Sitcom Character Archetypes: Difference between revisions

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Like the [[Five Man Band]], there are certain character archetypes who just seem to fit together, a sort of [[Commedia Dell Arte Troupe]], if you will. In any given [[Sit Com]] (especially an ensemble), you are likely to find at least two of the archetypes listed below.
Like the [[Five-Man Band]], there are certain character archetypes who just seem to fit together, a sort of [[Commedia Dell Arte Troupe]], if you will. In any given [[Sit Com]] (especially an ensemble), you are likely to find at least two of the archetypes listed below.


As an example of how these characters mesh, consider the following sample, from ''[[Commedia Dell Arte|commedia dell'arte]]'':
As an example of how these characters mesh, consider the following sample, from ''[[Commedia Dell'Arte|commedia dell'arte]]'':


* '''The Wisecracker:''' Arlecchino
* '''The Wisecracker:''' Arlecchino
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These archetypes generally work best when the characters have no familial relationships, as in a [[Dom Com]]; Dom Com characters, being family, tend to have a completely different dynamic to their relationships. On the other hand, nothing could (nor, really, ''should'') prevent a Dom Com from utilizing any, or all, of these character types.
These archetypes generally work best when the characters have no familial relationships, as in a [[Dom Com]]; Dom Com characters, being family, tend to have a completely different dynamic to their relationships. On the other hand, nothing could (nor, really, ''should'') prevent a Dom Com from utilizing any, or all, of these character types.


It is important to note that, unlike the [[Five Man Band]], it isn't strictly necessary for each show to have a representative member for each archetype. Keep in mind that, just as in [[Real Life]], the world of Sit Coms is awash in many various and diverse personalities, of which this is hardly an exhaustive list; so there's no need to shoehorn characters into these categories. Some shows will utilize certain archetypes and leave out others, or may have characters who don't fit into ''any'' of the listed types.
It is important to note that, unlike the [[Five-Man Band]], it isn't strictly necessary for each show to have a representative member for each archetype. Keep in mind that, just as in [[Real Life]], the world of Sit Coms is awash in many various and diverse personalities, of which this is hardly an exhaustive list; so there's no need to shoehorn characters into these categories. Some shows will utilize certain archetypes and leave out others, or may have characters who don't fit into ''any'' of the listed types.


And, of course, there's always plenty of room for overlap.
And, of course, there's always plenty of room for overlap.
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* Bart from ''[[The Simpsons]]''.
* Bart from ''[[The Simpsons]]''.
* Konata in ''[[Lucky Star]]''.
* Konata in ''[[Lucky Star]]''.
* Hawkeye Pierce in ''[[Mash (TV)|Mash]]''.
* Hawkeye Pierce in ''[[M*A*S*H (TV)|Mash]]''.
* Dr. Cox in ''[[Scrubs]]''.
* Dr. Cox in ''[[Scrubs]]''.
* Kyon in ''[[Suzumiya Haruhi]]''.
* Kyon in ''[[Suzumiya Haruhi]]''.
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* ''[[Roseanne]]'': Roseanne and her daughter Darlene.
* ''[[Roseanne]]'': Roseanne and her daughter Darlene.


