History Main / ConsultingMrFlibble

[[quoteright:300:[[RedDwarf http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ConsultingMrFlibble_4753.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:300:The H here stands for "Headcase"]]

->'''Tabitha:''' Penny, is there anyone else in this hangar?\\
'''Penny:''' Hold on! Let Penny ask Mr. Bear! ... ... ... ... Mr. Bear says no! Mr. Bear says we are all alone. ...[[DemonicDummy He also hates you.]]
-->-- ''AdvanceWars: Days of Ruin''

Bob never goes anywhere without his pal Mr. Flibble, who is a [[LoyalAnimalCompanion pet]], or an [[CompanionCube inanimate object]] or an ImaginaryFriend. Not only does Mr. Flibble keep Bob company, but he also gives good advice, which Bob trusts, perhaps to the point that Bob never seems to make a decision of his own.

At least, this is what Bob tells everybody. Nobody else has ever heard Mr. Flibble speak, and his friends will be inclined to think that it's all in Bob's head. Especially if Mr. Flibble's opinion always seems to boil down to, "We should do what Bob wants to do but is not confident enough to recommend on his own authority."

(Consequently, if we actually hear Mr. Flibble speak, it isn't this trope but TalkingAnimal or something. {{Ventriloquism}} is frequently a borderline case, but perhaps only fully counts if it's blatantly obvious that anything Mr. Flibble says is actually being said by Bob.)

Bob's adviser is, of course, not always named "Mr. Flibble", any more than Bob is always named "Bob" -- but it's remarkable how often he will be Mr. Something.
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!!Examples

