History Main / ButHeSoundsHandsome

* ''LightNovel/AscendanceOfABookworm'': The story quickly starts hinting that Sylvester the blue priest is not a blue priest, but at the very least a high-ranking noble masquerading as one with mixed results. When his real identity is revealed, he turns out to have held quite a few conversations as if said identity was another person entirely, saying both good and bad things about them. A side chapter establishes that at least one person accidentally insulted his real identity to his face during the KingIncognito stint.

* In ''Literature/RiversOfLondon'', when Mr. Punch impersonates the ghost of Nicholas Wallpenny, he not only can't resist praising his onetime alter-ego Henry Pyke, but he bitches at length about the injustice of Pyke's death (which is a valid complaint) and the terrible reviews his acting had garnered life (which isn't: his performances stank).

* In ''Literature/RiversOfLondon'', when Mr. Punch impersonates the ghost of Nicholas Wallpenny, he not only can't resist praising his onetime alter-ego Henry Pyke, but he bitches at length about the injustice of Pyke's death (which is a valid complaint) and the terrible reviews his acting garnered life (which isn't: his performances stank).

* In ''Literature/RiversOfLondon'', when Mr. Punch impersonates the ghost of Nicholas Wallpenny, he not only can't resist praising Henry Pyke, but he bitches at length about the injustice of Pyke's death (which is a valid complaint) and of the terrible reviews his acting garnered life (which isn't: his performances stank).

'''George Sr. as Oscar:''' Yeah, that's the weed. I went to my, uh, [bleep]-hole trailer, and I-I smoked some like a cigarette.

* In the ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' episode "Duet", in addition to his [[EvilIsHammy gloating about the atrocities performed at Gallitep]], Gul Darhe'el gave glowing compliments about his file clerk, [[TheAtoner Aamin Marritza]]. [[spoiler:When it turned out "Gul Darhe'el" actually was Marritza, he then said what a coward he was, until the guilt over the crimes he couldn't stop overwhelmed him. However, in every version of the story, he always emphasized that whatever else Marritza was, he was an ''exemplary'' file clerk.]]

* This is a RunningGag in ''Series/SaturdayNightLive''[='s=] parody crossover ''Series/UndercoverBoss: [[Film/TheForceAwakens Starkiller Base]]'', in which [[NerdInEvilsHelmet Kylo Ren]] from ''Franchise/StarWars'' tries to goes undercover among his {{mooks}} as a radar technician named Matt. Key word being "[[EverybodyKnewAlready tries]]" -- he's quite the OvertOperative.

* A common [[MemeticMutation joke]] in Creator/{{Bethesda}}'s fandoms is for people to photoshop {{Paper Thin Disguise}}s of [[LyingCreator Todd Howard]] to hype up whatever game (''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'', ''VideoGame/Fallout4'', ''VideoGame/Fallout76'', etc.) they're planning on rereleasing for whatever platform ([[UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch Switch]], UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, [[UsefulNotes/Commodore64 Commodore]] [[{{Retraux}} 64]], etc.)

* A common [[MemeticMutation joke]] in Creator/{{Bethesda}}'s fandoms is for people to photoshop {{Paper Thin Disguise}}s of [[LyingCreator Todd Howard]] to hype up whatever game (''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'', ''VideoGame/Fallout4'', ''VideoGame/Fallout76'', etc.) they're planning on rereleasing for whatever platform ([[UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch Switch]], UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, [[UsefulNotes/Commodore64 Commodore]] [[{{Retraux}} 64]], etc.).
* Chris Chan creator of {{Webcomic/Sonichu}} once came under attack by a group of trolls known as 'The Idea Guys' who managed to use Chris's tenuous grasp on reality to run a ProtectionRacket on Cwcville itself (which Chris believes to be a real place). When doxing one of the Idea Guys didn't work and the extortion continued anyway; one of his co-conspirators posted several times on the Kiwi Farms "Maybe there is another Idea Guy out there?" and "He's obviously not working alone, he's got some way smarter guy working with him". Needless to say this string of comments led directly to him getting outed as that "other guy".

* ''WesternAnimation/RobinHood'': During the archery tournament, Robin, [[AssInALionSkin disguised as a stork]], praises himself and taunts the Sheriff of Nottingham about his failure catching him.

** Another notable case was when one of Naismith's rescue victims was advising Lieutenant Vorkosigan to "stay away from the bunch of clowns called the Dendarii Mercenaries." Nettled, Miles snapped "Why? They got you back alive, didn't they?"

* ''WesternAnimation/TheNewScoobyDooMovies'': While throwing his voice to make the villain think the place is surrounded by cops, Creator/JonathanWinters can't help but make the cops praise him.

* Downplayed in a series 1 episode of {{Series/Yonderland}}--the dark lord Negatus, in disguise as a lowly bum named Dirty Ernie, has to endure the heroes repeatedly remarking on how loathsome, vile, slimy, and generally unpleasant he is. While he doesn't offer any compliments to counter, "Ernie" does posit that maybe being an evil overlord is a difficult job, and Negatus seems to be doing his best despite bwing under massive stress.

* This was used pretty frequently in ''Franchise/TheFlash'', with him out of disguise saying something along the lines of "Now now, we can't all be The Flash". Come to think of it, pretty much every superhero uses this one at some point. Except the ones with no secret identity.

** Back in the Stan Lee/Steve Ditko days, Peter would bash Spider-Man anytime he was asked for his opinion on him.
** A few times during ''ComicBook/SuperiorSpiderMan'', Spider-Man (really Otto Octavius playing GrandTheftMe with Spider-Man's body) would defend ComicBook/DoctorOctopus as "the greatest enemy I ever faced" whenever someone else put Ock down.

