History Main / TimeForPlanB

* ''Literature/{{Limbo}}'' by Bernard Wolfe takes place in a post-WorldWarIII society that has renounced war or even planning for war. When widespread sabotage and insurrection organized by the [[DirtyCommunists Eastern Union]] breaks out, President Helder announces they're dropping Plan A and going to Plan B, which from his description is clearly a [[ThisMeansWar long-held war plan]]. Later the protagonist hears on the radio that insurrection is also breaking out in the Eastern Union and comments bitterly, "Plan C. And twenty-three letters to go." Then the [[DeadlineNews radio is cut off]] as the UndergroundCity collapses, and he thinks that maybe the other side just went to ''their'' Plan D.

-->'''Kirk:''' Prepare to initiate Emergency Landing Plan "B".\\
'''Chekov:''' What's Emergency Landing Plan B?\\
'''Scotty:''' I haven't a clue, lad.\\
'''Kirk:''' "B" as in [[CaptainCrash "Barricade"]].

* In ''WebVideo/DeclineOfVideoGaming 3'', the head of Konami tries to lure the protagonists into a trap with promises of easy money. They don't bite, so he invokes the trope and tranqs them.

[[quoteright:350:[[Comicbook/IdentityDisc https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/back_up.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Plan B--sometimes it's so good, you actually ''want'' your other plans to fail.]]

** Then there's ASimplePlan to save people in abandoned habitats--habitats that have been left unharmed for years, with no reason to suspect that things are about to go wrong.

* ''[[http://theglen.livejournal.com/16735.html The 1250]] Blog/ThingsMrWelchIsNoLongerAllowedToDoInAnRPG'' gave us the masterstroke of logic, "Plan B is not automatically twice as much gunpowder as plan A."
* ''Literature/WhateleyUniverse'': A villain has Plans A-Z, and goes over them exhaustively. Things pretty much work out without a hitch; he does NOT have to even go to Plan B! [[spoiler:He was out-gambitted. The thing he was stealing was trapped, and he ended up in Ayla's pocket.]]

* ''Film/DungeonsAndDragonsHonorAmongThieves'': Plan A for the heist was using the Helm of Disjunction to disrupt the Arcane Seal of Mordenkainen; it however hits a snag when Simon cannot attune with the Helm. Thus they switch to plan B: using the Hither-Thither Staff to create a portal hidden inside a painting that will be deposited in the treasure vault. Plan B also hits a snag, however, when the painting accidentally falls flat on the floor, and the portal leads to solid concrete. Thus Edgin proposes to switch to Plan C -- which is a return to plan A, except he won't call it that because "Plan A is cursed." When asked what to do if Plan C still fails, Edgin touts plan D -- a return to plan B (Doric having suggested she could carve a small hole at the edge of the portal and slip there as a worm), just not called that because plan B is cursed too.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheAdventuresOfJimmyNeutron'': In "Journey to the Center of Carl", as Jimmy and Sheen are being chased by germs [[FantasticVoyagePlot inside Carl's stomach]]. Sheen asks where they will escape, and Jimmy answers "through the nearest exit"... through the rest of the digestive tract. Understandably, Sheen asks if he has a plan B, which is to make Carl sneeze them out.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheAdventuresOfJimmyNeutron'': In "Journey to the Center of Carl", as Jimmy and Sheen prepare to leave [[FantasticVoyagePlot Carl's body]], Sheen asks where they will escape, and Jimmy answers "through the nearest exit". Since they're inside the stomach, Sheen understandably asks for a plan B; Jimmy states they will make Carl sneeze them out.

[[folder:Audio Drama]]

* In the ''AudioPlay/BigFinishDoctorWho'' story "The Eye of Harmony", the Dalek agent, having failed to kill the Doctor, manages to disappear with Cardial Ollistra, saying "Did you think I wouldn't have a plan B?" The companion-of-the-moment asks the Doctor if ''they'' have a plan B, and the Doctor replies "I ran out of letters for plans a long time ago."

[[folder: Audio Drama]]

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6orZrn-WrY This]] Jameson Irish Whiskey ad. As his city burns, Advertising/JohnJameson grabs an axe, intent on stopping once it reaches the doors of his distillery. "John Jameson devised a brilliant plan. But, there was simply no time, so he devised another, less brilliant plan." His not-so-brilliant plan is: open a dam and flood the city.

* ''Anime/DragonBallZ'' (the dubbed version): Goku, early into his fight with Kid Buu. "Okay, onto plan b...whatever ''that'' is." (This being DBZ, it seems like "try ''that much harder'' to blow him up.")

'''Luigi''': Code Name: [[OperationBlank Survival]].

* "Looks like [[TheCommissionerGordon Gordon's]] about to call in plan B. [[DontExplainTheJoke B as in]] Franchise/{{Batman}}."
* In IDW's ''[[ComicBook/MagicTheGatheringIDW Magic: The Gathering]]'' comic, Dack Fayden's Plan B is "Run". Plan C is "Leave". There's a difference; Fayden's a planeswalker, so "leaving" means jumping to another world.
* The Punisher's Plan B is to break out the M-60, the flamethrower, the Claymore mines, etc.
* In the first issue of ''ComicBook/Youngblood2017'', after Petra's plan A to find the missing vigilante Man-Up ([[MundaneSolution going to the cops and reporting him as a missing person]]) fails, she tries Plan B, contacting the ''Help'' app he'd been using for more information, which also fails, since the people behind the ''Help'' app aren't very helpful. Plan C, hitting the streets for information at least gets her Man-Up's real identity, but she finally goes straight to Plan "Y": using a new Youngblood team to help find him.
* The Silver Age Superman had secret plans arranged with each of his friends, known by their initial, which they would carry out if he gave them the appropriate signal. He once activated Plan J-for-Jimmy by breaking one of the arms off a ship's anchor so that what remained formed a capital J. Fortunately Jimmy Olsen recognised this for what was intended rather than thinking it was just a show of strength.

* After watching a particularly annoying (and terrifying) Angel die in the brightest, most spectacular, and most explosive way possible in the ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' FanFic ''Fanfic/NobodyDies'', Misato Katsuragi says "I love those Plan Bs. It's the sort of plans I see through my eyelids."

