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4
5[[quoteright:350:[[ComicBook/AdventureComics https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/aquaman_pulls_a_batman.PNG]]]]
6[[caption-width-right:350:[[ComicallyMissingThePoint A cape and a mask?]]]]
7
8->'''Johnny Cage:''' What's Raiden got that I haven't got?\
9'''Liu Kang:''' Godlike power?\
10'''Kung Lao:''' A personality that is not at all like sanding paper?\
11'''Johnny Cage:''' ... Jerks.
12-->-- ''VideoGame/MortalKombat9''
13
14When one character is jealous of another one, they use the StockPhrase "What's he got that I ain't got?" It's meant as a rhetorical question, but the DeadpanSnarker or another character will usually [[RhetoricalQuestionBlunder answer them anyway]], almost always insultingly.
15
16See also WhatDoesSheSeeInHim, and BetterPartnerAssertion, which might be what leads up to this. Overlaps with ShallowCannotComprehendTrueLove if the one asking this question is judging a romantic rival based on superficial traits.
17
18----
19!!Examples:
20
21[[foldercontrol]]
22
23[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
24* In Episode 5 of ''Anime/{{FLCL}}'', Haruko [[ShowSomeLeg titillates]] Amurao into giving her a weapon she can use against the MonsterOfTheWeek. Unlike Naota, all he can manage to summon up with his N.O. is a tiny little slingshot. When Haruko heads off into battle, leaving Amurao behind, he's reduced to screaming the trope title at her as she departs.
25* In ''Anime/{{Digimon|Adventure}}'', this is the last thing Puppetmon (AKA Pinocchimon) says before his demise. He spent much of his time tormenting the Digi-Destined out of envy beforehand, due to Cherrymon telling him they have something he lacks. [[spoiler:Cherrymon explains post-mortem that what they have are friends.]]
26* ''Manga/MakenKi'': You'd think most girls wouldn't give Takeru the time of day, considering he's [[RidiculouslyAverageGuy plain-looking]], {{book dumb}}, and [[ChivalrousPervert a lecher]]. Yet, none of it's stopped several of the hottest girls at Tenbi from [[ChickMagnet falling for him]] and it drives the other guys up the wall in confusion ''and'' frustration. Which gets lampshaded during the water polo match in Episode 9, when Celia flirts with him too:
27-->'''Guy:''' (''shouts from offscreen'') '''[[WhatDoesSheSeeInHim WHY DOES THAT JACKASS GET ALL THE GIRLS??!]]'''\
28(''guys team starts booing Takeru'')
29* ''Manga/PeachGirl'': Sae builds herself up by bringing other people down and stealing things they want from them such as her friend's boyfriends. When Momo and Toji finally manage to get together Sae is bothered by how happy Momo seems with her non-extravagant relationship with him. She tries to fill the hole that her jealousy and insecurities bring her by having her rich boyfriend buy out stores for her. When she is surrounded by all her new items she still isn't satisfied and angrily blurts out "I have way better things than her! Yet why does she (Momo) seem so damn happy all the time?! What does she have that I don't?!" She destroys some of her purchases before thinking that there must be something about Momo being with Touji that makes it seem like she's "winning" over Sae. So Sae then decides to try to steal Toji from Momo.
30[[/folder]]
31
32[[folder:Comic Books]]
33* In ''ComicBook/{{Irredeemable}}'', a flashback shows [[ElectricBlackGuy Volt]] hitting on his married teammate [[ImprobableAimingSkills Bette Noire]] and this exchange occurs:
34-->'''Volt:''' I can [[ShockAndAwe light up Vegas for a week with a sneeze]], but you're going with [[WingedHumanoid pigeonman]]. Is that how it is? What can he do that I can't?\
35'''Bette Noire:''' Can you hammer a railroad spike through a 2x4 with only your--\
36'''Volt:''' Whoa! [[TooMuchInformation Too much, don't want to know, never mind, earmuffs earmuffs!]]