* ''[[Franchise/StarWars Darth Vader]]'' of all people does this in the now [[Franchise/StarWarsLegends non-canon]] "Darth Vader and the Ghost Prison" when he claims that Anakin Skywalker was one of the Jedi Order's most skilled generals.
* ''VenomTheEnd'': The LemonyNarrator makes a joke about "God forbid the world ever had to do without [[spoiler:[[ComicBook/IronMan Tony Stark]]]], eh?" as they narrate how his {{Artificial Intelligence}}s were among the many to survive into the twilight days of biological life. At first this sounds like SelfDeprecation on Creator/{{Marvel}}'s part... until the end of the story, where it is revealed [[spoiler: the narrator is an ArtificialIntelligence descended from Stark, and thus they were actually describing themselves]].

* Played for drama in ''Film/CaptainClegg'', where Parson Blyss (Creator/PeterCushing) subtly [[ActuallyPrettyFunny admires]] the achievements the supposedly-dead pirate of the film's title, so it's really not hard to figure out that Blyss is Clegg long before it's explicitly spelled out. Tellingly, when he's explaining the circumstances surrounding Clegg's betrayal and arrest, he becomes morally indignant on Clegg's behalf.

* In ''Series/HenryDanger'', when Piper finds out Kid Danger is brother, he tries to deny it, but makes sure to add he thinks her brother is awesome.

[[folder:sian Animation]]

