Bulldog.... The Fallen Character - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

barwars · 12-19-2003, 11:48 PM

What ever happened to Bulldog??
Does he still work at KACL??
Ive kinda missed seasons 2-8. So.... a little clearing up would help. (Ive seen every episode of Seasons 1 and 11.... and most of 9 and 10) (but only about 10 total from other seasons)

Valma · 12-20-2003, 11:32 AM

Here's an idea - Go to the transcripts site and read for yourself what has happened between Season 2 and 8. You are missing a lot of information on all the characters and what has happened to them over the years. Here's the link -

http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Derby/3267/

(you will have to copy and paste it in the address box, but it is a fabulous Frasier resource, so it is *well* worth the small amount of effort it takes to do this :-)) )

As for Bulldog: in a nutshell - he was fired because of low ratings in Season 6, worked as a pizza delivery boy and Roz's babysitter in Season 7 and showed up again a KACL working "joe" jobs (archivist and clean up boy working many in the station's basement, running errands for Kenny etc.) in Season 9 where he has remained (he was seen at Roz's goodbye dinner).

This absence is really due to the fact that Dan Butler is *very* involved in live theatre now (writing, directing and acting) and has little time for other projects. So don't expect too much Bulldog during this last season.

Brian Damage · 12-20-2003, 12:15 PM

Buldog was a great character, it's kind of a shame that he's not around much anymore. The same can be said for Frasier's agent Bebe.

Valma · 12-20-2003, 01:45 PM

Well, personally I think exit of the Bulldog character from "Frasier" was timely. I think they had gone as far as they could with that character, without changing him into something he wasn't meant to be. I fully applaud the writers and showrunners allowing the main characters to grow and subtly change over the years, but not the minor characters (like Bulldog, Noel, Simon or Bebe etc.) especially if it affects the major characters personalities.

I didn't like that they hinted at a "sensitive" Bulldog who was actually in love with Roz and wanted her to reciprocate. That just was too much of a drastic change in Bulldog, Roz and the show. Luckily they haven't attempted to do the same with Bebe, Simon, Noel or Kenny. All the static characters like Bulldog should be used sparingly to be most effective - they are absurd foils for the main characters to bounce off of. They shouldn't be three dimensional characters (like the main characters) - they are supposed to be very much two dimensional entities.

If you want to change their status and make them into main characters then it would be acceptable - but you also run the risk of upsetting the balance of the entire show. Sometimes it is successful, but more often than not it is a very dangerous move, which confuses the viewers and destroys the fan base.

So, when Bulldog left (and only has been seen sporadically since) it made me sigh a bit with relief - and the occasional appearance of Dan Butler has been a nice little treat (but like any treat, it shouldn't be overdone). :-))

Tourmaline · 12-20-2003, 04:02 PM

Bulldog has always been one of my favourite characters...we need to see him once more before the show ends for good

barwars · 12-20-2003, 04:04 PM

But there's something that you've seem to have forgotten Valma (that I didnt even know about when I first starting watching the show).... Bulldog WAS a regular character in a couple of the middle seasons. 4-8 I think.
So thats why I think that he should return. (and the rest of the KACL gang)

Valma · 12-20-2003, 05:32 PM

I haven't forgotten anything :-)) - my point was that Bulldog was a *minor* character IMO (even if he was on the show on a regular basis and given a more special status than the other minor characters, he was still definitely a secondary character).
:-)) I never considered him one of the major characters on the show (and thus by that definition indespensible) and I didn't really like it when they started to try and create a "deeper" side to him (it was inconsistent with his minor character status and didn't work IMO). His loss isn't really significant as far as I am concerned.

If he came in for one (or even two) episodes I have no objections at all (like I said - in small doses Bulldog is just fine - even a real treat), but if he didn't, it wouldn't be any great loss either. I suppose if Dan Butler's schedule would allow it, he would be game to do it and the rest of the cast and crew of the show would be too.

barwars · 12-20-2003, 05:37 PM

Even though he is a secondary character....
throughout Seasons 4-8.... Dan Butler was a regular character on the show. He wasn't a guest star.... and I wasnt aware of this.... and Im not sure many people are.

Valma · 12-20-2003, 05:58 PM

If you ever get to see those seasons you missed (or read about them on the transcripts site) you might have a better idea of the scope of the Bulldog character. And "regular" is a relative term - yes, he was on frequently, but he wasn't on every programme nor was his role significant in any way - sometimes it was only a joke or two and he was gone. :-))

barwars · 12-20-2003, 06:13 PM

The transcripts arent working.
But Bulldog WAS a regular from episode 74 to episode 144.
I got this information from tvtome.com.

