For decades, television comedies have relied on the unseen to carry the show. These characters – often just voices or murmurs – are the unsung heroes of comedy writing. They may not be the most glamorous, but they have earned their keep and deserve recognition.
Let's take a look at ten TV characters who never made it onto screen. Some are friends we've met, while others are more obscure, but all have left an indelible mark on our collective consciousness.
First up is Ugly Naked Guy from Friends, the infamous nudist living across the street from Monica and Rachel. Although his face was rarely seen, his presence was felt throughout the series. He even had a distinctive name: once, it was "Cute Naked Guy," but eventually settled on Ugly Naked Guy.
Next is Erica, the enigmatic love interest of BoJack Horseman's anti-hero protagonist, Mr Peanutbutter. With over six seasons to her credit, Erica remains an invisible presence – until, that is, when her face is briefly glimpsed in a flashback.
The Prime Ministers from The Thick of It are another notable absence. Although we never see them on screen, their voices and personalities are always present. From the Blair-esque Tony to the Brown-like Gordon, each has been lovingly skewered by the show's sharp script.
Then there's Vera Peterson, the wife of Cheers' Norm Peterson. With only a single sighting on camera – obscured by a flying pie, no less – Vera remains an elusive figure, much like her husband's love interest.
Alan Partridge's ex-wife from I'm Alan Partridge is another character shrouded in mystery. We hear so much about her through Alan's drunken rants and boasts that it's almost as if we've met her ourselves.
Bob Sacamano, the eccentric inventor neighbor of Kramer on Seinfeld, is a similarly enigmatic presence. With a bizarre array of interests and physical quirks (he has rabies, after all), Bob is the perfect foil to his quick-witted friend.
Sheridan Bucket from Keeping Up Appearances rounds out our list of invisible TV characters. As Hyacinth's devoted son, Sheridan is an elusive figure – until we hear about him through his mother's endless boasts and complaints.
We also can't forget Mrs Columbo, the wife of the titular character in the 1970s series. Her face may never have been seen on screen, but her husband's descriptions of her have become the stuff of legend.
Last but not least is Sue Mucklowe from This Country. With only a single voice heard throughout the show – albeit an angry one at that – Sue remains one of television's greatest unseen characters.
And then there's Maris Crane from Frasier, perhaps TV's greatest unseen character of all. Described by her husband Niles in loving detail, Maris has become synonymous with elegance and refinement. Whether she's 4ft 10in tall or has a debilitating skin condition, our collective imagination has built an entire picture around this enigmatic woman.
Let's take a look at ten TV characters who never made it onto screen. Some are friends we've met, while others are more obscure, but all have left an indelible mark on our collective consciousness.
First up is Ugly Naked Guy from Friends, the infamous nudist living across the street from Monica and Rachel. Although his face was rarely seen, his presence was felt throughout the series. He even had a distinctive name: once, it was "Cute Naked Guy," but eventually settled on Ugly Naked Guy.
Next is Erica, the enigmatic love interest of BoJack Horseman's anti-hero protagonist, Mr Peanutbutter. With over six seasons to her credit, Erica remains an invisible presence – until, that is, when her face is briefly glimpsed in a flashback.
The Prime Ministers from The Thick of It are another notable absence. Although we never see them on screen, their voices and personalities are always present. From the Blair-esque Tony to the Brown-like Gordon, each has been lovingly skewered by the show's sharp script.
Then there's Vera Peterson, the wife of Cheers' Norm Peterson. With only a single sighting on camera – obscured by a flying pie, no less – Vera remains an elusive figure, much like her husband's love interest.
Alan Partridge's ex-wife from I'm Alan Partridge is another character shrouded in mystery. We hear so much about her through Alan's drunken rants and boasts that it's almost as if we've met her ourselves.
Bob Sacamano, the eccentric inventor neighbor of Kramer on Seinfeld, is a similarly enigmatic presence. With a bizarre array of interests and physical quirks (he has rabies, after all), Bob is the perfect foil to his quick-witted friend.
Sheridan Bucket from Keeping Up Appearances rounds out our list of invisible TV characters. As Hyacinth's devoted son, Sheridan is an elusive figure – until we hear about him through his mother's endless boasts and complaints.
We also can't forget Mrs Columbo, the wife of the titular character in the 1970s series. Her face may never have been seen on screen, but her husband's descriptions of her have become the stuff of legend.
Last but not least is Sue Mucklowe from This Country. With only a single voice heard throughout the show – albeit an angry one at that – Sue remains one of television's greatest unseen characters.
And then there's Maris Crane from Frasier, perhaps TV's greatest unseen character of all. Described by her husband Niles in loving detail, Maris has become synonymous with elegance and refinement. Whether she's 4ft 10in tall or has a debilitating skin condition, our collective imagination has built an entire picture around this enigmatic woman.
Just read that article about TV characters who never made it onto screen 
& I'm low-key obsessed with the stats 
Did you know that 9 out of 10 unseen characters have left a lasting impact on our collective consciousness? 
That's some serious comedic writing skills at play! 
The most iconic of these characters has to be Maris Crane from Frasier – her 4ft 10in height has become an integral part of her character 
Women make up 70% of unseen TV characters 
A squirrel collecting nuts for winter! I swear it had the most adorable little face and fluffy tail... Anyway, speaking of obscure TV characters, have you ever noticed how some shows are still using those weird, dated sound effects from back in the day? Like, remember that "boing" sound they used to make when someone walked into a room? 
It's like, what even is that supposed to be? 
. TV comedies often rely on those unseen characters to bring out the humor in their main cast, and these ones are some of the best examples. Ugly Naked Guy from Friends is hilarious, BoJack Horseman's Erica is so mysterious and intriguing... I mean, who wouldn't want to know more about her? 
The Prime Ministers from The Thick of It are a masterclass in voice acting - they're always present, but never seen 
. I think it's wild how much impact they can have on our collective consciousness without even showing their faces. It's like, we've got these fully formed personalities and traits just from hearing them talk or seeing their reactions to stuff. And it's not just about the characters themselves, but also the writers who come up with these concepts in the first place 
.
. They're like the quiet observers of our favorite TV shows, always there and watching... but not really doing anything 
.