Robert N EmersonTV Characters You Identify With
November 14th 2006 02:15
I see self awareness is an important aspect of one’s life. Evaluating your personality and your actions allows you to better understand who you are and why you do things, which in turn can aid you in being who you want to be.
It’s funny how when we watch TV, we feel a closer bond to some characters than others. I believe that this is due to seeing part of ourselves within the character. This approach is probably more truthful than other means of self-evaluation – it is done on a subconscious level; a genuine connection and recognition.
I’ve been pondering which television characters that I identify with the most and what that says about who I am as a person.
Most recently, I’ve mentioned I’ve felt empathy towards the character of Lizzie from Tripping Over. She is perhaps not the best character to see myself in as the general consensus is that she is irritating. However, I do find I can understand where she is coming from. The first moment of realisation was when she had created an itinerary for their trip, which I something that I have to admit I have done. I like to have a structure; to know where I’m going and what I’m doing so I don’t waste time. Like Lizzie, my organisation has been met with a certain level of amusement and disbelief. Later in the series, I also could appreciate her need to find meaning in seemingly random events.
Another character I can see parts of myself in is the Tenth Doctor from Doctor Who. Despite being a fairly thoughtful person, in real life interactions I do tend to be fairly easy-going and cheery. I usually keep this happy façade despite what I’m feeling internally. Like the Doctor, I abhor injustice of any sort and often let my emotions get the better of me in such situations. I can understand his sense of disconnection and loneliness from others, which I'll elaborate on further in the next paragraph. I also have a tendency to babble - hence the name of this site.
This final character may sound a little strange, but I also identify with the character of Philip J. Fry from Futurama. I suppose it is because, like Fry, I don’t always feel like I belong. I feel out of sync; not fitting with the type of person society says I should be. I don’t feel normal as such, but, quite frankly, I’m not sure that I want to. Fry had to go to the year 3000 to find where he fit in – I hope I don’t have to go that far.
So, which TV characters do you identify with and why? What do you think this says about you?
*Images courtesy of Wikipedia, and used under Fair Dealing for idenfication
It’s funny how when we watch TV, we feel a closer bond to some characters than others. I believe that this is due to seeing part of ourselves within the character. This approach is probably more truthful than other means of self-evaluation – it is done on a subconscious level; a genuine connection and recognition.
I’ve been pondering which television characters that I identify with the most and what that says about who I am as a person.
Kathryn Drysdale as Lizzie
Most recently, I’ve mentioned I’ve felt empathy towards the character of Lizzie from Tripping Over. She is perhaps not the best character to see myself in as the general consensus is that she is irritating. However, I do find I can understand where she is coming from. The first moment of realisation was when she had created an itinerary for their trip, which I something that I have to admit I have done. I like to have a structure; to know where I’m going and what I’m doing so I don’t waste time. Like Lizzie, my organisation has been met with a certain level of amusement and disbelief. Later in the series, I also could appreciate her need to find meaning in seemingly random events.
David Tennant as the Doctor*
Another character I can see parts of myself in is the Tenth Doctor from Doctor Who. Despite being a fairly thoughtful person, in real life interactions I do tend to be fairly easy-going and cheery. I usually keep this happy façade despite what I’m feeling internally. Like the Doctor, I abhor injustice of any sort and often let my emotions get the better of me in such situations. I can understand his sense of disconnection and loneliness from others, which I'll elaborate on further in the next paragraph. I also have a tendency to babble - hence the name of this site.
Philip J. Fry (as voiced by Billy West)*
This final character may sound a little strange, but I also identify with the character of Philip J. Fry from Futurama. I suppose it is because, like Fry, I don’t always feel like I belong. I feel out of sync; not fitting with the type of person society says I should be. I don’t feel normal as such, but, quite frankly, I’m not sure that I want to. Fry had to go to the year 3000 to find where he fit in – I hope I don’t have to go that far.
So, which TV characters do you identify with and why? What do you think this says about you?
*Images courtesy of Wikipedia, and used under Fair Dealing for idenfication
| 163 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
Subscribe to this blog
Comment by Illie-T-Redd
The Devil & I
Majikal Mysterium
In films, it's mainly Woody Allen characters that I identify myself with easiest. In TV, it's Larry David on Curb Your Enthusiasm and Monk. Funnily, for whatever reason, I don't associate myself much with George Costanza of Seinfeld. Eventhough he's the "neurotic loser" in the show, he has this quiet, smug over-confidence about him sometimes.
Comment by Nina
Comment by Adrian
Philosophy Blog
Film -- maybe the kid in Rushmore, because he lives in an absurd world, and Michael Keaton's Batman, because he's a bit of a psychopath.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Tim Beasley (Simon Pegg in Spaced) crossed with Kramer (Michael Richards in Seinfeld)
Film Character
Banky (Jason Lee in Chasing Amy) with an equal helping of Robert (Raifer Weigel from Free Enterprise)
Comment by Nina
Comment by Nina
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Maybe add loud and twisted, enjoying verbal sparring.
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Okay, the ones I can identify with include:
- Willow (from Buffy). The brainy girl who doesn't actually get into trouble herself, it's just that her friends attract it. I rarely ever get into trouble, but I happily follow along for an adventure. You gotta be there for your friends. I guess I was always the brainy one of my friends as well.
- Karen (from Will & Grace), and not because I'm an alcoholic gold digger (well, it's not the only reason anyway)! But she is direct and to the point, and while Will & Grace are flapping about in the middle of a massive drama, she's off having cocktails or shopping. I'm so not into drama, and I try not to buy into anyone elses.
- Elliot Reid (female doctor from Scrubs), like me, she is a bit of a spaz, a klutz, comes across as a total bimbo at times and her taste in men ain't all that great.