[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
* ''Anime/DragonBallZ'': In the Android Saga, Dr. Gero/Android 20 certainly doesn't spare words to praise his own work while he's posing as just one of Dr. Gero's creations. This is actually what tips Piccolo off that Android 20 ''is'' Dr. Gero, which Bulma confirms.
* During an episode of ''Anime/SailorMoon'', Moon fakes having a fight with the other senshi to lure out the villains. Naru mentions the rumour to Usagi who claims "Sailor Moon is too nice and sweet and would never have a fight with the other Sailor Senshi!"
* ''Franchise/LupinIII'': the titular character is a MasterOfDisguise, and indulges in this while walking through an area where the authorities are looking for him.
* ''[[Manga/GreatTeacherOnizuka GTO: 14 Days in Shonan]]'': Onizuka pretends to be Ayame, and [[TalkingWithSigns uses a notepad]] to tell [[spoiler:Shinomi]] how great he is.
* In ''Webcomic/HetaliaAxisPowers'', America comes in early and draws all the Allies and Axis on the chalkboard. When the others arrive and wonder who drew them all so badly, America feigns ignorance, but can't help "disparaging" the cute, pop art-inspired New York-style art.
* ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf'':
** During one story arc, Ryōga got a mark on his stomach that [[EmbarrassingButEmpoweringOutfit makes him invincible, but looks incredibly stupid]]. Since it can only be removed by being defeated, Ranma tries all manner of things, and finally comes up with an answer:
--->'''Ranma:''' While you were standing, you never had one tiny opening in your defense. But once, when that incredibly graceful, beautiful girl hit a volleyball to you, and you crouched to hit it back, you were open! Which means...\\
'''Ryōga:''' Of course! [[ComicallyMissingThePoint That girl was YOU]]!
** Also happens much earlier in the story, when Ranma (in girl form) beats up Kunō (in response to an insult to his manhood, ironically), and quickly covers with the below when he realizes that Kunō is still oblivious:
--->'''Ranma:''' I'll have you know Ranma Saotome's even stronger than me!
** In one story, a clone of his female side is created. She's taken to school so Ranma can keep an eye on her. She starts flirting with all the other students then asks if Ranma is jealous. He replies that however beautiful she is, unfortunately he can't love her. The watching students comment that his ego is the size of Tokyo.
* Uncle Negi from ''Literature/{{Anpanman}}'' will happily comment on how handsome and amazing his Zorro-esque alter ego Naganegiman is. Whenever Naganegiman leaves the scene, Uncle Negi pops up nearby, commenting on him. When people talk about Naganegiman's awesomeness around Uncle Negi, he has a tendency to just melt...and everyone else wonders what the heck he's doing.
* In Chapter 375 of ''Manga/Reborn2004'', Tsuna reveals to Gokudera and Yamamoto that the reason he was able to [[spoiler:fight his father to a draw]] was because he received advice from a mysterious man in a suit. The reader already knows that the man in question was the true form of [[spoiler:Reborn, his tutor who is usually trapped in the form of a baby]]. After reverting to his "normal" form in the aftermath of the advice-giving, [[MetaphoricallyTrue he claims to have not seen the man]]. Here, though, he makes sure to point out that the man was cool.
* When Shirogane's father first meets Kaguya in ''Manga/KaguyaSamaLoveIsWar'', he trolls her into revealing her feelings for his son by pretending to insult him and claiming he'll retract his statement if she can point out what makes him so wonderful. With every positive attribute she lists, he provides a counterargument, the only exception being when she mentions [[WhatBeautifulEyes his piercing gaze]] and he responds "his parents must have good genes."
* In Episode 5 of ''Anime/TheWorldEndsWithYou'', a subtle example occurs. When talking about the Composer, the one responsible for the Reaper's Game, Joshua says that the Composer could erase Shibuya if he so desired, seemingly proud of that. Those who played the game know that [[spoiler:Joshua is the Composer.]]
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Fan Works]]
* In ''WebVideo/CodeMENT'':
-->'''Suzaku:''' Who knew they'd put the death of Clover's murder on that stupid One guy?\\
'''Lelouch:''' That One guy '''sounds like A REALLY ''AWESOME'' DUDE!'''
* On the ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'' CharacterBlog "Doofenshmirtz's Daily Dirt", [[MadScientist Doof]] reads a comment saying that "[[CreatorCameo Dan Povenmire]] should do stand up."
-->'''Doof:''' Who on Earth is Dan Povenmire? He sounds very handsome, though, I must say.
* An odd version comes up in ''WebVideo/DragonBallZAbridged''. A running gag in the second season is someone (usually Krillan) references another character with the other person saying something along the lines of "I do not know what this is, but it sounds awful". The trope comes into play with the Bardock film when Bardock points out how Lord Chill is a lot like Freeza (Chill's distant descendant) to which Chill responds "I don't know what this Freeza is but it sounds like a classy lady!"
* In ''Fanfic/FakingIt'', Bill mentions how it's a shame he hasn't seen the demon Cipher in a long time and that he's an alright guy. Even this much credit to who he thinks is another demon strikes Dipper as odd considering how incredibly self-centered Bill is.
* When a pizza dinner appears in '"Fanfic/HarryIsADragonAndThatsOk'', the Weasley twins wonder aloud "who had such a good idea" as to give the house elves lots of muggle cookbooks.
* In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7917781/7/Harry-Potter-On-His-Own Harry Potter on His Own]]'', Harry, visiting France while glamoured and under an alias, goes to a gathering and one of his neighbor's daughters asks if he met the Boy-Who-Lived during the wizarding war. When he tries to downplay exaggerations of his accomplishments, another daughter accuses him of being jealous of himself.
* ''Fanfic/TheKeysStandAlone: The Soft World'': While in Geddy disguise on the Flying Island of Tipaan, Music/{{George|Harrison}} and Music/{{Ringo|Starr}} encounter some musicians. As they chat, the musicians scoff at the musical abilities of outworlders (which have already been established as generally dreadful). George agrees but says “We do know [[Music/TheBeatles four who aren't bad]].”
* ''Fanfic/LikeARedheadedStepchild'''s climax involves Voldemort's resurrection being an ImperfectRitual which [[spoiler:essentially turns him into [[WesternAnimation/TheEmperorsNewGroove Yzma]]]]. The moment Hermione suggests that this might have been caused by deliberate sabotage, Snape denies it, on the grounds that "Only a skillful and masterful potions master could ever manage such a thing." [[LampshadeHanging Dumbledore immediately tells him to quit bragging]].
* ''Fanfic/MarieDSuesseAndTheMysteryNewPirateAge'': The ending of the story heavily implies that the LemonyNarrator is actually [[spoiler: Trafalgar Law, or whatever is left of his Disinfector persona after the CosmicRetcon that ends the fic]]. Armed with this information, some of the lines that are spouted off [[RewatchBonus end up being even funnier than on the first read]].
-->[[spoiler: I shouldn't have to explain why Mar might feel somewhat star-struck with the idea of Law present. Mar is a sixteen-year old girl, and it's ''freaking Trafalgar Law,'' c'mon.]]
* In ''Fanfic/PowersOfInvisibility'', Ladybug and Chat Noir both praise Juleka's cute date outfit, which was picked out for her by Marinette and Adrien. The narration describes this as "two smug, ridiculous, idiotic, ''oblivious'' teenaged superheroes both puffed up like roosters during mating season at the compliment they were unwittingly paying one another whilst secretly paying it to themselves whilst pretending to pay it to Juleka."
** The next time she sees her, Juleka dryly brings up this encounter with Marinette, who jokingly asks what Ladybug and Chat Noir were like: "I bet they were ''amazing''." Juleka deflates her by reminding her that she and Chat left her stranded on a rooftop.
* ''Fanfic/RiskItAll'': After his super identity becomes known as "the Breaker" on the internet, Ren feels the need to defend himself to his dad, who had referred to him as a "dangerous metahuman". Try as he might, Ren can't really say anything good about leaving several men with crippling injuries.
* Chloe naturally complements her alter ego in ''WebComic/ScarletLady''. Adrien isn't above praising Chat Noir, either, especially in response to things like Chloe going on and on about herself... not that he's aware of that little detail.
