Heather: Hey! All our shows start this week!
Mike: Oh yeah? Like which ones?
Heather: All of them! But I know you’ll be excited about Community and The Office.
Mike: Yes, those two are my favorites.
Heather: I’ve missed Jeff and the gang.
Mike: Which one is Jeff?
Heather: Wha? He’s the main character. Played by my TV boyfriend Joel McHale.
Mike: I don’t know their names.
Heather: WHAT? How do you not know the names of the characters on your favorite show? Do you know the names of the characters on The Office?
Mike: Um…Steve Carrell?
Heather: Oh my gosh! His character’s name is MICHAEL! Of ALL the names, you should know that one. Also, he’s not on the show anymore. It was a very special episode.
Mike: I know the characters, I just don’t know their names. I recognize them visually.
Heather: You would have been screwed in the time of radio.
Mike: Ha ha. I can still talk about plot lines, I just know them in my head as “the secretary” or “the preppy one.”
Heather: I don’t understand this at all. Do you know the names of The Friends?
Mike: Um…the dumb one, Courteney Cox, Brad Pitt’s ex-wife…
Heather: My head is going to explode.
Mike: One of them is named Phoebe!
Heather: I think we might have to divorce.
Mike: What, so you know ALL their names?
Heather: Yes! I know all the characters on the shows I watch.
Mike: But you watch like, twenty different shows.
Heather: The characters are my friends.
Mike: That’s creepy. So, on The Office, what’s the name of the ex-fiance of the old secretary that’s now married to the tall guy?
Heather: Pam is married to Jim, and her ex-fiance’s name is ROY, that’s so easy.
Mike: He’s a minor character, and you know his name.
Heather: He is not minor, a minor character is Madge, the female warehouse employee.
Mike: Wow. OK, what’s the name of January Jones’ daughter on Mad Men?
Heather: Sally Beth. You’re not going to stump me.
Mike: I shudder to think of the valuable brain cells you’re using to remember these things.
Heather: These are important things! You never know who is going to suddenly become a bigger character.
Mike: I think you’re right about our having to divorce.
Heather: I think that it’s weird you remember NO character names.
Mike: I think it’s weirder you remember ALL character names.
Heather: Well, I’m going to blog about this conversation and we’ll see who is right.
Mike: Great. Don’t come crying to me when everyone calls you a weirdo!
P says:
Sorry, Mike. From one weirdo to another, Go Team Heather!
Brain cells are way overrated.
krissy says:
Team Heather, for sure.
Abigail @ Skywaitress says:
Yeah I have to say I’m with Heather on this one. While I am not quite as awesome at remembering every single character name I definitely know all the main characters. It’s definitely worth any lost brain space.
Heather says:
Mike’s the weirdo on this one! How can you not remember names of characters you watch weekly?? That’s like having family come to over and not remembering their names!!
karen says:
Sorry Heather, I’m with Mike.
I would also like to add that I dont know the names of the members of my favourite bands either. I love the music, dont need a biography!
Molly says:
Team Heather for the win! Sorry, Mike…
Lissa says:
Team Heather for sure. Really Mike? Sooo weird! I have like 15 “regular” season shows, and another 10ish summer shows….and I remember all their names. Along with the majority of the names of the Top 20 from So You Think You Can Dance.
I can’t imagine not knowing Bones or Booth or Damon or Elena or Meredith and Derek…..it’s just…..weird!
Jen says:
I can see not knowing minor characters, but the major ones? Really Mike? You’re nuts.
Becca Masters says:
I’m with Heather on this one. How can you not know the names of the characters on the tv shows you watch?
I always see someone from one tv show or film on another tv show, like Sean Murray who plays Tim McGre in NCIS, he played Thackery In Hocus Pocus!! And I go to my husband look its Probie (McGee) and he’s like “what?!?”
yvette says:
LOL @ Becca – i totally thought the same thing. Sorry Mike im w/ Heather on this one. I mean who cant name the cast of “Friends” are you seriois??
yvette says:
*serious!! See brain cells are still in tact – at least enought to catch spelling errors. Another point for Heather
Ali says:
As I was reading, I said (out loud), “um, Roy?! Duh!”
