History Main / ChuckCunninghamSyndrome

->''"Let us pause to reflect on the sacred mystery of Richie's elder brother [[TropeNamer Chuck]], who ascended the stairs with his basketball in season one, and never came down again."''

->''"Let us pause to reflect on the sacred mystery of Richie's elder brother Chuck, who ascended the stairs with his basketball in season one, and never came down again."''

Generally, if writers want to remove a character from their ensemble, they will either [[KilledOffForReal kill that]] [[DroppedaBridgeOnHim character off]] or [[PutOnABus put them on a bus]] ([[TakeAThirdOption or]] [[BusCrash both]]) to explain their absence. Sufferers of Chuck Cunningham Syndrome, on the other hand, simply disappear into limbo. They will often be {{retcon}}ned right out of the story's history, and everyone still left onscreen will simply carry on as if the character never existed or had any impact on the story. This is sometimes caused by the writers gradually losing interest in the character and, without making a conscious decision to remove them, eventually forgetting about them entirely. More often, complications behind the scenes drive the decision to remove a character. Sometimes, the character being removed may also because the actor has died. Alternatively, the character may not have had an important role despite being part of the main cast, in other words being a SatelliteCharacter or FlatCharacter.

Over the years, though, as media has become more meta, playful references to the ignominiously departed have become common, either as {{lampshade|Hanging}}s within the series itself or in parodies or satires of it.

Generally, if writers want to remove a character from their ensemble, they will either [[KilledOffForReal kill that]] [[DroppedaBridgeOnHim character off]] or [[PutOnABus put them on a bus]] ([[TakeAThirdOption or]] [[BusCrash both]]) to explain their absence. Sufferers of Chuck Cunningham Syndrome, on the other hand, simply disappear into limbo. They will often be {{retcon}}ned right out of the story's history, and everyone still left onscreen will simply carry on as if the character never existed or had any impact on the story. This is sometimes caused by the writers gradually losing interest in the character and, without making a conscious decision to remove them, eventually forgetting about them entirely. More often, complications behind the scenes drive the decision to remove a character. Alternatively, the character may not have had an important role despite being part of the main cast, in other words being a SatelliteCharacter or FlatCharacter.

The {{trope namer|s}} is Chuck, who was Richie and Joanie Cunningham's older brother in the first two seasons of ''Series/HappyDays''. Remember him? No? Neither did the show. In later seasons, both Cunningham parents said they only had two children and Chuck was wiped from existence. With Fonzie [[BreakoutCharacter becoming a main character by the second season]], and now firmly in the big brother role for Richie, the little-used Chuck wasn't needed.

When this happens in-universe, with the character having his or her existence literally erased, it's a {{Retgone}}.

A subtrope of UnPerson, although this isn't necessarily intentional. Similar in spirit to TheOtherDarrin, wherein a character's actor or voice is replaced and nobody in-universe seems to notice or care. Ironically, Chuck Cunningham also suffered from this as well since he was played by two different actors. Gavin O'Herlihy in season 1 & Randolph Roberts in season 2. Also see OutOfFocus (when a character is gone but not ''quite'' forgotten), SequelNonEntity (a subtrope concerned with a character not returning for a sequel in particular rather than vanishing from the series as a whole), and ShooOutTheNewGuy (where a character gets at least an excuse in the show for disappearing). Contrast with RememberTheNewGuy, where someone comes in out of nowhere sometime midway through and the series acts as though they've been there the whole time. For characters who are written out of the main story but are still hanging around in view, see DemotedToExtra. For characters who are specifically brought in for a one-shot purpose, see LongLostUncleAesop. For characters that are given a reason for their departure ''and'' an onscreen send-off, see PutOnABus. Compare ForgottenFallenFriend. If a character appears in the pilot or very early episode of a show and [[DroppedAfterThePilot then vanishes]] it may be a case of EarlyInstallmentWeirdness. See also WrittenInAbsence. PresentAbsence is when this is averted and a character's absence is not only noticed in-story, but is often a major driver of the plot. WhatHappenedToTheMouse is this for minor aspects like side characters or subplots. AbsentAnimalCompanion applies this (in most cases) to pets and/or animals that disappear once their plot relevance is gone.

The {{trope namer|s}} is Chuck, who was Richie and Joanie Cunningham's older brother in the first two seasons of ''Series/HappyDays''. [[AppealToObscurity Remember him?]] No? Neither did the show. In later seasons, both Cunningham parents said they only had two children and Chuck was wiped from existence. With Fonzie [[BreakoutCharacter becoming a main character by the second season]], and now firmly in the big brother role for Richie, the little-used Chuck wasn't needed.

