A Day in the Limelight: Difference between revisions

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Expect the rest of the regular cast to chip in a [[Mandatory Line]] at the very least, however. Often this might be a tradition for the series, highlighting a specific character [[Once a Season]].
Expect the rest of the regular cast to chip in a [[Mandatory Line]] at the very least, however. Often this might be a tradition for the series, highlighting a specific character [[Once a Season]].


A [[Sub Trope]] to [[Supporting Protagonist]], a [[Super Trope]] to [[The Greatest Story Never Told]].
A [[Sub-Trope]] to [[Supporting Protagonist]], a [[Super-Trope]] to [[The Greatest Story Never Told]].


[[Hostile Show Takeover]] is the most extreme version.
[[Hostile Show Takeover]] is the most extreme version.
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* Three of the ''[[Slayers]]'' ''Special'' novels (the prequel stories set before the main series) feature stand-alone stories centering around [[Red Headed Heroine|Lina's]] bodyguard [[Idiot Hero|Gourry]], the princess [[Royals Who Actually Do Something|Amelia,]] and the chimera Zelgadiss.
* Three of the ''[[Slayers]]'' ''Special'' novels (the prequel stories set before the main series) feature stand-alone stories centering around [[Red Headed Heroine|Lina's]] bodyguard [[Idiot Hero|Gourry]], the princess [[Royals Who Actually Do Something|Amelia,]] and the chimera Zelgadiss.
* ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh]]'': Seto Kaiba got an entire ''arc'' (half a season) in the limelight- the Virtual Nightmare Arc that explored his [[Backstory]] and featured a face-off with his step-father. Too bad it [[Overtook the Manga|didn't happen in the manga]].
* ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh]]'': Seto Kaiba got an entire ''arc'' (half a season) in the limelight- the Virtual Nightmare Arc that explored his [[Backstory]] and featured a face-off with his step-father. Too bad it [[Overtook the Manga|didn't happen in the manga]].
** Common in ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh GX]]'': In Season 1, Manjyome got his own episode and an abridged [[The Hero's Journey|Heroic Journey]] at the North School. Kaiser got his own episode (culminating in his [[Freak Out]]) in Season 2, and Sho stepped into the spotlight once in Season 3.
** Common in ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh GX]]'': In Season 1, Manjyome got his own episode and an abridged [[The Hero's Journey|Heroic Journey]] at the North School. Kaiser got his own episode (culminating in his [[Freak-Out]]) in Season 2, and Sho stepped into the spotlight once in Season 3.
* Sometimes, ''[[Tokyo Mew Mew]]'' padded out its episode count by recycling scripts for different characters. For example, Minto and Zakuro both got [[Ten Minute Retirement]] episodes. It also occasionally had episodes more or less focused on relatively minor characters -- such as Keiichiro and [[Robot Buddy|Masha]].
* Sometimes, ''[[Tokyo Mew Mew]]'' padded out its episode count by recycling scripts for different characters. For example, Minto and Zakuro both got [[Ten Minute Retirement]] episodes. It also occasionally had episodes more or less focused on relatively minor characters -- such as Keiichiro and [[Robot Buddy|Masha]].
* ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist (Manga)|Fullmetal Alchemist]]'' spent one episode focusing on the travails of Roy Mustang and his five aides (and [http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb161/NGR_album/fma_37_07.jpg Black Hayate]).
* ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist (Manga)|Fullmetal Alchemist]]'' spent one episode focusing on the travails of Roy Mustang and his five aides (and [http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb161/NGR_album/fma_37_07.jpg Black Hayate]).
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* In the ''[[Mass Effect]]'' self-insert [[Mass Vexations (Fanfic)|Mass Vexations]], [[Author Avatar]] Art gets the entire story to himself... until chapter 17, which is told entirely from the point of view of Tali, who had just become his [[Secret Keeper]] at that point in the story.
* In the ''[[Mass Effect]]'' self-insert [[Mass Vexations (Fanfic)|Mass Vexations]], [[Author Avatar]] Art gets the entire story to himself... until chapter 17, which is told entirely from the point of view of Tali, who had just become his [[Secret Keeper]] at that point in the story.
* There's a person somewhere that's made a detailed backstory for [[Donkey Kong|Pauline]] of all people. Family, profession and what else she does when she's not the [[Damsel in Distress]]...
* There's a person somewhere that's made a detailed backstory for [[Donkey Kong|Pauline]] of all people. Family, profession and what else she does when she's not the [[Damsel in Distress]]...
