite in the comments.