* ''Fanfic/SinsOfThePast'' has several of Marinette's old classmates still serving as members of Team Miraculous as adults. Some of them, like Kim and Alix, can't help singing their own praises, talking up their heroic exploits.
* In ''WebVideo/SwordArtOnlineAbridged'''s second season, Leafa/Suguha is able to figure out that this "Kirito" guy she quested with one night in ''Alfheim Online'' is her ([[AdaptationRelationshipOverhaul hated]]) older brother Kazuto fairly quickly, while he remains oblivious to her own identity. This allows her to ask him about his home life, and when he rants about how awful his sister is, Suguha-as-Leafa suggests that this "creative, young, beautiful woman" might be lashing out at him for [[FreudianExcuse some reason.]]
* In ''Fanfic/SystemRestore'', a fairly dark version happens when [[spoiler:Souda]] gets the personality altering despair fever, and imagines [[spoiler:himself]] as the recently deceased [[spoiler:Sonia]], the object of [[spoiler:his]] affections, and as "[[spoiler:Sonia]]", goes about talking highly of [[spoiler:his]] real self.
* In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12855468/6/The-Wolf-Lord The Wolf Lord]]'', Harry, who was renamed James Lupin when Remus adopted him, comments to several Hufflepuffs that Harry Potter sounds more like a fairy tale than an actual person.
* In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11092196/16/Xtreme-Freak Xtreme Freak]]'', James, Lily, Remus and Sirius used a time turner and Muggle makeup to lead double lives as wizarding band The Hobgoblins. Sirius once took a date to one of their concerts and loudly stated that he could sing better than the "no-talent hack" onstage.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Video Games]]
* In the adventure game ''VideoGame/NellyCootalot: [[http://www.bigbluecup.com/games.php?action=detail&id=860 Spoonbeaks Ahoy]]'', the titular heroine at one point tells a society of Dignified Ladies that the pilot they'd hired to fly their poorly-built aircraft around the world wasn't coming. Later, she must disguise herself as the pilot; when the ladies tell Nelly-as-the-pilot what Nelly had said earlier, she replies "Damn that gorgeous liar!"
* ''VideoGame/SpiderMan2'' has this exchange between the web-slinger and Quentin Beck:
-->'''Spider-Man:''' I don't like people making a career out of badmouthing me, Beck.\\
'''Quentin Beck:''' What about that editor at the Bugle, Jameson?\\
'''Spider-Man:''' J.J? He just has a knack for hiring good photographers.
* On the road back from completing your first major quest in ''VideoGame/BaldursGate'', the player has the option to do this:
-->'''Traveler:''' You been down south recently? You see them heroes everyone is talking about?\\
'''Protagonist:''' Well, I did hear about them. Supposedly real brave, and damn good looking too.
** Also, in ''VideoGame/BaldursGateII'', Edwin accidentally transforms himself into a woman while trying to unlock the secrets of a magical scroll. While this is initially upsetting for him, it turns out to be advantageous later on when a wizard tasked with hunting him down and killing him doesn't realize who he is and lets him go. However, the other wizard soon figures out that something's not right, tracks the party down again, and accuses the female wizard of being Edwin in disguise. The response?
-->'''Edwin:''' Er...I am no Edwin, as you claim. I know him not. He sounds like a worthy mage of distinction, and I am probably weaker having not made his acquaintance. My name is...Celisa of Waterdeep. Yes, daughter of...Kur..Kurdall Al....Ale...Kurdall Aleconnor, a wealthy mead-maker and owner of a chain of festhalls. No Edwin in our midst I'm most sorry to say. Only Celisa Aleconnor. You'd best be off to capture this Edwin. He sounds like a formidable foe.
* ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'':
** If you dominate an enemy Spy while playing as a Spy yourself, your Spy may remark "I'll see you in Hell, you handsome rogue!" Keep in mind that the two Spies look identical except for their colors, so he ''is'' secretly complementing himself. Oddly enough, this happens during one of the few times you ''won't'' be disguised, since attacking will remove it. Conversely, the dominating Spy may [[HypocriticalHumor call the other Spy's suit cheap]].
** Subverted in the "Meet the Spy" video. When the BLU Spy is making out the RED Spy to be some sort of [[MemeticBadass nigh-unstoppable death god]], the BLU Soldier assumes he's actually the RED Spy in disguise and [[YourHeadAsplode blows his head off with his shotgun]]. [[RedHerringMole He's wrong]]. The RED Spy was actually disguised as [[spoiler:the BLU Scout, and actually inverted the trope earlier by calling Spies in general "dime-a-dozen backstabbing scumbags"]].
* Used in ''VideoGame/{{Psychonauts}}'', when the identity of the Phantom is revealed.
-->'''[[spoiler:Jasper:]]''' WHAT? How dare you accuse me of being the rugged and romantic Phantom, who has captivated audiences for months on end?
* A variation occurs in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII''. The entire storyline is presented as [[FramingDevice Varric telling Hawke's tale after the fact]]. At one point in the game, Varric mows down wave after wave of surprisingly easy enemies, and then his brother Bartrand starts going on about how jealous he is of Varric for being "strong and handsome, and so very smart". During this speech, the scene shifts to Varric telling the story, making it clear that he's started making things up [[spoiler: because he doesn't want to think about what actually happened]].
* ''VideoGame/{{Thief}}'' uses another variation when you are given the opportunity to spy on an imposter.
-->'''Garrett:''' So, [[MostDefinitelyNotAVillain that's]] the famous Garrett. Guess he's not as good-looking as I heard.
* A potential meta example comes from ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublicIITheSithLords''. Kreia describes Arren Kae as a beautiful and strong Jedi, and also rarely has unkind words to say about Kae's students like Revan. It's [[ShrugOfGod never stated definitively]] (when asked about it, Chris Avellone basically said "no", but using wording that suggested he really liked the idea), but many fans have connected enough dots to assume that Kreia ''is'' Arren Kae.
* In the ''VideoGame/HearthstoneHeroesOfWarcraft'' "Naxxramas" solo challenge, FinalBoss Kel'Thuzad taunts the player about each boss that they are about the face. When they finally reach Kel'Thuzad himself, he tells the player: "I hear the next boss is all-powerful... and very handsome."
* A first-time player of ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'' may wonder why the hostage Donald Anderson is so quick to praise the intelligence and cunning of FOXHOUND, his captors. [[spoiler: He was really Decoy Octopus in disguise.]]
* ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'': At the end of Act 1, the Trooper infiltrates an enemy-held starship to confront a defector and, along the way, encounters a group of ex-Republic {{mooks}} who are taking a break to talk about the [[OneManArmy Havoc team]] that's devastating their ranks. Naturally, the Trooper can pitch in with [[MookHorrorShow how terrifying and deadly]] these Republic commandos are, and how they're glad nobody's around like that...
* A meta example occurs in ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'' if the player enters "[[Music/TobyFox TOBY]]" during Mettaton's essay prompts.
-->'''Mettaton:''' Toby? What the hell is that? Sounds... sexy.
* In ''[[https://fablesoft.itch.io/ellaria-cotton-cream Ellaria: Cotton & Cream]]'', the main characters get plot-relevant information from either an "oddly attractive bard" or a "sketchy yet oddly attractive man", both of whom are clear self-inserts of the narrator who's revealed in the good endings to be a GameMaster of a ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons''-like game.
* Prime Minister Baldi, a "former" pirate himself, suggests the masked pirate that saves one of your exploration fleets early on in ''Neo Atlas 1469'' was "dependable" and "probably good with the ladies."
* In ''VideoGame/FireEmblemFates'', Xander tells Laslow in their supports that he's gotten complaints about "a certain royal retainer" hitting on the local women. Laslow's response?
--> '''Laslow:''' Do you... know the identity of this gorgeous fiend, milord?\\
'''Xander''': ''(angry sprite)'' It was you, Laslow.
* In ''VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses'', BadLiar Flayn is secretly [[spoiler:the ancient Saint Cethleann. Whenever the subject of said saint comes up, she eagerly corrects the history books' "misconceptions" and discusses her virtues]].
* In ''VideoGame/SuikodenII'' a petitioner visits the main character's castle and asks for the great hero, not knowing that that's exactly who he's speaking to. The main character can admit to their identity, mention that "he's so unbelievably cool" or in the [[HeroicSelfDeprecation inverse of this trope]] declare that "he's nothing special".