Heather wins this one!!
Audra says:
As a teacher who spends her day with high school freshmen, I get my fill of drama from arguments, so I’m not going to stir the pot. I think you should both agree to disagree, kiss and make up and go out somewhere nice for dinner.
This reminds me of me and The Mister and the way we remember songs. He can play chords and figure out how to play his favorite songs out on the guitar, but he has NO IDEA what the lyrics are. This leaves me totally flummoxed. Why would you even like a song if you don’t know the lyrics? That’s ALL I remember. I think it’s a gender thing.
Jenny says:
Mike, I am with you on this one.
Sara says:
I’m with Mike. It’s so hard to learn names. I have to watch a show for years before I even pick up the main characters.
Chantel says:
Sorry, Mike! I’m the same way, so I’m totally with Heather on this.
Linda says:
Team Heather!! Characters, song lyrics….all that. Drives my husband nuts.
Julie says:
Team Mike. I am forever asking my husband characters’ names.
Vicky says:
Team Mike. I do good to remember my kids’ names.
amber says:
Definitely team Heather on this one, sorry Mike!
But hey, at least you remember some of the actors’ names! I’m the worst with that. If I see a character from a favorite show on another show, commercial, or movie I always call them by their characters’ name.
Does Heather know all of the character names AND actors’ names? Because that might be a little whacko…¬_¬
amanda says:
I’m with Mike on this one!
Kris says:
It gets even more frustrating when your kids get to be school-aged, and your husband doesn’t remember the names of the room mothers, the Sunday school teacher (who in our case were one in the same), the coaches of sports, etc–people who are regulars in the kids’ lives on a daily basis. Before I get flamed for this, let me add that we both work and we volunteer equally (for sporadic things in the classroom) and we both attend parent teacher conferences and evening meetings, so it’s not like I’m more involved than he is. He fully admits he ‘isn’t good with names’. It makes having discussions with him tough, since you’ll say, “Mrs. X blah blah blah” and he will be stuck on trying to remember who Mrs. X is and won’t have heard any of the pertinent information which followed.
I hate to say it, but get used to it.
To answer your question, I do think it’s weird not to know the names of characters of shows you watch all the time.
Heather L. says:
Team Mike! My husband is on Team Heather and we have had this same conversation. Our brains work differently(complete opposites, actually) and that’s why we make such a great team. I say embrace your differences and know that you can solve any problem when you both “put your heads together”.
Amy J says:
New team? Don’t remember any minor characters’ names, and the first time I see an actor/ess his/her name becomes the character name. Off to google for an example … OK, so Lisa Kudrow is always Phoebe.
Becca_Masters says:
ha ha! yes!! Lisa Kudrow in anything is always Phoebe. A bit like Jennifer Anniston is always Rachael!
Becca_Masters says:
also on the subject of the TV characters being friends, I think that too.
It’s particularaly bad with NCIS, Charmed, the Gilmore Girls (i’d totally love to have Loralai and Rory as friends!) and also Ghost Whisperer.
It’s even worse with the books I read. When I’m reading them it’s like I’m there, and at random points I sometimes thing “I wonder what so and so’s doing right now” and then i remember it’s a damn book. then I feel a bit sad.
Amy J says:
I am always incredibly sad when I finish an epic book series. It seems terrible to me that the characters in, say, Lord of the Rings, did not/do not actually exist!
Jessica says:
I want Rory and Lorelei to be my friends too!! And I NEED to know what they are doing now!!!!! It makes me crazy that we just have to accept an ending. I need closure people!!
