Fourth Wall Breaks

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"Hope you got the extended warranty."

Sometimes, the characters break the fourth wall by displaying awareness that they are in an Internet cartoon.

Fourth wall breakages are common in Strong Bad Emails; Strong Bad often addresses the viewers, and references to his "email show" are made. Some of these supposed "fourth wall breaks" may be explained by assuming that Strong Bad has a live webcam show in which he answers emails, or that he is talking to an imaginary audience, but in other instances the characters actually refer to the fact that they are in cartoons, which is a real fourth wall break. Excluding Strong Bad Emails that involve a character addressing the viewers, here is a list of fourth wall breakages in the toons.

Contents

[edit] Big Toons

[edit] Shorts

[edit] Holiday Toons

  • The House That Gave Sucky Treats —
    • At the beginning of the toon, Homestar tells the viewers to "pick a treat and drag it on top of us".
    • During the end discussion, Homestar asks if the viewers have voted yet (a feature for that year's toon) and then later requests that the characters repeat stuff they have already said to freak "them" out, both indicating that the characters know they are being watched and hand-waving the animation loop.
  • Halloween Fairstival —
    • After Strong Sad says that hiccups have to be laughed out, Strong Bad says "Whoa! That sounds like a segue!"
    • In the Homsar Easter egg, Homsar walks across all sides of the screen.
  • Homestar Presents: Presents —
    • Strong Bad informs the viewers that Homestar runs around frantically from Decemberween to New Year's.
    • In the Easter egg, there is a poster on the wall that reads, "Left Out Characters' Support Group & Buffet."
  • Halloween Potion-ma-jig —
    • Throughout the cold open, Homestar directly addresses the viewer.
    • When Homestar comes upon Homsar, he remarks "Oh, great. The secret guy," and then comments on the "choices" that Homsar gives him.
    • Then when he reaches the Creepy Cliff, he refers to it as a "cool new background".
    • In the Goblin ending, Marzipan declares the end of the scene and looks into the "camera".
  • More Fan Costumes — Strong Bad comments that Coach Z, The King of Town and Marzipan are the least popular Homestar Runner characters.
  • Let us give TANKS! —
    • Blue Laser Commander reminds Ripberger that he was only available for a limited time with three proofs of purchase.
    • Silent Rip says that he's thankful for the "Blue Laser Thanksgiving action playset".
    • All the Commandos and Blue Laser members sing "Buy all our playsets and toys!"
  • Jibblies 2 —
    • Strong Bad refers to the cast of the Homestar Runner cartoons as "characters".
    • Also, Strong Sad asks if there was a Jibblies 1, referring to the name of the toon.
  • Fan Costumes '07 — Strong Bad mentions that Crack Stuntman is a character who voices a character from a cartoon (Cheat Commandos) inside a cartoon (Homestar Runner).
  • Toikey TV — Gunhaver informs the other Cheat Commandos that all they got was "another lame Thanksgiving special".
  • Trogday 08 — Strong Bad scolds "you internet types" for ruining Trogdor, as well as "zombies, pirates, ninjas and Strong Bad".
  • Costume Commercial — Strong Sad tries to correct the announcer when he calls Strong Sad's line, "SAFE-T LOS-R Accessories".
  • A Death Defying Decemberween —
    • Homestar refers to himself as "Homestar Runner.com".
    • Bubs's epitaph for Homestar also has the words "Here Lies Homestar Runner.com" written on it.
  • April Fool 09 — Strong Bad explains why the website is named after Homestar Runner and not him.
  • Doomy Tales of the Macabre —
    • Marzipan reads her lines from a cue card.
    • Strong Bad types Strong Sad's narration.
    • Strong Sad addresses the audience at the end.
  • Which Ween Costumes? — Homestar comments on Strong Mad's "animation".
  • April Fools' 2014 — Homestar and Strong Bad update the website's best features.
  • I Killed Pom Pom‎ — Homestar calls Strong Bad "a real cartoon pal".
  • The House That Gave Sucky Tricks — Strong Bad imagines what a haunted house made by him would be like, saying "it would turn out a little something, a-like the following cartoon".
  • Later That Night... — Several lines are said throughout the toon that imply the characters are aware they're in a cartoon, such as Strong Bad's "That's everybody's favorite part anyways!" and his comment to Marzipan about her "never [having] very many lines".
  • 2022 Costume Pack Now Available Teaser — Strong Bad points out the circular moon and old sound effects.
  • 2022 Costume Pack Now Available — Strong Sad notes that Coach Z uncharacteristically has distinct fingers "in this cartoon".

