History Main / CloudCucKooLander

->''My mind is a puzzle to many.''

Though they may overlap and often be associated with TheDitz, TheFool or the KindheartedSimpleton, a Cloudcuckoolander isn't necessarily stupid. They can be highly intelligent and very insightful, it's just the things they sometimes say and do may come off as weird, awkward, over-the-top, illogical, eccentric, etc.

-->--'''LetsPlay/{{Raocow}}'''

->''"My mind is a puzzle to many."''
-->-- '''LetsPlay/{{Raocow}}'''

If a Cloudcuckoolander is dangerous, then that is BewareTheSillyOnes. If they fight for a random rather than heroic reason, see NominalHero. Because of the humour value in doing so, they're more likely than most characters to be a SpannerInTheWorks that stops an seemingly unstoppable plan, leaving viewers wondering if they were aware of what they were doing. For that reason, when it's time for a show to get serious, these characters are likely to be [[ShooOutTheClowns killed or detained]] so the viewers know they won't be responsible for yet another DeusExMachina.

The name of the trope comes from the city built on air above the Greek plain in Creator/{{Aristophanes}}' play ''Theatre/TheBirds'', 414 B.C., whose ruler had quite a large mental gap between the [[WideEyedIdealist dreamy, wide-eyed, idealistic]] {{Utopia}} that he imagined his city to be and the brutal totalitarian regime that he had actually imposed on it. He also came up with brilliant ideas like keeping people out of his city -- a city you could only reach through flight -- by building a really, really tall wall around it. ([[FridgeLogic We'll give you a minute to figure out why that wouldn't have worked so well]].) [[note]]Subversion: Go high enough and there's no air, so even for a city accessible "through flight", [[FridgeBrilliance you need air to fly in.]][[/note]]

* TheMadHatter (Aware that he/she is insane -- and proud of it)

See also CloudcuckoolandersMinder for the person who with or against their will often accompany the Cloudcuckoolanders and try to prevent things getting out of hand. [[FailureIsTheOnlyOption This is usually an impossible task]]. See also CuckoolanderCommentator, when the Cloudcuckoolander is put in charge of commentary for an event.

* Cloudcuckoolander/RealLife

Though they may overlap and often be associated with TheDitz, TheFool or the KindheartedSimpleton, a Cloudcuckoolander isn't necessarily stupid. They can be highly intelligent and very insightful, it's just the things they say and do may come off as weird, awkward, over-the-top, illogical, eccentric, etc.

Though they may overlap with and often be associated with TheDitz, TheFool or the KindheartedSimpleton, a Cloudcuckoolander isn't necessarily stupid. They can be highly intelligent and very insightful, it's just the things they say and do may come off as weird, awkward, over-the-top, illogical, eccentric, etc.

Though they may overlap with or be often be associated with TheDitz, TheFool or the KindheartedSimpleton, a Cloudcuckoolander isn't necessarily stupid. They can be highly intelligent and very insightful, it's just the things they say and do may come off as weird, awkward, over-the-top, illogical, eccentric, etc.

If written badly or subjected to {{Flanderization}}, a character who was supposed to be merely weird may become TheDitz or a full-time TalkativeLoon.

Though they may overlap with or be often be associated with TheDitz, TheFool, maybe even the Kindhearted Simpleton, a Cloudcuckoolander isn't necessarily stupid. They can be highly intelligent and very insightful. It's just the things they say and do come off as merely weird, awkward, over-the-top or eccentric.

Though they may overlap with or be often be associated with TheDitz, TheFool, maybe even the Kindhearted Simpleton, a Cloudcuckoolander isn't necessarily stupid. They can be highly intelligent and very insightful. It's just the things they say and do come off as merely weird, over-the-top or eccentric.

Cloudcuckoolanders are very rarely malicious. They are far more likely to be PluckyComicRelief. Maybe he's one of ThoseTwoGuys or the crazy member of the ComicTrio. They [[TalkativeLoon lapse into non sequitur a lot]], and while they aren't totally insane, they act it much more than some other crazier characters.

When their weirdness delves into disturbing territory, they become a NightmareFuelStationAttendant.

* OddballDoppelganger (Quirky version of "normal" character)

* AxCrazy
* OddballDoppelganger

* TheFool (Not too bright, but good enough of heart that luck's always on his side)

* TheWonka (Eccentric, but has unique logic that allows them to successfully function in a position of authority)

Cloudcuckoolanders are very rarely malicious. They are far more likely to be PluckyComicRelief. Maybe he's one of ThoseTwoGuys or the crazy member of the ComicTrio. They [[TalkativeLoon lapse into non sequitur a lot]] and while they aren't totally insane, they act it much more than some other crazier characters.

