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Could "Fonzie syndrome" apply to other media? For example, Wolverine in the X-Men comic books seems like a classic example of "Fonzie syndrome". Simon Beavis 1 January 2006.
I think these two shows could be reinstated. I recall some press speculation that other cast members were peeved when Michael J Fox and Justin Bateman, respectively, seemed to become the stars of the show when they were originally meant as a family ensemble. I am not saying the casts really did think this, just that Fox and Bateman became such big stars that the press seized on it for speculation. I seem to recall the angle was that established actors playing the adults had been working for years, when these new hunks come along and overshadow them. Asa01 03:28, 3 November 2005 (UTC)
I also think Charlie Angels entry should go, mainly because Farrah was one of the intended stars, and really all the original angels were popular, maybe Farah moreso, but they were all stars. It is not like Bosley became the biggest star or anything. Asa01 03:31, 3 November 2005 (UTC)
I like the Charlie's Angels entry because the show was, at its beginning, intended as a vehicle for Kate Jackson. msclguru 12:43, 2 December 2005 (UTC)
Sorry I removed the M*A*S*H entry below.
Though Klinger (and Father Mulcachy) progressed from being minor recurring characters to regular leads, they never did overtake the characters devised initially as lead characters. Hawkeye, Hotlips, BJ et al always remained central and highly popular and while Kliger's appearances increased he never overtook the nominal stars. Asa01 21:10, 13 November 2005 (UTC)
I really have to disagree here. M*A*S*H may have been an ensemble cast at the beginning, but there was no doubt, even from the Pilot -- Hell, even from the movie -- that Hawkeye would be a first-tier character. Msclguru 19:43, 16 March 2006 (UTC)
I think Craig Manning should be removed from this list. He was introduced in the two-part Season 2 premiere, which centered on his intro and his abuse from his father, and has since then been one of the major focal characters of the show. It's clear he was never intended as a one-off or merely supporting character but as one of the lynchpins of the show's ensemble cast. He doesn't fit the definition of Fonzie syndrome at all. If no one objects, I'll remove the reference to Craig later today. -- Patrick T. Wynne 18:18, 21 November 2005 (UTC)
I removed the notes on Mimi Bobeck and Tommy the White Ranger, because they weren't needed. It's already a given that the characters on this list were minor supporting players but evolved into major characters; that doesn't need to be explained again. Also, the idea that Tommy is THE perfect example of Fonzie Syndrome next to Fonzie itself seems a little off...since Fonzie Syndrome is also known as Urkel Syndrome, Urkel is clearly the next most perfect example of Fonzie Syndrome
The one about Pepe needs to be left in because it explains that he was only introduced on the show, not a major star...however, if this is the case, and it was actually a movie that made him a star, should Pepe and Muppets Tonight even be listed here at all? -- msclguru 12:52, 2 December 2005 (UTC)
-- msclguru 15:48, 2 December 2005 (UTC)
Just because he went into a spin-off it is not the same thing as Fonzie syndrome. Frasier never came dominate the show Cheers and overshadow its original stars. Yet that is the requirement for a listing here. Many old sitcom characters were continued in later spinoffs. Its not really that unusual. Asa01 19:28, 5 December 2005 (UTC)
- Cheers: Dr. Frasier Crane ( Kelsey Grammer) - This character became so powerful that it could support an entire new show.
I don't think Cartman qualifies as a fonzie syndrome character, as he was one of the four main characters from the beginning of the show.-- Jsonitsac 05:53, 11 December 2005 (UTC)
I agree he isn't central or most popular, and he didn't have to move so far to get where he is. Dimitrii 22:11, 12 December 2005 (UTC)
Newhart: Larry, Daryl and Daryl: are not "a character that had originally been a one-off or part of the supporting cast becomes the central and most popular character on the show" They certainly went from one-off's to supporting cast but they were never central or most popular. Dimitrii 22:09, 12 December 2005 (UTC)
While Latka Gravas was a popular character, he was never the central focus of the show. -- MisterHand 22:13, 12 December 2005 (UTC)
What about Joey on Friends? Even though he didn't ever take over that show, he did become big and start his own show. DrKC9N 19:25, 23 December 2005 (UTC)
I removed the Carver ( Nip/Tuck) because he really doesn't fit. Just because he received a lot of attention doesn't mean he suddenly became the main character. He was basically a storyline, one that is (for now) done with. - Branddobbe 07:04, 25 December 2005 (UTC)
It seems to me this article has a ton of examples that aren't truly "Fonzie Syndrome" at all. I'm going to wait 24 hours for comments, and after that I'll delete all of the following from the list:
Just a stranger here, but I'm thinking a great example of Fonzie Syndrome would be Penguin Opus from Bloom County.
