Rhetorical Question Blunders in Western Animation.
- Adventure Time:
- In the pilot, after Pen throws snowballs at a fire elemental for no apparent reason, the elemental sarcastically asks how old he is. The implied dig at his maturity goes over his head.
- "Mystery Dungeon":Finn: (ruefully) Who in this world is sadder than the Ice King?
Shelby: (snarky) Me, watching this. - "The Light Cloud"Finn: You think the outside world is scary. Well, you know what's really scary?
Bystander 1: Bees!
Bystander 2: Germs!
Bystander 3: Frogs!
Bystander 4: Crowds!
(the last bystander looks around and shrinks away in a panic)
- American Dad!:Stan: Is there anything better than night tennis?
Klaus: Ja! A racially pure Europe! - From the Animaniacs segment "Bumbie's Mom"Slappy: Have I ever lied to you before?
Skippy: You said keno was legal in Burbank, you said Magilla Gorilla was a woman, you said—
Slappy: Can it! - Archer:Mallory: So if Crane really is behind all these accidents, the question is how do we catch him?
Cyril: Oh, you're asking me. Sorry. I thought that was rhetorical.
Mallory: Why would I be asking rhetorical questions?
Cyril: Bec-
Mallory: That one was! - Avatar: The Last Airbender:
- "The Fortuneteller":
Sokka: Look! Can your fortune telling explain THAT!?
[Cut to a volcano clearly on the verge of eruption, despite the town fortune-teller's reading that the volcano wouldn't destroy the town that year]
Villager: Pff. Can your SCIENCE explain why it RAINS?
Sokka: YES! YES IT CAN!- In "The Runaway," Katara confronts Toph about her habit of conning people out of money by showing Toph one of her wanted posters:
Katara: What's this?!Toph: I DON'T KNOW! I mean, seriously, what's with you people?! I'm BLIND! - Batman: The Animated Series:
- In "Joker's Millions", the Clown Prince of Crime has a caper go sour because he keeps running out of bullets, squirting flower acid, etc. His problems continue when he attempts to flee the scene:Joker: I thought I told you to get gas!
Harley Quinn: We're broke, remember? What was I supposed to do? Fill the tank, shoot the guy, and drive off?
Joker: (affirmative "mm-hmm" mumble).
Harley Quinn: Now you tell me! - In The New Batman Adventures episode "Girl's Night Out", Livewire asks Harley if she's out of her mind, which she thinks about for a few seconds before answering "Yeah."
- In "Joker's Millions", the Clown Prince of Crime has a caper go sour because he keeps running out of bullets, squirting flower acid, etc. His problems continue when he attempts to flee the scene:
- In the Beetlejuice episode "Poultrygeist," Beetlejuice is tormented by a sentient roast chicken from his refrigerator that has an answer for every question which it writes on a note pad. Lydia has the solution—ask it questions that have no answer.Lydia: What's the sound of one hand clapping? (Chicken is about to write but is stumped)
Beetlejuice: And if a log falls on a lumberjack in the forest and no one's around, does he make a sound? (Chicken now getting frustrated)
Lydia: (winks to B.J.) Now here's the clincher. (to chicken) Hey, poultrygeist… which came first, the chicken or the egg? (Chicken loses it and explodes) - Clifford the Big Red Dog:
- Another example from Clifford's Really Big Movie:Cleo: We need a plan, guys!
T-Bone: Alright, who's got a plan?
Cleo: I do.
Clifford: Are you sure?
Cleo: Have I ever steered you wrong?
Clifford & T-Bone: Well—
Cleo: Don't answer that.
- Another example from Clifford's Really Big Movie:
- From Clone High:Mr. Butlertron: What would the real Joan of Arc have done?
Joan: She would have listened to her heart. And then she would've gotten burned at the stake. [nervous laugh] But what are the odds of that happening again?
Mr. Butlertron: 38%. - From the Chowder episode "Schnitzel Makes a Deposit":Old Lady: Would you care for a free lollipop?
Chowder: Would I‽
Old Lady: Would you?
Chowder: Would I‽
Old Lady: Would you? - In the Codename: Kids Next Door movie Operation: Z.E.R.O., Father asking the villains what could be more evil than him leads to a bunch of silly suggestions by the assembled villains on what they think is "evil".
