History Main / NotOnTheList

Can be PlayedForLaughs at places where there would obviously not be security nor an access list, like a fast food restaurant or family party.

Can be PlayedForLaughs at places where there would obviously not be security nor an access list, like a fast food restaurant.

* A recent beer commercial has a guy hiring a bouncer...for his house. And his wife's not on the list.

* ''Film/ANightAtTheRoxbury'' mentions this trope no less than seven times.

* ''Film/RealGenius''. The protagonists are trying to get into a U.S. Air Force base and are told, "You're not on the list."

* In the ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants'' episode ''Best Day Ever'' Spongebob is not allowed into Squidward's clarinet recital because his name wasn't on the list. After several tries to get in, the guard realizes Spongebob was on the VIP list. However as soon as Spongebob gets in Squidward's recital is over.

A person is standing in line at a restaurant, club, or private party, and when they get to the head of the line the {{bouncer}} checks a list. The person is not on the list, so they can't go in. The plot usually requires them to get into said venue, so wacky antics usually ensue. Or punching.

This has various incarnations:

* Not on the List: Character wants to get into a club and the bouncer says they're not on the list. Subtypes:
** Bouncer actually checks;
** Bouncer doesn't even check (Pre-judged!)
* (But) I'm on the List: Character says this to bouncer. Played for laughs if it is common knowledge there's no list.
* Check it Again / Do you know who I Am: Character is either not important and thinks they are or *is* important but just not to the bouncer/venue/geolocation.
* [[ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney The character's money says they're on the list.]] The bouncer may or [[ScrewTheMoneyIHaveRules may not]] agree.

A sister trope of
* YouHaveNoIdeaWhoYoureDealingWith
* WannabeLine

* ''Film/GetCarter''

* Subverted in ''VideoGame/DmCDevilMayCry'', in which Dante brashly approaches Lilith's Club and gets stopped by the bouncer, who rejects him because he's actually not on the list. Dante's response? [[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments Uppercut the bouncer, knocking him unconscious, then add insult to injury by writing "Fuck you" on the bouncer's list and jokingly saying "I am now!" and barging into the club uninvited]].

* ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'' has the Afterlife club. A Human is using this with an [[MightyGlacier Elcor]] Bouncer.

* ''VideoGame/Payday2'' - The bouncer at the [[LegitimateBusinessmensSocialClub Tasteful Club]] subverts this:

-->'''Bouncer:''' You on the list?
-->'''The Mask:''' ''Noooooo'', but I believe my friends are! Perhaps you might know them: Franklin, Grant, and Jackson?

-->'''Bouncer:''' Sorry Mr. Carter, you're not on the list.
-->'''Jack Carter:''' [Jack punches him] Nobody likes the list guy.

* At the end of ''ComicBook/{{Asterix}}: Mission Cleopatre'', Julius Caesar tries to get into the party hosted by Cleopatra, only to find he's not on the list. His general is, all the side characters are, but he is not.

* {{Minicrit}} had a joke about the ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'' engineer not being on the list for a party. He comes back in a mech suit, [[http://minicrit.com/?p=185 obviously]].

->''"Do you know my friend... [[ComicallySmallBribe George Washington?]]"''

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Animaniacs}}: In "Critical Condition", Slappy uses "not on the list" to deny two film critics entrance to a film premiere -despite their invitations. They'd severely ticked her off criticizing some of her old cartoons, and this is just the beginning of her revenge.

->''"Do you know my friend... George Washington?"''

* In a ''WesternAnimation/{{Ducktales}}'' comic in ''Magazine/DisneyAdventures'', Huey, Dewey and Louie try to get into a party for criminals by posing as a new gang called "The Danger Ducks". They're tied up and held captive out the back, until Webby arrives and manages to forge their name on the list before rescuing them. The bouncer is fooled and is instantly apologetic.

* Subverted in ''VideoGame/DmCDevilMayCry'', in which Dante brashly approaches Lilith's Club and gets stopped by the bouncer, who rejects him because he's actually not on the list. Dante's response? [[CrowningMomentOfFunny Uppercut the bouncer, knocking him unconscious, then add insult to injury by writing "Fuck you" on the bouncer's list and jokingly saying "I am now!" and barging into the club uninvited]].

->''"Do you know my friend... [[ComicallySmallBribe George Washington]]?"''

* ''Series/DrakeAndJosh'' has the two trying to get into classmate, Thorton's, party after they had been banned due to an earlier incident. When the bouncer won't let them in due to not being on the list, they try to make it up to Thorton by giving him Drake's signed [[TheBeatles Abby Road]] album, but even afterwards, the bouncer still won't let them in for not being on the list and [[{{Jerkass}} Thorton won't invite them in either]].

* A running gag on ''Series/MuppetsTonight'' was the guest star trying to get in and being stopped by security guard Bobo the bear who had to check if they were on the list. The ultimate example probably being with guest star {{Prince}}... during his "formerly known as" phase.

-->---Film/ANightAtTheRoxbury

* ''WebAnimation/HomestarRunner'' - In the email "night life", Strong Bad goes to Club Technochocolate.
-->'''Strong Bad:''' [narrating] Of course, the club only lets the freshest clientele inside. But my name has been laser-etched into the guest list by now.
-->'''Strong Mad:''' NAME, PLEASE!
-->'''Strong Bad:''' Come on, man, drop the act! I've gotta get into the pwahty club!
-->'''Strong Mad:''' [looking at a grease-stained Blubb-O's bag] YOU'RE NOT ON THE LIST!

* Creator/StanLee makes cameos this way in a lot of {{Marvel}} films.

* Parodied in a ''Series/MadTV'' [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9v4Z6ILBDpM skit featuring Kason]], where a man called Ayan Pepperman is not on the list.