Meaning that from the second episode of Season 3.... to the finale episode of Season 6.... the cast of Frasier consisted of....

Kelsey Grammer as Frasier Crane
David Hyde Pierce as Niles Crane
Peri Gilpin as Roz Doyle
Jane Leeves as Daphne Moon
Dan Butler as Bob "Bulldog" Briscoe
and
John Mahoney as Martin Crane

barwars · 12-20-2003, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by barwars88
The transcripts arent working.
But Bulldog WAS a regular from episode 74 to episode 144.
I got this information from tvtome.com.

Meaning that from the second episode of Season 3.... to the finale episode of Season 6.... the cast of Frasier consisted of....

Kelsey Grammer as Frasier Crane
David Hyde Pierce as Niles Crane
Peri Gilpin as Roz Doyle
Jane Leeves as Daphne Moon
Dan Butler as Bob "Bulldog" Briscoe
and
John Mahoney as Martin Crane

and of course.... Moose as Eddie.

Valma · 12-20-2003, 07:11 PM

I'm NOT arguing that he *wasn't* a regular on the show - just that he didn't have a *major* role and wasn't one of the *main* characters on Frasier (so his personality wasn't as fully developed like Niles, Frasier, Daphne, Martin or even Roz). He wasn't a three dimensional character with fully developed traits and shades of gray - he was a two dimensional character at best (and personally, he seemed *really* flat to me - that got old really fast). When they hinted at doing more than that with the character, it failed (for *me* at least) and when he left I didn't find it made that big of difference to my vision of the show. When he returned for the occasional guest appearance in the later seasons it was perfectly fine for me - he's interesting in *small* doses. :-)

I *know* he was on the show for many episodes - I have watched them all many, *many* times! :-))

Brian Damage · 12-21-2003, 03:49 PM

I do hope he comes back at least one more time.

Valma · 12-21-2003, 04:05 PM

I'm sure if Dan Butler's schedule can allow it, you will see Bulldog one more time. But there isn't some grand scheme to ignore the character - it's just more in likely, real life interfering with our
"fictional Frasier world" . :-)

Brian Damage · 12-21-2003, 04:09 PM

I understand

12-19-2003, 11:48 PM	#1
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	Bulldog.... The Fallen Character What ever happened to Bulldog?? Does he still work at KACL?? Ive kinda missed seasons 2-8. So.... a little clearing up would help. (Ive seen every episode of Seasons 1 and 11.... and most of 9 and 10) (but only about 10 total from other seasons)

12-20-2003, 11:32 AM	#2
Valma Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 09, 2002 Posts: 95	Here's an idea - Go to the transcripts site and read for yourself what has happened between Season 2 and 8. You are missing a lot of information on all the characters and what has happened to them over the years. Here's the link - http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Derby/3267/ (you will have to copy and paste it in the address box, but it is a fabulous Frasier resource, so it is well worth the small amount of effort it takes to do this :-)) ) As for Bulldog: in a nutshell - he was fired because of low ratings in Season 6, worked as a pizza delivery boy and Roz's babysitter in Season 7 and showed up again a KACL working "joe" jobs (archivist and clean up boy working many in the station's basement, running errands for Kenny etc.) in Season 9 where he has remained (he was seen at Roz's goodbye dinner). This absence is really due to the fact that Dan Butler is very involved in live theatre now (writing, directing and acting) and has little time for other projects. So don't expect too much Bulldog during this last season.

12-20-2003, 12:15 PM	#3
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Buldog was a great character, it's kind of a shame that he's not around much anymore. The same can be said for Frasier's agent Bebe.