- Subverted in Donkey Kong Country: when things start to go bad for King K. Rool, he loudly asks "Where is Klump when I need him‽" Krusha, of all lizards, asks whether or not that was rhetorical.
- Has happened a couple times on Ed, Edd n Eddy.Eddy: Do I look like twenty bucks or what?
Edd: "Or what?" is a good question…
Eddy: I was born to fleece, Double D! Do you know who I think I am?
Edd: Unfortunately, yes.
Eddy: Oh? A Smart guy huh?
Edd: Only when you're around, Eddy.
Eddy: What could be more important than Master Eddy?
Ed: COOKIE DOUGH!! Yum-yum-yum-yum-yum-yum-yum-yum!
Eddy: What would we do without you, Double D?
Ed: Live the life of Riley?.
Eddy: Will you ever cease to amaze me, Ed?
Ed: Yes I will!
Edd: Ed! What in heaven's name were you thinking‽
Ed: Absolutely nothing, Double D.- Maybe he's learning his lesson: in The Movie, Eddy, having gotten stranded in the middle of the desert with his friends, says to Double D, "Have I ever steered you wrong? Don't answer that."
- The Fairly OddParents!: In the episode "The Secret Origin of Denzel Crocker", it's Mr. Crocker's birthday and he's angrier than usual to his students. His method of torturing AJ, the resident Insufferable Genius, is by posing the question "If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?", causing AJ to freak out when he can't answer it. Crocker later asks him "What is the sound of one hand clapping?", and when AJ can't answer that either, the left side of his head collapses.
- The Flintstones:Fred: Barney, my boy, did I ever give you a bum steer?
Barney: Well…
Fred: [covering Barney's mouth] Don't answer that, Barney!- In another episode, after Wilma sleep-hypnotizes Fred into being more assertive, he confronts Mr. Slate in his office and asks questions like "Have I ever let you down?", "Have I ever screwed up on the job?", etc. Slate answers "yes" to each question. (Despite that, he's sufficiently intimidated by Fred's new attitude to give in when he demands a raise.)
- Futurama really likes doing this with "is it not" questions:
- "Obsoletely Fabulous'' has:Bender: If that stuff wasn't real, how can I be sure anything is real? Is it not possible, nay, probable, that my entire life is just a figment of my or someone else's imagination?
Technician: No. Get out. - The Beast with a Billion Backs has a similar example:Farnsworth: I know this anomaly is terrifying, but, as scientists, is it not our sworn duty to seek out knowledge, even at the cost of our very lives?
Stephen Hawking's head: No. - "Love's Labours Lost In Space" has this inversion:Zapp Brannigan: We have failed to uphold Brannigan's Law. However, I made it with a hot alien babe. And, in the end, is that not what man has dreamt of since first he looked up at the stars? [Beat] Kif, I'm asking you a question!
- "Obsoletely Fabulous'' has:
- Gargoyles:
- In the Five-Episode Pilot when names are being given to the gargoyles that don't have any, one of them argues against the ludicrous human custom of naming everything. He rhetorically asks if the river needs a name, only to be informed that the river in question is called the Hudson. He finally gives up the argument at that, and adopts the name of the river as his own.
- In the "Avalon" three-parter, when the Archmage learns that human sorcery (i.e the Grimorum) isn't allowed on Avalon, his future self gives him a surprising solution.
- Defied in The Garfield Show episode "Perfect Pizza" when Garfield gets caught in a pizza-making machine.Garfield: (To the audience) Do I look like a ball of dough? No, don't answer that. HELP!
- Get Ace: In the episode "Bandemonium", Ace decides to take up the guitar in order to impress his crush Tina.Ace: Tina loves the guitar.
Hugo: Well she loves her dog, too. Would you eat dog food to impress her?
Ace: Well, if this doesn't work, it's Plan B. - A few instances on Goof Troop:
- In the earlier instance, Max is trying to convince PJ to ask Pete to take him fishing. This probably would have worked better if Pete weren't a Jerkass who treats PJ very poorly:Max: Aww, Peej! Fishing with your dad! What could be more fun?
