Unseen characters are a common device in drama. They are continuing characters — characters who are currently in frequent interaction with the other characters and who influence current story events — who are never directly observed by the audience but are only described by other characters. Television shows and stage plays make use of characters who are not seen, and usually not heard, though some unseen characters are portrayed as an off-camera voice. A television program (US television programme (UK or television show (U A play, or stageplay, is a form of Literature written by a Playwright, almost always consisting of Dialogue between Fictional characters Radio shows also feature "unseen" characters who never speak, while books can feature characters who are referenced by others, but whose actions and dialogue are never directly described. The characters as a device are more commonly featured in television, since the length of a series and visual medium makes it more unusual for someone who has common interaction with a main character never to be directly involved in a scene with that character.
Notable unseen characters
- The Andy Griffith Show:
- Barney Fife's occasional fling, Juanita. The Andy Griffith Show is an American sitcom first televised by CBS between October 3 1960 and April 1 Bernard "Barney" P Fife is a fictional dramatic character in the American Television program The Andy Griffith Show, portrayed She is spoken to by Barney (but never heard) in telephone conversations, usually overheard by Andy or Opie to Barney's chagrin. [1]
- Sarah, the Mayberry telephone operator[2]
- In Bebe's Kids, even though she is the namesake of the movie, Bebe never appears. Bébé's Kids (released to VHS and DVD as Robin Harris' Bébé's Kids) is an Animated feature produced by the Hudlin Namesake (sometimes "name's sake" is a term used to characterize a person place thing quality action state or idea that is called after or named out of regard to
- Becker Margaret's husband Lewis is never seen but mentioned frequently.
- Designing Women: Consuela, Suzanne Sugarbaker's housekeeper. Designing Women was an American television Sitcom that centered around the working and personal lives of four Southern women and one man in an Interior (She is heard in one episode startling Suzanne in the kitchen off-screen. )[3]
- Inspector Gadget: Dr. Claw, the partially-seen overlord of criminal syndicate M. Inspector Gadget is an Animated television series about a clumsy absent-minded and oblivious Detective, Inspector Gadget who is a human being with Dr George Claw (in the movie Sanford Scolex) is a partially-seen character who is the main Villain in the animated television series Inspector A. D and nemesis of Gadget.
- Charlie's Angels: Charlie, the "Angels"'s employer, whom they have never seen. Charlie's Angels is a television series about three women who work for a private investigation agency and is one of the first shows to showcase women Only his voice is heard: he delivers instructions by calling them. [4]
- Cheers: Vera Peterson, wife of Norm Peterson, was often referenced, but almost never seen, the only exception being a Thanksgiving episode during which she is hit with a pie before her face appears on screen. Cheers is an American Situation comedy television series that ran eleven seasons from 1982 to 1993 Vera Kreitzer Peterson was an almost Unseen character on the American Television show Cheers, who is the wife of popular Cheers Hillary Norman "Norm" Peterson was a character on the American Television show Cheers, portrayed by George Wendt. Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day, is a traditional North American Holiday, which is a form of harvest festival.
- Chowder (TV series): Gazpacho's mother who still remains unseen. Chowder is an American animated television series that debuted on Cartoon Network on November 2 2007 Seems to be very controlling of him.
- Columbo: Mrs Columbo, the lieutenant's wife, oft referred to but never seen. [5]
- Dad's Army: Elizabeth Mainwaring, the highly-strung and reclusive wife of Captain Mainwaring never made an appearance in all 9 years that the show ran, despite being married to the main character. Dad’s Army is a British sitcom about the Home Guard in the Second World War. Mrs Elizabeth Mainwaring was the highly-strung and reclusive fictional wife of Captain George Mainwaring, of the Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard in the BBC TV comedy Captain George Mainwaring (pronounced 'Mannering' is a fictional Bank Manager and Home Guard Platoon commander portrayed by
- Degrassi: The Next Generation: Heather Sinclair, an enemy to all Degrassi students. Degrassi The Next Generation is a Canadian Teen drama television series, set in the Degrassi Fictional universe created
- Ed Edd n Eddy: Eddy's brother is never seen but Eddy is always talking about him, claiming him to be a whiz at whatever they are doing. Ed Edd n Eddy is the longest-running original Animated cartoon series on Cartoon Network created by Danny Antonucci and produced by Canadian
- Vern from the Ernest franchise. Ernest P Worrell was a fictional character portrayed by American actor Jim Varney in a series of Television commercials and later in a television series
- Eureka Seven: monsoono pilots: rarely ever made an appearance without their uniforms, except in episode 45. Eureka Seven, known in Japan as, is a Mecha Anime TV series by Bones.
