When I was a little kid, I was constantly reminded by my parents that kids should be seen and not heard. When I had a kid, I finally understood exactly what they were talking about. While that's true, there are times when it's better not to be seen either! I thought I would illustrate this with a picture of some of my favorite TV characters.
from left to right, front to back: Vera Peterson, Cheers; Maris Crane, Frasier; Carlton the Doorman, Rhoda; Mrs. Walowitz, Big Bang Theory; Lars Lindstrom, Mary Tyler Moore Show; Mrs. Columbo, Columbo; Ugly Naked Guy, Friends; Stanley Walker, Will & Grace; John Berensford Tipton, The Millionaire; Charlie, Charlie's Angels, Sheridan, Keeping Up Appearances (British sitcom); Harrison Kelso, Scrubs; Bob Sacamano, Seinfeld.
Oops! I'm so embarrassed! I listed them all backwards! Just go from back to front and right to left instead!
Some things are better left to the imagination. For example, Maris Crane from Frasier was not meant to be heard about but not seen, but could she possibly have been as hilarious if she had to be embodied by an actual actress? From Wiki:
Though often discussed on the show, she is neither seen nor heard (except for one instance, when she was completely covered in bandages and silent.) This allowed the writers to exaggerate her physical characteristics and various neuroses to great comic effect, though according to the writers, they had intended Maris to appear in later episodes. After a time, however, they realized it would be impossible to cast an actress to match Maris' description, which had become "too reptilian" in the words of actor David Hyde Pierce, who portrayed Niles.
Of course, there are people who should be seen and heard, such as our Top Commenters. Remember, kids, if you should happen to see one, send his/her name and the link to topcomments at gmail dot com along with your DKos name. Since you have seen and heard quite enough from me already, let's commence with the business at hand.
From the lovely and talented 88kathy:
itzik shpitzik has a recipe for financial success.
From the sweet and kind noweasels (from her pootie diary):
blue in NC explains how pootiez killed the economy!
From the smart and delightful joanneleon:
In lanae's diary (whose link refuses to work, so click here, and then go to the first diary on the list), OKAY OBAMA SUPPORTERS, PREPARE TO FIGHT!!!, Dave925's comment needs no introduction.
From the handsome and prolific teacherken, from his diary, Bach to the Future:
deben appended a comment entitled "Quotes about JS Bach by musicians" that will help you understand the awe in which musicians hold this true genius.
Now, someone else who should always be seen and heard, the adorable and always dependable brillig, who stepped in at the last moment to help with top mojo. Mmwwaaahhhhh!!!:
Top 30 Comments excluding search-identifiable tip jars and first comments:
1) on behalf of all by elmo — 217
2) why that's just..... by nonnie9999 — 131
3) Here's the Problem... by Pluto — 124
4) waaah. this diary sucks. by bubbanomics — 121
5) How about prosecuting the big three credit raters by snackdoodle — 119
6) The U.S. Taxpayer Wins when we get Stiglitz by 1Eco — 119
7) If this diary doesn't make the rec list by Asinus Asinum Fricat — 108
8) The real problem that everyone is overlooking by BoiseBlue — 99
9) AIG Kitty Does the Payroll by Pluto — 98
10) Yes by dnta — 93
11) Cowbell waambulance to the rescue! by LaughingPlanet — 91
12) They totally jobbed us. We never had a prayer! by funluvn1 — 90
13) ... by Trix — 89
14) Of course they control our money! by Ekaterin — 84
15) Cats in trouble by Fixed Point Theorem — 83
16) sweet jesus and the 12 apostles! by bubbanomics — 83
17) To you hedge fun managers... by rb137 — 73
18) good morning weez, ummmm.. by FireCrow — 72
19) The law, quite often, is an ass. by Asinus Asinum Fricat — 72
20) And here's where your money went......... by Ekaterin — 70
21) What was offensive by gchaucer2 — 70
22) We Haven't BEGUN to Save Labor Yet by Gooserock — 69
23) Banker cat pleading by Youffraita — 68
24) asdf by Youffraita — 66
25) Oh yes. by Plutonium Page — 66
26) The American Dream is also at fault by political junquie — 66
27) Another hint by citizenx — 66
28) Can only wish you'd by Youffraita — 65
29) Taibbi is often thought of as a mere polemicist by limpidglass — 64
30) Banker Kitteh: by Youffraita — 64
Top 30 (plus ties) Comments with no exclusions:
1) I feel better now that I've ranted. by Jenny Cash — 455
2) Hope This Was Helpful by Pluto — 295
3) Pooties by noweasels — 269
4) Tip Jar - 21 March by Jerome a Paris — 238
5) on behalf of all by elmo — 217
6) Funny, I was just reading that by Inky99 — 202
7) Tips / Mojo: 21 March 09 by A Siegel — 195
8) Tips for just laws... by One Pissed Off Liberal — 193
9) Isn't it nice of Fox... by KingOneEye — 155
10) Tip Jar BUSH KNEW are you angry? by Patriot Daily News Clearinghouse — 150
11) Tip jar by 4fx — 150
12) Tips for your good ramblings by WineRev — 144
13) Further questions by gchaucer2 — 144
14) why that's just..... by nonnie9999 — 131
15) Here's the Problem... by Pluto — 124
16) waaah. this diary sucks. by bubbanomics — 122
17) How about prosecuting the big three credit raters by snackdoodle — 119
18) The U.S. Taxpayer Wins when we get Stiglitz by 1Eco — 119
19) If this diary doesn't make the rec list by Asinus Asinum Fricat — 108
20) bush left Obama a great choice by forgore — 107
21) The Dem list is more challenging by cskendrick — 104
22) Tip jar by welso — 102
23) The real problem that everyone is overlooking by BoiseBlue — 99
24) AIG Kitty Does the Payroll by Pluto — 98
25) Yes by dnta — 93
26) Cowbell waambulance to the rescue! by LaughingPlanet — 91
27) They totally jobbed us. We never had a prayer! by funluvn1 — 90
28) ... by Trix — 89
29) AIG pootie by Ekaterin — 86
30) Of course they control our money! by Ekaterin — 84