The 7 biggest Mama’s Boys in TV history

There’s nothing quite as disturbing as an unnatural closeness between a mother and son. In the world of television, many a character has suckled too long at the teet of his mother. Below are seven of the biggest mama’s boys in TV history:

Buster Bluth Arrested Development

In a family that is completely dysfunctional and inept, Buster Bluth is perhaps the most dysfunctional of all. Due to his mother’s hyper-controlling and protective nature (she won’t allow him on the balcony when it’s too windy outside), Buster has grown into a man-child that fears any situation that takes him too far from his mother. Despite this fact, he consciously resents Lucille for her suffocating ways and occasionally tries to rebel (for example, dating her rival, who creepily is the same age as his mother and is also named Lucille). However, no matter how many half-assed actions or snide comments to the contrary (“Like anyone would want to ‘R’ her”), it’s clear Buster loves his mother and would be content to just sit and brush her hair all day.

Sterling Archer Archer

The great Jessica Walter re-conjures the essence of Lucille Bluth in many ways in the animated FX TV show, Archer. Here, her character, Malory, has a similar love/hate relationship with her secret agent son, Sterling Archer, as the one found with Buster and his mother in Arrested Development. As the head of Archer’s secret agent organization (ISIS), she continues to mother him as if he was a 5-year-old boy. While Archer talks out and thinks for himself more than others on this list, he still has a need to please his mommy and make sure she’s happy with his actions. If you haven’t seen Archer yet, check it out. Episodes are now available on Hulu.

Howard Wolowitz Big Bang Theory

You’ll find that sons who still live at home are a common theme among many mama’s boys. Such is the case for Howard Wolowitz, who shares a home with his never-seen, but always-yelling mother. Despite Wolowitz’s significant accomplishments as an aerospace engineer, Mrs. Wolowitz seems intent on treating her little boy like he’s still in diapers. And though she gets on his last nerve, when it all comes down to it, if given the opportunity to be turned into an android, Wolowitz would respect his mother’s wishes and do so only if he could continue to be Jewish.

Mom’s Three Sons Futurama

Though minor characters in the futuristic world of Futurama, the three sons of the malevolent Mom character make up for their short stage time with character profiles that are virtually the definition of a mama’s boy. The three boys – named Walt, Larry and Igner – collectively act as Mom’s brown-nosing minions. Despite her constant berating and hand slaps, the trio maintains their loyalty to Mom and express their wishes to one day “marry a girl like her.” For all their efforts, Mom rewards them with a measly 0.1 percent share in her company.

Eric Cartman South Park

In most cases, the lives and decisions of mama’s boys are expressly dictated by that of their overly controlling mothers. Such is not the case with Eric Cartman, who is clearly the one in charge when it comes to running the Cartman household. However, this does little to diminish the fact that South Park Elementary’s fattest fourth-grader is undeniably mommy’s little man. Whether he’s just sitting on the couch asking for more Cheesy Poofs or going all out by asking her to help him enter the special Olympics, the bond he has with his mother is as unnaturally close as they come.

Trey McDougal Sex and the City

Never watched Sex and the City? That’s okay, guys, because you don’t need to know that a grown man who takes baths with his mother tub-side is a mega mama’s boy. Though a rich, attractive and well-mannered man, the fact that he loves his mother in such a way that screams Oedipal complex does much to diminish his chances of ever scoring with the fairer sex. In fact, his mommy issues are so intense, that they do much to contribute to the man’s inability to get it up. That’s right, he’s so effed up from the young boy/mommy relationship that he’s stuck in that his Willie is just as functional as that of an 8-year-old boy. A relationship with your mother doesn’t get more icky than that.

Principal Skinner The Simpsons

Fights over the inflatable bath pillow and getting grounded at the age 40 are par for the course when your name is Principal Skinner (or Armin Tanzarian). While Principal Skinner may be the top dog at Springfield Elementary, it’s clear that his personal life is completely run by that of his mother – Agnes Skinner. Some of Seymour’s more, “Yes, mother,” moments include rushing home from school so he can help Agnes finish off a June bug she has cornered in the basement and doing a daily mole check to earn his allowance.

--- Did you like this article? And you probably like contests, exclusive content, and smug commentary right? Then why aren't you liking Guyism on Facebook? Show some pride and click the "Like" button below right now: