Fourth wall

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In theatre, walls are broken in reverse numerical order. This is an example of breaking the fourth, third, second and first walls.

The fourth wall is an idea from the magical world of theatre. As such, the idea itself-like all ideas-is gay. In theatre, the stage will be set up to resemble a room with three walls with the fourth wall taken out. This non-existent fourth wall is our magical portal through which we view the lives of our beautifully dressed characters with perfect hair and make-up who always say exactly the right thing.

What is a Fourth Wall?

The Fourth Wall is the imaginary divider between audience and set/cast. In a production piece, it should feel as if you are viewing the actions as they occur, not being told about them; or narrated to.

If you look very closely, you still can't see the fourth wall.

In the cases of basement dwelling, computer-addicted individuals, "the fourth wall" would make a great epithet for the wall opposite the wall the computer is against. This has never caught on.

A rare example of building the fourth wall.

In reality TV, the fourth wall has taken a new meaning. In most of these shows, it relates to interaction between the cast and crew.

Breaking the fifth wall.

• On the Real World, the fourth wall was broken by a slut of a cast-member and an ugly, mulleted producer.
• Paula Abdul doing lines of coke off contestants in American Idol.
• Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth savagely devouring the souls of three cameramen on The Apprentice.
• Dan blowing the producers repeatedly for more chances at appearing on Real World/Road Rules Challenge and all its incarnations, even though he clearly sucks.
• Deadpool, semi-lulzy Marvel Comics character. Exclude She-Hulk because she's a whore.

Why you shouldn't do it, fag

Breaking the fourth wall simply ruins any sense of drama, reality or acting in a show. No one will be able to suspend their disbelief ever again, after a fourth wall is broken. This means that your comic, TV show, or movie, will now SUCK because even retarded 13-year-old boys will be able to tell it's fake. There goes the fan base!

Featured article February 18, 2006
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