* During the Tipaan arc of ''Fanfic/TheKeysStandAlone: The Soft World'', John, Paul, and [[ThePatriarch Slavayat]] have worked out a plan for John and Paul to take the Cloud Horn from its escort as it wends its way through the Svenjaya tunnels. They also worked out a Plan B that involved only George and Slavayat. Unfortunately, while Paul and John are waiting for the escort to get to the kitchen area, John's anti-claustrophobia potion catastrophically fails, and he runs screaming from the meat locker where the two are hiding. All this is overheard by the others via [[GreenThumb Quill's magical flowers]], and as they listen in dismay, Quill calmly says to George, “It appears you will now be moving to plan B.” Cue George fretting like crazy.
* ''Fanfic/MuchAdoAboutShakespeareLovesLaboursWon'': Horatio's first attempt to talk to Archie and confess his love fails because Archie doesn't react the way Horatio supposed he would. Hornblower, being the overthink-everything-and-plan-for-every-alternative guy that he is, has plan B — he admits that Archie has won the wager. That should cheer him up for sure. However, Archie wants to go to sleep and doesn't want to talk at all. So plan B fails also and it ruins plans C through E, too (those are not mentioned specifically). Plan F involves baiting Archie with a book of Shakespeare's sonnets Horatio bought earlier. And as Archie is a major bookworm, any new book is like catnip to him, so he falls for it.
* ''Fanfic/RainbowDoubleDashsLunaverse:'' During "The Hero of Oaton", Trixie has a plan. Cheerilee has a Plan B. Cheerilee decides to implement Plan B ahead of Trixie's schedule. Trixie gets a little irritable about this. (Meanwhile, Raindrops thinks they could probably stand to make plans ''before'' giving names to them).
-->'''Trixie:''' Plans were made! By me! Not my fault we never stick to my brilliant and well thought through plans.

* Lampshaded in ''WesternAnimation/{{Wizards}}'', when {{Mook}} 1, having seen that Plan A (machine gunning hostages) doesn't work, announces "Now for Plan B!" "What's Plan B?" asks Mook 2. "You'll see." And he blows up the temple. But they forgot to go outside first.

-->'''Preed''': [[TheGuardsMustBeCrazy An intelligent guard]]. [[DidNotSeeThatComing Didn't see that one coming]].
* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Ballerina}}'', Victor tells Félicie that he has a brilliant plan to escape from the orphanage, a plan so "A" that they don't need a plan B. When things start going wrong, the two start running together, him shouting that they need to activate plan B. Of course, she has no idea what this is.

* From ''Film/StarTrekVTheFinalFrontier'', the Enterprise doesn't have time to tractor the shuttlecraft carrying Kirk and company back aboard because of a cloaked Klingon Bird-of-Prey nearby.
-->'''Kirk:''' Prepare to initiate Emergency Landing Plan "B".\\
'''Chekov:''' What's Emergency Landing Plan B?\\
'''Scotty:''' I haven't a clue, lad.\\
'''Kirk:''' "B" as in [[CaptainCrash "Barricade"]].
* ''Film/BadBoysII'' has one of these toward the end where the thoroughly improvised plan B consisted of driving what looks like a Humvee through the house, but definitely did not involve a bigass gun.
-->'''Marcus:''' What the hell does the B stand for? ''Bullshit!''
** And later:
--->'''Marcus:''' ''This'' is plan B?!\\
'''Mike:''' No, this is definitely plan C.

* ''Film/{{Condorman}}'': The hero Woody overhears his CIA friend Harry telling his boss that if Woody's plan fails, they can always go to Plan B. Woody gets captured and is being hauled off to prison by a detective.
-->'''Woody:''' (''despairingly'') So much for Plan B.\\
'''Detective:''' (''Harry in [[WigDressAccent disguise]]'') Hey, ugly American. Remember Plan B? This is it.

* ''Film/TheDukesOfHazzard'' film gave us the line: "Plan B's jes' a fancy way of sayin' '[[IndyPloy drivin' by the seat o' yer pants]]'."
* ''Film/FaceOff'': "Okay. Plan B. Let's just kill each other."
* The TagLine for the movie version of ''Film/TheATeam'': "There is no Plan B."

* In ''Film/FastAndFurious6'', [[BigBad Shaw]] hijacks a tank in the middle of a heist, screwing up any plans to stop it. Tej freaks out upon seeing the tank, saying, "We need a Plan B, C, D, E; ''[[OhCrap we need]] [[ThisIsGonnaSuck more alphabets]]''!"

* Used in ''Film/{{Entrapment}}'' when Gin and Mac must escape from the Petronas Twin Towers after making a multi-billion dollar heist. Mac's Plan B is a mini parachute when they have to jump down a vertical shaft to evade the police. [[spoiler: Mac stayed behind when they only have one parachute having dropped the other one moments ago. It turns out that Mac works for the FBI in pursuit of Gin, which he confess to her at the train station. Mac has a Plan C giving an envelope with money and passport to Gin allowing her to escape the country.]]
* ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'':
** ''Film/TheAvengers2012'' - Iron Man tries to simply blast Loki's Tesseract-powered portal device, only for it to protect itself with a force field. As the armor he's wearing is already on his last legs, he goes for "Plan B" - stall Loki while J.A.R.V.I.S puts the last-minute touches on his newest suit.
** ''Film/SpiderManFarFromHome'' - While Spider-Man takes on Mysterio's drones, Happy Hogan lands the Stark Quinjet and contacts Peter's friends, whom Mysterio has targeted, to get them to safety.
--->'''Hogan''': I gotta get you guys out of here! Get on the jet!\\
'''MJ''': Who are you?\\
'''Hogan''': I work with Spider-Man!\\
'''Flash Thompson''': You work for Spider-Man?\\
'''Hogan''': I work ''with'' Spider-Man, not ''for'' Spider-Man! ''[drone suddenly blows up the jet]'' New plan!
* ''Film/{{Interstellar}}''. Professor Brand has two plans to save the human race. Plan A is he will study the wormhole to understand enough about gravity to stage a mass evacuation of Earth. Plan B is the astronauts take a human embryo bank to re-establish humanity from scratch on another world. [[spoiler:However Brandt makes a DyingConfession that there never was a Plan A -- it was just meant to give humanity false hope so Plan B could be implemented. Fortunately the protagonists find out a way of making Plan A work anyway.]]
* ''Film/TheLostWorldJurassicPark'': After Peter Ludlow's mercenaries arrive, Nick Van Owen reveals he was not sent just as a photographer, but as Hammond's "backup plan".
* ''Film/HalfPastDead'': After their primary getaway plan fails spectacularly and immediately, they demand the FBI send a helicopter for them to use as a getaway vehicle in return for not killing Justice [=McPherson=] and the other hostages.
* Name dropped three times in ''Film/CharliesAngelsFullThrottle'':
** When the Angels have to find a new way to escape once caught rescuing a US Marshal held hostage.
** When BigBad [[spoiler:Madison Lee's original plan to sell off the names in the WitnessProtection falls through, she plans to use a grenade to blow up a nearby Hollywood movie premiere]].
** The Angels' counter-plan to [[spoiler:Madison's]] Plan B, where [[spoiler:Bosley protects the crowd from the grenade she throws by smacking it back into the air before it explodes, making the crowd think the explosion was [[SureLetsGoWithThat part of the action film's promotion]]]].
--->'''Bosley''': Plan B stands for Plan Bosley!

* In the ''Franchise/StarTrek'' ExpandedUniverse novel ''Literature/HowMuchForJustThePlanet'', by Creator/JohnMFord, the Diredei plan to stop the Federation and/or Klingons from exploiting their dilithium is called "Plan C". [[spoiler:There was no Plan A or B; C stands for the keystone of the plan: "Comedy".]]
* In ''Literature/SonicTheHedgehogInRobotniksLaboratory'', they eventually have to resort to Plan D, which Franchise/{{Sonic}} hadn't actually got as far as thinking up. Fortunately, a ContrivedCoincidence intervenes.
* One of the book titles in the Literature/LiadenUniverse '''is''' ''Plan B''. Plan B being the emergency "clan is under attack, everyone bug out, get weapons, and maintain radio silence" plan. It's pretty telling that Clan Korval has had this plan in reserve pretty much since they landed on the home planet. WordOfGod is that the title of the book was actually decided upon ''for them'' by fans during the long gap between their publisher rejecting further books in the series after the third (in which the name "Plan B" was first mentioned) and the authors learning they had an unexpected Internet fan movement. Fans kept asking them when ''Plan B'' was coming out, and they chose to take advantage of the name recognition when they found a publisher for future books in the series.\\\
In a way, ''Plan B'' was the ''authors''' "Plan B", since they had not ever expected to be able to continue the series when the first publisher didn't want it. WordOfGod is also that "Plan B" was a working draft term for the real name of the plan, intended to be replaced in the edit process when they could come up with suitable Liaden nomenclature, but it somehow stuck.
* From ''Literature/GoodOmens'', after Crowley has successfully killed one Duke of Hell, but failed to bluff the surviving one:
-->''Plan A had worked. Plan B had failed. Everything depended on Plan C, and there was only one drawback to this: he had only ever planned as far as B.''
* ''[[Literature/TheHollows The Good, The Bad, and the Undead]]'' by Kim Harrison has "Grab the fish and run like hell." This is the subject of a magnificent call back in a later book when Plan A fails again.

* A quiet version is invoked in ''Literature/GuardiansOfTheFlame'', when Karl badly needs to return to the fantasy world he's just left. After [[BoundAndGagged overpowering]] gamemaster Arthur Deighton, Karl produces a skinning knife and warns him that either Deighton will help him or else "we'll have to go to Plan B." Deighton quickly agrees to help [[spoiler: to Karl's relief, since he wasn't sure what Plan B actually was]].
* ''Literature/TheMurderbotDiaries''

* ''Series/MythBusters'' ''is'' this trope. You'd be hard pressed to find one time when Plan A works without a hitch. On the off chance that Plan A does work, they generally go to ''[[StuffBlowingUp Plan B!]]'' anyway.
** When the build team tried busting their first myth, they didn't have a plan B, causing Adam to comment that they usually only get it right on plan D. Which is why they always say "[[FailureIsTheOnlyOption Failure is always an option]]".
** Hilariously, inverted at one point. Plan A worked so well, they couldn't use the myth. (Said myth? Buncha chemicals in a van could explode when you use the auto-unlock. The Build Team went straight for full scale because they were told by experts the van wouldn't blow up. The van ''did'' blow up.)

* Colonel O'Neill of ''Series/StargateSG1'' is well-known for saying this line and then poking fun at it.
** One memorable exchange (from "Orpheus"):
-->'''O'Neill:''' It's time for plan B.\\
'''Carter:''' We have a plan B?\\
'''O'Neill:''' No, but it's time for one.
** From episode "Evolution Part 1":
-->'''O'Neill:''' Reynolds, I want flanking positions set up on either side of the clearing. Rig the perimeter with C4.\\
'''Colonel Reynolds:''' Not much faith in Plan A?\\
'''O'Neill:''' Since when has Plan A ever worked?
* ''Series/StargateAtlantis'': [[spoiler:Even that wasn't the real plan at all. It was a diversion that [=McKay=] wanted the Replicators to learn about when they mind-probed their prisoners, so they wouldn't go looking for the ''real'' plan.]]
-->'''O'Neill:''' So I guess that "frozen replicator" plan didn't pan out for ya? \\
'''[=McKay=]:''' Yeah, not so much. \\
'''O'Neill:''' How's that plan B workin' for ya? Good? \\
'''[=McKay=]:''' Actually, it's more like plan C. As in, C4? You catch my drift? \\
'''O'Neill:''' No. \\
'''[=McKay=]:''' Let's just say, we're concerned the Daedalus won't be able to carry out your standing orders.\\
'''Woolsey:''' What? To destroy Atlantis with nuclear weapons, I thought we were past that! Why we're going back to that?\\
'''[=McKay=]:''' Hey, it's the only way! \\
'''O'Neill:''' Can you do that? \\
'''[=McKay=]:''' Yes, if we plant charges on all ten of the shield emitters before the Daedalus arrives. That way, when the replicators try to activate the shield...\\
'''Woolsey:''' ...the C4 detonates, the Daedalus beams a warhead into the city and we all get vaporized!\\
'''O'Neill:''' Sounds more like a plan F, doesn't it? As in, [[CurseCutShort we're totally]]--\\
'''[=McKay=]:''' Look, if we fight our way back to the underwater jumper bay then we will be able to fly to a safe distance! That is, if we can get the underwater bay door open.\\
'''O'Neill:''' You can't even open ''this'' door!
* ''Series/TwentyFour'' has a few examples:
-->'''Andre Drazen:''' When Plan A fails, you should have a Plan B, not Plan A recycled.\\
[...]\\
'''Andre Drazen:''' I appreciate the offer, Kevin, but as you Americans so often say, Plan B is already in effect.
* From the ''Series/{{Alias}}'' episode "Hourglass":
-->'''Michael Vaughn:''' Okay, what's Plan B 'cause that's not going to happen.
* From ''Series/{{Andromeda}}'':
-->'''Seamus Harper:''' We needed a Plan B. You always have a Plan B.\\
'''Dylan Hunt:''' My Plan B's work.\\
[...]\\
'''Dylan Hunt:''' Plan B sucks.