Becca_Masters says:
@ Amy, I KNOW!!!! Its why I can never get rid of any of my books and it drives my husband crazy. I re-read an entire series at least twice a year just to get my fix. It’s enough to time to forget the minor things and re-discover them! have you read Laurell K Hamilton’s Anita Blake series? That’s the main one that gets me EVERY FREAKING TIME!
@Jessica, I hate when series end. I want to know what they are up to now. Now that Obama is president WHAT IS RORY DOING?!?! I’m the same with Friends as well. Do Ross and Rachael get married? What do Monica and Chandlers twins look like?!?
I’m suspecting this is why people find soap operas so addictive. they are never ending.
Aimee says:
Pfft. For some reason, I’m terrible at remembering actors’ names, but I totally know all the character names on all my favorite shows, major, minor, not there anymore.
Chris says:
Team Heather FTW!
Alyssa says:
I can’t imagine not knowing characters’ names. It drives me crazy when I first start watching a show and can’t remember names from one scene to the next in the first couple episodes. So, Heather, I am definitely with you on this and with the thing about “tv friends.” I keep telling people (who won’t think I’m crazy), “You guys! My tv friends are coming back this week!” Haha
katherine says:
Definitely with Mike on this one. But I probably don’t count, as I can’t even be bothered to watch TV anymore: Unless you count watching CNN while on the treadmill at the gym, I probably haven’t watched TV in over 3 years. But even when I did watch more, I never remembered names, only characters. My husband is the same, so at least we’re not asking each other for a divorce!
Neeroc says:
I’m with Mike. Actually sometimes I don’t remember last season’s entire plot lines too, and very rarely will I know actors names, they’re usually ‘that guy who did that thing with that chick in The Net’. Also I don’t know song names (but can sing the words – in my head ONLY!)
TamaraL says:
Here’s how I see it – it is perfectly normal for a woman to remember names…it is perfectly normal for a man to NOT remember names. I’m lucky my husband remembers my name!!
Tara says:
Team Heather for sure!!!
Meghan says:
Mike, i think it might take more brain cells to block out character names week after week! Team Heather (and Annie because I assume she sides with Mom).
Sara says:
sheesh. I can see not remembering minor characters from say, Doctor Who. In the 70s. But the names on Community??
Heather P says:
Team HEATHER!!! Sorry Mike.
Yadi says:
Team Heather!!
Jenny Greene says:
Totally with Heather on this. Sorry, Mike.
Helen says:
Team Heather. Totally.
Renee says:
Heather all the way….didn’t Mike blog a while back about not knowing people’s names around town?? Clearly this is a pattern….lol.
michelle says:
i died a little when he couldn’t name all the F.R.I.E.N.D.S. characters. how could you NOT know their names. could he BE any more out of touch with pop culture? (like my chandler reference there??)
MissyK says:
How bad is it that I can remember a bazillion character names from various TV shows past & present but couldn’t tell you the names of half the people I work with every day for 6 yrs? Oops.
Erin says:
Main characters I know, but not so much the minor characters. It is so much easier to think about them when you have a name to associate with the face. Team Heather!!!
Jessica says:
Team Heather!
Karo says:
Team Heather! Mike is so lucky that he’s married to an organized and meticulous viewer like you.
Heidi T says:
Heather wins. I even remember the damn people on Hell’s Kitchen and Top Chef and there are tons of them too.
Anne says:
Definitely team Heather. I might forget a minor character’s name here and there, but a major character? Come on, Mike!
pdx girl says:
I’m definitely with Mike. I watch the shows mentioned in the post and I don’t know their very many of their character names or “real” names.. I just know the characters by their voice and face.
Kirsty says:
I’m not sure how you could not know names… characters’ names are spoken all the time! (Does Mike have trouble remembering work colleagues’ names, or family members’ names, or stuff like that? If so, then I guess it’s a general thing. If it’s just TV characters, I’m flummoxed, I admit.) So yeah, definitely with you on this one, Heather. Even here in France, where it’s hard (not to say impossible) to watch shows in English, I’ve managed, and my daughters and I know all the characters in Glee, I’m an expert on Mad Men, CSI (loved me some Warrick Brown… soooooo sad), Friends and more…
AJ says:
Team Heather. Hands down.
