Top 20 Times TV Bullies Who Got What They DESERVED
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 20 TV Bullies Who Got What They Deserved. For this list, we’ll be looking at the most satisfying times TV ruffians got a taste of sweet, sweet revenge. Heads up, we’ll only be looking at playground rivals here, not full-on evil villains. What other TV jerks are in need of some karma? Tattle in the comments down below!
#20: Meg Flips the Script
“Family Guy” (1999-2003; 2005-)
The Griffin’s daughter isn’t exactly what you’d call “well-respected” by her family. But, when the clan is holed up together during a hurricane, she’s told to “Shut up, Meg,” one too many times. Finally, at her breaking point, Meg proceeds to ruthlessly tear into her family with some very hard-hitting truths. It’s definitely on the harsh side, but after almost ten seasons of being the Griffin’s resident scapegoat, Meg’s explosion was totally warranted. If only because Lois, Peter, and the others finally got a taste of their own medicine. While the family dynamics inevitably return to status-quo, it’s nice to know that Meg can still dish it out when need be.
#19: Hamton the Hero
“Tiny Toon Adventures” (1990-92)
Everyone at Acme Looniversity knew that Montana Max needed to be taken down a peg. Of course, Hamton never expected he’d have to do it himself. But, after an incident involving a locker door, Max insists that they settle things after school. Hamton isn’t too confident about his chances, to the point he even starts writing his own will. Luckily, Porky Pig’s advice helps the piglet clinch victory. In fact, he wins without even throwing a punch. Instead, Hamton pretends to be so angry, it scares Max off through sheer intimidation alone. Considering Max is the one who challenged Hamton in the first place, this kind of humiliating defeat is only fair.
#18: Domestic Disturbance
“Stargate SG-1” (1997-2007)
When some thugs crash their car into another vehicle, they start blaming everyone except for themselves. Thankfully, Teal'c is there ready to dole out some justice. And, in his defense, he tries everything he can to resolve things peacefully. But, when the perpetrators start speaking with their fists, Teal'c does the same. It’s a pretty vindicating exchange. At least, provided you don’t blink through it. One headbutt and a few punches later, the fight is already over. Honestly, calling it a “fight” at all is pretty generous considering how fast it all goes down. A piece of advice? Next time Teal'c’s around, just walk away.
#17: Harold Goes Broke
“The Amazing World of Gumball” (2011-19)
Richard is too nice for his own good. He’s let the likes of Harold Wilson walk all over him since they were in high school. But, no more. At last, Richard decides to prove everyone wrong by getting back at Harold where it hurts the most - his wallet. Gumball’s father forges a check for a billion and one dollars, and then sits back and watches as Harold destroys his own life. He quits his job, replaces his wife, and blows up his home; all with money that he doesn’t actually have. Is this plan completely diabolical? Yes, 100%. But, given just how much Harold tormented Richard, it’s hard to feel too bad for him.
#16: Jinxed
“Teen Titans”(2003-06)
You know how they say to never meet your heroes? Well, that’s double the case for supervillains. Unfortunately, Jinx had to learn that one the hard way. She only wanted the simple things in life. To join the Brotherhood of Evil, defeat a few heroes, and earn the respect of her idol, Madame Rouge. However, the stretchy criminal is only interested in belittling all of Jinx’s efforts. Eventually, the teen decides she’s no one’s second fiddle, and proves as much by blasting Madame Rouge with a well-deserved hex blast. Later, Jinx even sided with the Titans to take down the Brotherhood of Evil once and for all. Talk about karma.
#15: Shutting Down a Tantrum
“Doctor Who” (1963-89; 2005-)
When it comes to deplorable father figures, Eddie Connolly might just take the whole cake. Within a few minutes of meeting him, it’s abundantly clear that he’s rude, self-absorbed, quick-tempered, and unleashes all of that on his poor family. Connolly even tries to intimidate the Doctor, too. But thankfully, the time traveler is having none of it. He rises to his feet and essentially says that he isn’t there to hear a grown man whine. The comeback is worth a round of applause, especially since Eddie has nothing to back up his bravado. Next time, he should check his attitude before getting a house call from the Doctor.
