History Main / OfCorsetsFunny

---> '''Sergeant Bunt:''' Get on with it.

** In the ''WesternAnimation/BugsBunny'' cartoon "The Wacky Wabbit", Bugs cuts open Elmer's shirt and suspenders, exposing a girdle.[[note]]This was at the time when Elmer was drawn fat.[[/note]] Elmer [[BreakingTheFourthWall turns to the audience]], [[YouBastard pre-emptively admonishing them]] [[TakeThatAudience for what Termite Terrace envisioned as possible]] HypocriticalHumor.

[[caption-width-right:350:Bugs and Elmer [[JustForPun expose]] a [[OverlyLongGag growing]] problem.]]

** In an earlier episode, Krusty walks off an award show due to a terrible script filled with {{Incredibly Lame Pun}}s. He accidentally [[IsThisThingStillOn leaves his mic on]] and broadcasts himself on live TV saying "At least I can take off this girdle." ''[sound of large gut spilling out]''

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Rugrats}}'': Grandpa once wore a corset to impress his visiting friend with how well he'd kept his figure over the years. At the end of the episode, when the ruse is exposed, the friend reveals that he was wearing one too.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Shrek}}'': This happens to Shrek and Fiona at the very beginning of ''WesternAnimation/ShrekTheThird'' when they act as king and queen, much to their discomfort.

-->'''Elmer:''' Don't waugh. I bet pwenty of you men wear one of these.

Always [[PlayedForLaughs Played For Laughs]], but if the corset wearer is attractive it can loop back around to [[FanService Fanservice.]] Similarly, if the owner of the corset is not attractive or very overweight it can become [[FanDisservice Fan Disservice]].

Unlike OfCorsetsSexy, this trope is fairly unisex, probably because the idea of a male wearing a girdle is [[RuleOfFunny funnier,]] and more indicative that the wearer is vain, pathetic and ridiculous. The exposure of a girdle is often used as part of a HumiliationConga, especially if the character is unsympathetic. Most likely to happen to a FatBastard, a {{Narcissist}}, a SmallNameBigEgo, ThePrimaDonna, an AlphaBitch, and a NiceCharacterMeanActor. If the character is sympathetic, it's often a device to show the character as [[IJustwantToBeBeautiful insecure]] while picking up a cheap laugh along the way.

* ''Comicbook/BlueBeetle'': Towards the end of his weight problem CharacterArc, Ted Kord, the second Blue Beetle, was asked by General Glory if he was wearing a girdle under his costume. He insisted he wasn't--[[InsistentTerminology he was wearing control-top tights]]. Glory assured him it was nothing to be ashamed of and claimed this was why Dr. Fate's costume had such a high waistband.

* In ''Series/TheMuppets'' after Miss Piggy has Reece Witherspoon appear on her talk show (which she's had an apparent rivalry with for a couple of years), she goes back to her dressing room to get out of her Spanx, woven extra tight for Reece's appearance. Once they've been removed, Uncle Deadly proceeds to praise them, saying "You worked extra hard tonight."

* ''Series/ComeBackMrsNoah''. The title character--a middle-aged British housewife stuck on a space station--has to remove her clothes before using the decontamination chamber. -->'''Cunliffe :''' ''(examining corset)'' What's this--a radiation belt?

* ''Series/{{CSI}}'' has an episode where a dead Civil War re-enactor wore one, as apparently well-born men wore them back then just like women, and although it wasn't meant solely for humor they did get a lot of it out of it. Grissom's QuipToBlack was "What a waste" (waist).

-->'''Comic Book Guy:''' Behold! I am Captain Kirk from [[Film/StarTrekTheMotionPicture Star Trek One]]! ''[girdle gives way]'' [[Film/StarTrekIITheWrathOfKhan Two]]. ''[girdle gives way more]'' [[Film/StarTrekVTheFinalFrontier Five]]. ''[girdle gives way more]'' [[Film/StarTrekGenerations Generations]]. ''[girdle breaks entirely]'' Series/BostonLegal.

* ''Manga/BlackButler'' combines this with OfCorsetHurts and OfCorsetsSexy with the infamous [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZZtlmAGDZE&feature=related corset scene]]. This is only made funnier by Sebastian's comment at the end.

* ''WesternAnimation/MrBugGoesToTown'': C. Bagley Beetle attempts to lace himself into a corset for his wedding day, with disastrous results.

