Not So Above It All: Difference between revisions
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{{trope}}
{{quote|'''[[The Flash|Flash]]''': What do you say to that,<ref>"That" = disobeying J'onn's explicit orders of not getting involved with the power feud between Granny Goodness and Virman Vundabar in Apokolips (due to the power vacuum left by Darkseid's disappearance) to assist Mr. Miracle and Big Barda in rescuing Oberon</ref>
'''[[The Stoic|Martian]]''' '''[[Martian Manhunter|Manhunter]]''': I was only going to ask if you wanted to play Brawlin' Bots.
'''Flash''': [[Man Child|Dibs on the green one]]! ''*dashes off*''
'''Martian Manhunter''': ''*mumbles*'' ''[[Crowning Moment of Funny|I]]'' [[Crowning Moment of Funny|wanted the green one]]...
|''[[Justice League Unlimited]]'', "The Ties That Bind"}}
The [[Straight Man]] takes a fall. His usual position is far above the prevailing attitude of his crew, [[Wacky Guy|wackiness]], pettiness, or just general [[The Slacker|slacker-itis]].
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Sometimes related to an [[Idiot Ball]] moment. Contrast [[Smart Ball]], when their dimmer co star may have a moment of clarity or tact.
{{examples}}▼
▲{{examples}}
== Anime and Manga ==
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** At the end of ''The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya'' Kyon admits to himself that he does, in fact, enjoy the crazy antics the SOS-Dan finds themselves in.
** Yuki also has moments where she just gives in to blatant silliness such as choosing a funny nickname for herself when Kyon blackmails Haruhi with one or wearing silly hats for no real reason.
* ''[[Bobobo-Bo
* The entire life of Zelgadis from the anime ''[[The Slayers]]''. Originally a series villain who frequently switched sides to pursue his own agenda, he was derided for his stoicism and attempts to maintain a "cool and mysterious" image by the slapstick-prone cast and writers. By the second season the damage was done and he was seen crossdressing in a frantic attempt to enter a tennis doubles tournament with a mixed-gender teams requirement.
* In the ''[[Naruto]]'' manga, [http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x198/awambawamb/naruto/Naruto_v38_ch347_08.png Konohamaru shows Naruto his new variant of the Sexy no Jutsu, featuring two girls in a ...''compromising'' position.] Sakura was less than pleased at the Jutsu, until Konohamaru tried it on her. using [[Ho Yay|Sai and Sasuke]] instead. Worked like a charm on ''[[Yaoi Fangirl|her]]'', but then pissed Naruto off.
* This happens to Yomi in ''[[
* Hare, the star of the lesser-known anime ''[[
* ''[[Hen Zemi]]'': Nanako plays the straight man at the start, but as the show progresses, she realises that she isn't as [[Not So Different|different]] as she thought.
* Hiiragi from ''[[Hanamaru Kindergarten]]'' is a highly intelligent kindergartener who can read and understand adult literature. This does nothing to stop her lighting up at a chance to go down the big slide or being so overwhelmed by a compliment on her costume that she bursts into dance.
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** And more than once, it's shown that [http://www.mangareader.net/139-8061-3/detective-conan/chapter-15.html Conan has picked up some of Kogoro's bad habits.]
* No mention of ''[[Irresponsible Captain Tylor]]'''s [[Serious Business]] staff officers [[Tsundere|Yuriko Star]] and [[Number Two|Lt. Yamamoto]]? They remain the most sane characters at the end of the series... but loosen up greatly between the beginning and the end, largely due to Tylor's cheerful disregard for rules.
* Jimbei in ''[[One Piece]]'', who is [[The Stoic]] and [[Badass]] fishman in likeness to [[
* This happens to [[Deadpan Snarker|Chi]][[Meta Guy|same]] in ''[[Mahou Sensei Negima]]'' frequently, but most notably when {{spoiler|Poyo's [[Lotus Eater Machine]]}} proves that, despite having been forced into a [[Fantasy Kitchen Sink]], she's the happiest and most satisfied with her life of anyone in the group.
* Sakamoto the cat from ''[[Nichijou]]'' tries very hard to be the respectable adult in a household with an eight year old inventor and her one year old wind up robot. This ultimately always fails when presented with anything he can bat around with his paws.