- Father Ted: Father Bigley, who is described as having "big puffy fish lips" and big red blotches all over his face, looks dead, wears perfume and has tendencies to start fires (for which he was sectioned) and send weapons to Iraq. Father Ted was a popular 1990s Television Situation comedy set around the lives of three Irish Catholic priests on the remote (and Fish are aquatic Vertebrate animals that are typically ectothermic (previously Cold-blooded) covered with scales, and equipped with two Perfume is a mixture of fragrant Essential oils and Aroma compounds Fixatives and Solvents used to give the human body animals objects and living Pyromania is an impulse to deliberately start fires to relieve tension and typically includes gratification or relief afterward Involuntary commitment is the practice of using legal means or forms as part of a Mental health law to commit a person to a Mental hospital, Insane asylum The Arms-to-Iraq affair concerned the uncovering of the government-endorsed sale of arms by British companies to Saddam Hussein 's Iraq.
- Frasier: Maris Crane, wife (and later ex-wife) of Niles Crane. Frasier is an American sitcom, a Spin-off of Cheers starring Kelsey Grammer as Maris Crane is a Fictional character on the American television Sitcom Frasier. Dr Niles Crane (born 1957) is a fictional character on the American Sitcom Frasier, a Spin-off of the popular show While the producers once planned to reveal her, the list of Maris's unusual attributes and characteristics became so long that — despite plotlines as far-reaching as a murder — Maris was ultimately kept off screen. She is reported to have changed from excessively thin to excessively obese. [6]
- Gavin & Stacey: Lucy, Smithy's 17 year old girlfriend. Gavin & Stacey is a BAFTA award winning British sitcom originally aired on BBC Three and later shown on BBC Two, written Whenever she was mentioned she would usually be in the middle of doing things normally associated with younger girls (trampolining, netball etc. Trampolining is a competitive Sport in which Gymnasts perform Acrobatics while bouncing on a Trampoline. Netball is a non-contact team Sport similar to and derived from Basketball. ) to illustrate that Lucy was significantly younger than Smithy (who was in his late twenties).
- Gilmore Girls: Al from "Al's Pancake World" is talked about quite frequently by Lorelai and Rory, but we never get to see him. Gilmore Girls was an Emmy Award -winning Golden Globe -nominated American Comedy-drama series created by Amy Sherman-Palladino He owns an establishment that specializes in cuisine from throughout the world. Mrs. Kims' husband is also talked about but never seen.
- The Golden Girls: Dorothy's brother Phil is mentioned frequently but never seen. The Golden Girls is an American sitcom that originally aired on NBC from September 14, 1985, to May 9,
- Gossip Girl: The narrator of the show is never seen, although she often begins an episode and ends it with all the happenings within the show. Gossip Girl is a series of novels written for teenagers by Cecily von Ziegesar.
- Home Improvement: The only time Al Borland's mother was shown was when she waved at Tim Taylor and Jill Taylor. Home Improvement is a American television Sitcom starring actor/comedian Tim Allen, which aired 1991 to 1999 Albert "Al" E Borland is a Fictional character from the TV Sitcom Home Improvement played by Richard Karn. Timothy Taylor or Tim Taylor could be Timothy Taylor (archaeologist, a British archaeologist Timothy Taylor (art dealer, This article is about the character in the TV sitcom Home Improvement. Likewise, Klaus or Marv where never seen, often referred-to members of the Tool Time crew. Tool Time was the fictitious handyman show-within-a-show in the television Situation comedy, Home Improvement. Also, Wilson Wilson (Tim's Neighbor) always has the bottom half of his face covered by an object. Wilson W Wilson Jr PhD is a fictional character from the sitcom Home Improvement, played by the late Earl Hindman.
- I'm Alan Partridge: All members of the Partridge Family, except for Alan Partridge, are never seen but are mentioned and spoken to over the phone. I'm Alan Partridge is a BBC Situation comedy. Two series of six episodes were produced the first in 1997 and the second in 2002 Alan Gordon Partridge is a fictional Television and Radio Presenter portrayed by English Comedian Steve Coogan.
- Jim Henson's Muppet Babies: Nanny, the muppets' caretaker, never has her face shown with only her voice (Barbara Billingsley) being heard off screen as the audience mostly sees only her feet. Jim Henson's Muppet Babies was a popular American animated television series that aired from September 15, 1984 to December 29 Barbara Billingsley (born December 22, 1915) is an American film television and character actress, who in her five decades of television In addition, in one episode where the muppets are babysat, the babysitter is also only seen from the neck down.
- Just Shoot Me: Nina Van Horn's friend "Binnie" is frequently referred to but never shown. Just Shoot Me! is an Emmy and Golden Globe -nominated American Television sitcom that aired for seven seasons on (With the exception of a quick, bandaged shot of her face. )
- Keeping Up Appearances: Sheridan, Hyacinth's son, who frequently calls by telephone but is never seen. Keeping Up Appearances is a British sitcom starring Patricia Routledge as eccentric social-climbing snob Hyacinth Bucket. [7]
- Kenan & Kel: Chris, Kenan's boss at the grocery store, has mentioned about his mother many, many times and even references that he still lives with her. Kenan & Kel was an American Television sitcom that aired on Nickelodeon from 1996 to 2000 However, his mother is never seen. In one episode, Kenan admits that he's never seen Chris' mother.
- Laverne and Shirley: Shirley's new husband, Walter Meany, whom she married at the beginning of the 8th and final season. Laverne & Shirley was a popular American television Situation comedy that ran on ABC from 1976 to 1983 He was only seen fully covered up like a mummy in the hospital where the wedding was held. He never spoke and just blinked when it was his turn to say "I Do", and the actor who portrayed him was uncredited. [8]
- Married with Children: To Al's benefit, Peggy's mom is never seen.
- The Mary Tyler Moore Show: Lars Lindstrom, husband of Phyllis. The Mary Tyler Moore Show is an American Television sitcom created by James L When Phyllis got her own spin-off show, the pilot episode revolved around the death of Lars. [9]
- Minder (TV series): Arthur Daley's wife, referred to as "'er indoors", was frequently referenced but never seen in any episode. Minder was a British Comedy-drama about the London criminal underworld.
- My So-Called Life: Tino, friend of Jordan Catalano and Rayanne, as well as lead singer of "Frozen Embryos", is never seen, despite being mentioned in every episode. My So-Called Life was an American Television Teen drama created by Winnie Holzman and produced by Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz
- The Proud Family: Wizard Kelly's face is never seen on screen. The Proud Family is an American animated television series that aired on Disney Channel from September 15, 2001 to But in several episodes, we briefly see his mouth only.
- Rhoda: Carlton the doorman, who is heard but not seen throughout the life of the series. Rhoda is an American television sitcom starring Valerie Harper.
- Rocky King, Inside Detective: Rocky's wife; Rocky would often speak to his wife from one room, while she was busy in another. Rocky King Inside Detective was an American Television series broadcast on the now-defunct DuMont Television Network from 1950 to 1954 Her offscreen replies to Rocky were all the audience would ever experience of Mrs. King. [10]
- Seinfeld: Kramer's friends Bob Sacamano and Lomez were never seen in the show, nor was Jerry's Cousin Jeffrey (Uncle Leo's son). Seinfeld is an American Situation comedy, or sitcom that originally aired on NBC from July 5 1989 to May 14 1998 lasting nine seasons Jerome "Jerry" Seinfeld is the main Protagonist on the United States television sitcom Seinfeld ( 1989 Uncle Leo (played by Len Lesser) is Jerry Seinfeld 's uncle a minor character who appears in fifteen episodes In addition, the owner of the Yankees, George Steinbrenner, frequently speaks to George Costanza, but is never seen. The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of The Bronx, in New York City, New York. George Michael Steinbrenner III (born July 4, 1930 in Rocky River Ohio) is an American Billionaire businessman and the principal George Louis Costanza is a Fictional character in the United States -based television sitcom Seinfeld (1989&ndash1998 Rather, the back of his chair is always visible.
- Star Trek: Enterprise: the ship's chef, known as "Chef" was a mostly unseen character, though the lower part of his body was seen when he delivered meals in the episode "The Catwalk". Star Trek Enterprise (simply titled Enterprise prior to season three is a Science fiction Television program created by Brannon " The Catwalk " is the 38th episode (production #212 of the Television series Star Trek Enterprise. Jonathan Frakes played the chef, in the final episode; via a holodeck program. Jonathan Scott Frakes (born August 19, 1952) is an American Actor and director best known for his portrayal of Commander Yet, "fanon" states Commander Riker might be a descendent of the chef. First Officer William Thomas Riker, played by Jonathan Frakes, is a main character on the Science-fiction Television series Star Trek The [11]
- The IT Crowd: Although their sons frequently are seen talking to them, neither Moss nor Roy's mothers are seen. The IT Crowd (ˈɪt or ˌaɪˈtiː is a British Sitcom written by Irish director Graham Linehan and produced by Ash Atalla
- The Suite Life of Zack & Cody: Wilfred Tipton, the owner of the Tipton Hotel and father of London, has been voiced in several episodes, but has remained unseen. The Suite Life of Zack & Cody was an American Disney Channel Original Series created by Danny Kallis and Jim Geoghan
- Waiting for Godot, play by Samuel Beckett: Godot, a m mysterious character who the two protagonists spend the entire play waiting for. Waiting for Godot is a play by Samuel Beckett, in which two characters wait for someone named Godot who never arrives Samuel Barclay Beckett (13 April 1906 – 22 December 1989 was an Irish Writer, Dramatist and poet He never appears. (Beckett also said that Godot is not God; nor is he the same as Pozzo, a chaaracter who does appear in the play. )
- Will & Grace: Karen Walker's husband Stanley is never seen. Will & Grace is a popular Emmy Award -winning American television sitcom that was originally broadcast on NBC from 1998 to 2006 Karen Walker (née Delaney; formerly St Croix, Popeil, and Finster) was born January 12, 1959.