[edit] Strong Bad Emails

  • stand-up — Strong Sad tells the audience to follow him to see Strong Bad's childhood stand-up comedy routine.
  • island —
    • When Yami Yugi asks what Strong Bad would do if he were stuck on a desert island, Strong Bad nonchalantly replies, "I suspect it would be like most cartoons".
    • Later, Homestar Runner imitates Main Page 3, with similar effects.
  • personal favorites — The explosion of Marzipan's answering machine also affects the "MARZIPAN'S ANSWERING MACHINE" title.
  • crazy cartoon — After the Powered by The Cheat scene depicting Strong Bad giving The Cheat a trophy in front of the Tangerine Dreams, their normal selves are shown in front of the same computer from the same angle. Strong Bad questions whether or not the depiction actually happened.
  • the process — Strong Bad explains how Strong Bad Emails are made, including the more complex parts. For example, he says that "you can usually click on certain words and make little pictures of dumb stuff pop up."
  • 2 years — Strong Bad realizes what Homestar Runner's Website really meant.
  • couch patch — When Strong Sad objects to Strong Bad's side of the couch patch story, the latter sarcastically exclaims that "every loser out there" wanted to hear the former's side. Strong Sad says they do, and proceeds to tell it. Later, Strong Bad points out that the couch patch is clearly already present in Homestar's flashback.
  • monument — Homestar peeks out from behind the black as he sings, "Here comes the Thnikkaman!"
  • flashback —
    • Strong Bad breaks the fourth wall by saying that his flashback can't be viewed in anything but widescreen.
    • Homestar says he's usually behind the black.
    • Strong Bad shifts the screen leftward after saying, "Frame, shift left."
  • dangeresque 3 — After Strong Bad reveals that he has not made Dangeresque 3: The Criminal Projective in time, he says, "But, before you start throwing full wine bottles at your computer screen" before showing Dangeresque 1: Dangeresque, Too?.
  • old comics — Strong Bad says that he and Homestar were used in a comic that was printed at least 60 years earlier. Since they are obviously not that old, he may be pointing out the fact that he and Homestar are unaging cartoon characters.
  • virus — The effects of the virus cause several fourth wall breakages.
  • animal — In Strong Bad's narration at the beginning, he says that he came "from the right side of the screen".
  • part-time job — Strong Bad peeks around the edge of the black on his way to Bubs' Concession Stand.
  • dreamail —
    • Strong Bad says "Allow me to ... hit you with the pink border", and after that, a pink border appears on the screen instead of the routine border.
    • At the end, he admits he should have used a fluffy white cloud border instead.
  • best thing — Teeg Dougland informs Limozeen about the cancellation of Limozeen: "but they're in space!" during the Limozeen cartoon.
  • bottom 10 — After the end of the email, Strong Bad acknowledges that there are no Easter eggs at the end.
  • lady...ing — The Cheat displays a Laserdisc of a Marshmallow's Last Stand-era Email, to which Strong Bad replies "Oh, yeah. Boy, those old cartoons still pack a wallop."
  • high school — Strong Bad says that he was "probably just like other cartoons" in his high school days.
  • myths & legends — Strong Bad makes a static-like noise indicating a cut through static to the next scene, but is unsuccessful the first time.
  • senior prom — After Strong Bad says that he's "taking Delilelia to see David Coppafeel perform" and gets up, the camera zooms out to reveal him actually standing on the right side, causing him to jump out of view.
  • unnatural — Marzipan thinks that a giant Bubs's foot is actually "just in the foreground".
  • from work —
    • At the beginning, Strong Bad shushes viewers and quietly tells them to shut up.
    • After describing his dream job, Strong Bad asks if a cutaway of it will be seen.
    • Strong Bad complains that what he imagines doesn't appear while Homestar's imagination does become visible.
  • the paper — Strong Bad claims he can remember the birth of The Paper "like it was about to happen in a wavy flashback", which follows this line.
  • original —
    • The entire email is about the "actor" playing Bubs, Original Bubs, being replaced.
    • There are also mentions of "like twelve" different actors portraying The King of Town.
  • your edge — While in a deep, dark hole where only his eyes are visible, Strong Bad comments that he "suddenly feel[s] so easy to animate".
  • independent — Strong Bad refers to the cast of the Homestar Runner cartoons as "characters".
  • sbemail 206 — Strong Bad says that "[his] favorite website looks like it's from another time period" when the Index Page is shown. Just before he "modernizes" it, Homestar Runner describes the page as "one of them Flash-y cartoon websites from 2002".