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
* The other members of the BestStudentCouncil think that Rino is doing this with Pucchan, a hand puppet, early on in the series.
* Ayame from ''WandabaStyle'' often asks "Mr. Fairy," [[ImaginaryFriend magical creatures only she can see]], what they think, and will occasionally attribute a comment she made to them: "I was only saying what Mr. Fairy told me," "Mr. Fairy thinks so, too," etc.
* The little girl in ''{{Maria-Sama ga Miteru}}'' whose best friend is the teddy bear almost as large as she is.
* Jeri, from DigimonTamers, has an unnamed hand puppet that often talks in her stead. This is twisted in a very [[NightmareFuel messed-up]] manner after [[spoiler:Leomon dies and Jeri gets posessed by the D-Reaper]].
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Film]]
* Squire Trelawney (played by Fozzie Bear) in ''MuppetTreasureIsland'' relies implicitly on the judgment of Mr. Bimbo, a tiny man who lives in his finger.
** And he's been to the moon. ...Twice.
* In the ''AustinPowers'' films, Dr. Evil has moments of this with his RightHandCat, Mr. Bigglesworth:
-->"[[ThatMakesMeFeelAngry That makes me angry]]. And when Dr. Evil gets angry, Mr. Bigglesworth gets upset. And when Mr. Bigglesworth gets upset... people ''die!''"
* Danny from ''TheShining'' has Tony, "the little boy who lives in [his] mouth." Though it becomes apparent that Tony is the NightmareFuel example of this trope.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Literature]]
* In the {{Discworld}} novel ''Discworld/MakingMoney'', Moist von Lipwig is given responsibility for a small dog named Mr. Fusspot, who has [[PetHeir just inherited the Bank of Ankh-Morpork]]. This makes Moist the de facto man in charge of the Bank, as long as he's careful to specify that he's only acting on Mr. Fusspot's behalf. (Unlike most examples, Moist is entirely grounded and knows perfectly well that the ideas he's attributing to Mr. Fusspot are his own -- but for the system to work, he has to keep the people around him guessing.)
* In the KateShugak novel ''A Deeper Sleep'' by Dana Stabenow, one of the suspects (a victim of fetal alcohol syndrome) keeps talking the Darth Vader action figure he carries in his top pocket.
* In ''MoreInformationThanYouRequire'', the author talks about adopting a gambling persona, and gives an example of a guy who plays poker in character as a [[CrazyHomelessPeople Crazy Homeless Person]] who lives in a hollow tree in Burt Reynolds' yard. He consults his German Shepherd, Wolfie, on all of his wagers, often having full conversations and shouting matches with the dog, at which point he says, "I'm sorry, my dog is a JERK HOLE," makes a bet, and vomits on himself. This strategy manages to baffle experienced poker players.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Live Action TV]]
* The TropeNamer is the ''RedDwarf'' episode "Quarantine". Rimmer becomes deranged after contracting a holovirus, and starts associating with a [[EverythingsBetterWithPenguins penguin]] {{hand puppet}} called Mr. Flibble.
-->'''Rimmer:''' Mr. Flibble's very cross. You shouldn't have run away from him. What are we going to to with them, Mr. Flibble?\\
''(Mr. Flibble appears to whisper in Rimmer's ear)''\\
'''Rimmer:''' We can't ''possibly'' do that! Who would clear up the mess?
* In an episode of ''{{MacGyver}}'', an crazy old woman witnessed a murder, but acted like her pet parakeet was the only one who saw it. They brought her into court and asked her what the bird knew.
* Zoe from ''SesameStreet'' has a pet rock, creatively named Rocco, and she has been known to announce Rocco's opinion on whatever's happening.
* Margaret Lanterman, the "Log Lady", in ''TwinPeaks''. She carried around a log and claimed it communicated with her.
* StephenColbert. "What's that? What's that, Sweetness?" Sweetness is his CompanionCube [[ICallItVera gun]]. "Oh, no, we need him to run the camera."
** Notably, the ear that Sweetness always "speaks" into ''is deaf''. Colbert seems not to notice.
* A saner version is {{Sooty}}. As {{the voiceless}}, he could only communicate by whispering into the ear of his [[strike:puppeteer]] human friend.
* In at least one episode of ''JackOfAllTrades'', the Governor was treating a cow hand puppet named "Mr. Nipples" in this manner.
* Jane in ''{{Coupling}}'' after taking [[IntoxicationEnsues a couple of random tablets]] that she thought ''might'' have been headache pills before auditioning to be a children's show presenter with a sock puppet called "Jake the Snake".
* Robbie and his hand puppet, Rex, on ''{{Victorious}}''.
* SledgeHammer likes to talk to his gun, especially when excited.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Video Games]]
* Minsc from the ''BaldursGate'' series, and his miniature giant space hamster Boo.
-->"Minsc will lead with blade and boot! Boo will take care of the details."
* Penny/Lili from the U.S. version of ''AdvanceWars: Days of Ruin'', and "Mr. Bear".
* ''TeamFortress2'' - The Heavy apparently think Sandvich is sentient ("What was that, Sandvich? 'Kill them all'? Good idea! Hahaha!"); furthermore, {{Fanon}} posits that the Soldier takes advice from his Shovel.
* A minor example: Moose from ''TalesOfMonkeyIsland'' will vote whichever way Santino votes when making decisions as part of the Democratically United Brotherhood of the Manatee Interior. (Just... don't ask.) Santino is a skeleton and has apparently been dead for some time.
* One of the Nightkin on FalloutNewVegas will regularly ask Antler, a cow skull, for advice.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Webcomics]]
* In ''TheOrderOfTheStick'', Lord Shojo deferred to his cat, Mr. Scruffy. [[spoiler: Which was all really just ObfuscatingInsanity on his part.]]
** Belkar treats Mr. Scruffy much the same way, though to a much lesser extent.
* ''DragonTails'' has Bluey and his companion the bunny-dragon.
-->'''Bunny-Dragon:''' This robot's an idiot. I think you should tell him he means delusion, not hallucination.\\
'''Bluey:''' You're an idiot, Barry! You mean delusion, not hallucination!
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Original]]
* In ''YuGiOhTheAbridgedSeries'', Mako Tsunami is obsessed with the ocean and eventually asks it to marry him. "The ocean says yes."
** The ocean [[TalkingAnimal spoke]] [[CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming back.]]
** Arguably, Kemo. He never states his opinion or intentions; he states the opinions or intentions of his AnimeHair.
** Rebecca Hawkins also calls on the opinion of her [[DemonicDummy evil teddy bear]]. May be a borderline example, since even though it only tends to spit phrases like "Hail Satan!" she seems to think it offers worthwhile conversational input.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Western Animation]]
* Max Madison in ''{{Phantom 2040}}'' never goes anywhere without his cat, Baudelaire, and never expresses an opinion without prefixing it with "Baudelaire says..."
* In the 1982 special ''[[PuffTheMagicDragon Puff]] and the Incredible Mr. Nobody'', a gifted child is persecuted by peers and authority figures alike for his excessive creativity, so he starts attributing his output to his imaginary friend. He eventually comes to believe that all his talent is due to his friend's presence.
* Mr. Garrison had his hand puppet Mr. Hat in early seasons of ''SouthPark''. And, after Mr. Hat went missing, Mr. Twig.
** Particularly interesting since Garrison actually talked through the puppet, yet was still apparently oblivious to the fact that he was arguing with himself, though Mr. Hat seems quite capable of independent mobility. He even kicked Mr. Mackey's butt.
* Johnny from ''EdEddNEddy'', whose friend [[CompanionCube Plank]] may or may not [[NotSoImaginaryFriend be sentient]].
* In ''TheVentureBros,'' Phantom Limb's Revenge Society consists of a single high heel, a toaster, and a coffee mug.
* ''DarkwingDuck'': Quackerjack carries around a little banana-headed doll he calls Mr. Banana Brain. He routinely asks it for advice or holds conversations with it when he's bored. Normally he provides Mr. Banana Brain's part of the conversation as well, but when the doll gets possessed and starts talking on its own, all he notices is that Mr. Banana Brain has a deeper voice all of a sudden. And he's learned to fly.
* The Human Ton in ''TheTick'' had Handy, a crude hand puppet. Handy is an interesting case, because while he's clearly autonomous, he can't use a wishing machine because he's not a real person, and goes inert when he's not on someone's hand. So it's more like...fueling Mr. Flibble?
* The ItsAWonderfulPlot episode of {{Rugrats}} has Chuckie's dad turn into a shut-in who talks to a sock puppet as a result of being lonely without his son. This is what makes Chuckie realize he really is needed.
** Angelica sometimes uses her doll Cynthia this way. The show doesn't stay consistent on whether she realises it's just a non-sentient toy or not.
[[/folder]]