37* In ''[[Comicbook/JusticeLeagueInternational Justice League Europe]]'', ComicBook/TheFlash leans in a gangly manner against a table upon learning that ComicBook/PowerGirl is interested in ComicBook/{{Aquaman}}, looks over to where Aquaman is standing in a heroic pose and asks "What does he have that I... never mind."
38[[/folder]]
39
40[[folder:Comic Strips]]
41* In ''ComicStrip/LibertyMeadows'':
42-->'''Frank:''' Look at the way Brandy's fawning over Roger. It's just disgusting. [[YouAnsweredYourOwnQuestion Take away his height, his good looks, his bulging muscles, his piercing eyes, his perfect teeth, his rock-hard abs...]] What does he have that I don't?!\
43'''Ralph:''' Brandy.
44* A cartoon gag of Ever Meulen for the Belgian magazine ''Humo'' has a grown-up version of Wiske from ''ComicBook/SuskeEnWiske'' stare lovingly at Franchise/{{Tintin}}, while the equally grown-up version of Suske asks her: "What's he got that I ain't got?"
45* One Dave Berg strip from ''Magazine/{{MAD}}'' magazine had a variant of this where a guy mocks his girlfriend's crush on a celebrity by asking "Oh come on; take away his money, looks, personality and fame, and what have ya got?" Her reply: "'''[[ArmorPiercingResponse You.]]'''"
46* ''ComicBook/{{Foxtrot}}'': Paige venomously says this of two girls, wondering what they've got that she and her best friend Nicole haven't got. Nicole obliges by pointing out their perfect bodies, their straight-A records, the half-dozen guys fighting to carry their lunch trays, one of them is a concert violinist...
47[[/folder]]
48
49[[folder:Fan Works]]
50* In the ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'' fic ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10519847/5/The-Hunters-Anthology Hunters' Anthology]]'', Eric Kalloser ([[SmugSnake The Great]]) asks this of Pyrrha, who replies:
51-->"Integrity."
52* In ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/38254861/chapters/97319088#workskin makes sure I die first]]'', a frustrated Luo Binghe asks Liu Qingge what it will take for her to "take his side" instead of loving Shen Qingqiu, as he considers both of them scum. Liu Qingge fires back she's not a ''thing'' for men to quarrel over her ownership -- and the narrative implicitly points out this is why Luo Binghe had no chance to ever make her bend to his craving for attention, since he doesn't even respect her agency when Shen Qingqiu always did.
53* In the ''Series/StargateSG1'' fic "Fanfic/WhatYouAlreadyKnow: Resolutions", Rodney [=McKay=] basically does this after learning that Sam Carter is involved with Daniel Jackson. While he doesn't explicitly ask why Sam chose Daniel over ''him'', once he sees that they're sharing a room at the Antarctic base [=McKay=] asks why Sam's dating an archaeologist who can't be anywhere near as brilliant as she is, only to receive the following speech from her;
54--> Daniel is one of the most brilliant people I have ever met. He can speak over thirty languages and can read and write dozens of dead ones. Don't you have any idea of the significance of that? And then there's the staggering amount of knowledge he has of archaeology, anthropology, and the history of languages. He has three Ph.D.s, all of which he earned by the time he reached his mid-twenties. But that's not even half of it. Daniel is capable of these... these enormous leaps of logic that, many times, have left me in the dust. He doesn't think linearly. When everyone else is still on A and B, he's jumped completely over the rest of the alphabet and reached Z. He's the kind of person who can think outside the box with ease, and, quite often, he's out there all by himself. If he'd gone into our fields of science, if that's where his talents lie, he'd make you look like an idiot.
55[[/folder]]
56
57[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
58* In ''WesternAnimation/RockADoodle'', a jealous Goldie Pheasant makes this comment while complaining about how [[ElvisImpersonator "The King"]] has become a star and she's still stuck in the chorus. Her boss, Pinky, doesn't miss a beat: "A voice!"
59* ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994'': A DeletedScene has Scar asking Zazu what Mufasa has that he doesn't. As Zazu starts rattling a long list of said qualities, Scar decides that he needs a queen... and that Nala would be an ideal candidate.
