The De-Evolution of Certain Sitcom Characters - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Adamantium · 08-08-2003, 04:16 PM

What are some characters that never really evolved as the show went on, or seemed to just get worse. I'll start off with a few.

(1). Al Bundy - He loved Peggy in the beginning, but by the end of the run, couldn't stand her. Also his love towards his kids changed as well. If you go from the last episode to the first, like I did, then you can definately tell the difference.

(2). Steve Urkel - He was 21 years old and his voice hadn't changed yet!

(3). Matthew Brock - He started "NewsRadio" as just a sensetive nerd. But by the end of the show, they made him a dumb freak.

(4). Eric Matthews - He started as Cory's cool older brother, but was turned to ultra dumb as the show went on.

Any others?

Sitcomwriter · 08-08-2003, 04:21 PM

Joey Tribianni-He started as a "Cool, Italian Ladies' man".Now he's the token dumb Italian guy.He was never stupid in the beginning, He was a leather jacket wearing cool guy.

Penny Lane · 08-08-2003, 04:54 PM

Mark on Roseanne turned from a cool bad boy into a real idiot!I hated what they did to his character!

Impressions · 08-08-2003, 05:34 PM

Chrissy Snow - During the first three seasons she was sophisticated and attractive but then her image changed and she was a scatter brain.

Jo Polniaczek - She started as a streetwise tomboy from the Bronx but during the last few seasons she had lost her image and she was kinder to Blair.

benjamoon · 08-08-2003, 05:40 PM

Potsie Webber: Dorky, but funny friend of Richie Cunningham to pointless character who sang boring songs

donald snl · 08-08-2003, 06:00 PM

fonzie in the first season mabye even season2 he was brodding at times he was even almost unlikable but after that espally after riche left he woulint hurt a fly e he

JT · 08-08-2003, 06:01 PM

Mel Sharples, "Alice" - In the beginning he was a tough but lovable cheapskate. Then they kinda made him lose the tough part. He became more of a softie. As a matter of fact, it was joked about in one episode...

Alice: So what will it be, Henry?
Henry: How about some coffee and a cream puff.
Alice: You know we don't have cream puffs here!
Henry: Then what is that standing behind the counter? *points at Mel*

Penny Lane · 08-08-2003, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by benjamoon
Potsie Webber: Dorky, but funny friend of Richie Cunningham to pointless character who sang boring songs

Right! SHUT UP Potsie!

Czas na Zywiec · 08-08-2003, 07:43 PM

I think the biggest example is Homer Simpson. At the begining of the series, he was just the loveable dad who had a dumb thought every once in a while. He actually cared about his wife and kids, and his job. Now, he's dumber than an old, discarded pizza box, he could care less about the kids as well as his wife (To give up a nice, big house with a wife and three kids to move into a condo with two strange men...?!? What was that?) and his job. Come to think of it, Burns isn't the old, cruel man he used to be. Maybe just the whole town of Springfield was hit with those flying 'brains' from Futurama. [You had to see 'The Day The Earth Stood Stupid' to know what I mean.

]

Chad22 · 08-08-2003, 08:31 PM

Chachi On Happy Days started out as kind of a Smart Allicky kid that always got in trouble and tried to scam people. Than around the Middle of the 7th season he toned down alot, Became nicer and More Mature.

*PinkLady* · 08-08-2003, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TVAdam
(4). Eric Matthews - He started as Cory's cool older brother, but was turned to ultra dumb as the show went on.

A lot of people on Boy Meets World were dumbed down at some point, especially Cory and Topanga.

hawaii five-o · 08-09-2003, 01:55 PM

Jackie on "Roseanne" started out as probably the best character on the show. She had a hard shell, but was vulnerable. By the last season, she acted like she had brain damage. During the episode where they won the lottery, she was asked what she was going to buy with her share of the winnings, and she said, "Shiny red convertable" and made a "Vroom, Vroom" noise. A sad ending to a once great character.

Penny Lane · 08-09-2003, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hawaii five-o
Jackie on "Roseanne" started out as probably the best character on the show. She had a hard shell, but was vulnerable. By the last season, she acted like she had brain damage. During the episode where they won the lottery, she was asked what she was going to buy with her share of the winnings, and she said, "Shiny red convertable" and made a "Vroom, Vroom" noise. A sad ending to a once great character.

I agree so much with you! Jackie is one of my all time favorite sitcom characters and she along with the males of the cast were reduced to morons!

Kitt · 08-09-2003, 09:05 PM

Harris on Barney Miller. He went from a cliche jive-talking black guy to smart and witty, with none of that overdone "black-guy" accent.

Wojo on Barney Miller. He went from a gum chewing, dumb talking Jock/Polack or something, to a sensitive, lost the gum, clear-eyed guy with impressive good sense.

Nanny Fine · 08-09-2003, 09:31 PM

Rachel Green on "FRIENDS".

She started out a spoiled rich little daddy's girl until she went out on her own (and found her magic beans!

).

She went from working as a (terrible) waitress at the coffee house to the designing exec she now is. Self sufficient, a mom, etc.

She's a great example, I think, of a GOOD character evolution.

On the same show I think they've made Monica so incredibly neurotic it's not even funny. I still love the show, love Monica, but her cleanliness obsession has gotten worse over the years.

08-08-2003, 04:16 PM	#1
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,839	The De-Evolution of Certain Sitcom Characters What are some characters that never really evolved as the show went on, or seemed to just get worse. I'll start off with a few. (1). Al Bundy - He loved Peggy in the beginning, but by the end of the run, couldn't stand her. Also his love towards his kids changed as well. If you go from the last episode to the first, like I did, then you can definately tell the difference. (2). Steve Urkel - He was 21 years old and his voice hadn't changed yet! (3). Matthew Brock - He started "NewsRadio" as just a sensetive nerd. But by the end of the show, they made him a dumb freak. (4). Eric Matthews - He started as Cory's cool older brother, but was turned to ultra dumb as the show went on. Any others?