Karen says:
Sorry Mike I am with Heather. I know all the people on my shows names they play and the actors names who play them..
” Go ‘Team Heather”
AmazingGreis says:
Sorry, Mike, I’m definitely Team Heather on this one.
How do you not know character names? *sigh*
Jenn says:
Sorry Mike….you win the title of…WEIRDO on this one!! I gotta side with Heather on this one!!
Susan says:
Team Heather.
We had a similar conversation last night during the Emmy’s – I was having to explain to my genius-IQ-husband why it was funny that Ashton told Jon he wasn’t a troll, and why it was funny when the guy from Modern Family tripped going up the steps to accept his award.
My brain cells are used on this stuff. Him? He can tell you anything about any war or conflict in World History, or how to program web pages, or why this particular cable is better for this or that.
Brandi says:
How can you possibly get through life saying, “You know…that one guy who played a doctor on Grey’s Anatomy!”?? Yes, because *that* narrows it down!!! LOL
Team Heather, for sure!
Natalie says:
Team Heather! Yay TV friends!
Libby says:
It’s embarrassing but I’m Team Mike, too. I’ll remember their names eventually, probably. Maybe.
Tamela says:
Team Heather!! Well, except for the really minor characters. Madge? Really?
Aubrey says:
How do you not know the names of The Friends, Mike? I mean even my 3 year old knows those. These are important things to know. Next you will tell us you don’t know anyone’s names on Glee! That would definitely call for divorce!
erin says:
I’m totally adding this to the list of things that my husband and I actually have in common We refer to character’s from our shows by first name, and I can’t tell you how many times people think that we are talking about “real” people. Thanks for the morning laugh.
Jana says:
Team Heather fo sho! How can you not know the characters names Mike?
marcia says:
I’m definitely with Heather and my husband is firmly on board with Mike!
Amy says:
Heather is right!
Thatisall.
Courtney says:
Heather FTW. Seriously, Mike!?
Paula says:
Team Mike.
And thank you for posting this… I feel so much better about myself now. I don’t watch much T.V. yet I still can’t recall the names of most of the characters on those shows that I watch pretty regularly. Your conversation with Mike reminds me of conversations about Glee with my teenage daughter. “You know that show with Rachael (only name I can remember), that girl who was prego, the guy with the mohawk, the teacher, the airhead, the cheerleading coach, etc.”
Sadly I have trouble with names in *real* life too.
Erica says:
I totally agree with Heather. I know all the names on my shows!!
Meghan says:
Sorry Mike, Team Heather. I can name all 19 Duggar children, and extended family members. Thats just the beginning…
charlsie says:
I have to go with Mike. I can barely remember the name of the show much less all the characters. I remember what the show is about and random things about the characters. And like Mike I am married to a “Heather”, my husband Herman remembers every character, the name of every show, the other shows that the actors have been in and what their last character’s name was. I really think that is why I don’t remember, because I live with an encyclopedia.
Courtney says:
Team Mike! I have terrible trouble remembering the names of characters even in the shows I have on DVD and have watched every episode several times.
I’m also terrible with names in real life, and cannot associate a face with a name at work. I memorized my team members names by copying them off a group email and re-reading them to myself until I had them memorized.
But that being said I also easily confuse myself by thinking similar looking people are the same person…
Marsha says:
I am jumping on the Team Heather side….sorry Mike.
Leslie Gibson says:
I can understand not knowing ALL of the characters names, but not knowing ANY of them? I follow several shows and can name all of the important characters, even after a 4 month hiatus! Sorry Mike, gotta side with Heather on this one.
Giselle says:
I”m in the middle. I remember the main characters (most of the time) but not the minor ones. I think my brain is getting full as I get older because I seem to remember the names less and less..
