# Examples of secondary characters completely taking over a TV or book series? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 31, 2014, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-secondary-characters-completely-taking-over-a-tv-or-book-series/694493 "2014-07-31T15:24:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-secondary-characters-completely-taking-over-a-tv-or-book-series/694493/41 "2014-08-01T12:36:24Z")
> [@Cunctator](#): > > Australians with long memories will probably recall [Sons and Daughters](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sons_and_Daughters_(Australian_TV_series)), a rather ridiculous 1980s soap opera based on a pair of star-crossed young lovers who later turn out to be long list twins, separated at birth. Their evil mother (“Pat the Rat”) soon became the focus of all of the storylines. …NO! That theme song…returning…to…MY BRAIN! [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad1tILmRjxA) ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-secondary-characters-completely-taking-over-a-tv-or-book-series/694493/42 "2014-08-01T12:49:04Z")
But isn’t the “quirky side character” a trope in-and-of-themselves? From Urkel to Kramer and back again, even though they aren’t billed as such, they are always a main focus. This includes a lot of people in this thread: Karen, NPH in HIMYM, etc. And because they usually get the funny one-liners they are the ones who are quoted and therfore get more popular ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-secondary-characters-completely-taking-over-a-tv-or-book-series/694493/43 "2014-08-01T14:14:24Z")
The Canadian book series Anne of Green Gables is taken over by Anne’s children in the last two books and Anne herself becomes a secondary character. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-secondary-characters-completely-taking-over-a-tv-or-book-series/694493/44 "2014-08-01T14:20:24Z")
> [@Don\_Draper](#): > > In the early episodes of “Dallas”, the lead characters were good son Patrick Ewing . . . Oh, come on. Patrick Ewing was always the star, both with Georgetown and the Knicks! ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-secondary-characters-completely-taking-over-a-tv-or-book-series/694493/45 "2014-08-01T14:35:31Z")
Are You Being Served? was supposed to be a vehicle for Trevor Bannister and his character Mr. Lucas, but Mr. Humphries stole the show early on. JJ Walker pretty much took over Good Times. Fonzie was a good example, taking over Happy Days after Chuck was put in witness protection. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-secondary-characters-completely-taking-over-a-tv-or-book-series/694493/46 "2014-08-01T15:28:03Z")
In the “Guards” series of Discworld books by Pratchett, it seems clear that the story was originally supposed to be about CARROT [sub]and the rest of the guards[/sub]. Lady Sybil walked into the story and when Vimes met her–BOOM–you can actually SEE Vimes wrest control of the book from Pterry and kick Carrot to second male lead where he belongs as Vimes takes over. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-secondary-characters-completely-taking-over-a-tv-or-book-series/694493/47 "2014-08-01T15:35:43Z")
JJ Walker hijacking Good Times drove John Amos off the show. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-secondary-characters-completely-taking-over-a-tv-or-book-series/694493/48 "2014-08-01T15:41:11Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > Normally, I would agree with you, but it seemed they were trying to push Aniston into the “lead” slot, and the Joey and Phoebe characters were secondary to the others. I dunno, I need a nap. Actually, I think it was expected that Courtney Cox would be the breakout star from that series. She was the best known cast member when the series started. And she was the central character: the main set was her apartment, Ross was her brother, Chandler and Joey were her neighbours, Phoebe was her former roommate, Rachel was her high school best friend and new roommate. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-secondary-characters-completely-taking-over-a-tv-or-book-series/694493/49 "2014-08-01T15:41:57Z")
I was going to say Popeye, but was beaten to it, so I’ll submit Captain Easy, who took over the comic strip “Wash Tubbs”. I’m old. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-secondary-characters-completely-taking-over-a-tv-or-book-series/694493/50 "2014-08-01T16:01:53Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > But isn’t the “quirky side character” a trope in-and-of-themselves? > > From Urkel to Kramer and back again, even though they aren’t billed as such, they are always a main focus. If I recall correctly, Urkel was supposed to be a one-off character. He was received so well though (why, I have no earthly clue) that they started working him increasingly into the show until it pretty much became The Urkel Show by the end. ---
