There's a LOT of lessons to be learned from the Logo TV series SORDID LIVES.
Take a look at the cast and their character bios (aka backstory) and then watch some of the teaser clips from the show to see these marvelously funny characters. Note that they are loaded with quirks (see my article on character development for the "Quirks List":
http://scriptnurse.com/wcms/index.php?chardevelop).
http://www.logoonline.com/shows/dyn/sordid_lives/cast.jhtmlWant to see these wonderfully wacky and quirky characters come to life? Here's a clip:
http://www.logoonline.com/video/?id=1590757&vid=256251