Mary says:
I’m with mike , I can barely remember my own family names.
Emily says:
Most definitely team Heather!
Jennifer Dawn says:
Team Heather! I’m like a TV-character-remembering-machine.
J. Bacon says:
Umm….sorry Mike — I totally agree with Heather…i know everyone’s character names — and most of the time I know know their real name.
Adria says:
Upon reading this, I was actually getting irritated with Mike. How can you not know the names of characters on a show that you watch all the time? Minor characters I understand but the main characters? It’s like not knowing your own friends’ or families’ names. Names make it way easier to refer to someone – instead of “you know, the lazy that wears the crazy hats and smells like cat pee”, you can just say Aunt Pearl. Team Heather all the way!
Trisha says:
Team Heather for sure, sorry Mike!
Annie says:
I think I might be on Mike’s side here… I watch quite a few shows also and I’d say I remember about half of the main character’s names and pretty much none of the minor characters. But- I’m that way in real life too, it takes me FOREVER to remember people’s names. It’s not because I don’t care, for whatever reason, my brain just has a hard time remembering names
karen says:
Team Heather. Mike reminds me of my mother. She has watched Young and the Restless for as long as I can remember but can never remember the characters names. How is that even possible?
Pilotswife97 says:
Team heather. I remember all the names of characters from soap operas I watched in high school, all of Jon and Kate’s kids, and th duggar’s too.
susanmig says:
i am EXACTLY like mike and my husband is EXACTLY like heather!! however, i’ve gotta say, i wish i could remember all the names….i’m envious in a way.
so, i’m team heather!!! only because i wish i had the brain cells to remember!!!!!
Melissa says:
Team Heather! How the heck do you watch your favorite show and not know the characters names??
Carly says:
Although I may not know all of the minor characters’ names, I do know most of the names — so I have to agree with Heather on this one.
Mike – how do you watch these show every week, get invested in the storylines, in their lives and NOT know ANY of their names?!?
Team Heather.
Carrisa says:
I probably wouldn’t have remembered Madge’s name, but I knew all the others.
Brad Pitt’s ex wife? Shame on you Mike.
Elle says:
Team Heather!
Gale @ Ten Dollar Thoughts says:
Mostly Team Heather. I didn’t know Sally Draper’s middle name was Beth. And I had no idea there was a warehouse worker on The Office named Madge. But I know all major character names and probably could have come up with “Roy” if given enough time.
I have to say, though, Mike’s probably not alone here. I think my husband knows most characters by the actor’s name. Maybe it’s a guy thing?
Christina says:
Sometimes it takes me a minute but yes, I can remember all the names too. I don’t know how you would not commit that to memory while watching the show.
lisaj says:
Team Heather! For reals, Mike, you MUST know the names or you aren’t a true fan. ;-P
Alicia says:
This sounds like my family, but in reverse. I’m the mike of my household. I often confuse characters in movies/shows, don’t remember names or plotlines week to week. He was reminding me how all of our shows finales went last night so I’d know what in the world was happening when they come back. :D. He has a freaky photgraphic memory.
Marnie :) says:
Ok, my mind is completely filled with useless information. The characters in my favorite shows are like family. GO TEAM HEATHER!!!!
Rachel says:
I still have massive PTSD from when Rachel and Ross were on a break. I also use plotlines to prove my point OFTEN in conversations with my husband, since he sees TV shows (well, except for Angel and Buffy) like Mike. So I can say things like, my friend Jim and Pam had a small wedding and they were happy…
Brooke says:
Team Heather!
Mika says:
You are not a weirdo, and your husband = my husband. Who is the same with shows and characters, but not only that, can barely remember street names of major routes that he takes everyday. It’s always, “you know, then you take the street that goes by the mall where the Apple store is” (because he doesn’t remember mall names either, of course!!).
Joie says:
So it’s Phoebe, Joey, Chandler, Monica, Rachel and Ross…was that it?
