The original post: /r/television by /u/Jackalodeath on 2024-06-23 13:52:27.
First, to the mods: I understand this may fall under the “list” rule for posts, so I understand if its removed; my sincerest apologies if so.
So, a discussion about the Drew Carey Show reminded me I use to watch it mostly for Mimi, Lewis, and Oswald. Carey had his moments, but those three were almost always guaranteed laughs. It made me realize I watched a fair deal of shows back in the day just in the hopes a specific character or skit would appear; or that the episode would focus more on a supporting/side character than the MC. Here’s just a few examples:
Who’s Line is it Anyways for - again - Ryan Stiles, but especially with Colin Mochrie. If those two weren’t there, I wasn’t really interested; they were absolute laugh riots when teamed up. In the later iteration I would “settle” for either/or and Greg Proops.
I used to watch Home Improvement in the hopes I would get to see the face of the “Wise Man behind the fence.” Don’t know why I was so invested in that aspect, but it kept bringing me back.
I’d watch Boy Meets World just for Mr. Feeney. Also Topanga and Shawn, but those were for different reasons.
I originally started watching MAD TV just for the Spy vs Spy cartoons. I grew to love the whole show, but those 'toons are what hooked me.
In a similar vain, I liked Itchy and Scratchy more than The Simpsons itself; as well as TV Funhouse from SNL.
I watched Sabrina the Teenage Witch just for Salem and Aunt Hilda (Caroline Rhea.)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer for (mostly) Willow (Alice Hannigan) and Oz (Seth Green); the former is the only reason I watched the American Pie movies.
Beakman’s World primarily for Lester and Josie. The whole show was gold, but to me they were what made it shine.
Mystery Science Theater 3000 for Crow; Tom was a very close second, but Crow was my favorite above all else.
Then Lori Beth Denberg on All That. Of course Keenan and Kel were hot tickets; but Lori’s delivery/timing was my bread and butter.
So, if anyone’ll humor me, I’d like to know who else “invests” more into specific character(s) or skits than the shows themselves; no matter the reason. Like for Home Improvement, I genuinely don’t remember actually liking the show; just the fence guy gimmick, that’s it. It was like never seeing the parents faces on Charlie Brown or Cow and Chicken (though the latter ended up being nearly traumatizing), or the owner’s face from Tom and Jerry.
I’m sure there’s way more I don’t remember because the years have piled up, so I’m hoping other’s experiences can dredge up some nostalgia from the mire that is my memory.