12-20-2003, 01:45 PM	#4
Valma Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 09, 2002 Posts: 95	Well, personally I think exit of the Bulldog character from "Frasier" was timely. I think they had gone as far as they could with that character, without changing him into something he wasn't meant to be. I fully applaud the writers and showrunners allowing the main characters to grow and subtly change over the years, but not the minor characters (like Bulldog, Noel, Simon or Bebe etc.) especially if it affects the major characters personalities. I didn't like that they hinted at a "sensitive" Bulldog who was actually in love with Roz and wanted her to reciprocate. That just was too much of a drastic change in Bulldog, Roz and the show. Luckily they haven't attempted to do the same with Bebe, Simon, Noel or Kenny. All the static characters like Bulldog should be used sparingly to be most effective - they are absurd foils for the main characters to bounce off of. They shouldn't be three dimensional characters (like the main characters) - they are supposed to be very much two dimensional entities. If you want to change their status and make them into main characters then it would be acceptable - but you also run the risk of upsetting the balance of the entire show. Sometimes it is successful, but more often than not it is a very dangerous move, which confuses the viewers and destroys the fan base. So, when Bulldog left (and only has been seen sporadically since) it made me sigh a bit with relief - and the occasional appearance of Dan Butler has been a nice little treat (but like any treat, it shouldn't be overdone). :-))

12-20-2003, 04:02 PM	#5
Tourmaline Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 10, 2002 Location: West Midlands, UK Posts: 71	Bulldog has always been one of my favourite characters...we need to see him once more before the show ends for good

12-20-2003, 04:04 PM	#6
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	But there's something that you've seem to have forgotten Valma (that I didnt even know about when I first starting watching the show).... Bulldog WAS a regular character in a couple of the middle seasons. 4-8 I think. So thats why I think that he should return. (and the rest of the KACL gang)

12-20-2003, 05:32 PM	#7
Valma Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 09, 2002 Posts: 95	I haven't forgotten anything :-)) - my point was that Bulldog was a minor character IMO (even if he was on the show on a regular basis and given a more special status than the other minor characters, he was still definitely a secondary character). :-)) I never considered him one of the major characters on the show (and thus by that definition indespensible) and I didn't really like it when they started to try and create a "deeper" side to him (it was inconsistent with his minor character status and didn't work IMO). His loss isn't really significant as far as I am concerned. If he came in for one (or even two) episodes I have no objections at all (like I said - in small doses Bulldog is just fine - even a real treat), but if he didn't, it wouldn't be any great loss either. I suppose if Dan Butler's schedule would allow it, he would be game to do it and the rest of the cast and crew of the show would be too.

12-20-2003, 05:37 PM	#8
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	Even though he is a secondary character.... throughout Seasons 4-8.... Dan Butler was a regular character on the show. He wasn't a guest star.... and I wasnt aware of this.... and Im not sure many people are.

12-20-2003, 05:58 PM	#9
Valma Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 09, 2002 Posts: 95	If you ever get to see those seasons you missed (or read about them on the transcripts site) you might have a better idea of the scope of the Bulldog character. And "regular" is a relative term - yes, he was on frequently, but he wasn't on every programme nor was his role significant in any way - sometimes it was only a joke or two and he was gone. :-))

12-20-2003, 06:13 PM	#10
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	The transcripts arent working. But Bulldog WAS a regular from episode 74 to episode 144. I got this information from tvtome.com. Meaning that from the second episode of Season 3.... to the finale episode of Season 6.... the cast of Frasier consisted of.... Kelsey Grammer as Frasier Crane David Hyde Pierce as Niles Crane Peri Gilpin as Roz Doyle Jane Leeves as Daphne Moon Dan Butler as Bob "Bulldog" Briscoe and John Mahoney as Martin Crane

12-20-2003, 07:11 PM	#12
Valma Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 09, 2002 Posts: 95	I'm NOT arguing that he wasn't a regular on the show - just that he didn't have a major role and wasn't one of the main characters on Frasier (so his personality wasn't as fully developed like Niles, Frasier, Daphne, Martin or even Roz). He wasn't a three dimensional character with fully developed traits and shades of gray - he was a two dimensional character at best (and personally, he seemed really flat to me - that got old really fast). When they hinted at doing more than that with the character, it failed (for me at least) and when he left I didn't find it made that big of difference to my vision of the show. When he returned for the occasional guest appearance in the later seasons it was perfectly fine for me - he's interesting in small doses. :-) I know he was on the show for many episodes - I have watched them all many, many times! :-))

12-21-2003, 03:49 PM	#13
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	I do hope he comes back at least one more time.

12-21-2003, 04:05 PM	#14
Valma Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 09, 2002 Posts: 95	I'm sure if Dan Butler's schedule can allow it, you will see Bulldog one more time. But there isn't some grand scheme to ignore the character - it's just more in likely, real life interfering with our "fictional Frasier world" . :-)

12-21-2003, 04:09 PM	#15
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	I understand

Stream all episodes of Frasier now exclusively on Paramount+. Try it FREE!