There's nothing we love quite as much as a really bad (or scary or deceitful or unctuous) TV villain. What's "Desperate Housewives" without the scheming Edie undermining all of Wisteria Lane? "ER" without the nail-spitting Drs. Romano and Weaver? "Mary Tyler Moore" without the grasping insincerity of Sue Ann Nivens? Here are our favorite TV bad guys. And we mean that in the best way. J.R. Ewing, "Dallas" (CBS, 1978-1991). Larry Hagman's cunning portrayal of "Dallas's" scheming tycoon launched a thousand great bad guys, including Tony Soprano and Vic Mackey on "The Shield." Over his conniving, cheating, lying core, J.R. spread a glistening patina of Texas crude that made him irresistible, but no less deadly (Cliff Barnes, R.I.P.). Who didn't want to shoot him, darlin'? See a clip: "Cliffhanger" Leland Palmer, "Twin Peaks" (ABC, 1990-1991). Yes, there were loads of creepy people on David Lynch's skin-crawling series -- whacked-out Leo, double-crossing Benjamin Horne, icy Catherine Martell -- but Laura Palmer's avuncular-seeming dad was by far the scariest. He killed his daughter (which viewers were spared) and then he killed her look-alike cousin, Maddie (which we weren't... shudder), and then his "spirit" appeared to live on in all the evildoings around town, including the mysterious BOB. Diane, the food is damn good -- but the villains, even better. Mr. Burns, "The Simpsons" (Fox, 1989-present) Evil, cold (literally), calculating -- with (yellow) feet of clay. As an animated baddie, he owes a debt to Boris Badenov of "The Bullwinkle Show" (nefarious plans undone by own hubris) and Snidely Whiplash of "Dudley Do-Right" (drumming of fingers replacing twirling of mustache). But Montgomery Burns has his own way with words ("Simpson, I like the cut of your jib!"). Springfield -- not to mention Smithers -- would be lost without him.

Omarosa, "The Apprentice" (NBC, 2004). Does anyone even remember who won "The Apprentice" the season Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth appeared? No wonder; she eclipsed the entire boardroom with her scheming, double-crossing, take-no-prisoners approach. That she was gorgeous and supremely self-confident only added to her allure. Never mind the "Surreal Life" backslide; one day we'll all be working for her. And watching our backs.

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