* ''Film/TheMalibuBikiniShop'': The RichBitch gets her just desserts after her dress gets ripped off in front of the [[BarelyThereSwimwear bikini babes]] she's been plotting against, exposing her dark secret -- a long leg panty girdle.

* Literature/BridgetJones squeezes herself into a panty girdle to look slim in her slinky black dress -- she only remembers she has it on when her office crush is undressing her. He has a chuckle at her expense. The joke is repeated several times in the sequel. Bridget's big support knickers are her IconicItem.

* In ''[[Film/FatherOfTheBride1950 Father of the Bride]]'', Stanley, the father, desperately tries to fit into his old tuxedo. He just barely manages it, although Ellie observes that the button will put someone's eye out if it comes loose. Then when he's trying to open a window his tuxedo coat splits down the middle.

* ''Series/TheMuppetShow'':
** In an early episode, Gilda the hairdresser is trying to make herself look younger, and resorts to wearing "very tight foundation garments". In the middle of her conversation with Kermit, her girdle explodes.
** Another episode reveals that the vain spaceship captain Link Hogthrob wears a girdle.
* ''Series/{{CSI}}'' has an episode where a dead Civil War re-enactor wore one, as apparently well-born men wore them back then just like women, and although it wasn't meant solely for humor they did get a lot of it out of it. Grissom's QuipToBlack was "What a waste" (waist).
* ''Series/{{Bewitched}}'': One episode has Samantha befriend a beleaguered magician who is being exploited by his scheming, vain assistant. On learning how she plans to use his tricks to become a star herself, Samantha magics her gown to rip off in front of the live audience and TV cameras, revealing that the assistant wears a girdle.

* Lister on ''Series/RedDwarf'' transfers his body to Rimmer so he can exercise and get it into shape. He ends up going on a huge binge, having forgotten how good food tastes, and tries to hide the fact he made the body much fatter with a heavy duty girdle.
* On ''Series/ThirtyRock'' it's often mentioned that Liz wears Spanx -- when she set out to seduce someone she wore a double set. It's implied Lutz wears Spanx too.

* ''Series/SpinCity'': In one episode, Nikki proves Carter is vainer than she is by tearing his shirt open, exposing his "Mr. Tummy-Tucker".
* In ''Series/WillAndGrace'', Jack once revealed to Will that he wears a man-girdle.

* ''Series/DadsArmy'': In one episode, the various members of the Home Guard are desperately attempting to look younger to avoid being transferred to the ARP. Captain Mainwaring notices that Sergeant Wilson is standing straighter than usual and it is revealed that he is wearing a girdle (or, as he refers to it, a "gentleman's abdominal support").
* ''Series/TheGoldenGirls'': This is used for a slight throwaway gag after Blanche throws her back out and tells the other girls her diagnosis -- no physical activity for a week, and she has to wear a corset and stay on her back with her legs elevated. [[DeadpanSnarker Sophia]] quickly quips that [[ReallyGetsAround "that's the same thing you did last Saturday!"]]
* On ''Series/{{Emergency}}'', Johnny and Roy got called to a woman's house. She put on a new girdle that was so tight she could barely breathe and spoke in little more than a whisper. John cut the girdle off her and it smacked him in the face.

[[/folder]]

[[folder:Puppet Shows]]

* In the ''WesternAnimation/BugsBunny'' cartoon "The Wacky Wabbit", Bugs cuts open Elmer's shirt and suspenders, exposing a girdle.[[note]]This was at the time when Elmer was drawn fat.[[/note]] Elmer [[BreakingTheFourthWall turns to the audience]], [[YouBastard pre-emptively admonishing them]] [[TakeThatAudience for what Termite Terrace envisioned as possible]] HypocriticalHumor.

* A Creator/WarnerBros WartimeCartoon has a gag about how citizens are giving up their corsets to help the war effort. The before shows a couple walking down the street; in the after, the woman looks the same, but her husband has a noticeable paunch.

