Thelovable loser is acharacterarchetype portrayed as asympathetic, likable, or well-meaning person for whom bad luck continually prevents their various efforts from succeeding, and from obtaining the things they feel will bring them happiness,[1] particularly an idealized true love.[2]
Lovable losers are often defined by ambitions exceeding their capabilities, and by their over-zealous, and sometimes self-defeating, efforts to obtain their desires.[1] They are prone to fall forget-rich-quick schemes, and advertised shortcuts to finding wealth, success, or love, and to act impulsively in the pursuit of these things,[1] but at the same time may be prone to act ethically and selflessly, resisting efforts to lure them into behavior that would actually harm others.[2] They are often depicted as falling into a dynamic where their friends are disdainful of their efforts, or offer bad advice or other counterproductive help.[2]
Examples of lovable losers in media includeCharlie Brown, the main character of thePeanuts comic strip byCharles M. Schulz,[3] whose exploits in futility include an inability to fly a kite without getting it stuck in a tree, never receivingvalentines from anyone in his school class, being the pitcher on a winless baseball team, and repeatedly being convinced byLucy to try to kick a football, only for her to yank it away at the last second;Chandler Bing onFriends, who for most of the show's run was unable to find romance (in contrast with his roommate,Joey Tribbiani, who easily fell into meaningless relationships);[1] and Andy, the main character inThe 40-Year-Old Virgin, who must deal with overly forward efforts by his friends and coworkers who want to help him lose his virginity.[2]
At one time it was noted that "[a]lmost every top-rated series has a regular, dependable loser; a patsy who always gets the short end of the stick, a fall guy who is left with egg on his face".[4] It has been argued that "the lovable loser plays a big part in the American dream", because "the lovable loser--as long as he is on the side of the angels--rescues the country from its excesses, and thus represents an indispensable national trait".[5]
In sports, the phrase specifically refers to athletes or sports teams that, despite their best efforts, are consistently unable to win.[6] The term was particularly applied to theChicago Cubs baseball team for a long stretch of their existence, during which a World Series championship eluded the team from1908 until2016.[7][8] A 1961 college football game preview predicting a loss forIndiana University described the team's head coach,Phil Dickens as a "big lovable loser".[9] GolferSam Snead, who had close losses in a number of golf tournaments, was characterized as a lovable loser in 1963, although he was a winner of three of the four major golf tournaments, which included three PGA Championships.[10] A 1963Chicago Tribune headline named theNew York Mets lovable losers.[11] The Mets went on to win the World Series six years later. In cycling, French riderRaymond Poulidor has been described as a lovable loser: he earned the nickname "the eternal second" as he never won theTour de France or wore theyellow jersey, despite scoring three runner-up finishes and five third places, and was eclipsed by his rival and compatriotJacques Anquetil. Nevertheless, he achieved great popularity with the French public.[12]