* Nami Hitou of ''[[Sayonara, Zetsubou
* [[Soul Eater]] During the Lust chapter, Tsubaki is discovered to be much more perverted than anyone would have guessed. Especially considering how she reacted to Black Star peeping on her.
* During the KC Grand Prix arc of ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh (anime)|Yu-Gi-Oh]]'', Yugi's [[Stalker with a Crush]] Vivian cons Solomon into helping lure Yugi to a Chinese restaurant, then threatens to break his back unless Yugi duels her, with the condition that he becomes her "love slave" if he loses. When the duel actually starts, Joey, Duke, and Tristan seem more occupied with the buffet than the actual duel; Tea tries to convince them of the severity of the situation, not that this stops her from helping herself to the sesame chicken.
== Comic Books ==
* J'onn J'onzz often played [[The Stoic]] and [[The Comically Serious]] in ''[[Justice League of America|Justice League International]]''. While it was a good act, it was just that, and he would occasionally break character.
{{quote|
'''[[Captain Atom]]''': What's it called?
'''[[Martian Manhunter]]''': Screaming. }}
** On the rare occasions [[Batman]] has displayed a sense of humor, the rest of the League find it unsettling.
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== Live Action TV ==
* This happens to Michael Bluth on ''[[Arrested Development (TV series)|Arrested Development]]'' all the time. His family usually drives him to it. And his family will mock him for falling to their level.
** In fact, a [[Running Gag]] on the show is that Michael's family members are always accusing him of being selfish, when he sacrifices himself for them all the time and they are selfish and self-absorbed to the point of absurdity.
* In the episode of ''[[The King of Queens]]'' "American Idle", Carrie says that she needs time to find herself after losing her job. But (as the title suggests) it seems to Doug that she just sits around watching TV all day - the very things she often criticizes him for doing.
* In an episode of ''[[Frasier]]'', let's just say the Crane Boys aren't the only ones who make quick, rash decisions. In this particular episode, since Daphne has married Niles earlier and will thus be moving out of the condo, Frasier is looking for a replacement housekeeper but has trouble finding a suitable one. One of the candidates turns out to be a major sports fan, and for this reason Martin hires her on the spot in spite of Frasier's objections (it's usually the other way around). Unfortunately, the lady turns out to be very irresponsible, and some days doesn't even show up for work. Martin takes it upon himself to clean up the place because he doesn't want to admit that Frasier was right.
* In an episode of ''
{{quote|
'''Jack''': That's what your mom said last night. Booyah.
'''Lemon''': That... was surprising. }}
* James May, [[Deadpan Snarker]] and resident [[Straight Man]] on ''[[Top Gear]]'', gripes that co-presenters Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond are too loud, too careless, and too obsessed with power and winning. Doesn't stop him from jumping up and down and shouting on the occasions when ''he'' wins, though...
* Frankie Boyle of ''[[Mock the Week]]'' often tells his (darkly hilarious) jokes with an utterly, completely straight face. Unless it's an absolutely terrible one, in which case he often breaks into a giggle just as he finishes it.
* When ''[[Roseanne]]'' and family go to Disneyworld, Darlene maintains her sulky-teenage-girl front of being determined not to enjoy it, but it instantly cracks when she meets [[Winnie the Pooh]].
* In one episode of ''[[Stargate SG
{{quote|
[[Chirping Crickets|[The others stare blankly] ]] }}
* On ''[[Boy Meets World]]'', Mr. Feeny puts up with Eric's wacky treatment of him (including the vaunted [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-BB-Xk9xYY Feeny Call] for years. Finally, at the end of the show, Eric gets him to admits he enjoys the Feeny Call.
* Margo Leadbetter on BBC sitcom ''[[The Good Life]]'' (from [[The Seventies]]). Famously snobbish and humourless (something which she admits she was cruelly teased about as a schoolgirl), she nonetheless can be counted on when it matters and even (much to her astonishment) actually cracks some genuinely funny remarks at times.
