History PaperThinDisguise / WebOriginal

* Terrence of ''WebVideo/KateModern'' is an unusual case. When he reinvents himself as bespectacled, cardigan-sporting religious nerd Terry, he is recognised almost immediately by the other characters. However, [[spoiler:it somehow doesn't occur to them that quiet, harmless Terry might be the murderer. He later plays this trope straight as the straight-jacketed Patient # 12]].
* In ''Literature/{{Englishman}}'', Englishman's BattleButler (known only as Butler) also moonlights as a supervillain named The Butler. A deconstructed example in that it appears to play this trope straight (E'man never connects the two) but Butler never actually bothers with a disguise, rendering it [[PostModernism PoMo]].
* ''WebVideo/AshensAndTheQuestForTheGamechild'' parodies this. After fighting and tying up some guards, Stuart references the scene in which [[StarWars Luke Skywalker infiltrated the Death Star by wearing Stormtrooper armor]], and then remarks they they could do "the exact same thing", with the camera panning onto the guards. [[spoiler:Queue Stuart and Geoff attempting to bypass security by literally wearing Stormtrooper armor]].
* One ''Website/CollegeHumor'' video that is a TakeThat to British Petroleum's response to the 2010 Gulf oil spill. Tony Hayward and other executives in BP's London offices announce to us after showing a video from an actual focus group that cleaning up the spill is difficult, so they're changing their name to Baby Otter Smiles & Co. Then Hayward and another employee Sally Harris (both of whom are wearing false mustaches) go to the house of Sarah Schneider (one of the focus group members). Sarah sees through their cover, says "You guys are monsters," and shuts the door on them.
* In ''WebVideo/DoctorHorriblesSingAlongBlog'', the titular character is not recognized by Penny, even though neither his "costume" or his "normal" clothes covers his face (he wears {{goggles|DoNothing}}, but only on his forehead until the last scene).
** Possibly {{justified|Trope}} in that Penny may or may not have heard of Dr. Horrible: she never mentions him; he's not a big time supervillain (yet), and the first time she sees him, she is under a lot of stress, but still ends up recognizing him.
** Most people miss Billy in the back of the soup kitchen as he glowers at Captain Hammer and pours the soup back into the pot instead of into the bowl. The irony of it is his idea of disguise is wearing a fake mustache and an apron and not wearing his hoodie.
** PaperThinDisguise is also subverted, as when Captain Hammer meets Billy, he instantly recognises him as Dr Horrible.
--> '''Hammer:''' You seem ... ''horribly'' familiar.
* {{Lampshade|Hanging}}d in the ''WebVideo/AtopTheFourthWall[=/=]WebVideo/TheSpoonyExperiment'' crossovers, where Linkara is always clueless as to who Dr. Insano really is, even when holding a picture of Spoony up to compare between.
-->'''Linkara:''' Oh wait! I know this one! You're That Chick With The Goggles!\\
'''Dr. Insano:''' But- but- I'm not freaking black!\\
'''Linkara:''' But you are a woman, eh?
** Subverted in ''WebVideo/{{Kickassia}}'', when several people recognize Spoony as "that doctor guy", despite his frantic efforts to pretend he's not Insano.
** Another ''WebVideo/{{Kickassia}}'' example. During the invasion the President of Molossia [[AsHimself Kevin Baugh]] disguises himself as Baron Fritz von Baugh, Minister of Making Things Orderly. Although it is obviously him in disguise WebVideo/TheNostalgiaCritic decides to go along with it and lets him stay. [[spoiler:As it turned out doing this was a huge mistake on the Critic's part as it allowed Baugh the chance to plant a AppleOfDiscord within his already grumbling troops further sabotaging the future of Kickassia.]]
* [[Literature/{{Sapphire}} Sapphire Episode III]]: How in the ''[[PaperThinDisguise world]]'' could Élodie not tell that was Nikolai behind that ''eye-mask''!?
** Well, it was over seven since they last met.
** [[HairMetal But she mistook him for a member of Poison]], [[RuleOfFunny so that must be okay]].
* ''WebVideo/DormLife'': "Josh? ...no, it's just a lamp."
* The [[MemeticMutation Internet meme]] "seems legit" often involves this trope. Sure, that [[http://i1.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/273/090/15b.jpg abandoned warehouse]] is ''[[SarcasmMode totally]]'' Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.
* In ''WebVideo/TheTimeGuys'' episode with Timmy's Spanish teacher, Señor Tigre instantly realises that Dr. Chronos is not Timmy's father when Doc takes his multiple neckties off.
* This is used for fun when Music/LindseyStirling [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYcIUJGNaME dresses up as her own #1 fan Phelba]] -- the only disguise is that Phelba has thick black glasses. A few people realize that Phelba and Lindsey look rather too similar, but since not enough people know them it generally works.
* ''Podcast/TheThrillingAdventureHour:''