#14: Heather’s Close Shave
“Total Drama” (2007-)
Even in a competition that rewards lying and manipulation, Heather still easily went down as the season’s biggest villain. It took until there were only three players left, but she finally got what was coming for her. Or, should we say, her hair did. In this high-stakes game of Truth or Dare, Heather had to choose between going home or going bald. When it got down to the wire, she kicked the razor up and right onto her own head. But, the hair-loss wasn’t even the worst part. Since Heather still technically refused the dare, she was sent home, anyway. You couldn’t ask for a more poetic end to Heather’s tyranny.
#13: Charlie Brown for the Win
“He's a Bully, Charlie Brown” (2006)
Look, it’s no small secret that the lead of the Peanuts gang isn’t exactly raking in many victories. After all, he’s whiffed on a whole lot more footballs than he’s kicked. But, when new kid Joe Agate starts messing with his friends, Charlie Brown does the unthinkable: he wins a game. Not just any game, either; one that was quite literally for all the marbles. Since Joe scammed most of the other kids out of their pieces, it’s vindicating to see Charlie Brown of all people win them back. Sure, it’s always nice when a jerk gets their comeuppance, but really, we’re just happy Charlie finally got one on the board.
#12: Humiliated Every “Witch” Way
“Bewitched” (1964-72)
As early as the series’ very first episode, Samantha made it known that she does not tolerate any kind of snobby behavior. And, her fiance’s ex, Sheila, was the perfect candidate to make an example of. After enduring several underhanded insults, Samantha ruined Sheila’s whole night by conjuring itches, winds, unzippings, and more. Eventually, she fled dinner altogether in shame. In fact, Sheila was so embarrassed, she didn’t show her face for another few seasons. She still hadn’t learned her lesson, though. So, to put it nicely, Sheila’s second night out with the Stephens’ didn’t go much better than the first. Fingers crossed she finally got the message.
#11: Fiery Betrayal
“Avatar: The Last Airbender” (2005-08)
With how Azula treated, well, everyone, it was only a matter of time before her two traveling companions finally stood up to her. Mai was the first to crack. But, it wasn’t because of the name-calling or micro-aggressions. No, as she said herself, Mai simply loved Zuko more than she feared Azula. If that didn’t hurt the Princess’s ego enough, Ty Lee immediately turned on her, too. The fact that Azula ends this scene as a limp doll on the ground is as apt a metaphor as you can get. She’d later succumb to the guilt-induced madness, which all could’ve been avoided if she’d just been a bit nicer in the first place.
#10: Barry’s Supersonic Punch
“The Flash” (2014-23)
Barry Allen may be the fastest man alive now, but he wasn’t always so athletically gifted. As a kid, he was bullied by future meta-human Tony Woodward. When Woodward abducts Barry’s love interest Iris, the Flash is shocked to find that his bully is now superpowered too, able to transform himself into steel. At first, the superfast hero is unable to break through Tony’s skin. However, by pushing himself faster than he’s ever gone, he’s able to land a supersonic punch - which, with some help from Iris, finally takes Tony down.
#9: Captain Kirk Fights Finnegan
“Star Trek” (1966-69)
The crew of the Enterprise face many challenge while exploring the final frontier, but one of the greatest is what they’ve brought with them. While taking shore leave, the crew find their own imaginations and pasts seemingly coming alive to haunt them. Kirk is confronted with Finnegan, a mischievous bully from his time at Starfleet Academy. The two of them get into a fight and although Finnegan, who hasn’t aged, at first appears to have the upper hand, Kirk bounces back and is able to defeat his former tormentor.
#8: Miley & Lilly Get Accidental Revenge
“Hannah Montana” (2006-11)
While Miley Stewart’s attempts to keep her identity as teen idol Hannah Montana a secret do help her live an ordinary life by day, they also leave her vulnerable to ordinary bullies. Two of her most frequent tormentors are Amber and Ashley, who are ironically big Hannah Montana fans. During a camping trip, both bullies do everything they can to embarrass Miley and her friend Lilly, who end up locked in a portable toilet . . . which tips over. Fortunately, since Miley and Lily watched the proceedings while standing in poison oak, it’s a hollow victory.
