Strong Bad Email
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- | <div class="thumb tright"><div class="thumbinner" style="width:202px;"><div class="hovul" style="font-size:smaller;border-bottom:1px #CCC solid;margin-bottom:4px;padding-bottom:4px">[[hr: | + | <div class="thumb tright"><div class="thumbinner" style="width:202px;"><div class="hovul" style="font-size:smaller;border-bottom:1px #CCC solid;margin-bottom:4px;padding-bottom:4px">[[hr:sbemails|Strong Bad Email menu]]</div>[[File:LappierEmail.png|200px|Strong Bad checks his email.]]<div style="padding-top:4px">Strong Bad checks his email.</div></div></div> |
- | ''' | + | '''Strong Bad Email''', frequently shortened to '''sbemail''', is a feature in which [[Strong Bad]] answers an email sent by a real-world fan. Arguably the most recognizable feature of the site, it is [[First Time Here?|occasionally joked]] that its success has led to Strong Bad becoming more popular than [[Homestar Runner|the site's title character]]. |
- | A typical email opens with | + | A typical email opens with Strong Bad humorously mocking the spelling and grammar of the sender, then transitioning to an anecdote or scheme related to a question asked by the email, concluding with Strong Bad returning to his computer to finalize the email response. Strong Bad Emails include numerous [[Easter egg]]s and other hidden material, often found at the ending screen; many feature satirical views of aspects of popular culture such as [[japanese cartoon|Japanese cartoons]], [[video games]], and [[theme song|TV show theme songs]]<!-- This need not be a complete list, three examples are fine. -->. Originally introduced in 2001 as a small feature with brief animations, the responses gradually expanded in scope to establish numerous [[inside jokes]], [[running gags]], and [[catch phrases]]. Full-fledged [[Strong Bad Email spin-offs]] include [[Trogdor]], [[Teen Girl Squad]], [[20X6]], [[Strong Badia]], [[Hremails]], the minor character [[Senor Cardgage]], and even main character [[Homsar]]. |
- | + | Strong Bad Email has historically been the most frequently updated feature of [[homestarrunner.com]], with a new email being added to the [[Strong Bad Email Menu|menu]] nearly every Monday from 2002 through 2008. However, the series was put on hiatus from September 2008 to June 2009. [[The Brothers Chaps]] stated {{p|l=https://www.awn.com/animationworld/catching-homestar-runner in interviews}} that they wanted to focus on other characters and vary their output; [[OMG Nintendo Interview - 12 May 2009|adding that]] the [[email thunder|200th email]] just happened to be a round number at which to take a break. After a series of five emails in 2009, Strong Bad Email ([[Hiatuses|much like the rest of the site]]) has since been updated irregularly; multi-year gaps are now common between new emails. | |
__TOC__ | __TOC__ | ||
{{clear}} | {{clear}} | ||
- | == | + | ==Strong Bad Emails== |
- | <!-- If a new email is advertised, but not actually on H*R.com, please add it to the Not Quite | + | <!-- If a new email is advertised, but not actually on H*R.com, please add it to the Not Quite Strong Bad Emails list instead of here. --> |
===[[Lappier]] Era=== | ===[[Lappier]] Era=== | ||
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208 - [[the next april fools thing]]<br> | 208 - [[the next april fools thing]]<br> | ||
207 - [[too cool]]<br> | 207 - [[too cool]]<br> | ||
- | 206 - [[ | + | 206 - [[sbemail 206]]<br> |
<br><!--remove a <br> each time an email is added until they're all gone--> | <br><!--remove a <br> each time an email is added until they're all gone--> | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
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167. [[the movies]]<br> | 167. [[the movies]]<br> | ||
166. [[unnatural]]<br> | 166. [[unnatural]]<br> | ||
- | 165. [[ | + | 165. [[strong badathlon]]<br> |
164. [[looking old]]<br> | 164. [[looking old]]<br> | ||
163. [[what i want]]<br> | 163. [[what i want]]<br> | ||
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<blockquote class="compy email menu">Volume in drive C: has no label<br> | <blockquote class="compy email menu">Volume in drive C: has no label<br> | ||
- | Directory of C:\ | + | Directory of C:\sbemail\updated somedays<br> |
<table class="emaillinks"> | <table class="emaillinks"> | ||
<autocolumn cols="3" width="33%"> | <autocolumn cols="3" width="33%"> | ||
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*[[strongbad_email.exe Disc Five|Disc 5]] contains emails 131-160 ([[boring (really)]] through [[coloring]]), plus the bonus email [[Accent]]. | *[[strongbad_email.exe Disc Five|Disc 5]] contains emails 131-160 ([[boring (really)]] through [[coloring]]), plus the bonus email [[Accent]]. | ||