* ''WesternAnimation/MickeyMouse'': The short "The Dognapper" shows [[FatBastard Peg-Leg Pete]] receiving his comeuppance by being frog-marched through the streets with a feminine corset binding his arms to his sides.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'': The intensely vain Zapp Brannigan suffers a girdle failure when visiting an extremely high gravity planet.
* ''WesternAnimation/GarfieldAndFriends'': In one episode, Garfield attends a cat obedience class with a snooty teacher who secretly wears a girdle under his suit.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheMask'' once featured an ultra modern home that had hundreds of robotic arms to do chores. Of course, the thing went haywire and ripped the suit off Charlie, causing him to cry [[LessEmbarrassingTerm "It's not a girdle! It's a sports support!]]
* ''WesternAnimation/TheCritic'': In an episode involving Jay's sister attending a debutante ball, a quick shot of a maid attempting to tie a corset is followed by the reveal that it was being put on ''Jay''. ''Outside'' his tuxedo and binding his arms, as well!
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Rugrats}}'': Grandpa once wore a corset to impress his visiting friend with how well he'd kept his figure over the years. At the end of the episode, when the ruse is exposed, the friend reveals that he was wearing one too.

* In the ''WesternAnimation/BugsBunny'' cartoon "The Wacky Wabbit", Bugs pulls down Elmer's pants, exposing a girdle. (This was at the time when Elmer was drawn fat.) Elmer [[BreakingTheFourthWall turns to the audience]] and says, "Don't waugh. I bet pwenty of you men wear one of these."

%%* ''WesternAnimation/{{Shrek}}'': This happens to Shrek and Fiona at the very beginning of ''WesternAnimation/ShrekTheThird''.%%ZCE -- what happens?

[[quoteright:265:[[WesternAnimation/TheWackyWabbit https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/wacky_wabbit.png]]]]

* Jimmy Kimmel has admitted publicly to wearing Spanx for men [[FormerlyFat during his heavier days]].

* ''WesternAnimationMickeyMouse'': The short "The Dognapper" shows [[FatBastard Peg-Leg Pete]] receiving his comeuppance by being frog-marched through the streets with a feminine corset binding his arms to his sides.

[[quoteright:265:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/wacky_wabbit.png]]

[[AC:Anime]]

[[AC:ComicBooks]]

[[AC:{{Film}} -- Animated]]

[[AC:{{Film}} -- Live Action]]

[[AC:Literature]]

[[AC:LiveActionTV]]

[[AC:WesternAnimation]]

-->'''Comic Book Guy''': Behold! I am Captain Kirk from [[Film/StarTrekTheMotionPicture Star Trek One]]! ''[girdle gives way]'' [[Film/StarTrekIITheWrathOfKhan Two]]. ''[girdle gives way more]'' [[Film/StarTrekVTheFinalFrontier Five]]. ''[girdle gives way more]'' [[Film/StarTrekGenerations Generations]]. ''[girdle breaks entirely]'' Series/BostonLegal.

[[AC:RealLife]]

[[AC:{{Anime}}]]

[[AC:ComicBook]]
* Towards the end of his weight problem CharacterArc, Ted Kord, the second Comicbook/BlueBeetle, was asked by General Glory if he was wearing a girdle under his costume. He insisted he wasn't--[[InsistentTerminology he was wearing control-top tights]]. Glory assured him it was nothing to be ashamed of and claimed this was why Dr. Fate's costume had such a high waistband.

[[AC:{{Film}} - Animated]]
* Happens to Shrek and Fiona at the very beginning of ''WesternAnimation/ShrekTheThird''.
* C. Bagley Beetle attempts to lace himself into a corset for his wedding day in ''WesternAnimation/MrBugGoesToTown'', with disastrous results.

[[AC:{{Film}} - Live Action]]
* One of the earliest examples in film: ''Airy Fairy Lilian Tries On Her New Corsets''.

* The ClingyJealousGirl / RichBitch from ''Film/TheMalibuBikiniShop'' gets her just desserts after her dress gets ripped off in front of the [[BarelyThereSwimwear bikini babes]] she's been plotting against, exposing her dark secret -- a long leg panty girdle.
* One of the many [[{{Squick}} unsettling scenes]] in the film version of ''Film/TheCatInTheHat'' includes the well-groomed, suave Alec Baldwin locking himself in the privacy of his house, removing the girdle he wears under his shirt and unleashing a massive beer belly.
* Literature/BridgetJones squeezes herself into a panty girdle to look slim in her slinky black dress -- she only remembers she has it on when her office crush is undressing her. He has a chuckle at her expense.
** The joke is repeated several times in the sequel. Bridget's big support knickers are her IconicItem.
* ''Film/ItsAMadMadMadMadWorld'' -- Ethel Merman's character takes a few undignified pratfalls, exposing her foundation garments.
** This was a JustifiedTrope in 1963 when it was considered proper for women and girls in First World societies to wear foundation garments, no matter their weight or build.