Unless there are objections, I'm going to remove the following entries in a day or two:
Also, I'm going to shorten the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers entry to just "Tommy Oliver." We don't need every name that character has ever had listed on this page. -- MisterHand 14:27, 21 January 2006 (UTC)
Could an argument be made for the character of Spock in the original Star Trek series? William Shatner was supposedly the star, and the character of Captain Kirk the lead character, but Leonard Nimoy became incredibly popular and many episodes focused on Spock moreso than Captain Kirk. Of course, because the triumvirate of Kirk/Spock/McCoy was more or less the focal point of the series from day one, I am not sure Spock ever really became more important than Captain Kirk. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 209.51.77.64 ( talk • contribs) .
What is this line about "episodic media (usually TV sitcoms)?" That's too broad. "Fonzie Syndrome" is an actual TV industry term. If you want to create a section about other media where similar situations have occurred, that's fine, but it's inaccurate to take a TV-specific term and rewrite its definition to include all other episodic media. That's like saying that Nielsen ratings determine the audience size for episodic media (usually TV programs).
I will rewrite this sentence in 24 hours unless someone brings up a good argument why not. Msclguru 18:22, 10 February 2006 (UTC)
Surely Hawkeye was always ment to be the star. He was given top billing even in the film. Though Trapper was a more dominant character in the film, from the start of the television series, it was always clear that Hawkeye was meant to be the lead.-- Crestville 00:30, 20 February 2006 (UTC)
Agreed, as I noted above, and I am removing the Hawkeye entry. 68.55.115.149 20:21, 19 March 2006 (UTC)
Vala Mal Doran and Carson Beckett are nowhere near the focal point of the show; Carson has yet to have a full episode featuring him centrally, unlike Rodney McKay, and Vala was plot-bound to Daniel Jackson for a number of episodes. She is certainly not central, and neither show appears to be affected by Fonzie syndrome. One could argue that Rodney has more popularity than John Sheppard, but that's the same as the Cartman entry above. Removing both for now. AKismet 14:15, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
I'm going to reinstate Michael J. Fox as an example of "Fonzie Syndrome." Indeed, Alex P. Keaton is considered one of the better examples of the syndrome listed. For example, here's a quote from an article I found:
If there's disagreement, let's hash it out. -- MisterHand 20:35, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
I have removed the following entry:
Mimi was never the focal point of the series. -- MisterHand 14:19, 15 March 2006 (UTC)
I've done a large sweep and erased several entries because they were added without regard for the definition of Fonzie Syndrome.
Fonzie Syndrome does not occur simply when a supporting character becomes more important and popular, or receives better billing and more screen time. It happens when the supporting character becomes the single most important character on the show.
So, for example, I erased the entry for Niles in Frasier because Niles never became more important to the show than Frasier himself.
Just because somebody's name and character moves higher up in the order on the show credits (i.e., Waldo on Family Matters), does not necessarily mean that they are examples of "Fonzie Syndrome." If the character in question does not become THE major character on the show, that show shouldn't be listed here.
Msclguru 20:39, 19 March 2006 (UTC)
Suggestions for a removal and an addition - the removal needed especially if a strict definition is being used.
Removal: Spock [Star Trek] as he was one of the main characters from the start - never merely a supporting character (except in the pilot).
Addition: Spike [Buffy the Vampire Slayer]: Spike started as a villian intended to have only a few episodes in the second season. He was popular enough to not only continue in that season but also bring back and develop into a major character in Buffy for the final three seasons and cross over to Angel's final season once Buffy ended. Some might argue he should also be listed for Angel. No, he shouldn't as he was brought on a major character for the final season.