*[[strongbad_email.exe Disc Six|Disc 6]] contains emails 161-200 ([[4 branches]] through [[email thunder]]), plus the bonus email [[Comic Book Movie]]. | *[[strongbad_email.exe Disc Six|Disc 6]] contains emails 161-200 ([[4 branches]] through [[email thunder]]), plus the bonus email [[Comic Book Movie]]. | ||
- | *The [[ | + | *The [[Sbemails' 50 Greatest Hits DVD]] contains 55 fan-favorite emails. |
===Podstar Runner=== | ===Podstar Runner=== | ||
- | Beginning January 30, 2006, | + | Beginning January 30, 2006, Strong Bad Emails were released under a feature called [[Podstar Runner]]. They have featured popular [[Toons|toons]], [[Teen Girl Squad]] issues, and Strong Bad Emails in .m4v format. They were designed to be viewed on a Fifth Generation Apple {{wp|iPod}}, but are workable on a variety of other portable media players. These are all of the emails that have been featured through this service (in order of Podstar Runner release, top left being the earliest, bottom right being the latest): |
<table width="100%"> | <table width="100%"> | ||
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*[[mile]] | *[[mile]] | ||
*[[looking old]] | *[[looking old]] | ||
- | *[[ | + | *[[strong badathlon]] |
*[[unnatural]] | *[[unnatural]] | ||
*[[the movies]] | *[[the movies]] | ||
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===YouTube=== | ===YouTube=== | ||
- | The [[homestarrunnerdotcom]] [[YouTube]] channel was registered on October 1, 2007. When it first began uploading | + | The [[homestarrunnerdotcom]] [[YouTube]] channel was registered on October 1, 2007. When it first began uploading Strong Bad Emails on March 31, 2009, they were direct rips of the DVD versions (featuring title cards with the email names in Title Case and ending with The Paper reading ">> The End <<"), with [[independent]] being uploaded in a previously unreleased DVD-style version with altered scenes. Starting in 2017, 1080p versions of the emails have been uploaded, with email titles in all lowercase and the paper reading "> THE END <", often incorporating the Easter eggs from the original website versions. |
These are all of the emails that have been uploaded (in order of YouTube release, top left being the earliest, bottom right being the latest): | These are all of the emails that have been uploaded (in order of YouTube release, top left being the earliest, bottom right being the latest): | ||
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*[[homestar hair]] | *[[homestar hair]] | ||
*[[butt IQ]] | *[[butt IQ]] | ||
- | *[[ | + | *[[sbemail 206]] |
*[[too cool]] | *[[too cool]] | ||
*[[credit card]] | *[[credit card]] | ||
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</table> | </table> | ||
- | ==Not Quite | + | ==Not Quite Strong Bad Emails== |
- | The following were originally associated in one way or another with the | + | The following were originally associated in one way or another with the Strong Bad Emails. They are numbered by halves to show where they appeared chronologically in the list above. Numbers 99½B, 118½, 158½, 199½C are not linked to from anywhere on the site. Also, 198½, 199½A, 200½A, 200½B, 200½C, 205½B, 205½D, 206½A, 208½A, and 208½B aren't on the site at all. |
- | *208½B. {{postref|1113577095802884097|3|Apr|2019}} {{--}} | + | *208½B. {{postref|1113577095802884097|3|Apr|2019}} {{--}} Strong Bad replies to one of the [[Discount Strong Bad Emails]] generated by [[twitter:@JanelleCShane|Janelle Shane]]'s neural network. |
- | *208½A. {{postref|1032482957523599360|22|Aug|2018}} {{--}} | + | *208½A. {{postref|1032482957523599360|22|Aug|2018}} {{--}} Strong Bad checks an email on the [[Tandy 400]] using [[Mario Paint]], with a subject similar to [[the basics]]. |
- | *206½B. [[The House That Gave Sucky Tricks]] {{--}} The page title is "St. Cadaverstump's Home for Wayward | + | *206½B. [[The House That Gave Sucky Tricks]] {{--}} The page title is "St. Cadaverstump's Home for Wayward Sbemails", suggesting that at one point this was originally going to be a sbemail. |
- | *206½A. [[Dad's Garage & Friends - 13 Jun 2015]] {{--}} | + | *206½A. [[Dad's Garage & Friends - 13 Jun 2015]] {{--}} Strong Bad and Homestar Runner explain the worst parts about improv. |
- | *205½D. [[Dad's Garage & Friends - 11 Jul 2014]] {{--}} A | + | *205½D. [[Dad's Garage & Friends - 11 Jul 2014]] {{--}} A Strong Bad Email played at [[Dad's Garage]]. |
- | *205½C. [[April Fool 2014]] {{--}} | + | *205½C. [[April Fool 2014]] {{--}} Strong Bad updates the website's "best feature". |
- | *205½B. [[ | + | *205½B. [[Sbemail 136 Alternate Versions]] {{--}} Original drafts of [[Sbemail 136]]. |
- | *205½A. [[Doomy Tales of the Macabre]] {{--}} Strong Sad mentions how | + | *205½A. [[Doomy Tales of the Macabre]] {{--}} Strong Sad mentions how Strong Bad checks emails on the Compé. |
- | *202½. [[Compy Catalog]] {{--}} | + | *202½. [[Compy Catalog]] {{--}} Strong Bad buys a new computer for checking emails. |