* In ''VideoGame/BatmanTheTelltaleSeries'', Bruce Wayne is asked what he thinks about Batman. You can either play this trope straight by calling him a great hero, or invert it by calling him a lunatic that should be locked up.
* In the "Claptastic Journey" DLC from ''VideoGame/BorderlandsThePreSequel'', [[spoiler:when you beat 5H4D0W-TP for the first time, Handsome Jack says "Shame he had to die, he was an impressive piece of code." You soon learn that it was 5H4D0W-TP imitating Jack in order to trick you into handing over the H-Source.]]
* The Marauder quest line in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'' has an instance, where the guildmaster tasks you, with the assistance of his conjurer sister, to take out a nest of beasts, only to be accosted by other marauders - clearly the guildmaster and other unnamed members of the guild [[PaperThinDisguise with face-concealing helmets]]. The conjurer notes after beating them that he clearly couldn't have expected you to fall for such a simple disguise, but asks you to play dumb for the guildmaster's sake; when you return, almost [[INeverSaidItWasPoison without provocation]], he brings up that you did well to defeat "opponents of such formidable skill" and congratulates you for surpassing such "overwhelming odds".
* In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIIRemake'', when you do the Angel of the Slums quest, you encounter a village gossip in Sector 5 named Mireille who provides you information to help you on the quest, though she wouldn't give a Shinra reporter the time of day before. After you complete the quest, if you talk with her again, she comments that "You know, there's a rumor that the Angel of the Slums is as radiant and beautiful as she is daring. Personally, I think that one is true." The game drops several hints that Mireille is in fact the Angel of the Slums and outright confirms it if you complete another quest much later in the game.
* ''VideoGame/{{Hades}}'': The mysterious, unnamed LemonyNarrator ends up accidentally exposing his identity when Zagreus discovers a bust of [[spoiler:Creator/{{Homer}}]] and the Narrator's description of the man quickly gets a little ''too'' flattering.
* Early on during ''VideoGame/ResidentEvilVillage'', [[spoiler:the old lady that Ethan Winters encounters a few times comes across as a crazy, yet devout follower of Miranda, who happens to be the BigBad. Like the few remaining villagers Ethan meets, the old lady recites a prayer to give glory to Miranda. Much later on, it's revealed that the old lady was Miranda all along, thanks to her ability of VoluntaryShapeshifting. As if the cutscene shortly after Heisenberg's death didn't cement her as self-centered, her prior statements in her old lady disguise makes her come across as even ''more'' arrogant, giving herself praise and being her own hype woman. She is also a MadScientist that secretly subjugated her entire village to numerous horrific experiments for decades, all to revive her daughter Eva. As the old lady, the fact that Miranda states the following part of her own prayer could mean that whether her test subjects lived or died, they should be grateful for her getting closer to her ultimate goal:]]
-->[[spoiler:'''Old lady:''' As the midnight moon rises on black wings[[labelnote:*]]Miranda [[WingedHumanoid has black wings]], by the way[[/labelnote]], we await the light at the end... In life and in death, glory to Mother Miranda.]]
* In ''VideoGame/MetroidDread'', [[spoiler:it turns out that the ADAM that Samus has been communicating with for possibly the entire game was really the BigBad intercepting the signal and impersonating the AI. While Raven Beak drops the act when giving a JoinOrDie speech just before the final boss fight, the twist is foreshadowed by "ADAM" starting to speak more and more highly of the Chozo warlord as the game progresses.]]
* In ''VideoGame/NightRipper'', you hear a DJ defending the titular SerialKiller for cleaning up the streets of the city. Later on, you find an unattended radio station in the serial killer's hideout. Do the math.
* In ''VideoGame/{{Psychonauts 2}}'', Razputin can come across a memory of [[BigBadFriend Lucrecia Mux]], personified as a paper doll, in Cassie O'Pia's mind and ask her about the good old days of the Psychic Seven. While Cassie's good memories aren't fully tainted by Lucrecia's descent into evil and Paper Lucrecia is nothing but friendly towards Raz, Cassie can't help speak some of her resentment through the paper doll anyways.
-->'''Paper Lucy:''' Cassie tried to be friends with me, but I was too busy making goo-goo eyes at Ford Cruller. I ruined everything, you know!
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDragonJakeLong'': In "Dreamscape," Rotwood schedules a quiz on "one of the greatest scientific minds of modern times" but won't tell Jake which scientist he needs to study. [[SmallNameBigEgo It turns out to be Rotwood himself.]]
* In "The Sugar Plum Fairy!" from ''WesternAnimation/ButterbeansCafe'', Ms. Marmalady dresses up as the Sugar Plum Fairy and tries to fool Butterbean and her friends. Cricket almost immediately calls her out as Ms. Marmalady and she replies "Who? Oh, I've never heard of her. But she's probably really cool." Then she takes a fall and admits the truth.
* ''WesternAnimation/ChipNDaleRescueRangers'': In "One-Upsman-Chip", Chip is playing a trick on Dale by making him think he conjured up some kind of spirit. When he is speaking as the spirit he mentions "your incredibly handsome friend, Chip".
* In ''WesternAnimation/CloneHigh'', Joan of Arc tries to use this on Abe while "disguised" as John D'Arc, to get him to like her while badmouthing Abe's girlfriend Cleo; it doesn't work, and Abe assumes that John is trying to steal Cleo for himself.
* In the ''WesternAnimation/CountDuckula'' episode "Family Reunion", Duckula, trying to get rid of his actually-vampiric relatives, disguises himself as a vampire hunter and joins forces with Dr von Goosewing. When von Goosewing says Castle Duckula is home to "the cunningest and cleverest being known to mankind", Duckula agrees and adds "And handsome too, I've heard." This confuses von Goosewing, who has never considered Igor to be handsome.
* Meta example in ''WesternAnimation/TheCritic'' where twice Jay Sherman comments that he thinks Creator/JonLovitz is very handsome or talented.
* ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom'':
** In the episode "Pirate Radio", Danny, in ghost form, tells his fellow students that he saved the life of Danny Fenton. He then tells [[AlphaBitch Paulina]] "You should totally make out with him".
** Vlad Masters does it in "Eye for an Eye" when he is referring to his split Plasmius clone in public: "Oh, dear, it's a clearly evil - yet ''devastatingly handsome'' - ghost villain!"
* In the ''WesternAnimation/FantasticFourWorldsGreatestHeroes'' episode "[[Recap/FantasticFourWorldsGreatestHeroesDoomed Doomed]]", Doctor Doom does this after body-swapping with Reed. He says that trying to understand Doom's motives and mental processes would be impossible for them.
* ''WesternAnimation/FantasticVoyage'' episode "The Master Spy". The title character infiltrates the team by posing as Professor Carter. While the team is discussing his true identity he says "Don't underestimate him...he's very clever."
* A character in the minigolf episode of ''WesternAnimation/{{Fillmore}}'' at one point appears in front of the Safety Patrol to deliver a rant about how the mysterious culprit leading the minigolf corruption ring was clearly really smart and badass and they should be afraid of him, shortly after they had confirmed that this particular fellow was the bad guy. Somehow, the Safety Patrol didn't immediately take him in, even though his speech was better evidence than most signed confessions.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'':
** Leela, in disguise as [[SweetPollyOliver "Lee Lemon"]], asks Fry about his girl back home and says, "Aww, she sounds sweet."
** In another episode, Bender pretends to be "Coilette" to compete in women's Olympic events, as he wasn't good enough for the men's. After winning his sixth gold, "Coilette" proclaims that all men can shove it, "except that guy Bender, he's ''really'' somthin'!"
** An entirely accidental example occurs in ''Bender's Big Score'' when [[spoiler:Fry expresses a desire to punch Lars in his "ruggedly good-looking face." He's unaware that "Lars" is an older version of himself from an alternate timeline.]]
* "You'll never get me, WesternAnimation/HarveyBeaks! Even though you're such a cool and smart detective."
