A Character who became BIGGER than the show itself?!? [Archive] - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Schmoopie

06-15-2009, 03:51 AM

As much as I love him, I'm gonna go with Kramer. When Seinfeld first started, no one really gave him a second thought. Suddenly, he became so popular that he always got a rousing applause whenever he burst into Jerry's apartment. I read that Larry David had to start telling the audience to stop applauding so that they could get the show filmed!

esl

06-15-2009, 05:22 AM

Mr. Humphries on "Are You Being Served?"

By the last several seasons, when the plot lines became just ridiculous, the highlite of each show was the awaited entrance of John Inman as Mr. Humphries in some over-the-top outfit with him then explaining to the rest of the cast as to why he was in such silly garb.

howierules86

06-15-2009, 06:55 AM

As much as I liked Family Matters growing up (and a lot of other 90's TGIF shows for that matter), I have to say Steve Urkel. Who else could fit this subject?

tv star collector

06-15-2009, 08:49 AM

Hoss Cartwright (Bonanza)
Barney Fife (The Andy Griffith Show)

And let's not forget Yogi Bear (my avatar); he began as a player on the
Huckleberry Hound show.

catlover79

06-15-2009, 08:57 AM

In regards to JJ, I think Fonzie and Urkel were WAY bigger than him on their respective shows.

Dusty's Fan

06-15-2009, 03:26 PM

One could easily argue that Edd "Kookie" Byrnes' character became bigger than 77 Sunset Strip. He was not even a regular cast member at first, in fact playing a hood of some sort in his first appearance before later being given a permanent role. His song with Connie Stevens became a mega-hit and Edd was a houshold name. Kookie pre-dated The Fonz as far as "cool" characters.

Retro4Life

06-15-2009, 03:38 PM

Not sure he became bigger than the whole show, but the character of Ben on "Lost" was only intended as a temporary character, slated for just a few episodes and he became more or less the focus of Season Three and still is a major character (too much so, in my opinion).

I think the same could be said of Sylar on "Heroes".

tanquant

06-15-2009, 03:43 PM

Chrissy on Three's Company (or at least in her own mind)

Yooch

06-15-2009, 03:47 PM

In regards to JJ, I think Fonzie and Urkel were WAY bigger than him on their respective shows.

Yeah, I agree. And too, I think there were some shows where there was potential for it to happen, like Norton in the Honeymooners, and it would've happened were it not for such a stellar cast. Jackie Gleason and Audrey Meadows, being the focal point of the show, kept that balance. Norton's presence definitely added to the show, but the spotlight was (almost always) on Ralph and his various predicaments.

browneyes106

06-15-2009, 08:22 PM

catlover79

06-15-2009, 08:28 PM

Yeah, I agree. And too, I think there were some shows where there was potential for it to happen, like Norton in the Honeymooners, and it would've happened were it not for such a stellar cast. Jackie Gleason and Audrey Meadows, being the focal point of the show, kept that balance. Norton's presence definitely added to the show, but the spotlight was (almost always) on Ralph and his various predicaments.
Exactly. On Good Times, the focus was always on the Evans household. Sure, JJ was the most popular character, but I don't think he stole the spotlight nearly as much as people say.

catlover79

06-15-2009, 08:28 PM

Chrissy on Three's Company (or at least in her own mind)
Not to mention Suzanne's husband's mind. :lol:

Marvo301

06-15-2009, 08:42 PM

Hawkeye Pierce on M*A*S*H. In fact in the last few seasons they may as well have called it The Hawkeye Show.

catlover79

06-15-2009, 08:46 PM

Hawkeye Pierce on M*A*S*H. In fact in the last few seasons they may as well have called it The Hawkeye Show.
That's why my brother-in-law (who is a big M*A*S*H fan) doesn't like the later seasons nearly as much as the early season.

factsoflife

06-15-2009, 09:04 PM

definetly Urkele and Kramer. I would say that sheldon on The Big Bang Theory is close to that point, but not there yet.

i want to say that Brenda on 90210 almost became too big for the show...

jimpickens

06-15-2009, 09:24 PM

Jethro-Beverly Hillbillies
Joy-My Name Is Earl
Fonzie-Happy Days
Bull-Night Court

factsoflife

06-15-2009, 10:08 PM

both Karen and Jack from "Will & Grace" it virtually became the "Karen & Jack Show" towards the last two seasons.

i don't agree, but some would say that Desinging Women should have been called "The Suzanne Sugarbaker Show"...

