-Isms: Views on life in rural America

Ask 10 people who they would choose as the most loved television or movie couple and you’ll get 10 different answers.

While Ross and Rachel spark excitement for “Friends” followers, the chemistry between Robert Kincaid and Francesca Johnson, in “The Bridges of Madison County,” is undeniable.

Questions like this make me chuckle, especially when I receive a press release from a London-based public relations firm, letting me know that Lois and Clark top the most-loved list for a lot of Nebraskans.

By a lot, the writers of the press release mean 112. That, on average, is the number of searches each month for that phrase within the confines of the Cornhusker state. Danny and Sandy, the bad boy/good girl combo from “Grease,” come in second, with an average of 68 searches. Completing the top five list are Katniss and Peeta, from the dystopian triology, “The Hunger Games,” Jim and Pam from “The Office,” and Bella Swan and Edward Cullen, of “Twilight” fame.

None of these so-called power couples would land on my most-loved list.

An unnamed expert noted, “(Movie romances) allow us to connect emotionally with the characters and their journey ... We see ourselves in the highs and lows of love, experiencing joy, heartbreak and everything in between.

In that case, my most loved TV/movie couple vote goes to Tony and Carmela Soprano. Sure, their relationship is dysfunctional and downright toxic at times, they both scheme and sometimes use deadly influence to get what they want. But, until the series ended in midstream of “Don’t Stop Believing,” the high school sweethearts love one another.

The biggest telltale sign that the Jersey girl was - and always will be - Tony’s everything: a diamond watch, inscribed with a heartfelt message from the mob boss.

After Tony is shot and it is unclear if he will survive, Carmela remains by his side, rarely leaving his hospital bed. In multiple scenes, she calls out her husband and his long list of sins and ultimately forgives him.

Maybe it’s the former drama coach in me, but the balancing act between these two characters is simply dynamic. There’s chemistry. There’s a love/hate relationship. There’s betrayal and redemption. You have a window seat to two complicated characters who, at the end of the day, have an undeniable bond that can’t be broken, even by the New York crew.

Who tops your favorite TV/movie couple list? Cast your vote in this week’s social media poll.