60-->'''Scar:''' "Mufasa, Mufasa..." I'm sick to death of him. What did ''he'' have that I don't have?!\
61'''Zazu:''' Nothing. You lack nothing at all. Except a few... ''minor'' things. Adoring subjects, respect of your species, a loving family, a devoted queen. Shall I go on, sire?\
62'''Scar:''' ''A queen!'' Yes! I need a queen! \
63'''Zazu:''' ''(stammers)'' [[FlatWhat A q-what?]]\
64'''Scar:''' She would rule by my side. We'll have cubs! Little Scars running all over the place! My heirs... My ''descendants''... My ''lineage!'' I will be ''immortal!''
65[[/folder]]
66
67[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
68* ''Manhattan Murder Mystery'':
69-->'''[[Creator/WoodyAllen Larry]]:''' I mean, take away his fake tan, his capped teeth, and his Cuban heels and what have you got?\
70'''Carol:''' You!
71* ''Film/DonsParty'': Middle-aged, horny, doughy Mal is frustrated that sexy Susan only pays attention to Don, the handsome host.
72-->'''Mal:''' I want a bit of sausage. What's he got that I haven't got?\
73'''Susan:''' Sex appeal.
74* ''Film/DirtyDancing'':
75-->'''Neil Kellerman:''' Last week, I took a girl from Jamie, the lifeguard. And he said to her, right in front of me, "What does he have that I don't have?" And she said, "Two hotels."
76* ''Film/TheMoneyPit'':
77-->'''Walter:''' I mean, Max ''is'' rich, successful, handsome and talented, after all. What's he have that I don't?\
78'''Anna:''' ''Walls.''
79* ''Holy Matrimony'': Ezekiel has just caught Havana cheating on him.
80-->'''Ezekiel:''' What does he have that I don't?\
81'''Havana:''' Nothing! About twenty hard years. Strong arms. Kisses great. It was the usual bar pickup stuff.\
82'''Ezekiel:''' What about the real husband stuff? What about that?\
83'''Havana:''' What is that?\
84'''Ezekiel:''' Can you trust him? Does he pray? Is he kind to plants and animals? Is his heart golden? Isn't this what a real husband supposed to be?\
85'''Havana:''' I think I'm gonna be sick.
86* From "If I Were King of the Forest" in the film of ''Film/TheWizardOfOz'':
87-->'''Cowardly Lion:''' What makes the hottentot so hot?\
88What [[YouPutTheXInXY puts the "ape" in apricot]]?\
89Whadda they got that I ain't got?\
90'''All:''' Courage.\
91'''Cowardly Lion:''' You can say that again! ''[{{Beat}}]'' [[DoubleTake Huh?]]
92* In the rather obscure 1956 French film ''Film/PluckingTheDaisy'' (''En effeuillant la marguerite''), Agnes Dumont (Creator/BrigitteBardot) needs to come up with money in a hurry and decides to enter a striptease contest, with a mask on her face and using the pseudonym Sophia. His boyfriend becomes interested in the mysterious Sophia. At one point, Agnes exclaims: "What does she have that I don't?"
93* ''Film/TheBradyBunchMovie'':
94--> '''Jan:''' [after being tossed out by a modeling agency] Why does everyone always choose [[AlwaysSomeoneBetter Marcia?!]] What does she have that I don't?!
95* ''Film/BeautyAndTheBeast2017'' has a variation, when Gaston wonders aloud why he's attracted to Belle instead of other women, beyond the fact that she's beautiful, that is. Le Fou replies it's because she has "dignity", and [[ILoveYouBecauseICantControlYou doesn't pathetically throw herself]] at Gaston like all other women in town.
96* ''Film/{{Casper}}'':
97-->'''Casper:''' What's this Vic guy got that I don't, huh?\
98'''Kat:''' [[DeadpanSnarker A pulse?]]