[edit] Games

  • Blue Laserdisc Challenge — If the player succeeds in beating the game, Gunhaver bellows, "Next state-of-the-art laserdisc game, Blue Laser! Next state-of-the-art laserdisc game!"
  • Peasant's Quest —
    • If Rather Dashing says "Haldo" to Dongolev without first talking to Mendelev, he will say, "What'd you read that in PQ Stragedy Guide? Go talk to my brother first."
    • If the player types "throw baby" before the baby has been acquired, the game will say that the player must have "misread the walkthrough on GameFAQS".
    • If "get broom" is typed in Naked Ned's house, the game will say, "No no. The broom is in the foreground and you can't take things in the foreground. You don't see me all typing 'get browser window', do you?"
    • When at the inn, the inn "takes up the entire screen".
    • When on the screen with Kerrek, typing "make friends with Kerrek" results in the message "Look, it didn't work for Strongbad and it's not going to work for you either."
  • Stinkoman 20X6 —
    • When 1-Up requests Stinkoman's help, Stinkoman says that he already helped him in Level 4.
    • At the beginning of Level 6, Stinkoman appears to be playing his own game.
    • At the beginning of Level -0, Stinkoman addresses the player while he's stuck sad inside the wall.
    • At the end of Level -0, Stinkoman says he has to get through Level 9 and Level 10 to get to 1-Up and Pan Pan.
    • At the opening cinematic of level 9, Z Sabre says, "So, Stinkoman thinks he'll fly straight through to level 10, does he?"
  • Thy Dungeonman 3 —
    • If the player talks to some of the characters, they mention events that happened "screens" or "seconds" ago.
    • Many characters will reference past, apparently unconnected scenes (such as the dungeon trap at the start).
    • In the area that doesn't exist, various objects are listed as "not being there".
    • In the same scene, the description reads that "some words are in capital letters".
    • When you look at the stairs in the tavern, the description will say "They're just for show. Sheesh, maybe these graphics weren't such a good idea after all."
    • The intro also references the addition of graphics.
  • Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People — As well as what is noted below, Strong Bad sometimes appears to talk to the players, often objecting to a certain action the player is trying to perform.
  • SBCG4AP Tutorial —
    • Strong Bad guides the player throughout the tutorial.
    • Strong Sad also complains about being in the tutorial and Bubs screws up a line during his scene.
    • After the tutorial concludes, Bubs states, "Hey, where's my money?! I'm getting paid for this, right?"
  • Homestar Ruiner —
    • Strong Bad asks Coach Z to summarize the rules of the Race "for all the kids playing at home."
    • When Strong Bad first disguises as Homestar, he quotes the Main Pages.
    • After kicking everybody out of his house, he types, "There you have it; the videogame adaptation of how I beat the snot out of Homestar Runner."
  • Strong Badia the Free —
    • After Strong Bad exclaims, "Onward to Strong Badia! Strong Badia, the free!" Homestar remarks, "Hey, that's the name of this..." but Strong Bad cuts him off before he can finish.
    • Also, when Strong Bad talks to Homsar after putting all the Homsartifacts in the pylon, Homsar tells Strong Bad that he will have to face a punishingly difficult dungeon and disappointing end cutscene.
  • Dangeresque 3: The Criminal Projective —
    • Dangeresque asks Renaldo and Dangeresque Too to join him in one last case "for old this movie's sake".
    • Upon using the large knife with other characters, Dangeresque will refuse to do so because, as awesome as it would be, the ratings board would not allow it.
    • Dangeresque also informs Renaldo that his epic battle with The Monster is going to be in the movie trailer.
    • When Dangeresque asks Dangeresque Too how long he knew that Uzi Bazooka was an imposter, he replies, "Pretty much from the beginning of the movie."
    • When Extended Play is first loaded, Strong Bad introduces the "DVD extras section" directly to the viewers, telling them to load up the map and click on a location to get started.
    • If you don't pick up the Taranchula Black Metal Detector during the movie, Strong Bad will call the player out on this when you get it in Extended Play.
  • 8-Bit is Enough —
    • When he picks up the logic board, Strong Bad comments that he'll "just put the logic board in the machine and we can end this episode early!"
    • If you click on the top light switch in the computer room, Strong Bad flips it on and off and says, "Whoo, interactivity!"
    • In the finale, where Strong Bad's in-game model suddenly changes to resemble his concept drawing from SBCG4AP Advertisement, he remarks: "[Telltale Games] finally listened to me!"
  • Halloween Hide & Seek —
    • When interacting with an object that can be used or got, Homestar asks the player "Syd Getman or Syd Useman?"
    • Homestar praises Pom Pom's hiding place, saying he had to GET and USE an item to find him.
    • Attempting to give the Pumpkin to The King of Town offends him, and he spells out that there are two food items in the game and neither are used with him.
    • Homestar refers to himself as a point-and-click character when he finds the secret tunnel between the King of Town's Castle and Marzipan's House.
    • Summoning The Goblin has Homestar question what he adds to the gameplay experience.

