What to do, what to do...

Ok, so, imagine a sitcom. You've just written a scene, you like it, you'd even go as far as to say it's sort of funny, however you then realise that somewhere along the line the two characters involved in it, sorta seemed to have swapped personalities. However if you swap the roles back round, it wouldn't be as funny, BUT obviously it would be more true to the characters, and probably give the second one a bit more spice.

I don't doubt that you're all gonna tell me that I have to be true to the characters blah blah blah but gosh darn it, I like this blooming scene as it is.

So if anyone out there wants to humour me and tell me it's fine to keep it as it is, please do...

Are the two characters friends? If so, it is not unusual for friends to subconciously imitate eachothers personality traits and behaviour at times. As a one off, I think you could probably get away with it, as everybody behaves 'out of character' from time to time.

Alternatively, you might have to consider reshaping your characters personalities...

You can do whatever you like, it's your sitcom!

Seriously though, try getting someone else to read it out loud with you and seeing how it works.

Uh huh, uh huh, 'subconciously imitate each others traits', that sounds believable. The only thing is character 2, lets call him, as he is, is somewhat falling short (probably because I keep giving his best bits to character 1). I just can't help having favourites.

Lets hope I never have children.

Quote: Dolly Dagger @ April 25 2009, 11:41 AM BST

You can do whatever you like, it's your sitcom!

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What?! but where are the rules Dolly?! The rules!?!

Post up the scene for goodness sake Rebbecca. Theoretical hypotheticals are only good in quantum physics. Let the dog see the rabbit and see if he kills it or fetches him a carrot.

Can't you just make it seem as one character is impersonating the other, taking the mikey? Or would that not work in the context of the scene?

If its funny, its funny! I'd be happy at that.

Thank you for the suggestions, much appreciated. I ended up slightly changing character 2, so that I could keep the scene, or rather character 1 as whatever and whoever he seemed to be growing into.

I've seen sitcoms where the writer gets away with people saying lines which sound like they should have come from other people, like Coupling, where the women tell 'blokey' jokes.

Bung it in Critique and you'll get some specific feedback (hopefully!)

Have you tried rewriting it to swap to the characters it fits better? You might find you like it after all.

If the way you have it isn't out of character for either of them, then it's probably OK.