For drama to arise, the hero’s intention must meet an obstacle, and what better obstacle than an arch-rival.
But rivalries come in all forms, from the most petty to the most fierce, and are therefore wellsprings of drama and hilarity that can be found in series of all genres.
Here are some of the greatest to have graced the small screen.
An accidental pregnancy after a one night stand with a stranger who lives on the other side of the world might not seem like the ideal start to a romantic relationship, yet over the course of four series, Sharon (Sharon Horgan) and Rob (Rob Delaney) flourish into a couple who are made for each other.
Fans of the US version of The Office, rejoice! Amid the constant pleas for a TV reunion, the next best thing has arrived in the form of a new podcast, Office Ladies.
The Office co-stars and real-life best friends Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey take a trip down memory lane and relive each episode from their unique perspective.
They dish the dirt on cast members and reveal what went on behind the scenes in each episode of the hit series.
Although he assures me he’s “too old to play Tim [again]”, you can see the similarities he shares with his famous character.
He is affable and self-deprecating, joking that he thinks the real Steve Fulcher, who he plays in upcoming ITV drama A Confession, was happy for him to play him - although might have wished for “someone taller, maybe?”
With more than 80 film and TV credits to his name, Freeman has starred in everything from cult classic TV series to huge blockbuster franchises.
For many actors, physique is destiny. If Brad Pitt and Danny DeVito had each other’s bodies, they would probably have each other’s careers.
Tall, thin, gaunt and with deep-set eyes, Mackenzie Crook was probably bound to be asked regularly to play men on the spectrum from ill-at-ease through weird to extremist.
The best-known of these malcontents are creepy army reservist Gareth Keenan in The Office and Ragetti in the Pirates of the Caribbean movie franchise.
It really is the season to be jolly as far as television is concerned, the line-up is full of one-off specials, film premieres and climatic soap storylines.
So, crack open the port, grab a selection box and feast on our compilation of some of the finest moments in the history of Christmas television.
