Top 10 Amazing TV Continuity Details You Missed
Who knew watching TV required so much attention? Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Amazing TV Continuity Details.
For this list, we’ll be taking a look at TV shows that took their continuity seriously; be it for a joke, or simply to keep fans on their toes.
#10: Hidden Nibbler in the Pilot
“Futurama” (1999-13)
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The seemingly innocuous Nibbler, who, for the better part of three seasons posed as Leela’s loveable yet dimwitted pet, was in actuality a genius Nibblonian; and a Lord to boot. In the season four episode “The Why of Fry” it’s revealed that Nibbler was the reason Fry fell into the cryogenic freezer in the pilot. In fact, eagle-eyed viewers may have seen the revelation coming, as Nibbler’s distinctive shadow can actually be seen in the pilot episode! It turns out that Nibbler was protecting Fry in his attempt to save the universe. Now that’s what we call a slow reveal!
#9: Michael’s Broken TV Makes a Reappearance
“The Office” (2005-13)
Top 10 Worst Things Michael Scott Has Done
In the season four episode “Dinner Party”, Michael and Jan invite Jim, Pam, Andy and Angela over for, well, a dinner party. The night is a disaster – thanks in no small part to Michael and Jan’s incessant bickering – and culminates with Jan throwing a Dundee at Michael’s $200 plasma TV, breaking it. This wouldn’t be the last time Michael’s smashed TV made an appearance. It popped up again in the season seven episode “Garage Sale”, when the warehouse employees have, well, a garage sale. It can be hard to spot, but it’s there; and it’s definitely not by accident.
#8: Joey’s Poster Makes a Reappearance
“Friends” (1994-04)
Top 10 Times Joey was the Most Relatable Character on Friends
“Friends” had no shortage of hilarious Thanksgiving episodes over the years. However, this one stands out for a different reason. The season one episode, "The One Where Underdog Gets Away" involves a storyline where Joey becomes the literal poster boy for venereal disease. His face gets plastered all over New York, complete with the tagline “What Mario Isn’t Telling You.” The gag gets a lot of laughs and sees Joey thrown into a handful of awkward situations. However, as evidenced by the poster’s re-appearance two episodes later, it appears his ordeal was drawn out longer than we thought!
#7: Tobias’ Cut-Off Jeans
“Arrested Development” (2003-06; 2013-)
This show has so many running gags that there is an entire website devoted to keeping track of them all. One that’s been around since the beginning involves Tobias and his never-nude disorder, which means he's always wearing a pair of cut-off jean shorts beneath his clothes. However, a few episodes before its properly explained, Tobias can be seen crying in the shower while wearing cut-offs. Most fans probably assumed it was just another of his many quirks but were probably surprised a few episodes later when Lindsay explained to Michael that Tobias is a never-nude. It’s been referenced plenty of times since, but as the show’s proven time and time again, some jokes never get old!
#6: The Videotape
“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (2005-)
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You’d be hard pressed to find another show like this one. “It’s Always Sunny” is filled with uniquely despicable characters, whose debaucherous behavior never ceases to entertain. While the show has plenty of running gags to choose from, be it Charlie’s illiteracy or the battle between the Day Man and Night Man, we’re going with the fact that the gang apparently only owns a single videotape. The tape and its accompanying camcorder (itself a one of one) have appeared in a handful of episodes over the years and have been used to record everything from terrorist videos to homemade supplement ads. This is one continuity detail we’ll never tire of seeing!
#5: Lily’s Necklace
“How I Met Your Mother” (2005-14)
Top 10 Funniest Lily Moments on How I Met Your Mother
You’d need to have incredible vision and a photographic memory to have picked up on this interesting continuity detail. In season one Lily can be seen wearing a wishbone necklace. Then, in the season three episode “Everything Must Go”, Marshall encourages Lily to sell some of her clothing to raise money for a new floor, even creating a website. The site must have had some hits, because in season six, Ted’s girlfriend Zoey can be seen wearing the necklace! It’s hardly the first time the show threw fans a bone; as in the season six episode “Baby Talk”, Lily throws it back to the pilot episode when discussing baby names.
#4: Amy’s Drunkenness Scale
“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (2013-)
Top 20 Amazing Small Details in Family Guy
Ambitious, competitive and by-the-book, Amy Santiago doesn’t let her hair down often. However, when she does allow herself to indulge in a few adult beverages, her colleague Gina knows the exact number of drinks it takes before she becomes “a bit of a pervert”. Four drinks to be precise. She divulges the information in the season two episode “Beach House” and you’d be understandably forgiven for thinking it was a one-off joke. However, in season three, while on a date with Jake, Amy has four shots and winds up in bed with him. Coincidence? We think not.
#3: Look Out for Beetlejuice
“Community” (2009-15)
Top 10 Small Details You Missed on New Girl
“Beetlejuice” is a 1988 comedy about a deceased couple who enlist the help of a demon to scare off the new inhabitants of their former home. To summon him, they must say his name three time. Clearly the writers of “Community” enjoyed the film, as they pulled a similar trick across multiple seasons of the show. Beetlejuice’s name is mentioned in seasons one, two and three – with the third time producing the bio-exorcist in the background. It’s not the first time “Community” pulled a stunt like this. In the season two episode “The Psychology of Letting Go" they placed a hidden storyline in the background involving Abed delivering a baby. He references the event later in the season.
#2: Daenerys’ Braids
“Game of Thrones” (2011-)
Top 10 Badass Daenerys Targaryen Moments
Daenerys Targaryen has come a long way since being sold to Khal Drogo in season one. In her own words: “So many men have tried to kill me, I don’t remember all their names.” And yet, she’s grown stronger and more powerful; both in spite and because of her numerous hardships. To reflect this growth, as well as her numerous military victories, the number of braids in her hair has slowly increased with each passing season. This is in accordance with Dothraki tradition, who add braids to their hair every time they defeat an enemy. But we’re pretty sure all you hardcore “GOT” fans already knew that…
Before we unveil our top pick, here are some honorable mentions:
Abbi’s Blue Dress Keeps Reappearing
“Broad City” (2014-19)
David’s Twin Shows Up Early
“Schitt’s Creek” (2015-)
Walter’s Lost Pants Reappear
“Breaking Bad” (2008-13)
Eleven Still Uses Mike’s Time-Telling Technique
“Stranger Things” (2016-)
The Giant Status Mr. Burns Gives Homer in Season 2 Is in His Basement in Season 28
“The Simpsons” (1989-)
#1: The Drunk Guy Who Cleaned up His Life Between the Pilot & Finale
“Parks and Recreation” (2009-15)
Top 10 Small Details You Missed on Schitt's Creek
In the “Parks and Recreation” pilot, Leslie uses a broom to push a drunk out of a slide at the park. The character, whose name is listed as “Drunk/John”, only appears in three episodes: the pilot and the two-part series finale. The show would have us believe that Leslie hitting him with a broom was the catalyst for a complete personality overhaul. When he reappears, he’s got a good job, a shiny new suit and what we can only assume is adequate hygiene. Who’d have thought that this would be the character to bring a show like “Parks and Rec” full circle? No one. The answer is no one.
