Wilt

[WiltsAKGirl17]

Originally Posted by pitbulllady

Yeah-"Group dynamic"-that's the word I was actually looking for! Wilt is sort of an "adhesive" that holds that together and helps preserve some measure of sanity about the place. Mac does, too, to a certain extent, as does Frankie, but Mac doesn't actually LIVE there, and he's only there for a limited time each day, so with regards to the household it's really Wilt and Frankie who keep the place sane, and neither one could pull it off alone. Mr. Herriman, for all his rules, actually HINDERS at times, since he unintentionally creates conflicts and stress by being so strict and so unyielding, and it's really hard to say that Madame Foster helps much, either, since she can be a "loose cannon" at times herself! Just the presence of someone with Wilt's personality can have a remarkable impact on the structure and function of any group, even if he does not consciously try to affect it, plus Wilt seems to be one of the few individuals who will actually try to keep Bloo in line, and that alone is a reason enough for him to stay!

pitbulllady

Indeed, Mac and Frankie can’t be there to manage the peace all the time. Even if Mac did live at Foster’s, he’s eight-- he has school! And Frankie is always dealing with things like… oh, toothpaste disasters and fixing rolls of toilet paper. Mr. Herriman, as seen in “Busted,” does create much more tension than is really necessary, and considering that in “Partying is Such Sweet Soiree,” Madame Foster full-out encouraged the madness that was Bloo’s house party… well, loose canon indeed! Part of Wilt’s ability to maintain peace probably stems from him being a father figure for Jordan-- if Jordan’s mother was gone for whatever reason (working, etc.), Wilt would be “in charge,” as it were, and keeping the peace would definitely be part of the job description, particularly between Jordan and his older brother. And if Wilt can keep Bloo in line… please stay!

Ah, yes, and Mac-a-lacka: I finally got my season DVDs the other day, and I did notice that Wilt gave Mac a side hug in "Where There's a Wilt..." In fact, Wilt was talking specifically to Mac, and totally ignoring Bloo!

[Jackie Khones]

I find Wilt an important part to the show, as he just brings that, you know, Bazing kind of thing, like not knowing what he'll do, and I personally love it when he is sometimes the main focus of an episode.

[antgirl1]

Normally, at the beginning, at least, you could pretty much predict his actions and emotions from common situations, which were pre-GWH, but since then, we have come to notice that he has become more spontaneous. That's right, folks - get ready to meet the REAL Wilt! Not the one who was as narrowed down and predictable as a leaf falling off the tree in Fall, but the one that's been hidden for...one, two, three...thirty years!

Or, we've already met the real Wilt...perhaps...

Maybe it's only the beginning. Maybe there's so much more to him that we do not know about quite yet.

Only time will tell...*shifty eyes...*

[pitbulllady]

Originally Posted by antgirl1

Normally, at the beginning, at least, you could pretty much predict his actions and emotions from common situations, which were pre-GWH, but since then, we have come to notice that he has become more spontaneous. That's right, folks - get ready to meet the REAL Wilt! Not the one who was as narrowed down and predictable as a leaf falling off the tree in Fall, but the one that's been hidden for...one, two, three...thirty years!

Or, we've already met the real Wilt...perhaps...

Maybe it's only the beginning. Maybe there's so much more to him that we do not know about quite yet.

Only time will tell...*shifty eyes...*

That's what I love about this show-it has genuine character development that is so consistent with REAL life people and situations. The characters are not "static" or fixed within a set of behavioral expectations. Wilt is a prime example, since as you pointed out, it's no longer easy to predict how he will react in a given situation anymore. That is exactly what can be expected of someone who has been through a period of deep emotional trauma, been burdened by personal guilt, and has been repressing their real feelings, but has now finally been able to shake off that guilt and allow their real self to shine through once more. I believe that what we got a taste of in the beginning of Season Six, and the end of Season Five, was more like the Wilt that Jordan and his family would have known "back in the day", before the incident with Foul Larry, a Wilt who was free of angst and guilt and has a mischievous, even "devilish" side. Who, in the second or third season, for example, would have EVER figured that Wilt would have been responsible for masterminding the pranks on Bloo and his two dimwitted cohorts in "Pranks For Nothing", or that he'd try to scare the living daylights out of little kiddies by actually making use of the tragic loss of his arm? I only hope we get to see a lot more of Wilt's other personality facets before the show ends.

pitbulllady

[HerrimanWasHere]

(Doesn't know what to say, since most have covered it)

Though I am a huge Herriman fan, Wilt is in my top five. He's just the perfect role-model, the type of person you would want as a big brother. I may not be one of his fangirls, but I have mad respect for him. He's the type of friend you wish was around all the time.

Character design wise, he is fun to watch. I love the movement, and the wobbling of his eye. The red really suits and goes well with the blue and white. Hehe, reminds me of the Globe Trodders...

Voice wise...he is very soothing. I feel like things are safe, and will be okay when I hear it. (Does anyone else have those feelings?)

Okay, okay! I love the big guy! Not in terms of relationshipness, but...I just want to hug him!

(And I really don't do this often, but GWH made me very sad. Almost to the point of tears. Again, I'm not that type of person to get emotional about movies and shows...)

[Lynnie]

Originally Posted by HerrimanWasHere

Voice wise...he is very soothing. I feel like things are safe, and will be okay when I hear it. (Does anyone else have those feelings?)

Okay, okay! I love the big guy! Not in terms of relationshipness, but...I just want to hug him!

I've always felt that way about his voice, too. Phil LaMarr does an amazing job giving him his personality, as well as his voice. I can't think of a more perfect VA to have done him.

[antgirl1]

Every time I watch Samurai Jack, I always think of Wilt, since Mr. LaMarr voices them both.

[jekylljuice]

Phil LaMarr was in Pulp Fiction. He didn't say much there, but he had something of a confrontation with John Travolta.

[WestBunny:3]

Put Wilt just doing that, and there you have an original plot for a commercial.

[Lynnie]

Wow, that would be really out of character, but I actually think that would be hilarious to see.