'''The Bully''' -- Despite the name, The Bully is oftentimes not an actual bully per se, but ''is'' usually a [[Jerkass]], or sometimes a [[Jerk With a Heart of Gold]]. Typically more outright beligerent than The Wisecracker, The Bully will have the least patience with The Wisecracker (who isn't afraid to stand up to him/her) or The Goofball (who is more often than not oblivious to the animosity); on the other hand, if written as a complete Jerkass, The Bully may actively dislike ''all'' the other characters. If female, this will be the [[Alpha Bitch]] or the [[Rich Bitch]]. In [[Work Com|Work Coms]], The Bully will be excessively driven to climb the corporate ladder and/or dominate the others, whether a [[Pointy Haired Boss]] or a co-worker.
'''The Bully''' -- Despite the name, The Bully is oftentimes not an actual bully per se, but ''is'' usually a [[Jerkass]], or sometimes a [[Jerk With a Heart of Gold]]. Typically more outright beligerent than The Wisecracker, The Bully will have the least patience with The Wisecracker (who isn't afraid to stand up to him/her) or The Goofball (who is more often than not oblivious to the animosity); on the other hand, if written as a complete Jerkass, The Bully may actively dislike ''all'' the other characters. If female, this will be the [[Alpha Bitch]] or the [[Rich Bitch]]. In [[Work Com|Work Coms]], The Bully will be excessively driven to climb the corporate ladder and/or dominate the others, whether a [[Pointy-Haired Boss]] or a co-worker.
* Roy Biggins in ''[[Wings (TV)|Wings]]''.
* Roy Biggins in ''[[Wings (TV)|Wings]]''.
* short-order cook Mel in ''Alice''.
* short-order cook Mel in ''Alice''.
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** Homer often fills this role as well, especially during his [[Jerkass]] period.
** Homer often fills this role as well, especially during his [[Jerkass]] period.
* Archie Bunker in ''[[All in The Family]]''.
* Archie Bunker in ''[[All in The Family]]''.
* Frank Burns in ''[[Mash (TV)|Mash]]''.
* Frank Burns in ''[[M*A*S*H (TV)|Mash]]''.
* Bill McNeal from ''[[News Radio]]''.
* Bill McNeal from ''[[News Radio]]''.
* The Janitor in ''[[Scrubs]]''.
* The Janitor in ''[[Scrubs]]''.
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* Stan in ''[[American Dad (Animation)|American Dad]]''.
* Stan in ''[[American Dad (Animation)|American Dad]]''.
* Post-[[Flanderization]] Flanders in ''[[The Simpsons (Animation)|The Simpsons]]''.
* Post-[[Flanderization]] Flanders in ''[[The Simpsons (Animation)|The Simpsons]]''.
* Charles Emerson Winchester III in ''[[Mash (TV)|Mash]]''.
* Charles Emerson Winchester III in ''[[M*A*S*H (TV)|Mash]]''.
* Dr. Kelso in ''[[Scrubs (TV)|Scrubs]]''.
* Dr. Kelso in ''[[Scrubs (TV)|Scrubs]]''.
* Bob in ''[[The Oblongs]]''.
* Bob in ''[[The Oblongs]]''.
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* Rosario in ''[[Will and Grace]]''.
* Rosario in ''[[Will and Grace]]''.


'''The Bigmouth''' -- A (sometimes) softer, less-hateful alternative to The Bully, The Bigmouth is an annoying, um, bigmouth. Whether s/he is a [[Know Nothing Know It All]], an overbearing egotist like the [[Ted Baxter]], or an intrusive [[Nosy Neighbor]], The Bigmouth just has a knack for getting on everyone's nerves (with the possible inclusion of the audience!). Much much humor is milked from the fact that The Bigmouth isn't nearly as smart as s/he presumes to be. Oftentimes crosses over with The Dork.
'''The Bigmouth''' -- A (sometimes) softer, less-hateful alternative to The Bully, The Bigmouth is an annoying, um, bigmouth. Whether s/he is a [[Know-Nothing Know-It-All]], an overbearing egotist like the [[Ted Baxter]], or an intrusive [[Nosy Neighbor]], The Bigmouth just has a knack for getting on everyone's nerves (with the possible inclusion of the audience!). Much much humor is milked from the fact that The Bigmouth isn't nearly as smart as s/he presumes to be. Oftentimes crosses over with The Dork.
* Cliff Claven in ''[[Cheers]]''.
* Cliff Claven in ''[[Cheers]]''.
* [[Ted Baxter]] in ''[[The Mary Tyler Moore Show]]''.
* [[Ted Baxter]] in ''[[The Mary Tyler Moore Show]]''.
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[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Sitcom Character Archetypes]]
[[Category:Sitcom Character Archetypes]]
[[Category:Trope]]
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