-->'''Nate''': You can't count on the perfect plan, the perfect plan has too many moving parts. You have to count on the perfect plan to fail, that's what I do.

--> '''Hardison''': I hope you have a Plan B, or F, something from the first half of the alphabet.
* ''Series/BurnNotice''. Michael Westin ''never'' has a Plan A work. Ever.
-->'''Winston:''' W-what do we do now!?\\
'''Michael:''' Plan B!\\
'''Winston:''' What's plan B?\\
'''Michael:''' [[IndyPloy I'm working on it...]]
* Mocked gently in ''Series/PuppetsWhoKill'', which Buttons the sex-crazed teddy bear always has a plan B.
-->"...and if that doesn't work, I go to plan B."\\
"Plan B?"\\
"I have sex with them. ...sometimes I just skip straight to plan B..."
* An episode of ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'' had Howard, Raj, and Sheldon trying to get a crashed Mars Rover functioning again, but when it wouldn't work, Howard moved to Plan B: erase all the data, wipe their fingerprints off everything, and run away. Sheldon then remarks, "Why wasn't that Plan A?"
* ''Series/{{House}}''. The first theory is nearly always a fail. He gets it right somewhere around "Plan J", and then realizes "Plan C" was the right one all along.
* A running gag on ''Series/GetSmart'' had Max in a fix - he'd declare "I have a plan" and explains it - 99 (usually) would point out the very obvious flaw - Max would declare "I have an ''alternate'' plan."

* ''Series/{{Farscape}}'':
** In the episode "We're So Screwed", they end up going with "plan E... for elevator".
** The first part of the "Liars, Guns, and Money" trilogy is called "A Not So Simple Plan". Predictably, part 3 is called "Plan B". However, this is pretty funny considering that they end up playing XanatosSpeedChess as everything imaginable goes wrong. By that episode they're WAY past Plan B.
* ''Series/{{Warehouse 13}}'' has:
-->'''Myka:''' Okay, what do we do now?\\
'''Pete:''' Plan B.\\
'''Myka:''' What's Plan B?\\
'''Pete:''' I was hoping ''you'' knew.
:: After Pete actually comes up with a Plan B, this is quickly followed by[=:=]
-->'''Myka:''' I think we should go with Plan C.\\
'''Pete:''' Okay, what's Plan C?\\
'''Myka:''' I run away and you get pummeled.
* On ''Series/GossipGirl'' Blair always has a Plan B and usually a Plan C. Chuck tends to have backup plans also.
* At the conclusion of ''Series/TorchwoodMiracleDay'' [[spoiler: an agent of the [[BigBad Three Families]] reveals that even though the Miracle was undone, [[SequelHook they had a Plan B prepared]]...]]
* ''Series/PersonOfInterest'' ("Wolf and Cub"). Reece's BatmanGambit to take down the bad guys having gone pear-shaped, he calls Finch and tells him to bring the bag labeled 'Plan B'. [[ViolenceIsTheOnlyOption It contains a pump-action shotgun.]] Over the course of the series, the bag gets several new items ranging from a SPAS-12 shotgun to a high-calibre sniper rifle.
* In the ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'':
** From "All Dogs Go to Heaven"
--->'''Sam:''' So. Plan B?\\
(''{{beat}}'')\\
'''Dean:''' We've got one?
** In "Shut Up, Dr Phil", Plan B involves trying to talk the MonsterOfTheWeek out of killing you. It actually works!
--->'''Sam:''' If you can't kill them, counsel them!
** In "What's Up Tiger Mommy?", after Plan A, B ''and'' C fail, Crowley sarcastically suggests our heroes go to "Plan D, for Dumbass."
* ''Franchise/BattlestarGalactica'':
** Used several times in ''Series/BattlestarGalacticaBloodAndChrome'' as Adama and Coker are in a middle of a OldSchoolDogFight; when the rear guns go off line, Adama decides to fly the ship through a moving piston.
--->'''Adama:'''Time for plan B.\\
'''Coker:''' We've got a plan B? (''realizing'') No, no, no! You'll never make it!
** Then used as a call back at the end of the series where Coker says "time for plan B" to Adama. You get the impression it was going to be a common bit if the series ever got green-lit.
** In ''Series/BattlestarGalactica2003'' Helo and Sharon find that the Cylons have discovered her Raptor and are stripping it. Helo asks what her Plan B was. Sharon replies that it was the same as Plan A -- get back to her Raptor and fly the frak off this planet.
* ''Series/StarTrekVoyager''. In "Juggernaut" the crew of ''Voyager'' have to repair a Malon toxic waste freighter before it explodes, destroying everything in three light years (including them). In case the Away Team can't repair the vessel, Captain Janeway orders Plan B to be prepared, in which ''Voyager'' will push the freighter [[HurlItIntoTheSun into a nearby sun]]. Seven of Nine prepares the necessary calculations, then provides a Plan C in case that doesn't work. Tuvok says it's unlikely given [[InvincibleHero Janeway's past success record]]...then pointedly asks if there's a Plan D. There isn't.
* ''Series/{{Angel}}''. Angel is arming himself to the fangs -- [[LockAndLoadMontage throwing star, knife at his waist, knife at his ankle, arm-sheath stakes...]]
-->'''Wesley:''' What happened to calmly, cautiously, and deliberately investigating before rushing in?\\
'''Angel:''' That was Plan A. We’ve since moved on to Plan B.\\
'''Wesley:''' And Plan B is?\\
'''Angel:''' ''([[WeaponTwirling twirling an axe]])'' Do I really have to explain it to you, Wesley?
* PlayedWith in ''Series/NCISLosAngeles'' when Hetty asks Callen if he's prepared a Plan B for an upcoming op. Turns out that he and Sam haven't yet figured out who's in charge of coming up with Plan A, let alone Plan B, so neither plan is ready to go.

* The opening of the premiere episode of ''Series/LockwoodAndCo2023'', "This Will Be Us," has Lucy and Lockwood going over the various ghost-hunting plans that Lockwood has cooked up, from Plan A to Plan F. Lockwood gives Lucy a 10/10 for remembering them all; she points out there were only six. He tells her he'll have to think of another four. Later, on the job, he can't remember his own lettering system and quips that they'll need to rework it.

* ''VideoGame/SupremeCommander'' had a little fun with this; the Cybran nuclear missile submarine is called Plan B.

