History Main / TheTelevisionTalksBack

* One of Satou's paranoid visions in ''Literature/WelcomeToTheNHK'' includes talking with his TV set.
* In the first episode of ''Manga/ShugoChara'', TV psychic Nobuko Saeki says that "guardian spirits are everywhere". Amu, watching the TV program with her younger sister Ami, [[ArbitrarySkepticism doesn't believe it]]. The psychic immediately says that "anyone who thinks it's stupid will die". Amu wonders if the psychic was specifically addressing her, to which she says, "That's because I am!"

* ''Manga/UruseiYatsura'' features a story where the TV announcer tells the viewers that there'll be a party at Mendo's place. He yells at the television that he didn't say anything about a party, and the woman on TV cheerfully replies that "Televisions can't talk back to you, fool!"

* In ''Film/ReturnOfTheKillerTomatoes,'' our hero can't figure out where the heroine is being held. He's watching a black-and-white MadScientist film, and the ShowWithinAShow villain says, "I'll just keep her in the lab downtown." Then the villain says, "Like I said, I'll just keep her in the lab downtown." Our hero keeps staring, and the MadScientist in the TV turns to face him and snaps, "Are you listening? I said I'll keep her in the lab downtown!" Cue very belated EurekaMoment.
* ''Film/ThePinkPanther'' has the inspector looking straight at the camera and going, "And I will find you, killer!"
* Pretty much the basis of the low-budget horror film ''Film/TheVideoDead'', as it involves a cursed television set that unleashes zombies into the real world. One of the heroes also encounters a [[SuccubiAndIncubi succubus]]-like enemy who tries to tempt him into the television set, followed by a monster hunter who defeats her and then warns the boy through the screen about the zombies who've already escaped from it.
* ''Film/Demons2'' follows the same concept as ''The Video Dead'': whereas ''Film/{{Demons}}'' had characters in an inescapable movie theater where the onscreen events came to life, its sequel was set in an inescapable high-rise apartment building, with demons crawling out of the televisions. The two films are similar in nature to zombie movies, as any character who is scratched, bitten, or killed by the demons will transform into one, and {{Gorn}} is emphasized.
* This happened in ''Film/TheKentuckyFriedMovie''. A couple is watching a newscast. They start making out, and the newsman on the TV notices what they're doing. He calls over other people in the studio to watch, and by the end they're all cheering on the couple.
* Done in ''Film/Xanadu1980'' when [[spoiler:Kira tries to prove she really is a Muse and uses her power to make a gangster on a tv show ask Sonny if he should off his captive or not]].

* Used in both ''Film/HomeAlone'' movies. After watching an old black and white gangster film in an earlier scene, Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) uses the knowledge of the film's dialog to his advantage to scare away people who come to his door and can hear the audio. Probably the [[Funny/HomeAlone funniest scenes]] in the movies which don't involve {{Booby Trap}}s.
* Not so much 'talking back', but a similar theme of television sentience: In ''Literature/TheRing'', Naomi Watts' character walks up to the television whilst there's footage of a fly on screen. She's able to pick the fly up in her hands.

* [[Music/{{Blondie}} Debbie Harry's]] character disappears when going to check out ''Film/{{Videodrome}}'', then appears to Max in his TV, and asks for a kiss. He does...and then things start to get really bizarre. Brian O'Blivion also starts to converse with Max in this way later on. As with many events in the film, it's difficult to tell if/when [[ThroughTheEyesOfMadness this is actually happening]].
* ''Film/TheSignal2007'' had a version of this that's different enough that it might not be the same trope: a mind-control signal broadcast over television causes viewers to go AxCrazy. Although viewers don't report receiving actual messages from the television, they stare at its static for hours at a time, as though hypnotized.
* ''Film/CasinoRoyale1967'' has a very surrealist example: Le Chiffre is watching two hit men on a security monitor. One of them marches up until he's filling the screen, then ''[[http://www.agonybooth.com/recaps/Casino_Royale_1967.aspx?Page=11 smashes his arm through the monitor]]'' and shoots Le Chiffre in the head.

* One of the WhamLine in ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheWinterSoldier'' had one of these.
-->[[spoiler: '''Arnim Zola:''']] I am not a recording, ''fraulein''.

