Dr. Robert Chase (“House,” Fox)
Chase is a true inspiration — inspiration for this list of TV characters who wander aimlessly into scenes, lately, without contributing a whole heck of a lot. None of Dr. House’s original team members has found a groove in the new season, but Chase, most of all, simply serves no purpose. The problem is that he never slept with House and never had serious confrontations with him. He mostly cowered to whatever his boss had to say, up to and including when he was canned. The challenge now is to give him a real personality. Otherwise, this Chase is over.
Callie Torres (“Grey’s Anatomy,” ABC)
Now that Callie and George are divorced — or getting there — there’s little reason for her to stick around unless “Grey’s” writers can make her interesting again. There’s still drama to be had, considering she still has to work with George and Izzie, the other woman. She also once hooked up with Dr. Sloan, aka McSteamy. But the idea from last season that she’s a trust-fund baby went nowhere and she was just booted as chief resident, her apparently last gasp at holding a place of any significance. She’ll continue to simply fade into the background unless a change is made — stat! Jason Street (“Friday Night Lights,” NBC)
The beloved star quarterback, whose paralysis-inducing injury propelled the show into its first season, has really struggled to maintain a place in the TV world of Dillon, Texas, this season. The one bit of story that did come his way this season was a misguided trip to Mexico for an experimental surgery that he didn’t even get. On his way back from that road trip, he wondered what he’s doing with his life, and now viewers are left to wonder the same thing. He quit coaching and hasn’t really been seen since. Does anyone know where this Street is headed? “Miss” J. Alexander (“America’s Next Top Model,” CW)
In fashion, less is more. And that’s certainly the case with “Miss” J. Alexander, a judge on “America’s Next Top Model.” In his second year (fifth season) as a full-time judge, it’s becoming clear that Alexander’s time has run its course. The over-the-top runway coach is served best in small amounts where his impact can be felt best. In judging panels, Alexander has had fewer and fewer interesting things to say, his jokes aren’t funny, and even his wigs have become boring as the seasons have worn on. It’s be best for everyone if his appearances went back to the scrumptious little nuggets that were so much more enjoyable. Shirley Schmidt (“Boston Legal,” ABC)
We need more Shirley Schmidt. For some reason, the new season of “Boston Legal” has been too low on the Schmidt Factor, and that’s no good. There have been some great developments on the show, with the introduction of John Larroquette as Denny Crane’s nemesis, Carl Sack. But here’s hoping the writers haven’t forgotten the gold mine they have in Candice Bergen, who can get a laugh with a simple look or an off-handed one-liner. While she’s never been the star of this particular show, Bergen has been a grand presence since she came onto the scene in the second season. We want more.