The {{trope namer|s}} is Chuck, who was Richie and Joanie Cunningham's older brother in the first two seasons of ''Series/HappyDays''. Remember him? No? Neither did the show. In later seasons, both Cunningham parents said they only had two children and Chuck was wiped from existence. With Fonzie becoming a main character by the second season, and now firmly in the big brother role for Richie, the little-used Chuck wasn't needed.

[[caption-width-right:350:[[Creator/{{Rare}} They]] were [[LampshadeHanging well aware of this]] and [[{{Pun}} milked]] it [[[[FaceOnAMilkCarton for all its worth]].]]

[[caption-width-right:350:[[Creator/{{Rare}} They]] were [[LampshadeHanging well aware of this]] and [[{{Pun}} milked]] [[FaceOnAMilkCarton it]] for all its worth.]]

Generally, if writers want to remove a character from their ensemble, they will either [[KilledOffForReal kill that]] [[DroppedaBridgeOnHim character off]] or [[PutOnABus put them on a bus]] ([[TakeAThirdOption or]] [[BusCrash both]]) to explain their absence. Sufferers of Chuck Cunningham Syndrome, on the other hand, simply disappear into limbo. They will often be {{retcon}}ned right out of the story's history, and everyone still left onscreen will simply carry on as if the character never existed or had any impact on the story. This is sometimes caused by the writers gradually losing interest in the character and, without making a conscious decision to remove them, eventually forgetting about them entirely. More often, complications behind the scenes drive the decision to remove a character. [[TakeAThirdOption Alternatively]], the character may not have had an important role despite being part of the main cast, in other words being a SatelliteCharacter or FlatCharacter.

The {{trope namer|s}} is Chuck, who was Richie and Joanie Cunningham's older brother in the first two seasons of ''Series/HappyDays''. Remember him? No?

Exactly.

A subtrope of UnPerson, although this isn't necessarily intentional. Similar in spirit to TheOtherDarrin, wherein a character's actor or voice is replaced and nobody in-universe seems to notice or care. Also see OutOfFocus (when a character is gone but not ''quite'' forgotten), SequelNonEntity (a subtrope concerned with a character not returning for a sequel in particular rather than vanishing from the series as a whole), and ShooOutTheNewGuy (where a character gets at least an excuse in the show for disappearing). Contrast with RememberTheNewGuy, where someone comes in out of nowhere sometime midway through and the series acts as though they've been there the whole time. For characters who are written out of the main story but are still hanging around in view, see DemotedToExtra. For characters who are specifically brought in for a one-shot purpose, see LongLostUncleAesop. For characters that are given a reason for their departure ''and'' an onscreen send-off, see PutOnABus. Compare ForgottenFallenFriend. If a character appears in the pilot or very early episode of a show and [[DroppedAfterThePilot then vanishes]] it may be a case of EarlyInstallmentWeirdness. See also WrittenInAbsence. PresentAbsence is when this is averted and a character's absence is not only noticed in-story, but is often a major driver of the plot. WhatHappenedToTheMouse is this for minor aspects like side characters or subplots. AbsentAnimalCompanion applies this (in most cases) to pets and/or animals that disappear once their plot relevance is gone.

When this happens in-universe, with the character having his existence literally erased, it's a {{Retgone}}.

A subtrope of UnPerson, although this isn't necessarily intentional. Similar in spirit to TheOtherDarrin, wherein a character's actor or voice is replaced and nobody in-universe seems to notice or care. Also see OutOfFocus (when a character is gone but not ''quite'' forgotten), SequelNonEntity (a subtrope concerned with a character not returning for a sequel in particular rather than vanishing from the series as a whole), and ShooOutTheNewGuy (where a character gets at least an excuse in the show for disappearing). Contrast with RememberTheNewGuy, where someone comes in out of nowhere sometime midway through and the series acts as though they've been there the whole time. For characters who are written out of the main story but are still hanging around in view, see DemotedToExtra. For characters who are specifically brought in for a one-shot purpose, see LongLostUncleAesop. For characters that are given a reason for their departure ''and'' an onscreen send-off, see PutOnABus. Compare ForgottenFallenFriend. If a character appears in the pilot or very early episode of a show and [[DroppedAfterThePilot then vanishes]] it may be a case of EarlyInstallmentWeirdness. See also AbsenteeActor. PresentAbsence is when this is averted and a character's absence is not only noticed in-story, but is often a major driver of the plot. WhatHappenedToTheMouse is this for minor aspects like side characters or subplots. AbsentAnimalCompanion applies this (in most cases) to pets and/or animals that disappear once their plot relevance is gone.