* ''Film/CityHunter'': After Ryo imitated Creator/BruceLee's moves from ''Film/GameOfDeath'' which happens to be playing in the theater where he fought and defeated a GiantMook, Ryo playfully thanks Bruce, who unexpectedly thank him back, prompting Ryo to run away from the theater.
* ''Film/{{Stage Struck|1936}}'': Used as a gag a couple of times in the numbers performed by The Yacht Club Boys. In one, the radio commentator mentions "the floor of the Senate," which prompts the Yacht Club Boys to ask "the door of the Senate?", only for the radio guy to answer back "No, the floor of the Senate!"
* ''Film/MoodIndigo'': Part of the bizarre surrealism. Nicolas is watching a cooking show with a "Chef Gouffe". Chef Gouffe not only talks back to Nicolas, he hands him ingredients through the screen.

* Happens in ''EvilStar''. Matt's weird-ass aunt starts taking orders from the host of ''Series/WheelOfFortune'' or something, eventually leading her to drive a truck full of kerosene into Matt's happy-wappy little school.

* Played straight in ''Literature/Fahrenheit451'', where Montag's wife has a wallscreen TV set up so the announcer appears to address her by name. Actually the TV inserts her name in deliberate pauses made by the announcer, while distorting the vision around his mouth so his lip movements match.

* The ''Loading Ready Run'' video [[http://loadingreadyrun.com/videos/view/82/Prepared-Interview Prepared Interview]] has someone give a taped interview as part of their job application. They talk to the interviewer.

* In ''WebAnimation/GEOWeasel'':
--> And later… people talking to their [=TVs=] and expecting answers. Tonight at eleven.

* In the ''WesternAnimation/WileECoyoteAndTheRoadRunner'' cartoon ''Roadrunner A-Go-Go'' (half of the proposed pilot ''The Adventures Of The Road Runner''), Wile E. Coyote stops to talk to two boys who were watching the show and explains exactly why he wants to eat the Road Runner.
* In ''[[WesternAnimation/GarfieldSpecials Garfield Goes Hollywood]]'', the titular cat, Jon and Odie find out about Pet Search watching it on TV. This trope happens twice: one when they learn about the U$1000 prize ("One thousand dollars?" "That's right, one thousand dollars!") and again when they learn about the trip to Hollywood ("I can't believe it!" "Well, believe it.").

* ''WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes'':
** It's used with a police radio in the 1936 short ''WesternAnimation/ILoveToSinga''.
--->'''Mama Owl:''' I wonder if they found my little boy...\\
'''Police Radio:''' No we haven't, lady.
** In the short ''Cinderella Meets Fella'', Cinderella's fairy godmother is late, so she calls the police. An APB is broadcast for the fairy godmother on the radio:
--->'''Cinderella:''' I do hope they find her.
--->'''Radio officer:''' Don't worry, lady. We'll search every beer joint in town until we do!
** In ''Dog Collared'', when Porky finally escapes the big dog that's been pestering him throughout the picture, he turns on his TV set and hears a news report about that very dog:
--->'''Announcer:''' Ladies and gentlemen, this is a picture of a missing dog. Anyone returning him to 980 Chestnut Street will collect a reward of $5,000.
--->'''Porky:''' A thousand b-b-b-b-bucks?!
--->'''Announcer:''' No, ''five''-thousand b-b-b-b-bucks!
** In ''WesternAnimation/DuckDodgersInTheTwentyFourthAndAHalfCentury'', Dodgers is surveiling his adversary, Marvin the Martian, through a television set, only for Marvin to pull out a blaster and shoot him through the screen.

* ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants'':
** In "Procrastination", a newscaster not only does a report on [=SpongeBob=] trying to avoid writing an essay, but also sticks his head out of [=SpongeBob=]'s TV to confront him, causing a panicked [=SpongeBob=] to chop it in half. [[spoiler: Thankfully, it turns out to be AllJustADream.]]
** In "Squidville", Squidward interacts with an ad for a planned community [[CoincidentalBroadcast that just happened to come on his TV]].
--->'''Announcer:''' Hi there! Is this the final straw? Do you want to move so far away that you can brag about it? Would you rather tear out your brain stem, walk into the middle of the nearest three-way--\\
'''Squidward:''' Four-way.\\
'''Announcer:''' --Four-way intersection and skip rope with it than go on living where you do now?
** In "Tunnel of Glove", while watching a report on the disaster at Glove World, Patrick repeatedly says stuff is bad...only to say something that's food-related. The news reporter yells at Patrick after this happens twice.
--->'''Reporter:''' Dude, your best friend is in danger!
* Used in ''WesternAnimation/TheAngryBeavers'', where the host of a show explains how Bears can eat beavers and will be driven to do so at the slightest taste of them. Beary questions if they actually believe that he's going to eat them, and basically everything he tries to do is then mentioned on the TV show as a sign that a bear is going to eat you, culminating in the host of the show appearing in person at their house insisting that he's right.
* On the animated version of ''Series/{{Alf}}'', people on the Shumway's TV often talk to the family as well as reach out and grab them from time to time. In another instance, baby sister Augie flings a glob of food at the screen during a news broadcast, landing splat in the anchor's face.

* In one episode of ''WesternAnimation/The13GhostsOfScoobyDoo'', a movie monster personally greets Scooby and the gang, much to everyone's surprise. It quickly turns out that it's actually one of the thirteen demons possessing the TV set.
* It's also happened a few times in ''WesternAnimation/APupNamedScoobyDoo''. One one instance, a CoincidentalBroadcast starting as Shaggy is speaking even had the newscaster say "[[WeInterruptThisProgram We interrupt Shaggy to bring you a Coolsville news bulletin!]]"
* In the ''WesternAnimation/XMenTheAnimatedSeries'' episode "Mojovision," Scott and Jean are at the mall trying to buy a new TV. Mojo then appears in one of the [=TVs=], warning them not to change the channel. When the store manager attempts to do so:
-->'''Mojo:''' Hey, I warned you! ''(zaps him)''

* ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy''
** In "The King is Dead", the Griffins are watching the evening news and hear that the head of Quahog's theater troupe has died. Lois gets a phone call, asking if she'd be willing to take over his job. Everyone looks at her expectantly, even the news anchors. As soon as she says yes, they announce that Lois has taken the job -- complete with an inset of her talking on the phone ''that very minute''.
** In a more straight playing of the trope, one episode had Peter have an argument with a character in the show ''Series/TrueBlood''. {{Lampshade|Hanging}}d when the scene cuts to Bruce, watching the same episode at home.
--> '''Bruce:''' This is a strange episode.
* Happens in ''WesternAnimation/DarkwingDuck''. When [=NegaDuck=] marches into a theater to watch an action movie, he gets annoyed when he realizes it's a SickeninglySweet animated film about talking rabbits (one wonders how he missed the giant sign outside stating just that). He gets into an argument with the rabbits on the screen before dispersing them and the audience with a rifle. Then he proceeds to ''jump into the screen and roll out in a tank''.
* ''WesternAnimation/TazMania'': In "Ticket Taker Taz", Molly's radio appears to be directly answering the questions she puts to it.
* This trope is how ''WesternAnimation/CaptainCaveman'' sometimes talks to ''WesternAnimation/TheFlintstoneKids''.
* Zig-zagged in the ''WesternAnimation/MightyMouse'' cartoon "Cat Alarm." In a ruse the cats have conjured up to lure the mice out of Cheeseville, a cat with a mouse reporter puppet goes into Mighty Mouse's TV and issues an emergency:
-->'''Cat/Mouse reporter''': We interrupt Mighty Mouse's vacation to bring him this urgent news flash. The Cheeseville Dam has burst!
-->'''Mighty Mouse:''' The Cheeseville Dam?
-->'''Cat/Mouse reporter''': Yes, the Cheeseville Dam has burst, and millions of gallons of water are rushing towards the doomed city!
* ''WesternAnimation/MyGymPartnersAMonkey'': In "Leaf of Absence", when scripting their dialogue for their news interview, Adam and Jake apparently predicted what Pixiefrog would say, as they wrote responses to his inevitable questions into the dialogue.
-->'''Adam:''' This kind of thing never happened when Principal Pixiefrog was in charge. He would know what to do.
-->'''Pixiefrog:''' He would?
-->'''Adam:''' Yes, he would.
* This from the ''WesternAnimation/HeckleAndJeckle'' cartoon "The Rainmakers" when a TV reporter covers the drought precipitated when Jeckle wished it would stop raining forever:
-->'''Jeckle:''' I say...do you think I was the cause of all this?
-->'''Reporter:''' (''coming out of the TV at Jeckle'') Yes! And what are ''you'' going to do about it??!
* Happens in the ''WesternAnimation/{{Popeye}}'' short "Spinach Packin' Popeye", when Olive hears the results of Popeye's boxing match on the radio.