** On certain "Sparks Nevada, Marshal on Mars" segments we encounter Jib Janeen, an alien shapeshifter. Although Jib Janeen is always voiced by Paul F. Tompkins and speaks in the same goofy, high pitched tone regardless of who he's impersonating, the other characters are always completely fooled by the impersonation.
** "Desdemona Hughes, Diva Detective" features former actress Desdemona Hughes adopting various disguises to solve murders. The disguises are apparently legitimately good and, unlike Jib Janeen, Desdemona alters her voice to suit her impersonations. She also makes a very conspicuous show of leaving right before assuming a new disguise and the disguise is often of someone or something completely random and unrelated to the current situation. Nobody is ever suspicious for long and are always surprised at the actual reveal.
* In ''RolePlay/WeAreAllPokemonTrainers'', Lenore (Fool's Hydreigon) and Ammy (Umbra's Volcarona) use these to get their own Trainer's Licenses - they wore fake moustaches and trenchcoats. Lenore's case is more notable, because while Ammy was wearing a Pokémon-to-Human armband, Lenore wore the disguise ''as a Hydreigon''.
* ''Franchise/TheSlenderManMythos'': The Slender Man is obviously not human, but it usually works. To the point where he can pull off the usual ChildEater shtick in [[DaylightHorror broad daylight,]] ''[[UpToEleven in direct view of their parents, who usually refuse to believe he exists.]]''
* WebVideo/BarneyThePurpleDinosaur manages to escape from the Clugmuffer's hands by disguising himself as [[WebVideo/{{Smosh}} Boxman]].
* In one episode of the ''Podcast/TheJohnDredgeNothingToDoWithAnythingShow'', regular character Derek [[Characters/DoctorWhoAliensAndMonsters Dalek]] tries passing himself off as Derek Dolak - but not very successfully, because even John grows suspicious:
-->'''John:''' I must say, you rather remind me of someone.\\
'''Derek:''' Well, I am well known locally.\\
'''John:''' Your telescopic manipulator arm in particular looks familiar.\\
'''Derek:''' What? This little thing? (''boing'')\\
'''John:''' Yes.\\
'''Derek:''' It's just there for show, John! JUST! THERE!! FOR!! SHOW!!! ''[exterminates a tree]''
* ''Roleplay/ScaryNewsOutOfTokyo3'': Anyone with any knowledge of ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' should be able to guess immediately who's hiding behind the transparent handle of "[=ZeroGirl00=]" -- she's one of several characters with inside knowledge of NERV, and she has a tendency to talk about the Pilots in IHaveThisFriend fashion. Unfortunately, none of the other characters are in a position to figure out the truth until she finally comes out and admits it.
* From ''Blog/ElChiguireBipolar'': [[http://www.elchiguirebipolar.net/16-10-2015/maduro-sale-a-la-calle-con-bigote-postizo-para-que-nadie-lo-reconozca/ Maduro [who is already moustachioed] goes out wearing a fake moustache hoping that nobody recognizes him]].
* ''Podcast/DiceFunk'': Rinaldo concocts an entire alter ego, only for it to immediately fall apart under the slightest bit of scrutiny.
--> '''Leon''': I'm Filet Mignon from Pottsylvania!
* An ''WebVideo/OutsideXbox'' video discussing the use of this trope in video games is presented by "a person you've never seen before", who is very obviously one of the channel's usual presenters hidden behind a wig, a false nose, and a LineOfSightAlias. Played with at the end of the video when it turns out he ''isn't'' the actual presenter, who shows up and chases him away.
* ''WebAnimation/FreedomToons'': After Dave Rubin's guests vow never to come back because he's too agreeable, he instead decides to interview Rave Dubin, a webshow host who is very... agreeable. And wears glasses.
* ''WebVideo/SailorMoonAbridged'' pokes fun at the fact that the title character never wears a mask but is never recognized in her superhero form. For example, in one episode, when Tuxedo Mask (actually Nephirite) sends letters to find Sailor Moon and the title character gets one, Luna questions how he found her and offers an idea.
--> '''Luna''': It's probably because your hair is pretty...[[AnimeHair unique]] and you don't wear a mask.
* In ''WebVideo/CriticalRole'', the character Nott is a Goblin who pretends to be a halfling to avoid FantasticRacism. Nott's disguise is a cloak, bandages around his extremities, and a porcelain mask that only covers her mouth. It's a RunningGag that many random people either see through Nott's disguise or at least notice she is a very odd Halfling. The disguise is even worse in the official artwork as the cloak does not cover the tips of Nott's green fingers, toes, or long green ears.
* Subverted in ''The Sean Ward Show'' video "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFwI37QPInA The Cat-Chelorette]]" (a parody of ''[[Series/TheBachelor The Bachelorette]]'' where Catwoman is the object of other comic characters' affections); Harley Quinn participates "disguised" as Superman, with said disguise consisting only of an S-shield T-shirt and a cape. No one is fooled, but Harley insists that she's Superman throughout (except for the talking head segments where, even though she thinks she's fooling everyone, she confesses why she's doing it: to keep an eye on the Joker, who is also a contestant).
* [[WebVideo/ShipwreckedComedy ''The Case of the Gilded Lily'']] revolves around Lily Thomas, who presents herself as Wilhelmina Vanderjetski, an heiress from Fakelandia, with mixed results.
----

* An ''WebVideo/OutsideXbox'' video discussing the use of this trope in video games is presented by "a person you've never seen before", who is very obviously one of the channel's usual presenters hidden behind a wig, a false nose, and a LineOfSightName. Played with at the end of the video when it turns out he ''isn't'' the actual presenter, who shows up and chases him away.