* In [[Kyon Big Damn Hero (Fanfic)|Kyon Big Damn Hero]], Koizumi gets a boost to his powers and gets to defeat a inter-dimensional robot by himself.
* In [[Kyon: Big Damn Hero (Fanfic)|Kyon Big Damn Hero]], Koizumi gets a boost to his powers and gets to defeat a inter-dimensional robot by himself.
* In the [[Fan Fic/Hooker Verse|Hooker Verse]], the [[Original Character]] club-girls have all got a fic to themselves to deepen their characters. This practice started with "the stars have all faded here", which took a look at Stacey, who had only before been a woman who had a really big crush on [[The Angry Video Game Nerd (Web Video)|The Angry Video Game Nerd]].
* In the [[Fan Fic/Hooker Verse|Hooker Verse]], the [[Original Character]] club-girls have all got a fic to themselves to deepen their characters. This practice started with "the stars have all faded here", which took a look at Stacey, who had only before been a woman who had a really big crush on [[The Angry Video Game Nerd (Web Video)|The Angry Video Game Nerd]].
* [http://www.fanfiction.net/s/718445/1/A_Day_and_Night_in_Clock_Town "A Day and Night in Clock Town"]: Someone wrote a ''[[The Legend of Zelda Majoras Mask|Majora's Mask]]'' fic that follows seven [[NPC|NPCs]] around for twenty-four hours, [[Backstory|six months before Link shows up]]. The group includes Kafei, Anju, Cremia, and Grog; the other three don't have names in the game itself but are recognizable by their clothing, occupation, etc.
* [http://www.fanfiction.net/s/718445/1/A_Day_and_Night_in_Clock_Town "A Day and Night in Clock Town"]: Someone wrote a ''[[The Legend of Zelda Majoras Mask|Majora's Mask]]'' fic that follows seven [[NPC|NPCs]] around for twenty-four hours, [[Backstory|six months before Link shows up]]. The group includes Kafei, Anju, Cremia, and Grog; the other three don't have names in the game itself but are recognizable by their clothing, occupation, etc.
* ''[[The Ollivander Children (Fanfic)|The Ollivander Children]]'' gives Mr. Ollivander, the mysterious and little-seen wandmaker, more screen time -- although really most of the action is taken up by OC's.
* ''[[The Ollivander Children (Fanfic)|The Ollivander Children]]'' gives Mr. Ollivander, the mysterious and little-seen wandmaker, more screen time -- although really most of the action is taken up by OC's.
* ''[[Ultimate Sleepwalker (Fanfic)|Ultimate Sleepwalker: The New Dreams]]'' takes an unusual twist with this trope in that the action has occasionally focused on [[Spider-Man]] rather than on Sleepwalker. The reason it's unusual is that subverting [[Popularity Power]] and [[C List Fodder]] is one of the hallmarks of the series, giving second-stringers the spotlight and relegating A-listers to guest star appearances.
* ''[[Ultimate Sleepwalker (Fanfic)|Ultimate Sleepwalker: The New Dreams]]'' takes an unusual twist with this trope in that the action has occasionally focused on [[Spider-Man]] rather than on Sleepwalker. The reason it's unusual is that subverting [[Popularity Power]] and [[C List Fodder]] is one of the hallmarks of the series, giving second-stringers the spotlight and relegating A-listers to guest star appearances.
* The [[Periphery Demographic]] of ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic (Animation)|My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic]]'' loves writing fanfic about side characters (like [[Big Good|Princess Celestia]] or Applejack's brother Big Macintosh), one-shot characters (like Trixie from "Boast Busters", Photo Finish from "Green Isn't Your Color", or Prince Blueblood from "The Best Night Ever") or even [[Recurring Extra|background characters]] (like Ditzy Doo/Derpy Hooves or [[Doctor Who (TV)|Doctor Whooves]]). A few wiseacres have even written fics about ''[[Companion Cube|inanimate objects]]'', like Bloomberg the tree from "Over a Barrel" and Tom the rock from "Return of Harmony, Part 2".
* The [[Periphery Demographic]] of ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic (Animation)|My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic]]'' loves writing fanfic about side characters (like [[Big Good|Princess Celestia]] or Applejack's brother Big Macintosh), one-shot characters (like Trixie from "Boast Busters", Photo Finish from "Green Isn't Your Color", or Prince Blueblood from "The Best Night Ever") or even [[Recurring Extra|background characters]] (like Ditzy Doo/Derpy Hooves or [[Doctor Who|Doctor Whooves]]). A few wiseacres have even written fics about ''[[Companion Cube|inanimate objects]]'', like Bloomberg the tree from "Over a Barrel" and Tom the rock from "Return of Harmony, Part 2".