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* The other members of the BestStudentCouncil think that Rino is doing this with Pucchan, a hand puppet, early on in the series.

** Rebecca Hawkins also calls on the opinion of her [[DemonicDummy evil teddy bear]]. May be a borderline example, since even though it only tends to spit phrases like "Hail Satan!" she seems to think it offers worthwhile conversational input.

* ''TeamFortress2'' - The Heavy apparently think Sandvich is sentient ("What's that, Sandvich? Kill them all? Good idea!"); furthermore, {{Fanon}} posits that the Soldier takes advice from his Shovel.

* Squire Trelawney (played by Fozzie Bear) in ''MuppetTreasureIsland'' relies implicitly on the judgment of Mr. Fimble, a tiny man who lives in his finger.

** Angelica sometimes uses her doll Cynthia this way. The show doesn't stay consistent on whether she realises it's just a non-sentient toy or not.

* Jeri, from DigimonTamers, has an unnamed hand puppet that often talks in her stead. This is twisted in a very [[NightmareFuel messed-up]] manner after [[spoiler:Leomon dies]].

** Particularly interesting since Garrison actually talked through the puppet, yet was still apparently oblivious to the fact that he was arguing with himself.

* The ItsAWonderfulPlot episode of {{Rugrats}} has Chucky's dad turn into a shut-in who talks to a sock puppet as a result of being lonely without his son. This is what makes Chucky realize he really is needed.

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<<|CharacterizationTropes|>>
<<|ExampleAsAThesis|>>

* TeamFortress2 - The Heavy apparently think Sandvich is sentient ("What's that, Sandvich? Kill them all? Good idea!"); furthermore, {{Fanon}} posits that the Soldier takes advice from his Shovel.

* In YuGiOhTheAbridgedSeries, Mako Tsunami is obsessed with the ocean and eventually asks it to marry him. "The ocean says yes."

* [[DarkwingDuck Quackerjack]] carries around a little banana-headed doll he calls Mr. Banana Brain. He routinely asks it for advice or holds conversations with it when he's bored. Normally he provides Mr. Banana Brain's part of the conversation as well, but when the doll gets possessed and starts talking on it's own, all he notices is that Mr. Banana Brain has a deeper voice all of a sudden. And he's learned to fly.
* The Human Ton in TheTick had Handy, a crude hand puppet. Handy is an interesting case, because while he's clearly autonomous, he can't use a wishing machine because he's not a real person, and goes inert when he's not on someone's hand. So it's more like...fueling Mr. Flibble?

* Jane in ''{{Coupling}}'' after taking [[LemonWackyHello a couple of random tablets]] that she thought ''might'' have been headache pills before auditioning to be a children's show presenter with a sock puppet called "Jake the Snake".

* Jane in ''{{Coupling}}'' after taking a couple of random tablets that ''might'' have been headache pills before auditioning to be a children's show presenter with a sock puppet called "Jake the Snake".

* Dragon-Tails has Bluey and his companion the bunny-dragon.

-->'''Bunny-Dragon:''' This robot's an idiot. I think you should tell him he means delusion, not hallucination.

* Penny and Mr. Bear from ''AdvanceWars: Days of Ruin''.

-->"Why can't I hear them?"
-->"Because you are ''sane.''"
-->''TheVentureBrothers: '' The Revenge Society