7th Heaven Turns 30: Ranking All The Camdens, From Least To Most Annoying

It has been precisely three decades since 7th Heaven took to The WB screens, and we still recall it as if it were a recent event. Similar to countless American households, our family would huddle before the television every Monday to keep up with the Camden clan. We adored them, empathized with them — and much like our own relatives, they occasionally pushed our buttons.

In the spirit of familial affection, we've decided to commemorate the show's milestone by ranking the Camdens from least to most irritating. For the purposes of this ranking, we're including only the Camden family members directly involved, sparing the extended relatives the brunt of our understanding disapproval for now. Alight, Colonel.

In truth, we were a bit misleading — Happy the dog, though not a Camden by birth, undoubtedly earned her place in heaven through the family, so we included her as well. She certainly transcended the conventional rules. Now, without further ado, let us delve into our assessment of the most annoying Camden family members, and don't forget to share your own least favorite Camdens in the comments.

With all good intentions, of course. Among the Camden clan, there was only one member who could be considered a paragon of virtue, and that was Mary, the daughter of Simon. Mother Teresa-esque, Mary would have been if she had dared to act out in the ways that most teenagers and young adults do. However, given the moral superiority and Christian condemnation that permeated their household, her actions were not entirely unexpected.

Alas, Mary's indiscretions were far less egregious than the judgmental attitudes exhibited by her own family. In the end, we'd say that Mary was the most tolerable member of the Camden family. — R.S. Simon's eldest son, Ben, was perhaps the most irritating of the family due to his inherent sanctimony. Perhaps it was his refusal to kiss Mary in public to set an example for his sister.

Still, that moment was far more revolting than delivering his sister's baby while trapped in an elevator. (We'll leave that for you to determine.) As for his romantic escapades with Heather during his wedding to Sarah and his emotional affair with her after their divorce, they were undoubtedly some of the most infuriating moments of his life.

However, aside from his occasional bouts of explosiveness, Ben was probably the least irritating Camden. — R.S. Unlike their mother, Mary, Lucy was nothing short of a saint among the Camdens. One could only imagine that even Mother Teresa would have raised an eyebrow at some of Lucy's questionable choices. From dating a teenager father Wilson to forging relationships with Robbie and the twins, her antics were numerous and varied.

We must acknowledge that many of her "crimes" were not deserving of the harsh judgment meted out by her own family. However, the fact remains that Lucy's behavior was often obnoxious. — R.S. Simon's son, Ben, was another candidate for the most annoying Camden, primarily due to his incessant preoccupation with the opposite sex. From his first hickey received from Deena to his infatuation with Ashlee Simpson in the later seasons, Ben's obsession with dating seemed to consume him.

By the time he hit 17 and headed off to college, he had managed to unintentionally harm a child with his car, which led to his expulsion from the family home. While his antics were undoubtedly annoying, we must also consider the impact on his younger siblings, Rose and Haylie Duff. — R.S. Simon's self-righteous character could not be separated from his portrayal on screen.

His sermons, which seemed to cater only to his immediate family and their personal dramas, were a source of annoyance for many viewers. Furthermore, his decision to have Lucy take the pulpit in later seasons only added to the family's woes, as the congregation had already endured enough of Simon's moralizing. The reverend's greatest crime, however, might have been his tendency to insert himself into every aspect of his family's lives, leaving little room for anyone else to breathe. — R.S.

As for the precocious children of the '90s, few could compare to Ruthie Camden. Her curls, her attitude, and that undeniable diva aura put her in a league of her own, reminiscent of Shirley Temple. Unfortunately, Ruthie was also Simon's sister, and she was not spared from the family's usual annoyances.