On Second Thought: Difference between revisions

Everything About Fiction You Never Wanted to Know.
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'''Genie''': Sorry, that's far too hard to do.
'''Genie''': Sorry, that's far too hard to do.
'''Guy''': Oh. Okay, [[Mars and Venus Gender Contrast|I wish I could understand women]].
'''Guy''': Oh. Okay, [[Mars and Venus Gender Contrast|I wish I could understand women]].
'''Genie''': ...Define "peace". }}
'''Genie''': ...Define "peace".}}

{{examples}}
{{examples}}
== Advertising ==
* Used as the [[Punch Line]] in [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQqDTN9g_i8 this commercial] for Nickelodeon Magazine.

== Anime and Manga ==
* ''[[Death Note]]'':
* ''[[Death Note]]'':
{{quote|'''Light''': Can you stop calling me Light?
{{quote|'''Light''': Can you stop calling me Light?
'''Misa''': Then can I call you "Knight" instead of "Light"? Because you're like my knight.
'''Misa''': Then can I call you "Knight" instead of "Light"? Because you're like my knight.
'''Light''': Light is fine. }}
'''Light''': Light is fine.}}

== Film ==
* ''[[Honey, I Shrunk the Kids]]'', when Ron breaks the Szalinskis' window:
* ''[[Honey, I Shrunk the Kids]]'', when Ron breaks the Szalinskis' window:
{{quote|'''Russ''': Look, we'll get it fixed, okay. We'll take it out of his allowance.
{{quote|'''Russ''': Look, we'll get it fixed, okay. We'll take it out of his allowance.
'''Ron''': What? ''My'' allowance? No way!
'''Ron''': What? ''My'' allowance? No way!
'''Russ''': Okay, we'll just have Dad pay for it, huh?
'''Russ''': Okay, we'll just have Dad pay for it, huh?
'''Ron''': We'll take it out of my allowance. }}
'''Ron''': We'll take it out of my allowance.}}
* ''[[Evolution (film)|Evolution]]'': An alien bug has entered the body of Harry Block.
{{quote|'''Dr. Paulson:''' We might have to amputate.
'''Harry Block:''' Whoa, Doc! Don't take the leg! Ira, don't let them take my leg.
[...]
'''Dr. Paulson:''' It's headed for his testicles.
'''Harry Block:''' (''shocked look'') Take it! Take it! Take the leg!}}