I am making the suggestions here and not actually making the changes on the entry page as this is my first participation. 172.136.216.76 01:54, 23 April 2006 (UTC) Tom40585
I don't see Ryoko as ever becoming more important than Tenchi to any version of Tenchi Muyo!. I'd suggest that item be removed. Redneckgaijin, March 29, 2006
I removed George Bluth (Arrested Development) from the list. He was never the focal point of the series. -- MisterHand 20:05, 2 April 2006 (UTC)
"Fonzie Syndrome is also sometimes known as Urkel Syndrome after the popular (and, at first, one-off) character Steve Urkel from the 1990s sitcom Family Matters." Maybe in the States, but I don't think the show has even run in the UK. Perhaps some editing of the line would be in order?
About what this term actually means. There are two characteristics of the undisputed Fonz and Urkel cases 1) they both started out as very marginal characters (in Urkel's case, at least, not a member of the main cast); 2) they both ended up becoming the central focus of the show. I think that either both of these characteristics need to be met for a character to appear on the list, or else we should have separate lists for "major characters who ended up becoming the central focus of the show" and "recurring characters who ended up becoming very major characters." As it stands now, the latter instance is consistently removed from the article, while we have people like Alex Keaton, who was always a main character in Family Ties, mentioned. This seems unbalanced. It seems to me that someone like Spike in Buffy, who starts out the show as a minor recurring villain, and then proved so popular that he later returned as a main cast member, and then proved so popular that by the end of the show's run he was quite clearly the most important character on the show apart from Buffy herself, fit the Fonzie paradigm considerably better than, say, Homer Simpson, who was always about the most important character on The Simpson, or Josiah Bartlett, who, after all, played the president on a show about the White House.
It seems to me that the character starting off as a minor or one-off character is at least as important as the character becoming the central focus of the show. It's especially problematic to list characters who were always one of the two or three most important characters on the show, but who were gradually emphasized more, but not list someone like Spike who went from minor recurring character to second most important character over the course of six seasons. It is to be added that the whole article is completely unsourced, so there's no particular grounds for the article keeper's claims as to what "fonzie syndrome" "really" means. john k 16:14, 4 May 2006 (UTC)
What situation is it referring to? I haven't watched the entire series, but I read the Hitoshi Doi synopsis, and don't see her as a Fonzie syndrome situation. Also, did the manga come first? Hackwrench 22:46, 9 May 2006 (UTC)
does debroah not fit into this catagory? almost every storyline revolves around her with ray's antic just exaserbating the problem. 69.199.55.143 01:03, 12 May 2006 (UTC)
Fonzie syndrome? Really? I can see Urkel from Family Matters the best example of Fonzie Syndrome, but not Jack from Lost.
Are there any verifiable sources that use this term? -- cholmes75 16:20, 18 May 2006 (UTC)
I wouldn't say that the Janitor became more important to the show than any of the main protagonists, which is what this seems to be about. Yes, he did have an episode that followed him around for an episode, but so did Dr. Cox and Elliott, but I wouldn't say they are more important than J.D. - they're merely better developed supporting characters, as the Janitor is.
Also, Turk and Carla have each gotten their own narrative episode. The only main character who HASN'T is Dr. Kelso.-- Radaar 14:14, 8 June 2006 (UTC)
the introduction does say "and/or most popular character on the show." kramer would fit this description, though you've already said that he doesn't count. maybe someone should change the intro if you're not sticking to it.
Would you guys define Spike from Buffy as having a mild case of Fonzie syndrome? After all, he went from being a villain who was supposed to die in Season 2 to the "wacky neighbor" role in Season 4, to becoming an ally by the end of Season 5, and even a love interest in Seasons 6 and 7. Then, he was brought to Angel for its final season, and even surpassed some of the characters on that show. I don't think he ever dominated either show, but he did get a little more screen time than some of the original members.
I deleted Kelso - while Eric Forman was the most central character of the show, it was an ensemble cast, and recognized as such, from the very first episode. Therefore, Kelso fits neither of the qualifiers for Fonzie syndrome - he was never considered a minor character (his spot in the credits never changes, reflecting this) and he was never the single most important character. He wasn't even a series regular in the final season! He simply doesn't belong in this conversation.