Generally, if writers want to remove a character from their ensemble, they will either [[KilledOffForReal kill that]] [[DroppedaBridgeOnHim character off]] or [[PutOnABus put them on a bus]] ([[TakeAThirdOption or]] [[BusCrash both]]) to explain their absence. Sufferers of [[TitleDrop Chuck Cunningham Syndrome]], on the other hand, simply disappear into limbo. They will often be {{retcon}}ned right out of the story's history, and everyone still left onscreen will simply carry on as if the character never existed or had any impact on the story. This is sometimes caused by the writers gradually losing interest in the character and, without making a conscious decision to remove them, eventually forgetting about them entirely. More often, complications behind the scenes drive the decision to remove a character. [[TakeAThirdOption Alternatively]], the character may not have had an important role despite being part of the main cast, in other words being a SatelliteCharacter or FlatCharacter.

Generally, if writers want to remove a character from their ensemble, they will either [[KilledOffForReal kill that]] [[DroppedaBridgeOnHim character off]] or [[PutOnABus put them on a bus]] ([[TakeAThirdOption or]] [[BusCrash both]]) to explain their absence. Sufferers of [[TitleDrop Chuck Cunningham Syndrome]], on the other hand, simply disappear into limbo, with their absence's explanation being a RiddleForTheAges. They will often be {{retcon}}ned right out of the story's history, and everyone still left onscreen will simply carry on as if the character never existed or had any impact on the story. This is sometimes caused by the writers gradually losing interest in the character and, without making a conscious decision to remove them, eventually forgetting about them entirely. More often, complications behind the scenes drive the decision to remove a character. [[TakeAThirdOption Alternatively]], the character may not have had an important role despite being part of the main cast, in other words being a SatelliteCharacter or FlatCharacter.

Generally, if writers want to remove a character from their ensemble, they will either [[KilledOffForReal kill that]] [[DroppedaBridgeOnHim character off]] or [[PutOnABus put them on a bus]] ([[TakeAThirdOption or]] [[BusCrash both]]) to explain their absence. Sufferers of [[TitleDrop Chuck Cunningham Syndrome]], on the other hand, simply disappear into limbo. They will often be {{retcon}}ned right out of the story's history, and everyone still left onscreen will simply carry on as if the character never existed or had any impact on the story. This is sometimes caused by the writers gradually losing interest in the character and, without making a conscious decision to remove them, eventually forgetting about them entirely. More often, complications behind the scenes drive the decision to remove a character. [[TakeAThirdOption Alternatively]], the character may not have had an important role despite being part of the main cast, in other words being a SatelliteCharacter or FlatCharacter.

-->-- '''Peter Griffin''', ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'', "The Father, the Son, and the Holy Fonz"

Generally, if writers want to remove a character from their ensemble, they will either [[KilledOffForReal kill that]] [[DroppedaBridgeOnHim character off]] or [[PutOnABus put them on a bus]] ([[TakeAThirdOption or]] [[BusCrash both]]) to explain their absence. Sufferers of [[TitleDrop Chuck Cunningham Syndrome]], on the other hand, simply disappear into limbo. They will often be {{retcon}}ned right out of the story's history, and everyone still left onscreen will simply carry on as if the character never existed or had any impact on the story. This is sometimes caused by the writers gradually losing interest in the character and, without making a conscious decision to remove them, eventually forgetting about them entirely. More often, complications behind the scenes drive the decision to remove a character.

The {{trope namer|s}} is Chuck, who was actually Richie Cunningham's older brother in the first two seasons of ''Series/HappyDays''. Remember him? No?

A subtrope of UnPerson, although this isn't necessarily intentional. Similar in spirit to TheOtherDarrin, wherein a character's actor or voice is replaced and nobody in-universe seems to notice or care. Also see OutOfFocus (when a character is gone but not ''quite'' forgotten), SequelNonEntity (a subtrope concerned with a character not returning for a sequel in particular rather than vanishing from the series as a whole) and ShooOutTheNewGuy (where a character gets at least an excuse in the show for disappearing). Contrast with RememberTheNewGuy, where someone comes in out of nowhere sometime midway through and the series acts as though they've been there the whole time. For characters who are written out of the main story but are still hanging around in view, see DemotedToExtra. For characters who are specifically brought in for a one-shot purpose, see LongLostUncleAesop. For characters that are given a reason for their departure ''and'' an onscreen send-off, see PutOnABus. Compare ForgottenFallenFriend. If a character appears in the pilot or very early episode of a show and [[DroppedAfterThePilot then vanishes]] it may be a case of EarlyInstallmentWeirdness. See also AbsenteeActor. PresentAbsence is when this is averted and a character's absence is not only noticed in-story, but is often a major driver of the plot. WhatHappenedToTheMouse is this for minor aspects like side characters or subplots. AbsentAnimalCompanion applies this (in most cases) to pets and/or animals that disappear once their plot relevance is gone.