#7: Sam Defends Carly From Jocelyn
“iCarly” (2007-12)
The title character’s best friend and co-host Sam can be pretty aggressive, and a bit of a bully. After being made aware of this side of herself, in front of a boy she’s crushing on, Sam makes an effort to be nicer. Bu during her attempts to turn over a new leaf, the group encounters even bigger bully Jocelyn, stretching Sam’s self-control to the limit. When Jocelyn messes with Carly, Carly gives Sam the go ahead to let Jocelyn have it, which Sam takes to with gusto - managing to take down the bully and impress the boy at the same time.
#6: SpongeBob vs. Flats the Flounder
“SpongeBob SquarePants” (1999-)
In an episode appropriately called “The Bully,” the cheerful yellow protagonist encounters Flats, the massive bully fish who joins his boating class. Flats promises to kick SpongeBob’s butt, and the hapless sea sponge tries everything he can to escape throughout the episode. Ultimately though, Flats tracks him down and proceeds to punch him. Except, that SpongeBob did not realize that his soft body would absorb the blows; leading to Flats exhausting himself over the next week in a fruitless attempt to make good on his promise.
#5: Reese Beats Up All the Hooligans
“Malcolm in the Middle” (2000-06)
The other “middle” child of Malcolm’s family, Reese, epitomizes school bullies everywhere. But when he loses to a girl at arm wrestling, Reese gives up his role as the school’s number one tormentor. Unfortunately, this creates a power vacuum, with several lesser bullies vying for the vacant position and leading to kids who were previously off-limits, such as Malcolm’s friend Stevie, getting picked on too. This spurs Reese to reclaim his former position by taking down the new bullies in rapid succession and with great flair; proving that he’s the “best” at what he does.
#4: Wendy vs. Cartman
“South Park” (1997-)
Eric Cartman might be hilarious, but he’s also a pretty despicable bully, so it’s always great to see him taken down a peg. One of the best examples occurs after he mocks Stan’s on-again off-again girlfriend Wendy’s presentation on breast cancer. Wendy promises to fight Cartman after school, which leaves the cowardly scumbag to try everything he can think of to get out of it, even eating his own underwear. Although he briefly appears to have escaped after involving their parents, the principal, a breast cancer survivor, gives Wendy the okay; leading toCartman being beaten to a satisfyingly bloody pulp.
#3: Steve Hires Stan's Old Rival to Beat Him Up
“American Dad!” (2005-)
Given how macho the eponymous “American Dad” Stan Smith is, he’s often unable to accept the nerdy and unaggressive nature of his son Steve. So in a misguided attempt to toughen his son up, he begins bullying him both at home and at school, relating how his own bully, Stelio Kontos, made him the man he is today. Fed up with his father’s tactics, Steve tracks down his dad’s old tormentor and hires him to beat Stan up, which Stelio Kontos executes in epic style - complete with his own theme song.
#2: Steve & Max vs. Billy
“Stranger Things” (2016-)
While Eleven making Mike’s bully Troy wet his pants was quite satisfying, for our money, this is the better bully takedown in “Stranger Things.” Max’s stepbrother Billy takes out his frustration at being bullied himself by his father on poor Max and Steve. A confrontation at Will’s house leads to brawl between Billy and Steve which, although Steve puts up a good fight, leaves Billy the victor. Fortunately, Max is able to hit her obnoxious step-sibling with a tranquilizer, and, with some help from a nail-studded bat, put the fear into Billy for a change.
#1: Bart Forms an Army & Water Balloons Nelson
“The Simpsons” (1989-)
Nelson Muntz is among the most famous TV bullies and he’s received several memorable punishments for his bullying over “The Simpsons”’ long run, such as the whole town laughing at him for a change. But our pick has to go to this epic occasion in his earliest appearance. After being bullied by Nelson, Bart Simpson decides that he’ll seek help from his grandfather, as well as unhinged military veteran Hermann. In an homage to war films, Bart then gathers many of his classmates to pelt Nelson with water balloons in a thoroughly epic battle from which Nelson emerges the clear loser.