History Main / SanityBall

* During the early episode of ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants'' Jellyfishing, [[TheDitz Patrick]] of all people grasps it momentarily when he correctly figures out that Squidward doesn't like them. He lets go of it when Spongebob HandWaves this observation away.

* ''Manga/OnePiece'' has this amongst the Straw Hat pirates. Nami's the most common holder of the ball, but Usopp's found himself holding the ball during several occasions. Zoro's also held the ball pretty firmly, but by the time Robin joined the crew, he hardly ever finds himself in the OnlySaneMan position anymore, and indulges himself in frivolities like pretending he's Tarzan.

* Being an incorrect quote blog, ''[[https://incorrectsmashbrosquotes.tumblr.com/ Incorrect Smash Bros Quotes]] sees the ball get passed around a lot. The most common holders are [[IdealHero Mario]], [[TheStoic Samus]], [[BeleagueredBureaucrat Master Hand]], and [[SurroundedByIdiots Galeem]], though all of them have their NotSoAboveItAll moments.

* Generally shared around rather evenly in ''WesternAnimation/ThomasTheTankEngine'', especially in later episodes, where most of the engines have spotlight concerning their flaws so even the most rational engine will sometimes need to be handed AnAesop by another sometimes more abrasive engine (e.g. odd episodes [[SmallNameBigEgo James]] plays the StraightMan to [[CoolOldGuy Toby]]). Thomas himself in particular fluctuates rather evenly between a reckless {{Keet}} or a kindly BigBrotherMentor.

[[folder:Live Action TV]]

-->'''Peter''': So you're not buying that it's her husband's ghost?
-->'''Walter''': There's no such thing as ghosts.
-->'''Peter''': That's where you draw the line? Ghosts?

* ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'': [=SpongeBob=] tends to act like an actual ''adult'' whenever he and Patrick are the only characters on screen, if only to emphasize exactly how brain dead of a person Patrick really is. However, expect him to drop the Sanity Ball like a rock once [[OnlySaneMan Squidward]] gets involved.
** On the other hand, every now and then Squidward or another saner character such as Sandy will get a NotSoAboveItAll moment and cause a dilemma, usually with [=SpongeBob=] acting as TheStraightMan. While this was more common in earlier seasons, this break in formula still occurs at times later on.

** The ''Pahkitew Island'' season usually has the sanity ball thrown around between Sky, Jasmine, and Dave (although Dave's turns with it grow less common over the course of the season).

* Some of the characters in ''Machinima/RedVsBlue'' tend to throw the Sanity Ball back and forth with each other, particularly Grif and Simmons, and also Church and Tucker.

* ''Series/ItsAlwaysSunnyInPhiladelphia'': Whose given the role of OnlySaneMan within the gang tends to vary. This gives the impression of both HiddenDepths and {{hypocri|te}}sy, especially since their role as the OnlySaneMan or StraightMan will last for a scene or two, {{lampshad|eHanging}}ing others' stupidity or horribleness. Everyone in the gang is better at pointing out the flaws of others than their own.

* As much a jerk he is, Phil from ''[[WesternAnimation/{{TheNutshack}} The Nutshack]]'' can be more laid back in some episodes.

* As much a jerk he is, Phil from ''WesternAnimation/[[{{TheNutshack}} The Nutshack]]'' can be more laid back in some episodes.

* ''WebAnimation/{{Eddsworld}}'' passes it constantly between Edd and Tom.

* Depending on the situation, any given member or combination of members in the Team Rocket trio in ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'' can act as a straight man to any other ones. Justified, though, due to each of them having a lack of critical thinking skills but conflicting personalities.

* Depending on the situation, any given member or combination of members in the Team Rocket trio in ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'' can act as a straight man to any other ones, due to each of them having a lack of critical thinking skills but often conflicting personalities.

** The ''Pahkitew Island'' season usually has the sanity ball thrown around between Sky, Jasmine, and Dave (although his turns with it grow less common over the season).

* The ball gets passed around a lot on ’'WesternAnimation/GravityFalls''. Dipper holds it the most often, but hands it to Mabel when things like his crush on Wendy come up. Sometimes they both hold it at the same time and apply it to whatever the other character is obsessing over. Stan is usually given custody of the ball when the twins aren't using it. But just about anyone can have it at any given point, even [[ManChild Soos]].