- | *200½E. [[April Fool 09]] {{--}} | + | *200½E. [[April Fool 09]] {{--}} Strong Bad "sbemailiarizes" the Intro to homestarrunner.com. |
- | *200½D. [[ | + | *200½D. [[Sbemailiarized!]] {{--}} Strong Bad explains how old toons can be recycled into Strong Bad Emails. |
- | *200½C. [[8-Bit is Enough]] {{--}} | + | *200½C. [[8-Bit is Enough]] {{--}} Strong Bad can check emails during the game. |
- | *200½B. [[Dangeresque 3: The Criminal Projective]] {{--}} The game starts with | + | *200½B. [[Dangeresque 3: The Criminal Projective]] {{--}} The game starts with Strong Bad sending an email about Dangeresque 3 to his fans. Additionally, Strong Bad can check emails during the game. |
- | *200½A. [[Baddest of the Bands]] {{--}} | + | *200½A. [[Baddest of the Bands]] {{--}} Strong Bad can check emails during the game. |
- | *199½C. [[ | + | *199½C. [[Sbemail 200 Fakeout]] {{--}} Secret URL address for anyone who wanted a peek at Email 200 before it was released. |
- | *199½B. [[Place Ya Bets!]] {{--}} Its HTML file is " | + | *199½B. [[Place Ya Bets!]] {{--}} Its HTML file is "sbemail199andahalf". In it, [[The Deleteheads]] try to predict what will be in Strong Bad Email #200. |
- | *199½A. [[ | + | *199½A. [[Strong Badia the Free]] {{--}} The game starts with an email from [[The King of Town|Roy T.]] about the King of Town. Additionally, Strong Bad can check emails during the game. |
- | *198½. [[Homestar Ruiner]] {{--}} The whole game is an attempt to answer Ennie M.'s email requesting that | + | *198½. [[Homestar Ruiner]] {{--}} The whole game is an attempt to answer Ennie M.'s email requesting that Strong Bad beat the snot out of Homestar Runner. Additionally, Strong Bad can check emails during the game. |
- | *193½B. [[The Homestar Runner Gets Something Stuck In His Craw]] {{--}} The reading of the story takes place after what appears to be a | + | *193½B. [[The Homestar Runner Gets Something Stuck In His Craw]] {{--}} The reading of the story takes place after what appears to be a Strong Bad Email. |
- | *193½A. [[SBCG4AP Advertisement]] {{--}} This email is an advertisement for a game that was in the making and never actually appeared on the | + | *193½A. [[SBCG4AP Advertisement]] {{--}} This email is an advertisement for a game that was in the making and never actually appeared on the Strong Bad Email page. |
- | *191½. [[Rotten Eggs]] {{--}} A message made by the splattered rotten Easter egg reads, " | + | *191½. [[Rotten Eggs]] {{--}} A message made by the splattered rotten Easter egg reads, "Sbemail Next Week." |
- | *171½. [[DNA Evidence]] {{--}} The toon is about a [[DNA Evidence (running gag)|running gag]] from six consecutive | + | *171½. [[DNA Evidence]] {{--}} The toon is about a [[DNA Evidence (running gag)|running gag]] from six consecutive Strong Bad Emails. |
- | *170½. [[ | + | *170½. [[Sbemail 169 Deleted Scene]] {{--}} A deleted scene from [[from work|sbemail 169]]. |
- | *158½. [[Lappynapped!]] {{--}} Messages on | + | *158½. [[Lappynapped!]] {{--}} Messages on Strong Bad's answering machine, as the Lappy is missing. |
- | *152½. [[Weclome Back]] {{--}} | + | *152½. [[Weclome Back]] {{--}} Strong Bad tries to show an email he checked over summer vacation (in midair, no less), but hits "stop" instead of "record" on the video camera. |
- | *149½. [[ | + | *149½. [[Sbemail 150?!?]] {{--}} [[Strong Sad]] tries to get Strong Bad to do his 150th email. |
*136½. [[Sick Day]] {{--}} A failed attempt at an email due to sickness striking the entire cast. | *136½. [[Sick Day]] {{--}} A failed attempt at an email due to sickness striking the entire cast. | ||
*127½. [[HomestarRunner.com PAY PLUS!]] {{--}} "The Email Show" is one of the pay-per-view features. | *127½. [[HomestarRunner.com PAY PLUS!]] {{--}} "The Email Show" is one of the pay-per-view features. | ||
- | *118½. [[Broken Compy Menu]] {{--}} The page title is " | + | *118½. [[Broken Compy Menu]] {{--}} The page title is "Strong Bad Email?". It is a short toon that played on the email menu after the release of [[virus]]. |
- | *99½B. [[ | + | *99½B. [[Sbemail 100 fakeout]] {{--}} Secret URL address for anyone who wanted a peek at Email 100 before it was released. |
*99½A. [[Puppet Time]] {{--}} A message was taped onto Puppet Compy's screen that read "Probably at a barbecue, from SB". | *99½A. [[Puppet Time]] {{--}} A message was taped onto Puppet Compy's screen that read "Probably at a barbecue, from SB". | ||
- | *84½. [[Teen Girl Squad Issue 4]] {{--}} A message was taped onto the Compy on the | + | *84½. [[Teen Girl Squad Issue 4]] {{--}} A message was taped onto the Compy on the Strong Bad Email menu that read "made a new teen girl squad". |
*68½B. [[Lookin at a Thing in a Bag]] {{--}} A message was taped onto the Compy in the email menu that read "Looking at a thing in a bag" when the cartoon was released. | *68½B. [[Lookin at a Thing in a Bag]] {{--}} A message was taped onto the Compy in the email menu that read "Looking at a thing in a bag" when the cartoon was released. | ||