* Happens in a [[Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Abridged Series (Web Video)|Yu-Gi-Oh the Abridged Series]] fanfiction, [[Decks Fall Everyone Dies (Fanfic)|Decks Fall,]] [http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6474469/1/Decks_Fall_Everyone_Dies Everyone Dies], where Tristan and a few other secondary characters get to be in the spotlight.
* Happens in a [[Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Abridged Series (Web Video)|Yu-Gi-Oh the Abridged Series]] fanfiction, [[Decks Fall Everyone Dies (Fanfic)|Decks Fall,]] [http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6474469/1/Decks_Fall_Everyone_Dies Everyone Dies], where Tristan and a few other secondary characters get to be in the spotlight.
* In [[Keepers of the Elements (Fanfic)|Keepers of the Elements]], the [[Passing the Torch|Old Keepers]] get two chapters exploring their past.
* In [[Keepers of the Elements (Fanfic)|Keepers of the Elements]], the [[Passing the Torch|Old Keepers]] get two chapters exploring their past.
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** "The Rapture", told the [[Backstory]] of Castiel's vessel.
** "The Rapture", told the [[Backstory]] of Castiel's vessel.
** The Impala gets flashbacks and a backstory in "Swan Song".
** The Impala gets flashbacks and a backstory in "Swan Song".
** In Season 6, [[Cool Old Guy|Bobby Singer]] gets one of these, aptly titled, "Weekend at Bobby's" (also a [[Shout Out]], as the episode titles often are). It focuses on what Bobby does when he's ''not'' helping Sam and Dean, and how that actually interferes with his life. The episode also wraps up the minor [[Story Arc]] about {{spoiler|selling his soul to Crowley to help save the world}}.
** In Season 6, [[Cool Old Guy|Bobby Singer]] gets one of these, aptly titled, "Weekend at Bobby's" (also a [[Shout-Out]], as the episode titles often are). It focuses on what Bobby does when he's ''not'' helping Sam and Dean, and how that actually interferes with his life. The episode also wraps up the minor [[Story Arc]] about {{spoiler|selling his soul to Crowley to help save the world}}.
*** {{spoiler|"Death's Door"}} is also Bobby-centric.
*** {{spoiler|"Death's Door"}} is also Bobby-centric.
** "The Man Who Would Be King" is about Castiel, and narrated from his point of view.
** "The Man Who Would Be King" is about Castiel, and narrated from his point of view.
* ''[[Babylon 5 (TV)|Babylon 5]]'' with "A View From The Gallery" , which centers upon repairmen Mack and Bo and how they interact with all the main characters over the course of a usual Babylon 5 day of disaster. Mack and Bo were played by guest actors who were not in any other episodes, showing that even the unknown extras have tales to tell. Usually the lesser recurring characters got B-plots rather than eps of their own, but Vir got "Sic Transit Vir".
* ''[[Babylon 5]]'' with "A View From The Gallery" , which centers upon repairmen Mack and Bo and how they interact with all the main characters over the course of a usual Babylon 5 day of disaster. Mack and Bo were played by guest actors who were not in any other episodes, showing that even the unknown extras have tales to tell. Usually the lesser recurring characters got B-plots rather than eps of their own, but Vir got "Sic Transit Vir".
* ''[[Torchwood (TV)|Torchwood]]'' had perhaps several of these - "Cyberwoman" for Ianto, "Greeks Bearing Gifts" for Tosh, and in season two, {{spoiler|"A Day in the Death" for Owen. Of course, this was after he died. But it was also before he [[Deader Than Dead|stopped moving]].}}
* ''[[Torchwood (TV)|Torchwood]]'' had perhaps several of these - "Cyberwoman" for Ianto, "Greeks Bearing Gifts" for Tosh, and in season two, {{spoiler|"A Day in the Death" for Owen. Of course, this was after he died. But it was also before he [[Deader Than Dead|stopped moving]].}}
* Season 19 of ''[[Doctor Who (TV)|Doctor Who]]'' was written with the idea of giving each companion a story where they could do more than [[The Watson|ask the Doctor questions]] and [[Designated Victim|get captured]]. As it turned out [[Doctor Who (TV)/Recap/S19 E5 Black Orchid|Nyssa]] got to play an [[Identical Stranger]], [[Doctor Who (TV)/Recap/S19 E3 Kinda|Tegan]] got to taste [[Demonic Possession]] and [[Doctor Who (TV)/Recap/S19 E6 Earthshock|Adric]] got to... [[Alas Poor Scrappy|die]].
