1.   There are two main supporting characters that feature prominently in each book -- Shug in The Color Purple and Dallas in The Outsiders.

2.   And the family, like almost all the supporting characters, happens to be black.

3.   As in a service comedy, each supporting character tends to be a type, which is a kind way of saying that each is a cliche.

4.   At their best and most surprising, the supporting characters were rich and ripe.

5.   A special prize would go to whoever most resembles a supporting character, Newman.

6.   But even more interesting is the way in which Parks presents himself as both narrator and supporting character.

7.   But Petersen caught something else in the shifting eyes and compromised morals of the supporting characters.

8.   Despite its less-interesting supporting characters and too predictable plot, this installment remains decent but bland family fare.

9.   From then on, the pin becomes a supporting character in a madcap descent into corruption and betrayal set against an infectious mambo soundtrack.

10.   He already has done so for a year, and at least publicly, he always comported himself like an eager supporting character.