Fan Characters

[TigerShadow]

I think Eugene and Whit were intended as book lovers (or at least Eugene was meant to be someone who knows about a lot of books and likes to read), but those aspects of their characters aren't often addressed. I like the idea of a fantasy-loving character, mostly because I think fantasy books get a really bad rap and it would be great to see a fantasy lover who isn't either completely out-there or a shut-in, as is usually portrayed in media.

[Gooey98]

Yeah, Whit is definitely a book lover, but I don't think he has very much time for reading these days.

I would like to have a kid who spends all his time on the internet talking to people who are fans of this radio drama but are older than the target age group.

Wait...that might be too unrealistic.

^Will making a fool of himself by pretending to be funny

[SirWhit]

I wish there was a realistic Asian character.

A.K.A. one that didn't talk in riddles every time he spoke.

A.K.A. an Asian character that's not Chang Fang.

[The Old Judge]

So, an Americanized Asian character, not some guy that sounds like he popped out of a fortune cookie, or the old Karate Kid.

[ArnoldtheRubberDucky]

Yeah, that was a bit of a racial stereotype. It would have been fine if he wasn't the only Asian character on the show, but since he is...

I love the idea of a literary nerd, like someone who reads James Joyce and Shakespeare for fun. It's true that AIO has had virtually no one like that. They should be ashamed of themselves!

[Gooey98]

It's true that AIO has had virtually no one like that. They should be ashamed of themselves!

Haha, you can't have every kind of character.
I do think it's a little odd that they've had so many "intellectual" characters. Alex, Trent, Matthew, Jenny (Whit's granddaughter), Eugene...

Yeah, that was a bit of a racial stereotype. It would have been fine if he wasn't the only Asian character on the show, but since he is...

Jacques Henri is the only French character on the show...and Fred Holstein is the only German character on the show. It's supposed to be funny because all three of them are way, way, over-the-top.

[Blitz]

How can you tell you have an Asian on an audio drama when he doesn't sound Asian?

[ArnoldtheRubberDucky]

Actually, most Asians do sound Asian.

[Rosy]

In all honestly, I'd like to see a character that's somewhat shy. With the exception of Cindy from You're Two Kind, I can't recall anyone who was shy in the least.

[truAIOfan]

I'd like to see a character about Wooton and Penny's age; but not so (for lack of better words)...like Wooton and Penny. Maybe a boy.

[Gooey98]

In all honestly, I'd like to see a character that's somewhat shy. With the exception of Cindy from You're Two Kind, I can't recall anyone who was shy in the least.

*Unbecoming Jay was the episode with Cindy. :p
I do not want to see that. IDK why, but I find shy characters a little bit annoying. Not in real life, just in fiction. It's like the whole time there's this inner turmoil while you're waiting for them to become not shy...which isn't really going to happen. *shrugs*

I'd like to see a character about Wooton and Penny's age; but not so (for lack of better words)...like Wooton and Penny. Maybe a boy.

Like Jimmy Barclay!!!!! That could totally work. Except, you know, for the whole Connie being the same age while kids grow up paradox...

[SirWhit]

So, an Americanized Asian character, not some guy that sounds like he popped out of a fortune cookie, or the old Karate Kid.

yes. That's exactly what I'm talking about. They don't even need to be Americanized, just no more fortune cookie Asians.

It's true that AIO has had virtually no one like that. They should be ashamed of themselves!

Haha, you can't have every kind of character.
I do think it's a little odd that they've had so many "intellectual" characters. Alex, Trent, Matthew, Jenny (Whit's granddaughter), Eugene...

Yeah, that was a bit of a racial stereotype. It would have been fine if he wasn't the only Asian character on the show, but since he is...

Jacques Henri is the only French character on the show...and Fred Holstein is the only German character on the show. It's supposed to be funny because all three of them are way, way, over-the-top.

....I'd rather have normal characters than racial stereotypes.

