Unseen characters

Occured to me that several of my favourite U.S. sitcoms use the funny device of an unseen character. Currently, Wolowitz's mother in Big Bang. Maris (Niles' wife) in Fraser. From re-run land, Lars (Phylis' husband)in Mary Tyler Moore, the doorman (Carlton) in Rhoda, Vera in Cheers.

But I can only think of two examples in British sitcoms... Mrs. Mainwaring in Dad's Army and Sheridan in Keeping Up Appearances.

Any others I have yet to see or have forgotten or is it actually a less-used plot/comedy device?

I've think we've done this before.

But there is the mother of Mr Swainy the Meldrew's neighbour in One Foot in the Grave.

Gavin and Stacey - There's a few mentioned constantly, but never seen. Gary and Simon, Smithy and Gavin's friends, and Smithy's girlfriend Lucy.

Men Behaving Badly - Clive, we only slightly see him once.

Quote: bigfella @ January 21 2012, 8:12 PM GMT

I've think we've done this before.

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Aha! Finally found it https://www.comedy.co.uk/forums/thread/15821/

Feel free to carry on in that thread, closing this one now.