Television Couples: Types Exist Even in Murder She Wrote

Chemistry helps to sell relationships. 

Chemistry isn't necessarily connected to looks, but certain pairings seem to follow certain actors and actresses. Graham Patrick Martin of Major Crimes did far better opposite Rene Russo as Gus than previous pairings (though the yuppie in "Do Not Disturb" was a strong contender--and interestingly enough, handsome in a similar way to Russo). 

Timothy Hutton seems to do best opposite European-looking women with angular, handsome looks: Gina Bellman and Kari Matchett. Randy on Home Improvement did best opposite blond, fragile-looking young ladies with sharp tongues. Michael J. Fox did far better opposite Tracy Pollan, the woman he eventually married in real life, than opposite Courtney Cox, but Courtney Cox and Matthew Perry made a great pair on Friends. 

Jessica's male companions on Murder She Wrote illustrate the issue. 

Including the devastatingly charismatic Keith Michell, who falls into his own category of wow-ness, Angela Lansbury as Jessica is often paired with handsome, interesting, debonair men. Michael Hagarty played by Len Cariou, for one. Her constant "steady" is Seth Hazlitt, played by William Windom. There's a nice vibe between them that goes beyond friendship. They don't marry or shack up, but the vibe gives a little punch to their scenes. 

In Season 7, William Windom was either off doing something else or the producers decided to throw in a "love interest." They chose Joe Dorsey as Bennett Devlin, who runs the Cabot Cove newspaper, to be Jessica's new best friend. He and Jessica meet when he publishes news about her. She thinks her life is nobody's business, just her books. He thinks she is news all by herself. Ah, Elizabeth/Darcy conflict! 

But the chemistry isn't there. Joe Dorsey is a distinguished gent, Darcy in a sweater-vest. William Windom is a grumpy teddy bear. Yet Jessica and Seth work far better. With Ben, I always feel that Jessica is being kind and calm and friendly--but not all that interested in his company. In addition, Lansbury's gift for comedy shines opposite Windom. With Dorsey, she comes off as mostly irritated.

Thankfully, William Windom returned or Bennett was written out. Chemistry sells!