Top 10 Times Cartoons Crossed Over Into Real Life
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Times Cartoons Crossed Over Into Real Life. For this list, we’ll be looking at moments, scenes, and full-on storylines that involve animated characters coming one step closer to our own three-dimensional world, through live-action segments or meta-commentary. We’re focusing on television rather than feature-length animation. Which animated character would you like to meet? Let us know in the comments.
#10: Henry & June Get Real
“KaBlam!” (1996-2000)
This Nicktoon combined a variety of styles and mediums with hosts Henry and June turning the pages. The duo dreams of visiting the real world, but how does one get there? Turns out that the gateway is a door in their studio. How convenient! The real world is anything but convenient, though, complete with pain and poor dubbing. Henry and June aren’t as pioneering as they think, as Mr. Foot already made contact with the real world. At least that’s one mystery solved, but another remains: who played the live-action Henry and June? Some speculate it was voice actors Noah Segan and Julia McIlvaine, but it’s never been confirmed. In any case, this was a fun detour, making the ordinary extraordinary.
#9: Nega-Chin Meets His Maker
“The Fairly OddParents” (2001-17)
The live-action “Fairly OddParents” movies and shows haven’t exactly been universally praised. However, the blending of mediums was effectively utilized for this segment. The villainous Nega-Chin realizes that he always loses because the author behind the comics is pulling every string. Nega-Chin thus pays a visit to Elmer Marmelman. Elmer is actually Butch Hartman’s real first name while Marmelman pays tribute to the episode’s co-writer, Steve Marmel. If you think that’s bizarre, Elmer is played by Patton Oswalt! When this episode started, we didn’t expect it to culminate in a character voiced by Jay Leno beating up the future voice of Remy the Rat. The leap to live-action is equally unexpected, adding another level of surrealness to this clash between the creator and his creation.
#8: Nick Fights With Himself
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“Big Mouth” (2017-)
It’s no secret that “Big Mouth” is co-creator Nick Kroll’s depraved way of unpacking his childhood issues. The only one who didn’t get the memo was Nick Birch, Kroll’s younger counterpart. Looking to file a complaint, Nick meets his older, live-action self, who isn’t afraid to remind audiences that he was in that Geico Caveman show. Although Nick has a bone to pick with… himself, he finds that the only one responsible for his current circumstances is… himself. It’s not as confusing as we’re making it sound. The more well-rounded Kroll puts things into perspective for his younger caricature, telling him to stop being hateful and to be grateful for his loved ones. Mixing meta humor with coming-of-age insight, it’s what “Big Mouth” does best.
#7: The Not-Really Last One
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“Aqua Teen Hunger Force” (2000-)
This episode starts in typical “Aqua Teen” fashion. And by “typical,” we mean with our main characters blowing up. Turns out that this is just a story being scribed by the human version of Master Shake, Don Shake. Of course, this Shake sounds less like Dana Snyder and more like Sterling Archer or Bob Belcher. Along with H. Jon Benjamin, Frylock is played by rapper T-Pain while an exercise ball channels Meatwad. The role of Carl went to David Long, Jr., who won a Burger King-sponsored casting call. This remains his only IMDb credit. The real scene-stealer is the practical set, which faithfully recreates the Aqua Teen’s house in all of its simplistic glory. It’s almost like “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” but cheaper and somehow even weirder.
#6: The Blair Witch’s Ghost
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“The Scooby-Doo Project” (1999)
We could make a Top 10 list of the best Cartoon Network bumpers, but for now, let’s focus on what’s widely considered their masterpiece. Airing as commercial segments before being edited into an Annie Award-winning special, “The Scooby-Doo Project” goes beyond merging live-action and animation. It brilliantly balances tones with the gang fitting in surprisingly well with the found footage subgenre. This satirical approach brings out a more cynical side of the gang. You can tell that the creators understand this franchise and love these characters… except maybe Scrappy-Doo, who’s scarier than anything else lurking in the woods. The end product is especially impressive knowing that “Blair Witch” came out only a couple of months earlier with a remarkable turnaround.
#5: The Trusty Slab
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“SpongeBob SquarePants” (1999-)
SpongeBob has ventured to the live-action surface world a few times, usually in crude puppet form. In other instances, such as the Bubble Bowl, the characters remain animated. Excluding feature films, the most ambitious live-action expedition comes in the “Big Birthday Blowout” special. Taking a tour above water, SpongeBob crosses paths with several celebrities, including a familiar Hasselhoff. Matters get especially self-referential with a trip to the Trusty Slab. After 20 years of hearing their voices, Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Rodger Bumpass, Clancy Brown, Carolyn Lawrence, and Mr. Lawrence are given some overdue screen time in a segment that may be more over-the-top than the animated portion. Kenny resurfaces again as Patchy the Pirate, who sends his head to SpongeBob in their long-anticipated meeting.
#4: Live-Action Guy
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“Family Guy” (1999-2003; 2005-)
“Family Guy” is no stranger to the live-action realm. In one case, Peter took a psychedelic trip with things getting too real. You don’t need to do Toad to get real, however. You just need Stewie’s multiverse remote. The Griffins have crossed paths with numerous live-action celebrities, from Bill Maher, to Alyssa Milano, to Gene Kelly. The live-action segments have also called the Griffins’ very existence into question. Supposedly, their universe exists within a lampshade owned by Rob Lowe and Adam West. Seth MacFarlane’s father narrated another episode while one of the show’s strangest outings took place in Pam Ewing’s dream. We can only think of one way to close out this entry. Ladies and gentlemen, Conway Twitty.
#3: Facing Reality
“South Park” (1997-)
“South Park” has encountered live-action guinea pigs and Malcolm McDowell, but few moments have been more surprising than seeing the boys in the real world. The first example comes in the episode “I Should Have Never Gone Ziplining,” which recaps the boys’ latest misadventure. The shift to live-action contributes to the reality show parody, although technically, this segment is only a reenactment with adult actors filling in for the boys. If you wanted to see the boys get real, just wait until Season 18’s “Grounded Vindaloop.” Removing his Oculus Rift, Stan goes from two-dimensional character to real boy. Kyle, Kenny, Cartman, and Butters are present as well, curious about Stan’s VR trip. It’s immersive, but Stan has some gripes about the animation quality.
#2: Another Dimension
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“The Simpsons” (1989-)
If you’ve ever wondered what the Simpsons would look like in real life, the opening sequence was recreated for a Sky One promo and couch gag. The animated family has also fallen into the real world, usually in “Treehouse of Horror” episodes. While channel surfing, Bart and Lisa land in Regis and Kathie Lee’s cooking pot. The funniest example comes in “Treehouse of Horror VI.” When Homer’s trip to the third dimension goes haywire, he winds up in an even more realistic environment. The dumpster is in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, but the street that Homer uncomfortably walks down was shot on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City. Fox felt the shoot would be too expensive, but we’re glad director David Mirkin pulled it off.
#1: Looney & Live
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“Looney Tunes” (1930-69)
Yeah, we know the classic shorts debuted theatrically, but with so many generations discovering the Looney Tunes through TV, it’d be a disservice to exclude them. Few animated characters have had as many memorable brushes with the real world. Bugs Bunny has met Errol Flynn’s Robin Hood, partied with the cast of “Romance on the High Seas,” and even attended the Academy Awards where he was despicably snubbed in favor of James Cagney. “You Ought to Be in Pictures” is a particularly clever short with Porky asking Leon Schlesinger to tear up his contract. This mirrors real life, as director Friz Freleng briefly left Warner Bros. to work at MGM. After serving Fred Quimby, Freleng happily returned to Mr. Schlesinger, just like Porky.
