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* Not only does Lisa Niles from ''GeneralHospital'' fit this to a T, she gets bonus points for being a total psycho. She seriously believed that killing Robin would make Patrick fall in love with her. All her attempts to off Robin failed. [[spoiler: Most recently, Lisa fell into a coma after accidentally sticking herself with a syringe full of toxic drain cleaner that she meant to use on Robin.]]

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* Not only does Lisa Niles from ''GeneralHospital'' ''Series/GeneralHospital'' fit this to a T, she gets bonus points for being a total psycho. She seriously believed that killing Robin would make Patrick fall in love with her. All her attempts to off Robin failed. [[spoiler: Most recently, Lisa fell into a coma after accidentally sticking herself with a syringe full of toxic drain cleaner that she meant to use on Robin.]]
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* Dave Hester from ''StorageWars'' fits this, acting like a complete prick and having a near-permanent smirk on his face that makes one wonder why the other bidders don't knock his teeth out.

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* Dave Hester from ''StorageWars'' fits this, acting ''Series/StorageWars'' acts like a complete prick and having has a near-permanent smirk on his face that makes one wonder why the other bidders don't knock his teeth out.
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** Plenty of villains from the classic series, including Mavic Chen, and Soldeed, qualify -- the two mentioned are both overconfident gits, and both only ''think'' they have control over their respective MonsterOfTheWeek, when said monsters are obviously playing them like harps.
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* ''Series/PersonOfInterest'': Dear gosh you hope someone will shut Root up soon.

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* ''Series/PersonOfInterest'': Dear gosh you hope someone will shut Root up soon.soon.
* ''Series/{{Revolution}}'': Just about every militia member is this. Some consider Major Neville a MagnificentBastard, but episode 10 disproved it in the end.
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** Alfred Bester was like this in his first number of appearances as well, both smug and unsuccessful, but JMS noticed the threat of VillainDecay and [[EnemyMine averted]] [[BatmanGambit it]] ''[[MagnificentBastard oh so hard]]'' with his later actions.

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** Alfred Bester was like this in his first number of appearances as well, both smug and unsuccessful, but JMS noticed the threat of VillainDecay and [[EnemyMine averted]] [[BatmanGambit [[MagnificentBastard averted it]] ''[[MagnificentBastard oh so hard]]'' with his later actions.
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** In ''A Good Man Goes to War'' Madame Kovarian ''did'' manage to [[spoiler: spectacularly outmanoeuvre the Doctor]], but in ''The Wedding of River Song'' [[spoiler: she is genuinely surprised to be the victim of YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness from the ruthless murderers she has as allies, and then shows that VillainsWantMercy and asks Amy to save her, totally confident that she will, because despite kidnapping and brainwashing her baby, "[Amy would] never do anything to disappoint [her] precious Doctor". The OhCrap look on her face when she realises just what a MamaBear Amy is when the Doctor is not actually present is very satisfying.]]

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** In ''A Good Man Goes to War'' Madame Kovarian ''did'' manage to [[spoiler: spectacularly outmanoeuvre the Doctor]], but in ''The Wedding of River Song'' [[spoiler: she is genuinely surprised to be the victim of YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness from the ruthless murderers she has as allies, and then shows that VillainsWantMercy and asks Amy to save her, totally confident that she will, because despite kidnapping and brainwashing her baby, "[Amy would] never do anything to disappoint [her] precious Doctor". The OhCrap look on her face when she realises just what a MamaBear Amy is when the Doctor is not actually present is very satisfying.]]]] And even if she wasn't noticeably less competent than she believes herself to be, her overall smarmy, oily demeanour would be enough to make her this trope.
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* The first Secretary of the Navy ([=SecNav=]) on ''Series/{{JAG}}'' , Alexander Nelson, (played by Paul Collins) fits this trope.

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* The first Secretary of the Navy ([=SecNav=]) on ''Series/{{JAG}}'' , Alexander Nelson, (played by Paul Collins) fits this trope.trope.
* ''Series/PersonOfInterest'': Dear gosh you hope someone will shut Root up soon.

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removed a your mileage may vary


*** Spectacularly averted in [[Series/DoctorWho the new series]], where the Master is awesomely crazy.
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* David Platt from CoronationStreet beleives himself to be a MagnificentBastard, with his wicked schemes of DisproportionateRetribution. However, since he constantly makes the mistake of messing with people who [[CurbStompBattle easily wiped the floor with him]], like Charlie Stubbs, Jason Grimshaw and Gary Windarss, it often blows up in his face. And the constant temper tantrums. Or the time he tried to blackmail Tracy Barlow (who is quite a qualified SmugSnake herself) into sleeping with him, she actually laughed it off.

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* David Platt from CoronationStreet beleives believes himself to be a MagnificentBastard, with his wicked schemes of DisproportionateRetribution. However, since he constantly makes the mistake of messing with people who [[CurbStompBattle easily wiped the floor with him]], like Charlie Stubbs, Jason Grimshaw and Gary Windarss, it often blows up in his face. And the constant temper tantrums. Or the time he tried to blackmail Tracy Barlow (who is quite a qualified SmugSnake herself) into sleeping with him, she actually laughed it off.

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Minor punctuation fixes; added link in Survivor entry & Big Brother entry; removed recent season from BB entry and replaced it with S13; added entry to BB


* In ''{{Survivor}}'', we have Richard Hatch, Boston Rob, Edgardo & The Four Horsemen, Coach, and Russell Hantz, although the latter tends to be a cross of this and EntitledBastard.
** Richard Hatch and Boston Rob don't count since they both backed up their arrogance by actually winning(albeit it took Rob four times in order to do so. He was definitely a Smug Snake in his first season, but during All Stars he took the leap into MagnificentBastard territory. Richard on the other hand has always been shown as being very smart). The other examples mentioned above(as well as ''many'' ''many'' others on the show) are, however, justified.
* In the American Version of ''BigBrother'' Jessie was ''sooooo'' full of himself. And in the recent Season, Enzo practically has this written on his forehead.

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* In ''{{Survivor}}'', ''Series/{{Survivor}}'', we have Richard Hatch, Boston Rob, Edgardo & The Four Horsemen, Coach, and Russell Hantz, although the latter tends to be a cross of this and EntitledBastard.
** Richard Hatch and Boston Rob don't count since they both backed up their arrogance by actually winning(albeit winning (albeit it took Rob four times in order to do so. He was definitely a Smug Snake in his first season, but during All Stars he took the leap into MagnificentBastard {{Magnificent Bastard}} territory. Richard on the other hand has always been shown as being very smart). The other examples mentioned above(as well as ''many'' ''many'' others on the show) are, however, justified.
* In the American Version version of ''BigBrother'' ''{{Big Brother}}'' Jessie was ''sooooo'' full of himself. And in the recent Season, S13, Enzo practically has this written on his forehead.forehead.
** In S14(US), former winner Dan Gheesling aspired to {{Magnificent Bastard}} status, but only reached the level of Smug Snake.
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** In ''A Good Man Goes to War'' Madame Kovarian ''did'' manage to [[spoiler: spectacularly outmanoeuvre the Doctor]], but in ''The Wedding of River Song'' [[spoiler: she is genuinely surprised to be the victim of YouHaveOutlivedYouUsefulness from the ruthless murderers she has as allies, and then shows that VillainsWantMercy and asks Amy to save her, totally confident that she will, because despite kidnapping and brainwashing her baby, "[Amy would] never do anything to disappoint [her] precious Doctor". The OhCrap look on her face when she realises just what a MamaBear Amy is when the Doctor is not actually present is very satisfying.]]

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** In ''A Good Man Goes to War'' Madame Kovarian ''did'' manage to [[spoiler: spectacularly outmanoeuvre the Doctor]], but in ''The Wedding of River Song'' [[spoiler: she is genuinely surprised to be the victim of YouHaveOutlivedYouUsefulness YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness from the ruthless murderers she has as allies, and then shows that VillainsWantMercy and asks Amy to save her, totally confident that she will, because despite kidnapping and brainwashing her baby, "[Amy would] never do anything to disappoint [her] precious Doctor". The OhCrap look on her face when she realises just what a MamaBear Amy is when the Doctor is not actually present is very satisfying.]]
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** In ''A Good Man Goes to War'' Madame Kovarian ''did'' manage to [[spoiler: spectacularly outmanoeuvre the Doctor]], but in ''The Wedding of River Song'' [[spoiler: she is genuinely surprised to be the victim of YouHaveOutlivedYouUsefulness from the ruthless murderers she has as allies, and then shows that VillainsWantMercy and asks Amy to save her, totally confident that she will, because despite kidnapping and brainwashing her baby, "[Amy would] never do anything to disappoint [her] precious Doctor". The OhCrap look on her face when she realises just what a MamaBear Amy is when the Doctor is not actually present is very satisfying.]]
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JAG


* In the Starz TV series ''Series/{{Camelot}}'', Merlin comes across as a condescending, ill-tempered and unpleasant character, in contrast to his lovably {{Adorkable}} counterpart in ''{{Merlin}}''. The Sword in the Stone was just a ruse staged by him to trick the people of Camelot into accepting Arthur as their king. Merlin has a {{Yandere}}-like obsession with Arthur, believing him to be the indisputable ruler of the land, despite the fact that this Arthur is portrayed as a [[{{Wangst}} whiny]], [[SmallNameBigEgo self-centered]], and [[TheScrappy contemptible]] {{Jerkass}}. Merlin has nothing but contempt for the people of Britain, describing them as "a chorus of fools". His nemesis, [[EvilIsSexy Lady Morgan]], on the other hand is a thoroughly [[MagnificentBastard Magnificent Bitch]], and he ends up being towed behind her carriage with a rope around his wrists, resulting in a CrowningMomentOfFunny.