* In ''VideoGame/CallOfDutyModernWarfare2'', Plan B always involves C4. No exceptions.
* In ''VideoGame/{{Skylanders}}: Spyro's Adventure'', after Kaos' army is driven back by the Skylanders, his goblin sidekick suggests Plan B. Kaos decides to skip all the way to Plan Z, and summon a giant monster to pretty much nuke Skylanders HQ and the Core Of Light. To his credit, it's ''very'' effective.
* In ''VideoGame/AlphaProtocol'', you get a perk called "Plan B: KillItWithFire" for setting 25 enemies on fire with incendiary grenades.
* [[TheHero Joel]] from ''VideoGame/TheLastOfUs'' asks [[CrazySurvivalist Bill]] what Plan B is when [[spoiler: the needed car parts seem to be missing]], and is informed that "that was Plan A, B, C, all the way to [[PrecisionFStrike fuckin']] Z!"
* The stealthable missions in ''VideoGame/PAYDAY2'' usually have a Plan B in case the alarm is set off, often in the form of [[StuffBlowingUp C4]], drills, or both. Most characters mention "Plan B" if things [[ShootEverythingThatMoves go loud]], and Dallas may state that he "never liked Plan A anyway". [[StealthBasedMission Stealth-only missions]] like Shadow Raid are the exception, where the Plan B is instead "run like hell".
* In ''VideoGame/PokerNight2'', Sam decides to go to Plan B after wondering what his partner Max would do:
--> '''Sam:''' Now what would Max do in this situation?\\
'''Max:''' [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} Ahh! Black Hawk Down! Black Hawk Down!]]\\
'''Sam:''' [[DidntThinkThisThrough Okay, Plan B]].

-->'''Cortana:''' Now what?\\

-->'''Chief:''' Plan B.\\

-->'''[[spoiler:Doctor Wily]]''': You leave me no choice... Time for Plan B! [[spoiler:(Wily jumps backwards, with the Speed Gear effect, and immediately starts groveling at Mega Man's feet) Spare me! I'm a helpless old man! [[VillainsWantMercy Mercy, Mega Man]]]]!

* In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX2'', Yuna and her team are tasked with defeating the fearsome machina weapon Vegnagun and the thousand year old malevolent spirit named Shuyin controlling it. There's a lot of talk about ThePowerOfLove and asks if Yuna's plan is to defeat Vegnagun by showing him the light of love for him, specifically that of his lover Lenne's words that he never heard. She tells him that that's plan B, but first since Vegnagun is just a machina, they should be able to take it apart. Later, after the party wins one of the battles with Vegnagun, Nooj asks "What now?" and Rikku suggests "Maybe we're finished?" The voice of Baralai, whom Shuyin [[LivingBodysuit is possessing]] replies "Finished indeed. All of Spira is finished!" and Rikku shouts "He's got a plan B too!" However, the voice of Auron assures them that "He's panicking. Yuna. End it now." The party is finally able to defeat Vegnagun, but ends up having to go to plan B anyway when Shuyin still won't give up.
* In the first ''VideoGame/GearsOfWar'' game, Marcus and Dominic end up having to fight a berserker on a train. Marcus wants to drop the [[KillSat Hammer of Dawn]], but is informed that he can't because of the sheer number of nemecyst inking the sky. Neither Marcus nor Dominic has a Plan B, though, [[spoiler:so they end up improvising by luring the berserker to the last car of the train, then cutting it loose.]]

(''plan B works quickly and without complication'')\\

* ''Webcomic/{{Adventurers}}'' subverts it in [[http://www.adventurers-comic.com/d/20060225.html this strip]] because Plan B is just failure.

* ''Webcomic/{{Freefall}}'':
** When Mr. Kornada's plan to replace Florence with a clone, and Sam's plan to trick him into believing it has been done, [[http://freefall.purrsia.com/ff1700/fc01687.htm hit a problem]].
-->'''Sam:''' So much for plan A. No worries. Plan B's are more fun anyhow!
** Inverted when Florence's plan to infiltrate the Ecosystems Unlimited secondary servers is [[http://freefall.purrsia.com/ff2300/fc02233.htm derailed]], then re-railed by Sam's quick thinking.
-->'''Florence:''' Well, I guess it's back to plan A then.
* ''Webcomic/EightBitTheater'':
** [[http://nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=060328 This]] strip is fairly indicative of how most of Red Mage's plans work. Which is to say, they don't.
--->'''Red Mage:''' Okay. Plan B. Do we have one?
** Then there are the other names they use for plans, including "Plan Suck" and "Plan Stupid, in honor of its creator, Mr. Stupid".
* Late in its run, sprite comic ''Webcomic/BobAndGeorge'' has a couple of alphabetical-contingency plans called by letter -- namely "Q" and "R".
* ''Webcomic/TheWhiteboard'': When surrounded by the other team at an "outlaw" paintball field[[note]]basically no real rules[[/note]], in [[http://www.the-whiteboard.com/autotwb1262.html this strip]], the team goes through their options, including [[AttackPatternAlpha Attack Plans B, Delta, and Zero]] (the last involving [[NoodleImplements two zeppelins and a smoke machine]]).
* ''Webcomic/MagickChicks'': Faith had arranged the pool party in the hopes of gleaning information from the Hellrunes [[MacGuffin about the wand.]] But when she questioned [[MotorMouth Jacqui]], she got hit with [[WallOfText a nonstop wall of blather]] for over ten minutes straight! Which caused Faith to actually lose her composure, [[NotSoStoic for once]], and bolt for the door, telling Sandi they were [[http://www.magickchicks.com/strips-mc/poor_innocent_brother moving onto Plan B.]]
* ''Webcomic/VampireCheerleaders'': Leonard confronted Lori and her Coven, near the end of vol.1, and [[http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/half-time_3 threatened to expose them as vampires.]] So Lori immediately [[HeKnowsTooMuch tried to silence him]], but he had taken the precaution of loading himself with garlic and Listerine; which had made his blood toxic to her. Which is when she resorted to [[http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/half-time_5 Plan "BC"]]: [[SexyDiscretionShot screw him.]]
* ''Webcomic/{{Zukahnaut}}'': When Zukah realizes that punches aren't getting him anywhere, his next instinct is to [[http://zukahnaut.com/2013/10/12/048-when-the-going-gets-tough/ blow stuff up]].