99* In ''Film/Deadpool2'', after being [[HalfTheManHeUsedToBe literally torn in two by the Juggernaut]], Wade pleads with Russell not to leave. As part of this, he asks what Juggernaut has that he doesn't, and hastily adds not to say 'legs'.
100-->'''Wade:''' What's Juggernaut got that I don't have? Don't you say legs! I-I know you're gonna say legs!\
101'''Russell:''' ''[flipping him off]'' Legs!\
102'''Wade:''' Still hurts to hear out loud!
103[[/folder]]
104
105[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
106* In the [[BeachEpisode Acapulco episode]] of ''Series/ElChavoDelOcho'', a small argument breaks when Doña Florinda compares the hotel they're staying at with Don Ramón's house. Don Ramón retaliates by saying that's like comparing her to Sophia Loren. Doña Florinda then asks the question, and when Professor Jirafales offers to answer, he manages to dodge a bullet by saying that Sophia Loren has "publicity".
107* ''Series/HowIMetYourMother'' episode "Purple Giraffe":
108-->'''Barney:''' What does Carlos have that I don't?\
109'''Robin:''' A date tonight?
110* ''Series/TheAvengers1960s'' episode "The Cybernauts":
111-->'''Emma Peel:''' I must say, I can't wait to meet Oyama, "The Tall Mountain".\
112'''John Steed:''' What's he got that I haven't got?\
113'''Emma Peel:''' A hobby.\
114'''John Steed:''' Archeology, philately, knitting?\
115'''Emma Peel:''' Splitting doors.
116* ''Series/TwoAndAHalfMen'' episode "Is There a Mrs. Waffles?"
117-->'''Charlie Harper:''' How does he do it? What does he have that I don't?\
118'''Alan Harper:''' Well, judging from first impressions, a genuine love of children and bladder control.\
119'''Charlie Harper:''' That was a cheap shot.\
120'''Alan Harper:''' I take them when I can.
121* ''Series/That70sShow'':
122-->'''Michael Kelso:''' What does he have that I don't? I mean, I have the three things women want: I'm hot and I'm smart.\
123'''Donna Pinciotti:''' That's two things, you moron.\
124'''Michael Kelso:''' Nuh-uh, hot counts twice.
125* ''Series/{{Cheers}}'':
126-->'''Cliff:''' What's he got that I ain't got?\
127'''Carla:''' Would you like that list alphabetically, or in order of importance?
128* When Ann starts going out with Mark on ''Series/ParksAndRecreation'', her ex-boyfriend Andy asks her this. She is somewhat aghast that he doesn't realize how obvious the answer is, what with Mark actually being a mature adult who has a job and Andy is unemployed and homeless. This causes Andy to get his first regular job as a shoeshiner in the hopes of impressing Ann.
129* In ''Series/TheXFiles'' episode "Hollywood A.D.", Mulder and Scully attend the premiere of a [[ShowWithinAShow film very loosely based on one of their cases]]. The movie versions of Mulder and Scully have sexual tension ("Is that your flashlight, Mulder, [[OrAreYouJustHappyToSeeMe or are you just happy to be lying on top of me]]?"), but in the end, movie Scully hooks up with Assistant Director Skinner. When movie Mulder protests ("What's he got that I don't?"), she replies, "Bigger flashlight."
130* ''Series/{{Mash}}'' episode "Margaret's Engagement":
131-->'''Frank:''' What's he got that I haven't got?\
132'''Margaret:''' Lips.\
133'''Frank:''' Lips aren't everything!
134* An episode of ''Series/BlueBloods'' has this question posed to Danny by a hot nightclub owner, involving Danny's wife. Danny's response? [[SeductionProofMarriage "Me."]]
135* ''Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000'':
136** In the Season 10 opener "Film/{{Soultaker}}", Mike asks this question when Joel briefly returns and tells the guys how well his life has gone since he escaped Dr. Forrester's clutches. Unlike most instances of this trope, Tom and Crow are sympathetic, telling Mike that he shouldn't worry about things like that because it isn't healthy. (Of course, the whole sequence is a playful nod to the "Joel vs. Mike" debates that had been raging on the Internet, as well as the crew's way of telling fans to lighten up about the whole thing.)
