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Term for a character that only exists to be talked to
What is the term for written expressions that lead to “reading between the lines?”What is the term for an accessible character that knows nothing?Should I highlight or downplay a character's quirk to make her seem more odd?Taxonomy of understanding: termAvoiding the “as you know” trope in expositionTerm for stereotype storiesJust how Different are Male and Female Readers?Using Myers–Briggs as a guide for character development?Character motivations facing death?What kind of protagonist or writing style is Jack Sparrow?
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;
I just saw a two-person play where one character did the majority of the talking and the other seemed to exist only to give the other character someone to talk to. I've seen this happen in books and TV as well, and sometimes a normally strong character will take this role temporarily. Usually the conversation plays out something like this:
A: < Talks for 3 minutes about ducks >
B: Oh, interesting, so you're saying that ducks can fly and swim?
A: Exactly! < Talks for 3 more minutes >
B: So what about geese? I've heard about them too.
A: Oh, those are similar, but there are some differences. < Talks about geese >
And so on and so forth. Character B never really contributes anything meaningful to the conversation and seems to only be there so it's not a 90-minute monologue. I would certainly view this as Bad Writing, and something that would be more appropriate in an children's educational video.
Is there a term or trope for this type of character or scene?
characters terminology tropes
edited 6 hours ago
Cyn
25.7k2 gold badges56 silver badges117 bronze badges
asked 8 hours ago
David KDavid K
1565 bronze badges
add a comment |
I just saw a two-person play where one character did the majority of the talking and the other seemed to exist only to give the other character someone to talk to. I've seen this happen in books and TV as well, and sometimes a normally strong character will take this role temporarily. Usually the conversation plays out something like this:
A: < Talks for 3 minutes about ducks >
B: Oh, interesting, so you're saying that ducks can fly and swim?
A: Exactly! < Talks for 3 more minutes >
B: So what about geese? I've heard about them too.
A: Oh, those are similar, but there are some differences. < Talks about geese >
And so on and so forth. Character B never really contributes anything meaningful to the conversation and seems to only be there so it's not a 90-minute monologue. I would certainly view this as Bad Writing, and something that would be more appropriate in an children's educational video.
Is there a term or trope for this type of character or scene?
characters terminology tropes
edited 6 hours ago
Cyn
25.7k2 gold badges56 silver badges117 bronze badges
asked 8 hours ago
David KDavid K
1565 bronze badges
"Sherlock's skull"? As in the one on the mantel?
– Lauren Ipsum
8 hours ago
I feel like there's probably a Broadway term for a "featured guest", someone with B-celebrity status who doesn't need to learn many lines, or an aging name actor who can't remember dialog or blocking but can offer a strong stage presence… Someone the audience will react warmly to just by being there.
– wetcircuit
16 mins ago
add a comment |
I just saw a two-person play where one character did the majority of the talking and the other seemed to exist only to give the other character someone to talk to. I've seen this happen in books and TV as well, and sometimes a normally strong character will take this role temporarily. Usually the conversation plays out something like this:
A: < Talks for 3 minutes about ducks >
B: Oh, interesting, so you're saying that ducks can fly and swim?
A: Exactly! < Talks for 3 more minutes >
B: So what about geese? I've heard about them too.
A: Oh, those are similar, but there are some differences. < Talks about geese >
And so on and so forth. Character B never really contributes anything meaningful to the conversation and seems to only be there so it's not a 90-minute monologue. I would certainly view this as Bad Writing, and something that would be more appropriate in an children's educational video.
Is there a term or trope for this type of character or scene?
characters terminology tropes
edited 6 hours ago
Cyn
25.7k2 gold badges56 silver badges117 bronze badges
asked 8 hours ago
David KDavid K
1565 bronze badges
I just saw a two-person play where one character did the majority of the talking and the other seemed to exist only to give the other character someone to talk to. I've seen this happen in books and TV as well, and sometimes a normally strong character will take this role temporarily. Usually the conversation plays out something like this:
A: < Talks for 3 minutes about ducks >
B: Oh, interesting, so you're saying that ducks can fly and swim?
A: Exactly! < Talks for 3 more minutes >
B: So what about geese? I've heard about them too.
A: Oh, those are similar, but there are some differences. < Talks about geese >
And so on and so forth. Character B never really contributes anything meaningful to the conversation and seems to only be there so it's not a 90-minute monologue. I would certainly view this as Bad Writing, and something that would be more appropriate in an children's educational video.
