Television characters play an intimate role in our lives. They're in our bedrooms, our kitchens, sometimes even our bathrooms.

"The television is the most intimate appliance we have," said University of California at Los Angeles professor Tom Nunan. "The connection with this alternative reality is more omnipresent than it's ever been. TV characters, week in and week out, are there for you."

With the average American spending about 140 hours a month watching television, according to the Nielsen Media Company's most recent data, no wonder people get attached.

"People start to imprint on characters they see on television. They project an emotional relationship onto a fictitious character," Dr. Nunan said. "The downside is when men or women create an expectation based on the character on TV, then real relationships can suffer."

With the hope that no real-life loves take a hit, we asked Chattanoogans which TV characters they would most want to date or marry and why. In some cases, Dr. Nunan weighs in.

Dr. Allison Cameron (Jennifer Morrison), "House"

* "She's intelligent, she's sweet, she's very genuine. She cares a lot about what she does and the people she's involved with. And she's pretty." -- Nils Wessel, server at Public House

* If you like Cameron: "You don't just like the typical 'Baywatch' babe. The blonde and the beautiful is important, but so is her empathy. It shows they're not just looking for someone who's gorgeous but someone who's got real character." -- Dr. Nunan

Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) and Nathan (James Lafferty) Scott, "One Tree Hill"

* "(Lucas) because he is thoughtful, caring, a leader, athletic and loving ... It helps that he's extremely attractive. (Nathan) because he is loyal, strong in every way, loving, athletic and amazingly attractive." -- Ramsey Pruitt, student at Hamilton Heights High School

Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer), "The Office"

* "She is funny, and she does have her creative side, and she's really attractive." -- Patrick Sweetman, actor/director

* If you like Pam: "You're going for an exceptional version of the girl next door." -- Dr. Nunan

Turk (Donald Faison), "Scrubs"

* "He's stable, he's fun-loving, but most importantly he treats his girlfriend/wife really well in an environment that didn't necessarily encourage him to do so." -- Adera Causey, curator of education, Hunter Museum of American Art

Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) "House"

* "I would never be bored, and I would enjoy matching wits. Also, I consider myself something of a maverick, and I think he would be a kindred spirit." -- Dr. Marcia Noe, director of women's studies, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

* If you like House: "You like the rogue with a high IQ, and you probably wish you had a doctor (who) had all the answers." -- Dr. Nunan

Kelly Kapowski (Tiffani-Amber Thiessen), "Saved by the Bell"

* "She was hot. That's really about it. I'm a guy, so I don't really have to have any other reason. She was nice, that was secondary. That added to the hot factor." -- Hassan Najjar, manager of school and outreach program, Hunter Museum

Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston), "Friends"

* "It's my fiancee's favorite show. My fiancee actually looks like Rachel, and I think I'd get in trouble if I didn't say so, but I've always had an attraction to her character, being upbeat, happy, sometimes ditzy, smart ..." -- Jason Lord, pilot

* If you like Rachel: "She's sort of what every guy wishes his girlfriend was like. It's a good sign for a guy to hold her up as a role model because she's not just a stereotype. She's a three-dimensional character." -- Dr. Nunan

Derwin Davis (Pooch Hall), "The Game"

* "He's an athlete. He's religious. He's down-to-earth. It's more like a regular person." -- Charde Terry, UTC student