* Major Winchester from ''[[M*A*S*H (
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* In ''[[Super Robot Wars]]: Original Generation'', Raidiese F. Branstein, the team straight man, ends up falling prey to his friend's wackiness. At one point, when the protagonist tells him his idea for the name of their new [[Limit Break]], he realizes he can't think of anything better:
{{quote|
'''Ryusei:''' Well, what do you have in mind then?
'''Rai:''' ... ...... ....... .............
'''Ryu:''' Okay, okay, forget I said anything... }}
** In Original Generation Gaiden, when Ryusei asks him a name for his new move, he dubs it ''Galaxy Phantom Explosion'' (constituting a very easy seiyuu joke)
* ''[[Mana Khemia: Alchemists of Al
** Vayne is a straight man mostly by his background - and he usually ends up engaging in activities like being a "Superheroes" Sidekick, or popping said Alien's spawn. ([[It Makes Sense in Context]]).
* The later stages of the Hermit link in ''[[Persona 3]]'' can have this vibe depending on how you played the {{spoiler|Magician}} link.
* [[Friendly Sniper|Sniper]] from ''[[
* ''[[Katawa Shoujo]]'' has a mild example. Hisao wonders how lonely you'd have to be to come up with a game that involves stepping on the right tiles on the floor. In the very next line, he finds himself stepping only on the darker tiles.
* Early on in ''[[Blaze Union]]'', when the party commandeers a beat-up cannon from an enemy, they decide it would be a good idea to try using it for
== Web Comics ==
* Zoe is usually the [[Straight Man]] in ''[[Sluggy Freelance]]'', but, at least when it comes to sorting through a love triangle, [https://web.archive.org/web/20150109005211/http://www.sluggy.com/daily.php?date=010403 she can get pretty crazy herself].
** Not to mention that the reason she became the Stormbreaker (and thus targetted by various demons, at least one of whom has used a cult to try to do Zoe in) was because she feared she was "boring", and thus leapt at a chance to participate in one of the guys' more than usually harebrained schemes. She's exceptionally gung-ho about going back in time to save beer... at least until they end up in the wrong time period without a way back.
* Invoked in ''[[
* ''[[Homestuck]]'' has Rose Lalonde. [http://www.mspaintadventures.com/?s=6&p=002806 Wear the scarf. Be the Rider.]
** Also Spades Slick, [http://www.mspaintadventures.com/?s=6&p=003065 notorious] [http://www.mspaintadventures.com/?s=6&p=003203 gang leader].
** [http://www.mspaintadventures.com/?s=6&p=003678 And the Authority Regulator].
* Happens over and over in ''[[
== Web Original ==
* Although she's not really like that any more, back when [[
** Reviewing the ''[[X-Men (
* ''[[Red vs. Blue]]'': [[Sanity Slippage]] is common in Blood Gulch. [[Drill Sergeant Nasty|Sarge]] becomes a little more unhinged the more time he spends with his troops. [[The Medic|Doc]] is introduced in Season 2 to [[Lampshade Hanging|Lampshade]] how insane both armies are, but in later episodes [[Dissonant Serenity|his politeness and level-headed nature]] are [[Played for Laughs]]. Things take a darker turn with {{spoiler|Wash}}, whose initial run as the [[Straight Man]] to the Reds and Blues [[Beware the Nice Ones|pushes him]] [[Moral Event Horizon|too far]].
== Western Animation ==
* One episode of ''[[
** In a future episode Squidward is seen cutting loose at two parties along with the rest of the cast, despite (1)his dislike of Spongebob (for whom the parties were) and (2)his general contempt of such activities.
** In one episode, the character roles of Spongebob and Squidward are breifly reversed when Squidward wins a crane game, and won't stop bragging about it to the point where Spongebob gets annoyed and starts snarking him. Squidward then [[What an Idiot!|attempts to operate a construction crane with his eyes closed.]]
** Sandy Cheeks also occasionally had moments of [[Idiot Ball|stupidity]] or [[Jerk Jock|arrogance]]. Most of her appearances in the second season seemed to be made solely to prove she ''wasn't'' good at everything.
* The robots from ''[[
** On a more individual level this happens to Leela a few times. For instance rather than pay a nominal parking fee for a Hollywood premiere she flies around for hours before landing on the La Brea Tar Pits... which is exactly the sort of thing she usually scolds Fry and Bender for.