* ''WesternAnimation/HeManAndTheMastersOfTheUniverse2002'' played this straight once or twice. In the episode "Dragon's Brood", when He-Man first uses the excuse that Adam found him and told him what was going on, adds, "Nice kid."
* ''WesternAnimation/InvaderZim'' has a slight variation: [[HeroAntagonist Dib]] is visited by a beat-up doppelganger claiming to be [[MyFutureSelfAndMe himself from a few hours in the future]], thrown backward in time after losing a battle with [[VillainProtagonist Zim]]. However, as he's recounting what happened to him, he says "[Zim's] INCREDIBLE power was too much for me!" and refers to Professor Membrane as "Membrane" instead of, you know, "Dad". It's blatantly obvious Zim is somehow behind it. "Future Dib" later turns out to be a robot spy made by Zim.
* ''WesternAnimation/JimmyTwoShoes'':
** One episode has Heloise doing this while pulling a SweetPollyOliver.
** Another had Jimmy do this [[ItMakesSenseInContext while disguised as a sandwich.]]
* ''WesternAnimation/KimPossible'': Hego, in his civilian guise as a Bueno Nacho manager, refers to his Team Go identity as "that brave superhero".
* Shows up in an episode of ''WesternAnimation/{{Lolirock}}'' when Iris gets a call from Mephisto, who has magically altered his voice to sound like Auriana:
-->'''"Auriana":''' The evil and very good-looking Mephisto and his super-annoying sister are attacking!\\
'''Iris:''' "Good-looking?"\\
'''"Auriana":''' Hurry, before the awesome handsomeness of Mephisto defeats us!
* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'':
** It has [[spoiler:three of the Mane Six characters]] sitting around talking and complimenting the town's newest hero The Mysterious Mare Do Well. [[spoiler:What they say could have easily tipped off Rainbow Dash on the heroine's identity(ies) and why she suddenly needed to appear (Twilight pointing out the Mare's magic required heavy studying, Fluttershy remarking on her compassion, and Rarity being complimentary her fashion sense and Applejack saying above all The Mare Do Well was humble) had she not been blind with jealousy at the time.]]
** In "Brotherhooves Social", when Sweetie Belle calls out "Orchard Blossom" as Big Mac in a dress, "she" responds with "Why, as... ''charmed'' as I am that you find me in the slightest resemblance to such a... uh, fine and noble product of the Apple clan, I am astonished in equal measure."
** In a more meta example, Pinkie Pie (voiced by Andrea Libman) complimenting Fluttershy's singing voice ([[TalkingToHimself also performed]] [[LeaningOnTheFourthWall by Andrea Libman]]).
* ''[[WesternAnimation/OhNoItsAnAlienInvasion Oh No! It's an Alien Invasion]]'': In "The Spandexter", Louis adopts a secret identity as the costumed Spandexter. When Nate invites the Spandexter back to their headquarters to meet Louis as they are both into science, the Spandexter says that Louis sounds "really, really, really cool. And handsome".
* In the ''WesternAnimation/PennZeroPartTimeHero'' episode "I'm Still Super!", Penn assumes Captain Super Captain is doing this when he tells them the villain they're up against "is as diabolical as he is drop-dead handsome." He's actually talking about his [[EvilTwin twin brother]].
* {{Subverted|Trope}} in the ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'' ChristmasEpisode--after [[TheIntern Carl]] comments that [[AnimalSuperhero Perry]]'s SecretSanta had "exquisite taste" in music, [[DaChief Major Monogram]] says that it's obvious that Carl was the Secret Santa himself. Not only does Monogram refuse to believe Carl's objections, he's actually angry at Carl for "lying" when the Secret Santa's actual identity becomes a plot point later. (For the record, [[spoiler:it's SantaClaus himself]].)
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
** When Bart was infiltrating Shelbyville and Springfield moved against them: "Curse those handsome devils!"
** When Springfield Elementary has the boys and girls separated and Lisa disguises herself as a boy in order to be challenged more in math. She talks with Milhouse and when he tells her he does not miss having the girls around, she asks about Lisa while saying, "I hear she's pretty cool."
* ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'':
** In "Toilet Paper", the kids are discussing a recent TP-ing, and Cartman, one of the perpetrators, comments, "Well, I understand the people who did it weren't caught, so it looks like nobody will ever know the geniuses who masterminded that perfect crime."
** When Cartman attempts to trick Butters by pretending to be AWESOM-O the robot, Butters talks about the things Cartman does to him, which results in "AWESOM-O" commenting that Cartman sounds pretty smart.
** DoubleSubversion in "The Coon", when [[TokenEvilTeammate Cartman]] takes a superhero identity:
--->'''Cartman:''' I believe the Coon is a menace.\\
'''Kyle:''' ...Yeah, and dressing up and running around at night is faggy anyway.\\
'''Cartman:''' ''({{beat}}) You're a fag, Kyle! Fuck you!''
** Later in the same episode:
--->'''[[TheCowl Mysterion]]:''' I assume you must be Cartman, [[PaperThinDisguise because you're fat]].\\
''(beat)''\\
'''The Coon:''' Well, you're ''wrong!'' I'm ''not'' Eric Cartman and ''[[IAmBigBoned he's not fat]]!'' Care to guess again?!
** {{Subverted|Trope}} when Cartman accuses Kenny of being Mysterion because he has a picture of him in his locker -- Stan immediately points out that he has one too. [[spoiler:DoubleSubversion -- in another episode, we find out that Kenny IS Mysterion.]]
* ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsResistance'': In [[Recap/StarWarsResistanceS1E11Bibo "Bibo"]], pirate spy Synara San learns from her boss that the pilots who unwittingly rescued her from a derelict freighter were members of the Resistance. Later, she asks Kazuda Xiono, one of the mechanics who brought her to the Colossus, about the pilots. Kaz, who of course ''is'' one of the pilots, and a spy for the Resistance, claims that he doesn't know anything about the pilots or who they are, but that one of them was "kind of handsome".
* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'': In [[Recap/StevenUniverseS3E10TheNewLars "The New Lars"]], [[KidHero Steven]] accidentally [[GrandTheftMe possesses]] [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold Lars]]:
-->'''Steven-in-Lars'-body:''' [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} Would you say you hang out more like koalas or sloths?]] ...I'm asking for Steven.\\
'''[[TheStoic Buck]]:''' I like that kid.\\
'''Steven-in-Lars'-body:''' Yeah! He's the best! ''[giggles]''
* Actually serves to foreshadow TheReveal in ''WesternAnimation/StretchArmstrongAndTheFlexFighters''. Whenever the topic of [[BigBad Stretch Monster]] comes up, there's a high chance that [[spoiler:Rook]] will praise his planning skills and/or genius, which makes a lot more sense when the first season finale reveals that they're one and the same.
* In the ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'' episode "Trust", [[VoluntaryShapeshifting Madam Rogue]] takes the form of ComicBook/{{Robin}} when trying to catch Hotspot. When Hotspot questions how they are going to stop Rogue as she's practically unstoppable, "Robin" replies, "Indeed.... I mean, yeah she is impressive but we're Titans."
* ''WesternAnimation/TangledTheSeries:'' Princess Rapunzel is using a PaperThinDisguise trying to discover why [[SomebodyDoesntLoveRaymond Uncle Monty does not like her]].
-->'''Uncle Monty:''' I got that thing as a gift and I'm trying to find some use for it - let me tell you, it's not even useful as a doorstop! \\
'''Rapunzel:''' ...Yeeah, dumb and ''totally'' useless thing. I sure hope the foolish but clearly well-intentioned person who made it regrets it.
* In the ''WesternAnimation/WanderOverYonder'' episode "The Day," Sylvia has to break out of Lord Hater's prison with an [[DeepSleep unwakeably asleep Wander]] and makes the job easier by disguising him as a [[AdorableEvilMinions Watchdog]], [[OfCorpseHesAlive puppeting him]] while pretending to have been captured by him. Unfortunately, she runs into [[TheDragon Commander Peepers]] [[UncomfortableElevatorMoment on the elevator]] and almost blows her cover when he strikes up a chat with the disguised Wander:
-->'''Commander Peepers:''' I see we finally captured that hideous Zbornak. \\
'''Sylvia:''' ''(speaking for Wander)'' Actually, while she may not be conventionally beautiful, many people find her personality and strength of character to be very attractive! ''({{Beat}})'' Is...what she would say. She would totally say something dumb and corny like that.
* Westernanimation/{{Ninjago}}: In Season 7, [[LazyAlias Doctor Sanders Saunders]], the secret identity of the villain Krux, describes a painting of himself by saying "This handsome fellow? In the stories, he's called Krux."
[[/folder]]

