Current Events > Developing some characters for a cartoon series...

(+) Yeah! (+)

I know that I want one half of this odd couple to be a sneaky city slicker who's always hatching up get-rick-quick schemes. I just can't decide on what type of personality his partner should have...but I know I want it to be one of the three listed options.
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Literally any of them can work depending on the setting and writing. I know this is the annoying answer, but it's the truth.

Like, what's the genre, tone, setting, etc.

But if you're just asking for opinions or preferences; I haven't seen any new dumbass MCs for some time. They all get mixed in with being a smartass half the time, or impossibly lucky all the time, or secretly hypercompetent.

So yeah, bring back the dumb dumb.
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Tom DuBois for sure, the attempted voice of reason that ends up somehow making things worse when they're listened to
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Snarker. As long as you can write jokes, they'll always have something to say to a greedy schemer.

The best match for an immoral character is an amoral one.

Guide posted...

Literally any of them can work depending on the setting and writing. I know this is the annoying answer, but it's the truth.

Like, what's the genre, tone, setting, etc.

The show is basically going to be an episodic sitcom, reminiscent of 90s cartoons. Lots of slapstick and wacky shenanigans, with the occasional parody here & there.
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i created an amazing cartoon character and setting but i'm not sharing, gonna cash in on it at some point.
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Guide posted...

But if you're just asking for opinions or preferences; I haven't seen any new dumbass MCs for some time. They all get mixed in with being a smartass half the time, or impossibly lucky all the time, or secretly hypercompetent.

So yeah, bring back the dumb dumb.

Would Ed (from EEnE) be an example of the type of dumb you're describing?
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the0rebirth posted...

Guide posted...

But if you're just asking for opinions or preferences; I haven't seen any new dumbass MCs for some time. They all get mixed in with being a smartass half the time, or impossibly lucky all the time, or secretly hypercompetent.

So yeah, bring back the dumb dumb.

Would Ed (from EEnE) be an example of the type of dumb you're describing?

Right on. So stupid that his face has been used as a hammer on more than one occasion.
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I voted upstanding square.

Basically this would be Bart and Lisa. It's a good combo.
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Guide posted...

the0rebirth posted...

Guide posted...

But if you're just asking for opinions or preferences; I haven't seen any new dumbass MCs for some time. They all get mixed in with being a smartass half the time, or impossibly lucky all the time, or secretly hypercompetent.

So yeah, bring back the dumb dumb.

Would Ed (from EEnE) be an example of the type of dumb you're describing?

Right on. So stupid that his face has been used as a hammer on more than one occasion.

Cool, I love that. EEnE remains one of my favorite cartoons and top creative influences to this day. I can only imagine how fun Ed's character was to write, just for the sheer absurdity of it.
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spanky1 posted...

I voted upstanding square.

Basically this would be Bart and Lisa. It's a good combo.

I agree. That's why this is so hard for me; as a previous user said, all of these archetypes can easily work, and I don't lack confidence in writing any of them. As far as just seeing two opposite personalities clash, the schemer/square combo would probably be most effective...
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gunplagirl posted...

Tom DuBois for sure, the attempted voice of reason that ends up somehow making things worse when they're listened to

Exactly, haha it may sound sadistic, but there's something about intelligent, moralistic characters having shitty luck that I find hilarious. It's fun to watch their level-headed temperament forced to confront the unfair absurdities of life.
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Mister Rogers and Chairman Mao share an apartment for some reason...

What would be the relationship between the schemer and each archetype?
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Why not make it a four-man team and write them all?
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superman 2000 posted...

What would be the relationship between the schemer and each archetype?

The deadpan snarker would mostly make sarcastic remarks at the schemer's expense, with the latter not even realizing half the time that he's being insulted (think Dr. Nefarious and Lawrence, from the Ratchet & Clank series). He'd have a Droopy/Garfield-like disposition; not really passionate or excitable.

The upstanding square would be more-or-less on equal footing with the schemer as far as having the short end of the stick. There'd be a lot of banter between the two, both making funny quips at each other's expense, but the schemer would ultimately have a more dominant personality. The schemer would obviously instigate a lot of their high-jinks, but the square will sometimes inadvertently make things worse.

The happy-go-lucky dumbass would basically be pure comic relief. He'd blindly follow the schemer's plans, but often ruin/complicate things with his obliviousness (frustrating the schemer). He'd get hurt on occasion, but not nearly as much as the schemer. Many of the gags would involve him saying or doing silly things.
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the0rebirth posted...

superman 2000 posted...

What would be the relationship between the schemer and each archetype?

The deadpan snarker would mostly make sarcastic remarks at the schemer's expense, with the latter not even realizing half the time that he's being insulted (think Dr. Nefarious and Lawrence, from the Ratchet & Clank series). He'd have a Droopy/Garfield-like disposition; not really passionate or excitable.

The upstanding square would be more-or-less on equal footing with the schemer as far as having the short end of the stick. There'd be a lot of banter between the two, both making funny quips at each other's expense, but the schemer would ultimately have a more dominant personality. The schemer would obviously instigate a lot of their high-jinks, but the square will sometimes inadvertently make things worse.

The happy-go-lucky dumbass would basically be pure comic relief. He'd blindly follow the schemer's plans, but often ruin/complicate things with his obliviousness (frustrating the schemer). He'd get hurt on occasion, but not nearly as much as the schemer. Many of the gags would involve him saying or doing silly things.

Okay, cool. Hm...I say go for the dumbass. Seems to have the most comedic potential.
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An sjw political commentator

how about a cool rockin' dog that surfs and can do anything? And when he's not on screen, everyone should be asking "Where's Poochy?"
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Bump!
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