*68½A. [[King of Town Email]] {{--}} [[The King of Town]] tries to answer an email on his recently bought (but broken) Tandy 400. | *68½A. [[King of Town Email]] {{--}} [[The King of Town]] tries to answer an email on his recently bought (but broken) Tandy 400. | ||
- | *66½. [[Arcade Game]] {{--}} Homestar Runner reads | + | *66½. [[Arcade Game]] {{--}} Homestar Runner reads Strong Bad's note he left on the Compy 386. |
- | *59½. [[Superbowl Dealie]] {{--}} [[The Paper]] reads "Due to the big game, the | + | *59½. [[Superbowl Dealie]] {{--}} [[The Paper]] reads "Due to the big game, the Strong Bad Email will be late this week." |
- | *36½. [[TV Time Toons Menu]] {{--}} Placing the mouse over | + | *36½. [[TV Time Toons Menu]] {{--}} Placing the mouse over Strong Bad Email will bring up a short, soundless email from Stu. See [[Wireless Bizness]]. |
==Milestones== | ==Milestones== | ||
- | Whenever | + | Whenever Strong Bad reaches an email milestone, such as 100 or 200, the email will be special or at least some note will be taken. Thus far, five emails have been considered milestones. |
- | *50. [[50 emails]] — | + | *50. [[50 emails]] — Strong Bad checks 50 emails (or attempts to) in honor of it being his 50th email check. |
- | *100. [[flashback]] — The email is done in "[[Widescreen|wiiidescreeeen]]". [[Marzipan]], [[Senor Cardgage]], [[Old Timey | + | *100. [[flashback]] — The email is done in "[[Widescreen|wiiidescreeeen]]". [[Marzipan]], [[Senor Cardgage]], [[Old Timey Strong Bad]], and [[Limozeen]] congratulate him on his 100th email. Upon the Compy indicating that he has checked 100 emails with a special screen, Strong Bad says "email" 100 times. [[Homestar]] says "Happy 100th birthday, Strong Bad". |
- | *125. [[rock opera]] — | + | *125. [[rock opera]] — Strong Bad performs a rock opera featuring scenes and at least one word from all of Strong Bad's previous emails. |
- | *150. [[alternate universe]] — | + | *150. [[alternate universe]] — Strong Bad goes into many alternate universes featuring alternate versions of himself, which at the end accompany him in a supergroup ballad. Called the "sesquicentennemail". |
*200. [[email thunder]] — The email song is a grand fanfare written by [[They Might Be Giants]] and sung by [[The Poopsmith]]. The email also ends with a screen listing the first 200 emails. | *200. [[email thunder]] — The email song is a grand fanfare written by [[They Might Be Giants]] and sung by [[The Poopsmith]]. The email also ends with a screen listing the first 200 emails. | ||
- | Frequently, a "teaser" toon is released a week before a milestone email in order to play off the anticipation for the upcoming milestone. The teaser toons so far have been [[ | + | Frequently, a "teaser" toon is released a week before a milestone email in order to play off the anticipation for the upcoming milestone. The teaser toons so far have been [[Sbemail 100 fakeout]] (teasing viewers hoping to view email 100 before it was released); [[Sbemail 150?!?]] (in which Strong Sad tries to convince Strong Bad to check email 150 and writes a proposed storyboard for it); [[Place Ya Bets!]] (in which [[the Deleteheads]] speculate on what will happen in email 200); and [[Sbemail 200 Fakeout]] (in which the Deleteheads camp out at the sbemail200.html URL). |
==Fun Facts== | ==Fun Facts== | ||
===Trivia=== | ===Trivia=== | ||
- | *Not including Not Quite | + | *Not including Not Quite Strong Bad Emails, Strong Bad has checked 238<!--PLEASE NOTE: This number takes into account each individual email Strong Bad has checked. In some Strong Bad Emails he checks more than one.--> emails as of [[parenting]]. |
- | *As of [[parenting]], it would take 10 hours, 7 minutes, and 19 seconds <!--427734 frames plus 13 minutes and 13 seconds from the DVDs--> to watch every | + | *As of [[parenting]], it would take 10 hours, 7 minutes, and 19 seconds <!--427734 frames plus 13 minutes and 13 seconds from the DVDs--> to watch every Strong Bad Email, including the DVD exclusives but excluding clickable Easter eggs. Including clickable Easter eggs, it would take 11 hours, 33 minutes, and 3 seconds.<!--488199 frames plus 14 minutes and 43 seconds from the DVDs and YouTube--> |
- | *As of September 2022, | + | *As of September 2022, Strong Bad Emails make up about 43% of the toons on the site by volume<!--280 toons, referenced from Toons By Length and not counting DVD/YT exclusives, 209 sbemails; 209/489 ≈ 0.4274 -->; as of May 2021, they make up about 26% of toons on the site by runtime. <!--not including Easter eggs. 36439 seconds for sbemails, 102373 seconds for toons. 36439/138812 ≈ 0.2625 --> |
- | *During the Tandy 400 era (until at least July 2002), emailing | + | *During the Tandy 400 era (until at least July 2002), emailing Strong Bad would result in this automated response: |
