TMC
04-05-2015, 04:12 AM
http://uproxx.com/tv/2015/04/5-tv-character-punching-bags/
Having one character that every other character absolutely cannot stand is a long-running TV tradition. Many prominent shows have used this trope; the punching bag who every other character takes out their anger and frustration on. What’s the best way to approach this? Let’s look at five examples that some shows have taken and see which ones are fun and lighthearted, and which ones are just cruel.
The Just-Treat-Her-Like-Absolute-Garbage-All-Time Method — Key Example: Meg Griffin (Family Guy)
hV8vNHQvviw
Let’s be honest, the excessive Meg hate has gotten to be a bit much. In the first three seasons, the show made subtle references to the fact that Meg was the least popular character. When it returned to the air in 2005, that was immediately ratcheted up to an extreme level. Peter farts in her face, throws scalding hot soup at her, and in general, the family is just viciously cruel to her. There have been multiple episodes that involve either:
A. Peter deciding to be nicer to her
B. Meg telling the family how sick she is of them
None of it ever sticks, though, and Meg is always right back to being a punching bag the next episode. Honestly, this is one of the show’s most tedious qualities, and it would be nice if they dropped it in the future.
Having one character that every other character absolutely cannot stand is a long-running TV tradition. Many prominent shows have used this trope; the punching bag who every other character takes out their anger and frustration on. What’s the best way to approach this? Let’s look at five examples that some shows have taken and see which ones are fun and lighthearted, and which ones are just cruel.
The Just-Treat-Her-Like-Absolute-Garbage-All-Time Method — Key Example: Meg Griffin (Family Guy)
hV8vNHQvviw
Let’s be honest, the excessive Meg hate has gotten to be a bit much. In the first three seasons, the show made subtle references to the fact that Meg was the least popular character. When it returned to the air in 2005, that was immediately ratcheted up to an extreme level. Peter farts in her face, throws scalding hot soup at her, and in general, the family is just viciously cruel to her. There have been multiple episodes that involve either:
A. Peter deciding to be nicer to her
B. Meg telling the family how sick she is of them
None of it ever sticks, though, and Meg is always right back to being a punching bag the next episode. Honestly, this is one of the show’s most tedious qualities, and it would be nice if they dropped it in the future.