* In ''Fanfic/SystemRestore'', a fairly dark version happens when [[spoiler:Souda]] gets the personality altering despair fever, and imagines [[spoiler:himself]] as the recently deceased [[spoiler:Sonia]], the object of [[spoiler:his]] affections, and as "[[spoiler:Sonia]]", goes about talking highly of [[spoiler:his]] real self.

* ''Fanfic/MarieDSuesseAndTheMysteryNewPirateAge'': The ending of the story heavily implies that the LemonyNarrator is actually [[spoiler: Trafalgar Law, or whatever is left of his Disinfector persona after the CosmicRetcon that ends the fic]]. Armed with this information, some of the lines that are spouted off [[RewatchBonus end up being even funnier than on the first read]].
-->[[spoiler: I shouldn't have to explain why Mar might feel somewhat star-struck with the idea of Law present. Mar is a sixteen-year old girl, and it's ''freaking Trafalgar Law,'' c'mon.]]
* ''Fanfic/TheKeysStandAlone: The Soft World'': While in Geddy disguise on the Flying Island of Tipaan, Music/{{George|Harrison}} and Music/{{Ringo|Starr}} encounter some musicians. As they chat, the musicians scoff at the musical abilities of outworlders (which have already been established as generally dreadful). George agrees but says “We do know [[Music/TheBeatles four who aren't bad]].”
* In ''WebVideo/CodeMENT'':
-->'''Suzaku:''' Who knew they'd put the death of Clover's murder on that stupid One guy?\\
'''Lelouch:''' That One guy '''sounds like A REALLY ''AWESOME'' DUDE!'''
* An odd version comes up in ''WebVideo/DragonBallZAbridged''. A running gag in the second season is someone (usually Krillan) references another character with the other person saying something along the lines of "I do not know what this is, but it sounds awful". The trope comes into play with the Bardock film when Bardock points out how Lord Chill is a lot like Freeza (Chill's distant descendant) to which Chill responds "I don't know what this Freeza is but it sounds like a classy lady!"
* In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7917781/7/Harry-Potter-On-His-Own Harry Potter on His Own]]'', Harry, visiting France while glamoured and under an alias, goes to a gathering and one of his neighbor's daughters asks if he met the Boy-Who-Lived during the wizarding war. When he tries to downplay exaggerations of his accomplishments, another daughter accuses him of being jealous of himself.
* In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11092196/16/Xtreme-Freak Xtreme Freak]]'', James, Lily, Remus and Sirius used a time turner and Muggle makeup to lead double lives as wizarding band The Hobgoblins. Sirius once took a date to one of their concerts and loudly stated that he could sing better than the "no-talent hack" onstage.