PJ: Eating glass! You got any idea what fishing with him is like‽ - PJ is just as guilty as Max is of giving Pete too much credit in this form, however, as he asks this when it's discovered Pete has been stealing water from Goofy's pipe. PJ, at least, catches himself:PJ: Wait, what's that supposed to mean, Max, huh? Are you suggesting that my dad would do something unethical or dishonest? (realization) 'Scuse me. For the sake of our friendship, don't answer that.
- In the earlier instance, Max is trying to convince PJ to ask Pete to take him fishing. This probably would have worked better if Pete weren't a Jerkass who treats PJ very poorly:
- Inverted in the Gravity Falls episode "The Time Traveler's Pig":Blendin: Do you have any idea how many rules you just broke? [Beat] I'm asking. I wasn't there. It was probably a lot, right?
- Hazbin Hotel has a serious one in episode 6 of the first season, when Adam rhetorically asks that, if Angel fulfilled all the things on his half-assed checklist and earned entry into Heaven, "Why isn't he here?" - prompting Emily to realize he has a valid point anyway.
- Jimmy Two-Shoes:
- An episode of Johnny Test where Johnny uses a device to reanimate the corpses of Porkbelly's founding fathers has this exchange:Lila: Johnny, how many times have your father and I said not to bring back the dead‽
Johnny: Um, never?
Hugh: Well, we shouldn't have to! - Kim Possible:
- From "A Very Possible Christmas:Ron: What? I'm supposed to let you take over the world?
Drakken: In the spirit of the season, yes! - From "A Sitch in Time":Monkey Fist: Can you two buffoons take this outside?
Killigan: At thirty thousand feet?
Monkey Fist: Precisely.
- From "A Very Possible Christmas:
- Daffy Duck while flattering a cop in the Looney Tunes short "Hollywood Daffy": "What's Errol Flynn got that you ain't got? [to audience] Don't answer that!"note
- In "Kitty Kornered", after Sylvester and his fellow cats have been put out on a freezing-cold night:Sylvester: Are we men, or are we mice?
Small Cat: I like cheese…
Sylvester: (dope slaps the small cat) Smack!
- In "Kitty Kornered", after Sylvester and his fellow cats have been put out on a freezing-cold night:
- Milo Murphy's Law: Played with in the episode "The Note":Melissa: When we signed up to be Milo's friends, we knew it wouldn't be easy…
Zack: I don't remember signing anything.
Melissa: …So are we going to find that note?
Milo: That's a good question.
Zack: You're supposed to say "yes", Milo. - My Little Pony:
- My Little Pony 'n Friends: In "The End of Flutter Valley, Part 4", when Sting voices concerns about the swarm's increasingly villainous activities when Queen Bumble orders him to guard Morning Glory, she asks him whether he wishes to remain her right hand or not. He starts answering that he's not actually too sure about that, but an angry Bumble cuts him short and orders him to just go guard the prisoner already.
- My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic:
- In "Friendship is Magic, part 1", Nightmare Moon's demand for recognition backfires when Pinkie Pie treats it as guessing game.Nightmare Moon: Am I not royal enough for you? Don't you know who I am?
Pinkie Pie: Ooh, ooh, more guessing games! Um, Hokey Smokes? How 'bout… Queen Meanie? No, Black Snooty! Black Snooty!
[Applejack tries to shut Pinkie up by stuffing a cupcake in her mouth] - Pinkie does it again in "Dragonshy":Rainbow Dash: Hey! What are you waiting for, an invitation?
Pinkie Pie: Ooh, I think I have one in my bag! - Sweetie Belle gets in on the act in "Sisterhooves Social":Rarity: Sweetie Belle, what am I going to do with you‽
Sweetie Belle: Oh, we could paint together! We could ride bikes, play chess, sing a song, catch frogs, pillow fight…
Rarity: That's not what I meant!
- In "Friendship is Magic, part 1", Nightmare Moon's demand for recognition backfires when Pinkie Pie treats it as guessing game.
- The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: "Lights Out" begins with Rabbit storming into Pooh's house after he allowed the bear to borrow his shovel, but Pooh forgot to return it.Rabbit: Pooh, I want my shovel back right now!