Sorry Heather, I am with Mike. But not because I AGREE with Mike! I just have an awful memory. Even my favorite shows, I sometimes forget the people in it. Well, except for True Blood. I seem to remember most of them! YAY!
But I could be watching a show every single day for years and I will still forget their names.
So I think I am the same as Mike, but not by choice! LOL
MDF says:
C’mon mike? chandler Muriel bing, Rachel Karen green, Joseph Francis tribiani, etc…I even remember the fake middle name Phoebe made up for Monica when she signed for the mattress. Falulah. my husband can’t remember Denis leary’s character’s name on rescue me. I think it’s a guy thing.
C @ Kid Things says:
I don’t know how you can keep with the storyline if you don’t know the characters’ names.
Julie says:
Maybe it’s a Mike thing, my honey (Michael) is the exact same way, and thinks I”m a freak of nature because I know who’s who, namewise.
OR….it’s an interest thing. I’ll bet Mike can name every player on his favorite football team, eh? Right down to the water boy….
Jamie Elizabeth says:
Heather wins!
Rachel says:
Team Mike, but then I called my 11 year old son by my hubby’s name yesterday, twice. So I’m not sure if my vote counts. =)
Alisha in Ohio says:
Sorry Mike, Team Heather FTW!
So excited for premiere week! DVR is all cleared and ready to go!
Kodie says:
I also watch a bazillion shows and, except for a few new ones that have only been on a couple weeks, I too know ALL the characters names and relationships.
Team Heather!
Amy Collen says:
Um, don’t look at me. I still watch Real World, and Real World/Road Rules challenges. Plus I know all of their names. I don’t think anyone with opposable thumbs watches those shows anymore. I do watch Mad Men though! Awesome show! Only know the name of the main character though, Don Draper :-D.
GreenInOC says:
I’m with Mike however I did know the name of Pam’s fiance -ROY! Do I win anything – a Bacon Stuffed Tomato perchance?!
Darcie says:
Mike was so confident he would win this argument…but no. Why do you watch TV if you aren’t invested enough to learn the characters names!!!
Courtney says:
Team Heather, totally.
maria says:
Team Heather! How do you not know your tv friends names?!
Megan (Best of Fates) says:
Wouldn’t it take *more* brain cells to come up with your own names, like sassy-older-character-who-hates-the-guy-played-by-Fletch-and-has-two-sons-who-rarely-make-an-appearance?
Maren says:
I am pretty sure you are both typical, as your relationship sounds just like ours – I remember all the random people, and my husband remembers “oh, that guy played the funny one on that show ten years ago”
Jenb says:
I’m with Mike. I can remember them when I’m watching, but if you turned to me at a random time and quizzed me. I’d be in trouble.
alimartell says:
THIS IS MY LIFE.
Txtingmrdarcy says:
Team Heather, all the way!
PS- Just last night, my fiance turned to me and informed me that Patti from “Millionaire Matchmaker” was his friend. We use that phrase in our house all the time, Heather!
Kelly says:
What is the point of watching if you don’t let yourself become a little tiny bit involved? I know all of their names, too. Every single one.
Molly says:
Umm..TEAM HEATHER! How is it interesting to WATCH a show and not know anyone’s name?! So, if Pam says, “Jim did that…” does the story even make sense to you?! GAH! My head might explode….sorry, Mike, this makes you super weird!
Annie Y says:
I just tested my husband…he can name all of The Friends.
THANK GOD!
Shelby says:
team heather for sure! i have my dvr set to record – i’m not joking – 42 different shows. and i know every person on those shows… i take my stories very seriously! :p tv-aholic for sure. i’m 25 and i’ve been this way since i was a kid… so it ain’t changin’ now!
Jeni says:
Sorry Heather I am with Mike on this one. I can tell you everything that happens on a show but I can never remember everyones names.
