Cell Phones
From Homestar Runner Wiki
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Bleu Ninja (Talk | contribs) (Describe appearances rather than having a long lede (not in the mood to look up SBCG4AP deets at the moment). Some historical context/remarks to bring this up-to-date with the smartphone era.) |
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*Email [[bike thief]] {{--}} Pom Pom takes a call on his phone during a break from bicycling. | *Email [[bike thief]] {{--}} Pom Pom takes a call on his phone during a break from bicycling. | ||
*Email [[rated]] {{--}} Strong Bad [[Strong Bad Email Intros|kicks off the email by singing]] "My email is a cell phone. No, it's not! My email is a {{w|car phone|CAR phone}}! That's right." | *Email [[rated]] {{--}} Strong Bad [[Strong Bad Email Intros|kicks off the email by singing]] "My email is a cell phone. No, it's not! My email is a {{w|car phone|CAR phone}}! That's right." | ||
| - | *[[Homestar Ruiner]] | + | *[[Homestar Ruiner]] {{--}} Early in the game, Homestar gets a call from Marzipan on his cell phone. While discussing the call with Strong Bad, Homestar punts his phone in frustration towards Coach Z. Strong Bad then steals the phone and [[Homestar Ruiner Responses#Cell Phone|prank calls all of Homestar's speed dials]]. |
| - | *[[8-Bit is Enough]] | + | *[[8-Bit is Enough]] {{--}} Strong Bad still has Homestar's phone from the first episode, [[8-Bit is Enough Responses (House of Strong)#Messy Pile|under a messy pile on his bed]]. He called a Ukrainian weather {{w|Speaking clock|update line}}, and simply left the line open for the past few months. Strong Bad later [[8-Bit is Enough Responses (The Field)#Cell Phone|uses the phone to call]] the [[Videlectrix]] helpline to repair the [[TROGDOR! Arcade Machine]]; when he [[8-Bit_is_Enough_Responses_(The_Field)#Logic_Board_.E2.86.92_Trogdor_Machine|triggers a radiation explosion]], the phone is destroyed. |
*[[Best Caper Ever]] {{--}} Homestar owns a {{w|satellite phone}}, which he throws into the ocean in annoyance as it pokes him. | *[[Best Caper Ever]] {{--}} Homestar owns a {{w|satellite phone}}, which he throws into the ocean in annoyance as it pokes him. | ||
*[[Squintmojis]] {{--}} A mockup of a typical smartphone text message conversation is shown. Homestar uses a smartphone in an "Actual Talk-Say" demonstration. | *[[Squintmojis]] {{--}} A mockup of a typical smartphone text message conversation is shown. Homestar uses a smartphone in an "Actual Talk-Say" demonstration. | ||
Current revision as of 06:05, 11 February 2026
Cell phones allow people to call or message their friends and acquaintances while on-the-go, though the use of such mobile devices is limited in Free Country, USA. Characters typically prefer to visit with (or bother) each other in person; when phones are involved, they are just as likely to use home phones as they are cells. Several early toons feature characters borrowing Pom Pom's cell phone, suggesting they did not own a phone of their own. For out-of-universe context, most Homestar Runner toons were created before the launch of the iPhone, in a time when text messaging — or even owning a cell phone (or especially a smartphone) — could be somewhat of a novelty.
Some characters have been depicted with out-of-date oversized "brick" phones. Pom Pom, by contrast, used more up-to-date devices. His primary phone is a flip phone with an odd design: it only has nine buttons, apparently lacking several common functions (e.g., call, hang up, or even a 0 key). He also has been seen with a Treo 650 phone (as well as a Pom Pilot PDA).
In later years, slate form-factor smartphones have been depicted as the prevailing mobile device. Many have the Tandy star on the reverse, in a parody of the Apple icon common to iPhones.
The Shopify Store sold a selection of iPhone cases, as did the Spring store.
[edit] Appearances
- Debut: Marzipan's Answering Machine Version 1.0 — Homestar Runner leaves a message for Marzipan, requesting she call Pom Pom's cell phone to get in touch with the two of them.
- Yearbook Character Page — Pom Pom's autograph includes his cell phone number (123-555-8307), along with his home phone and pager.
- Where's The Cheat? — Strong Bad borrows Pom Pom's cell phone; Pom Pom simply absorbs the phone into his gelatinous body when it is not in use.
- Email action figure — The Pom Pom action figure includes a "secret cell phone!" accessory.
- Pom Pom's Character Video — Pom Pom is recorded while on his phone, to his annoyance.
- Marzipan's Answering Machine Version 8.0 — Stinkoman dials the wrong number on his cell phone, but makes the most of it by asking Marzipan for a challenge.
- New Boots — The Cheat's cartoon depicts Homestar with a cell phone.
- These Peoples Try to Fade Me — Repeated lyrics in the chorus state "C-c-c-call me on my cell phone!", which the video depicts as one of the a blocky, beige retro variety.
- Teen Girl Squad Issue 10 — Cheerleader and the coach communicate with cell phones.
- Email portrait — A The Wall Street Journal-esque hedcut portrait of Strong Bad depicts him talking on an old-school cell phone.
- Email technology — Strong Bad discusses "tellular cellaphones", highlighting how Pom Pom uses his phone to write, direct, produce, and distribute a movie.
- Marzipan's Answering Machine Version 13.2 — Homestar calls to tell Marzipan he is texting on Pom Pom's phone, though he is revealed to actually just be calling her from a banana.
- Email bike thief — Pom Pom takes a call on his phone during a break from bicycling.
- Email rated — Strong Bad kicks off the email by singing "My email is a cell phone. No, it's not! My email is a CAR phone! That's right."
- Homestar Ruiner — Early in the game, Homestar gets a call from Marzipan on his cell phone. While discussing the call with Strong Bad, Homestar punts his phone in frustration towards Coach Z. Strong Bad then steals the phone and prank calls all of Homestar's speed dials.
- 8-Bit is Enough — Strong Bad still has Homestar's phone from the first episode, under a messy pile on his bed. He called a Ukrainian weather update line, and simply left the line open for the past few months. Strong Bad later uses the phone to call the Videlectrix helpline to repair the TROGDOR! Arcade Machine; when he triggers a radiation explosion, the phone is destroyed.
- Best Caper Ever — Homestar owns a satellite phone, which he throws into the ocean in annoyance as it pokes him.
- Squintmojis — A mockup of a typical smartphone text message conversation is shown. Homestar uses a smartphone in an "Actual Talk-Say" demonstration.
- Email parenting — Homestar and Strong Bad carry smartphones when acting like stereotypical "Dads at the Playground".
- Decemberweenvent Calendar — Anew App is constantly seen with his smartphone, downloading new apps for it.