Pooh: Your shovel?
Rabbit: You promised you'd return it last week, you silly bear! If I don't begin planting my carrots at the stroke of 12, how will they grow up to be midnight snacks‽
Pooh: I don't know, Rabbit. Uh… how?
(beat)
Rabbit: (pulling his ears in frustration) AAARGH!!! - In the first episode of Over the Garden Wall, Wirt and Greg have this exchange on first meeting Beatrice:Wirt: What in the world is going on‽
Greg: Well, you're slapping yourself, and I'm answering your question, and… - Phineas and Ferb: "You wanna live forever?" "Was that an option?"
- Polly Pocket: In "Vet on it", Polly asks if there's a better two-word combination than "snack buffet". Lila says "clearance sale" and Shani says "scientific discovery". Polly says it was a rhetorical question.
- Queer Duck: When they attend the funeral of a friend who died of AIDS:Openly Gator: (sobbing) Why him? Why him?
Queer Duck: Oh, I don't know, because he was a condom-hating, intravenous drug user with a Haitian boyfriend?
Openly Gator: That was a rhetorical wail! - ReBoot: In "Nullzilla", Hack and Slash are searching Lost Angles for Megabyte's pet Null Nibbles, and run into Mike the TV, who's just fled from a bunch of Nulls that suddenly swarmed Hexadecimal after she was attacked by a Web Creature.Hack: We're looking for a null.
Slash: That's right, uh, have you seen one?
Mike: Have I seen one? Have I seen one‽ …That's a joke, right?
Hack: Hey, whaddaya mean "joke"?
Slash: Joke. Noun. Something said or done to cause laughter; something not in earnest or ridiculous. - Rocky and Bullwinkle:
- In one episode, Boris says something to the effect of "Do I look like the kind of guy who'd lie to you? Don't answer that."
- Also:Boris: What did I ever do to deserve this?
Natasha: Well…
Boris: Don't answer that.
- The episode "Predator" of Sealab 2021 has this inverted example:Stormy: You and I may have to repopulate the human species, Debby!
Debby: That's disgusting!
Stormy: (flirtingly) Is it?… [beat]… (seriously) Well is it?
Debby: YES!- The bit is echoed later in the same episode with Captain Murphy and Dr. Quinn.
- The Simpsons:
- In "Homer to the Max":Bart: This isn't bad!
Homer: "Isn't bad"? Tell me one thing mankind has ever done that's any better?
Lisa: The Renaissance?
Homer: This is better! - And again in "Dead Putting Society":Lisa: What is the sound of one hand clapping?
Bart: Piece of cake. [clenches his hand so the fingers slap against the palm]
Lisa: No, Bart, it's a 3000-year-old riddle with no answer. It's supposed to clear your mind of conscious thought.
Bart: No answer? Lisa, listen up! [clenches his hand again] - And also heavily lampshaded in "Mother Simpson", as seen in the page quote.
- In "Hello Gutter, Hello Fadder", when Homer is pulled over for speeding:Chief Wiggum: All right, smart guy. Where's the fire?
Homer: Over there. (points to the Springfield Police Station building on fire)
Wiggum: Okay, you just bought yourself a 3-17: pointing out police stupidity. Or is that a 3-14? Nah, nah. 3-14 is a dog, uh-- No. Or is that a 3-15? You're in trouble, pal! - Inverted in "House of Whacks", where the Simpsons get a new Smart House with the voice of Pierce Brosnan, which is incredibly sophisticated, yet is still a machine and so seems to have an overly literal understanding of human language.Marge: Pierce, that was delicious! Can we help you with the dishes?
House: Marge, what kind of cybertronic ultrabot would I be if I let those beautiful hands touch dishwater?
Marge: Oh! [laughs sheepishly]
House: No, I'm asking.
Marge: Oh! Uh...not a very good one?
House: Damn straight. - "Homer the Vigilante", where Homer starts a neighborhood watch group.Lisa: Dad, don't you see that you're abusing your power like all vigilantes? I mean, if you're the police, who will police the police?
