Fourth wall

The fourth wall is the imaginary "wall" at the front of the stage in a traditional three-walled box set in a proscenium theater, through which the audience sees the action in the world of the play. When speaking directly to the audience through the camera in a film or television program, it is called "breaking the fourth wall." The technique of breaking the fourth wall can be seen in various television programs, especially situation comedies, in animated cartoons, and in films.