I know that plenty of TMNT fans recognize their importance, since they probably have an affinity towards the cartoon. I do too, which is why I keep pushing for them. But it's not just "they were in the toon" why I push for them. From a Narrative standpoint, they do have a role. Some more than others.
Burne would be the most and least important character depending on what angle your universe takes TMNT. If your TMNT is on the Mirage-esque clandestine battle between The Foot and the Turtles with every fight happening in the shadows, then Burne is an unimportant character... On the other hand if your TMNT is more TMHT with the Turtles fighting crime and stopping rampaging Mutants and Krang's invading forces, then Burne's importance as a character soars. It's rather obvious that Burne is meant to be A TMNT version of J. Jonah Jameson. You don't need a Reporter April to have Burne Thompson being a thorn on the Turtles's side. Probably because he hates Ninjas or some other excuse could be the reason why he hates on the TMNT.
In the NEFTYVERSE, if we get Burne, his Hatred for the TMNT stems because his first wife was assassinated by Ninjas. So, anyone who identifies as Ninja is a threat and a Menace to Burne. He's OK with the Mutanimals and the Punk Frogs, but not the Turtles when they're ninjas... because when The Turtles disguise themselves as Samurai, Surfer, Astronaut, and Flasher (or whatever variant I end up getting for Donatello), Burne has no issue with them. It's his Extreme distaste towards Ninjitsu, which makes him hate the Turtles. He's a workaholic and slightly irritable. He acts like the big mean boss, but he cares about his news crew, from the anchors all the way to the interns. He tries to push them to be their best.
Vernon might seem a bit redundant if you have Reporter April. He can work as a rival to April, but he works even better if April isn't a reporter. Without Reporter April, Vernon would become the TMNT liason and somewhat of a brand manager since he'd promote TMNT Merchandise after rebranding them as the Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles. He does the whole helping the Turtles more out of greed than because it's the right thing to do.
Now the NEFTYVERSE Vernon, let's start with him being Bisexual. In my child universe he was gay. It stemmed from past views that in hindsight were ignorant and sexist, which associated cowardice with feminine behavior. He's still a coward, he's greedy, but despite his flaws he has his moments of doing what's right for the right reasons. He's more interested in being a talk show host than a reporter, but he's only being a reporter to become the next Geraldo. Also, his misogynistic attitude is borderline cartoony, but it's mostly due to him trying to appear as "the alpha".
Irma is actually the easiest character to work with, since she can easily work with whatever direction you want for April. If you go for Reporter April, you have the Toon as a source. Non-Reporter April, Roommate or neighbor who sometimes wonders what's going on with April. Things like Weird noises coning from her apartment, she coming and going at strange hours, etc.
In the NEFTYVERSE, Irma will be April's former college roommate, who got April a gig as an intern on Channel 6 after her stint as an intern at Stockman's went under. April used her journalism minor to climb the Channel 6 ladder. Irma climbed the ladder in a different way. No, not the way you're thinking, but more in a Daddy's little princess gets what she wants. By making her dad Burne's boss, I get the freedom to have Irma act as Secretary, Receptionist, and any other random role she wants to play, as long as it's behind the cameras. She still needs to work, because Daddy is only ensuring that she has a job. She still needs to pay her bills and everything. Something something her dad wants Irma to understand responsibilities and not to fully rely on Daddy's fortune.
Yes, Irma is still promiscuous. She enjoys her sex life and it's probably rooted in Daddy issues.
She seems a bit ditzy and out of touch due to her privileged upbringing clashing with her "real world education" from April in their college days.
Sure, I've spent a lot of time saying How I would use them. I'd say more than giving a justification on how they could be used. This is because I need background stories for EVERY character I display... including customs that are meant to be the toy equivalent to movie extras. That's just me. But the easiest answer is:
Hostages/victims.
Some examples:
Burne and Vernon getting jumped by Foot Soldiers with the Turtles watching from a nearby rooftop.
Casey Jones handing Irma her Purse, as if he's returning it after beating the goons who stole it.
Vernon and Irma getting intimidated by The Rat King and his rats.
Since I want my displays to tell a story, I like to have pieces that help me do so. Sure, I could customize stuff, but I want official product to take center stage.
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