I think that's pretty much it.
Comment by Nina
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
Well...as I said elsewhere...The Energiser Bunny, because it just goes on and on and on...
I haven't got the faintest clue who I identify with but I know who I'd like to identify with...
Sydney Bristow ('Alias') - shes multi lingual, multi talented, multi wigged...she's got an IQ off the Mensa scale, she's all don't mess with me on the surface but is really sweet and loving and lovely. Plus you'd think twice about pissing her off!!
Buffy - she's chirpy and perky but hello? she's The Slayer. Plus she's quick with the quip ("I'm Buffy and you're...history") and a fantastic combination of intelligence (we find out she has an above average IQ in one episode) and ditziness. She's loyal to her loved ones and they to her but ultimately she stands alone. And Angel loves her...sigh...
Ohh...not good...I think I identify with Chandler and Phoebe from 'Friends'...with a bit of Monica's pedantic domestic traits....and I'll throw in Clare Huxtable. I have 5 kids and home is a pleasurable madhouse. Plus I studied Law.
But...I think The Energiser Bunny best encapsulates me...or anyone from 'Babble-on 5'....
Thanks Nina.
DuskDevi
Comment by Nina
On an unrelated note, you studied law? Have you practiced at all? I am studying it at the moment, and I can’t really say I enjoy it to be honest. I keep hoping I come across an area that catches my interest.
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
I don't put myself on the level of these characters but I certainly don't mind being perceived as being a bit like them!!
Seriously...thank you. I feel honoured.
Yep...Law....but not a lawyer.
I studied it because of the romantic idealogy I had... alas, I'm no Atticus Finch nor Perry Mason...also I loved the Nancy Drew books and although she was a "teenage sleuth", she wanted to study Law like her father.
And my father had a law degree so wanted to continue the family link but he too didn't practise it.
I loved Latin. And the rest bored me to sleep.
"My apologies Your Honour I was alseep during that lecture so cannot cite any arguement....
So move for a mistrial then?"
You'll find your niche Nina.
I found my niche in Journalism. Don't have a degree in it, just fell into it. Well...sort of, I've been writing since I could write and prior to Uni, had secured my place in the journalistic (as a teenage radio announcer) world so I don't know why I persevered with Law.
Straight after it, went back to aural and visual media and Law was nothing but (literally) a dream!
Law looks glamorous on my CV but it's all for naught. I know nothing!!!
My apologies for this Nina but...you write like a journalist (sorry...I hope you understand what I mean by this...writers hate being referred to as journos!) ...you sure it's Law you want to practise?...I don't know why but I can see you on TV as an investigative journalist anchor (or maybe talk-back radio) host...it's the way you write, clear, concise and knowledgeable, I feel you talk like this plus you know I think you're gorgeous!...how about Media Law...
And this is what I mean about being that bloody bunny...I just go on and on, just keep writing, can't blooming well stop. I'm stopping now. See?
Bye for now Nina
DuskDevi
Comment by Nina
I guess I'll find my niche eventually - like you I'll probably just fall into something. I'm studying business as well, so perhaps that will be the way I go. I certainly wish I spoke the way I wrote - I do tend to babble when I speak, because my mind is usually somewhere else...
Comment by Little Angry Doll
Falling Haiku Leaf
My fav quote - " My job is so boring, I can't talk about it."
Now, Ralph Wiggum's mum.
Quote from Ralph, after Lisa has fallen asleep at her desk - "You look like my mommy after her box of wine."
Comment by Justin
Film: A cross between Ben Stiller especially off Along Came Polly and Owen Wilson.
So kinda like Illie T Redd, in that it's characters dealing with the world in usually difficult but funny scenarios yet almost always with very varied outcomes.
Comment by Nina
Comment by Nina
Comment by Adrienne
Celebrity Fox
Comment by Nina
Comment by Joel
Given To Gaming
Comment by Nina
It's interesting that you said you identify with Wolverine and Clark though, since they both are unsure about exactly who they are.
Comment by Big Cat
Chatterpillar
Funny you should pick Dr Who the 10th, Nina. I relate to the 9th, but not for likeness to myself - not directly any way.
A singular moment would be in the episode where Rose causes the plaque of big, black flying cockroaches (or whatever they were) that wanted to take out everyone and quarterise the wound in time that she caused. She caused a time discontinuim by disobeying Dr Who on a trip back in time, when she rushed to help her father avoid the car accident that was to kill him.
The singular moment came when she said to Dr Who, "sorry". The doctor's glum face straight-away lit up like a Christmas tree. He wasn't the least bit over-bearing. No lingering resentfulness.
It was like her saying sorry was a signal for a festival to be celebrated.
Wish there was more of this going on in real-life relationships. Hell. I've stuffed up big time in past relationships. Now I'm at an age where regrets come at me like an aircraft's black box playing back the crash tapes at me.
My only hope - a God like Dr Who the 9th.
So, you see Nina, I think affinity for particular characters can be about objects of love, belief and fantasy too, not just one's self.
Or not one's self directly..
Wadda-yu-reckon, oh babbly but thoughtful one?
Comment by Nina
I think the it's great to identify with the Ninth Doctor. He can be wonderfully forgiving and has a great appreciation for the feats of everyday people, something that I see come through in your Chatterpillar posts.
Comment by Big Cat
Chatterpillar
Definitely studio host material.
Comment by Whatever
WHATEVER
Yes it was more relevant during high school, but I identify with her cynicism and transparancy she feels with the world around her.
Her voice was a bit odd though.
Comment by Nina
Comment by Elli
So obviously not there, and charmingly funny
i am so much like him it hurts
true, i do not have bride of frankenstein hair or wear red stretchy underwear when i'm fighting crime, but we would both interest sigmund freud
he is so good