Marin D says:
I am HORRIBLE with remembering the characters’ names on the shows and movies I watch. It takes a lot for me to remember them. I also ask my husband, “What is she from?” everytime someone looks vaguely familiar. What show are they from? Weren’t they just in a movie/show we watched? I can’t even match the actual actor/actress name to the person. I always follow up my question with, “Does it drive you nuts that I always ask who they are and what they are from?” I swear my husband will pull out the divorce papers one of these times. LOL.
Skye says:
Sorry Mike- Heather is right! I would be sooo confused if I didn’t know any of the characters’ names on a show. What about when they reference other people by name?!
Lisa says:
Team Mike. I don’t watch enough TV regularly to remember names of many of the shows.
Paige says:
Team Heather….but my husband would be for Team Mike
Emily says:
team Heather for sure, sorry mike.
I do the same thing and my boyfriend also thinks its wierd.
there is a learning dissorder where you only remember useless information and the important stuff never gets remembered, ironically I cant remember the name of the disorder….
Kristin says:
On Heather’s side. I know all the names. And my Michael (my hubby) knows the names more than I do.
Also, you need to be excited for Modern Family. Seriously, the best tv show ever.
amourningmom says:
I have to go with Team Heather (sorry Mike). Maybe there is some middle ground team so you won’t have to divorce :-).
Kristie says:
My husband knows the names of the characters, who they are married to in real life, etc. He knows all names of most band members of every band that put out a song in the 80’s.
I didnt even start watching tv until two years ago when we got married. I did not even know what a series was or that they all pretty much start and end at the same time of year.
I guess i have to go with team mike. While my husband would definitely be team heather.
Amanda says:
I used to be like you, now I am liable to use the dog’s name when calling for the kids. Uselessly adorable, I like to think.
Jessica says:
Go Heather! I think she may know more names than I do, but I am terrible with names=faces. I just do the best I can!
Sarah says:
Not knowing the names of the Friends? SHAME ON YOU MICHAEL SPOHR.
Sarah says:
PS. I’m moving in with my boyfriend this coming weekend. Perhaps I should ask him the names of the Friends before I pack the truck.
Lenora says:
Sorry, Mike. I’m definitely on Team Heather, though I may not be as good at the minor characters as she is. As I always say, I could have the cure for cancer in my head but instead it is filled with this kind of info.
Laura says:
Team Heather totally wins this one! I find it weird that Mike can remember the actors’ names, but not their character’s name. For me it’s the opposite, and even if I do know their real name, they will always “be” the character. Like Ellen Pompeo, if she’s on a talk show or something, I will refer to her as Meredith!
judi mitchell says:
Heather wins hands down….I know all the characters on all the shows I’ve ever watched – especially the comedies!!! How can you watch a series and not know the names of the people???
Colleen says:
“Heather: The characters are my friends.”
Yes. That.
Elissa says:
Wow… I’m going with crack is wickity wack and Mike is the crazazy on this one… How do you have a favorite show and not know a single character name?! LOL
Beverly says:
Team Mike.
Brittni says:
Team Heather!!!! Premiere week is my favorite week of the year and I don’t know how I keep up with myself. I always talk about the characters on my shows as my friends! I love it!!!
RS says:
Sorry Mike, you are the weird one. Team Heather all the way. I not only know all the characters by their real and screen names, I also randomly take trivia quizzes on the shows to keep myself up-to-date. I take my TV very very seriously.
Kerri says:
Team Mike for sure!! I love ya Heather, but I seriously have trouble getting the names in my own family straight half the time.
Mary says:
HOW can you NOT know the names of characters on shows you regularly watch?!?
Meaning: I am with Heather on this one
Kate says:
100% team heather. How the heck do you watch a show and not know their names. I knew Roy instantly. HA.
B says:
i’m with you heather… i even remember most of the Friends’ middle names.
Ashli Keffer says:
I love you even more knowing that you watch The Office. I’m like hardcore trekkie obsessed with that show. I’m excited about it coming back this week along with Parks and Rec and 30 Rock..
