Unseen Carlton
Does anyone know why it was decided that Carlton the Doorman would never be seen from the front? If so, please get back to me at [email protected]. Thank you!
shareThey probably didn't know how to explain how an lasagna loving animated cat got a job as a doorman in a New York City apartment building, so they just kept him off camera.
But seriously. Lorenzo Music wasn't really an actor he was a producer and writer who worked in the business, but mostly behind the scenes. He had done small voice over parts in The Jetsons and was a regular on The Smothers Brothers, but doing the voice of Carlton did start a whole new career for him as a voice over artist.
I think not showing Carlton but only hearing his voice was one of the best running gags ever on TV.
In a strange twist, Lorenzo Music did the voice of Peter Venkman in the The Real Ghost Busters. A character first played in the live-action movies by Bill Murray.
Bill Murray did the voice of Garfield in the 2004 movie, a character original played by Lorenzo Music.
I have had it with these m** f** tribbles on my m** f** ship! - Capt James T. Kirk
The unseen or even unseen/unheard character is a clever comedic technique used in a lot of sitcoms. Recall Lars in Mary Tyler Moore. Vera in Cheers. Stan in Will and Grace. When you can't see or hear the person, the other characters can make all sorts of statements or observations about the person that we have to accept in order to imagine what they are like.
share...who could forget "Maris" from FRASIER?
the first i remember was "Gladys" on DECEMBER BRIDE. when they did the spin-off PETE & GLADYS, Cara Williams became Harry Morgan's costar/wife.