Pierce: TV's top 15 couples — isn't it romantic?

Yes, it's a cheap date — but there are worse ways to spend Valentine's Day than on the couch with your sweetheart watching TV.

Television is full of romance, and not just fake-reality shows like "The Bachelor." Some of history's most romantic couples have been TV characters .

Here's a list of the TV's 15 top couples. Every show but "Big Love" is still airing (either in first-run or repeats), and all are available on DVD.

15. Leslie and Ben • (Amy Poehler and Adam Scott) "Parks and Recreation." Ben must REALLY love Leslie, because it can't be easy.

14. Rob and Laura • (Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore) "The Dick Van Dyke Show." Rob was the perfect husband; Laura the perfect wife.

13. Snow White and Prince Charming • (Ginnifer Goodwin and Josh Dallas) "One Upon a Time." They aren't living happily ever after, but star-crossed lovers are more entertaining.

12. Bill and Barb and Nicki and Margene • (Bill Paxton, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloe Sevigny andGinnifer Goodwin) "Big Love." One husband, three wives and lots of lovin'.

11. Derek and Meredith • (Patrick Dempsey and Ellen Pompeo) "Grey's Anatomy." It took forever, but these two finally made the match.

10. Homer and Marge • (Dan Castellaneta and Julie Kavner) "The Simpsons." Sure, Homer is a lout. But he and Marge are still in love after all these years.

9. Sam and Diane • (Ted Danson and Shelley Long) "Cheers." Sparks flew whenever they were in the same room.

8. Buffy Summers and Angel • (Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz) "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." He was a vampire, she was a vampire slayer, but their love was undying. Until he got his own show.

7. (tie) Ross and Rachel • (David Schwimmer and Jennifer Aniston) "Friends."

7. Chandler and Monica • (Matthew Perry and Courteney Cox) "Friends." We knew Ross and Rachel would end up together; but Chandler and Monica falling in love was a surprise.

6. Jim and Pam • (John Krasinkski and Jenna Fischer) "The Office." We rooted for them to get together; now we're rooting for them to stay together.

5. Morticia and Gomez • (Carolyn Jones and John Astin) "The Addams Family." Arguably TV's most passionate couple.

4. Marshall and Lily • (Jason Segel and Alyson Hannigan) "How I Met Your Mother." These two are perfect for each other.

3. Maddie and David • (Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis) "Moonlighting." Their love-hate relationship was great — until they got together. Sigh.

2. J.D. and Turk • (Zach Braff and Donald Faison) "Scrubs." J.D. and Turk's bromance was a thing of beauty.

1. Lucy and Ricky • (Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz) "I Love Lucy." The characters' romance still works half a century later.

Scott D. Pierce covers television for The Salt Lake Tribune. Email him at spierce@sltrib.com; follow him on Twitter @ScottDPierce.