<blockquote>Thanks for your freakin email. I hope it's not stupid.<br> | <blockquote>Thanks for your freakin email. I hope it's not stupid.<br> | ||
Once I finish these swiss cake rolls I'll read it and if it's awesome enough,<br> | Once I finish these swiss cake rolls I'll read it and if it's awesome enough,<br> | ||
Line 636: | Line 636: | ||
Watch me while I'm awesome,<br> | Watch me while I'm awesome,<br> | ||
- | + | Strong Bad</blockquote> | |
:*The link in the automated response leads to the [[Email Processing Room]]. | :*The link in the automated response leads to the [[Email Processing Room]]. | ||
- | *At [[Flashforward 2006 Seattle - 28 Feb 2006|Flashforward 2006]], [[The Brothers Chaps]] gave a list of [[Flashforward 2006 Seattle - 28 Feb 2006#Pre-animation Process - 4:05 p.m.|five things not to email | + | *At [[Flashforward 2006 Seattle - 28 Feb 2006|Flashforward 2006]], [[The Brothers Chaps]] gave a list of [[Flashforward 2006 Seattle - 28 Feb 2006#Pre-animation Process - 4:05 p.m.|five things not to email Strong Bad about]]. Additional information about which emails are selected were given in a later [[Late Nite JengaJam Interview - 4 Oct 2007#Email|radio interview]]. |
*[[butt IQ]] and [[CGNU]] are the only onsite emails with capital letters in their titles. Prior to the [[post-Flash site update]], [[3 Wishes]] and [[what I want]] did as well, as shown here. | *[[butt IQ]] and [[CGNU]] are the only onsite emails with capital letters in their titles. Prior to the [[post-Flash site update]], [[3 Wishes]] and [[what I want]] did as well, as shown here. | ||
- | *Prior to the post-Flash site update, some emails had [[Irregular | + | *Prior to the post-Flash site update, some emails had [[Irregular Strong Bad Email URLs|different URLs]] instead of ''sbemail#.html''. |
- | *Occasionally, there is a lengthy gap between email updates. This is sometimes [[Acknowledged Update Delays|recognized at the start of the next email]], as in [[army]], [[geddup noise]], [[redesign]], [[hremail 3184]], and [[ | + | *Occasionally, there is a lengthy gap between email updates. This is sometimes [[Acknowledged Update Delays|recognized at the start of the next email]], as in [[army]], [[geddup noise]], [[redesign]], [[hremail 3184]], and [[sbemail 206]]. |
- | *Email #22, [[sb_email 22]], was actually made between emails 40 and 41. This number was originally skipped as the [[little animal|23rd email]] followed the [[cartoon|21st]], with the 22nd later made and released under the title "the lost email" right before | + | *Email #22, [[sb_email 22]], was actually made between emails 40 and 41. This number was originally skipped as the [[little animal|23rd email]] followed the [[cartoon|21st]], with the 22nd later made and released under the title "the lost email" right before Strong Bad replaced his computer with the Compy 386. |
- | *Email #208, [[the next april fools thing]], was originally hidden inside a holiday toon, and wasn't listed on the [[ | + | *Email #208, [[the next april fools thing]], was originally hidden inside a holiday toon, and wasn't listed on the [[Strong Bad Email menu]] until the post-Flash site update on December 31, 2020. |
- | *Although viewers were originally prompted to email | + | *Although viewers were originally prompted to email Strong Bad at strongbad@homestarrunner.com, as of [[sbemail 206]] the [[CGI Paper]] has directed viewers to "email" by tweeting [[@StrongBadActual]]. |
===Remarks=== | ===Remarks=== | ||
- | *Two emails have been checked by someone other than | + | *Two emails have been checked by someone other than Strong Bad, but count as Strong Bad Emails anyway: [[mile]] was made up and animated by [[The Cheat]], and [[anything]] was checked by [[Homestar Runner]]. |
- | *[[ | + | *[[Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People]] features emails both as a framing device and as interactive content in the games, however these were not sent by actual fans. |
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
- | *[[HR: | + | *[[HR:sbemails|Strong Bad Email menu]] |
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
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<noinclude> | <noinclude> | ||
- | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Strong Bad Email|*]] |
[[Category:Lists]] | [[Category:Lists]] | ||
[[Category:Computer Files]] | [[Category:Computer Files]] | ||
</noinclude> | </noinclude> | ||
- | {{subtitlesLinks| | + | {{subtitlesLinks|sbemail}} |
Revision as of 00:29, 26 September 2022
Strong Bad Email, frequently shortened to sbemail, is a feature in which Strong Bad answers an email sent by a real-world fan. Arguably the most recognizable feature of the site, it is occasionally joked that its success has led to Strong Bad becoming more popular than the site's title character.
