This is discussion archived from a time before the current discussion method was installed.
Susan Davis: Static Shock is a pretty obscure series that doesn't even have an entry. Perhaps this trope should be named Double Meat Palace or Burger Shot or the like?
RedBeardSean: though no longer being aired, Static Shock was not only on for four 13-ep seasons, but had cross-overs with the other Diniverse shows of The DCU, including a couple after the show itself was canceled. While I'm not saying that the show had any overseas exposure, it was considered a hit on the Kid's WB and the Cartoon Network.
BT The P: The main reason why I picked Burger Fool over any of the other choices is that it is also a good descriptive name. If the Static Shock reference wasn't there the name would still make some amount of sense. Think about it: if I say "Burger Fool", you immediately start thinking of funny fast food, while if I say "Bueno Nacho" or "Double-Meat Palace" you get images of much different concepts. (addendum: I plan on writing an entry for Static Shock. Usually, I hold off on writing a series page until there are a few links to it on trope pages.)
Ununnilium: I'm going to agree with BT The P. It just makes sense.
Phartman: I kinda like Mc Ridiculous and Wheres The Dignity myself, but Burger Fool is undoubtedly the best establishment to name the trope after, as I immediately think of a depressed sixteen-year-old in a loud uniform working at a fast food counter when I hear it.
Morgan Wick: Besides, There Is No Such Thing As Notability.
LordManiMani: may I suggest "Mc Minion?"
Looney Toons: Didn't Fast Times At Ridgemont High have an inversion/aversion of the "successful nerd" subtrope? I seem to recall a jockly/"cool kid" type who worked at a fast food place and was incredibly proud of how well he made fries.
Umptyscope: Judge Reinhold's character in Fast Times At Ridgemont High was a slight inversion... he was proud of how he made fries and the costume (behind the counter) wasn't too bad, but the boss made him dress up in pirate gear to deliver food in his own car. ( I also remember him getting fired after a customer verbally abused him and he defended himself.)
- I don't think Reinhold's character was an inversion of this. He actually worked at two fast food restaurants during the movie. The first one, he was fired because he had a confrontation with a customer who harassed him about a refund. The second one, where he had to dress as a pirate while making a delivery, he was so humiliated while attempting, while dressed as a pirate, to flirt with Nancy Wilson in the nearby car that he quit in the midst of the delivery. So first he was victimized by a nasty customer, then he was victimized by his ridiculous uniform.
- Random Surfer: In the book the film was based on, the character played by Reinhold was at the top of the school food chain, largely because he had the coolest after school job (the one at the first fast food joint). Once he lost that job he slid down the ladder quickly.
macroscopic: Pulled out Spongebob, since the example's written as an aversion. The Krusty Krab never claims to be anything other than a hellhole ("People come here for two things: cheap food and verbal abuse."), it's only Spongebob that thinks it's better. I'll write it as a straight example in the morning.
- Spongebob Squarepants has the title character working at the Krusty Krab to earn a living. The show notably avoids most of the above details, leaning more towards workplace comedy in its portrayal. A complete inversion of the humiliation aspects, in fact- Spongbob is enthralled with the job. It's his life ambition. Spongebob's coworker Squidward, on the other hand... the owner of the place is portrayed as a money-hungry bastard who cares more about profit than he does about pleasing the customers.