== Live-Action TV ==
* ''[[Lost]]'':
* ''[[Lost]]'':
{{quote|'''Hurley''': Let me ask you something, Arnzt --
{{quote|'''Hurley''': Let me ask you something, Arnzt --
Line 29: Line 44:
'''Arzt''': How about you don't?
'''Arzt''': How about you don't?
'''Hurley''': Why not? I remember it from the plane's manifest. I think [[Gender Blender Name|Leslie]]'s a bitchin' name.
'''Hurley''': Why not? I remember it from the plane's manifest. I think [[Gender Blender Name|Leslie]]'s a bitchin' name.
'''Arzt''': Arnzt is fine. }}
'''Arzt''': Arnzt is fine.}}
* ''[[Desperate Housewives]]''. Rex asks Bree to pick a "control word" for the sexual roleplay they're planning to do:
* ''[[Desperate Housewives]]''. Rex asks Bree to pick a "control word" for the sexual roleplay they're planning to do:
{{quote|'''Bree''': How about "Boise"?
{{quote|'''Bree''': How about "Boise"?
Line 36: Line 51:
'''Rex''': We’re going to be doing psychological role playing here, Bree, and a funny word like "Boise" would ruin the mood. [[Completely Missing the Point|We need something that sounds serious]].
'''Rex''': We’re going to be doing psychological role playing here, Bree, and a funny word like "Boise" would ruin the mood. [[Completely Missing the Point|We need something that sounds serious]].
'''Bree''': Hmmm. How about "Palestine"?
'''Bree''': Hmmm. How about "Palestine"?
'''Rex''': "Boise" will be just fine. }}
'''Rex''': "Boise" will be just fine.}}
* ''[[Corner Alley 13]]''
{{quote|'''Noelle:''' "So what is your name?"
[...]
'''Kh'ohl:''' "Bat's clan Kh'ohl Kankaar Vree."
'''Noelle:''' "Ah! Cole!"
'''Kh'ohl:''' "No, Kh'ohl. And don't use my first name."
'''Noelle:''' "Mr. Cancan-tree?"
'''Kh'ohl:''' "...Cole will do." }}
* ''[[Friends]]''. Phoebe has suggested that they should have a cleansing ritual, to lose the curse of bad boyfriends:
* ''[[Friends]]''. Phoebe has suggested that they should have a cleansing ritual, to lose the curse of bad boyfriends:
{{quote|'''Phoebe:''' "Okay. We can, um, we can burn the stuff they gave us."
{{quote|'''Phoebe:''' "Okay. We can, um, we can burn the stuff they gave us."
Line 54: Line 61:
'''Dorothy:''' I can't think of anything I would rather do less.
'''Dorothy:''' I can't think of anything I would rather do less.
'''Stan:''' Want to go to bed with me?
'''Stan:''' Want to go to bed with me?
'''Dorothy:''' Take me out to the ball game. }}
'''Dorothy:''' Take me out to the ball game.}}
* ''[[Circle Versus Square]]''.
* ''[[The Daily Show]]'':
{{quote|''Baby New Year 2009 and Jon Stewart discuss the assault of Israel on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.''
'''Baby New Year 2009:''' Can't we talk about the lighter side of 2009? You know, celebrity pregnancies, sports predictions, stuff like that?
'''Jon Stewart:''' Okay, I'll go with that. How are the Mets going to go this year?
'''Baby New Year 2009:''' Oh. Uh... you know what, let's get back to Gaza.}}
* Subverted in ''[[Doctor Who]]'' when the Doctor's companion actually prefers the second alternative to her [[Overly Long Name]],<ref>Romanadvoratrelundar</ref> but he continues to use the first one anyway:
{{quote|'''The Doctor''': I'll call you 'Romana'.
'''Romana''': I don't like 'Romana'.
'''The Doctor''': Well, it's either 'Romana' or 'Fred'.
'''Romana''': Fine, call me 'Fred'.
'''The Doctor''': All right. Come on, Romana. }}
* ''[[Seinfeld]]'': In the final episode, NBC bigwigs have rekindled their interest in Jerry's pilot.
{{quote|'''Kimbrough:''' And Elaine! I wouldn't mind seeing something happening between those two!
'''George:''' I tell you, I really don't think so-called 'relationship humor' is what this show is all about.
'''Kimbrough:''' Or, we could not do the show altogether, how about that?
'''George:''' Or we could get them together! }}
* [[Angel]]:
{{quote|'''Angel''': ''You''{{'}}re my secretary?
'''Harmony''': Hello! Assistant.
'''Angel''': Explain why I shouldn't kill you.
'''Harmony''': Secretary's fine.}}

== Web Comics ==
* ''[[Corner Alley 13]]''
{{quote|'''Noelle:''' "So what is your name?"
[...]
'''Kh'ohl:''' "Bat's clan Kh'ohl Kankaar Vree."
'''Noelle:''' "Ah! Cole!"
'''Kh'ohl:''' "No, Kh'ohl. And don't use my first name."
'''Noelle:''' "Mr. Cancan-tree?"
'''Kh'ohl:''' "...Cole will do." }}
* ''[[Circle Versus Square]]''.<!-- http://www.circleversussquare.com/ -->
{{quote|'''King Pentagon:''' Come now, there is much to discuss between us two lords. Won't you join me for tea?
{{quote|'''King Pentagon:''' Come now, there is much to discuss between us two lords. Won't you join me for tea?
'''Circle:''' Do I have a choice?
'''Circle:''' Do I have a choice?
Line 61: Line 99:
'''Circle:''' And those are my only options?
'''Circle:''' And those are my only options?
'''King Pentagon:''' Well, I suppose if you prefer we can have tea AND death.
'''King Pentagon:''' Well, I suppose if you prefer we can have tea AND death.
'''Circle:''' Just the tea, thank you. }}
'''Circle:''' Just the tea, thank you.}}
* In ''[[Penny Arcade]]'', [http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2007/12/5/ a matter of word choice.]