A typical email opens with Strong Bad humorously mocking the spelling and grammar of the sender, then transitioning to an anecdote or scheme related to a question asked by the email, concluding with Strong Bad returning to his computer to finalize the email response. Strong Bad Emails include numerous Easter eggs and other hidden material, often found at the ending screen; many feature satirical views of aspects of popular culture such as Japanese cartoons, video games, and TV show theme songs. Originally introduced in 2001 as a small feature with brief animations, the responses gradually expanded in scope to establish numerous inside jokes, running gags, and catch phrases. Full-fledged Strong Bad Email spin-offs include Trogdor, Teen Girl Squad, 20X6, Strong Badia, Hremails, the minor character Senor Cardgage, and even main character Homsar.
Strong Bad Email has historically been the most frequently updated feature of homestarrunner.com, with a new email being added to the menu nearly every Monday from 2002 through 2008. However, the series was put on hiatus from September 2008 to June 2009. The Brothers Chaps stated in interviews that they wanted to focus on other characters and vary their output; adding that the 200th email just happened to be a round number at which to take a break. After a series of five emails in 2009, Strong Bad Email (much like the rest of the site) has since been updated irregularly; multi-year gaps are now common between new emails.
Contents |
Strong Bad Emails
Lappier Era
(April 2015 – present)
209 - parenting
208 - the next april fools thing
207 - too cool
206 - sbemail 206
Compé Era
(August 2009 – October 2009)
205. videography
204. dictionary
203. independent
Corpy NT6 Transition
(July 2009)
Corpy Remote Work Email - NO PERSONAL EMAILS!
202. imaginary
Lappy 486 Era
(November 2004 – June 2009)
subject: sb_email menu
Compy 386 Era
(September 2002 – November 2004)
Volume in drive C: has no label
Directory of C:\sbemail\updated somedays
Tandy 400 Era
(August 2001 – September 2002)
FILENAME - updated mondays
40. vacation
39. property of ones
38. helium
37. dullard
36. guitar
35. sisters
34. weird dream
33. gimmicks
32. flag day
31. sugarbob
30. 12:00
29. superhero name
28. 1 step ahead
27. 3 wishes
26. CGNU
25. super powers
24. the bird
23. little animal
22. sb_email 22
21. cartoon
20. spring cleaning
19. tape-leg
18. stand-up
17. studying
16. band names
15. the basics
14. duck pond
13. i she be
12. credit card
11. i rule
10. trevor the vampire
9. i love you
8. brianrietta
7. halloweener
6. depressio
5. making out
4. homestar hair
3. butt IQ
2. homsar
1. some kinda robot
Releases
DVD
Emails 1–200 have been released on the strongbad_email.exe 6-disc DVD series. There are DVD-exclusive bonus emails in discs 1, 4, 5, and 6.
- Disc 1 contains emails 1-50 (some kinda robot through 50 emails), plus three bonus emails: Greeting Cards, E-mail Birds and Videro Games.
- Disc 2 contains emails 51-80 (website through stunt double).
- Disc 3 contains emails 81-100 (date through flashback).
- Disc 4 contains emails 101-130 (car through do over), plus the bonus email Family Resemblence, and the Puppet Stuff email Real-Live E-Mails.
- Disc 5 contains emails 131-160 (boring (really) through coloring), plus the bonus email Accent.
- Disc 6 contains emails 161-200 (4 branches through email thunder), plus the bonus email Comic Book Movie.
- The Sbemails' 50 Greatest Hits DVD contains 55 fan-favorite emails.
Podstar Runner
Beginning January 30, 2006, Strong Bad Emails were released under a feature called Podstar Runner. They have featured popular toons, Teen Girl Squad issues, and Strong Bad Emails in .m4v format. They were designed to be viewed on a Fifth Generation Apple iPod, but are workable on a variety of other portable media players. These are all of the emails that have been featured through this service (in order of Podstar Runner release, top left being the earliest, bottom right being the latest):
YouTube
The homestarrunnerdotcom YouTube channel was registered on October 1, 2007. When it first began uploading Strong Bad Emails on March 31, 2009, they were direct rips of the DVD versions (featuring title cards with the email names in Title Case and ending with The Paper reading ">> The End <<"), with independent being uploaded in a previously unreleased DVD-style version with altered scenes. Starting in 2017, 1080p versions of the emails have been uploaded, with email titles in all lowercase and the paper reading "> THE END <", often incorporating the Easter eggs from the original website versions.