- Quigley's Village Elephant, the trunk is seen in many scenes, however, it is never heard, nor seen in any other way. Quigley's Village was a long-running ( 1987 to 1999) collection of Christian children's videos designed to teach children "sound Biblical It even appears in the theme song.
Rarely seen characters
- The Nanny: Fran's father, Morty, was never seen throughout the series, except sometimes from the back, once actually using a dummy at the dinner table to depict the character. The Nanny is an American Situation comedy co-produced by Sternin & Fraser Ink Inc In the last episode, we finally meet Morty, played by Steve Lawrence. SUP YALL This is about the singer/actor For other uses see Steve Lawrence (disambiguation.
- Alice: Henry's often named wife Chloe was shown only once, played by guest star Ruth Buzzi. Ruth Buzzi (born July 24, 1936) is an American actress and Comedian of Theatre, Film, and Television.
- Just Shoot Me: Jack Gallo's former wife Allie was unseen for four years, before appearing in two episodes. Just Shoot Me! is an Emmy and Golden Globe -nominated American Television sitcom that aired for seven seasons on Incidentally the first episode was called "At Long Last Allie", a reference to the unseen character being depicted.
- The Dick Van Dyke Show: The face of Robert's boss, Alan Brady, was never shown during the early episodes. The Dick Van Dyke Show is an American television Situation comedy which initially aired on CBS from October 3, 1961 to Eventually series creator Carl Reiner made regular appearances with his full face, and sometimes his toupee. Carl Reiner (born March 20, 1922) is an American Actor, Film director, producer, Writer and Comedian
- The Dick Van Dyke Show: Buddy's wife, Pickles, is mentioned several times but is rarely seen. The Dick Van Dyke Show is an American television Situation comedy which initially aired on CBS from October 3, 1961 to She is portrayed by two different actresses (Barbara Perry and Joan Shawlee) in five episodes. Later in the series her real name is given as "Fiona. " As she explains it, "Where I grew up everyone named Fiona went by Pickles. " She later reveals she was the only person in her neighborhood named Fiona.
- "South Park": Despite being one of the main characters of the show, Kenny McCormick's face is rarely seen as it is either always covered by his signature orange parka (which causes the viewer to barely be able to understand Kenny), occasionally (in episodes such as "Lice Capades") the viewer can only see the back of his head, or (in episodes such as "The Jeffersons") McCormick's face is covered by an object or mask. South Park is an animated American television comedy series created and written by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for Comedy Central Kenny McCormick, voiced by Matt Stone, is one of the four central Fictional characters of the Animated series South Park, the " Lice Capades " is episode 1103 (#156 of Comedy Central 's animated comedy series South Park. "The Jeffersons" is episode 117 of the Comedy Central animated series South Park.
References
- ^ Mary M. Dalton and Laura R. Linder, The Sitcom Reader (SUNY Press, 2005), p. 75 (". . the show's social mosaic was enriched by characters often referred to but never seen, such as Juanita. . . ")
- ^ Ken Beck and Jim Clark, The Andy Griffith Show Book (St. Martin's Press, 2000), p 123 ("We never see Sarah, the operator, but if there's anyone in town who knows what is going on, it's Sarah. ")
- ^ Tara McPherson, Reconstructing Dixie (Duke University Press, 2003) p284 ("Suzanne's maid, Consuela, was never actually represented on the show, only referred to by others,")
- ^ IMDB
- ^ "Columbo" at the Museum of Broadcasts Communications
- ^ Brooks & Marsh, Complete (1999), op. cit. , p366 ("Perhaps the funniest character in Frasier was not seen at all. Niles's rich, insufferable wife, Maris, was only spoken of or described. . . ")
- ^ "Keeping Up Appearances", BBC
- ^ Alexander Doty, Making Things Perfectly Queer, p56 (U. of Minnesota Press, 1993) ("Up to this point, the program found a number of narrative excuses not to show Walter Meany to the audience. . . ")
- ^ Marsh & Brooks, Complete (1988), op. cit. , p494 ("Lars. . . was talked about but never seen")
- ^ David Weinstein (2004). The Forgotten Network: Dumont and the Birth of American Television. Temple University Press, 138. ISBN 1592134998.
- ^ Unnamed Enterprise (NX-01) personnel - Memory Alpha, the Star Trek Wiki
Home Improvement: Wilson, (Tim's Neighbor), always has bottom half of face covered by an object.
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