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Summary
It is a sorry truth of television that , as serial publication continue for multiple season , characters of necessity begin to be fix by their most simplistic traits and this , unfortunately , means that manyTV characters end up becoming travesty of themselves . This can happen for many reasons , such as in comedies where a theatrical role ’s unique flaws are what makes them hilarious , but they are then repeated continually to ever - fall returns . In play series , a graphic symbol ’s motive can become so second nature it is obvious how they will do in any give berth . In animated serial publication , the ability for the quality to never mature and go on indefinitely imply they are prone to repetition and parody .
There are plenty of famous examples of TV fictitious character devolving into unlimited parodies of themselves , and it can often be pertain to the thing that viewers vibrate with most about a show . When a certain catchphrase or trait becomes popular , it is difficult for creators , star , and writers to avoid going back to it when they sleep together it ’s a sure - fire way to please hearing . Thecharacter ’s journey towards self - parody is a sorry and sometimes ineluctable one , as when TV serial publication , such asThe SimpsonsandSouth Park , have unbelievably long runs , it can be challenging to maintain high level of character deepness and originality .
10Fonzie
Happy Days (1974 – 1984)
The character of Fonzie inHappy Dayswas never intended to be the chief character of the series , but by the second time of year the producer were considering rename the showFonzie ’s Happy Days(viaTelevision Academy.)Fonzie became more of a parody of himself with each extend time of year . Over time , Fonzie became define by his catchphrase “ aaay ” and overdone plot line would be more of an excuse to showcase his coolness than to represent any depth of character . This reached its peak in the season 5 episode “ Hollywood , Part 3 ” when a water - skiingFonzie stick out over a sharkin a minute that today symbolizes when a show has lead its course .
9Barney Stinson
How I Met Your Mother (2005 – 2014)
Cast
The philanderer , suit - wearing , con valet de chambre friend Barney Stinson inHow I Met Your Motherwas always set by his bachelor persona . However , How I Met Your Motherrelied heavily on Barney ’s many catchphraseslike “ suit up ! ” , “ wait for it ” , and “ legendary ” , and the character start to palpate more like a monumental collection of various traits than a truly three - dimensional soul . Of course , the show did at time dig into his complicated relationship with commitment , upbringing without a father , and the miscarry relationship that sour him into the suit - wearing man introduced at the beginning of the show , but alas , this was not enough to deliver Barney from becoming a parody of himself .
8Cersei Lannister
Game of Thrones (2011 – 2019)
The character of Cersei Lannister inGames of Throneswas expertly played by Lena Headley , who return a complex and compelling carrying into action in the series ’ earliest seasons . However , as the years went on , particularly in the concluding two seasons , Cersei began to miss the nuances that had made her interesting in the first place . Cersei ’s vulnerability and subtle struggles start to be overshadowed by her villainous side . By the end ofGame of Thrones , Cersei was characterized by ruthlessness , narcissism , and a thirst for power , and , unluckily , as a result , her action at law become more predictable , one - billet , and irksome .
7Dexter Morgan
Dexter (2006 – 2013) and Dexter: New Blood (2021)
When Dexter Morgan was first introduced inDexter , the blood splattering analyst and secluded vigilante serial killer was a complex and challenging contradiction . Dexter would kill people , but only those he had learn deserved to die . Guided by his “ dark rider ” , audiences eagerly followed the character , who was at the same time horrific and large-hearted . However , asDextercontinued into its later seasons , his internal conflict about his code started to fall away , and his actions appear more formulaic and predictable . In the final time of year of Dexter ’s original run , it palpate like the writers had take to the woods out of ideas for the grapheme andDexterended with one of the worst finales of all time .
6Dennis Reynolds
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005 – Present)
In the first seasons ofIt ’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiathe members of the gang were understandably awful people but had not yet become unrealistic impersonation of themselves . Over time , this would happen , and with no character more than Dennis Reynolds , who went from mildly egotistic to full - blown potential serial killer throughout the long - running serial . Usually , when this happens in a show , it ’s a bad thing and a signboard of the quality declining . However , inAlways Sunnythe character ’s degeneration is likely a conscious choicefrom the writer and stars , and Dennis ’ journeying into parody is part of what keeps the show interesting and charter after all these year .
5Randy Marsh
South Park (1997 – Present)
The sympathetic dad of Stan inSouth Park , Randy Marsh , grew from a mostly subaltern fibre into in all likelihood the show ’s principal stress outside the four lead male child throughout the series ' run . As the show has get on , Randy ’s wilder impulses have defined his character and his storyline have focused on his reckless , more selfish side . This became peculiarly apparent when he quit his job to become the marijuana farmer running his own “ Tegridy Farms ” business . Throughout this on-going plot line , Randy deplorably became a parody of himself , and the joke was wearing thinly .
4Son Goku
Dragon Ball (1989 – Present)
hearing across the globe have watched Son Goku originate up from an unlettered youthful male child to a soldierlike arts champion , and eventually , a universe - saving Super - Saiyan . Of course , Goku was always delineate by his pure - hearted nature , passion for battle , and love of food , but by the timeDragon Ball Superwas resign , it felt like Goku had been abridge entirely to these characteristics and was an unfortunate parody of himself . For example , inDragon Ball Superepisode 60 , Goku is baffled by the concept of kissing , which feels like a step too far in showcasing Goku ’s obliviousness . In the yesteryear , Goku was justifiably ignorant , but never this outright dazed .
3Britta Perry
Community (2009 – 2015)
Britty Perry was the idealistic , progressive , and politically conscious extremity of the inwardness study group inCommunity . Originally , a sometimes misguided but good - hearted activist , asCommunitycontinued , Britta before long became a parody of herself . The contradictions in her ideals started to become simplified and at certain fourth dimension it was hard to nail what exactly , if anything , she stood for . Britta ’s self - righteousness and ideologies were continually exaggerated , the consideration she showcased too soon on was replaced by straight-out doltishly later , and her storylines became more infrequent as her fiber was reduced to her essence trait .
2Joey Tribbiani
Friends ( 1994 – 2004 ) and Joey ( 2004 – 2006 )
Joey Tribbiani was always demo as the dumbest characterinFriends . Joey being a not - too - brilliant ladies ’ man who loved food was always his delineate equipment characteristic . However , in later seasons , this quality get to the spot whereJoey was presented as being so unintelligent , he could hardly function . While at first , Joey was only marginally less intelligent than the others , by season 3 he assert that Dutch masses come from Pennsylvania . In time of year 4 , he does not get laid what an cyclopedia is . By the final season , Joey ’s hand - committal to writing has become so risky that Monica and Chandler ’s adoption agency believed his letter of recommendation was write by a child .
1Ned Flanders
The Simpsons (1989 – Present)
Ned Flanders ' devolvement into a parody of himself inThe Simpsonswas so stark thatan entirely new term “ Flanderization ” had to be invented to accurately describe it . Flanderization is when , over clock time , a telly case becomes reduce to their most basic trait and defining characteristics . Ned Flanders commence as Homer ’s religious neighbor who was gently vexing , and later on turned into a bible - thump imitation who spouted “ oakley dokily ” in about every sentence . Ned ’s journeying into becoming a one - tone character was a dissatisfactory one , as in the earlier seasons the episodes that focused on him register his potential for interesting storylines , focusing on his nuanced family backstory and stamp down psychological problems .
Sources : Television Academy