137** Playfully referenced in the "Tribute to Pants" song in the Season 4 episode "Film/HerculesAgainstTheMoonMen", when Tom Servo sings the line "What do they got that I ain't got?", to which Joel and Crow reply, "Pants!" This implies a bit of pants envy on the part of Tom, who has a hoverskirt in lieu of legs and is thus incapable of wearing them.
138[[/folder]]
139
140[[folder:Music]]
141* "What's He Got" by The Producers. [[note]]No, not ''Film/TheProducers''.[[/note]]
142* In "[[SimilarlyNamedWorks Laura (What's He Got That I Ain't Got)]]," a young man, upon learning his wife is having an affair with another man, pleads:
143-->And if there's time before I pull this trigger\
144Tell me what he's got that I ain't got
145** Originally released by a young record producer named Leon Ashley, "Laura" went to No. 1 on the country chart in the late summer of 1967 and soon became a standard, covered by Music/TomJones, Frankie Laine, Marty Robbins, Kenny Rogers, and many others.
146* Music/BrooksAndDunn's "He's Got You," asks it in its chorus, and the title is the answer.
147-->''He'll hold you tonight, but I won't\
148What's he got that I don't?\
149The one thing I thought I'd never lose\
150He's got you''
151[[/folder]]
152
153[[folder:Theater]]
154* In ''Theatre/OfTheeISing'', Diana asks Wintergreen this question, which the chorus echoes (his answer, of course, is [[ThroughHisStomach corn muffins]]):
155-->You seem to think Miss Turner hits the spot;
156But what has ''she'' got that I haven't got?
157* In Cole Porter's ''Out of This World'', Juno's ListSong "I Got Beauty" uses this line in its verse.
158* In the Broadway version of ''Theatre/TheLionKing'', [[ServileSnarker Zazu]] lights up Scar a bit more than he does in the original movie:
159-->'''Scar:''' What did my brother have that I don't have?\
160'''Zazu:''' Do you want the short list or the long?\
161'''Scar:''' ... Whatever.\
162'''Zazu:''' Well, he had a loving family--\
163'''Scar:''' ''*grunt*''\
164'''Zazu:''' --adoring subjects--\
165'''Scar:''' ''*groan*''\
166'''Zazu:''' --[[RuleOfThree a devoted queen]]--\
167'''Scar:''' [[YouNeedToGetLaid That's it, I need a queen!]]
168[[/folder]]
169
170[[folder:Video Games]]
171* ''Franchise/MortalKombat'':
172** [[FakeUltimateHero Johnny Cage]] asks this in [[VideoGame/MortalKombat9 the 2011 installment]]. He gets snarked by ''a pair of Shaolin monks''.
173--->'''Johnny Cage''': What's Raiden got that I haven't got?\
174'''Liu Kang:''' Godlike power?\
175'''Kung Lao:''' A personality that is not at all like sanding paper?\
176'''Johnny Cage:''' ''Jerks.''
177** The above exchange gets a CallBack in ''VideoGame/MortalKombat11'' as a fight intro.
178--->'''Johnny Cage:''' What's [[TheChosenOne Liu Kang]] got that I ain't got?\
179'''Kung Lao:''' A personality that is not at all like sanding paper?\
180'''Johnny Cage:''' [[{{Touche}} Ouch]].
181** This moment gets called back again in another intro in ''VideoGame/MortalKombat1'', but this time the shoe is on the other foot.
182--->'''Ashrah:''' I'm sorry, Kung Lao, but I am spoken for.\
183'''Kung Lao:''' [[IronicEcho What's Syzoth got that I haven't got?]]
184[[/folder]]
185
186[[folder:Web Comics]]
187* The ''Webcomic/PennyArcade'' comic "[[http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2005/2/11/ A Truly Remarkable Circumference]]":
188-->'''Clonetrooper 1:''' I mean, what's he have that I don't?\
189'''Clonetrooper 2:''' Well, and this is just for starters, the Wookiee penis is about as big around as my thigh.