These are all of the emails that have been uploaded (in order of YouTube release, top left being the earliest, bottom right being the latest):
Not Quite Strong Bad Emails
The following were originally associated in one way or another with the Strong Bad Emails. They are numbered by halves to show where they appeared chronologically in the list above. Numbers 99½B, 118½, 158½, 199½C are not linked to from anywhere on the site. Also, 198½, 199½A, 200½A, 200½B, 200½C, 205½B, 205½D, 206½A, 208½A, and 208½B aren't on the site at all.
- 208½B. @StrongBadActual Tweet (3 Apr 2019) — Strong Bad replies to one of the Discount Strong Bad Emails generated by Janelle Shane's neural network.
- 208½A. @StrongBadActual Tweet (22 Aug 2018) — Strong Bad checks an email on the Tandy 400 using Mario Paint, with a subject similar to the basics.
- 206½B. The House That Gave Sucky Tricks — The page title is "St. Cadaverstump's Home for Wayward Sbemails", suggesting that at one point this was originally going to be a sbemail.
- 206½A. Dad's Garage & Friends - 13 Jun 2015 — Strong Bad and Homestar Runner explain the worst parts about improv.
- 205½D. Dad's Garage & Friends - 11 Jul 2014 — A Strong Bad Email played at Dad's Garage.
- 205½C. April Fool 2014 — Strong Bad updates the website's "best feature".
- 205½B. Sbemail 136 Alternate Versions — Original drafts of Sbemail 136.
- 205½A. Doomy Tales of the Macabre — Strong Sad mentions how Strong Bad checks emails on the Compé.
- 202½. Compy Catalog — Strong Bad buys a new computer for checking emails.
- 200½E. April Fool 09 — Strong Bad "sbemailiarizes" the Intro to homestarrunner.com.
- 200½D. Sbemailiarized! — Strong Bad explains how old toons can be recycled into Strong Bad Emails.
- 200½C. 8-Bit is Enough — Strong Bad can check emails during the game.
- 200½B. Dangeresque 3: The Criminal Projective — The game starts with Strong Bad sending an email about Dangeresque 3 to his fans. Additionally, Strong Bad can check emails during the game.
- 200½A. Baddest of the Bands — Strong Bad can check emails during the game.
- 199½C. Sbemail 200 Fakeout — Secret URL address for anyone who wanted a peek at Email 200 before it was released.
- 199½B. Place Ya Bets! — Its HTML file is "sbemail199andahalf". In it, The Deleteheads try to predict what will be in Strong Bad Email #200.
- 199½A. Strong Badia the Free — The game starts with an email from Roy T. about the King of Town. Additionally, Strong Bad can check emails during the game.
- 198½. Homestar Ruiner — The whole game is an attempt to answer Ennie M.'s email requesting that Strong Bad beat the snot out of Homestar Runner. Additionally, Strong Bad can check emails during the game.
- 193½B. The Homestar Runner Gets Something Stuck In His Craw — The reading of the story takes place after what appears to be a Strong Bad Email.
- 193½A. SBCG4AP Advertisement — This email is an advertisement for a game that was in the making and never actually appeared on the Strong Bad Email page.
- 191½. Rotten Eggs — A message made by the splattered rotten Easter egg reads, "Sbemail Next Week."
- 171½. DNA Evidence — The toon is about a running gag from six consecutive Strong Bad Emails.
- 170½. Sbemail 169 Deleted Scene — A deleted scene from sbemail 169.
- 158½. Lappynapped! — Messages on Strong Bad's answering machine, as the Lappy is missing.
- 152½. Weclome Back — Strong Bad tries to show an email he checked over summer vacation (in midair, no less), but hits "stop" instead of "record" on the video camera.
- 149½. Sbemail 150?!? — Strong Sad tries to get Strong Bad to do his 150th email.
- 136½. Sick Day — A failed attempt at an email due to sickness striking the entire cast.
- 127½. HomestarRunner.com PAY PLUS! — "The Email Show" is one of the pay-per-view features.
- 118½. Broken Compy Menu — The page title is "Strong Bad Email?". It is a short toon that played on the email menu after the release of virus.
- 99½B. Sbemail 100 fakeout — Secret URL address for anyone who wanted a peek at Email 100 before it was released.
- 99½A. Puppet Time — A message was taped onto Puppet Compy's screen that read "Probably at a barbecue, from SB".
- 84½. Teen Girl Squad Issue 4 — A message was taped onto the Compy on the Strong Bad Email menu that read "made a new teen girl squad".
- 68½B. Lookin at a Thing in a Bag — A message was taped onto the Compy in the email menu that read "Looking at a thing in a bag" when the cartoon was released.
- 68½A. King of Town Email — The King of Town tries to answer an email on his recently bought (but broken) Tandy 400.