* From ''WesternAnimation/VeggieTalesInTheHouse'':
-->'''Bob''': I'm gonna see what else is on.\\
'''Announcer''': Don't see what else is on! There is nothing else on!

* The [[Creator/{{Terrytoons}} Gandy Goose]] cartoon "The Exterminator" has Sourpuss listening to a radio commercial for P.D.Q. Exterminators (operated by Gandy himself):
-->'''Radio:''' Is your home free of mice?\\
'''Sourpuss:''' Why, sointenly!\\
'''Radio:''' Oh, yeah? Well, just look around, bub. (''Sourpuss sees a mouse on top of the lamp'')
* A strange variation happens in ''WesternAnimation/TheGrimAdventuresOfBillyAndMandy'', when the Boogie Man possesses the TV and tells Billy that he wants to talk to Grim.
-->'''Billy:''' Oh, Grim, the TV wants to talk to you.
-->'''Grim:''' TV?
-->'''TV!Boogie:''' ''(sitting on the couch holding a martini)'' Hello, Grim.
-->'''Grim:''' ''(perplexed)'' ...Hello, TV.
* Happens frequently on ''WesternAnimation/TheJetsons'', as well, as one of many fantastical space-age advances.
* ''WesternAnimation/PennZeroPartTimeHero'': Intercom example in "Trading Faces". Rippen sighs at an announcement Principal Larry made via intercom and Larry asks if Rippen sighed and stared at the intercom with disdain. Rippen protests it's none of Larry's business and Sashi points out Larry can't hear him. Larry says he doesn't have to.

* There was an entire level in ''VideoGame/ParappaTheRapper'' like this. [[spoiler:Although it's a subverted as the TV host was literally right next to Parappa. (This fact is only revealed when you're doing badly, when you're in Cool Mode and at the end of the level (for which Parappa {{lampshade}}s by pointing out how she managed to get out of his TV).)]]
* ''VideoGame/TheNeverhood'': Not only does Willie talks directly to Klaymen through his disc recordings, he also becomes a literal subject to this by giving him the key to Klogg's lair right through the screen.
* There's an entertaining version when playing as a Malkavian in ''VideoGame/VampireTheMasqueradeBloodlines''. The news anchor that comments on plot-relevant events will sometimes address the player character; early on in the game, the anchor describes the scene of a horrible massacre and follows it with, "And we know that it was you that did it" while staring directly into the camera. Later events in the game produce similar broadcasts; after reporting Johansen being kidnapped, the news anchor will dryly remark, in his usual smarmy monotone, "Police officials have gone on record as saying 'Don't worry, that crazy bastard will save him.'" A Malk can even have a full blown ''conversation'' with the television in his safe house. The anchor tells you a joke.
* In ''VideoGame/Hitman3'', Grey wants to confront the Partners directly and let them know why he's destroyed them and their empire. You can set up a fake meeting for the two Partners in the Sheik's panic room; you can then activate the panic room and lock the two of them inside, at which point Grey will appear on the giant television screen in the center of the room and give the Partners a short ReasonYouSuckSpeech before 47 kills them.

--->'''Reporter:''' Dude, you best friend is in danger!