One mark of a Cloudcuckoolander is when, 90% of the time, you think the character is just plain nuts, but 10% of the time, you suspect that the character is in fact the OnlySaneMan on the show. In other words, a Cloudcuckoolander [[TheCuckoolanderWasRight has massive knowledge and understanding of the workings of the universe]], but a poor way of communicating that to everyone else. Unfortunately when they are GenreSavvy, nobody else is, and when they are not, everybody else is. In any event, they can be oddly endearing, if not downright CrazyAwesome.

If a Cloudcuckoolander is dangerous, then that is BewareTheSillyOnes. If they fight for good for a random rather than heroic reason, see NominalHero. Because of the humour value in doing so, they're more likely than most characters to be a SpannerInTheWorks that stops an seemingly unstoppable plan, leaving viewers wondering if they were aware of what they were doing. For that reason, when it's time for a show to get serious, these characters are likely to be [[ShooOutTheClowns killed or detained]] so the viewers know they won't be responsible for yet another DeusExMachina.

If a Cloudcuckoolander is dangerous, then that is BewareTheSillyOnes. If they fight for good for a random rather than heroic reason, see NominalHero.

* TheWonka (A Cloudcuckoolander who can successfully function in a position of authority)

* TheFool (Not too bright, but good enough of heart that misfortune can't bring him down)

* TheOphelia (A tragic female character driven to madness by trauma of some kind)
* TheMadHatter (Aware they are insane -- and proud of it)

For various variants and overlapping tropes see TheFool, ManicPixieDreamGirl, TheWonka, TheOphelia, TheMadHatter, StraightManAndWiseGuy, AxCrazy, and OddballDoppelganger. If written badly or subjected to {{Flanderization}}, a character who was supposed to be merely weird may become TheDitz or a full-time TalkativeLoon.

A character with their head in the clouds. They are strangely oblivious to things that everyone else takes for granted. They may have an argument with themselves for fun, make points in an argument [[InsaneTrollLogic with no basis in logic or reality]], or tell [[TalkativeLoon rambling stories that have nothing to do with the point they're trying to make]]. They make totally unintentional {{double entendre}}s, and are great for GettingCrapPastTheRadar. Sometimes also called "Space Case" or "Space Cadet", or plain old "[[StrangeGirl Strange]]".

A character with their head in the clouds. They are strangely oblivious to things that everyone else takes for granted. Male Cloudcuckoolanders often dress in women's clothes for no reason other than they feel women have nicer fashions. Others may wear nothing at all [[InnocentFanserviceGirl without realising the taboos attached to it in most cultures.]] They may have an argument with themselves for fun, make points in an argument [[InsaneTrollLogic with no basis in logic or reality]], or tell [[TalkativeLoon rambling stories that have nothing to do with the point they're trying to make]]. They make totally unintentional {{double entendre}}s, and are great for GettingCrapPastTheRadar. Sometimes also called "Space Case" or "Space Cadet", or plain old "[[StrangeGirl Strange]]".

A character with their head in the clouds. They are strangely oblivious to things that everyone else takes for granted. Male Cloudcuckoolanders often dress in women's clothes for no reason other than they feel women have nicer fashions. Others may wear nothing at all [[InnocentFanserviceGirl without realising the taboos attached to it in most cultures.]] They may have an argument with themselves for fun, make points in an argument [[InsaneTrollLogic with no basis in logic or reality]], or tell rambling stories that have nothing to do with the point they're trying to make. They make totally unintentional double entendres, and are great for GettingCrapPastTheRadar. Sometimes also called "Space Case" or "Space Cadet", or plain old "[[StrangeGirl Strange]]".

This character is a mainstay of SurrealHumor, DadaComics, WidgetSeries, and WordSaladHumor. Even in a series with a little more structure overall, the {{Cloudcuckoolander}}'s wacky and bizarre antics will often be used for an easy gag, particularly when paired with a [[StraightMan straight foil]] to drive insane. This is probably why there are so many WebComics examples. Often this character will also be a GranolaGirl or NewAgeRetroHippie.

The name of the trope comes from the city built on air above the Greek plain in Creator/{{Aristophanes}}' play ''Theatre/TheBirds'', 414 B.C., whose ruler had quite a large mental gap between the [[WideEyedIdealist dreamy, wide-eyed, idealistic]] {{Utopia}} that he imagined his city to be and the brutal totalitarian regime that he had actually imposed on it. He also came up with brilliant ideas like keeping people out of his city -- a city you could only reach through flight -- by building a really, really tall wall around it. ([[FridgeLogic We'll give you a minute to figure out why that wouldn't have worked so well]].) [[note]]Subversion: Go high enough and there's no air, so even for a city accessible "through flight", [[FridgeBrilliance you need air to fly in]][[/note]].