# Unseen TV characters **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 18, 2001, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unseen-tv-characters/50646 "2001-01-18T05:47:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Show\_Biz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@Show\_Biz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Show_Biz)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unseen-tv-characters/50646/41 "2001-01-18T19:11:07Z")
Wan’t the **M_A_S\*H** announcer Gary Burghoff … Corporal Walter Eugene “Radar” O’Reilly ? I haven’t seen the show in years, but I recall him in the movie stumbling over the movie announcements. Yet, I suppose he can’t be, because his famous nickname-making trademark was to say, “Choppers!” and Hawkeye would look around and say “I don’t hear anything.” “Wait for it.” then the announcer, “Incoming!” But the movie database DOES list \*\*Sal Viscuso … P.A. Announcer (uncredited) (voice) \*\* \*\* [http://us.imdb.com/Credits?0066026](http://us.imdb.com/Credits?0066026) Movie [http://us.imdb.com/Title?0068098](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0068098) TV show\*\* ---
**Author:** ![Fiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e274bd/32.png) [@Fiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiver)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unseen-tv-characters/50646/42 "2001-01-18T19:12:08Z")
**Kinsey** : > [@](#): > > I’m quite sure we saw Ralph’s father…he was an eye doctor, (right?) and Fonzie went to see him once. Yes! And he was played by the same guy who had played Howard Sprague on _The Andy Griffith Show_. Hmm. I wonder if any other actors appeared on both _The Andy Griffith Show_ and _Happy Days_? Nahh, couldn’t happen. ---
**Author:** ![Zarathustra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/898d66/32.png) [@Zarathustra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zarathustra)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unseen-tv-characters/50646/43 "2001-01-18T19:14:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by AWB \* > \*\*Oops… > > I thought Welles had appeared on-screen as Robin Masters. But according to an episode guide, he was only the voice. However, Magnum once mentioned that Masters _looked_ like Orson Welles. \*\* Later on in the season, wasn’t it implied that Higgins and Robin Masters were one and the same? In that case, Robin Masters was on screen for almost every episode . . . ---
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unseen-tv-characters/50646/44 "2001-01-18T19:14:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Five \* > > Once we start talking about M_A_S\*H there are many characters we learned a lot about but never saw: > > Peg & Erin Hunnicutt > Honoria Winchester > Mrs. Blake > Mildred Potter > the elder Mr. Pierce > Mrs. O’Reilly and, err, her brother (wasn’t Radar’s uncle helping Radar’s widowed mother with the farm?)? Not to be a party-pooper, but we did see Peg Hunnicutt (and Erin, too, I believe) in one episode. BJ was upset about spending his anniversary away from home; Hawkeye pumped BJ for information on what BJ and Peg would do on their anniversary, secretly taping him. Hawkeye then sent the tape to Peg, and she made an 8mm film showing her getting all dolled up for their big anniversary date. After seeing the movie, Margaret offered to dance with BJ to “fill in” for Peg (since going dancing was one of the things BJ had anticipated with Peg). We also saw Radar’s mom and uncle this same way; his family sent a home movie to him in another episode. Radar’s mom looked amazingly like Radar in drag. We also saw his dog, Ranger (?), and some other family members. Mildred Pierce’s photo resided on Colonel Potter’s desk, so we did see her a few times. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unseen-tv-characters/50646/45 "2001-01-18T19:17:35Z")
OK, I was wrong–according to the [M_A_S\*H FAQ](http://www.mash4077.co.uk/faq.html), the PA voices were supplied by Sal Viscuso and Todd Susman. The guy I thought did it was Jeff Maxwell, who played Igor Straminsky. Todd Susman _did_ appear on-screen in at least one episode (“Operation Noselift”) as Private Danny Baker, who wanted a nose job. I haven’t seen any connection between that role and the PA guy role–he’s listed as a guest star for that episode. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unseen-tv-characters/50646/46 "2001-01-18T19:21:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Five \* > \*\ ***Kinsey** : > > > [@](#): > > > > I’m quite sure we saw Ralph’s father…he was an eye doctor, (right?) and Fonzie went to see him once. > > Yes! And he was played by the same guy who had played Howard Sprague on _The Andy Griffith Show_. \*\* Yeah! That’s him! \*\* > [@](#): > > Hmm. I wonder if any other actors appeared on both _The Andy Griffith Show_ and _Happy Days_? Nahh, couldn’t happen. \*\* You know, I wonder what happened to that cute kid who played Opie? 😛 hee hee There was a “Happy Days” episode where the parents went to see the movie “The Music Man” and Marian commented on how much the actor playing the little boy reminded her of Ritchie as a child! I **definately** watch too much TV! ---
**Author:** ![nineiron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e56c9b/32.png) [@nineiron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nineiron)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unseen-tv-characters/50646/47 "2001-01-18T19:24:56Z")
Just a guess, but how about the upstairs boss on “Taxi”? I haven’t seen the show in a while, but I think I remember just his office being up there and him never being seen. I am probably wrong, but all the ones I was sure about have already been said. ---
**Author:** ![PRNYouth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9dc877/32.png) [@PRNYouth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PRNYouth)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unseen-tv-characters/50646/48 "2001-01-18T19:27:22Z")
The Internet Movie DataBase lists at four appearances by Doris Dial on Murphy Brown – played by two different actresses, Janet Carroll, and Concetta Tomei. There may have been more appearances. Conversely, the Internet Movie DataBase lists no appearances for a character named Consuela in the “guest appearances” section of the _Designing Women_ listing. (The IMDB has multiple omissions, though, so that should not be taken for absolute proof.) I have to add that I am of the opinion that Consuela was never shown. The episode some may remember as an appearance by Consuela actually features Anthony (Meshach Taylor) posing as Consuela in order to take her citizenship test. ---