** Another Leela-related example: Leela usually serves as Fry's voice of reason whenever he lets something go to his head. However, in the episode where Leela went blind (which was indirectly Bender's fault), she practically thought she was [[Daredevil]] (with the expected but not unwelcome [[Hilarity Ensues|hilarity ensuing]]).
** In another ''Futurama'' case, in the episode "War is the H-Word", it turns out Kif can be just as much of a [[Mean Boss]] as Zapp is to him.
*** May be more a case of [[He Who Fights Monsters]], in that his constant abuse from Zap has led him to take it out on anyone under his own command.
* A milder version than most takes place at the end of one episode of ''[[Justice League (animation)|Justice League Unlimited]]''. After [[The Flash]], feeling he's not appreciated and seen as immature, goes against orders to help rescue a friend of Scott Free, he meets with the [[Martian Manhunter]] following the mission. Flash begins to defend himself, expecting [[The Spock|J'onn]] to admonish him for his immaturity...instead, J'onn just wanted to play [[Bland-Name Product|Brawlin' Bots]].
** Another good example is J'onn's addiction to Oreo Cookies.
* Various episodes of ''[[
* ''[[
** Lois normally falls under [[Women Are Wiser]]. However, it's only really in comparison to her husband, as she gets a [[It's Been Done|gambling addiction]] in one episode, becomes a kleptomaniac in another, and when she gets elected mayor, embezzles from the town and accepts bribes. Lois' role in the show in modern episodes consists near solely of this trope. She generally only exhibits Straight Man behavior for a short time before acting as [[The Ditz|stupid]] or [[Jerkass|callous]] as her husband.
** Meg, in that she sometimes makes fun out of other Griffin members when the situation calls for it e.g. Chris being made fun
** Brian has been getting this treatment lately. Where he used to be the [[Only Sane Man]], the past few seasons have seen him developing more and more [[Jerkass]] tendencies.
* ''[[The Simpsons (
** Marge Simpson has a gambling addiction.
** When Marge decided to sell prescription drugs just so that her garage sale would be a success. Marge ended up in jail at the end of that one.
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** In "The Father, the Son, and the Holy Guest Star," in a refreshing twist, it is Marge, not Homer, who learns a lesson about tolerance. (Though less satisfyingly, Marge's [[Compressed Vice|dislike of Catholics]] is [[Take Our Word for It|never fully explained]]).
** When the family has Mr. Burn's teddy bear [[Number One Dime|Bobo]].
{{quote|
'''Family''': Huh?
'''Marge''': [[Lampshade Hanging|Well, why can't I be greedy once in a while?]] }}
:* Marge even supports Homer and Bart bootlegging booze when Springfield outlaws alcohol.
* Dr Quinn of ''[[Sealab 2021]]'' tries in vain to avoid this, but especially as the series went on, would eventually succumb.▼
:* Even Lisa, often the [[Straight Man]] to Bart, often gives in to the antics normally Homer or Bart does. In "Sweets and Sour Marge", sugar was outlawed in Springfield. First, Lisa questions both Homer and Bart on going on a mission to smuggle sugar into the city. When she overhears Marge serving steamed limes, Lisa wishes them luck.
* Rebecca Cunningham of ''[[Tale Spin (Animation)|Tale Spin]]'', though somewhat [[Women Are Wiser]] and more educated than Baloo, shared his ego and stubbornness as well as lacking the latter's streetwise aspects and thus fell into this trope a frequent amount of times. Sometimes even he could be surprised how [[Cloudcuckoolander|out of her mind]] Rebecca acted at times.▼
:* Also, while Lisa never bothered Moe with crank calls, she did tend to laugh when Bart did it.
{{quote| '''Rebecca:''' "Face it Baloo, you're too gullible, [[Tempting Fate|I would never fall for something like that, no possible way...]]"}}▼
▲* Dr. Quinn of ''[[Sealab 2021]]'' tries in vain to avoid this, but especially as the series went on, would eventually succumb.