* ''Fanfic/LikeARedheadedStepchild'''s climax involves Voldemort's resurrection being an ImperfectRitual which [[spoiler:essentially turns him into [[WesternAnimation/TheEmperorsNewGroove Yzma]]]]. The moment Hermione suggests that this might have been caused by deliberate sabotage, Snape denies it, on the grounds that "Only a skillful and masterful potions master could ever manage such a thing." [[LampshadeHanging Dumbledore immediately tells him to quit bragging]].
* When a pizza dinner appears in '"Fanfic/HarryIsADragonAndThatsOk'', the Weasley twins wonder aloud "who had such a good idea" as to give the house elves lots of muggle cookbooks.
* On the ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'' CharacterBlog "Doofenshmirtz's Daily Dirt", [[MadScientist Doof]] reads a comment saying that "[[CreatorCameo Dan Povenmire]] should do stand up."
-->'''Doof:''' Who on Earth is Dan Povenmire? He sounds very handsome, though, I must say.
* ''Fanfic/SinsOfThePast'' has several of Marinette's old classmates still serving as members of Team Miraculous as adults. Some of them, like Kim and Alix, can't help singing their own praises, talking up their heroic exploits.
* Chloe naturally complements her alter ego in ''WebComic/ScarletLady''. Adrien isn't above praising Chat Noir, either, especially in response to things like Chloe going on and on about herself... not that he's aware of that little detail.

** Also happens much earlier in the story, when Ranma (in girl form) beats up Kunō (in response to an insult to his manhood, ironically), and quickly covers with the below when he realizes that [[WhatAnIdiot Kunō]] is still oblivious: