Some shows can be very deep, others very simplistic. But in most shows, there is one (sometimes more) character that I call the JANUS.
The Janus is usually an extreme character who has two different voice tones. For example : One for the funny, one for the drama. Both voices are very opposite so that the audience knows exactly what is the mood of each scene.
Michael Kelso from That 70's Show is a perfect example. He has his stupid voice when he's planning some idiot scheme and he has a very intense voice when he gets emotional.
The Janus can be a comic-relief character although he strongly defines every scene he is in. If one of his voices is very serious, the scene will be much much more serious.
The choice of voice he'll make will have a stronger effect than what he is saying.
Another good Janus is Eric Cartman. He actually has three voices in my opinion although the two last ones are very close sometimes. The first one is the annoying spoiled brat voice that he first uses in the series. The second is his matter-of-fact, logical voice he uses when debating or explaining something. The third is his "new-persona" voice that appears when his imagination runs wild like in the Coon episodes, or the 24 spoof...
Most of the time, the Janus will be divided between fun and touchy-feely, and since he drives the mood of the scenes he is in more strongly than other characters, he balances story-lines by being "light" and "heavy" at the same time.
In some shows, all the characters are Jani, in others there are none at all, but I believe the Janus is a crucial character in most sitcoms because of the comic-relief he brings at times. A character that keeps falling, bumping his head,... and that also has a girlfriend who is one of the main characters as well (like Michael Kelso) will always be funny and tragic at the same time. He's a sort of sad clown torn between unattainable ambitions and a god like force that will always make him fail...
That's the Janus !
Thank you,
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TRJ
Most of the time, the Janus will be divided between fun and touchy-feely, and since he drives the mood of the scenes he is in more strongly than other characters, he balances story-lines by being "light" and "heavy" at the same time.
In some shows, all the characters are Jani, in others there are none at all, but I believe the Janus is a crucial character in most sitcoms because of the comic-relief he brings at times. A character that keeps falling, bumping his head,... and that also has a girlfriend who is one of the main characters as well (like Michael Kelso) will always be funny and tragic at the same time. He's a sort of sad clown torn between unattainable ambitions and a god like force that will always make him fail...
That's the Janus !
Thank you,
Share, Comment and Subscribe !
TRJ
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