Recurring character

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A recurring character is a fictional character, usually in a prime time TV series, who is not a main character but who appears from time to time during the series' run. Recurring characters often play major roles in an episode, sometimes being the main focus. The character's return is based on popularity.

Recurring characters usually start out as guest stars in one episode but continue to show up in future episodes because of their popularity. Some recurring characters have been so popular that they became main characters, famous examples being the Family Matters' Steve Urkel and The West Wing's Donna Moss. In other cases, recurring characters have been given spin-off series of their own, such as Dr. Frasier Crane who originally appeared on Cheers.

On sketch comedy programs, recurring characters are generally a staple. Usually they will appear in their own sketch and due to presumably to their popularity, the sketch itself will become a regular part of the show. Some examples would include the Church Lady and Hanz and Franz from Saturday Night Live, the Gumbys from Monty Python's Flying Circus, and Bob and Doug Mckenzie from SCTV. However, the characters are not always limited to their own sketchs, often they will appear in others. Sometimes, the characters go on to have their own TV shows. For example, when The Carol Burnett Show was canceled the central character of a popular sketch called The Family, Naomi Harper, went on to have her own show Mama's Family. Also, sometimes recurring characters in sketch comedy shows go on to even have their own movies. This is especially true with Saturday Night Live which has had many recurring characters turn into movies such as Stuart Smalley, Wayne and Garth of Wayne's World, The Blues Brothers, and The Ladies Man. Recurring characters will even revist shows long after the actor who played them has left the cast. Sometimes they will even visit other shows, sketch comedy or not.