Should Author Avatar be specifically for examples where the character directly represents the author, or just a character with any similar attributes? The description and example image imply the former: "A fictionalized version of an author who appears as a character in the events of the story is often called upon to comment upon the situation, deliver the author's verdict, and possibly break the Fourth Wall in a self-deprecating fashion. The author character will usually not influence the plot and may be only loosely tied to the goings-on, their appearances being quite random." But a lot of the examples are for major characters who are similar to the author. Take these examples:
Mac from Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends is an unintentional example: Craig Mc Cracken only noticed his similarity to the character after his mother commented that Mac reminded her of Craig when he was a child. Frankie Foster is an intentional example, however, being based on his wife Lauren Faust. One episode has a caricature of Craig calling out to an off-screen Lauren for help with writing a script for a Show Within a Show.
Brian/Seth Mac Farlane in Family Guy has been drifting this way, slowly but surely. One telling sign is that Mac Farlane, a great voice actor who does a lot of different major characters, uses his natural speaking voice for Brian.
This makes Quagmire's lengthy rant against Brian's supposed self-righteousness and hypocrisy in "Jerome is the New Black" all the more surprising, and effective. (Interestingly, Quagmire is also a Mac Farlane-voiced character.)
Peter also shares obsessions with Seth, like Star Wars and Star Trek.
As a strange use of the trope, Seth Green's character Chris has been used as an Author Avatar whenever Robot Chicken is mentioned on Family Guy.
Should Author Avatar be specifically for examples where the character directly represents the author, or just a character with any similar attributes? The description and example image imply the former: "A fictionalized version of an author who appears as a character in the events of the story is often called upon to comment upon the situation, deliver the author's verdict, and possibly break the Fourth Wall in a self-deprecating fashion. The author character will usually not influence the plot and may be only loosely tied to the goings-on, their appearances being quite random." But a lot of the examples are for major characters who are similar to the author. Take these examples:
Edited by nw09 on Mar 4th 2021 at 12:36:56 PM