Is there a rule what the best amount of characters in a sitcom should be? I read that 4 is mot common: Hero, anti hero, love interest and buddy. i checked some sitcoms and it does seem to be correct. (All in the family, married with children, will and grace, friends...)
i think more than four central characters can become confusing, however you can have as many background characters as you like....for me this really works for scrubs with its 'third tier' of characters that pop in and out.
Andre, if I were you I'd just watch the things you like and analyse how many characters they have. It really depends on what type of show and market you are aiming for, though I think it's much harder to make something work when there are lots of characters - you can't give them all enough screen time within the format. Even gang shows like Bilko or Dad's Army really only focus on a few leads every episode, although the bigger cast crops up in support every so often.
Who was it on here who had a cast of over 40 characters, I think, in their sitcom? Lol.
At least 2 and under 6, I guess?
Quote: Leevil @ April 16 2008, 12:49 AM BSTWho was it on here who had a cast of over 40 characters, I think, in their sitcom? Lol.
The House of Commons.
Quote: Andreas van Haren @ April 16 2008, 12:39 AM BSTIs there a rule what the best amount of characters in a sitcom should be? I read that 4 is mot common: Hero, anti hero, love interest and buddy. i checked some sitcoms and it does seem to be correct. (All in the family, married with children, will and grace, friends...)
Doesn't Friends have 6?
Quote: Leevil @ April 16 2008, 12:49 AM BSTWho was it on here who had a cast of over 40 characters, I think, in their sitcom? Lol.
At least 2 and under 6, I guess?
I said I had 35 characters. What I didn't really point out was that most of them will only be making an appearance in one episode, just like the Scrubs characters that were mentioned above. I've only really got one, or maybe two characters, who appear in every episode. The high number of characters came from me worrying that my script wasn't funny enough - every time I'd feel like the script was inadequate, I'd create some new characters.
Lol, ok. Funny though.
My current project as one main character plus 4 'bubbling under' characters plus a further 8 third tier characters. That sounds a lot but those in the third tier would only appear sporadically.
Basil, Sybil, Manuel, Polly.
Ted, Dougal, Jack, Mrs O'Doyle.
Bernard, Manny, Fran.
Brent, Tim, Dawn, Gareth.
Andy, Maggie, Darren Lamb, Barry from Eastenders.
Blackadder, Baldrick, Percy/George, & King/Queen, Melchett, Nurse/Captain Darling.
Earl, Randy, Joy, & Catalina & Crab Man.
Mark, Jeremy, Sophie, Jeff, & Super Hans, Nancy, Toni & Alan Johnston.
Four does seem to be most common. I guess you get to include more characters with each series that gets commissioned.
Quote: Mike Greybloke @ April 16 2008, 11:07 AM BSTBasil, Sybil, Manuel, Polly.
Ted, Dougal, Jack, Mrs O'Doyle.
Bernard, Manny, Fran.
Brent, Tim, Dawn, Gareth.
Andy, Maggie, Darren Lamb, Barry from Eastenders.
Blackadder, Baldrick, Percy/George, & King/Queen, Melchett, Nurse/Captain Darling.
Earl, Randy, Joy, & Catalina & Crab Man.
Mark, Jeremy, Sophie, Jeff, & Super Hans, Nancy, Toni & Alan Johnston.Four does seem to be most common. I guess you get to include more characters with each series that gets commissioned.
Maybe 4 gives the chemistry that is needed? I'm sure that there is a theory behind it.
I am searching for the pilot of "two and a half men", no luck till now. I love this show and would like to study the way characters and their life situation are introduced. Someone knows where I can find it?
Quote: Griff @ April 16 2008, 11:25 AM BSTLarger "family": Fawlty Towers has four (although Basil dominates).
Well, technically, I think it's got seven regulars - eight in series two.
I think worrying about the number of characters isn't an issue. Write as many as the show needs (within reason - I'd say get beyond six and you're unlikely to get it made, not as a newbie anyway).
Quote: Andreas van Haren @ April 16 2008, 11:32 AM BSTI am searching for the pilot of "two and a half men", no luck till now. I love this show and would like to study the way characters and their life situation are introduced. Someone knows where I can find it?
www.surfthechannel.com probably has it.
I don't think there can be a rule...
Mr Bean = a hit (1 character)
Allo Allo = a hit (over 20 characters)