Type #4: The Exception

The 'kooky' type that doesn't believe in types.

Last time, we looked at The High Flyer, which is a state of mind, not a description of success. In fact, low status High Flyers are reliably funny sitcom characters. Here’s a 7-minute recap:

Got it? Okay, let’s move on to Type 4 who is ‘what I call’ the Exception. (Yes, I did work on Miranda. And no, I did not come up with the ‘what I call’ catchphrase. A real person used to say that)

Type 4 The Exception

When a character is described as ‘kooky’, they’re probably Number 4 in our list of sitcom characters that I’m working through here on this blog. The ‘kooky’ Number 4s are, what I call, “the Exception”.

The Exception would hate to read what I’m writing now. They’d reject the idea that there can even be nine types of people. They might admit that there are nine types. But they really cannot be categorised. Which makes them a type four.

The Exception considers themselves to be unique – and this uniqueness must be meditated upon, understood and expressed. It’s okay for all the other characters. They know who they are. They have all their petty needs and desires worked out. The Exception is forced to roam the earth, not fitting in, not finding their tribe or even understanding themselves.

Get the idea? The Exception is all about finding their identity and being authentic to their true selves – and they are terrified of being predictable or part of any kind of group. They are not team players. They might accept the need for teamwork. And the benefits of pulling together. But that’s for other people. The Exception will find a reason why they cannot be part of that team and pull together.

It’s not that they are lazy and let others do the work – although it might look that way. It’s not even that they think they are ‘better’ than other people. Again, some characters might read it that way. Great! We need conflict in sitcom.

Exceptions are introspective, sensitive, creative and highly individualistic. Or, according to some, thin-skinned, emotional narcissists. They could be accused of being fantasists, living in a dreamworld. They might hear people say to them, “What makes you so special?” They don’t have an answer. But they know they are special.

Examples of Exceptions

With the right dosage, Exceptions are really funny in sitcoms. They crop up all the time in situation comedies, as they are funny right out of the gate. Examples that leap to mind are the characters like Phoebe from Friends, or Gina in Brooklyn 99, who says “the English language cannot fully capture the depth and complexity of my thoughts.” I had one of these characters in my radio sitcom, Think the Unthinkable. She was called Daisy. Of course she was. But she brought ‘outside the box’ thinking, which was what you needed in that world.

Don’t make your Exceptions wacky and eccentric for the sake of it. That can be quite tiresome. They can fiercely brood like April from Parks and Recreation. The main thing is they’re not playing the game. When they have to act being the UN, April insists on representing “the moon”. (see clip below)

This is not necessarily attention-seeking – although it might look that way. It’s a genuine sense that they simply cannot compete in the system that is being proposed, or according to the rules. It just doesn’t work for them, and conformity is death. If they have to be like everyone else, then what is the point?

Your Lead Exception?

Can this kind of character be a lead character? They might be hard to manage if they are constantly reacting against an imposed system and refusing to be categorised. That can be a problem. But they make it work with Jess in New Girl. And could we throw Anne of Green Gables onto this list?

Are Exceptions always women? No. In a study of more than 54,000 respondents, Type Fours on the Enneagram were found to make up approximately 11% of the population; 12% of women and 10% of men.

What’s interesting is that lots of fictional male Exceptions are movie characters rather than sitcom characters, like the ‘burn it all down’ Joker, a very dark version of this character. Or Edward Scissorhands. Or Shrek. For sitcoms, maybe Manny and Cameron from Modern Family?

The Exception could easily be a frustrated, brooding artist who wants to make it the hard way, because they fear selling out and accepting who they are or being captured by their fanbase.

The Exception is prone to self-sabotage. Nothing is straightforward with this character. If they decide to throw a party at the weekend, it simply cannot be a party that anyone is expecting. Everyone wants to know what kind of party it is, but the very idea that it’s a toga party or just some regular drinking session in a pub is unthinkable to The Exception. This party will require an elaborate costume, will be held in an inconvenient location and will be like nothing else the characters have experienced – which may be perfect for another plot that’s running.

Meet Laura

We’re grounding our characters in a sitcom set in a restaurant. Let’s have another waitress: Laura, the worst waitress in the world. She drives Brian, the maitre d’, to total distraction because she won’t wear the uniform. Well, it’s not that she won’t. She can’t, she explains. It’s just not who she is. Black and white are not her colours, although she doesn’t yet know what colours work for her. So she’s running some experiments, especially with jewellery which she makes herself. She gets lots of compliments so that could become her thing, but she can’t really sell anything because she can’t mass produce anything. Every item has to be different. You see? Not cut out to be a waitress. At all.

Brian normally gives Laura the benefit of the doubt because the customers love her, and that’s all that matters to Brian (#2 The Helper). He just wants the customers to have an amazing time.

Laura also plays havoc by singing for them, and, worst of all, encouraging diners to order from off the menu, asking for meals they do not serve and simply cannot provide. It’s like Laura has her own list of specials in her head.

All of this drives Pam crazy (#1 The Goodie) because Laura’s behaviour causes others problems, and it’s not right or fair that she does her own thing. But she doesn’t like to say anything. The fact is Laura would have been fired by now but for Jake, the owner’s son. He is hopelessly and desperately in love with her – and love transcends personality types. Jake covers for Laura, and talks his mother round when the maitre d’ has finally had enough.

Next time, Type #5: The Researcher. So why not subscribe and have this arrive in your inbox next Friday lunchtime?

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Meanwhile, here is April, the Exception, insisting on being ‘The Moon’ at the Model UN. You are welcome: