Three 50-word stories about “the nosy neighbor.”

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The trope An instance A good fit
The “nosy neighbor” is a well-known, and some would argue, timeworn trope in entertainment. Some say it’s time to jettison the archetype altogether. Others argue they represent real-life people and should stay — but “be ‘relatable’ and ‘3D’ while serving their purpose.” Lamentably, it’s women most often portraying this character type. Arguably, Gladys Kravitz from Bewitched, is the most famous “nosy neighbor.” One present-day meme describes her as “The Original Doorbell Camera.” She was a grotesquely stereotyped shrewish gossip — always on the lookout for delicious secrets and rumors by peering suspiciously around her living-room window curtains at least once an episode. Crime fiction is a genre in which nosy neighbors thrive — busybodies, gossips, sleuths. They’re the busybody who, over their morning coffee, witnesses a murder while spying on the house next door, and the town gossip who realizes there’s something not right about the family down the block and relentlessly snoops.

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2 thoughts on “Three 50-word stories about “the nosy neighbor.””

  1. Alice Pearce, the actress who played Gladys, had been diagnosed with cancer before Bewitched and performed through it. She was apparently one tough lady, dedicated to her craft and winning an Emmy, posthumously, for her performances as Gladys Kravitz.

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    • In reading up on the character for this set of stories, I liked these 2 things that were noted:

      1. A distinction between the 2 characters that played Gladys Kravitz: Alice Pearce’s version was nosy and confused, but generally good-hearted and was often friends with the Stephenses. Sandra Gould’s version was more mean-spirited and very much an antagonist to the Stephenses.

      2. Despite being a secondary character, the name “Gladys Kravitz” has gained wide societal use as a synonym for an annoying busybody.

      Thanks for dropping by to read and engage, Rob! I miss your smart posts over on “the ‘book.”

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