Kevin Thompson: Difference between revisions
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|firstappearance=[[Esteemsters]]
|lastappearance=[[Is It College Yet?]]
|voicedby=[[Marc Thompson]] <br>
|episodecount=53 (two non-speaking) <br> 2 TV movies
|gender=Male
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{{quote|— When you hear yourself talk, does it make sense to you?
— Sometimes!|[[Mack]] and Kevin, [[I Don't]]}}
==Character Overview==
[[Image:
[[Image:Kevin destroys DeMartino.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Kevin destroys DeMartino's joy for teaching and will to leave in just five seconds ("[[Lucky Strike]]")]]▼
He has an extremely cheery and friendly personality, never showing any malicious attempt and - unique for a star quarterback character in a outcast-centred story - is never shown to be a bully. He generally wanders through life with an oblivious smile. ▼
His parents had him when they were still in high school, an unplanned event. They dote on him, with his mother thinking Brittany isn't good enough for him (and afraid she'll get pregnant and prevent him going to college). Family photos in "[[The Daria Database]]" show a baby Kevin with little baby footballs (''even when he seems newborn'') - his father was a high school football player who couldn't do it professionally, and is very keen on Kevin playing and getting state championships.▼
▲[[Image:Kevin destroys DeMartino.jpg|thumb
▲His parents had him when they were still in high school, an unplanned event. They dote on him, with his mother thinking Brittany isn't good enough for him (and afraid she'll get pregnant and prevent him going to college). Family photos in "[[The Daria Database]]" show a baby Kevin with little baby footballs (''even when he seems newborn'') - his father was a high school football player who couldn't do it professionally, and is very keen on Kevin playing and getting state championships. "[[Mart of Darkness]]" would present him as his parents' first child. (Kevin refers to having "big brothers" in college in "[[College Bored]]", but he could be speaking about the members of the fraternity he was visiting that day.) Kevin seems to like his parents but in his childhood days, he had an imaginary friend called Sporty who "hates my dad" ("The Kev Zone", see below).
He was exaggeratedly dimwitted and was one of many extreme personalities used to balance the main character's lack of enthusiasm, as well as justify her cynicism and give her a target for sarcastic remarks. Some episodes showed that Kevin can be confused simply by asking him if he's sure or knows the answer, ''even if it's something he does actually know'' - in "[[Fair Enough]]", he never twigged that he wasn't being taken to school because [[Brittany]] just asked him "are you sure?" and Kevin immediately got confused. Once, when Mack asked Kevin is what he says ever makes any sense to ''himself'', Kevin happily replied "sometimes!". ("[[I Don't]]")▼
▲<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>He was exaggeratedly dimwitted and was one of many extreme personalities used to balance the main character's lack of enthusiasm, as well as justify her cynicism and give her a target for sarcastic remarks. Some episodes showed that Kevin can be confused simply by asking him if he's sure or knows the answer, ''even if it's something he does actually know'' - in "[[Fair Enough]]", he never twigged that he wasn't being taken to school because [[Brittany]] just asked him "are you sure?" and Kevin immediately got confused. Once, when Mack asked Kevin is what he says ever makes any sense to ''himself'', Kevin happily replied "sometimes!". ("[[I Don't]]")
▲He has an extremely cheery and friendly personality, never showing any malicious attempt and - unique for a star quarterback character in a outcast-centred story - is never shown to be a bully. He generally wanders through life with an oblivious smile.
He makes it through school entirely on the basis of getting "byes" on tests, at [[Angela Li|Principal Li's]] command: he's viewed as too important to the football team to have to worry about silly things like learning ("[[Mart of Darkness]]", "[[See Jane Run]]"). Kevin's father takes the same view, believing football and the state championship are more important goals; his mother, however, wants Kevin to go to college. Football consumes Kevin's life, to the extent that in "[[The F Word]]" and "[[A Tree Grows in Lawndale]]", he became completely despondent and depressed when he was rendered unable to play; in the latter's case, he wouldn't even drink sports drinks (as they're "for sportsmen"). ▼
[[Image:Kevin otherclothes.jpg|thumb|left|200px|What Kevin wears under his football shirt ("[[A Tree Grows in Lawndale]]")]]
A career aptitude test in "[[It Happened One Nut]]" revealed, to Kevin's horror, that he'd likely be working at a gas station for the rest of his life. To his credit, he went out looking for a part-time job to ensure that wouldn't happen; unfortunately, he sucked at the job.