== Web Original ==
* ''[[Red vs. Blue]]'', when O'Malley approaches Blue Team's base.
{{quote|'''O'Malley:''' [[It's Quiet... Too Quiet|It's quiet... too quiet.]]"
(''a sniper round whizzes past his head'')
'''O'Malley:''' Now it's suddenly too loud. I preferred it when it was quiet. }}
** Also, during the Blue Team's {{spoiler|first}} surrender:
{{quote|'''Sarge:''' Alright, blues! First off, we want your flag...
'''Simmons:''' Wait, wait, wait just a second. The last time we got the flag, the chick in the black armor showed up.
'''Sarge:''' ...to stay right where it is. Keep the flag.}}
* ''[[The Angry Video Game Nerd]]'', when cornered by [[Friday the 13th (film)|Jason Voorhoes]]
{{quote|'''Nerd''': Don't kill me!
'''Jason''': *Shows the ''[[Friday the 13th (video game)|Friday the 13th]]'' NES cartridge, silently telling him to play it*
'''Nerd''': ... Kill me!
''(Wish not granted)''}}

== Western Animation ==
* ''[[The Simpsons]]'', when Homer became the Grim Reaper in a Halloween episode:
* ''[[The Simpsons]]'', when Homer became the Grim Reaper in a Halloween episode:
{{quote|(Homer wakes up in the morning, puts on the Grim Reaper robe)
{{quote|(Homer wakes up in the morning, puts on the Grim Reaper robe)
Line 69: Line 125:
(name on list changes to ''Homer Simpson'')
(name on list changes to ''Homer Simpson'')
'''Homer:''' ...what was that first one again? }}
'''Homer:''' ...what was that first one again? }}
* ''[[Red vs. Blue]]'', when O'Malley approaches Blue Team's base.
{{quote|'''O'Malley:''' [[It's Quiet... Too Quiet|It's quiet... too quiet.]]"
(''a sniper round whizzes past his head'')
'''O'Malley:''' Now it's suddenly too loud. I preferred it when it was quiet. }}
** Also, during the Blue Team's {{spoiler|first}} surrender:
{{quote|'''Sarge:''' Alright, blues! First off, we want your flag...
'''Simmons:''' Wait, wait, wait just a second. The last time we got the flag, the chick in the black armor showed up.
'''Sarge:''' ...to stay right where it is. Keep the flag. }}
* ''[[Evolution (film)|Evolution]]'': An alien bug has entered the body of Harry Block.
{{quote|'''Dr. Paulson:''' We might have to amputate.
'''Harry Block:''' Whoa, Doc! Don't take the leg! Ira, don't let them take my leg.
[...]
'''Dr. Paulson:''' It's headed for his testicles.
'''Harry Block:''' (''shocked look'') Take it! Take it! Take the leg! }}
* ''[[The Daily Show]]'':
{{quote|''Baby New Year 2009 and Jon Stewart discuss the assault of Israel on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.''
'''Baby New Year 2009:''' Can't we talk about the lighter side of 2009? You know, celebrity pregnancies, sports predictions, stuff like that?
'''Jon Stewart:''' Okay, I'll go with that. How are the Mets going to go this year?
'''Baby New Year 2009:''' Oh. Uh... you know what, let's get back to Gaza. }}
* ''[[Futurama]]''
* ''[[Futurama]]''
{{quote|'''Zoidberg:''' So do your worst. Because no punishment could be worse than denying my freedom.
{{quote|'''Zoidberg:''' So do your worst. Because no punishment could be worse than denying my freedom.
'''Chief Justice:''' You are hereby sentenced to death.
'''Chief Justice:''' You are hereby sentenced to death.
'''Zoidberg:''' Wait, let me finish! }}
'''Zoidberg:''' Wait, let me finish!}}
* In ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]'', Iroh and Zuko ponder which is worse, the Earth Kingdom, or the Fire Nation.
* Subverted in ''[[Doctor Who]]'' when the Doctor's companion actually prefers the second alternative to her [[Overly Long Name]],<ref>Romanadvoratrelundar</ref> but he continues to use the first one anyway:
{{quote|'''The Doctor''': I'll call you 'Romana'.
'''Romana''': I don't like 'Romana'.
'''The Doctor''': Well, it's either 'Romana' or 'Fred'.
'''Romana''': Fine, call me 'Fred'.
'''The Doctor''': All right. Come on, Romana. }}
* ''[[The Angry Video Game Nerd]]'', when cornered by [[Friday the 13th (film)|Jason Voorhoes]]
{{quote|'''Nerd''': Don't kill me!
'''Jason''': *Shows the ''[[Friday the 13th (video game)|Friday the 13 th]]'' NES cartridge, silently telling him to play it*
'''Nerd''': ... Kill me!
''(Wish not granted)'' }}
* ''[[Seinfeld]]'': In the final episode, NBC bigwigs have rekindled their interest in Jerry's pilot.
{{quote|'''Kimbrough:''' And Elaine! I wouldn't mind seeing something happening between those two!
'''George:''' I tell you, I really don't think so-called 'relationship humor' is what this show is all about.
'''Kimbrough:''' Or, we could not do the show altogether, how about that?
'''George:''' Or we could get them together! }}
* In [[Avatar: The Last Airbender]], Iroh and Zuko ponder which is worse, the Earth Kingdom, or the Fire Nation.
{{quote|'''Zuko''': If the Earth Kingdom discovers us, they'll have us killed.
{{quote|'''Zuko''': If the Earth Kingdom discovers us, they'll have us killed.
'''Iroh''': But if the Fire Nation discovers us, [[Fate Worse Than Death|we'll be turned over to]] [[The Dragon|Azula]].
'''Iroh''': But if the Fire Nation discovers us, [[Fate Worse Than Death|we'll be turned over to]] [[The Dragon|Azula]].
'''Zuko''': Earth Kingdom it is. }}
'''Zuko''': Earth Kingdom it is. }}
* In ''[[Penny Arcade]]'', [http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2007/12/5/ a matter of word choice.]
* [[Angel]]:
{{quote|'''Angel''': ''You'''re my secretary?
'''Harmony''': Hello! Assistant.
'''Angel''': Explain why I shouldn't kill you.
'''Harmony''': Secretary's fine. }}
* At the end of the [[Danger Mouse]] episode ''100 Million Years Lost,'' the narrator turns the mic over to Henry V who drones on about the Battle of Agincourt before he switches to the weather forecast.
* At the end of the [[Danger Mouse]] episode ''100 Million Years Lost,'' the narrator turns the mic over to Henry V who drones on about the Battle of Agincourt before he switches to the weather forecast.