-- Fri Jan 16, 2015 9:45 pm --

And an interesting point of racial stereotypes: if AIO had made the Washingtons eat watermelon and fried chicken non stop and played it off as comedy, there would have been a huge outcry. But when they bring in characters like Chang Fang, who is an Asian stereotype personified, no one bats an eyelash.

Edit: 900!

[Rosy]

In all honestly, I'd like to see a character that's somewhat shy. With the exception of Cindy from You're Two Kind, I can't recall anyone who was shy in the least.

*Unbecoming Jay was the episode with Cindy. :p
I do not want to see that. IDK why, but I find shy characters a little bit annoying. Not in real life, just in fiction. It's like the whole time there's this inner turmoil while you're waiting for them to become not shy...which isn't really going to happen. *shrugs*

Oops, sorry.
I understand where you're coming from, but as a shy person myself I can't really relate to many AIO characters, as outgoing as they are. It was just a thought.

[Ameraka]

In all honestly, I'd like to see a character that's somewhat shy. With the exception of Cindy from You're Two Kind, I can't recall anyone who was shy in the least.

*Unbecoming Jay was the episode with Cindy. :p
I do not want to see that. IDK why, but I find shy characters a little bit annoying. Not in real life, just in fiction. It's like the whole time there's this inner turmoil while you're waiting for them to become not shy...which isn't really going to happen. *shrugs*

Oops, sorry.
I understand where you're coming from, but as a shy person myself I can't really relate to many AIO characters, as outgoing as they are. It was just a thought.

I don't see where the division between real life and fiction--it seems you're just trying to be polite, Gooey. Why wouldn't the same things would annoy you in real life?
It is true that the more introverted a character is, the less they'll say, and the more they'll think. It's not exactly conducive to radio drama. Unless you want a whole episode where the person's reacting to stuff inside their head. Radio drama is more about people interacting than introspection (which, of course is not the same as shyness, although it can be related). Shy people (I hate that word) are really seen as defective; we sweep them under the rug and pretend they aren't there, which is easy to do. People who don't speak up for themselves are easy to devalue.

speaking from real life experience

[Blitz]

Priscilla is actually shy....

[Gooey98]

I don't see where the division between real life and fiction--it seems you're just trying to be polite, Gooey. Why wouldn't the same things would annoy you in real life?
It is true that the more introverted a character is, the less they'll say, and the more they'll think. It's not exactly conducive to radio drama. Unless you want a whole episode where the person's reacting to stuff inside their head. Radio drama is more about people interacting than introspection (which, of course is not the same as shyness, although it can be related).

You just answered your own question, Ameraka.
As far as the question about different things annoying me in real life. I'm not just trying to be polite. I have nothing against shy people, and I often prefer them to more outgoing people. You explained yourself why they aren't enjoyable in a radio drama.
There are many things that I enjoy in real life but not in radio drama--and vice versa. Pre-Christian Eugene is a hilarious character, and I love listening to him. But if I knew a real person like him, he would annoy the heck out of me. Same goes for Jay and Rodney, but for different reasons.
Additionally, any sort of romantic interaction in audio drama gets on my nerves. But I don't mind it that much in real life. :p

[Novatom]

Priscilla is actually shy....

I don't think Priscilla is very shy. Most of the time she's with Barrett, and then she's just shy because she likes him. In Opposite Day, when she was best friends with Olivia, she didn't seem as shy.

Anyway, I think a shy character would be interesting. Maybe like a shy girl who has something bad going on in her life, and then the kids help her become a Christian.

[Mickey]

I think they need a Mexican family. Maybe one who is struggling with money problems. And Whit helping out!

[Doll]

I think they need a Mexican family. Maybe one who is struggling with money problems. And Whit helping out!

The Parkers are half Mexican... I think that shows more authenticity than a completely Mexican family, especially one that fits the stereotype of poor...

[SirWhit]

In my opinion, stereotypes are the last possible thing that AIO's characters should be. Especially a certain Asian basketball coach....