[[AC:{{LiveActionTV}}]]
* On an early episode of ''Series/TheMuppetShow'', hairdresser Gilda is trying to make herself look younger, and resorts to wearing "very tight foundation garments." In the middle of her conversation with Kermit, her girdle explodes.
** Another episode revealed Link Hogthrob wears a girdle.
* ''Series/{{CSI}}'' had an episode with a dead Civil War re-enactor who wore one, apparently well-born men wore them back then just like women, and though it wasn't meant solely for humor, they did get a lot of funny out of it. Grissom's QuipToBlack was "What a waste" (waist).
* An episode of ''Series/{{Bewitched}}'' has Samantha befriend a beleaguered magician who is being exploited by his scheming, vain assistant. On learning how she plans to use his tricks to become a star herself, Samantha magics her gown to rip off in front of the live audience and TV cameras, revealing that the assistant wears a girdle.

* A skit from ''Series/TheCarolBurnettShow'' has a woman who can't get through the metal detector without it beeping. She finally goes behind a screen, takes off a METAL corset, and goes through the metal detector a last time, getting stuck.

* Andy wears one in the ''{{Series/Extras}}'' Christmas special, and of course it bursts during his audition.
* Nikki in an episode of ''Series/SpinCity'' proves Carter is vainer than she is by tearing his shirt open, exposing his "Mr. Tummy-Tucker".

* Psychotically narcissistic Dennis from ''Series/ItsAlwaysSunnyInPhiladelphia'' has been known to wear one, as well as makeup. It backfires when a woman he's trying to seduce notices and assumes he's gay.
* In one episode of ''Series/DadsArmy'', the various members of the Home Guard are desperately attempting to look younger to avoid being transferred to the ARP. Captain Mainwaring notices that Sergeant Wilson is standing straighter than usual and it is revealed that he is wearing a girdle (or, as he refers to it, a "gentleman's abdominal support").
* Used for a slight throwaway gag in ''Series/TheGoldenGirls.'' After Blanche throws her back out, she tells the other girls her diagnosis, no physical activity for a week, she has to wear a corset, and stay on her back with her legs elevated. [[DeadpanSnarker Sophia]] quickly quips, [[ReallyGetsAround "That's the same thing you did last Saturday!"]]

[[AC:{{WesternAnimation}}]]

* In the WesternAnimation/BugsBunny cartoon "The Wacky Wabbit", Bugs pulls down Elmer's pants, exposing a girdle. (This was at the time when Elmer was drawn fat.) Elmer [[BreakingTheFourthWall turns to the audience]] and says, "Don't waugh. I bet pwenty of you men wear one of these."

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' has a few examples: When a shop specialising in whalebone corsets opens in Springfield, the Comic Book Guy buys himself a ridiculously tight one:

* An old ''{{Mickey Mouse}}'' short "The Dognapper" shows [[FatBastard Peg-Leg Pete]] receiving his comeuppance by being frog-marched through the streets with a feminine corset binding his arms to his sides.
* This happens to [[WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}} Zapp Brannigan]] on an extremely high gravity planet.
* In one episode of ''WesternAnimation/GarfieldAndFriends'', Garfield attends a cat obedience class with a snooty teacher who secretly wears a girdle under his suit.

* In an episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheCritic'' involving Jay's sister attending a debutante ball, a quick shot of a maid attempting to tie a corset is followed by the reveal that it was being put on ''Jay''. ''Outside'' his tuxedo and binding his arms, as well!

A character comically dons a corset or a girdle, usually to [[WeightWoe conceal a gut]]. In some variations the [[WardrobeMalfunction unfortunate garment will burst]], after being put under far too much strain.

Unlike OfCorsetsSexy, this trope is fairly unisex, probably because the idea of a male wearing a girdle is [[RuleOfFunny funnier,]] and more indicative that the wearer is vain, pathetic and ridiculous. The exposure of a girdle is often used as part of a HumiliationConga, especially if the character is unsympathetic. Most likely to happen to a FatBastard, a {{Narcissist}}, a SmallNameBigEgo, ThePrimaDonna, an AlphaBitch and a NiceCharacterMeanActor. If the character is sympathetic, it's often a device to show the character as [[IJustwantToBeBeautiful insecure]] while picking up a cheap laugh along the way.