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* In the Starz TV series ''Series/{{Camelot}}'', Merlin comes across as a condescending, ill-tempered and unpleasant character, in contrast to his lovably {{Adorkable}} counterpart in ''{{Merlin}}''. The Sword in the Stone was just a ruse staged by him to trick the people of Camelot into accepting Arthur as their king. Merlin has a {{Yandere}}-like obsession with Arthur, believing him to be the indisputable ruler of the land, despite the fact that this Arthur is portrayed as a [[{{Wangst}} whiny]], [[SmallNameBigEgo self-centered]], and [[TheScrappy contemptible]] {{Jerkass}}. Merlin has nothing but contempt for the people of Britain, describing them as "a chorus of fools". His nemesis, [[EvilIsSexy Lady Morgan]], on the other hand is a thoroughly [[MagnificentBastard Magnificent Bitch]], and he ends up being towed behind her carriage with a rope around his wrists, resulting in a CrowningMomentOfFunny.CrowningMomentOfFunny.
* The first Secretary of the Navy ([=SecNav=]) on ''Series/{{JAG}}'' , Alexander Nelson, (played by Paul Collins) fits this trope.
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* ''CriminalMinds'': Being a show about {{Serial Killer}}s more than a few of the villains are like this, especially those that suffer from Antisocial Personality Disorder or Narcissistic Personality Disorder. George Foyet, The Boston Reaper, and a RecurringCharacter in Seasons 4 & 5, is one of the best examples, being a total [[TheSociopath sociopath]] and CompleteMonster who suffers from LackOfEmpathy, ItsAllAboutMe, and an ego the size of a blimp. He takes offense at the idea that anyone would ''dare'' to try and stop him, torments Hotch for no better reason than his incredibly petty ideas of RevengeByProxy, is killing people for the fame more than anything else, and takes such a sadistic delight in everything he does that it's impossible to admire him, despite his undeniable EvilGenius. The poster boy for this trope, however, is probably the Season 2 FinalBoss, Frank Breitkopf. While he has more sympathetic qualities than The Reaper, Keith Carradine plays him with such slimy arrogance that it's impossible to like him, or even admire him. He comes off like an evil college professor: you ''are'' going to learn something, no matter how painful it might be.

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* ''CriminalMinds'': Being a show about {{Serial Killer}}s more than a few of the villains are like this, especially those that suffer from Antisocial Personality Disorder or Narcissistic Personality Disorder. George Foyet, The Boston Reaper, and a RecurringCharacter in Seasons 4 & 5, is one of the best examples, being a total [[TheSociopath sociopath]] and CompleteMonster who suffers from LackOfEmpathy, ItsAllAboutMe, and an ego the size of a blimp. He takes offense at the idea that anyone would ''dare'' to try and stop him, torments Hotch for no better reason than his incredibly petty ideas of RevengeByProxy, is killing people for the fame more than anything else, and takes such a sadistic delight in everything he does that it's impossible to admire him, despite his undeniable EvilGenius. The poster boy for this trope, however, is probably the Season 2 FinalBoss, Frank Breitkopf. While he has more sympathetic qualities than The Reaper, Keith Carradine plays him with such slimy arrogance that it's impossible to like him, or even admire him. He comes off like an evil college professor: you ''are'' going to learn something, no matter how painful it might be.
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* Lyn Peterson from ''Series/TorchwoodMiracleDay'' is one hell of a Smug Snake. She's very sexy and seems pretty powerful at first, arresting Rex Matheson and the Torchwood team as soon as they arrive on US soil, but her incompetence soon becomes clear when her attempt to poison Jack Harkness is easily exposed and Gwen Cooper incapacitates her with a single punch. She proves herself a good fighter when she assaults Rex, but he still manages to defeat her by breaking her neck. Given that everyone on Earth has lost the ability to die, she remains alive but disturbingly yet strangely comically, now has her head on backwards.

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* Lyn Peterson from ''Series/TorchwoodMiracleDay'' is one hell of a Smug Snake. She's very sexy and seems pretty powerful at first, arresting Rex Matheson and the Torchwood team as soon as they arrive on US soil, but her incompetence soon becomes clear when her attempt to poison Jack Harkness is easily exposed and Gwen Cooper incapacitates her with a single punch. She proves herself a good fighter when she assaults Rex, but he still manages to defeat her by breaking her neck. Given that everyone on Earth has lost the ability to die, she remains alive but disturbingly yet (yet strangely comically, now comically) has her head on backwards.

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* Lyn Peterson from ''Series/TorchwoodMiracleDay'' is one hell of a Smug Snake. She's very sexy and seems pretty powerful at first, arresting Rex Matheson and the Torchwood team as soon as they arrive on US soil, but her incompetance soon becomes clear when her attempt to poison Jack Harkness is easily exposed and Gwen Cooper incapacitates her with a single punch. She proves herself a good fighter when she assaults Rex, but he still manages to defeat her by breaking her neck. Given that everyone on Earth has lost the ability to die, she remains alive but disturbingly yet strangely comically, now has her head on backwards.
* This trope describes almost every single villain from ''[[Series/TwentyFour 24]]''.
* David Platt from CoronationStreet beleives himself to be a MagnificentBastard, with his wicked schemes of DisproportionateRetribution. However, since he constantly makes the mistake of messing with people who [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown easily wiped the floor with him]], like Charlie Stubbs, Jason Grimshaw and Gary Windarss, it often blows up in his face. And the constant temper tantrums. Or the time he tried to blackmail Tracy Barlow (who is quite a qualified Smug Snake herself) into sleeping with him, she actually laughed it off.
* Dakota Fred from the DiscoveryChannel series ''[[SeriesGoldRush Gold Rush]]'' easily qualifies, acting like a douchebag when working with the Hoffmans in the first season, then backstabbing them and buying the claim out from under them in season 2, forcing them to find another site to mine.
* The Sheriff of Nottingham of the BBC series ''Series/RobinHood'' seems to count himself a great MagnificentBastard, but in practice his evil works tend to be rather too easily foiled by Robin Hood's men to be considered the work of a true evil genius. Furthermore, his 'la-di-da-di-da!' {{catchphrase}}, often uttered as a sign of [[{{Whatever}} impatient indifference]] in response to threats concerning the meddling of Robin Hood and his men, is much too unctuous, awkward, and obnoxious to be a distinctive of a true MagnificentBastard.

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* Lyn Peterson from ''Series/TorchwoodMiracleDay'' is one hell of a Smug Snake. She's very sexy and seems pretty powerful at first, arresting Rex Matheson and the Torchwood team as soon as they arrive on US soil, but her incompetance incompetence soon becomes clear when her attempt to poison Jack Harkness is easily exposed and Gwen Cooper incapacitates her with a single punch. She proves herself a good fighter when she assaults Rex, but he still manages to defeat her by breaking her neck. Given that everyone on Earth has lost the ability to die, she remains alive but disturbingly yet strangely comically, now has her head on backwards.
* This trope describes almost Almost every single villain from ''[[Series/TwentyFour 24]]''.
* David Platt from CoronationStreet beleives himself to be a MagnificentBastard, with his wicked schemes of DisproportionateRetribution. However, since he constantly makes the mistake of messing with people who [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown [[CurbStompBattle easily wiped the floor with him]], like Charlie Stubbs, Jason Grimshaw and Gary Windarss, it often blows up in his face. And the constant temper tantrums. Or the time he tried to blackmail Tracy Barlow (who is quite a qualified Smug Snake SmugSnake herself) into sleeping with him, she actually laughed it off.
* Dakota Fred from the DiscoveryChannel series ''[[SeriesGoldRush Gold Rush]]'' ''Series/GoldRush'' easily qualifies, acting like a douchebag when working with the Hoffmans in the first season, then backstabbing them and buying the claim out from under them in season 2, forcing them to find another site to mine.
* The Sheriff of Nottingham of the BBC series ''Series/RobinHood'' seems to count himself a great MagnificentBastard, but in practice his evil works tend to be rather too easily foiled by Robin Hood's men to be considered the work of a true evil genius. Furthermore, his 'la-di-da-di-da!' {{catchphrase}}, often uttered as a sign of [[{{Whatever}} impatient indifference]] indifference in response to threats concerning the meddling of Robin Hood and his men, is much too unctuous, awkward, and obnoxious to be a distinctive of a true MagnificentBastard.



** While he might have been a little git, it didn't stop some from [[AlasPoorScrappy crying for him]] in the [[DownerEnding last five/ten minutes of 'Goodbyee'.]]

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** While he might have been a little git, it didn't stop some from [[AlasPoorScrappy crying for him]] in the [[DownerEnding last five/ten minutes of 'Goodbyee'.]]'Goodbyee']].



** The true Smug Snake in ''Series/{{Angel}}'' was Gavin Park. Gavin believed himself to be the next Lindsey [=McDonald=], a MagnificentBastard who could arguably be called Angel's {{Archenemy}} (well, ''he'' would argue that he could), but he just wasn't the man, lawyer or villain that he'd replaced.
* TheMaster of ''Series/DoctorWho'' [[VillainDecay devolves]] from his usual MagnificentBastard status unnervingly often, the most {{egregious}} examples being in the MadeForTVMovie, in which his grand evil scheme was to... not die, and in the episode "Logopolis" in which he wipes out a large part of the universe and octillions of people because he didn't do his homework.
** In fact, a ''lot'' of serials with the Master as the main villain can be described less as "the Master is trying to take over the world" than as "the Master is up to yet another dumb scheme that's likely to get out of control and cause TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt." Or indeed, as " the Master has a scheme to not die". Guys spends a lot of time cheating death even for a Time Lord, it's kind of his thing.
*** Spectacularly averted in [[Series/DoctorWho NuWho]], where the Master is... [[LargeHam awesomely crazy]].