Homer: I dunno. Coast Guard? - In "A Star Is Burns", Rainier Wolfcastle is interviewed about his McBain movie by Jay Sherman.Jay: How do you sleep at night?
Rainier: On top of a pile of money, with many beautiful ladies.
Jay: Just asking. Yeesh!- During the same episode, a couple women are complimenting Barney Gumble's short film when the man himself thanks them.Woman: Did something crawl into your mouth and die?
Barney: It didn't die.
- During the same episode, a couple women are complimenting Barney Gumble's short film when the man himself thanks them.
- The epilogue of "Simpsorama" with Lrrr and Ndnd:Ndnd: What happened to the handsome man I married?
Lrrr: I ate him. Remember? - The occasional Running Gag involving a member of the family trying to make Marge understand why her actions are annoying them by describing an equivalent action on their part that she'd love to have them do (with the roles reversed at least once when Marge asked Homer, who'd blundered into success in one of her own areas of expertise, how he'd like it if she entered a belching contest: "Frankly, I'd be a little turned on.")Bart: Look, Mom, it feels really weird having you on my turf. How would you feel if I started mopping the floor?Marge: I'd be thrilled! You can start right now!
- In "Monty Can't Buy Me Love," Mr. Burns is trying to capture the Loch Ness Monster and gets impatient with the assistants he's brought along.Mr. Burns: Where's my monster, tubby? What do you people think I'm paying you for?
Homer: Uh, to work in your power plant?
Groundskeeper Willie: You're not paying me anything.
Professor Frink: You kidnapped me, I remember it distinctly, with the grabbing and the duct taping and the tennis ball in the mouth that hurt me. - In "Poppa's Got A Brand New Badge", during news coverage of a riot:Kent Brockman: I think what the viewers want to know, Arnie, is "Is my house okay?"Arnie Pye: You mean "is your giant castle okay?", Kent?Kent: Don't hate me because I bought at the right time, Arnie.Arnie: When's my "right time", Kent? When's my right time?!
- In "Dog Of Death":Smithers: People like dogs, sir.Burns: Nonsense, dogs are idiots! Think about it, Smithers. If I came into your house and started sniffing at your crotch, and slobbering all over your face, what would you say?
- In "Guess Who's Coming To Criticize Dinner?", Springfield's restaurateurs talk about how to get back at Homer for his Caustic Critic reviews.Restaurateur: Well I say we ban Homer from our restaurants.Akira: No, that would be impolite. I say we kill him!Capt. McCallister: Does that answer your question?
- In "Homer to the Max":
- SpongeBob SquarePants:
- In "SB-129", Squidward ends up in prehistoric times and teaches SpongeBob and Patrick's ancestors about jellyfishing so they won't bother him. When he returns to the present:SpongeBob: Does this mean you wanna go…
SpongeBob and Patrick: …Jellyfishing?
Squidward: No! D'oh! Who's the barnacle head who invented that game, anyway?
SpongeBob and Patrick: You are, Squidward! [laugh]
Squidward: I'm going back. - In "Wet Painters", when SpongeBob puts a drop of paint on a wall of Mr. Krabs' house and attempts to use a hairdryer to direct it away from his knick-knacks, only to create a giant bubble:SpongeBob: Barnacles! What could be worse than a giant paint bubble?
Patrick: Oh, I know! [grabs a bubble wand, dips it in a paint bucket and makes another bubble] Two giant paint bubbles!
SpongeBob: Nooooo!
*The two bubbles combine to form a bigger bubble*
SpongeBob: Patrick?
Patrick: Yeah, SpongeBob?
SpongeBob: I don't think this bubble can get much bigger…
Patrick: [an air pump inserted into the bubble] Nonsense! [starts pumping it until it explodes] - In "Patrick SmartPants," this leads to a "Eureka!" Moment when Patrick figures out why he's suddenly become super-intelligent.Patrick: When did the fun go away, SpongeBob?
SpongeBob: It went away when you went over that cliff and your head came clean off. - In "Growth Spout," Mr. Krabs is trying to convince Squidward not to call the cops on him for breaking into his house and stealing all his food. Squidward snarks, "You'll what? You'll give me your golden tooth?" Mr. Krabs yanks the sucker out and gives it to Squidward right then and there.SpongeBob: I didn't know Mr. Krabs had a gold tooth.