I added her because she was originally only set to appear in six episodes, but because she was so popular she became one of the main characters.
The article has no basis or explanation for who, when and where this term arose. There is no evidence that someone here didn't just make this up, much in the same way I could just make up an article called Mork syndrome to describe TV shows where the entire show consists of one character ranting and raving for 30 minutes, or Cigarette Smoking Man syndrome to describe shows where the most popular character is rarely even on the show. A cursory Google search showed only pages referring back to this Wikipedia article. wikipediatrix 21:49, 29 June 2006 (UTC)
Seeing as there is no valid basis for the neologism "Fonzie Syndrome", this article's name should be changed to Breakout characters in television fiction. This term officially and correctly applies to the same thing as the so-called Fonzie Syndrome: a character who "breaks out" from the other cast members and becomes the super-popular one that the studio audience massively cheers for when they walk in the door onscreen. (In Man on the Moon, Danny DeVito's TV-producer character even refers to "the breakout character" as synonymous with "the Fonzie of the show".) wikipediatrix 19:10, 30 June 2006 (UTC)
At some time during the recent cleaning, Josiah Bartlet was removed from this list of characters. According to the definition, the character needs to not be the main focus and then become the single most important character on the show. If you look at The West Wing article, you will see that Rob Lowe's character, Sam Seaborn was intended to be the main character but was bumped by the president (who was originally only supposed to show up on the series occasionally). I really do believe this qualifies, as the documentation is there: Rob Lowe signed on as highest paid cast member, salary eventually surpassed by Martin Sheen, then Rob Lowe left the show in the fourth season because he was upset that his role as lead had been taken over. I think this is classic Fonzie; who removed it and why? — Scm83x hook 'em 22:03, 1 July 2006 (UTC)
Since I have created the breakout character article, and the citations for this are better but we seem to have little support for the article title, I think a merge to that one is justified. Daniel Case 18:26, 25 July 2006 (UTC)
This is the
talk page for discussing improvements to the
Fonzie syndrome redirect. This is not a forum for general discussion of the article's subject. |
Article policies
|
Find sources: Google ( books · news · scholar · free images · WP refs) · FENS · JSTOR · TWL |
![]() | This article was nominated for deletion on 20 July 2006. The result of the discussion was no consensus to delete. |
Could "Fonzie syndrome" apply to other media? For example, Wolverine in the X-Men comic books seems like a classic example of "Fonzie syndrome". Simon Beavis 1 January 2006.
I think these two shows could be reinstated. I recall some press speculation that other cast members were peeved when Michael J Fox and Justin Bateman, respectively, seemed to become the stars of the show when they were originally meant as a family ensemble. I am not saying the casts really did think this, just that Fox and Bateman became such big stars that the press seized on it for speculation. I seem to recall the angle was that established actors playing the adults had been working for years, when these new hunks come along and overshadow them. Asa01 03:28, 3 November 2005 (UTC)
I also think Charlie Angels entry should go, mainly because Farrah was one of the intended stars, and really all the original angels were popular, maybe Farah moreso, but they were all stars. It is not like Bosley became the biggest star or anything. Asa01 03:31, 3 November 2005 (UTC)
I like the Charlie's Angels entry because the show was, at its beginning, intended as a vehicle for Kate Jackson. msclguru 12:43, 2 December 2005 (UTC)
Sorry I removed the M*A*S*H entry below.