**Author:** ![Osiris\_the\_1st](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9de0a6/32.png) [@Osiris\_the\_1st](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Osiris_the_1st)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-secondary-characters-completely-taking-over-a-tv-or-book-series/694493/51 "2014-08-01T16:07:27Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > That reminds me-- I remember reading that Opus was just supposed to be a one-off character to show what a weird kid Binkley was because he had a penguin for a pet. By the time it ended, _Bloom County_ might as well have been called “Opus and Friends.” I believe Berkeley Breathed said that when Opus uttered the punchline “Pear pimples for hairy fishnuts!” he knew the strip had found its center. Once he retired from his daily strip and began the Sunday strip _Outland_ it didn’t take very long for Opus to show up and steal the spotlight there as well. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-secondary-characters-completely-taking-over-a-tv-or-book-series/694493/52 "2014-08-01T16:31:17Z")
Hill and Renko were supposed to die in the pilot episode of _Hill Street Blues_ but they changed it to being wounded so they could come back. They stayed the run of the show, even when other characters got cut. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-secondary-characters-completely-taking-over-a-tv-or-book-series/694493/53 "2014-08-01T17:24:38Z")
A British series about Oliver Habersham and his three-wheeled car was completely overshadowed by a nearly-mute jerk who kept running him off the road. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-secondary-characters-completely-taking-over-a-tv-or-book-series/694493/54 "2014-08-01T17:34:50Z")
_The West Wing_ was supposed to focus on the President’s staff, with only occasional appearances by their boss. But Martin Sheen was so good that he quickly became the first among equals in the ensemble. ---
**Author:** ![SirRay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@SirRay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirRay)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-secondary-characters-completely-taking-over-a-tv-or-book-series/694493/55 "2014-08-01T17:44:35Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > A British series about Oliver Habersham and his three-wheeled car was completely overshadowed by a nearly-mute jerk who kept running him off the road. I know this is a Whoosh about Mr Bean, but who’s “Oliver Habersham” supposed to be? Don’t recall any Mr. Bean episode even showing the driver of the blue Robin Reliant beyond a vague shadow inside the car, and that includes the cartoon series. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-secondary-characters-completely-taking-over-a-tv-or-book-series/694493/56 "2014-08-01T17:46:24Z")
If things had gone as planned, EVERYONE would know the name Oliver Habersham. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-secondary-characters-completely-taking-over-a-tv-or-book-series/694493/57 "2014-08-01T18:03:01Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Hill and Renko were supposed to die in the pilot episode of _Hill Street Blues_ but they changed it to being wounded so they could come back. They stayed the run of the show, even when other characters got cut. I believe it was only Renko (Charles Haid) who was supposed to die. Hill (Michael Warren) was supposed to recover and be teamed with a new partner while he coped with his former partner’s death. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-secondary-characters-completely-taking-over-a-tv-or-book-series/694493/58 "2014-08-01T19:09:30Z")
> [@Osiris\_the\_1st](#): > > I believe Berkeley Breathed said that when Opus uttered the punchline “Pear pimples for hairy fishnuts!” he knew the strip had found its center. Once he retired from his daily strip and began the Sunday strip _Outland_ it didn’t take very long for Opus to show up and steal the spotlight there as well. _Outland_ started with a completely new set of characters, but I guess Berkeley Breathed ran out of ideas pretty quickly, because it wasn’t long at all before Opus showed up in Outland, and the strip quickly became a revamp of _Bloom County_, with the new characters very much marginalized. ---
**Author:** ![Clawdio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d07c76/32.png) [@Clawdio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clawdio)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-secondary-characters-completely-taking-over-a-tv-or-book-series/694493/59 "2014-08-01T19:15:13Z")
I vote for Randy Marsh on South Park. Sure the kids will always be focal point, but usually any epidsode heavy with Randy he becomes the star. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-secondary-characters-completely-taking-over-a-tv-or-book-series/694493/60 "2014-08-01T19:36:32Z")
> [@Clawdio](#): > > I vote for Randy Marsh on South Park. > > Sure the kids will always be focal point, but usually any epidsode heavy with Randy he becomes the star. Kind of the same thing with Castiel in Supernatural. He’s not in every episode but when he is it’s usually about him. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-secondary-characters-completely-taking-over-a-tv-or-book-series/694493.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-secondary-characters-completely-taking-over-a-tv-or-book-series/694493.md?page=4)