L;ACADEMIE DES ACOLYTES COMIQUES(The Academy of Comic Sidekicks)Paris – New York – FresnoLesson #8: Staying in Character During Your Big MomentWhen your turn in the spotlight comes, as it invariably will, it is important to grow as a character, but not to the point where the audience no longer recognizes you.In the above example, Freddie the Sheik has grown greatly – now the president of Ratznestistan, backed by the CIA and Oliver Warbucks – and has “broken out” from the pack of sidekicks that this story started out to be. (Although others may have their turn in the plotline soon enough.) Yet, he is the same lovable goof he always was, even after getting his advances toward a major character (Capt. Santiago) rebuffed… painfully.One may ask, “Yes, but there will still be limitations on the character’s advancement. Outside of quasi-steady work, why accept ‘second banana’ status?” Because of those rare occasions where a sidekick can actually break through the “ink ceiling” and become a major character, possibly even the star of the strip. Just ask some of our dean emeriti: Nancy Ritz (Class of ’33), Snuffy Smith (Class of ’34) and Opus the Penguin (Class of ’82).
Cue Rosa Rio and her Hammond B-2 organ while us kids slug down a glass of Ovaltine as the announcer urges us to “tune in tomorrow!!” while making horrendously non-PC (for this day and age) descriptions of our new players in this week’s chapter of THE ADVENTURES of LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE ! (swell organ level, coda and out to NBC Blue news on the hour and station I.D.)Yes, kids…. I’m that old. House to barn aerial and a ‘Cathedral-type’ radio. (sigh)
davidf42 almost 9 years ago
Morning, Anniephans!
Here’s the link to the 2006 Annie story, “The Bimini Road.”
jrankin1959 almost 9 years ago
L;ACADEMIE DES ACOLYTES COMIQUES(The Academy of Comic Sidekicks)Paris – New York – FresnoLesson #8: Staying in Character During Your Big MomentWhen your turn in the spotlight comes, as it invariably will, it is important to grow as a character, but not to the point where the audience no longer recognizes you.In the above example, Freddie the Sheik has grown greatly – now the president of Ratznestistan, backed by the CIA and Oliver Warbucks – and has “broken out” from the pack of sidekicks that this story started out to be. (Although others may have their turn in the plotline soon enough.) Yet, he is the same lovable goof he always was, even after getting his advances toward a major character (Capt. Santiago) rebuffed… painfully.One may ask, “Yes, but there will still be limitations on the character’s advancement. Outside of quasi-steady work, why accept ‘second banana’ status?” Because of those rare occasions where a sidekick can actually break through the “ink ceiling” and become a major character, possibly even the star of the strip. Just ask some of our dean emeriti: Nancy Ritz (Class of ’33), Snuffy Smith (Class of ’34) and Opus the Penguin (Class of ’82).
unca jim almost 9 years ago
Cue Rosa Rio and her Hammond B-2 organ while us kids slug down a glass of Ovaltine as the announcer urges us to “tune in tomorrow!!” while making horrendously non-PC (for this day and age) descriptions of our new players in this week’s chapter of THE ADVENTURES of LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE ! (swell organ level, coda and out to NBC Blue news on the hour and station I.D.)Yes, kids…. I’m that old. House to barn aerial and a ‘Cathedral-type’ radio. (sigh)
HAL69 almost 9 years ago
Uh-oh! Spies in paradise took note of Freddie.
This will not go well…
Starman1948 almost 9 years ago
@Unca Jim: Oh those good times. Too bad that they are gone. Be well my friend.