- 66½. Arcade Game — Homestar Runner reads Strong Bad's note he left on the Compy 386.
- 59½. Superbowl Dealie — The Paper reads "Due to the big game, the Strong Bad Email will be late this week."
- 36½. TV Time Toons Menu — Placing the mouse over Strong Bad Email will bring up a short, soundless email from Stu. See Wireless Bizness.
Milestones
Whenever Strong Bad reaches an email milestone, such as 100 or 200, the email will be special or at least some note will be taken. Thus far, five emails have been considered milestones.
- 50. 50 emails — Strong Bad checks 50 emails (or attempts to) in honor of it being his 50th email check.
- 100. flashback — The email is done in "wiiidescreeeen". Marzipan, Senor Cardgage, Old Timey Strong Bad, and Limozeen congratulate him on his 100th email. Upon the Compy indicating that he has checked 100 emails with a special screen, Strong Bad says "email" 100 times. Homestar says "Happy 100th birthday, Strong Bad".
- 125. rock opera — Strong Bad performs a rock opera featuring scenes and at least one word from all of Strong Bad's previous emails.
- 150. alternate universe — Strong Bad goes into many alternate universes featuring alternate versions of himself, which at the end accompany him in a supergroup ballad. Called the "sesquicentennemail".
- 200. email thunder — The email song is a grand fanfare written by They Might Be Giants and sung by The Poopsmith. The email also ends with a screen listing the first 200 emails.
Frequently, a "teaser" toon is released a week before a milestone email in order to play off the anticipation for the upcoming milestone. The teaser toons so far have been Sbemail 100 fakeout (teasing viewers hoping to view email 100 before it was released); Sbemail 150?!? (in which Strong Sad tries to convince Strong Bad to check email 150 and writes a proposed storyboard for it); Place Ya Bets! (in which the Deleteheads speculate on what will happen in email 200); and Sbemail 200 Fakeout (in which the Deleteheads camp out at the sbemail200.html URL).
Fun Facts
Trivia
- Not including Not Quite Strong Bad Emails, Strong Bad has checked 238 emails as of parenting.
- As of parenting, it would take 10 hours, 7 minutes, and 19 seconds to watch every Strong Bad Email, including the DVD exclusives but excluding clickable Easter eggs. Including clickable Easter eggs, it would take 11 hours, 33 minutes, and 3 seconds.
- As of September 2022, Strong Bad Emails make up about 43% of the toons on the site by volume; as of May 2021, they make up about 26% of toons on the site by runtime.
- During the Tandy 400 era (until at least July 2002), emailing Strong Bad would result in this automated response:
Thanks for your freakin email. I hope it's not stupid.
Once I finish these swiss cake rolls I'll read it and if it's awesome enough,
I'll answer it on the site.
But if your email is terrible, then it gets R.E.D. alright.
The Cheat Reads it, Strong Mad Eats it, and I Deletes it.
Click Here to see us in action!
Check back every Monday to see if your email has what it takes.
Watch me while I'm awesome,
Strong Bad
- The link in the automated response leads to the Email Processing Room.
- At Flashforward 2006, The Brothers Chaps gave a list of five things not to email Strong Bad about. Additional information about which emails are selected were given in a later radio interview.
- butt IQ and CGNU are the only onsite emails with capital letters in their titles. Prior to the post-Flash site update, 3 Wishes and what I want did as well, as shown here.
- Prior to the post-Flash site update, some emails had different URLs instead of sbemail#.html.
- Occasionally, there is a lengthy gap between email updates. This is sometimes recognized at the start of the next email, as in army, geddup noise, redesign, hremail 3184, and sbemail 206.
- Email #22, sb_email 22, was actually made between emails 40 and 41. This number was originally skipped as the 23rd email followed the 21st, with the 22nd later made and released under the title "the lost email" right before Strong Bad replaced his computer with the Compy 386.
- Email #208, the next april fools thing, was originally hidden inside a holiday toon, and wasn't listed on the Strong Bad Email menu until the post-Flash site update on December 31, 2020.
- Although viewers were originally prompted to email Strong Bad at strongbad@homestarrunner.com, as of sbemail 206 the CGI Paper has directed viewers to "email" by tweeting @StrongBadActual.
Remarks
- Two emails have been checked by someone other than Strong Bad, but count as Strong Bad Emails anyway: mile was made up and animated by The Cheat, and anything was checked by Homestar Runner.
- Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People features emails both as a framing device and as interactive content in the games, however these were not sent by actual fans.
External Links
See Also
Most Recent Toons | ||||||||
Big Toons
Homestar Runner Goes for the Gold
| Shorts
Diaper Sunrise
| Holidays
Fan 'Stumes 2023
| Puppet Stuff
Action Cool News-oween Report
| Strong Bad Email
parenting
| Video Stuff
Disk 4 of 12 - Vampire's Castle
| Teen Girl Squad
Issue 15
| Marzipan's Answering Machine
Version 17.2
| YouTube
Dangeresque: The Roomisode Triungulate Launch Trailer
|