Something they often did on Frasier was the 'door thing' (perhaps it has a proper name?), with various characters entering and leaving different doors in quick succession, with 'hilarious consequences'. I wonder how the writers worked out such complicated sequences of events? Perhaps they had some sort of 3D physical map and literally placed figurines into model cupboards and bathrooms?
I think the coming and going was motivated by the plot. In Frasier anyway. Many a joke in that show stems from people "Only heard half". And what better way to get your characters under-informed, than having them pissing in and out of doors and hiding in closets?
I've always wondered how Michael Frayn wrote 'Noises Off' - maybe it was an inspiration for Frasier? Incredibly complicated comings and goings back stage / front of stage, sideways, through doors, up stairs etc etc.
A bit like going on a date with Tiger Woods?? 
Doors have always been crucial to sitcoms. One of the great things about Miranda, I thought, was that it really revived the comedy use of the door.
The 'door thing' is nothing new and is widely featured in farce, dating waaaaay back.
"The set of a stage farce is, more often than not, riddled with doors through which the characters are forever missing one another, often with one or more doors flying open at any time as another is slammed shut"
British Farces:
Fair point Morrace!
You can't beat a good door. I once worked on a fringe play set in a psychiatrist's office - and the writer insisted on commissioning a carpenter to build a free standing wooden door just because it frequently featured the direction "enter stage left"... Top play though - and enhanced 100% by the fact actors could come and go in a comedy way through a door.
Quote: Morrace @ December 27 2009, 7:58 PM GMTThe 'door thing' is nothing new and is widely featured in farce, dating waaaaay back.
OK, but the original question has nothing to do with history, but with planning.
Quote: Nogget @ December 19 2009, 6:01 AM GMTI wonder how the writers worked out such complicated sequences of events? Perhaps they had some sort of 3D physical map and literally placed figurines into model cupboards and bathrooms?
I liked the doors used in Rising Damp. Less so, the doors in That's My Boy.