**Author:** ![nineiron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e56c9b/32.png) [@nineiron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nineiron)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unseen-tv-characters/50646/49 "2001-01-18T19:27:34Z")
Here’s a newer one (the show has only been on 1 or 2 years, but still): Margaret’s husband on “Becker.” She always talks about their marital problems, but I don’t think he’s been seen. And didn’t Phyllis Diller used to do a bit on “Fang,” or some such thing, that we never saw? ---
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unseen-tv-characters/50646/50 "2001-01-18T19:39:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sauron \* > \*\*Mildred Pierce’s photo resided on Colonel Potter’s desk, so we did see her a few times. \*\* I meant, of course, that Mildred **Potter** ’s photo was on the desk. Sheesh. ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unseen-tv-characters/50646/51 "2001-01-18T20:06:39Z")
Then there was Al, the guy on Police Squad who was so tall that his head was always cut off at the top of the screen. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unseen-tv-characters/50646/52 "2001-01-18T20:51:36Z")
I haven’t seen anyone mention Tino, the mystery figure of _My So-Called Life_. Tino was the MAN; he was at the center of everything cool, yet we never saw him. “Tino’s gonna be there…” “Tino can give us a ride…” “Tino heard about this great party…”. Really, it’s like _Waiting For Godot_. For that matter, you never see the Chase’s family cat, either, although they always have to feed it, get kitty litter… ---
**Author:** ![Zappo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b3f665/32.png) [@Zappo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zappo)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unseen-tv-characters/50646/53 "2001-01-18T21:22:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Steve Wright \* > > IIRC, in “Are You Being Served?”, Young Mr. Grace was the original proprietor, Old Mr. Grace put in an appearance in later seasons (I think the actor playing Young Mr. Grace either died or retired at some point). Come to think of it, the show included two other invisible characters, Mr Humphries’ mother and (groan) Mrs. Slocombe’s pussy… You’re right, Steve.(No pun intended). Now that I’ve thought about it during the looooong boring meeting I was stuck in this afternoon, Old Mr. Grace did appear in the later seasons after the actor who played Young Mr. Grace died. I stand corrected. Regards, Zappo ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unseen-tv-characters/50646/54 "2001-01-18T21:56:37Z")
All the adults (and their voices) in all of the Charlie Brown cartoons ever made. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unseen-tv-characters/50646/55 "2001-01-18T23:33:54Z")
Indeed, on _Are You Being Served?_, the initial “young Mr. Grace” was replaced by “old Mr. Grace” (apparently a younger actor in some godawful makeup). There was an episode where the two Mr. Graces switched, probably a season premiere; young Mr. Grace retired, and old Mr. Grace moved right into his office. Somewhere along the way, I could swear they began to refer to the new fella as “young Mr. Grace” again. And, for the final few years, no “Mr. Grace” character made an appearance, although “young Mr. Grace” was often referred to. Mr. Humphries’ mother did indeed appear on the show, played by John Inman himself. We never did see Mrs. Slocombe’s pussy, no. Well, I think its tail appeared once or twice. Although I don’t believe Mrs. Slocombe’s neighbor, the often-mentioned Mrs. Axelby, ever appeared… ---
**Author:** ![AtomicDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@AtomicDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AtomicDog)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unseen-tv-characters/50646/56 "2001-01-18T23:51:34Z")
“Ms. Bellum! Oh, Ms. Bellum!” ---
**Author:** ![caircair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/91b2a8/32.png) [@caircair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caircair)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unseen-tv-characters/50646/57 "2001-01-18T23:55:24Z")
RE: Mildred Potter. Yes, we saw her on “AfterMASH”, but it wasn’t the woman in the photo on Col. Potter’s desk; that was a photo of actress Spring Byington (who I believe had died before the show ever aired.) RE: Mrs. Slocombe’s “pussy”: Yes, all we ever saw was the tail (it looked like a gray tabby). But on the second series, “Are You Being Served? Again!” the cat made an appearance: This time a fluffy black and white number. Incidentally, “pussy’s” name was “Tiddles”. My husband tells me when we get a cat we must name it “Mrs. Slocombe”. ---
**Author:** ![ladybug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/46a35a/32.png) [@ladybug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladybug)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2001, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unseen-tv-characters/50646/58 "2001-01-19T02:11:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Max Torque \* > **I haven’t seen anyone mention Tino, the mystery figure of _My So-Called Life_. Tino was the MAN; he was at the center of everything cool, yet we never saw him. “Tino’s gonna be there…” “Tino can give us a ride…” “Tino heard about this great party…”. Really, it’s like _Waiting For Godot_.** You beat me to it, **Max**. 🙂 Tino was the first character I thought of while I was reading this thread. ---
**Author:** ![King\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7bcc69/32.png) [@King\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/King_Rat)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2001, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unseen-tv-characters/50646/59 "2001-01-19T02:32:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Colibri \* > **If we include recurring announcers…** There was the narrator on _Batman_, who was none other than William Dozier, the executive producer. ---
**Author:** ![Ell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47774/32.png) [@Ell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ell)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2001, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unseen-tv-characters/50646/60 "2001-01-19T03:02:54Z")
In one of the very early Seinfeld episodes Newman was threatening to commit suicide you never saw him but his voice was definately not Wayne Knight. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unseen-tv-characters/50646.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unseen-tv-characters/50646.md?page=4)