A Baxter is the character in every
romantic comedy who is the "sensible" choice. He/she is the current boyfriend/fiance of one of the main characters, who gets left at the
altar/airport/wedding
rehearsal when the main character realizes she's in love with the unpredictable passionate romantic interest.
"..the minute you see them, you know they're wrong, ... The instant they walk on the screen, they give you some information that immediately makes the audience turn to the person sitting next to them and say, 'He's wrong for her. It'll never work out.” --Michael Showalter--
"That insurance agent she's dating is so responsible and dull. He's a total Baxter."
aka
Bill Pullman in Sleepless in Seattle, Patrick Dempsey in Sweet Home Alabama, Ducky in Pretty in Pink,
Cary Elwes in Liar Liar, Greg Kinnear and
Parker Posey in You've Got Mail.