Do your sitcom characters have to be likeable?

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June 29th, 2017 at 11:03:06 PM permalink
Pacomartin
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 1068
Posts: 12569
Traditionally a sitcom character was likeable. Often they were offbeat but endearing. Even Louis De Palma in Taxi would have a "moment of shit" where he was sweet and vulnerable.

With Seinfeld the characters were mostly self centered and obnoxious.

Difficult People (on Hulu) has set a new standard. The two lead characters, are horrible misanthropic human beings. Like Seinfeld the series is set in Manhattan.

Rotten Tomatoes counted Fresh: 17 and Rotten: 3 reviews for the first season, and Fresh: 11 and Rotten: 0 reviews for the second season.
Julie Klausner as Julie Kessler (the self absorbed overweight re-capper)
Billy Eichner as Billy Epstein (the gay best friend)
James Urbaniak as Arthur (the long suffering boyfriend)
Andrea Martin as Marilyn Kessler (the Jewish psychiatrist mother)

The show seems to be a magnet for famous people who guest star as either a character or as themselves.
June 29th, 2017 at 11:14:13 PM permalink
Fleastiff
Member since: Oct 27, 2012
Threads: 62
Posts: 7831
This is considered entertainment???
June 30th, 2017 at 1:09:55 AM permalink
Pacomartin
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 1068
Posts: 12569
Quote: Fleastiff
This is considered entertainment???


It's very clever, but they are not loveable.



June 30th, 2017 at 6:16:40 AM permalink
Nareed
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 346
Posts: 12545
Quote: Pacomartin
With Seinfeld the characters were mostly self centered and obnoxious.


Did you not see "Married With Children"?
Donald Trump is a one-term LOSER
June 30th, 2017 at 9:21:24 AM permalink
Ayecarumba
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 89
Posts: 1744
There has to be at least one character, or aspect(s) of a character or characters that members of the audience identify with. Whether everyone else considers the same characters likeable or not is immaterial, as long as everyone can find at least one "rooting interest".

For example, when watching "The Walking Dead", it's okay to root for the zombies.
June 30th, 2017 at 10:04:14 AM permalink
Pacomartin
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 1068
Posts: 12569
Quote: Ayecarumba
There has to be at least one character, or aspect(s) of a character or characters that members of the audience identify with.


Try watching the show and see if you can find the aspect. In the image below they are at a funeral.


The writing is really inspired.
June 30th, 2017 at 10:47:55 AM permalink
JimRockford
Member since: Sep 18, 2015
Threads: 2
Posts: 971
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. All the main characters are despicable and unrelatable. I'll check out DP and compare.
The mind hungers for that on which it feeds.
June 30th, 2017 at 11:10:29 AM permalink
Nareed
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 346
Posts: 12545
Oh, the other thing about Seinfeld, remember in the finale (spoiler alert!) they all wound up in prison.
Donald Trump is a one-term LOSER
June 30th, 2017 at 11:34:33 AM permalink
Pacomartin
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 1068
Posts: 12569


You're the Worst is a similar sitcom.


Trump is not well!
June 30th, 2017 at 11:35:37 AM permalink
Evenbob
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 146
Posts: 25010
People watch Hulu? I got a free month and
saw not one reason to ever watch it. Nflix
and Prime leave it in their dust on every
level.
If you take a risk, you may lose. If you never take a risk, you will always lose.
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