Retro4Life

06-15-2009, 11:03 PM

I'd file the character of Arnold Drummond under this category, too. :)

catlover79

06-15-2009, 11:15 PM

How about Michael J. Fox/Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties??

Marvo301

06-15-2009, 11:24 PM

How about Michael J. Fox/Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties??
Well he did win all those Emmy's!!

catlover79

06-15-2009, 11:25 PM

Well he did win all those Emmy's!!
Yes, and rightfully so. But he WAS Family Ties!!

Marvo301

06-15-2009, 11:26 PM

Yes, and rightfully so. But he WAS Family Ties!!
Agreed!

70s show watcher

06-16-2009, 01:37 AM

kelso on that 70s show came pretty close

HuntingtonM15

06-16-2009, 01:39 AM

both Karen and Jack from "Will & Grace" it virtually became the "Karen & Jack Show" towards the last two seasons.

Definitely. It was almost as if Will and Grace were both non-existant at times.

70s show watcher

06-16-2009, 04:33 AM

Definitely. It was almost as if Will and Grace were both non-existant at times.i agree alot of time it seems they were lucky if the got more than 10 minutes screen time the last 2 or 3 seasons

Schmoopie

06-16-2009, 06:08 AM

I don't watch Everybody Loves Raymond at all (Can't stand it, really), but would Brad Garrett (Robert Barone) fit into this category?

HHorseman

06-16-2009, 09:30 AM

Zack Morris from Saved By The Bell.

factsoflife

06-16-2009, 04:38 PM

Zack Morris from Saved By The Bell.

Zack was always the lead character on that show, even during Miss Bliss years Zack was the lead character student wise. i don't think anyone ever thought otherwise.

HuntingtonM15

06-16-2009, 05:24 PM

I don't watch Everybody Loves Raymond at all (Can't stand it, really), but would Brad Garrett (Robert Barone) fit into this category?

No, I wouldn't say so. While he was popular, I don't think he ever became that popular to get the status that other characters in this thread eventually came to have.

catlover79

06-16-2009, 08:18 PM

No, I wouldn't say so. While he was popular, I don't think he ever became that popular to get the status that other characters in this thread eventually came to have.
I agree - ELR was much more an ensemble than Happy Days or Family Matters.

factsoflife

06-16-2009, 09:08 PM

I agree - ELR was much more an ensemble than Happy Days or Family Matters.

and if any character overtook ELR it was Marie more than Robert. she just became too much after awhile.

tanquant

06-16-2009, 09:12 PM

Also Rerun of what's happening. Didn't he legally change his name to Fred "Rerun" Berry?

Retro4Life

06-16-2009, 09:33 PM

I think it could be argued that the character of Kerr Avon of "Blakes7" could fit here, too, particularly in the third and fourth seasons. (Has anyone here seen this show? :) )

catlover79

06-17-2009, 08:39 AM

Also Rerun of what's happening. Didn't he legally change his name to Fred "Rerun" Berry?
Yes, he did.

catlover79

06-17-2009, 08:40 AM

and if any character overtook ELR it was Marie more than Robert. she just became too much after awhile.
I have to agree there. Marie and Robert were my favorite ELR characters, but she became overplayed after awhile.

Stuck In The '70's

06-17-2009, 08:59 AM

If we're going non sitcoms too then JR Ewing of Dallas would be one of the biggest. It started off as an ensemble show and he just took over. You can add Alexis of Dynasty into that category too.

Torgo

06-17-2009, 09:48 AM

Dr Smith and the robot- Lost In Space

catlover79

06-17-2009, 11:30 AM

Dr Smith and the robot- Lost In Space
Not to mention Will Robinson, to some degree.

factsoflife

06-17-2009, 07:38 PM

on 90210 Kelly definetly took over the show towards the last 6 seasons, after Brenda left she became the new lead character and basically became unbearable to watch, espeically for those of us that hated that character. She went from part of the ensemble to being in almost every darn scene.