* In ''Webcomic/ArthurKingOfTimeAndSpace'', during the presidential campaign in the contemporary arc, President Roman [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/3023.htm gets hold of material]] that he thinks will win him the election, but is told to hold it back to October so Arthur's campaign can't refute it. A flashforward to when he does so, has Lancelot say it's too late for Plan A, and Arthur reply that he preferred Plan B anyway. When the strip catches up to the flashforward we learn that [[spoiler: the material is [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/3068.htm naked photos of Guenevere]], and Plan B is for Arthur to [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/3069.htm point out that the pictures are of a naturist at home, and there's nothing salacious about them]] and then prove the point by [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/3070.htm stripping himself]].]]
* In ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'', when [[spoiler: Voltaire]] realises his Plan A ([[spoiler: killing Elliot]]) has failed he says "I ''hate'' Plan B. It ought to be 'Plan CM' for 'complicated mess'. I suppose I ''am'' in a position to decide such things. Right. ''Onward'' with ''Plan CM''."

* In ''WebVideo/DragonBallZAbridged'' Piccolo's first plan involves Krillin performing a HeroicSacrifice, while the second plan uses the Multi-Form technique. When Krillin criticizes the second plan for weakening them...
-->'''Piccolo:''' Plan A or Plan B, Krillin!\\
'''Krillin:''' Plan B, Plan B!
* In ''WebVideo/ImAMarvelAndImADC'', Plan Q is invoked by the Joker at the end of Happy Hour #5. [[spoiler:Plan Q blows.]] Plan Q was actually Plan A for a while, but was downgraded by Luthor when he realized how dangerous it was. It should tell how bad it was when it dropped that far down the plan list.
* ''[[http://theglen.livejournal.com/16735.html The 1250]] Blog/ThingsMrWelchIsNoLongerAllowedToDoInAnRPG'' gave us the masterstroke of logic, "Plan B is not automatically twice as much gunpowder as plan A."
* ''Literature/WhateleyUniverse'': A villain has Plans A-Z, and goes over them exhaustively. Things pretty much work out without a hitch; he does NOT have to even go to Plan B! [[spoiler:He was out-gambitted. The thing he was stealing was trapped, and he ended up in Ayla's pocket.]]

* In ''LetsPlay/{{Dream}}'''s [[https://youtu.be/tylNqtyj0gs?t=2090 Grand Finale video,]] (34:50) Dream and the hunters have a conversation about the plans the hunters make. Dream thinks that, since [[spoiler: his End Crystal trap didn't work]], the hunters have made actual plans.
--> '''Dream:''' Usually, I feel like you guys, when you just say plans, like as a meme, you're like, "Plan Seven!" But in this case, I feel like "Plan B" is like, you literally, actually have plans.
--> '''George:''' It's a reputable name.
--> '''Bad:''' An actual plan.
--> '''Sapnap:''' Guys, execute Plan [=74-35B!=]

-->'''Lucky''': Lieutenant! Push the cage release button!\\
'''Lt. Pug''': I don't take orders from you! \\
'''Lucky''': But that was part of your plan. Plan C. Remember? \\
'''Lt. Pug''': Of course I remember. C for..."Cage Release".

* ''WesternAnimation/DuckTales1987'' had an episode where Huey, Dewey and Louie break a clock while playing and secretly take it to a clockmaker, who says he can't fix it. They use "plan B": lie down on the floor and bawl until the clockmaker gives in. Later, when Scrooge is preparing to go into cyberspace to retrieve his money, Fenton repeatedly begs Scrooge to let him come along to make up for making Scrooge lose his money, but Scrooge won't let him. Fenton then declares, "Time to do what the nephews do! Plan B!" His "plan B" is to throw a tantrum until Scrooge gives in.

-->'''Goliath:''' ''(entering the scene)'' [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome I don't suppose you have a Plan D]]?

-->'''[[TheHero Johnny:]]''' Time for Plan K!
-->'''[[TheLancer Dukey:]]''' L.

-->'''Tim''': Anyone have a good plan B? \\
'''Wanda''': There aren't any good plan B's, ''Tim''! If they were good, they'd be plan A's.

---> '''Doofenshmirtz:''' Behold, Perry the Platypus, Plan B! \\
''[His raygun explodes after Doofenshmirtz presses a button]'' \\

[[BeatPanel (beat)]]\\

--->'''Peter''': Okay, Plan B.
--->'''Egon''': What's Plan B?
--->'''Peter''': That's where we do something that ''isn't'' stupid.

* In the ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003'' episode “Nano”, Donatello’s first plan fails to stop the piecemeal robot controlled by the out-of-control NanoMachines [[KillItWithFire (using a welding torch on it)]] he goes to plan B, knocking it into a car compactor. But that doesn’t work either. Raphael tells him he really hopes he has a plan-C, and [[CrazyPrepared Donatello actually does]], which consists of grabbing it with a magnet crane and dumping it in a vat of molten steel, which works. [[OnlyMostlyDead (Until it comes back next the season, that is.)]]

* Plan B is the name of an emergency contraceptive brand. Their advertising campaign says "If Plan A fails, go to Plan B..."

** One episode had one of these (in a moment where the guys [[IndyPloy actually bothered to plan]] beyond "kick in the door, zap the ghost").

'''Peter:''' No electro-shock, Egon.\\

* ''Limbo'' by Bernard Wolfe takes place in a [=post-WW3=] society that has renounced war or even planning for war. When widespread sabotage and insurrection organised by the [[DirtyCommunists Eastern Union]] breaks out, President Helder announces they're dropping Plan A and going to Plan B, which from his description is clearly a [[ThisMeansWar long-held war plan]]. Later the protagonist hears on the radio that insurrection is also breaking out in the Eastern Union and comments bitterly, "Plan C. And twenty-three letters to go." Then the [[DeadlineNews radio is cut off]] as the UndergroundCity collapses, and he thinks that maybe the other side just went to ''their'' Plan D.
* A quiet version is invoked in Literature/GuardiansOfTheFlame, when Karl badly needs to return to the fantasy world he's just left. After [[BoundAndGagged overpowering]] gamemaster Arthur Deighton, Karl produces a skinning knife and warns him that either Deighton will help him or else "we'll have to go to Plan B." Deighton quickly agrees to help [[spoiler: to Karl's relief, since he wasn't sure what Plan B actually was]].

** In ''Network Effect'' after Murderbot is captured, the sentient spaceship ''Perihelion'' announces its intention to ColonyDrop unless Murderbot is returned unharmed. After being convinced to adopt a more subtle strategy (distract with threats and negotiation while another [=SecUnit=] sneaks in and rescues Murderbot) it announces that "Plan A01: Rain Destruction has been superseded by Plan B01: Distract and Extract."