Though Klinger (and Father Mulcachy) progressed from being minor recurring characters to regular leads, they never did overtake the characters devised initially as lead characters. Hawkeye, Hotlips, BJ et al always remained central and highly popular and while Kliger's appearances increased he never overtook the nominal stars. Asa01 21:10, 13 November 2005 (UTC)
I really have to disagree here. M*A*S*H may have been an ensemble cast at the beginning, but there was no doubt, even from the Pilot -- Hell, even from the movie -- that Hawkeye would be a first-tier character. Msclguru 19:43, 16 March 2006 (UTC)
I think Craig Manning should be removed from this list. He was introduced in the two-part Season 2 premiere, which centered on his intro and his abuse from his father, and has since then been one of the major focal characters of the show. It's clear he was never intended as a one-off or merely supporting character but as one of the lynchpins of the show's ensemble cast. He doesn't fit the definition of Fonzie syndrome at all. If no one objects, I'll remove the reference to Craig later today. -- Patrick T. Wynne 18:18, 21 November 2005 (UTC)
I removed the notes on Mimi Bobeck and Tommy the White Ranger, because they weren't needed. It's already a given that the characters on this list were minor supporting players but evolved into major characters; that doesn't need to be explained again. Also, the idea that Tommy is THE perfect example of Fonzie Syndrome next to Fonzie itself seems a little off...since Fonzie Syndrome is also known as Urkel Syndrome, Urkel is clearly the next most perfect example of Fonzie Syndrome
The one about Pepe needs to be left in because it explains that he was only introduced on the show, not a major star...however, if this is the case, and it was actually a movie that made him a star, should Pepe and Muppets Tonight even be listed here at all? -- msclguru 12:52, 2 December 2005 (UTC)
-- msclguru 15:48, 2 December 2005 (UTC)
Just because he went into a spin-off it is not the same thing as Fonzie syndrome. Frasier never came dominate the show Cheers and overshadow its original stars. Yet that is the requirement for a listing here. Many old sitcom characters were continued in later spinoffs. Its not really that unusual. Asa01 19:28, 5 December 2005 (UTC)
- Cheers: Dr. Frasier Crane ( Kelsey Grammer) - This character became so powerful that it could support an entire new show.
I don't think Cartman qualifies as a fonzie syndrome character, as he was one of the four main characters from the beginning of the show.-- Jsonitsac 05:53, 11 December 2005 (UTC)
I agree he isn't central or most popular, and he didn't have to move so far to get where he is. Dimitrii 22:11, 12 December 2005 (UTC)
Newhart: Larry, Daryl and Daryl: are not "a character that had originally been a one-off or part of the supporting cast becomes the central and most popular character on the show" They certainly went from one-off's to supporting cast but they were never central or most popular. Dimitrii 22:09, 12 December 2005 (UTC)
While Latka Gravas was a popular character, he was never the central focus of the show. -- MisterHand 22:13, 12 December 2005 (UTC)
What about Joey on Friends? Even though he didn't ever take over that show, he did become big and start his own show. DrKC9N 19:25, 23 December 2005 (UTC)
I removed the Carver ( Nip/Tuck) because he really doesn't fit. Just because he received a lot of attention doesn't mean he suddenly became the main character. He was basically a storyline, one that is (for now) done with. - Branddobbe 07:04, 25 December 2005 (UTC)
It seems to me this article has a ton of examples that aren't truly "Fonzie Syndrome" at all. I'm going to wait 24 hours for comments, and after that I'll delete all of the following from the list:
Just a stranger here, but I'm thinking a great example of Fonzie Syndrome would be Penguin Opus from Bloom County.
Unless there are objections, I'm going to remove the following entries in a day or two:
Also, I'm going to shorten the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers entry to just "Tommy Oliver." We don't need every name that character has ever had listed on this page. -- MisterHand 14:27, 21 January 2006 (UTC)
Could an argument be made for the character of Spock in the original Star Trek series? William Shatner was supposedly the star, and the character of Captain Kirk the lead character, but Leonard Nimoy became incredibly popular and many episodes focused on Spock moreso than Captain Kirk. Of course, because the triumvirate of Kirk/Spock/McCoy was more or less the focal point of the series from day one, I am not sure Spock ever really became more important than Captain Kirk. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 209.51.77.64 ( talk • contribs) .
What is this line about "episodic media (usually TV sitcoms)?" That's too broad. "Fonzie Syndrome" is an actual TV industry term. If you want to create a section about other media where similar situations have occurred, that's fine, but it's inaccurate to take a TV-specific term and rewrite its definition to include all other episodic media. That's like saying that Nielsen ratings determine the audience size for episodic media (usually TV programs).
