The silly character: Where have you gone?
I was watching a few older cartoons the other day, and I started to think about the way characters are done today in animation. There are very few silly characters. Sure, some characters have silly bits they do, but there is usually some story point or such which causes that action, and then they’re back to doing something else. What I’m talking about are characters that are always silly because that is their character. These are characters with consistantly weak brains that make for some of the funniest comedy bits you’ve ever seen.
I think Goofy is one great example of this type of character, but I’m hard pressed to think of another one in post 1950’s animation. Maybe Patrick from Spongebob Squarepants qualifies?
Can anyone else think of any?
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On November 14th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Most of the characters with weak brains are now network or studio executives. Try Bullwinkle if you need an example, although his character design lacks the stooped posture of a classical idiot character. Cleetus the slack jawed yolkl from the Simpsons is also close to a classic idiot.
On November 14th, 2006 at 12:00 am
I was going to say Patrick from Spongebob…hm…maybe Cosmo from FOP? Although he’s definitley more psychotic than Goofy or Patrick.
On November 14th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Dagget!….1/2 of that Angry Beaver duo, Dag & Norb. Dag-a-lag-a-ding-dong, my favorite “Norb-izim” for Dag.
My favorite ep? The one where they race bicycles with suction cup wheels on the ceiling of the lodge.
On November 14th, 2006 at 12:00 am
There was Pinky from “Pinky and the Brain”.
On November 15th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Ahh, I totally forgot about Pinky. Good one.
On November 15th, 2006 at 12:00 am
I’m very old school when I approach silly characters. Take a look at a lot of the silly characters Tex Avery created for a lot of his shorts at MGM. George in the George and Junior shorts, the bird in King Sized Canary, and others.
This was my approach to the silly finster character with buck teeth in my Frederator short.
I love these guys and using good old fashioned comedy!
Pat Ventura continues using these silly characters in his films as well.
A lot of new animators forget about this stuff.
Too bad.
anyway, take care and we’ll talk on the blog soon!!!!
Your Cartoon Pals…. Jeff and the Finsters