Other interests he has include typical male activities like drinking and things with explosions & violence, as well as [[Ratboy]] comics; "[[Monster]]" reveals he also likes the Rocky Horror Picture Show (but is terrified by subtitled films); "[[Road Worrier]]" had him going to [[Alternapalooza]], an alternative rock concert. He appeared to have some natural skill with acting, as he managed to land a part in a play without realising in "Fair Enough"; "A Tree Grows" also showed him to have a rapport with young children. ▼
▲He makes it through school entirely on the basis of getting "byes" on tests, at [[Angela Li|Principal Li's]] command: he's viewed as too important to the football team to have to worry about silly things like learning ("[[Mart of Darkness]]", "[[See Jane Run]]"). Kevin's father takes the same view, believing football and the state championship are more important goals; his mother, however, wants Kevin to go to college. Football consumes Kevin's life, to the extent that in "[[The F Word]]" and "[[A Tree Grows in Lawndale]]", he became completely despondent and depressed when he was rendered unable to play; in the latter's case, he wouldn't even drink sports drinks (as they're "for sportsmen").
▲Other interests include typical male activities like drinking and things with explosions & violence, as well as [[Ratboy]] comics; "[[Monster]]" reveals he also likes the Rocky Horror Picture Show (but is terrified by subtitled films); "[[Road Worrier]]" had him going to [[Alternapalooza]], an alternative rock concert. He appeared to have some natural skill with acting, as he managed to land a part in a play without realising in "Fair Enough"; "A Tree Grows" also showed him to have a rapport with young children.
To Daria's annoyance, Kevin keeps getting placed in situations with her or deliberately coming over to engage in small talk. He doesn't understand most of her insults and doesn't seem capable of realising he's being insulting when he cheerfully refers to her lack of popularity. Despite this, he seems to view her as a sort-of friend, in "[[The Big House]]" and "[[Ill]]", being concerned for her welfare, and asking her advice on frequent occasions. In "[[Partner's Complaint]]" though, he panicked at the idea of hanging out with Daria for any length of time.
In a running gag, Kevin's extreme stupidity drives teacher [[Anthony DeMartino]] to enraged despair: at one point he ''strangled'' Kevin. Being Kevin, he seems completely oblivious to how much DeMartino loathes him and takes the teacher's vicious barbs at cheery face value. Science teacher [[Janet Barch]] once tried to destroy Kevin's self esteem and happiness in "[[Too Cute]]" by making him disguise himself as ugly as a 'class assignment'. ▼
He views [[Mack]] as his main "bro" and the two are constantly hanging out. Despite frequent complaints, he still hasn't worked out Mack doesn't like being called "Mack Daddy".
▲In a running gag, Kevin's extreme stupidity drives teacher [[Anthony DeMartino]] to enraged despair: at one point he ''strangled'' Kevin. Being Kevin, he seems completely oblivious to how much DeMartino loathes him and takes the teacher's vicious barbs at cheery face value. Science teacher [[Janet Barch]] once tried to destroy Kevin's self esteem and happiness in "[[Too Cute]]" by making him disguise himself as ugly as a 'class assignment'.
In the ''Daria'' telemovie/finale, ''[[Is It College Yet?]],'' Kevin was the only character among Daria's classmates who did not graduate: his low grades meant he had to repeat his senior year. He was embarrassed by this and tried to keep it secret.
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In IICY, he didn't want Brittany to know he'd flunked and kept dodging her questions about colleges & graduation until the eleventh hour. He was scared that if she knew he'd flunked and wasn't going to college like she was, she'd dump him. She ''did'' finally agree that she'd remain his girlfriend anyway... but with two fingers crossed behind her back...
[[Image:kevbrit20yl.jpg|left|frame|Kevin and Brittany in 2017, by Karen Disher]]
==Kevin's website==▼
==The future==
For the show's 20th anniversary, [[Susie Lewis]] explained how she thought the cast had turned out and [[Karen Disher]] drew 2017 versions of them for [http://ew.com/tv/daria-20-years-later/catching-up-with-the-daria-gang/ the feature] [[Catching Up With The Daria Gang]]:
"The head cheerleader and quarterback of Lawndale High are married and have three girls and two boys. Brittany is the weathergirl at the local news station and moonlights as part-time cheerleading coach at Lawndale High. Kevin is a stay-at-home dad who dabbles in children's birthday-party entertainment. While he can't quite squeeze into his belly-baring uniform anymore, you better believe Brittany's cheerleading uniform fits her like a glove — and she wears it every Halloween."
[[Image:Kevin Thompson.gif|frame|Kevin]]
▲==Kevin's website==
At school, Kevin had a website (actually made by [[Todd K. Feichmann]] - a "character page" on the original MTV ''Daria'' site - called '''The Kev Zone''' ("we put the www in awwwesome!"). On his website, he included dating tips, a "cyber challenge", and a link to the [[Pigskin Channel]] website. Copies of old versions, like [http://web.archive.org/web/20000902103318/http://mtv.com/mtv/tubescan/animation/daria/hompage_kev/index.html the 2000 spring version], are on Wayback Machine.
