Sitcom Protagonists - not always the funniest

[Bulldog Force]

This is something I've noticed. With sitcoms (situation comedy, comedy usually with studio audience), the protagonist (main character), quite often is not the funniest in the show. Here are some examples, albeit opinion based:

• Two and a half men: Protagonist - Charlie, Funniest - Berta
• How I met your mother: P - Ted, F - Barney
• Rules of engagement: P - Jeff, F - Russell
• Back to you: P - Chuck, F - Ryan
• 'Til Death: P - Eddie, F - Jeff
• The Nanny: P - Fran, F - Niles
• Everybody Loves Raymond: P - Raymond, F - Frank and Robert
• Seinfeld: P - Jerry, F - George and Cosmo (Kramer)
• Full House: P - Jesse, F - Joey
• Friends: P - Rachel, F - Joey
• Becker: P - Dr. John Becker, F - Bob and Linda
• Home Improvement: P - Tim, F - Al
• Just shoot me: P - Maya, F - Dennis Finch

Just an observation. If the funniest person who is not the protagonist in these shows, would they be as successful as they are/were? Would they last as long? Thoughts?

 

[Red Bear]

All those shows except for Seinfeld are sh*thouse.

Although Arrested Development the protagonist is Michael but the funniest is probably Gob Lucille and Tobias

Wheras Fawlty Towers protagonist and funniest is definately Basil

 

[Eelementary]

Bob and Linda over Becker No way, man - Ted Danson is the life of that show.

 

[perverse]

how i met your mother and seinfeld are the only 2 worth pissing on in that list...

but i do agree with your point that the protagonist is rarely the funniest. it's no accident, i'm sure.

 

[simmo1]

Story generally revolves around one or two characters, whereas other characters usually provide the comic relief.

 

[adamkungl]

Post a thread on sitcoms and the comedy snobs of LU are soon to follow...

 

[Big Pete]

For the most part, that's the case because the side characters are given less screen time allowing them to pop up whenever the situation suits them.

The case where the protaganist are the best...

Married...with Children - Al is easily the funniest for mine.

Alf - Was the only good part of the show.

Lano and Woodley - Yeah...again pretty standard.

I think the invention of Joey from Friends proves that the funniest character can't sustain life on his own.

 

[gorilla with a shotgun]

All those shows except for Seinfeld are sh*thouse.

Although Arrested Development the protagonist is Michael but the funniest is probably Gob Lucille and Tobias

Wheras Fawlty Towers protagonist and funniest is definately Basil

Seinfeld is sh*thouse

 

[Knightmare]

This is something I've noticed. With sitcoms (situation comedy, comedy usually with studio audience), the protagonist (main character), quite often is not the funniest in the show. Here are some examples, albeit opinion based:

• Two and a half men: Protagonist - Charlie, Funniest - Berta
• How I met your mother: P - Ted, F - Barney
• Rules of engagement: P - Jeff, F - Russell
• Back to you: P - Chuck, F - Ryan
• 'Til Death: P - Eddie, F - Jeff
• The Nanny: P - Fran, F - Niles
• Everybody Loves Raymond: P - Raymond, F - Frank and Robert
• Seinfeld: P - Jerry, F - George and Cosmo (Kramer)
• Full House: P - Jesse, F - Joey
• Friends: P - Rachel, F - Joey
• Becker: P - Dr. John Becker, F - Bob and Linda
• Home Improvement: P - Tim, F - Al
• Just shoot me: P - Maya, F - Dennis Finch

Just an observation. If the funniest person who is not the protagonist in these shows, would they be as successful as they are/were? Would they last as long? Thoughts?

My Mum bought the entire box set of 'Friends' for my sister for Christmas, many nights she watches episodes and I often hear her laughing and then saying "Oh Joey!"

 

[gronkathon]

Was she wearing pants while watching?

 

[Knightmare]

Uhhh....yes.

 

[Non Terminator]

Story generally revolves around one or two characters, whereas other characters usually provide the comic relief.

Exactly. :thumn

 

[Johns Magic]

My Mum bought the entire box set of 'Friends' for my sister for Christmas, many nights she watches episodes and I often hear her laughing and then saying "Oh Joey!"

:lol::lol::lol:

 

[Apey]

Becker is the best on Becker for me.

Agree with Seinfeld.

Why do you say Rachel is the protagonist in friends? I thought the focus was on all of them really, with Pheobe/Joey perhaps being on the outs a little bit as the other four had consistent lengthy relationships within the circle (Monica/Chandler, Ross/Rachel).

 

[DeeJ]

The protagonist also often plays the straight man role, so we can identify with them better as they are seen as 'normal'.

 

[Non Terminator]

There are some awful shows on that list imo.

 

[bartman]

Haven't thought about Full House for a long time... :lol:

 

[Bulldog Force]

There are some awful shows on that list imo.

Most of them ran for more than 1 season making them successful (lengthy contracts) - not talking about who likes what here...

Haven't thought about Full House for a long time... :lol:

It's on weeknights on 7two - 6:30pm

 

[adamkungl]

Seinfeld is sh*thouse

your opinion is wrong

 

[Knightmare]

Becker is the best on Becker for me.

Agree with Seinfeld.

Why do you say Rachel is the protagonist in friends? I thought the focus was on all of them really, with Pheobe/Joey perhaps being on the outs a little bit as the other four had consistent lengthy relationships within the circle (Monica/Chandler, Ross/Rachel).

Out of them all, Joey is the only one who is still single by the end of the series, I would agree that no one character (in particular) was the protagonist, it was well-balanced between the 6 of them.