I will rewrite this sentence in 24 hours unless someone brings up a good argument why not. Msclguru 18:22, 10 February 2006 (UTC)
Surely Hawkeye was always ment to be the star. He was given top billing even in the film. Though Trapper was a more dominant character in the film, from the start of the television series, it was always clear that Hawkeye was meant to be the lead.-- Crestville 00:30, 20 February 2006 (UTC)
Agreed, as I noted above, and I am removing the Hawkeye entry. 68.55.115.149 20:21, 19 March 2006 (UTC)
Vala Mal Doran and Carson Beckett are nowhere near the focal point of the show; Carson has yet to have a full episode featuring him centrally, unlike Rodney McKay, and Vala was plot-bound to Daniel Jackson for a number of episodes. She is certainly not central, and neither show appears to be affected by Fonzie syndrome. One could argue that Rodney has more popularity than John Sheppard, but that's the same as the Cartman entry above. Removing both for now. AKismet 14:15, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
I'm going to reinstate Michael J. Fox as an example of "Fonzie Syndrome." Indeed, Alex P. Keaton is considered one of the better examples of the syndrome listed. For example, here's a quote from an article I found:
If there's disagreement, let's hash it out. -- MisterHand 20:35, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
I have removed the following entry:
Mimi was never the focal point of the series. -- MisterHand 14:19, 15 March 2006 (UTC)
I've done a large sweep and erased several entries because they were added without regard for the definition of Fonzie Syndrome.
Fonzie Syndrome does not occur simply when a supporting character becomes more important and popular, or receives better billing and more screen time. It happens when the supporting character becomes the single most important character on the show.
So, for example, I erased the entry for Niles in Frasier because Niles never became more important to the show than Frasier himself.
Just because somebody's name and character moves higher up in the order on the show credits (i.e., Waldo on Family Matters), does not necessarily mean that they are examples of "Fonzie Syndrome." If the character in question does not become THE major character on the show, that show shouldn't be listed here.
Msclguru 20:39, 19 March 2006 (UTC)
Suggestions for a removal and an addition - the removal needed especially if a strict definition is being used.
Removal: Spock [Star Trek] as he was one of the main characters from the start - never merely a supporting character (except in the pilot).
Addition: Spike [Buffy the Vampire Slayer]: Spike started as a villian intended to have only a few episodes in the second season. He was popular enough to not only continue in that season but also bring back and develop into a major character in Buffy for the final three seasons and cross over to Angel's final season once Buffy ended. Some might argue he should also be listed for Angel. No, he shouldn't as he was brought on a major character for the final season.
I am making the suggestions here and not actually making the changes on the entry page as this is my first participation. 172.136.216.76 01:54, 23 April 2006 (UTC) Tom40585
I don't see Ryoko as ever becoming more important than Tenchi to any version of Tenchi Muyo!. I'd suggest that item be removed. Redneckgaijin, March 29, 2006
I removed George Bluth (Arrested Development) from the list. He was never the focal point of the series. -- MisterHand 20:05, 2 April 2006 (UTC)
"Fonzie Syndrome is also sometimes known as Urkel Syndrome after the popular (and, at first, one-off) character Steve Urkel from the 1990s sitcom Family Matters." Maybe in the States, but I don't think the show has even run in the UK. Perhaps some editing of the line would be in order?
About what this term actually means. There are two characteristics of the undisputed Fonz and Urkel cases 1) they both started out as very marginal characters (in Urkel's case, at least, not a member of the main cast); 2) they both ended up becoming the central focus of the show. I think that either both of these characteristics need to be met for a character to appear on the list, or else we should have separate lists for "major characters who ended up becoming the central focus of the show" and "recurring characters who ended up becoming very major characters." As it stands now, the latter instance is consistently removed from the article, while we have people like Alex Keaton, who was always a main character in Family Ties, mentioned. This seems unbalanced. It seems to me that someone like Spike in Buffy, who starts out the show as a minor recurring villain, and then proved so popular that he later returned as a main cast member, and then proved so popular that by the end of the show's run he was quite clearly the most important character on the show apart from Buffy herself, fit the Fonzie paradigm considerably better than, say, Homer Simpson, who was always about the most important character on The Simpson, or Josiah Bartlett, who, after all, played the president on a show about the White House.