[[folder:Web Comics]]

* There's this great exchange in an issue of ''ComicBook/SonicUniverse'', where Shadow the Hedgehog and his "Team Dark" attempt to get a Chaos Emerald from the God-Panda currently lording over them in the "Special Zone." After failing the mini-game, Omega turns to Shadow and asks if it's time for plan B. Shadow answers in the affirmative and Plan B basically comprises entirely of Omega unloading his entire arsenal, which makes up over half of his total mass, in the God-Panda's face.

* Played with ''hilariously'' in the ''Wiki/SCPFoundation'' story, "[[http://www.scp-wiki.net/duke-till-dawn Duke 'till Dawn]]."

'''Angel:''' ''([[WeaponTwirling twirling an axe]])'' Do I [[KillEmAll really have to explain it to you]], Wesley?

* Though he never says the exact phrase, ''Series/BurnNotice'''s Michael Westin ''never'' has a Plan A work. Ever.

* WD-40, the all-purpose <del>lubricant/de-greaser/de-ruster</del> water displacer, was so named because [=WDs=] 1 through 39 didn't work as well in testing.

* Used in ''Film/{{Entrapment}}'' when Gin and Mac must escape from the Petronas Twin Towers after making a multi-billion dollar heist. Mac's Plan B is a mini parachute when they have to jump down a vertical shaft to evade the police. [[spoiler: Mac stayed behind when they only have one parachute having dropped the other one. It turns out that Mac works for the FBI in pursuit of Gin, which he confess to her at the train station. Mac has a Plan C giving an envelope with money and passport to Gin allowing her to escape the country.]]

* Used in ''Film/{{Entrapment}}'' when Gin and Mac must escape from the Petronas Twin Towers after making a multi-billion dollar heist. Mac's Plan B is a mini parachute when they have to jump down a vertical shaft to evade the police. [[spoiler: Mac stayed behind when they only have one parachute after one of them dropped. It turns out that Mac works for the FBI in pursuit of Gin, which he confess to her at the train station. Mac has a Plan C giving an envelope with money and passport to Gin allowing her to escape the country.]]

* ''WebAnimation/SonicForHire'': In Season 3, as Franchise/{{Sonic}} nearly ends up ruining the plan to earn billions at ''VideoGame/TecmoBowl'', Tails tries to give a RousingSpeech until VideoGame/EarthwormJim points out they only have a few seconds left. Leading Tails to bring out Plan B, by having [=ThunderHead=] bring a onto the field.

* ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'': When Ala Alba's original plan to get out of the governor's ball without fighting fails, they switch to "Escape Plan B". Of course, not all goes to plan...
* {{Lampshaded}} in an episode of ''Anime/PokemonTheSeries''--when one of Team Rocket's plans to steal Pokemon fails, they switch to Plan B, with Meowth suggesting that they should just start with Plan B. Then, when ''that'' plan is ruined, they lament not having a Plan C.

* There's this great exchange in an issue of ''[[ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogArchieComics Sonic: Universe]]'', where Shadow the Hedgehog and his "Team Dark" attempt to get a Chaos Emerald from the God-Panda currently lording over them in the "Special Zone." After failing the mini-game, Omega turns to Shadow and asks if it's time for plan B. Shadow answers in the affirmative and Plan B basically comprises entirely of Omega unloading his entire arsenal, which makes up over half of his total mass, in the God-Panda's face.

* In ''WebVideo/DragonBallZAbridged'' Piccolo's first plan involves Krillin performing a HeroicSacrifice, while the second plan uses the Multi-Form technique. When Krillin criticizes the second plan for weakening them...
-->'''Piccolo:''' Plan A or Plan B, Krillin!\\
'''Krillin:''' Plan B, Plan B!
* In ''WebVideo/ImAMarvelAndImADC'', Plan Q is invoked by the Joker at the end of Happy Hour #5. [[spoiler:Plan Q blows.]] Plan Q was actually Plan A for a while, but was downgraded by Luthor when he realized how dangerous it was. It should tell how bad it was when it dropped that far down the plan list.

* ''Film/HudsonHawk''. The title character apparently kills Tommy Five-Tone, so the Mayflowers can't use Tommy to convince him to work for them. Minerva Mayflower turns to her operative George Kaplan:

* From ''Film/{{Star Trek V|The Final Frontier}}'', the ''Enterprise'' doesn't have time to tractor the shuttlecraft carrying Kirk and company back aboard because of a cloaked Klingon Bird-of-Prey nearby.

* ''Film/TheLostBoys''. When their first encounter with the vampires doesn't go according to plan, Sam and the Frog brothers have to go to Plan B. They don't have a Plan B yet and have only two and a half hours to come up with one.
* ''Film/{{Condorman}}''. The hero Woody overhears his CIA friend Harry telling his boss that if Woody's plan fails, they can always go to Plan B. Woody gets captured and is being hauled off to prison by a detective.

* In ''[[Film/TheFastAndTheFurious Fast and Furious 6]]'', [[BigBad Shaw]] hijacks a tank in the middle of a heist, screwing up any plans to stop it. Tej freaks out upon seeing the tank, saying, "We need a Plan B, C, D, E; ''[[OhCrap we need]] [[ThisIsGonnaSuck more alphabets]]''!"
* In ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'', Anakin's plan for getting out from between a set of ray shields is to wait for Artoo to show up and let them out. Sure enough, Artoo shows up shortly thereafter... and is immediately captured by a bunch of battle droids.
-->'''Obi-Wan:''' Do you have a plan B?

* From the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse:

* In ''Literature/SonicTheHedgehogInRobotniksLaboratory'', they eventually have to resort to Plan D, which Sonic hadn't actually got as far as thinking up. Fortunately, a ContrivedCoincidence intervenes.

* In ''[[VideoGame/ModernWarfare Modern Warfare 2]]'', Plan B always involves C4. No exceptions.

* In ''VideoGame/Halo4'' after Plan A, an AirstrikeImpossible with a nuke, fails when the Broadsword crashes, we get this:

** In ''VideoGame/HaloInfinite'', the trope gets lampshaded.

* ''VideoGame/MegaMan11'' gives us this wonderful exchange after [[spoiler:beating Wily yet again]].

* ''[[VideoGame/MegaManBattleNetwork3WhiteAndBlue MegaMan Battle Network 3]]'' has [=KingMan.EXE=] who enacts "Plan-B" depending on how [=MegaMan=] is getting the upper hand against him. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzA8ZbRgRkU&t=50 One such variation]] involves trading a pawn for an extra knight.