* Aunt Amy of ''[[Daria (Animation)|Daria]]'' was once brought in to settle a dispute between her sisters, with the expectation that, as a the smart, detached outsider of the family she could easily resolve the petty conflict without getting drawn in. It took her all of thirty seconds to join the bickering, leaving Daria and Quinn to solve the problem themselves.▼
▲* Rebecca Cunningham of ''[[
* Twilight Sparkle from ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic (Animation)|My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic]]'' likes to regard herself as the [[Only Sane Man|Only Sane Mare]]: her first impression of the citizens of Ponyville is "All the ponies in this town are ''crazy!''" However, Twilight frequently displays lapses in judgement either due to her social awkwardness or her almost-obsessive need to make a good impression on her mentor, Princess Celestia.▼
▲{{quote|
** In "The Ticket Master", Spike calls the Gala "girly frou-frou nonsense," but once everyone is out of sight, is upset at being the only one without a ticket. Celestia sends down one for him, and he immediately [[Squee|Squees]], only to be caught by Applejack.▼
▲* Aunt Amy of ''[[
{{quote| '''Spike:''' [[Verbal Backspace|I mean, gross! I have to go, too?]]}}▼
** The normally stoic Daria gets in on it during "The Teachings of Don Jake". Daria cracks a joke about the congress asking Jake for $250 billion a year for the military, causing a blood vessel in Jake's eye to burst, then tells Quinn to go get the camera. This prompts a camping trip in order to help Jake with his stress-induced health problems. At the end of the episode, {{spoiler|Jake's blood vessel in his eye bursts again upon seeing the bill for their rescue after eating wild berries. Daria tells Helen to get Jake's medicine... and Quinn to go get the camera.}}
** Both Spike and Twilight tend to backhand this role onto ''each other'' since they so often play [[The Straight Man]] to each other's shortcomings. ''Both'' characters neared outright [[Anti-Villain]] territory after going off the deep end at separate points, and ''both'' had to snap the other out of it. Note worthy for the over the top manner both took their respective breakdowns (Twilight became outright [[Laughing Mad]], while Spike turned into a [[Harmless Villain]], complete with [[Dastardly Whiplash]] mannerisms and attire).▼
▲* Twilight Sparkle from ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic
▲** In "The Ticket Master", Spike calls the Gala "girly frou-frou nonsense," but once everyone is out of sight, is upset at being the only one without a ticket. Celestia sends down one for him, and he immediately [[Squee
▲** Both Spike and Twilight tend to backhand this role onto ''each other'' since they so often play [[The Straight Man]] to each other's shortcomings. ''Both'' characters neared outright [[Anti-Villain]] territory after going off the deep end at separate points, and ''both'' had to snap the other out of it.
** Applejack tends to act as [[The Straight Man|The Straight Mare]] whenever these two are out of the picture, however having the key traits of a rowdy cowgirl, she naturally plays up at times. She can be rather over assertive and is apparently [[Stubborn Mule|stubborn enough to make a mule look rashional]].
* Heloise on ''[[Jimmy Two
* Benson from ''[[
* Elise in ''[[Dan Vs.]]'' tries to avoid getting caught up in Dan's vengeance, and early on tried to keep Chris from getting dragged into it too. Then again, ''in the very first episode'', she shares Dan's hatred of New Mexico (her grudge has lasted ''since childhood'') and takes her revenge even further {{spoiler|he "settles" for ruining the annual hot air balloon event, she hijacks an alien warship, slaughters road-runners, and ''blows up cities''}}. In "Dan Vs. George Washington", she
* ''[[Kung Fu Panda]]'' has at least three of those moments:
** The Furious Five should be trained to not be envious - whoever gets chosen as the Dragon Warrior. They obviously are when Po is chosen.
** Master Shifu says that
** Master Oogway is so calm and relaxed and zen that there
* From ''[[
** And
* In ''[[Codename: Kids Next Door]]'', Numbuh Five is usually [[Straight Man| the most level-headed and serious]] member of the team, and the first one to call out Numbuh Two over his bad jokes. However, in "Operation: B.U.T.T.", even she can't resist laughing at the jokes Two makes about the size of Numbuh One's behind.
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Comedy Tropes]]
[[Category:
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