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** The true Smug Snake SmugSnake in ''Series/{{Angel}}'' was Gavin Park. Gavin believed himself to be the next Lindsey [=McDonald=], a MagnificentBastard who could arguably be called Angel's {{Archenemy}} (well, ''he'' would argue that he could), but he just wasn't the man, lawyer or villain that he'd replaced.
* TheMaster of ''Series/DoctorWho'' [[VillainDecay devolves]] from his usual MagnificentBastard status unnervingly often, the most {{egregious}} examples being in the MadeForTVMovie, in which his grand evil scheme was to... not die, and in the episode "Logopolis" in which he wipes out a large part of the universe and octillions of people because he didn't do his homework.
** In fact, a ''lot'' of serials with the Master as the main villain can be described less as "the Master is trying to take over the world" than as "the Master is up to yet another dumb scheme that's likely to get out of control and cause TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt." Or indeed, as " the Master has a scheme to not die". Guys spends a lot of time cheating death even for a Time Lord, it's kind of his thing.
often.
*** Spectacularly averted in [[Series/DoctorWho NuWho]], the new series]], where the Master is... [[LargeHam is awesomely crazy]].crazy.
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* In the Starz TV series Series/{{Camelot}}, Merlin comes across as a condescending, ill-tempered and unpleasant character, in contrast to his lovably {{Adorkable}} counterpart in ''{{Merlin}}''. The Sword in the Stone was just a ruse staged by him to trick the people of Camelot into accepting Arthur as their king. Merlin has a {{Yandere}}-like obsession with Arthur, believing him to be the indisputable ruler of the land, despite the fact that this Arthur is portrayed as a [[{{Wangst}} whiny]], [[SmallNameBigEgo self-centered]], and [[TheScrappy contemptible]] {{Jerkass}}. Merlin has nothing but contempt for the people of Britain, describing them as "a chorus of fools". His nemesis, [[EvilIsSexy Lady Morgan]], on the other hand is a thoroughly [[MagnificentBastard Magnificent Bitch]], and he ends up being towed behind her carriage with a rope around his wrists, resulting in a CrowningMomentOfFunny.

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* In the Starz TV series Series/{{Camelot}}, ''Series/{{Camelot}}'', Merlin comes across as a condescending, ill-tempered and unpleasant character, in contrast to his lovably {{Adorkable}} counterpart in ''{{Merlin}}''. The Sword in the Stone was just a ruse staged by him to trick the people of Camelot into accepting Arthur as their king. Merlin has a {{Yandere}}-like obsession with Arthur, believing him to be the indisputable ruler of the land, despite the fact that this Arthur is portrayed as a [[{{Wangst}} whiny]], [[SmallNameBigEgo self-centered]], and [[TheScrappy contemptible]] {{Jerkass}}. Merlin has nothing but contempt for the people of Britain, describing them as "a chorus of fools". His nemesis, [[EvilIsSexy Lady Morgan]], on the other hand is a thoroughly [[MagnificentBastard Magnificent Bitch]], and he ends up being towed behind her carriage with a rope around his wrists, resulting in a CrowningMomentOfFunny.
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* Merlin the the Starz TV series, Series/{{Camelot}} comes across as a condescending, ill-tempered and unpleasant character, in contrast to his {{Adorkable}} counterpart in ''{{Merlin}}''. The sword in the stone was actually just a ruse staged by him to trick the people of Camelot into accepting Arthur as their king. Merlin has a {{Yandere}}-like obsession with Arthur, believing him to be the undisputable ruler of the land, despite the fact that here, Arthur is portrayed as a [[{{Wangst}} whiny]], [[SmallNameBigEgo self-centered]] and [[TheScrappy contemptible]] {{Jerkass}}. Merlin has nothing but contempt for the people of Britain, describing them as "a chorus of fools". His nemesis, the Lady Morgan, on the other hand is a thoroughly MagnificentBitch and Merlin ends up being towed behind her carriage with a rope around his wrists, resulting in a CrowningMomentOfFunny.

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* Merlin the In the Starz TV series, Series/{{Camelot}} series Series/{{Camelot}}, Merlin comes across as a condescending, ill-tempered and unpleasant character, in contrast to his lovably {{Adorkable}} counterpart in ''{{Merlin}}''. The sword Sword in the stone Stone was actually just a ruse staged by him to trick the people of Camelot into accepting Arthur as their king. Merlin has a {{Yandere}}-like obsession with Arthur, believing him to be the undisputable indisputable ruler of the land, despite the fact that here, this Arthur is portrayed as a [[{{Wangst}} whiny]], [[SmallNameBigEgo self-centered]] self-centered]], and [[TheScrappy contemptible]] {{Jerkass}}. Merlin has nothing but contempt for the people of Britain, describing them as "a chorus of fools". His nemesis, the [[EvilIsSexy Lady Morgan, Morgan]], on the other hand is a thoroughly MagnificentBitch [[MagnificentBastard Magnificent Bitch]], and Merlin he ends up being towed behind her carriage with a rope around his wrists, resulting in a CrowningMomentOfFunny.
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** She's also apparently under the assumption that her ComplexityAddiction makes her TheChessmaster. Also, the fact that Merlin knows she's actually evil and can't tell Uther means his hands are tied. It's gotten to the point where she admits, to his face, that he was singlehandedly responsible for thwarting her takeover of Camelot and killing her sister, and she ''still'' mocks him about how useless he is.
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* This trope describes every single villain from ''[[Series/TwentyFour 24]]'', and surprisingly, a fair number of the good guys as well.

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* This trope describes almost every single villain from ''[[Series/TwentyFour 24]]'', and surprisingly, a fair number of the good guys as well.24]]''.



** Lilah Morgan was a true MagnificentBastard, but eventually she had to die and be replaced, and that replacement was Eve. As ThePoorMansSubstitute for Lilah, Eve inevitably came off as a Smug Snake, but the writers seemed to realize this, and put her through a series of events that had the effect of [[BreakTheCutie breaking the cutie]]. They were of the opinion that she would be more interesting if she got some CharacterDevelopment that such that she would no longer be driven by slyness and cool disdain (as she started out), but by fear, anger, and a MinionShipping romance with Lindsey.
** Lilah herself only slowly evolved into a MagnificentBitch; for most of her run on show (arguably until as late as the second half of Season 3) she was definitely a Smug Snake, even ending up with a promotion - and thus her life - solely because Lindsey contemptuously tossed it away.

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** Lilah Morgan was a true MagnificentBastard, but eventually she had to die and be replaced, and that replacement was Eve. As ThePoorMansSubstitute for Lilah, Eve inevitably came off as a Smug Snake, but the writers seemed to realize this, and put her through a series of events that had the effect of [[BreakTheCutie breaking the cutie]]. They were of the opinion that she would be more interesting if she got some CharacterDevelopment that such that she would no longer be driven by slyness and cool disdain (as she started out), but by fear, anger, and a MinionShipping romance with Lindsey.\n
** Lilah herself only slowly evolved into a MagnificentBitch; MagnificentBastard; for most of her run on show (arguably until as late as the second half of Season 3) she was definitely a Smug Snake, even ending up with a promotion - and thus her life - solely because Lindsey contemptuously tossed it away.
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* Merlin the the Starz TV series, Series/{{Camelot}} comes across as a condescending, ill-tempered and unpleasant character, in contrast to his {{Adorkable}} counterpart in ''{{Merlin]]''. The sword in the stone was actually just a ruse staged by him to trick the people of Camelot into accepting Arthur as their king. Merlin has a {{Yandere}}-like obsession with Arthur, believing him to be the undisputable ruler of the land, despite the fact that here, Arthur is portrayed as a [[{{Wangst}} whiny]], [[SmallNameBigEgo self-centered]] and [[TheScrappy contemptible]] {{Jerkass}}. Merlin has nothing but contempt for the people of Britain, describing them as "a chorus of fools". His nemesis, the Lady Morgan, on the other hand is a thoroughly MagnificentBitch and Merlin ends up being towed behind her carriage with a rope around his wrists, resulting in a CrowningMomentOfFunny.

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* Merlin the the Starz TV series, Series/{{Camelot}} comes across as a condescending, ill-tempered and unpleasant character, in contrast to his {{Adorkable}} counterpart in ''{{Merlin]]''.''{{Merlin}}''. The sword in the stone was actually just a ruse staged by him to trick the people of Camelot into accepting Arthur as their king. Merlin has a {{Yandere}}-like obsession with Arthur, believing him to be the undisputable ruler of the land, despite the fact that here, Arthur is portrayed as a [[{{Wangst}} whiny]], [[SmallNameBigEgo self-centered]] and [[TheScrappy contemptible]] {{Jerkass}}. Merlin has nothing but contempt for the people of Britain, describing them as "a chorus of fools". His nemesis, the Lady Morgan, on the other hand is a thoroughly MagnificentBitch and Merlin ends up being towed behind her carriage with a rope around his wrists, resulting in a CrowningMomentOfFunny.
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* Merlin the the Starz TV series, Series/{{Camelot}} comes across as a condescending, ill-tempered and unpleasant character, in contrast to his {{Adorkable}} counterpart in ''{{Merlin}}''. The sword in the stone was actually just a ruse staged by him to trick the people of Camelot into accepting Arthur as their king. Merlin has a {{Yandere}}-like obsession with Arthur, believing him to be the undisputable ruler of the land, despite the fact that here, Arthur is portrayed as a [[{{Wangst}} whiny]], [[SmallNameBigEgo self-centered}} and [[TheScrappy contemptible}} {{Jerkass}}. Merlin has nothing but contempt for the people of Britain, describing them as "a chorus of fools". His nemesis, the Lady Morgan, on the other hand is a thoroughly MagnificentBitch and Merlin ends up being towed behind her carriage with a rope around his wrists, resulting in a CrowningMomentOfFunny.

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* Merlin the the Starz TV series, Series/{{Camelot}} comes across as a condescending, ill-tempered and unpleasant character, in contrast to his {{Adorkable}} counterpart in ''{{Merlin}}''.''{{Merlin]]''. The sword in the stone was actually just a ruse staged by him to trick the people of Camelot into accepting Arthur as their king. Merlin has a {{Yandere}}-like obsession with Arthur, believing him to be the undisputable ruler of the land, despite the fact that here, Arthur is portrayed as a [[{{Wangst}} whiny]], [[SmallNameBigEgo self-centered}} self-centered]] and [[TheScrappy contemptible}} contemptible]] {{Jerkass}}. Merlin has nothing but contempt for the people of Britain, describing them as "a chorus of fools". His nemesis, the Lady Morgan, on the other hand is a thoroughly MagnificentBitch and Merlin ends up being towed behind her carriage with a rope around his wrists, resulting in a CrowningMomentOfFunny.
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* Merlin the the Starz TV series, {{Camelot}} comes across as a condescending, ill-tempered and unpleasant character, in contrast to his {{Adorkable}} counterpart in ''{{Merlin}}''. The sword in the stone was actually just a ruse staged by him to trick the people of Camelot into accepting Arthur as their king. Merlin has a {{Yandere}}-like obsession with Arthur, believing him to be the undisputable ruler of the land, despite the fact that here, Arthur is portrayed as a [[{{Wangst}} whiny]], [[SmallNameBigEgo self-centered}} and [[TheScrappy contemptible}} {{Jerkass}}. Merlin has nothing but contempt for the people of Britain, describing them as "a chorus of fools". His nemesis, the Lady Morgan, on the other hand is a thoroughly MagnificentBitch and Merlin ends up being towed behind her carriage with a rope around his wrists, resulting in a CrowningMomentOfFunny.