Also, I’m on your side here. I don’t really remember names in movies but in my shows, I know every single person. And we are all best friends. Especially me and The Office gang.
Wendy says:
Team Heather….even my husband know the names of characters on MY shows and he doesn’t even watch them.
Margie says:
Also team Heather here. It seems almost harder to NOT learn their names.
statia says:
Depends on how vested I am in the show. Some shows, the characters were like real people to me. Other times, it was like, “yeah, you know, that one guy?”
Zelda says:
Team Heather all the way. I don’t even watch Friends and I can name all six of the main characters. I also know the words to Smelly Cat, which is probably the weirdest part of it all, since I don’t understand the context.
Falison says:
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Lea says:
Yeah, I’m with Heather on this one. You have to know the characters by name. Especially with shows like The Office where there are so many characters!
Madi G. says:
Um, can I say “it depends?”
I read through the first few dozen comments and didn’t see this one, so here goes…
It depends on the show. With some shows (and movies), they just don’t use the names very often. I don’t usually remember those.
And sometimes, when I’m really familiar with the actor, I’ll think of the actor’s name rather than the character name. Especially if the actor’s name is really unique (e.g. Callum Blue in “Dead Like Me” — can’t remember his character’s name to save my life, but “Callum Blue” just sticks. In fact, I named my cat Callum. BTW, WHY, OH WHY did they cancel that show?!?! I loved “Dead Like Me!”)
But if they use the names frequently, I remember the names. Especially on reality shows when they write a person’s name on the screen. I’m very visual, so that always does the trick.
-Madi
Madi G. says:
“Mason”!! — That’s Callum Blue’s character on Dead Like Me.
See, that took like five minutes!! (I didn’t cheat and Google it!)
Meg says:
I am with Mike on this one! Ha! I am the exact same way! Poor Mike – I can relate!
Patricia says:
Team Heather! And I hate to inform you that Joel McHale is already taken by me!
BMom says:
Team Heather, all the way! I’m so glad to hear that Joel McHale is your BF, because Jim…John Krasinski is mine.
Miriam says:
You are both a bit extreme…Not being able to name the six Friends – lame! Being able to name “Roy” from the Office, scary!
I’m on team “blog reader” because we win with this funny entry…
Jessica Makuh says:
I’m with Heather on this one, too. My husband and I have had this exact conversation before. I don’t understand why he can’t remember anything about celebrities. He called Richard Gere Harrison Ford the other day when I was watching Nights in Rodanthe! What the heck? And he doesn’t remember where the colander is stored in the kitchen! However, if we pass a car on the highway he can tell me it’s a 1972 Chevrolet Camaro! How does he know that!?!
PattyB says:
I am absolutely loving all these comments. I am also with Heather on this one. How can you have a conversation with anyone relating to one of your favorite tv shows, if you can’t recall any of their names! It would definitely make gossiping about the new episodes virtually impossible. I also agree with Jessica’s comment above. My husband can’t remember half the names of our family members, but he remembers that make and year of every car he’s ever owned in this life as well as the mileage on said vehicles when he’s traded them in. Boys are weird!
Shiri says:
I can’t stand The Office, and even I knew that his name is Roy!
Julie says:
I have to agree with Mike!
Shauna says:
So, I definitely think Mike is the weirdo here. But I will say this, I am too. I seriously barely remember character names EVER. The Office may actually be one exception because I have every season on DVD and we watch them a ton. Any other show though? Forget it. I can’t even name all of the Friends characters names. I do feel like I’m in the minority and a lot of people make a big deal about it, so that’s why I think I’m weird!
Alexandra :) says:
TOTALLY with Heather on this one!!! Sorry Mike, but us weirdos gotta stick together ;D
Ray says:
Lololol! You guys are funny. Love this conversation. And Heather I’m with you on this one!! Hahaha. =P
Krystal says:
I have several favorite shows and I rarely remember character names. Its just a thing with some people I guess. Mike I got your back here!