Squidward: Neither did I.
- In "SB-129", Squidward ends up in prehistoric times and teaches SpongeBob and Patrick's ancestors about jellyfishing so they won't bother him. When he returns to the present:
- Star vs. the Forces of Evil
- From the first episode, "Star Comes to Earth", we have this exchange:Star: Ludo! How'd you know I was here?
Ludo: Heh heh heh, wouldn't you like to know?
Star: (completely serious) Yes, that's why I asked.
Ludo: Well, Buff Frog… Hey! I don't have to tell you anything! - In "Mathmagic", Star bursts out laughing in math class after Janna tells her the Chicken Joke. When Miss Skullnick angrily asks "What's so funny?", Star tries explaining what makes "Why did the chicken cross the road?" a piece of "classic Anti-Humor".
- From the first episode, "Star Comes to Earth", we have this exchange:
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars, "Storm Over Ryloth": After being informed that scans reveal Anakin is the only lifeform aboard the Defender Tuuk gives a disbelieving "What?" that causes the droid to start repeating its report verbatim before Tuuk cuts it off as he realizes it's a trap.
- Steven Universe: In "The Trial", the Defense Zircon falls into this when she starts to question the official story of Rose Quartz shattering Pink Diamond. It's especially funny since Blue Diamond really did ask that question earlier in the episode.Zircon: The only question no one seems to be asking is, "How?"
Blue Diamond: (indignant) I've been asking that question.
Zircon: (nervous) And right you are to ask, my Diamond! - A variation in Livewire's introductory episode of Superman: The Animated Series. She is a radio shock jock being interviewed by Lois Lane and Clark Kent regarding her hatred and constant harassment of Superman. During the interview, Clark becomes distracted when his super senses realize that a construction crane is collapsing, and she sarcastically asks if she is boring him. Needing to leave to rescue the people in danger, Clark flatly responds that yes, she is boring him, and he gets up and walks out of the interview.
- Teen Titans Go!: After being busted canoodling by Gizmo (A super-genius five year old), Cyborg and Jinx try to convince him they were actually fighting over the ice cream cone they were sharing.Gizmo: STOP! Do I look like I was born yesterday?
Jinx and Cyborg: "Yes." "A little."
(Gizmo's face is replaced with a live action baby and SFX of a baby crying) - In the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987) episode "Donatello Trashes Slash", Donatello gets ready to demonstrate his new pizza-slicer. Understandably, the other turtles aren't too crazy about it.Leonardo: Uh, Donatello, are you sure this is such a good idea?
Donatello: Hey, have you ever known one of my inventions to fail?
(his brothers stare, giving an obvious answer)
Donatello: Uh, never mind. Don't answer that. - In the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003) episode "The Shredder Strikes, Part 1", when Master Splinter is about to lecture Leo, the other Turtles are amused to see the perfect older brother make a mistake and be reprimanded by their Sensei. Unfortunately, Mike ends up laughing, which leads to this:Master Splinter: Michelangelo! Do you think I am funny?
Mike: Um, yeah! I mean sometimes. (Don facepalms) There was that time you told that joke about the ox and the sparrow. It wasn’t really a joke, but it was funny and— (gets nudged by Don) Oof! I mean, no, Master Splinter. - Used in Total Drama World Tour, when Chris was trying to tell the contestants that one of them would have to ride in the baby carriage as part of their challenge.Chris: And what's a baby carriage without a baby?
Owen: Oooh! A SHOPPING CART!
Chris: It was a rhetorical question! - This exchange from Transformers: Prime.Megatron: How long does it take to exterminate a lone Autobot and her human pet‽
Starscream: Well, in my experience…
Megatron: Not a riddle, Starscream! - In the Wander over Yonder episode "The It", Wander tries to get Lord Hater to play tag with him while Hater is planning his next big invasion, but Lord Hater assures his minions he's not going to let himself get distracted by Wander's antics again.Lord Hater: Do you think I'm going to let some silly game ruin my chances at galactic superiority?
Watchdog: Uh, you do seem to do that a lot, so… (gets zapped by Peepers)