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* Merlin the the Starz TV series, {{Camelot}} Series/{{Camelot}} comes across as a condescending, ill-tempered and unpleasant character, in contrast to his {{Adorkable}} counterpart in ''{{Merlin}}''. The sword in the stone was actually just a ruse staged by him to trick the people of Camelot into accepting Arthur as their king. Merlin has a {{Yandere}}-like obsession with Arthur, believing him to be the undisputable ruler of the land, despite the fact that here, Arthur is portrayed as a [[{{Wangst}} whiny]], [[SmallNameBigEgo self-centered}} and [[TheScrappy contemptible}} {{Jerkass}}. Merlin has nothing but contempt for the people of Britain, describing them as "a chorus of fools". His nemesis, the Lady Morgan, on the other hand is a thoroughly MagnificentBitch and Merlin ends up being towed behind her carriage with a rope around his wrists, resulting in a CrowningMomentOfFunny.
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* Villainous CIA representative Clyde Decker from {{Chuck}}, most definitely. He's always seen with a smug, shit-eating grin, and frequently discusses about a big plan meant to take down Chuck and his allies. [[spoiler: However, it turns out, that Decker himself is just a pawn in a larger plan by Daniel Shaw to bring down Chuck as we find out "Chuck Versus the Santa Suit".]]

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* Villainous CIA representative Clyde Decker from {{Chuck}}, most definitely. He's always seen with a smug, shit-eating grin, and frequently discusses about a big plan meant to take down Chuck and his allies. [[spoiler: However, it turns out, that Decker himself is just a pawn in a larger plan by Daniel Shaw to bring down Chuck as we find out "Chuck Versus the Santa Suit".]]]]
* Merlin the the Starz TV series, {{Camelot}} comes across as a condescending, ill-tempered and unpleasant character, in contrast to his {{Adorkable}} counterpart in ''{{Merlin}}''. The sword in the stone was actually just a ruse staged by him to trick the people of Camelot into accepting Arthur as their king. Merlin has a {{Yandere}}-like obsession with Arthur, believing him to be the undisputable ruler of the land, despite the fact that here, Arthur is portrayed as a [[{{Wangst}} whiny]], [[SmallNameBigEgo self-centered}} and [[TheScrappy contemptible}} {{Jerkass}}. Merlin has nothing but contempt for the people of Britain, describing them as "a chorus of fools". His nemesis, the Lady Morgan, on the other hand is a thoroughly MagnificentBitch and Merlin ends up being towed behind her carriage with a rope around his wrists, resulting in a CrowningMomentOfFunny.
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* G'Kar during the first season of ''{{Babylon 5}}'' and ''especially'' in the pilot movie.
** Also, Mister Morden, with his ever annoying arrogant smile. JMichaelStraczynski points out in the commentary that he specifically loved the actor for how unlikeably smug he made the character come off: "Look at that guy! Don't you just want to hate him?"

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* G'Kar during the first season of ''{{Babylon 5}}'' ''Series/BabylonFive'' and ''especially'' in the pilot movie.
** Also, Mister Morden, with his ever annoying arrogant smile. JMichaelStraczynski Creator/JMichaelStraczynski points out in the commentary that he specifically loved the actor for how unlikeably smug he made the character come off: "Look at that guy! Don't you just want to hate him?"

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* David Platt from CoronationStreet beleives himself to be a MagnificentBastard, with his wicked schemes of DisproportionateRetribution. However since he constantly makes the mistake of messing with people who [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown easily wiped the floor with him]], like Charlie Stubbs, Jason Grimshaw and Gary Windarss, it often blows up in his face. And the constant temper tantrums. Or the time he tried to blackmail Tracy Barlow (who is quite a qualified Smug Snake herself) into sleeping with him, she actually laughed it off.
* Dakota Fred from the DiscoveryChannel seres ''[[SeriesGoldRush Gold Rush]]'' easily qualifies, acting like a douchebag when working with the Hoffmans in the first season, then backstabbing them and buying the claim out from under them in season 2, forcing them to find another site to mine.

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* David Platt from CoronationStreet beleives himself to be a MagnificentBastard, with his wicked schemes of DisproportionateRetribution. However However, since he constantly makes the mistake of messing with people who [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown easily wiped the floor with him]], like Charlie Stubbs, Jason Grimshaw and Gary Windarss, it often blows up in his face. And the constant temper tantrums. Or the time he tried to blackmail Tracy Barlow (who is quite a qualified Smug Snake herself) into sleeping with him, she actually laughed it off.
* Dakota Fred from the DiscoveryChannel seres series ''[[SeriesGoldRush Gold Rush]]'' easily qualifies, acting like a douchebag when working with the Hoffmans in the first season, then backstabbing them and buying the claim out from under them in season 2, forcing them to find another site to mine.



** What's worse? He's, generally, WINNING...mostly because he 1. Has a good eye for the REALLY valuable stuff, and 2. Has a shitload more money, and more money to burn.
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* The Vorta in ''StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' are a PlanetOfHats of Smug Snakes, with Weyoun as the smuggest. The [[SuperSoldier Jem-Hadar]] despise all Vorta for this, despite remaining unquestioningly loyal.

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* The Vorta in ''StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' are a PlanetOfHats of Smug Snakes, with Weyoun as the smuggest. The [[SuperSoldier Jem-Hadar]] despise all Vorta for this, despite remaining unquestioningly loyal.
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* This trope describes every single villain from ''[[TwentyFour 24]]'', and surprisingly, a fair number of the good guys as well.

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* This trope describes every single villain from ''[[TwentyFour ''[[Series/TwentyFour 24]]'', and surprisingly, a fair number of the good guys as well.



** "Amy's Choice" features the ''unbelievably'' punchable Dream Lord.

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** "Amy's Choice" features the ''unbelievably'' punchable Dream Lord.



** What's worse? He's, generally, WINNING...mostly because he 1. Has a good eye for the REALLY valuable stuff, and 2. Has a shitload more money, and more money to burn.

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** What's worse? He's, generally, WINNING...mostly because he 1. Has a good eye for the REALLY valuable stuff, and 2. Has a shitload more money, and more money to burn.



* Trymon in the TV series adaptation of ''Discworld/{{The Colour of Magic}}''. Ungarnished ambition, oily hair, and being played by TimCurry all result in a decidedly ''un''-magnificent Bastard.

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* Trymon in the TV series adaptation of ''Discworld/{{The Colour of Magic}}''.''Discworld/TheColourOfMagic''. Ungarnished ambition, oily hair, and being played by TimCurry all result in a decidedly ''un''-magnificent Bastard.



* In ''{{Survivor}}'', we have Richard Hatch, Boston Rob, Edgardo & The Four Horsemen, Coach, and Russell Hantz, although the latter tends to be a cross of this and EntitledBastard.

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* In ''{{Survivor}}'', we have Richard Hatch, Boston Rob, Edgardo & The Four Horsemen, Coach, and Russell Hantz, although the latter tends to be a cross of this and EntitledBastard.



* In the American Version of ''BigBrother'' Jessie was ''sooooo'' full of himself. And in the recent Season, Enzo practically has this written on his forehead.

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* In the American Version of ''BigBrother'' Jessie was ''sooooo'' full of himself. And in the recent Season, Enzo practically has this written on his forehead.



* ''MadMen''

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* * ''MadMen''



* Justin in ''{{Wizards of Waverly Place}}'' has tendencies towards this that get dialed right UpToEleven in the movie. His sister Alex has the same tendencies but is a true MagnificentBastard more often.
* Being set in a world of power-crazed politicians, ''{{The Thick of It}}'' has a fair few. Julius Nicholson and Steve Fleming both consider themselves to be {{Magnificent Bastard}}s but they also have big egos and tend to foil their own devious plans by [[JustBetweenYouAndMe bragging about them]].

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* Justin in ''{{Wizards of Waverly Place}}'' ''WizardsOfWaverlyPlace'' has tendencies towards this that get dialed right UpToEleven in the movie. His sister Alex has the same tendencies but is a true MagnificentBastard more often.
* Being set in a world of power-crazed politicians, ''{{The Thick of It}}'' ''TheThickOfIt'' has a fair few. Julius Nicholson and Steve Fleming both consider themselves to be {{Magnificent Bastard}}s but they also have big egos and tend to foil their own devious plans by [[JustBetweenYouAndMe bragging about them]].



* Morgana from ''{{Series/Merlin}}'' walks around with a perpetual Evil Smirk on her face, even though ''every single one'' of her plans to kill Uther, Arthur and Merlin have completely failed.

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* Morgana from ''{{Series/Merlin}}'' ''Series/{{Merlin}}'' walks around with a perpetual Evil Smirk on her face, even though ''every single one'' of her plans to kill Uther, Arthur and Merlin have completely failed.



* The ''LawAndOrder''[=/=]''[=~Homicide: Life on the Street~=]'' crossover "Sideshow" features Independent Counsel William Dell, a clear NoCelebritiesWereHarmed version of Kenneth Starr. During the course of the two-parter, he abuses his grand jury subpoena power, lies to police, commits blackmail, derails a major character's judicial appointment, cons defendants with bogus immunity agreements, sabotages a plea bargain between the Baltimore prosecutors and a key witness, and finally gives full state and federal immunity to a murderer so he can secure uncorroborated (and probably false) testimony implicating the President in his crime. When confronted at the end of the episode about his decision to torpedo a murderer investigation for political gain, he accuses [=McCoy=] and Danvers of being "petty" and "savage" in their lawyering, because "the stakes are so damn small."