* Season 19 of ''[[Doctor Who]]'' was written with the idea of giving each companion a story where they could do more than [[The Watson|ask the Doctor questions]] and [[Designated Victim|get captured]]. As it turned out [[Doctor Who/Recap/S19 E5 Black Orchid|Nyssa]] got to play an [[Identical Stranger]], [[Doctor Who/Recap/S19 E3 Kinda|Tegan]] got to taste [[Demonic Possession]] and [[Doctor Who/Recap/S19 E6 Earthshock|Adric]] got to... [[Alas, Poor Scrappy|die]].
** The new series gives us the Donna-centric episode "Turn Left". The Doctor only appears very briefly in the beginning and the end, except for the bit in the middle where he {{spoiler|appears as a sheet-covered corpse}}.
** The new series gives us the Donna-centric episode "Turn Left". The Doctor only appears very briefly in the beginning and the end, except for the bit in the middle where he {{spoiler|appears as a sheet-covered corpse}}.
* In a show that wavers between [[Two Lines, No Waiting]] and [[Four Lines, All Waiting]], the episode "Company Man" in ''[[Heroes (TV)|Heroes]]'' Volume 1 almost ''completely'' focused around HRG (aka Mr. Bennet) and his very messed-up relationship with his job and family. Up to this point, he was just an [[Overprotective Dad]] In Black, but this greatly expanded backstory and explanation of his motives permanently cemented his [[Ensemble Darkhorse]] status.
* In a show that wavers between [[Two Lines, No Waiting]] and [[Four Lines, All Waiting]], the episode "Company Man" in ''[[Heroes (TV)|Heroes]]'' Volume 1 almost ''completely'' focused around HRG (aka Mr. Bennet) and his very messed-up relationship with his job and family. Up to this point, he was just an [[Overprotective Dad]] In Black, but this greatly expanded backstory and explanation of his motives permanently cemented his [[Ensemble Darkhorse]] status.
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** Depending on whether you consider Hawkeye to be the show's lead character or just one part of the ensemble, than any number of episodes centering on the other regulars - Margaret, Radar, Father Mulcahy, etc. - could be regarded as this.
** Depending on whether you consider Hawkeye to be the show's lead character or just one part of the ensemble, than any number of episodes centering on the other regulars - Margaret, Radar, Father Mulcahy, etc. - could be regarded as this.
*** Hawkeye himself gets one in the season 4 episode "Hawkeye", where he's the only one of the main characters to appear in the entire episode.
*** Hawkeye himself gets one in the season 4 episode "Hawkeye", where he's the only one of the main characters to appear in the entire episode.
* Starbuck tends to have this for the majority of the episodes in the old ''[[Battlestar Galactica Classic (TV)|Battlestar Galactica]]''.
* Starbuck tends to have this for the majority of the episodes in the old ''[[Battlestar Galactica Classic|Battlestar Galactica]]''.
* The new ''[[Battlestar Galactica Reimagined (TV)|Battlestar Galactica]]'' has done this a few times, especially in its third season:
* The new ''[[Battlestar Galactica Reimagined|Battlestar Galactica]]'' has done this a few times, especially in its third season:
** 3.10 "The Passage" is about Kat's past.
** 3.10 "The Passage" is about Kat's past.
** In 3.14 "The Woman King", Helo investigates a potential murder among civilian refugees.
** In 3.14 "The Woman King", Helo investigates a potential murder among civilian refugees.
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* Each episode of ''[[Skins]]'' focuses on a particular member of the cast, with each cast member getting an episode (or sometimes two) to themselves each season.
* Each episode of ''[[Skins]]'' focuses on a particular member of the cast, with each cast member getting an episode (or sometimes two) to themselves each season.
* ''[[Band of Brothers (TV)|Band of Brothers]]''. Each of the 10 episodes focuses on a specific character to some degree. The lead is Lt/Capt/Maj Winters who is in the limelight for episodes 2, 5, and 10. The other episodes focus on (1) Capt. Sobel, (3) Pvt. Blithe (a case of [[A Death in The Limelight]]), (4) Sgt. Bull Randleman, (6) "Doc" Roe, (7) Sgt. Lipton, (8) Pvt. Webster, and (9) Capt. Nixon. If the episode has narration, it's by the character in the limelight from their [[Point of View]].
