View Full Version : Breaking the fourth wall


Bill S.
05-24-2007, 08:29 PM
I was watching "New Neighbors" recently and noticed that they sort of broke the "fourth wall" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_wall) during the first scene, when Lucy & Ethel are looking out the window on the other side of the room. I don't recall that window ever being shown or even mentioned before. Did they do this in any other episodes, or was this the only one? Thanks.

Frischman_Fan
05-24-2007, 09:24 PM
I was watching "New Neighbors" recently and noticed that they sort of broke the "fourth wall" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_wall) during the first scene, when Lucy & Ethel are looking out the window on the other side of the room. I don't recall that window ever being shown or even mentioned before. Did they do this in any other episodes, or was this the only one? Thanks.

Yea I noticed that too. And I wondered if the girls were looking at the front of the building or side.

Ireneparalegal
05-24-2007, 09:28 PM
Yes, it was the only time they showed that window or the fourth wall as you stated.

Janice
06-07-2007, 08:29 PM
Showing that wall isn't what's known as the 'breaking the fourth wall'. That's when the actor acknowledges the audience. Mr. Roper on Three's Company and Will Smith on Fresh Prince used to do that -- smirk or wink at the audience, that sort of thing.

Bill S.
06-08-2007, 01:23 AM
Showing that wall isn't what's known as the 'breaking the fourth wall'. That's when the actor acknowledges the audience. Mr. Roper on Three's Company and Will Smith on Fresh Prince used to do that -- smirk or wink at the audience, that sort of thing.
Yes, you're right, since they didn't break character, but what they did involved the fourth wall, that's why I worded it that way. I guess a more accurate way of putting it would be to say that they "created" or "added to" the fourth wall.

Janice
06-08-2007, 01:33 AM
Yes, you're right, since they didn't break character, but what they did involved the fourth wall, that's why I worded it that way. I guess a more accurate way of putting it would be to say that they "created" or "added to" the fourth wall.
Sure, that sounds about right Bill. They were definitely doing something to get the viewer's attention, and it succeeded. I'm surprised that Lucy, in all her zaniness didn't give her television audience a sign, a hello of sorts. I know she was a consumate professional, but that would be quite a moment. Perhaps she did, and I'm not aware of it.

Ireneparalegal
06-08-2007, 04:54 PM
Sure, that sounds about right Bill. They were definitely doing something to get the viewer's attention, and it succeeded. I'm surprised that Lucy, in all her zaniness didn't give her television audience a sign, a hello of sorts. I know she was a consumate professional, but that would be quite a moment. Perhaps she did, and I'm not aware of it.
As far as I Love Lucy, she never did break that fourth wall.

Madame X
06-09-2007, 12:46 AM
As far as I Love Lucy, she never did break that fourth wall.

Never! :nonono: