‘Dynamic Duos’ misses a few

September 2, 2012 at 12:00a.m.

By Diane Werts

Newsday

The greatest twosomes in television history?

That’s what Robin Roberts celebrates tonight, hosting the two-hour clipfest “TV’s Most Dynamic Duos: Presented by The Paley Center for Media” from 9 to 11 p.m. on ABC.

The show’s 30 chosen pairings range across TV’s six-decade history, from ’50s faves Ralph and Alice Kramden of “The Honeymooners” to today’s Cameron and Mitchell of “Modern Family.”

But we think this Nielsen Media Research poll missed the mark in more than a few cases.

When it comes to “The Honeymooners,” for instance, what about Jackie Gleason’s Ralph Kramden with Art Carney’s Ed Norton?

Polled people also picked “All in the Family’s” Archie Bunker and Mike Stivic.

But over Carroll O’Connor’s explosive Archie and Jean Stapleton’s “stifle” wife, Edith?

Really?

Here are some other names that might have made the grade.

Andy Taylor and Barney Fife, “The Andy Griffith Show” — No brainer! How could Chandler and Joey of “Friends” be chosen over the 50-years-young heritage of Andy Griffith’s wise sheriff and Don Knotts’ dizzy deputy?

Walter White and Jesse Pinkman, “Breaking Bad” — Getting current, there’s Bryan Cranston’s increasingly scary meth chef and Aaron Paul’s student turned surprising moral center of this terrific tragedy. These Emmy winners define “dynamic,” working together in such natural tandem, they make each other better by the week.

Christine Cagney and Mary Beth Lacey, “Cagney & Lacey” — Women’s modernizing lives finally hit the screen when Sharon Gless and Tyne Daly dominated ’80s Emmy Awards as police detective partners leading divergent lives.

Gomez and Morticia Addams, “The Addams Family” — This ’60s monster-com remains beloved, thanks largely to John Astin and Carolyn Jones’ kinky coupling as weirdly wonderful parents.

Beaver and Wally, “Leave It to Beaver” — Sitcoms’ first “natural” acting kids were played with everyday charm 1957-1963 by young Jerry Mathers and Tony Dow.

The Lone Ranger and Tonto, “The Lone Ranger” — No Westerns make the list? Dozens filled TV’s early years.

And, lest we forget — Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul on “American Idol.”