Why Are TV’s Dumb Characters “Dumb”?: In Defense of Brittany S. Pierce
The “dumb character” is an ever present archetype used widely across film and television for comedic effect. Be it a notorious catchphrase — à la Joey Tribianni’s “How you doin’?” — or a portrayal of physical comedy in the slap-happy style of Michael Kelso, these characters bring levity to an episode, often filling the “B Plot” while the crux of the episode unfolds. Emma Hamlan ’26 explores how Glee’s Brittany S. Pierce’s portrayal of the “dumb character” allows the show to expand its perspective.
“Dumb characters” can become a one-dimensional version of their original inception by the time a show gets to its final season. Fans of a show often criticize this lack of character development, as it devalues the opportunity for growth that is unique to a character who challenges the status quo.
So, let’s talk about Brittany S. Pierce.
As someone who is currently dedicating a lot of my free time to rewatching the cult classic Glee, I’ve started to notice more of the complexities of Heather Morris’ character that viewers might miss on their initial watch of the series. Along with her naivety and iconic one-liners (My personal favorite is “Stop the violence”), Brittany offers emotional depth and honesty that other members of the Glee Club rarely show, while still reflecting the “dumb blonde” stereotype that gives her character its comedic weight.
Alongside Quinn Fabray (played by Dianna Agron) and Santana Lopez (played by Naya Rivera), Brittany is introduced as one of the three Queen Bees of the McKinley High School cheerleading team, the Cheerios. While Morris’ character fulfills a minor role in the first 22 episodes, most often seen rolling her eyes at Lea Michelle’s Rachel Berry, Brittany became a series regular in the show’s second season, and the rest is history.
Brittany’s comedic value comes directly from her role as the “dumb character.” Her complete obliviousness to social cues allows her to exist between the boundaries of realism and absurdity, creating a unique sense of humor that fans of the show quickly latch onto. For example, if the line “I’m pretty sure my cat’s been reading my diary” was said by another character, the audience’s reaction would not be laughter but confusion. Brittany’s character, however, works so well because she can make outlandish comments that the other characters don’t have access to.
Despite her lack of common sense, Brittany is often the most honest, open, and emotionally knowledgeable character on the show, even if she doesn't always grasp academic or traditional forms of intelligence. This can be seen in her relationship with Santana, where Brittany's emotional maturity and self-awareness often contrast with Santana's more "intelligent" but emotionally guarded nature.
In Season two, Episode 18 (“Born This Way”), each member of the Glee Club is challenged to search for self-acceptance by wearing a T-shirt with an insecurity written on it during a performance.
Prior to this assignment, Santana had recently come to terms with her lesbian identity and expressed her feelings for Brittany. In response, Brittany encourages Santana to wear the shirt she made that says, “Lebanese.”
After Santana refuses, Brittany delivers wisdom with the line, “I do love you. Clearly you don’t love you as much as I do or you’d put this shirt on and you’d dance with me.”
This tender moment effectively subverts the audience’s expectations for Brittany’s outlook on life. By creating another layer to her character as the show progresses, Brittany continues to evolve her unique perspective and escapes her trajectory as a flat character.
In fact, this strong emotional intuition often aligns with Brittany’s more credulous moments, such as when she asks a shopping mall Santa Claus to make another character’s legs work again, and fully believes that her wish will be granted. It’s Brittany’s usual “dumbness” that makes her moments of insight so memorable.
This combination of emotional intelligence and comedic obliviousness is what makes Brittany such a beloved character. By offering more than just simple humor, her growth over the series is a testament to the show's ability to defy the typical arc of the "dumb character." Rather than becoming a stagnant figure, Brittany's complexity is revealed as she demonstrates the depth of her understanding and emotional maturity, making her one of the most memorable and well-rounded characters on Glee. This duality shows how even the “dumb characters” can offer significant emotional depth when they are allowed to evolve beyond the confines of their original roles.