A mysterious man gives Ash a bundle and runs off, asking him to wait for him to come back. The bundle contains a Smoochum, the pre-evolved form of Jynx. Our heroes discover that the man is the famous movie star Brad Van Darn. They try to get Smoochum back to Brad but his manager Vitzo tries to block them from returning it, fearing that a cutesy Pokémon like Smoochum would ruin Brad's tough action hero reputation if his fans found out he had it. Brad, however, is loyal to his Smoochum, who has been loyal to him throughout his career, and Ash manages to return Smoochum to Brad. But Vitzo, wanting to get rid of Smoochum, hires Team Rocket disguised as security guards to take it away.
Tropes
- All Part of the Show: Brad's fans mistake him rushing onstage to confront Team Rocket and rescue Smoochum, Ash and his friends for him giving a performance.
- Badass Pacifist: Brad knows some surprisingly impressive acrobatics that helps him to evade Team Rocket before the twerps can burst free.
- Cuteness Proximity: Turns out Vitzo's fears are unwarranted — all of Brad's fans love Smoochum. Even Jessie finds it adorable.
- On a minor note, Jessie takes the time to point this out to Pikachu after luring him into a trap. Complete with pulling on the electric mouse's cheeks, much to his displeasure.
- Jerkass: Vitzo, Brad's manager, who not only openly despises Smoochum and wants Brad to get rid of it just to protect his image, but tries to have Smoochum kidnapped.
- Pun: The episode's title refers to the Screen Actors Guild.
- Rubber Face: Jessie pulls on Pikachu's cheek.
- Real Men Wear Pink: Brad has no problems with people knowing about Smoochum.
- Shout-Out: Brad van Darn is a Bowdlerized version of Jean-Claude van Damme. Apparently, "van Damme" couldn't get past the censors.
- Undying Loyalty: Smoochum, as explained by Brad as having stuck by him throughout his career even during his rough patches. Likewise, Brad is this to Smoochum.