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* The ''LawAndOrder''[=/=]''[=~Homicide: Life on the Street~=]'' ''LawAndOrder''[=/=]''HomicideLifeOnTheStreet'' crossover "Sideshow" features Independent Counsel William Dell, a clear NoCelebritiesWereHarmed version of Kenneth Starr. During the course of the two-parter, he abuses his grand jury subpoena power, lies to police, commits blackmail, derails a major character's judicial appointment, cons defendants with bogus immunity agreements, sabotages a plea bargain between the Baltimore prosecutors and a key witness, and finally gives full state and federal immunity to a murderer so he can secure uncorroborated (and probably false) testimony implicating the President in his crime. When confronted at the end of the episode about his decision to torpedo a murderer investigation for political gain, he accuses [=McCoy=] and Danvers of being "petty" and "savage" in their lawyering, because "the stakes are so damn small."



* ''{{Who Wants to Be a Superhero}}'': Dr. Dark is intentionally played as this in the second season. He talks in a raspy voice and spends his screentime boasting about how evil and brilliant he is. Then when his big plan in the second season fails, he confronts the superheroes personally and gets beaten up in a fight that lasts about a minute and a half.

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* ''{{Who Wants to Be a Superhero}}'': ''WhoWantsToBeASuperhero'': Dr. Dark is intentionally played as this in the second season. He talks in a raspy voice and spends his screentime boasting about how evil and brilliant he is. Then when his big plan in the second season fails, he confronts the superheroes personally and gets beaten up in a fight that lasts about a minute and a half.



* Laurie Foreman from That70sShow, who was the only somewhat major character with no redeeming moral qualities, a general smugness about her, and was intentionally made this way, with the characters themselves lampshading it.

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* Laurie Foreman from That70sShow, who was the only somewhat major character with no redeeming moral qualities, a general smugness about her, and was intentionally made this way, with the characters themselves lampshading it.

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* David Platt from CoronationStreet beleives himself to be a MagnificentBastard, with his wicked schemes of DisproportionateRetribution. However since he constantly makes the mistake of messing with people who [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown easily wiped the floor with him]], like Charlie Stubbs, Jason Grimshaw and Gary Windarss, it often blows up in his face. Not to mention the constant temper tantrums. Or the time he tried to blackmail Tracy Barlow (who is quite a qualified Smug Snake herself) into sleeping with him, she actually laughed it off.

to:

* David Platt from CoronationStreet beleives himself to be a MagnificentBastard, with his wicked schemes of DisproportionateRetribution. However since he constantly makes the mistake of messing with people who [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown easily wiped the floor with him]], like Charlie Stubbs, Jason Grimshaw and Gary Windarss, it often blows up in his face. Not to mention And the constant temper tantrums. Or the time he tried to blackmail Tracy Barlow (who is quite a qualified Smug Snake herself) into sleeping with him, she actually laughed it off.



* Lilah Morgan from ''Series/{{Angel}}'' was a true MagnificentBastard, but eventually she had to die and be replaced, and that replacement was Eve. As ThePoorMansSubstitute for Lilah, Eve inevitably came off as a Smug Snake, but the writers seemed to realize this, and put her through a series of events that had the effect of [[BreakTheCutie breaking the cutie]]. They were of the opinion that she would be more interesting if she got some CharacterDevelopment that such that she would no longer be driven by slyness and cool disdain (as she started out), but by fear, anger, and a MinionShipping romance with Lindsey.

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* ''Series/{{Angel}}''
**
Lilah Morgan from ''Series/{{Angel}}'' was a true MagnificentBastard, but eventually she had to die and be replaced, and that replacement was Eve. As ThePoorMansSubstitute for Lilah, Eve inevitably came off as a Smug Snake, but the writers seemed to realize this, and put her through a series of events that had the effect of [[BreakTheCutie breaking the cutie]]. They were of the opinion that she would be more interesting if she got some CharacterDevelopment that such that she would no longer be driven by slyness and cool disdain (as she started out), but by fear, anger, and a MinionShipping romance with Lindsey.



** Of course, the true Smug Snake in ''Series/{{Angel}}'' was Gavin Park. Gavin believed himself to be the next Lindsey [=McDonald=], a MagnificentBastard who could arguably be called Angel's {{Archenemy}} (well, ''he'' would argue that he could), but he just wasn't the man, lawyer or villain that he'd replaced.

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** Of course, the The true Smug Snake in ''Series/{{Angel}}'' was Gavin Park. Gavin believed himself to be the next Lindsey [=McDonald=], a MagnificentBastard who could arguably be called Angel's {{Archenemy}} (well, ''he'' would argue that he could), but he just wasn't the man, lawyer or villain that he'd replaced.



** I dare anyone to get through season 4 without wanting to punch Allison Higgins, ISN reporter and face of Clark's propaganda machine. One wonders if she's a StepfordSmiler.

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** I dare anyone to No one can get through season 4 without wanting to punch Allison Higgins, ISN reporter and face of Clark's propaganda machine. One wonders if she's a StepfordSmiler.



* Brad Bellick in the first season of ''PrisonBreak'' practically embodies this trope. As a corrupt correctional officer, he certainly acts all "magnificent-y bastard-y" like. He deals with former mob-boss Abruzzi, has a history of inmate abuse, insults AxCrazy MagnificentBastard "T-Bag" in his face and interrupts Michael's plans quite often. But at the same time he is unattractive, obnoxious, sleazy, importunate, cowardly... You catch my drift.

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* *''PrisonBreak''
**
Brad Bellick in the first season of ''PrisonBreak'' 1 practically embodies this trope. As a corrupt correctional officer, he certainly acts all "magnificent-y bastard-y" like. He deals with former mob-boss Abruzzi, has a history of inmate abuse, insults AxCrazy MagnificentBastard "T-Bag" in his face and interrupts Michael's plans quite often. But at the same time he is unattractive, obnoxious, sleazy, importunate, cowardly... You catch my drift.



** And let us not forget [[spoiler: Don Self]] after he was revealed to be TheMole. Where Bellick had at least some sense of magnificence, this guy is just too annoying to like.

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** And let us not forget [[spoiler: Don Self]] after he was revealed to be TheMole. Where Bellick had at least some sense of magnificence, this guy is just too annoying to like.



* Grunchlk of ''Series/{{Farscape}}'', a [[VillainousGlutton bloated]], scheming, greedy merchant with a nasty habit of overcharging his clients and betraying them should a better offer appear. In the episodes he appears in, just about every single character despises him with a passion, especially [[MagnificentBastard Scorpius]], who takes great delight in stabbing him in the back of the skull with a MindControl probe and forcing him to eat two of his own fingers.

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* Grunchlk of ''Series/{{Farscape}}'', a [[VillainousGlutton bloated]], scheming, greedy merchant with a nasty habit of overcharging his clients and betraying them should a better offer appear. In the episodes he appears in, just about every single character despises him with a passion, especially [[MagnificentBastard Scorpius]], who takes great delight in stabbing him in the back of the skull with a MindControl probe and forcing him to eat two of his own fingers.



* Bobbi Barret, the wife and manager of comedian Jimmy Barret, ends up like this in an episode of ''MadMen''. Jimmy had previously insulted the wife of the owner of Utz potato chips, which he was doing a commercial for. Don Draper takes most of the episode negotiating with Bobbi to get him to apologize. After the two end up having sex (don't ask) Bobbi agrees to a dinnertime apology. But Jimmy spends all his time at the dinner hitting on Don's wife. When Don takes Bobbi aside, she says that according to Jimmy's contract he doesn't have to apologize, unless, of course, Don gets them more money. So Don shoves his hand up her dress and says that if he doesn't, he will ruin Jimmy. Jimmy apologizes. One word: OWNED
** Pete Campbell is pretty much constantly this, although he does get somewhat better about it as the show goes on.

to:

* * ''MadMen''
**
Bobbi Barret, the wife and manager of comedian Jimmy Barret, ends up like this in an episode of ''MadMen''.one episode. Jimmy had previously insulted the wife of the owner of Utz potato chips, which he was doing a commercial for. Don Draper takes most of the episode negotiating with Bobbi to get him to apologize. After the two end up having sex (don't ask) Bobbi agrees to a dinnertime apology. But Jimmy spends all his time at the dinner hitting on Don's wife. When Don takes Bobbi aside, she says that according to Jimmy's contract he doesn't have to apologize, unless, of course, unless Don gets them more money. So Don shoves his hand up her dress and says that if he doesn't, he will ruin Jimmy. Jimmy apologizes. One word: OWNED
** Pete Campbell is pretty much constantly this, although he does get somewhat better about it as the show goes on.



* Pretty much every BigBad from ''PowerRangers'' has at least one scheming lackey utterly convinced that they are superior to the remainder of the universe and willing to backstab anyone in their way. This usually ends with them [[HeelFaceTurn being converted]] (if brainwashed into snakedom) or, much more often, [[MadeOfExplodium exploding violently]] by either side's hand.

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* Pretty much every Every BigBad from ''PowerRangers'' has at least one scheming lackey utterly convinced that they are superior to the remainder of the universe and willing to backstab anyone in their way. This usually ends with them [[HeelFaceTurn being converted]] (if brainwashed into snakedom) or, much more often, [[MadeOfExplodium exploding violently]] by either side's hand.