DSfan

06-17-2009, 10:39 PM

I think you could argue that the Cody character on Step by Step had the sort of Urkel affect of taking over the show with the constant cheering upon his every entrance.

catlover79

06-17-2009, 11:15 PM

I think you could argue that the Cody character on Step by Step had the sort of Urkel affect of taking over the show with the constant cheering upon his every entrance.
Yeah, I forgot about Cody.

factsoflife

06-17-2009, 11:43 PM

Yeah, I forgot about Cody.

yeah true Cody did kind of take over, but then he just went away a luxury we never had with Urkel on Family Matters, he not only took over that show but then started showing up all over TGIF on Full House and Step By Step as well! it was very, very annoying...

Lakeboy

06-17-2009, 11:50 PM

Sandra from 227
Flo from Alice

factsoflife

06-17-2009, 11:53 PM

Sandra from 227
Flo from Alice

Sandra (or is it Sondra) is a good pick.

I'd say that Laverne on Empty Nest came close to overtaking the show.

catlover79

06-18-2009, 12:02 AM

Farrah Fawcett/Jill Munroe on Charlie's Angels.

factsoflife

06-18-2009, 12:03 AM

can we all agree Amanda on Melrose DEFINETLY falls into this category? and to a lesser degree Abby on Knot's Landing?

catlover79

06-18-2009, 12:05 AM

can we all agree Amanda on Melrose DEFINETLY falls into this category? and to a lesser degree Abby on Knot's Landing?
Oh gosh, Abby's a good pick. What about Karen? Valene was originally supposed to be the main heroine on Knots but was overshadowed by the other women.

Stuck In The '70's

06-18-2009, 12:08 AM

Oh gosh, Abby's a good pick. What about Karen? Valene was originally supposed to be the main heroine on Knots but was overshadowed by the other women.
As Jill (Terri Austin) once said "Poor Val." :lol:

catlover79

06-18-2009, 12:11 AM

As Jill (Terri Austin) once said "Poor Val." :lol:
Yes, even Joan Van Ark refers to her character as "Poor Val". :rofl:

IGNTBone

06-18-2009, 12:31 AM

Slimer from The Real Ghostbusters

factsoflife

06-18-2009, 12:34 AM

Oh gosh, Abby's a good pick. What about Karen? Valene was originally supposed to be the main heroine on Knots but was overshadowed by the other women.

IDK Val definetly always seemed like ther herione of the show---Karen always seemed a bit too uppity to really be a herione. I always found Karen a bit annoying and self-righteous for my taste.

But my mother watched KL for every season it was on and still says "Poor Val" all the time!

factsoflife

06-18-2009, 12:37 AM

Well on Dawson's Creek Joey and Pacey definetly upstaged Dawson by far... by the fourth season they could have called it "Joey's Creek" or "Joey & Pacey's Show"... Dawson was virtually irrelevant to most of the storyline by that point. and was honestly the least interesting character on the show.

and i think it would be fair to say nearly every character upstaged Felicity on "Felicity" because she was the most boring, indecisive character on the show. She'd pick Ben one day and then noel the next day and by the time she figured it out nobody cared anymore.

Retro4Life

06-18-2009, 12:39 AM

IDK Val definetly always seemed like ther herione of the show---Karen always seemed a bit too uppity to really be a herione. I always found Karen a bit annoying and self-righteous for my taste.

But my mother watched KL for every season it was on and still says "Poor Val" all the time!

Actually I think a similar thing happened with Gary Ewing. About halfway through it really seemed like Mac was more of the show's "leading man" than Gary. Gary didn't have much connection to most of the show's cast by then, and was always relegated to breaking up with or reuniting with Val in some way.

factsoflife

06-18-2009, 12:44 AM

Actually I think a similar thing happened with Gary Ewing. About halfway through it really seemed like Mac was more of the show's "leading man" than Gary. Gary didn't have much connection to most of the show's cast by then, and was always relegated to breaking up with or reuniting with Val in some way.

i agree with you on that. Now i've only ever seen the show in reruns on SOAPNET but from what i could gather, it got to a point where Greg and Mac seemed to be the lead males on the show with Gary as the third male lead---and as you said his real main story was breaking up with or reuniting with Val or sometimes Abby.

megamanj2004

06-21-2009, 04:18 AM

DSfan

06-21-2009, 11:35 AM

What about:

Kirk Cameron from Growing Pains - during his time on there he was on so many teen magazines and most of the eps. later on seem to cenyer on him or involve him in a way.

