I have to disagree with Michael J. Fox still being famous because of his health issues. If he DIDN'T have health issues, I think he'd be working even more. His guest spots on tv shows are always great.
Originally, yes. Show was built around two aging hippies grappling with becoming a suburban mom and dad and part of the mainstream culture they were rebelling against all those years. Alex was just one of three wacky kids, but Fox was so good, and the character so popular, that he quickly moved to center stage.
At one point or another they had an alter ego: Erkel (nerd) became cool, Fonzie dressed like a nerd to help out his buddies. . . ugh, it runs out there. . .
An argument could also be made for "characters who almost always appeared wearing trademark clothing/accessories," but only if one considers the neckties on high schooler Alex P. Keaton a fashion trademark.
Sheldon was co-lead on BBT from the start, so he doesn't fit, and I think the HIMYM writers have been very careful to avoid Urekl-ization when it comes to Barney. We probably get more Barney-centric episodes than we did at the beginning, but he hasn't become the main character the way the four guys in the logo did.
Meredith Baxter was not at all happy about the evolution of Fox's character as the main one. I believe it caused a real rift between the actors for time.
Characters that are different/odd man out from the rest of the main cast? Urkel being all nerdy and creepy, Alex Keaton being a Republican amongst Democrats, etc...
I had no idea that Alex Keaton started off as a minor character - I always thought of him as the co-male lead (after the dad).
And agreed, Karen. I love Alex Keaton too! It's nice to see him pop up in Alan's blog logo.
Secondary characters that, for better or worse, wound up "taking over" a show.
ReplyDeleteSitcom characters who would get applause upon their entrance?
ReplyDeleteminor characters who became popular and eventually carried the show?
ReplyDeletebreakout sitcom characters?
ReplyDeleteI was going to say "breakout characters," but I've been beaten to the punch!
ReplyDeleteCharacters with catchphrases. "Did I do that?" "HEEEEYYYYY!" "Those aren't my real parents." "DYNOMITE!"
ReplyDeleteSitcom characters who were the comical outcasts of the core group of characters?
ReplyDeleteI'm with Shan and Anonymous #1 -- secondary sitcom characters that wound up eclipsing the "stars" of the show and becoming the focus of their shows.
ReplyDeleteTough one...either:
ReplyDelete1. Minor characters that took over the show.
2. People in sitcoms with two word titles...
If it is the ascending secondary character idea, I vote Barney Stinson as an honorary fifth photo up top.
ReplyDeleteYep it's breakout characters of the show. (Maybe even characters that eventually overran the show)
ReplyDeleteSecondary characters that overran the show with their catchphrases :-)
ReplyDeleteCatchphrase characters
ReplyDeleteSo, there's Fonzie, Urkel, and JJ Walker, but whose the 4th person up there?
ReplyDeleteIf not for Michael J. Fox's health issues, I would guess "people who are now signing autographs at hot rod shows and/or doing regional dinner theater"
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree with Michael J. Fox still being famous because of his health issues. If he DIDN'T have health issues, I think he'd be working even more. His guest spots on tv shows are always great.
ReplyDeleteAlex Keaton was a secondary character? Eh.
ReplyDeleteAlex Keaton was a secondary character? Eh.
ReplyDeleteOriginally, yes. Show was built around two aging hippies grappling with becoming a suburban mom and dad and part of the mainstream culture they were rebelling against all those years. Alex was just one of three wacky kids, but Fox was so good, and the character so popular, that he quickly moved to center stage.
At one point or another they had an alter ego: Erkel (nerd) became cool, Fonzie dressed like a nerd to help out his buddies. . . ugh, it runs out there. . .
ReplyDeletehttp://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SpotlightStealingSquad
ReplyDeleteThat is all. I'm surprised someone else didn't post this yet!
An argument could also be made for "characters who almost always appeared wearing trademark clothing/accessories," but only if one considers the neckties on high schooler Alex P. Keaton a fashion trademark.
ReplyDeleteI agree with TheWeave: characters with catchphrases. But characters with catchphrases who completely took over the show also works.
ReplyDeleteOf course, in the case of Alex P Keaton, I have no problem with that. I LOVE Alex P Keaton.
Thanks for the reply, Alan. I'd remembered him as the focal point, but that's probably just hindsight.
ReplyDeletePlaceholder for where Sheldon and Barney will show up this time next year?
ReplyDeleteSheldon was co-lead on BBT from the start, so he doesn't fit, and I think the HIMYM writers have been very careful to avoid Urekl-ization when it comes to Barney. We probably get more Barney-centric episodes than we did at the beginning, but he hasn't become the main character the way the four guys in the logo did.
ReplyDeleteMeredith Baxter was not at all happy about the evolution of Fox's character as the main one. I believe it caused a real rift between the actors for time.
ReplyDeleteI feel that every one of these blog-logo threads needs to have one comment saying "who are four people who have never been in my kitchen?"
ReplyDeleteSomeone comes in to make that joke every week, seemingly having missed the blog logo that actually answered that question.
ReplyDelete"Seemingly," perhaps. I think of it more as a tribute to that logo.
ReplyDeleteCharacters that are different/odd man out from the rest of the main cast? Urkel being all nerdy and creepy, Alex Keaton being a Republican amongst Democrats, etc...
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that Alex Keaton started off as a minor character - I always thought of him as the co-male lead (after the dad).
And agreed, Karen. I love Alex Keaton too! It's nice to see him pop up in Alan's blog logo.
i'd like to think of it as an homage de cliff claven however wrong i may be.
ReplyDeleteCliff deserves an homage damnit!