Idiot of the Week: Difference between revisions
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{{trope}}
The show is tackling a controversial topic and the writers want to appear even-handed by representing different viewpoints. Their solution is to put the correct opinion (meaning that of the writers) into the mouths of most characters, while one of the characters, [[Idiot Ball|often at random]], holds the opposing viewpoint. This character is the
While the device is ostensibly used to make the show seem balanced, it often has the opposite effect because the correct characters lecture the
The ''[[Law and Order]]'' and ''[[CSI]]'' shows, with their ensemble casts, are prime offenders.
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** Even worse was was the recent episode, ''Closet'', where Olivia is honestly baffled as to why a professional football player's homosexuality would be such a big deal.
*** Them wimmin's don't know about the sporting arts, don'tcha know?
* Numerous episodes of the original ''[[CSI]]''. On this show, Grissom is ''never'' the
** Nick is usually the one that's handed the [[Idiot Ball]] or sometimes the Bigot Ball in the early seasons - notably his rather offensive remarks about the smaller folks.
* Mild example on ''[[NCIS]]''. In an episode about relationship between Muslims and terrorism, Palmer, the most minor character, makes some vaguely intolerant remarks. He doesn't say anything too ridiculous, but it does present Ducky with an opportunity to soap box about tolerance and such what.
* ''[[The West Wing]]'' was particularly guilty of this, with the weekly caricature of conservative arguments set up as straw men for President Bartlet and his staff to knock down. One regular cast member would usually be chosen as the
** Donna Moss took up the role more and more as the show went on.
** Justified by the fact that this was also supposed to be a Democratic administration, it makes sense that it's being told from a Democratic and largely liberal perspective.
* ''[[Boston Legal]]'' usually avoids this, but sometimes Denny comes across as this when talking about being a Republican.
* There was a particularly [[Egregious]] example in one episode of ''[[All in The Family]].'' The issue: Sexism. The
* Occasionally happened on the first season of ''[[House (TV series)|House]]''. Chase hates nuns! Foreman hates the homeless! And so on.
* Strangely common on the [[The Big Bang Theory]], considering that most of the cast are scientists and generally viewed as geniuses, it's rare that the 'stupider' characters take this role.
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