:''My dad says I need a skill besides building can towers, because after last weekend's game he doesn't think we should count on that football scholarship. So I told him I always wanted to learn to play the bagpipes but I guess he didn't hear me, since he got me a computer and a chair that goes up and down instead. Oh wow, it spins too!
:''And he paid this guy Todd to come over and help me make a web site. Todd wears a baseball cap with an alien face on it and has a big butt. Not that I notice guy butts, no way. In the shower I just stare at the tiles. Uh, this is making me uncomfortable. Anyhow, Todd went away to college when he was 14 but then he cracked up and now he builds robots in his Mom's basement. He told me computer code is made up of X's and O's just like football plays. I think he was trying to buddy up to me because then he asked if I could fix him up with a cheerleader like I'm David Coppertone or some other miracle guy.
:''Anyway, I hope you like my web site and come back soon. Although it probably won't change much once Todd goes home.''
===Kevin's Dating Tips From A To B===
"I'm the QB and I knows the score. Get it?
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10. DON'T keep bringing up that guy Fabio and his bosoms like you can't get the image of their firm amplitude out of your head."
===2000 update===
In 2000, he updated the website to promote a "[[Carter County]]" [[Cleatopia.com|fantasy football website]] that Todd had set up - not noticing that Todd is openly insulting him (and all other football players), added a reference to Brittany cheating on him and made fantasy-Kevin rubbish, and boasts of "destructive viruses, and annoying clone bots for you to download".
Kevin's promotion went like this:
:''The first time I told Brittany I was spending a lot of time playing Fantasy Football she slapped me. So I explained all I meant was I like to make up imaginary teams for make believe football leagues, and it has nothing to do with daydreaming about naked cheerleaders doing pyramid formations. But then I started to think about naked cheerleaders doing pyramid formations and I guess I got a funny look on my face and she slapped me again.
:''Now I'll have plenty of time this weekend to check out player stats and injury reports and make trades and rethink my roster and order an apology bouquet from 1-800-GROVEL.
:''My fantasy football team is kind of like the imaginary friend I had when I was little (his name was Sporty and he was always sticking lima beans up my nose) except there are more of them and they don't hate my Dad. I miss Sporty.
:''I wonder where he is now?
:''When I first got into fantasy sports I used to play in leagues based on the NFL, or NCAA conferences. But now there's a new fantasy league that's about what I know best: Carter County High School Football! Did I mention that I'm the QB?
:''See, this kid named Todd K. Feichmann who helped me with my web page last year decided to put his smartness to non-nerdy use to start the league. And he only charges $29.99 to join: he says he needs the money for something called a particle decelebrator. Some kind of fancy vacuum cleaner, I guess.
:''Anyway, I'd really be kicking butt in the league if only I hadn't picked myself in the first round of the draft. I would trade myself now but no one wants me. I throw too many interceptions, sometime I get confused and call out phone numbers instead of plays, and I keep tripping over my laces (can't I remember to doubleknot?) I suck, I suck, I suck!
:''Maybe I shouldn't have drafted me. I guess football is kind of like dating: sometimes you choose the most obvious person under pressure and then you're stuck with them. At least that's what I heard Brittany telling the other cheerleaders. Then they all looked at me and shook their heads.''
==Kevin in fanfiction==
[[Image:KevinHolmes.gif|frame|right|]]
Generally, Kevin is portrayed as... Kevin.
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[http://thepaperpusher.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=34669 A QB Grows in Lawndale] by Kristen Bealer
[http://thepaperpusher.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=589154#p589154 Go Long] by [[Roentgen]]
==Trivia==▼
[[Image:kevinsketch.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Kevin's initial design, from the ''Complete Animated Series'' DVD]]▼
* [https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12425123/1/Telling-Tales-Out-of-School Telling Tales Out of School] by [[Kristen Bealer]]
▲==Trivia==
▲[[Image:kevinsketch.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Kevin's initial design, from the ''Complete Animated Series'' DVD]]
* Kevin was voiced by actor [[Marc Thompson]], who also gave voice to [[Anthony DeMartino]], [[Timothy O'Neill]], and [[Charles "Upchuck" Ruttheimer III]].
* The voice actor has stated that Kevin is the character most resembling himself, "because he's really absent-minded."
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** [[Is It Fall Yet?]]: Red swimming trunks during his stint as life guard.
** [[A Tree Grows in Lawndale]]: Kevin removes his jersey and pads onscreen revealing a white tee shirt with a cartoon character and the words "HEY, KIDS!" on it. He is also seen wearing this shirt in [[The F Word]].
==Misc. Trivia==
* In the Latin American dubbing, he was voiced by José Antonio Macías.
==External link==
*[http://web.archive.org/web/20120821145516/http://www.outpost-daria.com/ch_kevin.html Outpost Daria - Characters: Kevin] (via Wayback Machine)
[[Category:Canon Characters|Thompson, Kevin]]
[[Category:Lawndale Lions]]
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