The Use of Extras - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

west01 · 12-02-2001, 04:07 PM

Has anyone else noticed how the "extras" Family Ties uses have come onto the show more than once as different characters? For example, the other night Elyse's family went to the Keatons and Cousin Marv showed up and he was someone else's kid in 4 rms ocn vu. Also, when Nick gets a job at the shoe store, he has this boss who also appears in another episode dealing with Alex, as a different person and job.. I have been watching FT since it came to Nick at Nite and have only noticed those 2, and there are probably more of them

SpinCT · 12-02-2001, 04:14 PM

And there's also a guy who played one of Mal's boyfriend and Young Steven!

Mcfly · 12-02-2001, 04:19 PM

I think they're actually "guest stars" not extras, but I think we know what you mean.

Yep, I've totally noticed it on "Ties" and several other shows. The producers will remember a certain guest star if they did a good job, and use them in another capacity. The flaw was that us the viewers weren't oblivious to it and it ends up looking strange. Your examples were perfect, Marv Jr. (Chunk from "The Goonies) was the bratty "tenant" in that ep. where the kids rent the rooms of the house. Then Nick's boss at the shoe store also appeared as the kitchen decorator. Alex and Elise auto shop teacher also applied as their housekeeper, and so on.

12-02-2001, 04:07 PM	#1
west01 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 20, 2001 Posts: 102	The Use of Extras Has anyone else noticed how the "extras" Family Ties uses have come onto the show more than once as different characters? For example, the other night Elyse's family went to the Keatons and Cousin Marv showed up and he was someone else's kid in 4 rms ocn vu. Also, when Nick gets a job at the shoe store, he has this boss who also appears in another episode dealing with Alex, as a different person and job.. I have been watching FT since it came to Nick at Nite and have only noticed those 2, and there are probably more of them

12-02-2001, 04:14 PM	#2
SpinCT MICHAEL J. FOX ROCKS Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 02, 2001 Posts: 296	And there's also a guy who played one of Mal's boyfriend and Young Steven!

12-02-2001, 04:19 PM	#3
Mcfly Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 06, 2001 Location: ca Posts: 374	I think they're actually "guest stars" not extras, but I think we know what you mean. Yep, I've totally noticed it on "Ties" and several other shows. The producers will remember a certain guest star if they did a good job, and use them in another capacity. The flaw was that us the viewers weren't oblivious to it and it ends up looking strange. Your examples were perfect, Marv Jr. (Chunk from "The Goonies) was the bratty "tenant" in that ep. where the kids rent the rooms of the house. Then Nick's boss at the shoe store also appeared as the kitchen decorator. Alex and Elise auto shop teacher also applied as their housekeeper, and so on.