Is there a term or trope for this type of character or scene?
characters terminology tropes
characters terminology tropes
edited 6 hours ago
Cyn
25.7k2 gold badges56 silver badges117 bronze badges
asked 8 hours ago
David KDavid K
1565 bronze badges
edited 6 hours ago
Cyn
25.7k2 gold badges56 silver badges117 bronze badges
asked 8 hours ago
David KDavid K
1565 bronze badges
edited 6 hours ago
Cyn
25.7k2 gold badges56 silver badges117 bronze badges
edited 6 hours ago
Cyn
25.7k2 gold badges56 silver badges117 bronze badges
edited 6 hours ago
Cyn
25.7k2 gold badges56 silver badges117 bronze badges
25.7k2 gold badges56 silver badges117 bronze badges
asked 8 hours ago
David KDavid K
1565 bronze badges
asked 8 hours ago
David KDavid K
1565 bronze badges
asked 8 hours ago
David KDavid K
1565 bronze badges
1565 bronze badges
"Sherlock's skull"? As in the one on the mantel?
– Lauren Ipsum
8 hours ago
I feel like there's probably a Broadway term for a "featured guest", someone with B-celebrity status who doesn't need to learn many lines, or an aging name actor who can't remember dialog or blocking but can offer a strong stage presence… Someone the audience will react warmly to just by being there.
– wetcircuit
16 mins ago
add a comment |
"Sherlock's skull"? As in the one on the mantel?
– Lauren Ipsum
8 hours ago
I feel like there's probably a Broadway term for a "featured guest", someone with B-celebrity status who doesn't need to learn many lines, or an aging name actor who can't remember dialog or blocking but can offer a strong stage presence… Someone the audience will react warmly to just by being there.
– wetcircuit
16 mins ago
"Sherlock's skull"? As in the one on the mantel?
– Lauren Ipsum
8 hours ago
"Sherlock's skull"? As in the one on the mantel?
– Lauren Ipsum
8 hours ago
I feel like there's probably a Broadway term for a "featured guest", someone with B-celebrity status who doesn't need to learn many lines, or an aging name actor who can't remember dialog or blocking but can offer a strong stage presence… Someone the audience will react warmly to just by being there.
– wetcircuit
16 mins ago
I feel like there's probably a Broadway term for a "featured guest", someone with B-celebrity status who doesn't need to learn many lines, or an aging name actor who can't remember dialog or blocking but can offer a strong stage presence… Someone the audience will react warmly to just by being there.
– wetcircuit
16 mins ago
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
I believe in this case, a 'sounding board' fits the bill, simply a person to bounce concepts, dialogue, and ideas off of. Just how some characters act as nought but mouthpieces, this one acts as nothing but an earpiece.
answered 8 hours ago
Matthew DaveMatthew Dave
7,79513 silver badges48 bronze badges
add a comment |
I don't believe there is a single term for this kind of character. The terms usually applied to those characters roll in relation to the protagonist are Foil, Confidante, and stooge -- or as I call them Chumley.
The Foil serves to highlight the protagonist's qualities and make them stand out stronger by the comparison.
The Confidante permits deeper insight into the protagonist virtues, but not their flaws -- else they'd be a foil.
Stooge is someone that asks questions so the protagonist can speak to them. I call them Chumleys because that was Chumley's role in the Tennessee Tuxedo Cartoons.
answered 5 hours ago
EDLEDL
3212 bronze badges
add a comment |
Straight Man
A member of a team of comic performers who plays a supporting role by helping to set up jokes and punch lines through engaging in preparatory dialog with the principal comedian.
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/straight_man
See also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straight_man
answered 1 hour ago
wetcircuitwetcircuit
18.4k2 gold badges33 silver badges89 bronze badges
add a comment |
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
I believe in this case, a 'sounding board' fits the bill, simply a person to bounce concepts, dialogue, and ideas off of. Just how some characters act as nought but mouthpieces, this one acts as nothing but an earpiece.
answered 8 hours ago
Matthew DaveMatthew Dave
7,79513 silver badges48 bronze badges
add a comment |
I believe in this case, a 'sounding board' fits the bill, simply a person to bounce concepts, dialogue, and ideas off of. Just how some characters act as nought but mouthpieces, this one acts as nothing but an earpiece.
answered 8 hours ago
Matthew DaveMatthew Dave
7,79513 silver badges48 bronze badges
add a comment |
I believe in this case, a 'sounding board' fits the bill, simply a person to bounce concepts, dialogue, and ideas off of. Just how some characters act as nought but mouthpieces, this one acts as nothing but an earpiece.
answered 8 hours ago
Matthew DaveMatthew Dave
7,79513 silver badges48 bronze badges
I believe in this case, a 'sounding board' fits the bill, simply a person to bounce concepts, dialogue, and ideas off of. Just how some characters act as nought but mouthpieces, this one acts as nothing but an earpiece.
answered 8 hours ago
Matthew DaveMatthew Dave
7,79513 silver badges48 bronze badges
answered 8 hours ago
Matthew DaveMatthew Dave
7,79513 silver badges48 bronze badges
answered 8 hours ago
Matthew DaveMatthew Dave
7,79513 silver badges48 bronze badges
answered 8 hours ago
Matthew DaveMatthew Dave
7,79513 silver badges48 bronze badges
7,79513 silver badges48 bronze badges
add a comment |
add a comment |
I don't believe there is a single term for this kind of character. The terms usually applied to those characters roll in relation to the protagonist are Foil, Confidante, and stooge -- or as I call them Chumley.
