100 Thoughts 9/100: The 'That Guy' Effect
I watch a lot of TV. I admit this and have a goal each year to watch less TV. But, I tend to like trying new shows and watching shows that keep my interest.
As a result of watching a lot of TV, I know a lot of faces.
The steady, main actors, the supporting roles and ... the guest stars/one episode characters. This in and of itself can add an increased entertainment value to watching as I can boo/hiss/cheer when someone I recognise appears in another show (usually expectedly but sometimes its a pleasant surprise and the boo/hiss/cheer is 'No, he's a DEMON, run!!!).
There are a few bit part actors like Mark A Sheppard and Mark Pellegrino who have fabulous agents and they are ‘everywhere!’ They however are not alone in this pervasive trend.
There is either some talent agency in LA with some serious connections or TV producers who like seeing familiar faces as well, but there is a cadre of supporting/guest star actors that appear all over a place. Again, this is not a problem, as I get just as much entertainment from squealing, “It’s Loki/YED/Bobby” as much as the next nutjob fangirl does.
Instead, the point I am getting to in a very round about way, is this. The downside/negative impact of hearing a prophecy, is that once you have heard it, you automatically become part of fulfilling it either by opposing it or doing everything you can to make it true. Well, when I see a familiar guest star face, i.e. Joe Flanigan, I know, straightaway that his character is not a toss away face/random person. They will have a part to play in the episode and will either be the villain (in CSI like shows) or part of the drama/possible villain/misunderstood hero/tragic death. For example, when Joe appeared in Warehouse 13, I knew his character would be more than just a random guy they interviewed and would have some role to play. When Joe was in Fringe, I expected the same, and was excited, but when his character died suddenly, I felt part of Lincoln’s pain, because I ‘knew’ him.
Joe is not actually a good example, as he starred in his own show. But these guys are. When they appear in a tv show, I know there is more to their characters than just a fly by night glimpse. They are ‘that guy/girl’ ... more than just a face from casting hoping for a shot at fame. And while I like the entertainment value they offer, I feel like I have an edge on tv show - ‘cos I know I Know they are important to the episode in some way :) But it also takes some of the suspense out. I know that they'll be involved, so its takes some of the fun of guessing who the villian/victim is. Also, not an entire train smash as most tv plots are very predictable, and I invariably spend as much time predicting events and shouting at the screen 'I could have written this and it would have been better!'
All in all, it probably just means I need to watch less tv ;-)
These are the actors on my list of familiar faces. Their agents are pretty awesome (probably). Whose on your list?
Mark Pellegrino
Mark Sheppard
Currie Graham
Callum Keith Rennie
Neal McDonough
and Tahmoh Penikett seems to be going the same route.