** YourMileageMayVary, of course, but the ''detectives'' in [[LawAndOrderSpecialVictimsUnit Law And Order: SVU]] also, at least OnceAnEpisode, usually at the end.
*** YMMV?! Dude, Elliot and Olivia routinely subject their suspects to [[JackBauerInterrogationTechnique psychological and/or physical torture]] while lying to them about their rights and invoking the upcoming PrisonRape, pressure and bully witnesses so they testify for them [[spoiler: and at least one commited suicide due to Olivia's abusive treatment]], stalk and harrass victims to metaphorically twist their arms into collaborating in what can be considered non-psychic MindRape, etc. All to "make justice" aka getting favorable outcomes to their cases. Lots of people say they ARE this trope.

to:

** YourMileageMayVary, of course, but the The ''detectives'' in [[LawAndOrderSpecialVictimsUnit Law And Order: SVU]] also, at least OnceAnEpisode, usually at the end.
*** YMMV?! Dude,
end. Elliot and Olivia routinely subject their suspects to [[JackBauerInterrogationTechnique psychological and/or physical torture]] while lying to them about their rights and invoking the upcoming PrisonRape, pressure and bully witnesses so they testify for them [[spoiler: and at least one commited suicide due to Olivia's abusive treatment]], stalk and harrass victims to metaphorically twist their arms into collaborating in what can be considered non-psychic MindRape, etc. All to "make justice" aka getting favorable outcomes to their cases. Lots of people say they ARE this trope.



* This is why short-lived BBC sitcom ''Prince Amongst Men'' didn't work -- the title character was a Smug Snake, when he needed to be a MagnificentBastard. Not only that, but the creators missed the point that we sympathise with, for example, {{Blackadder}} because the world really does seem out to get him and he's just fighting back. Gary Prince's world seemed to be [[KarmaHoudini incredibly on his side]], to the point where he was pretty much a JerkSue.

to:

* This is why short-lived BBC sitcom ''Prince Amongst Men'' didn't work -- the title character was a Smug Snake, when he needed to be a MagnificentBastard. Not only that, but the creators missed the point that we sympathise with, for example, {{Blackadder}} because the world really does seem out to get him and he's just fighting back. Gary Prince's world seemed to be [[KarmaHoudini incredibly on his side]], to the point where he was pretty much a JerkSue.



* Jade from {{Victorious}}, to literally everyone.
* Uncle Teddy AKA Flosso from FlashForward should be the poster boy of this trope...or not. He is a FatBastard who smokes a lot, is a CardCarryingVillain, has people killed without a qualm, thinks he is so smart, and bullies Simon around. However, he gets his comeuppance when he has Simon come with him, just the two of them, reveals Simon's professor's corpse in a car trunk, and tells Simon to comply and that this is his last warning. In a CrowningMomentOfAwesome, Simon says "I'm calling your bluff! You need me too much!" The look on Flosso's face at that point was priceless. Simon shoves Flosso down to the ground and presses on the windpipe of that FatBastard. He smokes a lot, so he suffocates rather quickly and dies. Get this, it is pointed out that Flosso was just a middleman! It sort of makes you wonder what the people he works for are like. You will learn to hate this guy in one episode. He totally deserved to get killed off.

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* Jade from {{Victorious}}, to literally everyone.
* Uncle Teddy AKA Flosso from FlashForward should be the poster boy of this trope...or not. He is a FatBastard who smokes a lot, is a CardCarryingVillain, has people killed without a qualm, thinks he is so smart, and bullies Simon around. However, he gets his comeuppance when he has Simon come with him, just the two of them, reveals Simon's professor's corpse in a car trunk, and tells Simon to comply and that this is his last warning. In a CrowningMomentOfAwesome, Simon says "I'm calling your bluff! You need me too much!" The look on Flosso's face at that point was priceless. Simon shoves Flosso down to the ground and presses on the windpipe of that FatBastard. He smokes a lot, so he suffocates rather quickly and dies. Get this, it is pointed out that Flosso was just a middleman! It sort of makes you wonder what the people he works for are like. You will learn to hate this guy in one episode. He totally deserved to get killed off.



* Not only does Lisa Niles from ''GeneralHospital'' fit this to a T, she gets bonus points for being a total psycho. She seriously believed that killing Robin would make Patrick fall in love with her. Of course, all her attempts to off Robin failed. [[spoiler: Most recently, Lisa fell into a coma after accidentally sticking herself with a syringe full of toxic drain cleaner that she meant to use on Robin.]]