* In the TV miniseries of ''Literature/TheTommyknockers'', the host and contestants of a game show Becka is watching on TV start directly talking to her, correctly informing her that her husband is cheating on her[[note]]This is different from the original novel, where it was ''a picture of Jesus'' hung above the TV that began talking to her[[/note]]. Becka, [[SanitySlippage already very emotionally distraught]] and long-suspecting of such an infidelity, [[UnusuallyUninterestingSight sees absolutely nothing weird about this]] and casually discusses with them what she can do. The framing of this [[MaybeMagicMaybeMundane makes it vague as to whether it is literally something supernatural causing the projection]] or if it's [[ThroughTheEyesOfMadness just her own delusion]], but once she ends up taking on the offer [[KickTheSonOfABitch to murder him]], the same program makes suspiciously apropos commentary as she does the deed.

* The French version of ''Series/CandidCamera'' did it once to a prank victim watching ''[[Series/GoingForGold Questions Pour Un Champion]]'': Right as the guy found the answer to a question about a show where people are pranked on tape.

* One of Satou's paranoid visions in ''Anime/WelcomeToTheNHK'' includes talking with his TV set.

** ''Manga/StardustCrusaders'': Joseph uses his Hermit Purple on a TV to find any knowledge that would help the team. However, after receiving a message that there's an enemy among them, DIO appears on the monitor revealing he's aware Joseph is watching him and blasts the TV.
** ''Manga/DiamondIsUnbreakable'': While heading to bed, the television in Josuke's house suddenly turns on, and as Josuke tries to shut it off, it suddenly refers to Josuke and Jotaro by name moments before [[ShockAndAwe Chili Pepper]] reveals himself.

* Done in ''Film/{{Xanadu|1980}}'', when [[spoiler:Kira tries to prove she really is a Muse and uses her power to make a gangster on a tv show ask Sonny if he should off his captive or not.]]

* In ''Film/TheGame1997'' this is how Nicholas van Orton learns that his game has started: a doll in his room hides a camera, while a news broadcast--that was partially pre-recorded--gives him the facts.

* In the 1967 Bond spoof ''Film/{{Casino Royale|1967}}'' is a very surrealist example: Le Chiffre is watching two hit men on a security monitor. One of them marches up until he's filling the screen, then ''[[http://www.agonybooth.com/recaps/Casino_Royale_1967.aspx?Page=11 smashes his arm through the monitor]]'' and shoots Le Chiffre in the head.
* ''Film/TheOstermanWeekend''. A CoincidentalBroadcast (actually a video feed) on the illicit use of Swiss bank accounts appears on television as part of the MindScrew tactics being used against an alleged ring of traitors. At one point the CIA agent in charge uses the video feed to speak directly to the protagonist (who is working for him), only to have an OhCrap moment when the link won't turn off when someone else enters the room. The CIA then pretends he's reading a boring news report. [[spoiler:Later on when the CIA man turns out to be the villain of the piece, he uses the television to taunt the protagonist, speaking to him and broadcasting live video of his friends deaths.]]

* In the ''Series/ILoveLucy'' episode "Vitameatavegamin", Ricky returns home to find that Lucy is on TV, in a Phillip Morris commercial. And she can apparently see and hear him. That's when he realizes that she's literally ''in'' the television -- she tore out the guts of the TV and is now standing inside it.

* This one's pretty old: There's a gag in ''WesternAnimation/DuckDodgersInTheTwentyFourthAndAHalfCentury'' about Marvin the Martian shooting Daffy through a TV screen, and the old W.C. Fields movie "International House" has Fields shooting Rudy Vallee the same way, after Vallee (on television) tells him "Hold your tongue and sit down!"

* ''Wiki/SCPFoundation'':

* Pretty much the basis of the low-budget horror film ''Film/TheVideoDead'', as it involves a cursed television set that unleashes zombies into the real world. One of the heroes also encounters a [[HornyDevils succubus]]-like enemy who tries to tempt him into the television set, followed by a monster hunter who defeats her and then warns the boy through the screen about the zombies who've already escaped from it.

* ''Film/SupermanII'' has a futuristic television. It generates holograms, and uses crystals instead of [=DVDs=] or videocassettes. The answers to Superman's questions and comments are all prerecorded, but for Superman, it's as if the person is talking with him. On the other hand, the responses have no connection with anything Lex Luther says.

* A Advertising/WilkinsCoffee advertisement has [[GrumpyBear Wontkins]] trying to rag on the Wilkins commercials, but Wilkins, who is in an advertisement himself, won't let him get a word in.

