Writer laments over continuity problem in televison programs
By: Jim Yancy
Advertising Representative
Issue date: 4/24/06 Section: Opinions
- Page 1 of 1
Television programming is constantly evolving, however the problems that have plagued television shows still exist today. These problems are of continuity or the continuing story and development of characters in a television show. This is often referred to as "Chuck Cunningham syndrome" named after the lesser-known older brother of Richie and Joanie Cunningham on the television show "Happy Days." Chuck only appeared sporadically throughout the first season, usually on his way to basketball practice. During the second season Chuck disappeared with the explanation that he was going away to college. Chuck was never seen or mentioned again. The viewers were confused with what happened to the character. Chuck Cunningham syndrome started the now familiar practice of writing characters out of a television show without explanation.
That is exactly what happened in the show "Family Matters." Judy Winslow, the youngest daughter of the family, appeared on the show the first four seasons before going upstairs never to come back down again. Perhaps the worst offender of Chuck Cunningham syndrome was the popular show "Saved By the Bell."
This show is notorious for introducing characters with the intent that the characters will be around for a while, but are never to be seen again. For example, during the Christmas episode a homeless father and daughter were invited to stay with Zach Morris's family until they can get back on their feet. There was no mention of either of them in any future episodes. Another character on the show, the stepbrother of Jesse Spano, was introduced in the series but only appeared in a couple of episodes. The viewers were given the impression that the stepbrother was going to be another reoccurring character, but staying true to Chuck Cunningham syndrome he was never seen or mentioned again. There are numerous other continuity problems concerning characters of "Saved By The Bell," but considering the size of this article I would not nearly have enough room to mention all of them.
Another continuity problem that makes television unwatchable is known as the reverse Chuck Cunningham syndrome. The reverse Chuck Cunningham syndrome is when a character on a show is either introduced whose presence should have been mentioned earlier in the series. I experienced this syndrome when I was watching "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." At the start of the fifth season Buffy all of a sudden had a younger sister named Dawn, which confused the viewers because Buffy and the rest of the characters acknowledged Buffy's younger sister as if she has been on the series the entire time. It was, however, explained in the show that sorcery and witchcraft created Dawn and the memories of the cast of characters. One of the more popular shows, and one of personal favorites, is "Lost." This might be a stretch to some people, considering the fact the viewers of "Lost" cannot understand what is happening and new characters are introduced on almost every episode. However, there have been several characters that joined the main cast that turns out were on another part of the island, which is the setting for "Lost." Such characters as Mr. Ecko, Libby and Bernard have joined the cast of characters, but once again this show is one of those shows that can get away with it because the viewers are meant to be left in confusion.
The simplest way for these syndromes to keep reoccurring in our favorite television shows is to write to the shows creators and producers. With the age of the Internet upon us, we can visit chat rooms and post messages on boards concerning the television show we have concerns about. Let's make our concerns heard and write to the people in charge of making these shows so that these mistakes would not be in future programming.
Jim Yancy is a communication graduate from Shreveport, LA.
That is exactly what happened in the show "Family Matters." Judy Winslow, the youngest daughter of the family, appeared on the show the first four seasons before going upstairs never to come back down again. Perhaps the worst offender of Chuck Cunningham syndrome was the popular show "Saved By the Bell."
This show is notorious for introducing characters with the intent that the characters will be around for a while, but are never to be seen again. For example, during the Christmas episode a homeless father and daughter were invited to stay with Zach Morris's family until they can get back on their feet. There was no mention of either of them in any future episodes. Another character on the show, the stepbrother of Jesse Spano, was introduced in the series but only appeared in a couple of episodes. The viewers were given the impression that the stepbrother was going to be another reoccurring character, but staying true to Chuck Cunningham syndrome he was never seen or mentioned again. There are numerous other continuity problems concerning characters of "Saved By The Bell," but considering the size of this article I would not nearly have enough room to mention all of them.
Another continuity problem that makes television unwatchable is known as the reverse Chuck Cunningham syndrome. The reverse Chuck Cunningham syndrome is when a character on a show is either introduced whose presence should have been mentioned earlier in the series. I experienced this syndrome when I was watching "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." At the start of the fifth season Buffy all of a sudden had a younger sister named Dawn, which confused the viewers because Buffy and the rest of the characters acknowledged Buffy's younger sister as if she has been on the series the entire time. It was, however, explained in the show that sorcery and witchcraft created Dawn and the memories of the cast of characters. One of the more popular shows, and one of personal favorites, is "Lost." This might be a stretch to some people, considering the fact the viewers of "Lost" cannot understand what is happening and new characters are introduced on almost every episode. However, there have been several characters that joined the main cast that turns out were on another part of the island, which is the setting for "Lost." Such characters as Mr. Ecko, Libby and Bernard have joined the cast of characters, but once again this show is one of those shows that can get away with it because the viewers are meant to be left in confusion.
The simplest way for these syndromes to keep reoccurring in our favorite television shows is to write to the shows creators and producers. With the age of the Internet upon us, we can visit chat rooms and post messages on boards concerning the television show we have concerns about. Let's make our concerns heard and write to the people in charge of making these shows so that these mistakes would not be in future programming.
Jim Yancy is a communication graduate from Shreveport, LA.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
anonymous954
anonymous954
posted 4/24/06 @ 6:23 PM CST
I am amazed that, with so much going on in the world, this campus and our individual lives, an article as trite and pointless as this can be written. There must be better topics to fill even the entertainment section of this publication. (Continued…)
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