Reality v. fantasy on Sitcoms Online - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Cbalducc · 10-25-2021, 11:04 AM

In the time I have been subscribed to Sitcoms Online, I have encountered comments from people who seem to believe that the characters on shows are real people. For example, Darrin and Samantha actually exist and are not characters created by sitcom writers. I understand some people are not capable of knowing the difference, or have such miserable lives that retreating into fantasy is their only way of finding happiness.

opus · 10-25-2021, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cbalducc

In the time I have been subscribed to Sitcoms Online, I have encountered comments from people who seem to believe that the characters on shows are real people. For example, Darrin and Samantha actually exist and are not characters created by sitcom writers. I understand some people are not capable of knowing the difference, or have such miserable lives that retreating into fantasy is their only way of finding happiness.

And for Darrin you have to choose between two different Darrins!

GentlemanJim · 10-25-2021, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cbalducc

In the time I have been subscribed to Sitcoms Online, I have encountered comments from people who seem to believe that the characters on shows are real people. For example, Darrin and Samantha actually exist and are not characters created by sitcom writers. I understand some people are not capable of knowing the difference, or have such miserable lives that retreating into fantasy is their only way of finding happiness.

And yet they are still allowed to vote....

Sorry, just a bit of fun there.

On a more serious note, I believe most of what you are witnessing is a construed familiarity with the character...sort of a "what would Archie do in this situation?" type thing.

We all know that Leave it to Beaver's "Aunt Martha" is the stereotypical boorish matriarch. So it might be fun to theorize how Aunt Martha might respond to meeting up with a Marcy Darcy type character, under hostile circumstances.

Or Maude and Rosanne, for example. Despite knowing that all of the characters are synthetic, we grant them "life" for the purposes of our own amusement.

HuntingtonM15 · 10-25-2021, 04:03 PM

I can't personally recall seeing anyone on these forums act as if TV characters are real, but I know it does happen elsewhere. I've heard stories, especially from soap opera actors, who have had run-ins with disgruntled fans who are upset at them for something their character did. When a show is on as frequently as soaps are, I guess some fans get so invested in it that it does become real life to them.

GentlemanJim · 10-26-2021, 07:50 AM

One other aspect that I feel deserves recognition, you might be witnessing a metaphoric reference. For example, in the real life instance where I run into a cop who is obviously insecure, but all too willing to use his perceived authority to "make up" for his other short comings, I'll refer to those cops as a "Barney Fife type". Whereas you might also have a person in a position of authority who could use that to cause trouble, but instead uses their power to make problems go away, you might call them "sergeant Shultz" (I see nothing" etc).

While you might also see me call my critics here "Festus", to infer that I believe them to be crude and uneducated.
In none of these instances do we believe the scripted character has come alive, it's just cognitive shorthand.

stevea · 10-26-2021, 10:13 AM

I'll acknowledge we (or I, I should use first person) really get into favorite shows.

And some might go a little overboard. I suppose you could say it's an unintended compliment to the actors. I remember reading or hearing about people getting so into soap operas, if they see a villain character on the street they start name calling--"Hey, it's just a part I'm playing!"

One thing that goes a little over the top is old debates on Darrin 1 and Darrin 2 for Bewitched. It's just a TV show FCOL!

Mr. Television · 11-08-2021, 06:34 PM

Samantha isn't real?

Foggy · 11-08-2021, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cbalducc

In the time I have been subscribed to Sitcoms Online, I have encountered comments from people who seem to believe that the characters on shows are real people. For example, Darrin and Samantha actually exist and are not characters created by sitcom writers. I understand some people are not capable of knowing the difference, or have such miserable lives that retreating into fantasy is their only way of finding happiness.

I guess the next thing you will be telling us --- is SANTA CLAUS

and the EASTER BUNNY aren't real?

(I'm sorry --- I just couldn't resist!

Foggy · 11-08-2021, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cbalducc

In the time I have been subscribed to Sitcoms Online, I have encountered comments from people who seem to believe that the characters on shows are real people. For example, Darrin and Samantha actually exist and are not characters created by sitcom writers. I understand some people are not capable of knowing the difference, or have such miserable lives that retreating into fantasy is their only way of finding happiness.

By the way:

aboard

10-25-2021, 11:04 AM	#1
Cbalducc Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 09, 2020 Location: Mississippi Posts: 139	Reality v. fantasy on Sitcoms Online In the time I have been subscribed to Sitcoms Online, I have encountered comments from people who seem to believe that the characters on shows are real people. For example, Darrin and Samantha actually exist and are not characters created by sitcom writers. I understand some people are not capable of knowing the difference, or have such miserable lives that retreating into fantasy is their only way of finding happiness.

11-08-2021, 06:34 PM	#7
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,128	Samantha isn't real?
	__________________ Sonny

10-25-2021, 04:03 PM	#4
HuntingtonM15 That Bothers Me Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jun 20, 2003 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 11,060	I can't personally recall seeing anyone on these forums act as if TV characters are real, but I know it does happen elsewhere. I've heard stories, especially from soap opera actors, who have had run-ins with disgruntled fans who are upset at them for something their character did. When a show is on as frequently as soaps are, I guess some fans get so invested in it that it does become real life to them.

10-26-2021, 07:50 AM	#5
GentlemanJim Concerns, Support, & Feedback Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 26, 2019 Location: The back country Posts: 5,443	One other aspect that I feel deserves recognition, you might be witnessing a metaphoric reference. For example, in the real life instance where I run into a cop who is obviously insecure, but all too willing to use his perceived authority to "make up" for his other short comings, I'll refer to those cops as a "Barney Fife type". Whereas you might also have a person in a position of authority who could use that to cause trouble, but instead uses their power to make problems go away, you might call them "sergeant Shultz" (I see nothing" etc). While you might also see me call my critics here "Festus", to infer that I believe them to be crude and uneducated. In none of these instances do we believe the scripted character has come alive, it's just cognitive shorthand.

10-26-2021, 10:13 AM	#6
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,491	I'll acknowledge we (or I, I should use first person) really get into favorite shows. And some might go a little overboard. I suppose you could say it's an unintended compliment to the actors. I remember reading or hearing about people getting so into soap operas, if they see a villain character on the street they start name calling--"Hey, it's just a part I'm playing!" One thing that goes a little over the top is old debates on Darrin 1 and Darrin 2 for Bewitched. It's just a TV show FCOL!