* In the ''WesternAnimation/XMen'' episode, "Mojovision," Scott and Jean are at the mall trying to buy a new TV. Mojo then appears in one of the [=TVs=], warning them not to change the channel. When the store manager attempts to do so:

->''"The weather man can hear them through the TV? Can the Franchise/CareBears hear everything? (''leans in'') Are you watching me, Care Bears?"''

[[folder:Film]]

* In ''WesternAnimation/GoofTroop'' episode ''Sherlock Goof'' it's not a TV talking but written instructions to a clumsy burglar which includes "cross the room quietly" after his loud entrence, "put the valuables back" when he fill his pockets with trinkets and "don't 'aww, professor' me!" when the burglar pouts.

* In ''Film/TheGame'' this is how Nicholas van Orton learns that his game has started: a doll in his room hides a camera, while a news broadcast--that was partially pre-recorded--gives him the facts.

* In a MindScrew episode of ''Series/ForeverKnight'', Nick Knight sees his vampire 'father' [=LaCroix=] on the television quoting from "The Walrus and the Carpenter" by Lewis Carroll, his face following Nick as he walks across the room.

* Happens in ''WesternAnimation/DarkwingDuck''. When [=NegaDuck=] marches into a theater to watch an action movie, he gets annoyed when he realizes it's a TastesLikeDiabetes animated film about talking rabbits (one wonders how he missed the giant sign outside stating just that). He gets into an argument with the rabbits on the screen before dispersing them and the audience with a rifle. Then he proceeds to ''jump into the screen and roll out in a tank''.

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]

* ''ComicStrip/BloomCounty'' had Opus watching a TV ad, and firmly determined to resist its irresistible offer. The ad talks back to him as he vocally refuses. He gives in when the ad adds a discount, and orders a huge number.
** Another strip had him napping in front of the TV, and waking up just in time to hear the newscaster announce, "...are the three things which have been [[NoodleIncident found to cause massive, fatal nose warts in penguins]]." When he panics and tries to find out what they were, the newscaster chides him for not paying attention.

* ''Franchise/ThePinkPanther'' has the inspector looking straight at the camera and going, "And I will find you, killer!"

* Used [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpfOhYRYv80 in]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWxDmBocGrM both]] ''Film/HomeAlone'' movies. After watching an old black and white gangster film in an earlier scene, Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) uses the knowledge of the film's dialog to his advantage to scare away people who come to his door and can hear the audio. Probably the [[Funny/HomeAlone funniest scenes]] in the movies which don't involve {{Booby Trap}}s.

* There was an [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keuNX9gib2M entire level]] in ''VideoGame/ParappaTheRapper'' like this. [[spoiler: Although it's a subverted as the TV host was literally right next to Parappa. (This fact is only revealed when you're doing badly, when you're in Cool Mode and at the end of the level (for which Parappa {{lampshade}}s by pointing out how she managed to get out of his TV).)]]

* The Television contact in ''[[VideoGame/CityOfHeroes City of Villains]]'' plays this straight, with your character getting missions from [[WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons Bart Simpson]], ''Series/TheXFiles'', and other TV characters.

* In the ''[[WesternAnimation/WileECoyoteAndTheRoadRunner Road Runner]]'' cartoon ''Roadrunner A-Go-Go'' (half of the proposed pilot ''The Adventures Of The Road Runner''), Wile E. Coyote stops to talk to two boys who were watching the show and explains exactly why he wants to eat the Road Runner.

* ''[[WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes Merrie Melodies]]''

* Happens in the ''{{ComicStrip/Popeye}}'' short "Spinach Packin' Popeye", when Olive hears the results of Popeye's boxing match on the radio.

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles|1987}}'' at one point April winks after thanking her saviors. The Turtles argue which of them she was winking at, when she clarifies that she was winking at Splinter.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': In "Kill the Alligator and Run", Homer begins worrying about his mortality and becomes a nervous wreck. At one point, he watches an episode of ''Series/InsideTheActorsStudio'' with James Lipton interviewing Robert Evans, and he hallucinates that both are threatening to kill him.