Back Couch Banjo

[RobertScorpio]

Many shows have stars, and then they have 'should be the star'...STAR TREK is a good example? Who was really the "STAR" of that show, Kirk or SPock. I actually think Kirk was the heard and soul of that show, but I can not deny that Spock got all the press back then..I know..I was there...

Can you think of other TV shows where there was the so called "STAR" but a another character actually stole the thunder and was the break-out star...

MOONLIGHTING I think is another good example...Sheppard was the "star", but Bruce Willis soon owned that show, which led to much strife between them...

Rob
Scorpio

 

[The Borgified Corpse]

One of the quickest examples that comes to mind is Wesley on Angel. In Seasons 3 & 4, he totally dominated that show, largely because the main arc of Angel's character had already been resolved in Season 2.

Spike stole all of Buffy's thunder during the final two seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

It's different since it's kinda retroactive, but the box art for the new DVD releases of Roswell focus on Isabel even though Max & Liz were the main characters (and Michael & Maria were the fan favorites). The reason: Isabel was played by Katherine Heigl, who has had the most successful career of any of the Roswell actors.

Even moreso than Spock on The Original Series, Seven of Nine became the media's sole focus the minute she stepped onto the set of Star Trek: Voyager.

Then you've got some sitcom characters that weren't part of the original cast but totally dominated the show by the end, like Fonzie on Happy Days & Steve Urkel on Family Matters. In fact, the increasing focus on Steve Urkel was the reason why at least one of the actors quit.

 

[Zachary Smith]

Oh, let me think . . . I wonder . . . Hmm . . . WHO might just have what it takes to heist a show and change the VERY fabric of how it is presented. Think, Zachary . . . THINK!!

 

[auntiehill]

^ Barney, on HIMYM, is probably the most recent example. Ted is the main character, but let's face, he's really not that interesting. It's Barney who really makes the show fun.

 

[Zulu Romeo]

Papa Lazarou from The League of Gentlemen - he had a huge impact from just the one episode, so much so that he returned for the Christmas special, the series 3 finale, the live shows and the movie.

"This is just a saga now..."

 

[WillsBabe]

Can I ask a question? I don't understand the thread title.

 

[auntiehill]

^Neither do I. I am assuming he means the "second banana" or some-such thing.

But the bizarre title got me to click on the thread, so I guess it worked.

 

[Kelthaz]

Well I'm confused. Are we talking about Ensemble Darkhorses?

 

[The Borgified Corpse]

It may have been called The Sarah Connor Chronicles but all the ads ever did was drool over Cameron.

And while the writing and tha marketing of Dollhouse is still squarely focused on Eliza Dushku, I think a lot of the fans are looking to mutiny, toss her overboard, and crown Sierra & Victor as the new main characters.

 

[Star Wolf]

Most comedies have a breakout role which is rarely the "star" from the Fonz on Happy Days through Steve Urkel and now Barney on How I met Your Mother

 

[RobertScorpio]

Most comedies have a breakout role which is rarely the "star" from the Fonz on Happy Days through Steve Urkel and now Barney on How I met Your Mother

Comedies are like that...I have to think that Jim Parsons is not the star of BIG BANG, because I had never heard of him before. But certainly his character is, I think, the driving force on that show...

Fonzie definately has to be the best example of this, as some have noticed. I watched that show, and remember him being just there in the background on this motorbike..and then overtime, he just exploded. Vinnie Barbarino on KOTTER is one too, that just came out of nowhere...

Rob