08-08-2003, 04:54 PM	#3
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 51,261	Mark on Roseanne turned from a cool bad boy into a real idiot!I hated what they did to his character! Attached Images
	__________________ Vulgarity is no substitute for wit- Lady Violet Crawley

08-08-2003, 05:40 PM	#5
benjamoon Bewitched Senior Member Join Date: Jun 15, 2000 Location: New York Posts: 1,450	Potsie Webber: Dorky, but funny friend of Richie Cunningham to pointless character who sang boring songs
	__________________ My Blog: http://benjamonsterstv.blogspot.com/ My Site: peaktvdatabase.weebly.com My favorite TV shows: Bewitched, I Love Lucy, American Dreams, Mary Tyler Moore, The Office, Happy Days, The West Wing, Modern Family, Friday Night Lights, Friends, Mad Men, Parks and Recreation, and Parenthood

08-08-2003, 06:01 PM	#7
JT Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 29, 2001 Location: USA Posts: 7,223	Mel Sharples, "Alice" - In the beginning he was a tough but lovable cheapskate. Then they kinda made him lose the tough part. He became more of a softie. As a matter of fact, it was joked about in one episode... Alice: So what will it be, Henry? Henry: How about some coffee and a cream puff. Alice: You know we don't have cream puffs here! Henry: Then what is that standing behind the counter? points at Mel
	__________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrEbJBFWIPk

08-09-2003, 09:31 PM	#15
Nanny Fine Justine and Holden.. Senior Member Join Date: Jan 01, 2003 Location: Watching The Ellen Degeneres Show and luvin' it Posts: 2,852	Rachel Green on "FRIENDS". She started out a spoiled rich little daddy's girl until she went out on her own (and found her magic beans! ). She went from working as a (terrible) waitress at the coffee house to the designing exec she now is. Self sufficient, a mom, etc. She's a great example, I think, of a GOOD character evolution. On the same show I think they've made Monica so incredibly neurotic it's not even funny. I still love the show, love Monica, but her cleanliness obsession has gotten worse over the years.
	__________________ * How it all came down to this, only the Devil knows. Retail Rodeo is at the corner on my left. The motel is down the road to my right. I close my eyes and try to peer into the future. On my left, I saw days upon days of lipstick and ticking clocks, dirty looks and quiet whisperings. And burning secrets that just won't ever die away. And on my right, what could I picture? The blue sky, the desert earth, stretching out into the eerie infinity. A beautiful never-ending nothing. ~Justine, "The Good Girl" * Bush for President!

08-08-2003, 04:21 PM	#2
Sitcomwriter Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 27, 2001 Posts: 7,356	Joey Tribianni-He started as a "Cool, Italian Ladies' man".Now he's the token dumb Italian guy.He was never stupid in the beginning, He was a leather jacket wearing cool guy.

08-08-2003, 05:34 PM	#4
Impressions She died the way she lived Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 08, 2002 Posts: 4,640	Chrissy Snow - During the first three seasons she was sophisticated and attractive but then her image changed and she was a scatter brain. Jo Polniaczek - She started as a streetwise tomboy from the Bronx but during the last few seasons she had lost her image and she was kinder to Blair.

08-08-2003, 06:00 PM	#6
donald snl Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 06, 2003 Posts: 456	fonzie in the first season mabye even season2 he was brodding at times he was even almost unlikable but after that espally after riche left he woulint hurt a fly e he

08-08-2003, 07:43 PM	#9
Czas na Zywiec what up Forum Star Join Date: Jun 28, 2001 Location: Southwest Side, Chicago Posts: 18,398	I think the biggest example is Homer Simpson. At the begining of the series, he was just the loveable dad who had a dumb thought every once in a while. He actually cared about his wife and kids, and his job. Now, he's dumber than an old, discarded pizza box, he could care less about the kids as well as his wife (To give up a nice, big house with a wife and three kids to move into a condo with two strange men...?!? What was that?) and his job. Come to think of it, Burns isn't the old, cruel man he used to be. Maybe just the whole town of Springfield was hit with those flying 'brains' from Futurama. [You had to see 'The Day The Earth Stood Stupid' to know what I mean. ]

08-08-2003, 08:31 PM	#10
Chad22 Captain Juke N Jive Moderator Forum Addict Join Date: Nov 23, 2002 Location: Caribou, Maine Posts: 71,661	Chachi On Happy Days started out as kind of a Smart Allicky kid that always got in trouble and tried to scam people. Than around the Middle of the 7th season he toned down alot, Became nicer and More Mature.

08-09-2003, 01:55 PM	#12
hawaii five-o Book 'Em, Dano Senior Member Join Date: Jun 27, 2003 Location: At home, eating cereal straight out of the box Posts: 1,406	Jackie on "Roseanne" started out as probably the best character on the show. She had a hard shell, but was vulnerable. By the last season, she acted like she had brain damage. During the episode where they won the lottery, she was asked what she was going to buy with her share of the winnings, and she said, "Shiny red convertable" and made a "Vroom, Vroom" noise. A sad ending to a once great character.

08-09-2003, 09:05 PM	#14
Kitt James Dean Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 16, 2001 Location: California Dreamin' Posts: 6,115	Harris on Barney Miller. He went from a cliche jive-talking black guy to smart and witty, with none of that overdone "black-guy" accent. Wojo on Barney Miller. He went from a gum chewing, dumb talking Jock/Polack or something, to a sensitive, lost the gum, clear-eyed guy with impressive good sense.