190[[/folder]]
191
192[[folder:Western Animation]]
193* ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents'': "You mean besides the clothes, the hair, the money, and the stuff?"
194* ''WesternAnimation/{{Popeye}}''. A question often posed by Brutus about Popeye.
195* ''WesternAnimation/{{Animaniacs}}'':
196-->'''Dot:''' I'd be a great model. What's Christie Brinkley got that I don't?\
197'''Yakko & Wacko:''' Music/BillyJoel.
198* ''WesternAnimation/BackAtTheBarnyard'': As Otis and friends watch an {{expy}} of the show ''Series/{{Punkd}}'':
199-->'''Otis:''' What's he got that I don't?
200-->'''Pip:''' His own show, fame, good looks, great pranks, writers.
201-->'''Otis:''' [[LeaningOnTheFourthWall I got a couple of those]].
202* ''WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes'':
203** ''WesternAnimation/DaffyDuck in Hollywood'':
204--->'''Daffy:''' (''flattering a studio cop'') What's Creator/ErrolFlynn got that you ain't got? (''[[AsideComment to audience]]'') Don't answer that!
205** ''Daffy Dilly'':
206--->'''Daffy:''' (''breaking from interrogating a butler like a detective'') What's Creator/HumphreyBogart got that I ain't got?
207** In the cartoon ''The Bear's Tale'', a retelling of the Three Bears story, Literature/{{Goldilocks}} takes a wrong turn and ends up at [[Literature/LittleRedRidingHood Grandma's house]]. The wolf, who's already in bed and dressed as Grandma tells her to beat it because he's waiting for Little Red Riding Hood. Goldilocks leaves asking what Red has that she doesn't. Once she's gone, the wolf realizes that she has a point and decides to go to bear's house to wait for her.
208* ''WesternAnimation/JimmyTwoShoes'': In "Pet Rocky", we get this bit of dialogue when Beezy is frustrated by how his new pet is showing more affection for Jimmy than him.
209-->'''Beezy:''' What's Jimmy got that I don't?\
210'''[[LittleMissSnarker Heloise]]:''' A brain.
211* ''WesternAnimation/HeyArnold:''
212-->'''Helga:''' What's she [Ruth [=MacDougal=]] got that I haven't got?\
213'''Phoebe:''' Let me check my list: Long slender legs. A dazzling smile. Shiny chestnut hair.
214* From the ''WesternAnimation/JohnnyTest'' BeachEpisode: After Susan and Mary's crush Gil's attention is stolen by a hot blonde in a [[WalkingSwimsuitScene swimsuit]], this conversation takes place:
215-->'''Susan:''' What does she have that we don't?\
216'''Johnny:''' A gorgeous face, a perfect tan, strong white teeth...\
217'''Mary:''' Hey, we have... strong white teeth.
218* An episode of the ''WesternAnimation/TheArchieShow'' has Betty and Veronica rewarding Archie for winning a foot race against Reggie with kisses. Hot Dog licks Jughead's face, repulsing him:
219-->'''Hot Dog:''' (''thought'') What's Veronica got that I haven't got? Hmph. Must be her tutti-fruity lipstick.
220* Done hilariously in ''WesternAnimation/StaticShock'' while the titular hero is musing over another kid's popularity (hilarious considering that the person asking has superpowers):
221-->'''Virgil:''' What does Derek Barnet got that I don't have?\
222'''Richie:''' Let's make a list: Looks, height, all-state in track and field. Shall I quit while you're behind?\
223'''Virgil:''' (''not amused'') I thought we were tight, Rich.
224* In ''WesternAnimation/DonkeyKongCountry'', Bluster asks Candy this.
225-->'''Bluster:''' What does that big hairy ape have that I don't?\
226'''Candy:''' Well...\
227'''Bluster:''' Yes?\
228'''Candy:''' Well, he's a big hairy ape. And you're not.\
229'''Bluster:''' Ouch.
230[[/folder]]

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