%% '''Note:''' when adding examples, this is specifically about characters who disappear ''entirely'' without explanation. If they reappear even briefly, or if their absence is explained in-show even flimsily, it is more likely one of the alternate tropes listed.

[[caption-width-right:350:[[Creator/{{Rare}} They]] were [[LampshadeHanging well aware of this]] and [[{{Pun}} milked]] [[FaceOnAMilkCarton it]] for all it's worth.]]

[[AppealToObscurity Exactly]].

Generally, if writers want to remove a character from their ensemble, they will either [[CharacterDeath kill that]] [[DroppedaBridgeOnHim character off]] or [[PutOnABus put them on a bus]] ([[TakeAThirdOption or]] [[BusCrash both]]) to explain their absence. Sufferers of [[TitleDrop Chuck Cunningham Syndrome]], on the other hand, simply disappear into limbo. They will often be {{retcon}}ned right out of the story's history, and everyone still left onscreen will simply carry on as if the character never existed or had any impact on the story. This is sometimes caused by the writers gradually losing interest in the character and, without making a conscious decision to remove them, eventually forgetting about them entirely. More often, complications behind the scenes drive the decision to remove a character.

* ChuckCunninghamSyndrome/{{Other}}

Generally, if writers want to remove a character from their ensemble, they will either [[CharacterDeath kill that]] [[DroppedaBridgeOnHim character off]] or [[PutOnABus put them on a bus]] ([[TakeAThirdOption or]] [[BusCrash both]]) to explain their absence. Sufferers of Chuck Cunningham Syndrome, on the other hand, simply disappear into limbo. They will often be {{retcon}}ned right out of the story's history, and everyone still left onscreen will simply carry on as if the character never existed or had any impact on the story. This is sometimes caused by the writers gradually losing interest in the character and, without making a conscious decision to remove them, eventually forgetting about them entirely. More often, complications behind the scenes drive the decision to remove a character.

A subtrope of UnPerson, although this isn't necessarily intentional. Similar in spirit to TheOtherDarrin, wherein a character's actor or voice is replaced and nobody in-universe seems to notice or care. Also see OutOfFocus, when a character is gone but not ''quite'' forgotten; SequelNonEntity which is a subtrope that's concerned with a character not returning for a sequel in particular rather than vanishing from the series as a whole, and ShooOutTheNewGuy, who gets at least an excuse in the show for disappearing. Contrast with RememberTheNewGuy, where someone comes in out of nowhere sometime midway through and the series acts as though they've been there the whole time. For characters who are written out of the main story but are still hanging around in view, see DemotedToExtra. For characters who are specifically brought in for a one-shot purpose, see LongLostUncleAesop. For characters that are given a reason for their departure ''and'' an onscreen send-off, see PutOnABus. Compare ForgottenFallenFriend. If a character appears in the pilot or very early episode of a show and [[DroppedAfterThePilot then vanishes]] it may be a case of EarlyInstallmentWeirdness. See also AbsenteeActor. PresentAbsence is when this is averted and a character's absence is not only noticed in-story, but is often a major driver of the plot. WhatHappenedToTheMouse is this for minor aspects like side characters or subplots. AbsentAnimalCompanion applies this (in most cases) to pets and/or animals that disappear once their plot relevance is gone.

A subtrope of UnPerson, although this isn't necessarily intentional. Similar in spirit to TheOtherDarrin, wherein a character's actor or voice is replaced and nobody in-universe seems to notice or care. Also see OutOfFocus, when a character is gone but not ''quite'' forgotten; SequelNonEntity which is a subtrope that's concerned with a character not returning for a sequel in particular rather than vanishing from the series as a whole, and ShooOutTheNewGuy, who gets at least an excuse in the show for disappearing. Contrast with RememberTheNewGuy, where someone comes in out of nowhere sometime midway through and the series acts as though they've been there the whole time. For characters who are written out of the main story but are still hanging around in view, see DemotedToExtra. For characters who are specifically brought in for a one-shot purpose, see LongLostUncleAesop. For characters that are given a reason for their departure ''and'' an onscreen send-off, see PutOnABus. Compare ForgottenFallenFriend. If a character appears in the pilot or very early episode of a show and [[DroppedAfterThePilot then vanishes]] it may be a case of EarlyInstallmentWeirdness. See also AbsenteeActor. PresentAbsence is when this is averted and a character's absence is not only noticed in-story, but is often a major driver of the plot. WhatHappenedToTheMouse is this for minor aspects like side characters or subplots.

->''"Let us contemplate the mystery of Richie's older brother Chuck, who ascended the stairs with his basketball in season one, and never came down again."''

[[caption-width-right:350:[[Creator/{{Rare}} They]] were [[LampshadeHanging well aware of this]] and [[FaceOnAMilkCarton milked it]] for all it's worth.]]