* Towards the end of his weight problem CharacterArc, Ted Kord, the second Comicbook/BlueBeetle, was asked by General Glory if he was wearing a girdle under his costume. He insisted he wasn't--[[InsistentTerminology he was wearing control-top tights]]. Glory assured him it was nothing to be ashamed of, and claimed this was why Dr Fate's costume had such a high waistband.

* The ''Film/CarryOn'' films of the 50s and 60s LOVED this trope, and it's unusual to find a film in the series that doesn't include a few jokes about some of the more ample cast members struggling with their corsetry.
* The ClingyJealousGirl / RichBitch from ''Film/TheMalibuBikiniShop'' gets her just desserts after her dress gets ripped off in front of the [[BarelyThereSwimwear bikini babes]] she's been plotting against, exposing her dark secret--a long leg panty girdle.

* Literature/BridgetJones squeezes herself into a panty girdle to look slim in her slinky black dress--she only remembers she has it on when her office crush is undressing her. He has a chuckle at her expense.

* ''Film/ItsAMadMadMadMadWorld''--Ethel Merman's character takes a few undignified pratfalls, exposing her foundation garments.

* ''Series/{{CSI}}'' had an episode with a dead Civil War re-enactor who wore one, apparently well-born men wore them back then just like women, and though it wasn't meant solely for humor,they did get a lot of funny out of it. Grissom's QuipToBlack was "What a waste" (waist).
* An episode of ''Series/{{Bewitched}}'' has Samantha befriend a beleagured magician who is being exploited by his scheming, vain assistant. On learning how she plans to use his tricks to become a star herself, Samantha magics her gown to rip off in front of the live audience and TV cameras, revealing that the assistant wears a girdle.
* Dick from ''Series/ThirdRockFromTheSun'' became self concious about some extra weight and bought himself a male corset called [[TakeThat "The Shatner"]]. He laces it tightly and goes to work, where Mary and Nina instantly notice when he drops a calculator and can barely pick it up. Then he sits down. The corset can't take the strain and bursts in a spectacular fashion.

* Lister on ''Series/RedDwarf'' tranfers his body to Rimmer so he can exercise and get it into shape. He ends up going on a huge binge, having forgotten how good food tastes, and tries to hide the fact he made the body much fatter with a heavy duty girdle.
* On ''Series/ThirtyRock'' it's often mentioned that Liz wears Spanx--when she set out to seduce someone she wore a double set. It's implied Lutz wears Spanx too.

* Nikki in an episode of ''Series/SpinCity'' proves Carter is vainer than she is by tearing his shirt open, exposing his "Mr Tummy-Tucker".

* ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'': Peter wears a comedically tight corset in order to ride a rollercoaster which he otherwise wouldn't be let on because he's too fat. Of course, since he hasnt actually lost any weight, he's still way too heavy and ends up breaking the rollercoaster, causing a crash that kills at least one child.

-->'''Comic Book Guy''': Behold! I am Captain Kirk from [[Film/StarTrekTheMotionPicture Star Trek One]]! *girdle gives way* [[Film/StarTrekIITheWrathOfKhan Two]]. *girdle gives way more* [[Film/StarTrekVTheFinalFrontier Five]]. *girdle gives way more* [[Film/StarTrekGenerations Generations]]. *girdle breaks entirely* Series/BostonLegal.

** In an earlier episode, Krusty walks off an award show due to a terrible script fulled with [[IncrediblyLamePun Incredibly Lame Puns]]. He accidentally [[IsThisThingStillOn leaves his mic on]] and broadcasts himself on live TV saying "At least I can take off this girdle." *sound of large gut spilling out*

* An old ''{{Mickey Mouse}}'' short "The Dognapper" shows [[FatBastard Peg-Leg Pete]] receieving his comeuppance by being frog-marched through the streets with a feminine corset binding his arms to his sides.

* Jimmy Kimmel has admitted publicly to wearing Spanx for men [[FormerlyFat during his heavier days.]]

* ''Film/TheHungerGames'': The proper Effie is known to conform to the rules of society and thus expresses disapproval when Katniss shows her annoyance with the Capitol for ignoring her by shooting an arrow through the apple in the mouth of a pig for their feast. Haymitch congratulates her on her spirit and jokes that Effie should loosen her corset, and just have fun.