{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Comedy Tropes]]
[[Category:Comedy Tropes]]
[[Category:On Second Thought]]

Latest revision as of 14:21, 30 April 2024

Someone is given an option he doesn't like, and promptly rejects it. The person who made the suggestion returns with something far worse, and On Second Thought, the first suggestion was just fine.

Summed up well by the following joke:

Genie: I can give you one wish.
Guy: I wish for world peace.
Genie: Sorry, that's far too hard to do.
Guy: Oh. Okay, I wish I could understand women.
Genie: ...Define "peace".

Examples of On Second Thought include:

Advertising

Anime and Manga

Light: Can you stop calling me Light?
Misa: Then can I call you "Knight" instead of "Light"? Because you're like my knight.
Light: Light is fine.

Film

Russ: Look, we'll get it fixed, okay. We'll take it out of his allowance.
Ron: What? My allowance? No way!
Russ: Okay, we'll just have Dad pay for it, huh?
Ron: We'll take it out of my allowance.

  • Evolution: An alien bug has entered the body of Harry Block.

Dr. Paulson: We might have to amputate.
Harry Block: Whoa, Doc! Don't take the leg! Ira, don't let them take my leg.
[...]
Dr. Paulson: It's headed for his testicles.
Harry Block: (shocked look) Take it! Take it! Take the leg!

Live-Action TV

Hurley: Let me ask you something, Arnzt --
Arzt: Arzt.
Hurley: Arnzt.
Arzt: No, not Arnzt. Arzt. A-R-Z-T. Arzt.
Hurley: Sorry, man. Your name's hard to pronounce.
Arzt: Oh, yeah? Well, I know a bunch of ninth graders who pronounce it just fine.
Hurley: How about I just call you by your first name?
Arzt: How about you don't?
Hurley: Why not? I remember it from the plane's manifest. I think Leslie's a bitchin' name.
Arzt: Arnzt is fine.