[edit] Teen Girl Squad

Does ugs have one g or 2?
  • Issue 8 — Cheerleader sings "It's over! It's over! Strong Bad says it's over" at the end of the issue.
  • Issue 10 — In an Easter egg, Cheerleader says it's their "Tenth Issue-versary".
  • Issue 11 — Cheerleader is seen reading the script for the issue, and asking how "uggs" is spelled.
  • Issue 13 — The Ugly One comments to Narrator Strong Bad on the creativity (or lack thereof) of her demise.
  • Issue 14 — Quarterback asks The Ugly One to accompany him to the end credits.
  • Cave Girl Squad —
    • One of the girls apologizes to Strong Bad after pointing out an anachronism regarding the dinosaur egg.
    • The girls inform Anubis that "wearing animal heads is so 3rd issue!"

[edit] DVDs

[edit] Other

Homestar all up in your computer
  • Homestar Runner Screensaver — Homestar rubs his face against the monitor screen.
  • Where the Crap Are We? — Strong Bad beats the left side of the screen.
  • First Time Here? — Sets the stage for fourth wall breakages, especially when Strong Bad says "I'm the reason you're here" and asks people to "check him out".
  • Marzipan's Answering Machine Version 8.0 — Homestar says, "This is Homestar Runner from HomestarRunner.com".
  • Strong Sad's Character Video — Strong Sad complains about doing a "characters page" and later runs his finger down the left side of the screen.
  • Sbemail 100 Fakeout — References to the 404 page and the user poking around the site.
  • Store — Most of the thank you messages break the fourth wall, especially the "bonus" message.
  • Podstar Runner —
    • In the original ending video for the emails and music videos, Strong Bad asks, "What am I doing in this tiny box?" and shatters the screen trying to get out.
    • In the 2008 ending, Strong Bad leaves a "face print" on the iPod's screen and tells the viewer to use a "shimmy cloth".
  • The Limozeen Advantage — Teeg Dougland informs Limozeen that they have been relegated to DVD bonus content.
  • SBCG4AP Advertisement —
    • Strong Bad later says, "Gimme that camera!" and walks around his house with it.
    • He acknowledges the change in animation style by asking the viewers to witness "all 3 of the glorious D's".
    • Homestar claims to have a "low polygon count".
  • Sbemail 200 Fakeout — Strong Sad addresses the viewers while he and The Deleteheads camp out in a Mozilla Firefox error page.
  • Hremail 62 — Homestar Runner scolds the announcer for pronouncing the word "drawer" correctly.
  • Sbemailiarized! —
    • Strong Bad refers to the site's other videos as cartoons.
    • Matt Chapman knocks the word "CREATORS" offscreen when he starts ranting at Mike Chapman's idea.
    • Strong Bad calls the idea a "4th wall type thing".
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