Gary Coleman of Diff'rent Strokes?

I think these are examples more of actors that became child stars while on these shows. On the show itself, though, Kirk Cameron never seemed to steal the spotlight. I think it was actually a very good show in that the storylines always involved most of the cast members - the parents, Ben, Carol all had their "own" sort of episodes. On Diff'rent Strokes, I don't think the storylines became only about Arnold but I think that show just went downhill because you had some episodes where Willis or Kimberly weren't there and things like that - just main characters randomly missing or Sam and Maggie coming on. The show got old, very quick in my opinion.

noveel

06-21-2009, 11:54 PM

yeah true Cody did kind of take over, but then he just went away a luxury we never had with Urkel on Family Matters, he not only took over that show but then started showing up all over TGIF on Full House and Step By Step as well! it was very, very annoying...

If Jaleel White had been accused of something, Family Matters probably would have been canceled?

Schmoopie

06-22-2009, 01:47 AM

I wouldn't say that Kirk Cameron took over Growing Pains either. He just became really popular as a teen idol. But as far as the storylines centering around him, I wouldn't agree with that.

factsoflife

06-22-2009, 12:22 PM

I wouldn't say that Kirk Cameron took over Growing Pains either. He just became really popular as a teen idol. But as far as the storylines centering around him, I wouldn't agree with that.

i think that Mike certianly did become the focus of the show, espeically towards the end of the series. each of the other characters got less and less screentime as the series went on.

janet42

06-22-2009, 08:16 PM

Not to mention Suzanne's husband's mind. :lol:

I'm surprised that Suzanne Somer's husband is still her manager after the "Three's Company's" fiasco. :)

catlover79

06-22-2009, 10:45 PM

I'm surprised that Suzanne Somer's husband is still her manager after the "Three's Company's" fiasco. :)
I'm not. :eek:

Marvo301

06-22-2009, 10:50 PM

I'm not. :eek:
Suzanne Somers and Alan Hamel deserve each other!!!

Stuck In The '70's

06-22-2009, 10:52 PM

i think that Mike certianly did become the focus of the show, espeically towards the end of the series. each of the other characters got less and less screentime as the series went on.
Yea he became the Michael J. Fox of Growing Pains. He became a big teen idol in the '80's and eventually had a lot of control into what was put on the show. He got Julie McCullough fired as swell.

Buffyboy323

06-23-2009, 01:32 AM

[FONT=Tahoma]Well on Dawson's Creek Joey and Pacey definetly upstaged Dawson by far... by the fourth season they could have called it "Joey's Creek" or "Joey & Pacey's Show"... Dawson was virtually irrelevant to most of the storyline by that point. and was honestly the least interesting character on the show.
And then Joey and Pacey broke up and the show became Katie Holmes' series for the 5th and 6th seasons. Everything and everyone else was on the back-burner during those years, while she was front and center. IMO though, that wasn't a bad thing.

The same can be said about Maura Tierney on ER. She had a guest spot early in season 6, came back as a regular in the middle of season 6, and was basically the lead female of the show by the next year. Eventually Abby became the central figure of the show. I wouldn't have had it any other way though.

And although he didn't actually become bigger than the show itself, Spike on Buffy The Vampire Slayer came pretty close.

Buffyboy323

06-23-2009, 01:45 AM

Zack was always the lead character on that show, even during Miss Bliss years Zack was the lead character student wise. i don't think anyone ever thought otherwise.
I actually think Screech was sometimes becoming the "bigger than the show itself" type towards the end of the series - luckily that wasn't the case, completely.

factsoflife

06-23-2009, 04:29 PM

And then Joey and Pacey broke up and the show became Katie Holmes' series for the 5th and 6th seasons. Everything and everyone else was on the back-burner during those years, while she was front and center. IMO though, that wasn't a bad thing.

The same can be said about Maura Tierney on ER. She had a guest spot early in season 6, came back as a regular in the middle of season 6, and was basically the lead female of the show by the next year. Eventually Abby became the central figure of the show. I wouldn't have had it any other way though.

And although he didn't actually become bigger than the show itself, Spike on Buffy The Vampire Slayer came pretty close.

I agree that in season 5 and 6 Joey became the centeral figure on the show, but i think it was a bad thing. I think it took the show off in the wrong direction. It should have stayed with Dawson as the lead character.