* ''[[Band of Brothers (TV)|Band of Brothers]]''. Each of the 10 episodes focuses on a specific character to some degree. The lead is Lt/Capt/Maj Winters who is in the limelight for episodes 2, 5, and 10. The other episodes focus on (1) Capt. Sobel, (3) Pvt. Blithe (a case of [[A Death in The Limelight]]), (4) Sgt. Bull Randleman, (6) "Doc" Roe, (7) Sgt. Lipton, (8) Pvt. Webster, and (9) Capt. Nixon. If the episode has narration, it's by the character in the limelight from their [[Point of View]].
* ''[[Blake's Seven (TV)|Blakes Seven]]'' gives Vila a chance to shine in "City at the Edge of the World".
* ''[[Blake's Seven|Blakes Seven]]'' gives Vila a chance to shine in "City at the Edge of the World".
* In the ''Remember WENN'' episode "The Ghost of WENN," it is revealed that the ghost is actually {{spoiler|CJ, who's miffed at being ignored by the main cast}}.
* In the ''Remember WENN'' episode "The Ghost of WENN," it is revealed that the ghost is actually {{spoiler|CJ, who's miffed at being ignored by the main cast}}.
* During the 70s, there were two versions of the TV game show ''[[Pyramid]]'': The daytime network version (First, ''The $10,000 Pyramid''; later, ''The $20,000 Pyramid''), and a nighttime syndicated version (''The $25,000 Pyramid''), with two different hosts -- Dick Clark and [[Bill Cullen]], respectively -- who would often [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RizIPafr0Uk appear as a] [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLpF9uaJ0Ss celebrity guest] on the other's version to help the contestants win money.
* During the 70s, there were two versions of the TV game show ''[[Pyramid]]'': The daytime network version (First, ''The $10,000 Pyramid''; later, ''The $20,000 Pyramid''), and a nighttime syndicated version (''The $25,000 Pyramid''), with two different hosts -- Dick Clark and [[Bill Cullen]], respectively -- who would often [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RizIPafr0Uk appear as a] [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLpF9uaJ0Ss celebrity guest] on the other's version to help the contestants win money.
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* The ''[[Teen Titans (Animation)|Teen Titans]]'' episode "Lightspeed" combines this with a [[Villain Episode]], focusing on Kid Flash (hero) and the Hive Five (villains). Also "For Real," which concerns Titans East.
* The ''[[Teen Titans (Animation)|Teen Titans]]'' episode "Lightspeed" combines this with a [[Villain Episode]], focusing on Kid Flash (hero) and the Hive Five (villains). Also "For Real," which concerns Titans East.
** One could also count "Titans East," which focuses on that team and Cyborg while the other main Titans barely appear.
** One could also count "Titans East," which focuses on that team and Cyborg while the other main Titans barely appear.
* ''[[One Hundred and One Dalmatians (Disney)|One Hundred and One Dalmatians]]'': Two-Tone got her share of the limelight in "Love `em and Flea `em". In most episodes, she has one or two lines.
* ''[[101 Dalmatians (Disney)|One Hundred and One Dalmatians]]'': Two-Tone got her share of the limelight in "Love `em and Flea `em". In most episodes, she has one or two lines.
* In ''[[Chowder]]'', Gazpacho was given his own episode toward the end of the series' run. Chowder and Mung only appear briefly in the beginning.
* In ''[[Chowder]]'', Gazpacho was given his own episode toward the end of the series' run. Chowder and Mung only appear briefly in the beginning.
* ''[[The Penguins of Madagascar]]'' could be considered a ''show'' in the limelight, since its primary characters are the title penguins (Kowalski, Private, Rico, Skipper) and the lemurs (King Julien, Maurice and Mort), all of whom were only secondary characters in the ''[[Madagascar]]'' films.
* ''[[The Penguins of Madagascar]]'' could be considered a ''show'' in the limelight, since its primary characters are the title penguins (Kowalski, Private, Rico, Skipper) and the lemurs (King Julien, Maurice and Mort), all of whom were only secondary characters in the ''[[Madagascar]]'' films.
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[[Category:Plots]]
[[Category:Plots]]
[[Category:A Day In The Limelight]]
[[Category:A Day In The Limelight]]
[[Category:Trope]]
Retrieved from "https://allthetropes.org/wiki/A_Day_in_the_Limelight"