The definition of eccentric I used when choosing my characters was a person whose actions came naturally from a unique view of life. For example Alexis moving into the art studio on the grounds of her ex- husband's mansion is unusual, but it was more cheek than an unusual perspective. My eccentric ones organically went against the grain, and saw their ways more normal than everyone else's.
1. Gary Ewing. The black sheep of the Ewing family definitely marched to the beat of his own drum. As JR recalled, Gary would rather write poetry than go hunting. He also had his ear pierced,
(no big deal today, but back then and under Jock's roof, I'm sure it was) and had no instinct for the "good 'ol boys" rough and tumble business practices in which his Daddy and brothers thrived. He'd write poetry, but also was determined to ride a motorcycle, and even after an accident took up race driving, albeit temporarily. He'd cry his eyes out over poor Val's cancer scare, but could still get into a good brawl. He saw the land as something to be preserved for what it is, not conquered and exploited. Even in business, when Abby advised him that the smart money was getting out of the music business, he dove into it. He could empathize with Lillimae, convincing Val to forgive her estranged mother, but blow up Empire Valley when he deemed it necessary. Gary saw the world through a "yin and yang" lens of masculine/feminine, aggressive/passive, intellect/emotion, and destroyer/preserver. Jock and JR might not have liked it, but I loved all 14 years of Gary Ewing. Knots Landing.
2. Lillimae Clements. Valene's mom saw the world in an interesting light. She was the oldest character in the cul-de-sac, and while she never tried to act modern and hip in a contrived manner, she still exuded a youthful spirit. She was a homeless woman who could stop a crime using her shopping cart, a nosy suburban matron, who still harbored a crush, and maybe even some romantic hope, for Chip, read her bible and go off to "live in sin" with Al. And, in a world of sexy singers like Ciji, Cathy, and Ginger, she stuck to her autoharp, no apologies and blithely unaware she'd even need any. Greg once quipped that Valene was the "most interesting dame on that block." Too bad he didn't spend any time with the woman from whom Val inherited it all.
Knots Landing
3. Peter Richards. The midriff baring cherub of Dallas wasn't exactly a fan favorite, but thinking about this thread has made me appreciate him even more. He was a 1980s era, heterosexual athlete who saw no reason why he couldn't dress like one of Charlie's Angels. A good looking guy who could have had a lot of women closer to his age, yet it made perfect sense to him to fall for Sue Ellen. Why? He was in love. He was also perfectly comfortable working with and relating to troubled children. In today's world that may seem suspect, but Peter was just an innocent, living his life. Of course, that changed when Peter's unspoiled moon was pulled into the ruthless and dysfunctional orbit of Mr. and Mrs. Ewing. Poor Peter. Dallas
4. Emma Channing. When I first saw the younger daughter of Angela, I thought she was mad as a hatter. As the series, and the character, progressed, I think her psychological issues were just the result of a cheerful eccentric trying to exist on her own terms in the talons of Falcon Crest. Her eccentricity is what saved her from becoming as violently unhinged as Julia. She never hated Angela because she never feared her. In fact, she often seemed to find her highly amusing and enjoyed teasing her. Emma was one of the most unique and endearing characters in soapland. A true eccentric from a show that was itself quite eccentric. Falcon Crest.
5. Anne Matheson. She could have been dismissed as a shallow airhead, but I see her as a genuine eccentric. Even though she referred to herself as shallow, she could have put Paige in boarding schools to make her life easier. Mack, however, pointed out to Paige that Anne did not always choose the easy route as a parent. I never saw Anne as evil, even when she was scheming to get that million dollars meant for her own daughter. It wasn't exactly ethical, but Anne's eccentricity stemmed from the fact that she never took most things that seriously. When Paige found her at Greg's and exclaimed, "Mother!" as was her wont, Anne's response of "Daughter!" comveyed her view of pretense. It was if she was saying, all these nuances of social class have their uses, but there also a little silly.
Then there was the time where she showed up at the Sumner Group purposely wearing the same dress as Paula. Ostensibly, it was to show up Paula in front of Greg, but I always had the impression it was really because Anne herself found it all hilarious. Mack used a similar sartorial tactic on Anne, only instead of a dress he was wearing a "Kiss the Cook" apron. I'm sure deep down Anne understood. Paige's mom was not as pure hearted as Emma Channing, but she was just as unique and endearing. Knots Landing