It seems to me that the character starting off as a minor or one-off character is at least as important as the character becoming the central focus of the show. It's especially problematic to list characters who were always one of the two or three most important characters on the show, but who were gradually emphasized more, but not list someone like Spike who went from minor recurring character to second most important character over the course of six seasons. It is to be added that the whole article is completely unsourced, so there's no particular grounds for the article keeper's claims as to what "fonzie syndrome" "really" means. john k 16:14, 4 May 2006 (UTC)
What situation is it referring to? I haven't watched the entire series, but I read the Hitoshi Doi synopsis, and don't see her as a Fonzie syndrome situation. Also, did the manga come first? Hackwrench 22:46, 9 May 2006 (UTC)
does debroah not fit into this catagory? almost every storyline revolves around her with ray's antic just exaserbating the problem. 69.199.55.143 01:03, 12 May 2006 (UTC)
Fonzie syndrome? Really? I can see Urkel from Family Matters the best example of Fonzie Syndrome, but not Jack from Lost.
Are there any verifiable sources that use this term? -- cholmes75 16:20, 18 May 2006 (UTC)
I wouldn't say that the Janitor became more important to the show than any of the main protagonists, which is what this seems to be about. Yes, he did have an episode that followed him around for an episode, but so did Dr. Cox and Elliott, but I wouldn't say they are more important than J.D. - they're merely better developed supporting characters, as the Janitor is.
Also, Turk and Carla have each gotten their own narrative episode. The only main character who HASN'T is Dr. Kelso.-- Radaar 14:14, 8 June 2006 (UTC)
the introduction does say "and/or most popular character on the show." kramer would fit this description, though you've already said that he doesn't count. maybe someone should change the intro if you're not sticking to it.
Would you guys define Spike from Buffy as having a mild case of Fonzie syndrome? After all, he went from being a villain who was supposed to die in Season 2 to the "wacky neighbor" role in Season 4, to becoming an ally by the end of Season 5, and even a love interest in Seasons 6 and 7. Then, he was brought to Angel for its final season, and even surpassed some of the characters on that show. I don't think he ever dominated either show, but he did get a little more screen time than some of the original members.
I deleted Kelso - while Eric Forman was the most central character of the show, it was an ensemble cast, and recognized as such, from the very first episode. Therefore, Kelso fits neither of the qualifiers for Fonzie syndrome - he was never considered a minor character (his spot in the credits never changes, reflecting this) and he was never the single most important character. He wasn't even a series regular in the final season! He simply doesn't belong in this conversation.
I added her because she was originally only set to appear in six episodes, but because she was so popular she became one of the main characters.
The article has no basis or explanation for who, when and where this term arose. There is no evidence that someone here didn't just make this up, much in the same way I could just make up an article called Mork syndrome to describe TV shows where the entire show consists of one character ranting and raving for 30 minutes, or Cigarette Smoking Man syndrome to describe shows where the most popular character is rarely even on the show. A cursory Google search showed only pages referring back to this Wikipedia article. wikipediatrix 21:49, 29 June 2006 (UTC)
Seeing as there is no valid basis for the neologism "Fonzie Syndrome", this article's name should be changed to Breakout characters in television fiction. This term officially and correctly applies to the same thing as the so-called Fonzie Syndrome: a character who "breaks out" from the other cast members and becomes the super-popular one that the studio audience massively cheers for when they walk in the door onscreen. (In Man on the Moon, Danny DeVito's TV-producer character even refers to "the breakout character" as synonymous with "the Fonzie of the show".) wikipediatrix 19:10, 30 June 2006 (UTC)
At some time during the recent cleaning, Josiah Bartlet was removed from this list of characters. According to the definition, the character needs to not be the main focus and then become the single most important character on the show. If you look at The West Wing article, you will see that Rob Lowe's character, Sam Seaborn was intended to be the main character but was bumped by the president (who was originally only supposed to show up on the series occasionally). I really do believe this qualifies, as the documentation is there: Rob Lowe signed on as highest paid cast member, salary eventually surpassed by Martin Sheen, then Rob Lowe left the show in the fourth season because he was upset that his role as lead had been taken over. I think this is classic Fonzie; who removed it and why? — Scm83x hook 'em 22:03, 1 July 2006 (UTC)
Since I have created the breakout character article, and the citations for this are better but we seem to have little support for the article title, I think a merge to that one is justified. Daniel Case 18:26, 25 July 2006 (UTC)