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* Not only does Lisa Niles from ''GeneralHospital'' fit this to a T, she gets bonus points for being a total psycho. She seriously believed that killing Robin would make Patrick fall in love with her. Of course, all All her attempts to off Robin failed. [[spoiler: Most recently, Lisa fell into a coma after accidentally sticking herself with a syringe full of toxic drain cleaner that she meant to use on Robin.]]
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* Lyn Peterson from ''Series/TorchwoodMiracleDay'' is one hell of a Smug Snake. She's very sexy and seems pretty powerful at first, arresting Rex Matheson and the Torchwood team as soon as they arrive on US soil, but her incompetance soon becomes clear when her attempt to poison Jack Harkness is easily exposed and Gwen Cooper incapacitates her with a single punch. She proves herself a good fighter when she assaults Rex, but he still manages to defeat her by breaking her neck. Given that everyone on Earth has lost the ability to die, she remains alive but disturbingly yet strangely comically, now has her head on backwards.
* This trope describes every single villain from ''[[TwentyFour 24]]'', and surprisingly, a fair number of the good guys as well.
* David Platt from CoronationStreet beleives himself to be a MagnificentBastard, with his wicked schemes of DisproportionateRetribution. However since he constantly makes the mistake of messing with people who [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown easily wiped the floor with him]], like Charlie Stubbs, Jason Grimshaw and Gary Windarss, it often blows up in his face. Not to mention the constant temper tantrums. Or the time he tried to blackmail Tracy Barlow (who is quite a qualified Smug Snake herself) into sleeping with him, she actually laughed it off.
* Dakota Fred from the DiscoveryChannel seres ''[[SeriesGoldRush Gold Rush]]'' easily qualifies, acting like a douchebag when working with the Hoffmans in the first season, then backstabbing them and buying the claim out from under them in season 2, forcing them to find another site to mine.
* The Sheriff of Nottingham of the BBC series ''Series/RobinHood'' seems to count himself a great MagnificentBastard, but in practice his evil works tend to be rather too easily foiled by Robin Hood's men to be considered the work of a true evil genius. Furthermore, his 'la-di-da-di-da!' {{catchphrase}}, often uttered as a sign of [[{{Whatever}} impatient indifference]] in response to threats concerning the meddling of Robin Hood and his men, is much too unctuous, awkward, and obnoxious to be a distinctive of a true MagnificentBastard.
* Captain Kevin Darling in ''{{Blackadder}} Goes Forth'', a snotty little creep who, working safely behind the battlelines as General Melchett's adjutant officer, has made it his life's mission to make sure that Blackadder doesn't escape the trenches of WorldWarOne. He's loathed by Blackadder for obvious reasons; however, despite (or because of) all his sucking up, the General can't stand him either, at one point informing Darling that he regards him as a son - just not a particularly well-liked one.
** While he might have been a little git, it didn't stop some from [[AlasPoorScrappy crying for him]] in the [[DownerEnding last five/ten minutes of 'Goodbyee'.]]
*** To say nothing of The Black Adder himself, Prince "Snivelling Worm" Edmund, Duke of Edinburgh, who thinks himself quite the MagnificentBastard, while his contemporaries regard him with a mixture of pity and contempt. His [[TheStarscream various throne-usurping schemes]] either fail spectacularly, end up biting him in the ass, or both. Thankfully, his descendants gained several layers of {{Magnificent Bastard}}ry, presumably from their (unseen) matriarch.
* Lilah Morgan from ''Series/{{Angel}}'' was a true MagnificentBastard, but eventually she had to die and be replaced, and that replacement was Eve. As ThePoorMansSubstitute for Lilah, Eve inevitably came off as a Smug Snake, but the writers seemed to realize this, and put her through a series of events that had the effect of [[BreakTheCutie breaking the cutie]]. They were of the opinion that she would be more interesting if she got some CharacterDevelopment that such that she would no longer be driven by slyness and cool disdain (as she started out), but by fear, anger, and a MinionShipping romance with Lindsey.
** Lilah herself only slowly evolved into a MagnificentBitch; for most of her run on show (arguably until as late as the second half of Season 3) she was definitely a Smug Snake, even ending up with a promotion - and thus her life - solely because Lindsey contemptuously tossed it away.
** Of course, the true Smug Snake in ''Series/{{Angel}}'' was Gavin Park. Gavin believed himself to be the next Lindsey [=McDonald=], a MagnificentBastard who could arguably be called Angel's {{Archenemy}} (well, ''he'' would argue that he could), but he just wasn't the man, lawyer or villain that he'd replaced.
* TheMaster of ''Series/DoctorWho'' [[VillainDecay devolves]] from his usual MagnificentBastard status unnervingly often, the most {{egregious}} examples being in the MadeForTVMovie, in which his grand evil scheme was to... not die, and in the episode "Logopolis" in which he wipes out a large part of the universe and octillions of people because he didn't do his homework.
** In fact, a ''lot'' of serials with the Master as the main villain can be described less as "the Master is trying to take over the world" than as "the Master is up to yet another dumb scheme that's likely to get out of control and cause TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt." Or indeed, as " the Master has a scheme to not die". Guys spends a lot of time cheating death even for a Time Lord, it's kind of his thing.
*** Spectacularly averted in [[Series/DoctorWho NuWho]], where the Master is... [[LargeHam awesomely crazy]].
** "Amy's Choice" features the ''unbelievably'' punchable Dream Lord.
* Pick any villain from any episode of ''Series/TheATeam'', ''any'' villain.
* The Vorta in ''StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' are a PlanetOfHats of Smug Snakes, with Weyoun as the smuggest. The [[SuperSoldier Jem-Hadar]] despise all Vorta for this, despite remaining unquestioningly loyal.
** Many Cardassians are also Smug Snakes. Dukat is one, through and through while fancying himself a MagnificentBastard. Just listening to him talk about how he feels the Bajorans should have loved him like a father while he oversaw their enslavement and the strip-mining of their world, is disgusting to the series' protagonists and highly amusing to Weyoun. Dukat even has moments where he is on the side of the heroes [[HeelFaceRevolvingDoor until]] he takes an opportunity to serve himself to everyone else's detriment.
*** Dukat's right hand and successor Damar was also a pretty Smug Snake until he [[HeelFaceTurn decided to rebel]] and fight back against the Dominion.
** Kai Winn is the ''queen'' of Smug Snakes, especially in her first appearance. Five minutes of listening to Louise Fletcher cloak herself in "[[HolierThanThou the-Prophets-forgive-you-for-being-a-filthy-unbeliever]]" self-righteousness, and you'll be itching to leap through the TV screen and punch the smug out of her.
*** She and Weyoun actually meet and have a Smug-off in late season five. Watching each of them get a taste of their own medicine ''should'' be deeply satisfying, but it's more likely to make you [[BrainBleach feel unclean]]...
* Dave Hester from ''StorageWars'' fits this, acting like a complete prick and having a near-permanent smirk on his face that makes one wonder why the other bidders don't knock his teeth out.
** What's worse? He's, generally, WINNING...mostly because he 1. Has a good eye for the REALLY valuable stuff, and 2. Has a shitload more money, and more money to burn.
* G'Kar during the first season of ''{{Babylon 5}}'' and ''especially'' in the pilot movie.
** Also, Mister Morden, with his ever annoying arrogant smile. JMichaelStraczynski points out in the commentary that he specifically loved the actor for how unlikeably smug he made the character come off: "Look at that guy! Don't you just want to hate him?"
*** The audience wasn't the only one who hated him.
---->'''Vir:''' '''"I want to live just long enough to be there when they cut off your head and put it on a pike, as a warning to the next ten generations that some favors come with too high a price. [[CrowningMomentofAwesome I want to look up into your lifeless eyes and wave, like this.]]''
** Alfred Bester was like this in his first number of appearances as well, both smug and unsuccessful, but JMS noticed the threat of VillainDecay and [[EnemyMine averted]] [[BatmanGambit it]] ''[[MagnificentBastard oh so hard]]'' with his later actions.
** Most of the series' one-shot antagonists come under this trope.
** I dare anyone to get through season 4 without wanting to punch Allison Higgins, ISN reporter and face of Clark's propaganda machine. One wonders if she's a StepfordSmiler.
* Speaker of the House Haffley from ''TheWestWing'' is an example of the "failed MagnificentBastard" variety. He often tries to use the Republican majority in Congress to be irritatingly obstructionist to Democratic president Bartlet. However, often when he is most confident is when he fails terribly (such as when his attempt to cut the budget leads to the government going broke and Haffley look stupid, or when his pulling a vote on stem cell research to interfere with Democratic campaigning leads to Matt Santos tricking him into thinking the Democrats had left when they didn't).
** The former example almost works; the government shutdown cripples the United States and the public blames Bartlet... until a CrowningMomentOfAwesome where Bartlet walks to Congress to discuss the matter with Haffley - unfortunately for Haffley, he's unprepared for this, his Smug Snake instincts kick in, and he ends up leaving Bartlet sitting in a corridor whilst he tries to figure out what to do. This backfires on him badly when Bartlet merely leaves, making Haffley look incompetent, arrogant and uncaring, causing public opinion to swing into a serious backlash against him and forcing him to eat crow and accept Bartlet's budget terms.
** An infrequent recurring character called Larry Claypool represented the 'slimy-but-low-level ObstructiveBureaucrat meets AmoralAttorney' kind; a lawyer for a right-wing organisation that frequently sought to embarrass the President by muckracking, he often issues subpoenas to the characters requiring them to testify about issues that will cause embarrassment to the President and his staff, and comes off as smugly as possible whilst doing so. He's frequently described as an idiotic, pompous blowhard, but a dangerous one since he has the unerring ability to find things that might cause serious damage to the administration in his muckraking.
* Malcolm Dietrich in season two of ''MurderOne'' was a very, very obvious attempt to replicate the magic the show had with Richard Cross, the MagnificentBastard from the first season. For whatever reason it just didn't work, though undoubtedly at least part of this was due to not being able to score as good an actor as Stanley Tucci, who had played Cross.
* Brad Bellick in the first season of ''PrisonBreak'' practically embodies this trope. As a corrupt correctional officer, he certainly acts all "magnificent-y bastard-y" like. He deals with former mob-boss Abruzzi, has a history of inmate abuse, insults AxCrazy MagnificentBastard "T-Bag" in his face and interrupts Michael's plans quite often. But at the same time he is unattractive, obnoxious, sleazy, importunate, cowardly... You catch my drift.
** Agent Kim from season 2 is another notorious example, lording and sneering over our heroes while being generally inept in almost all of his endeavors, then getting done in by the most unlikely of culprits.
** And let us not forget [[spoiler: Don Self]] after he was revealed to be TheMole. Where Bellick had at least some sense of magnificence, this guy is just too annoying to like.
* Trymon in the TV series adaptation of ''Discworld/{{The Colour of Magic}}''. Ungarnished ambition, oily hair, and being played by TimCurry all result in a decidedly ''un''-magnificent Bastard.
** Almost any character played by TimCurry qualifies as this. He is to this trope what '''BRIAN BLESSED''' is to {{Boisterous Bruiser}}s.
* ''Series/{{Heroes}}'': season 3 BigBad Arthur Petrelli: between his ludicrous amounts of power, constant [[KickTheDog dog-kicking]] and smug, smarmy tone throughout it all.
** Eric Doyle, the creepy puppet-master from season 3 also qualifies. Creepy and smarmy, he's the kind of villain audiences just love to hate.
* Grunchlk of ''Series/{{Farscape}}'', a [[VillainousGlutton bloated]], scheming, greedy merchant with a nasty habit of overcharging his clients and betraying them should a better offer appear. In the episodes he appears in, just about every single character despises him with a passion, especially [[MagnificentBastard Scorpius]], who takes great delight in stabbing him in the back of the skull with a MindControl probe and forcing him to eat two of his own fingers.
** ''Series/{{Farscape}}'' also gave us Commandant Grayza; a smug, vindictive and generally repulsive Peacekeeper who wasn't nearly as smart as she thought she was, and eventually got completely owned by the Scarrans before being removed by her own lieutenant for incompetence.
** Prince Clavor from the "Look At The Princess" trilogy: a whiny, posturing and thoroughly smug little bastard that wants the throne of the Royal Planet for himself- but probably wouldn't have been able to string half of his plan together without [[TheManBehindTheMan Scarran help.]] And he pays for it throughout the story: his mother plots to keep him off the throne, his fiance plans to assassinate him if he ever takes power, Crichton slaps him about... finally, the Scarran ambassador decides that control over the Royal Planet isn't worth another minute of Clavor's smugness, and fries the bastard alive.
* In ''{{Survivor}}'', we have Richard Hatch, Boston Rob, Edgardo & The Four Horsemen, Coach, and Russell Hantz, although the latter tends to be a cross of this and EntitledBastard.