[[folder:Webcomics]]

* In ''[[LetsPlay/{{Dream}} Dream's]]'' [[https://youtu.be/tylNqtyj0gs?t=2090 Grand Finale video,]] (34:50) Dream and the hunters have a conversation about the plans the hunters make. Dream thinks that, since [[spoiler: his End Crystal trap didn't work]], the hunters have made actual plans.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}'' had a great time with this in their Halloween episode. Xanatos' Plan C to help Fox (having already burned through Plans A and B) is tricking Goliath into doing the dirty work, but...
-->'''Goliath:''' ''(entering the scene)'' [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome I don't suppose you have a Plan D]]?
** Xanatos then caves and straight-up asks Goliath for help, prompting:
--->'''Elisa:''' Don't even think about it, Goliath! Can't you see? This ''is'' Plan D. If it fails, he'll move on to E or F.
** For the record, Plan E is the one that works, but it really illustrates how desperate Xanatos had become: [[spoiler:tail Goliath and hope he changes his mind.]]

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': Homer buries all Springfield's rubbish (and that of other cities) beneath the town. When it all starts to come back up, Mayor Quimby activates the town's "all-purpose contingency plan" also known as Plan B[[labelnote:*]]Yes, B[[/labelnote]] which is to move the whole town 5 miles down the road.
** When Burns decided to pick a local boy to be his heir, Milhouse was one of the rejects. After that, Lisa tried to persuade Burns into accepting the possibility of his heir being a woman but he was quite clear on that: [[HeirClubForMen no girls]]. Cut to a scene with Milhouse dressed as a girl commenting "So much for Plan B".

* ''WesternAnimation/TheRealGhostbusters'' had one of these (in a moment where the guys [[IndyPloy actually bothered to plan]] beyond "kick in the door, zap the ghost").
-->'''Egon:''' I have a plan.
-->'''Peter:''' No electro-shock, Egon.
-->[[BeatPanel (beat)]]
-->'''Egon:''' I have another plan.
** In the episode "Rollerghoster", after Ray's efforts to negotiate with ghosts holding people hostage on a haunted rollercoaster lead to him becoming a hostage himself:
--->'''Peter''': Okay, Plan B.
--->'''Egon''': What's Plan B?
--->'''Peter''': That's where we do something that ''isn't'' stupid.

* ''WesternAnimation/DuckTales1987'' had an episode where Huey, Dewey and Louie break a clock while playing and secretly take it to a clockmaker, who says he can't fix it. They use "plan B": lie down on the floor and bawl until the clockmaker gives in. Later, when Scrooge is preparing to go into cyberspace to retrieve his money, Fenton repeatedly begs Scrooge to let him come along to make up for making Scrooge lose his money, but Scrooge won't let him. Fenton then declares, "Time to do what the nephews do! Plan B!" His "plan B" is to throw a tantrum until Scrooge gives in.

* The eponymous heroes of ''WesternAnimation/LoonaticsUnleashed'' almost always have a Plan B. This trope is induced so may times that once, after Ace spouts the Trope Name, Lexi follows with "Next time, let's ''start'' with Plan B."
* ''WesternAnimation/SWATKats'': Plan Z involves T-Bone cutting the Turbokat's engines in mid-air. Razor hates Plan Z.
* As of season 2 of ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'', this is Twilight Sparkle's catchphrase.
* In one episode of ''WesternAnimation/StormHawks'', Junko is hypnotized to become more aggressive to take part in a wrestling tournament. Unfortunately, Junko's new personality [[BecomingTheMask causes him to forget about his teammates]], and when Aerrow is forced into the ring by Cyclonis, Finn has forgotten the words to undo the hypnosis.
-->'''Finn:''' Anybody got a plan B?
* ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'': Doofenshmirtz's Plan B in "Just Passing Through" is typically nonsensical:
--> '''Doofenshmirtz:''' Behold, Perry the Platypus, Plan B! \\

* ''WesternAnimation/EekTheCat'': Four criminals stole a statue while [[PaperThinDisguise disguised as the Squish Bearz]] but had no plan for what to do after that. Since they had no Plan B and couldn't come up with any, they decided to do Plan A backwards: take the statue back with the ''statue'' being disguised.
* In the ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003'' episode “Nano”, Donatello’s first plan fails to stop the piecemeal robot controlled by the out-of-control NanoMachines [[KillItWithFire (using a welding torch on it)]] he goes to plan B, knocking it into a car compactor. But that doesn’t work either. Raphael tells him he really hopes he has a plan-C, and [[CrazyPrepared Donatello actually does]], which consists of grabbing it with a magnet crane and dumping it in a vat of molten steel, which works. [[OnlyMostlyDead (Until it comes back next the season, that is.)]]
* In the ''WesternAnimation/CodenameKidsNextDoor'' episode "Operation: U.N.D.E.R.C.O.V.E.R.", Sector V tries to sneak up on [[ItMakesSenseInContext the coffee drilling rig]] with Lenny's help in a helicopter by impersonating the Delightful Children's voices, but the villains are onto them. When Lenny nervously asks if they have a plan-B, Numbuh One responds that they "always have a plan-B!" and then hits a button on the dashboard labeled "Plan-B". (Causing the helicopter to transform into the [[FunWithAcronyms S.U.B.S.T.A.N.D.A.R.D.]], a 2x4 Technology submarine. Unfortunately, that doesn't work very well either.)
* An episode of ''WesternAnimation/JohnnyTest'' had so many plans to retrieve a baseball go awry that the characters started arguing over which letter plan they were on.
-->'''[[TheHero Johnny:]]''' Time for Plan K!
-->'''[[TheLancer Dukey:]]''' L.
* ''WesternAnimation/FinalSpace'': In episode 7, when Nightfall fails to convince her younger self Quinn that she will fail if she tries to save the Earth by herself, she decides to switch to Plan B, again. This plan involves killing Mooncake since he was responsible for the BadFuture she came from.

* ''WesternAnimation/HeyArnold'': Two episodes of the show used the same gag when Arnold's initial plan to solve that day's problem failed:
-->'''Arnold:''' Looks like we'll have to go with Plan B.\\
'''Other character:''' What's Plan B?\\
'''Arnold:''' I'll tell you as soon as I think of it.
* ''WesternAnimation/MiloMurphysLaw'': In "Star Struck", after his first two attempts to meet with actor Tobias Trollhammer fail, Milo decides to skip to "Plan H".
-->'''Zack:''' What about C through G?\\
'''Milo:''' I already went through them all in my head, and they don't work.