Cartman kills people, is racist, homophobic, sexiest and outright evil. But somehow is incredibly likeable. South Park is genius.
Do sitcom characters have to be likeable? Page 2
Quote: Lee @ July 15 2012, 2:22 PM BSTsexiest
FREUDIAN SLIP ALERT.
Quote: Lee @ July 15 2012, 2:22 PM BSTsexiest
First time I LOL'd in a few days.
My character:
Luke Mcardle, 27 - ex reality TV flash in the pan who wants to reclaim his past infamy by writing a book about his sexual adventures. The problem being that he doesn't really have many to draw on. He decides the best way to encounter them all is to get his younger brother Kevin, who is a well mannered, consciencous, professional to assist him in fulfilling his desires even if it costs Kevin his soul. Kevin believes Luke is a victim of the celebrity culture and that he can save his soul.
Some of Lukes exploits from the series
Luke attempts to have Gay sex at a party
Luke tries to initiate a threesome with Kevin and his girlfriend
Luke makes an effort to reconcile with his parents but is a ruse to get 'granny sex' with one of his mums friends.
Luke gets a job at the family firm with Kevin and their Uncle Alan but tries to take control and sell the business to an attractive rival.
In true sitcom fashion all of the above ploys blow up in Lukes face. He also always takes the path of most resistance.
Not sure how I'd add sympathy to that which is why I might have to go back to the drawing board
I'm not sure it's a great premise for a sitcom Sean, to be honest. It's not got what they call legs really! Try writing it and see how it works or go back to the board as you say maybe , find something you can see working better for you.
I don't think there is one single likeable character in It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia yet it's easily one of the best sitcoms currently airing.
I've not seen that show but is it a case of "Love To Hate"?
...in fact Sean, I strongly suggest you watch S04E09 of Sunny, it's titled 'Dennis Reynolds - An Erotic Life' and it's not a million miles away from your premise.
Quote: Lee @ July 15 2012, 3:44 PM BSTI've not seen that show but is it a case of "Love To Hate"?
Not really, they're characters you love spending time with but as the credits roll you're relieved that no-one you know is actually like that.
Quote: Marc P @ July 15 2012, 3:10 PM BSTI'm not sure it's a great premise for a sitcom Sean, to be honest. It's not got what they call legs really! Try writing it and see how it works or go back to the board as you say maybe , find something you can see working better for you.
Already done some writing for it
https://www.comedy.co.uk/forums/thread/24870/
https://www.comedy.co.uk/forums/thread/24756/
And currently writing the first draft for the threesome episode.
It's not a total washout if I do can it as I can carry some of the ideas over and at least I've learnt something
Cartman is often used in the same way as Sid James in Hancock, the immoral schemer who sets up the conflict in the story, but when he is centre stage his frustration and vulnerability can get you on his side.
You do not necessarily have to find someone likeable to be able to identify with them.
Characters don't have to be likeable, but they shouldn't be irritating. Cartman is an absolute egomaniac, but his character is always coming up with new and interesting ways to be a complete c**t. Never boring and never annoying, the two major turn offs in my humble opinion.
Danny De Vito's character Louie De Palma in 'Taxi' is a great example of a dislikeable character in a sitcom. 90% of the time he was a nasty obnoxious piece of work, but every now and then there would be an episode where Louie would show a hint (Just a small hint) of vulnerability. This hint made you prepared to forgive him for his general nastiness.
I think the trick is to give fundamentally unlikeable characters chinks in their armour, like for instance the rare glimpses of vulnerability we see in David Brent. Or make them suffer for their pomposity like Mainwaring or Partridge. Or make them innocently-evil like Cartman. I mean Cartman's inherently selfish but I don't think he really knows it. It's just him being Cartman and so we can't really blame him. It probably also helps that he looks cute.
And lastly, if all else fails, I'd say just make them super-funny. I think as viewers we can forgive all kinds of horrid character traits, cowardice, greed, blind ambition, bullying, violent tendencies, sarcasm etc as long as they're making us laugh. After all, wrap all those up and you've got Blackadder.
There are exceptions of course - Julia Davis's character in Nighty Night was unremittingly evil and yet people still watched and enjoyed the show, despite the central character being so despicable. Personally I couldn't get past the fact that I wanted to slap her, so I didn't get through the series. Maybe she got her comeuppance in the end.