** Richard Hatch and Boston Rob don't count since they both backed up their arrogance by actually winning(albeit it took Rob four times in order to do so. He was definitely a Smug Snake in his first season, but during All Stars he took the leap into MagnificentBastard territory. Richard on the other hand has always been shown as being very smart). The other examples mentioned above(as well as ''many'' ''many'' others on the show) are, however, justified.
* In the American Version of ''BigBrother'' Jessie was ''sooooo'' full of himself. And in the recent Season, Enzo practically has this written on his forehead.
* Charles Miner from American version of ''TheOffice'' replaces Michael and responds to his eccentricity with realistic exasperation. However, his time in charge is largely characterized by appointing his employees with mismatched roles, [[KickTheDog bullying Jim at any chance he can get]], and being all-around smug.
* Bobbi Barret, the wife and manager of comedian Jimmy Barret, ends up like this in an episode of ''MadMen''. Jimmy had previously insulted the wife of the owner of Utz potato chips, which he was doing a commercial for. Don Draper takes most of the episode negotiating with Bobbi to get him to apologize. After the two end up having sex (don't ask) Bobbi agrees to a dinnertime apology. But Jimmy spends all his time at the dinner hitting on Don's wife. When Don takes Bobbi aside, she says that according to Jimmy's contract he doesn't have to apologize, unless, of course, Don gets them more money. So Don shoves his hand up her dress and says that if he doesn't, he will ruin Jimmy. Jimmy apologizes. One word: OWNED
** Pete Campbell is pretty much constantly this, although he does get somewhat better about it as the show goes on.
* Lester from ''{{Primeval}}'' is a curious case, he starts off as an archetypal Smug Snake, but it is revealed that this is more a JerkAssFacade than anything else, his awesome powers of [[DeadpanSnarker Sarcasm]] really shine through in season 2 when he is given his own Smug Snake nemesis in his [[EvilChancellor assistant]] and [[TheStarscream Starscream wannabe]], Leek and by season 3 his return from a TenMinuteRetirement is given a [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome Standing Ovation]], and yet all the time he retains his aura of smug self-satisfaction. A rare heroic Smug Snake perhaps.
* In ''KamenRiderDragonKnight'', Drew Lansing (a.k.a. Kamen Rider Torque), one of BigBad General Xaviax's lieutenants, fancies himself both an expert manipulator and fighter. Eventually, he proves lacking in both areas.
* While we're on the subject of KamenRider, this trope would not be complete without mention of Houjou, from KamenRiderAgito. He spends the entire series trying to undermine the G3 crew in multiple ways, from guile-ing his way into becoming the G3 Operator, to proposing a competing powered armor system, to trying to capture Agito ''just'' to render G3 obsolete. The worst part is, every time his shit gets shut down he only seems to get ''worse.''
* Strange that no one has yet mentioned Benjamin of ''{{Jekyll}}''. His comeuppance was most satisfying.
* The members of the [[CorruptChurch Fellowship of the Sun]] in ''TrueBlood'' tend to follow this trait. Filled with empty smiles and holier-than-thou attitudes, this vampire-hating church isn't above kidnap, murder or rape of ordinary people whose only crime is having a sexual relationship with a vampire, all while declaring their good intentions and other propaganda. Especially annoying, since many (most?) vampires of the show would most definitely deserve staking, but you couldn't root for these people to do it even if you wanted to.
* Pretty much every BigBad from ''PowerRangers'' has at least one scheming lackey utterly convinced that they are superior to the remainder of the universe and willing to backstab anyone in their way. This usually ends with them [[HeelFaceTurn being converted]] (if brainwashed into snakedom) or, much more often, [[MadeOfExplodium exploding violently]] by either side's hand.
* Justin in ''{{Wizards of Waverly Place}}'' has tendencies towards this that get dialed right UpToEleven in the movie. His sister Alex has the same tendencies but is a true MagnificentBastard more often.
* Being set in a world of power-crazed politicians, ''{{The Thick of It}}'' has a fair few. Julius Nicholson and Steve Fleming both consider themselves to be {{Magnificent Bastard}}s but they also have big egos and tend to foil their own devious plans by [[JustBetweenYouAndMe bragging about them]].
* While not really a villain, new med student Cole in season 9 of ''{{Scrubs}}'' fits the bill. Due to his wealthy family contributing tons of money to the school, Cole sees himself as "untouchable" no matter what he does, always has a smug smile on his face and a smarmy tone in his voice, and is involved in an emotionally unhealthy relationship with [[TheWoobie Lucy.]] Recent developments indicate he may have [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold a decent side to him]] but even this might be further manipulation.
* In ''TheVampireDiaries'', the modern Jonathan Gilbert. Smug, sadistic, and smarmy, a lot of viewers consider him the only villain they're really wanted to ''die'' as soon as possible.
* Both [[BigBadWannabe Vern]] and [[DeceptiveDisciple Omen]] of ''DarkOracle'' have severe Smug Snake tendencies, with both being arrogant, self-centred, quickly offended, and prone to wildly overestimating their own abilites. Of the two, Omen is the most serious threat, as he ''almost'' has the power to back up his bragging; both eventually HeelFaceTurn and, in Omen's case, lose most of the {{Smug Snake}}ness.
* Bela Talbot of ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'', a thief and dealer in occult items, was intended to be a ChaoticNeutral foil to the Winchesters. Unfortunately, she was so disdainful and so treacherous (she sells their location to an enemy, steals the Colt, sets up the boys for arrest by the show's InspectorJavert, and finally tries to kill them) that even her [[AbusiveParents tragic backstory]] couldn't earn her sympathy from the Winchesters -- or most of the fandom.
* Morgana from ''{{Series/Merlin}}'' walks around with a perpetual Evil Smirk on her face, even though ''every single one'' of her plans to kill Uther, Arthur and Merlin have completely failed.
* Rick Flag of ''{{Smallville}}'' is a competent schemer (at least so far) but his fondness for ColdBloodedTorture, SociopathicSoldier status, and 1960s-ish supervillainy keep him here, especially when compared to LexLuthor and [[MagnificentBastard Lionel]]. He's slimily arrogant, viciously vile, and at least partially insane: he's a BadassNormal who's spent so much time around superheroes that he self-identifies as one. Lx-3 (Old!Lex), an AxeCrazy clone of Lex Luthor might count as well, as he has all of Lex's cunning and superiority, and none of his style.
** Genevieve Teague, BigBad of Season 4, is a competent schemer, but she's also a paranoid AbusiveMom and her grand scheme to not die ultimately [[SelfFulfillingProphecy gets her killed]]. She also lacks Lex's JerkassWoobie status, Zod's [[LargeHam presence]] and Lionel's [[MagnificentBastard sheer panache]]. Unlikeable, unmourned and TheUnfought she's ''definitely'' a Smug Snake.
** Lots of one-shot villains count as well, as does Regan Matthews, a slimy CorruptCorporateExecutive who served as [[EvilCripple Lex]]'s [[TheDragon Dragon]] throughout Season 8. Arrogant, condescending and just plain unpleasant, he was nevertheless unusual for a Smug Snake as his defining trait was his UndyingLoyalty to Lex.
* Many, many criminal defendants from the various Law & Order shows.
** YourMileageMayVary, of course, but the ''detectives'' in [[LawAndOrderSpecialVictimsUnit Law And Order: SVU]] also, at least OnceAnEpisode, usually at the end.
*** YMMV?! Dude, Elliot and Olivia routinely subject their suspects to [[JackBauerInterrogationTechnique psychological and/or physical torture]] while lying to them about their rights and invoking the upcoming PrisonRape, pressure and bully witnesses so they testify for them [[spoiler: and at least one commited suicide due to Olivia's abusive treatment]], stalk and harrass victims to metaphorically twist their arms into collaborating in what can be considered non-psychic MindRape, etc. All to "make justice" aka getting favorable outcomes to their cases. Lots of people say they ARE this trope.
** Some of the defence attorney's more than cross the line into Smug Snake. Mike Cutter debateably started out as an {{Antihero}}ic variant.
* In ''{{Deadwood}}'', you can practically see the [[{{Slimeball}} trail of slime]] behind E.B. Farnum as he skulks around town, engaging one poorly thought-out scheme after another.
** Cy Tolliver appears to be covered with a sickly layer of slime too.
* This is why short-lived BBC sitcom ''Prince Amongst Men'' didn't work -- the title character was a Smug Snake, when he needed to be a MagnificentBastard. Not only that, but the creators missed the point that we sympathise with, for example, {{Blackadder}} because the world really does seem out to get him and he's just fighting back. Gary Prince's world seemed to be [[KarmaHoudini incredibly on his side]], to the point where he was pretty much a JerkSue.
* Brennen on ''BurnNotice'' is a DangerouslyGenreSavvy InsufferableGenius who consistently aspires to {{Magnificent Bastard}}ry and fails to achieve it because, no matter how many times it backfires, he just can't resist [[VillainBall leaving Michael unattended long enough to contact his allies and/or cut a side deal with one of Brennen's own allies]].
* The ''LawAndOrder''[=/=]''[=~Homicide: Life on the Street~=]'' crossover "Sideshow" features Independent Counsel William Dell, a clear NoCelebritiesWereHarmed version of Kenneth Starr. During the course of the two-parter, he abuses his grand jury subpoena power, lies to police, commits blackmail, derails a major character's judicial appointment, cons defendants with bogus immunity agreements, sabotages a plea bargain between the Baltimore prosecutors and a key witness, and finally gives full state and federal immunity to a murderer so he can secure uncorroborated (and probably false) testimony implicating the President in his crime. When confronted at the end of the episode about his decision to torpedo a murderer investigation for political gain, he accuses [=McCoy=] and Danvers of being "petty" and "savage" in their lawyering, because "the stakes are so damn small."
* Jeremy Clarkson of ''TopGear'' tackles any task or challenge on the show with the attitude that it ''will'' work because he says it is going to, even if his co-presenters [[GenreSavvy warn him otherwise]]. Which makes it all the more hilarious when things [[GoneHorriblyWrong go horribly wrong]] as a result.
* Jade from {{Victorious}}, to literally everyone.
* Uncle Teddy AKA Flosso from FlashForward should be the poster boy of this trope...or not. He is a FatBastard who smokes a lot, is a CardCarryingVillain, has people killed without a qualm, thinks he is so smart, and bullies Simon around. However, he gets his comeuppance when he has Simon come with him, just the two of them, reveals Simon's professor's corpse in a car trunk, and tells Simon to comply and that this is his last warning. In a CrowningMomentOfAwesome, Simon says "I'm calling your bluff! You need me too much!" The look on Flosso's face at that point was priceless. Simon shoves Flosso down to the ground and presses on the windpipe of that FatBastard. He smokes a lot, so he suffocates rather quickly and dies. Get this, it is pointed out that Flosso was just a middleman! It sort of makes you wonder what the people he works for are like. You will learn to hate this guy in one episode. He totally deserved to get killed off.
* ''CriminalMinds'': Being a show about {{Serial Killer}}s more than a few of the villains are like this, especially those that suffer from Antisocial Personality Disorder or Narcissistic Personality Disorder. George Foyet, The Boston Reaper, and a RecurringCharacter in Seasons 4 & 5, is one of the best examples, being a total [[TheSociopath sociopath]] and CompleteMonster who suffers from LackOfEmpathy, ItsAllAboutMe, and an ego the size of a blimp. He takes offense at the idea that anyone would ''dare'' to try and stop him, torments Hotch for no better reason than his incredibly petty ideas of RevengeByProxy, is killing people for the fame more than anything else, and takes such a sadistic delight in everything he does that it's impossible to admire him, despite his undeniable EvilGenius. The poster boy for this trope, however, is probably the Season 2 FinalBoss, Frank Breitkopf. While he has more sympathetic qualities than The Reaper, Keith Carradine plays him with such slimy arrogance that it's impossible to like him, or even admire him. He comes off like an evil college professor: you ''are'' going to learn something, no matter how painful it might be.
* ''{{Who Wants to Be a Superhero}}'': Dr. Dark is intentionally played as this in the second season. He talks in a raspy voice and spends his screentime boasting about how evil and brilliant he is. Then when his big plan in the second season fails, he confronts the superheroes personally and gets beaten up in a fight that lasts about a minute and a half.
* Not only does Lisa Niles from ''GeneralHospital'' fit this to a T, she gets bonus points for being a total psycho. She seriously believed that killing Robin would make Patrick fall in love with her. Of course, all her attempts to off Robin failed. [[spoiler: Most recently, Lisa fell into a coma after accidentally sticking herself with a syringe full of toxic drain cleaner that she meant to use on Robin.]]
* Laurie Foreman from That70sShow, who was the only somewhat major character with no redeeming moral qualities, a general smugness about her, and was intentionally made this way, with the characters themselves lampshading it.
* Dr Seth. Griffin from StElsewhere started out this way, particularly when he tried to pit fellow first year residents Carol Novino and Susan Birch against each other. Birch ends up taking the fall for a patient death for which Griffin was responsible and is kicked out of the residency program.
* Villainous CIA representative Clyde Decker from {{Chuck}}, most definitely. He's always seen with a smug, shit-eating grin, and frequently discusses about a big plan meant to take down Chuck and his allies. [[spoiler: However, it turns out, that Decker himself is just a pawn in a larger plan by Daniel Shaw to bring down Chuck as we find out "Chuck Versus the Santa Suit".]]

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