  • Desperate Housewives. Rex asks Bree to pick a "control word" for the sexual roleplay they're planning to do:

Bree: How about "Boise"?
Rex: "Boise"?
Bree: What's the matter with "Boise"?
Rex: We’re going to be doing psychological role playing here, Bree, and a funny word like "Boise" would ruin the mood. We need something that sounds serious.
Bree: Hmmm. How about "Palestine"?
Rex: "Boise" will be just fine.

  • Friends. Phoebe has suggested that they should have a cleansing ritual, to lose the curse of bad boyfriends:

Phoebe: "Okay. We can, um, we can burn the stuff they gave us."
Rachel: "Or?"
Phoebe: "Or... or we can chant and dance around naked, you know, with sticks."
Monica: "Burning's good."

Stan: I have tickets to a Dodgers spring training game. Want to come?
Dorothy: I can't think of anything I would rather do less.
Stan: Want to go to bed with me?
Dorothy: Take me out to the ball game.

Baby New Year 2009 and Jon Stewart discuss the assault of Israel on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Baby New Year 2009: Can't we talk about the lighter side of 2009? You know, celebrity pregnancies, sports predictions, stuff like that?
Jon Stewart: Okay, I'll go with that. How are the Mets going to go this year?
Baby New Year 2009: Oh. Uh... you know what, let's get back to Gaza.

  • Subverted in Doctor Who when the Doctor's companion actually prefers the second alternative to her Overly Long Name,[1] but he continues to use the first one anyway:

The Doctor: I'll call you 'Romana'.
Romana: I don't like 'Romana'.
The Doctor: Well, it's either 'Romana' or 'Fred'.
Romana: Fine, call me 'Fred'.
The Doctor: All right. Come on, Romana.

  • Seinfeld: In the final episode, NBC bigwigs have rekindled their interest in Jerry's pilot.

Kimbrough: And Elaine! I wouldn't mind seeing something happening between those two!
George: I tell you, I really don't think so-called 'relationship humor' is what this show is all about.
Kimbrough: Or, we could not do the show altogether, how about that?
George: Or we could get them together!

Angel: You‍'‍re my secretary?
Harmony: Hello! Assistant.
Angel: Explain why I shouldn't kill you.
Harmony: Secretary's fine.

Web Comics

Noelle: "So what is your name?"
[...]
Kh'ohl: "Bat's clan Kh'ohl Kankaar Vree."
Noelle: "Ah! Cole!"
Kh'ohl: "No, Kh'ohl. And don't use my first name."
Noelle: "Mr. Cancan-tree?"
Kh'ohl: "...Cole will do."

King Pentagon: Come now, there is much to discuss between us two lords. Won't you join me for tea?
Circle: Do I have a choice?
King Pentagon: Of course! TEA or DEATH.
Circle: And those are my only options?
King Pentagon: Well, I suppose if you prefer we can have tea AND death.
Circle: Just the tea, thank you.

Web Original

O'Malley: It's quiet... too quiet."
(a sniper round whizzes past his head)
O'Malley: Now it's suddenly too loud. I preferred it when it was quiet.

    • Also, during the Blue Team's first surrender:

Sarge: Alright, blues! First off, we want your flag...
Simmons: Wait, wait, wait just a second. The last time we got the flag, the chick in the black armor showed up.
Sarge: ...to stay right where it is. Keep the flag.

Nerd: Don't kill me!
Jason: *Shows the Friday the 13th NES cartridge, silently telling him to play it*
Nerd: ... Kill me!
(Wish not granted)

Western Animation

  • The Simpsons, when Homer became the Grim Reaper in a Halloween episode:

(Homer wakes up in the morning, puts on the Grim Reaper robe)
Homer: All right, who am I giving the finger to today?
(The name on the list is Marge Simpson, his wife)
Homer: No! Not that! Anything but that!
(name on list changes to Homer Simpson)
Homer: ...what was that first one again?

Zoidberg: So do your worst. Because no punishment could be worse than denying my freedom.
Chief Justice: You are hereby sentenced to death.
Zoidberg: Wait, let me finish!

Zuko: If the Earth Kingdom discovers us, they'll have us killed.
Iroh: But if the Fire Nation discovers us, we'll be turned over to Azula.
Zuko: Earth Kingdom it is.

  • At the end of the Danger Mouse episode 100 Million Years Lost, the narrator turns the mic over to Henry V who drones on about the Battle of Agincourt before he switches to the weather forecast.
  1. Romanadvoratrelundar