The Foil serves to highlight the protagonist's qualities and make them stand out stronger by the comparison.
The Confidante permits deeper insight into the protagonist virtues, but not their flaws -- else they'd be a foil.
Stooge is someone that asks questions so the protagonist can speak to them. I call them Chumleys because that was Chumley's role in the Tennessee Tuxedo Cartoons.
answered 5 hours ago
EDLEDL
3212 bronze badges
add a comment |
I don't believe there is a single term for this kind of character. The terms usually applied to those characters roll in relation to the protagonist are Foil, Confidante, and stooge -- or as I call them Chumley.
The Foil serves to highlight the protagonist's qualities and make them stand out stronger by the comparison.
The Confidante permits deeper insight into the protagonist virtues, but not their flaws -- else they'd be a foil.
Stooge is someone that asks questions so the protagonist can speak to them. I call them Chumleys because that was Chumley's role in the Tennessee Tuxedo Cartoons.
answered 5 hours ago
EDLEDL
3212 bronze badges
add a comment |
I don't believe there is a single term for this kind of character. The terms usually applied to those characters roll in relation to the protagonist are Foil, Confidante, and stooge -- or as I call them Chumley.
The Foil serves to highlight the protagonist's qualities and make them stand out stronger by the comparison.
The Confidante permits deeper insight into the protagonist virtues, but not their flaws -- else they'd be a foil.
Stooge is someone that asks questions so the protagonist can speak to them. I call them Chumleys because that was Chumley's role in the Tennessee Tuxedo Cartoons.
answered 5 hours ago
EDLEDL
3212 bronze badges
I don't believe there is a single term for this kind of character. The terms usually applied to those characters roll in relation to the protagonist are Foil, Confidante, and stooge -- or as I call them Chumley.
The Foil serves to highlight the protagonist's qualities and make them stand out stronger by the comparison.
The Confidante permits deeper insight into the protagonist virtues, but not their flaws -- else they'd be a foil.
Stooge is someone that asks questions so the protagonist can speak to them. I call them Chumleys because that was Chumley's role in the Tennessee Tuxedo Cartoons.
answered 5 hours ago
EDLEDL
3212 bronze badges
answered 5 hours ago
EDLEDL
3212 bronze badges
answered 5 hours ago
EDLEDL
3212 bronze badges
answered 5 hours ago
EDLEDL
3212 bronze badges
3212 bronze badges
add a comment |
add a comment |
Straight Man
A member of a team of comic performers who plays a supporting role by helping to set up jokes and punch lines through engaging in preparatory dialog with the principal comedian.
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/straight_man
See also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straight_man
answered 1 hour ago
wetcircuitwetcircuit
18.4k2 gold badges33 silver badges89 bronze badges
add a comment |
Straight Man
A member of a team of comic performers who plays a supporting role by helping to set up jokes and punch lines through engaging in preparatory dialog with the principal comedian.
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/straight_man
See also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straight_man
answered 1 hour ago
wetcircuitwetcircuit
18.4k2 gold badges33 silver badges89 bronze badges
add a comment |
Straight Man
A member of a team of comic performers who plays a supporting role by helping to set up jokes and punch lines through engaging in preparatory dialog with the principal comedian.
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/straight_man
See also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straight_man
answered 1 hour ago
wetcircuitwetcircuit
18.4k2 gold badges33 silver badges89 bronze badges
Straight Man
A member of a team of comic performers who plays a supporting role by helping to set up jokes and punch lines through engaging in preparatory dialog with the principal comedian.
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/straight_man
See also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straight_man
answered 1 hour ago
wetcircuitwetcircuit
18.4k2 gold badges33 silver badges89 bronze badges
answered 1 hour ago
wetcircuitwetcircuit
18.4k2 gold badges33 silver badges89 bronze badges
answered 1 hour ago
wetcircuitwetcircuit
18.4k2 gold badges33 silver badges89 bronze badges
answered 1 hour ago
wetcircuitwetcircuit
18.4k2 gold badges33 silver badges89 bronze badges
18.4k2 gold badges33 silver badges89 bronze badges
add a comment |
add a comment |
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"Sherlock's skull"? As in the one on the mantel?
– Lauren Ipsum
8 hours ago
I feel like there's probably a Broadway term for a "featured guest", someone with B-celebrity status who doesn't need to learn many lines, or an aging name actor who can't remember dialog or blocking but can offer a strong stage presence… Someone the audience will react warmly to just by being there.
– wetcircuit
16 mins ago