--> ''Leon'': I'm Filet Mignon from Pottsylvania!

--> ''Luna'': It's probbaly because your hair is pretty...[[AnimeHair unique]] and you don't wear a mask.

-->'''Leon:''' I'm Filet Mignon from Pottsylvania!

* ''WebAnimation/FreedomToons'': After Dave Rubin's guests vow never to come back because he's too agreeable, he instead decides to interview Rabe Dubin, a webshow host who is very... agreeable. And wears glasses.

* ''WebAnimation/FreedomToons'': PaperThinDisguise: After Dave Rubin's guests vow never to come back because he's too agreeable, he instead decides to interview Rabe Dubin, a glasses-wearing webshow host who is very... agreeable.

* An ''Outside Xbox'' video discussing the use of this trope in video games is presented by "a person you've never seen before", who is very obviously one of the channel's usual presenters hidden behind a wig, a false nose, and a LineOfSightName. Played with at the end of the video when it turns out he ''isn't'' the actual presenter, who shows up and chases him away.

* ''WebVideo/YuGiOhTheAbridgedSeries'': Despite hiding his face and body well, Bandit Keith still frequently uses his catchphrase (...in America!) while disguised, and still uses the same deck (but to be fair, seeing as how he was a regional champion, it could have easily been Netdecked to hell and back).
** Averted in the anime, as Yugi's smart enough to figure out who it is from the deck theme. However, it's played straight a few arcs later when Yugi's grandfather enters the KC Grand Prix and duels Joey...the only one who didn't see through his disguise.
** Played straight with "Malik Blishtar".
* ''WebAnimation/HomestarRunner'':
** Bubs' alter ego, The Thnikkaman, consists of him wearing sunshades and a piece of paper reading "TH" taped to his chest. ''And on a couple occasions he momentarily removes the shades.'' Only Homestar, TheDitz, ever sees through the disguise.
** As part of the annual [[http://www.hrwiki.org/index.php/Strong_Sad_Lookalike_Contest Strong Sad Lookalike Contest]], the Cheat dresses up as Strong Sad's left foot by sitting in a paper bag that had an elephant foot crudely drawn on it. Nobody else's costume is particularly convincing either (except for [[spoiler:Homsar, who was disqualified because Coach Z thought he actually ''was'' Strong Sad]]), but the Cheat has somehow won the contest three years in a row this way.
** Also applies to Strong Bad's attempt to use a stunt double in the ''Dangeresque'' trilogy. The stunt double in question is clearly Strong Sad, and the terrible editing does not help.

* In ''AVeryPotterMusical'' it's {{lampshade|Hanging}}d multiple times:
** Harry's Invisibility cloak, which barely covers the group's shoulders and yet it seems only Dumbledore knows they're there.
** Dumbledore's (extra) beard when hiding from the Death Eaters searching for him.
** And, of course, Quirrel and his magically sneezing turban.

* WebAnimation/ASDFMovie 8 has a cow pretending to be a man. It's disguise consists of a baseball caps and a skateboard.

* ''WebAnimation/BowsersKingdom''
** Steve as a Shy guy in episode 2.
** Hal and Jeff as Luigi and Mario, respectively in TheMovie.
* The ''[[WebAnimation/WeeblAndBob Weebl's Stuff]]'' cartoon "Scampi" is a list of things that the narrator has seen that are "often in disguise". None of the disguises are very convincing, which include a hamster wearing bunny ears, the planet Earth with a big sign reading "MARS" on it, Shakespeare dressed as a party clown, and [[WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons a map of Malaysia with Kuala Lumpur's name scratched out and replaced with the obviously hand-written word "France".]]

* In ''FriendshipIsWitchcraft'', Sweetie Belle is a robot who looks indistinguishable from a normal pony... but speaks [[RoboSpeak stilted words in a heavily synthesized voice]]. No one suspects her true nature, least of all Sweetie Belle herself.
* ''WebVideo/UltraFastPony'': in "Utter Lunacy", Spike the dragon successfully disguises himself by wearing a dragon costume (one which doesn't even cover his face) and speaking with a different accent. The only time he comes close to getting caught is when he briefly switches back to his normal accent.

* [[Franchise/TheSlenderManMythos The Slender Man]] is obviously not human, but it usually works. To the point where he can pull off the usual ChildEater shtick in [[DaylightHorror broad daylight,]] ''[[UpToEleven in direct view of their parents, who usually refuse to believe he exists.]]''

* [[TheSmartGuy Blake Belladonna]] of ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'' wears a bow on her head to disguise her true nature as a [[LittleBitBeastly Faunus]], or more specifically, to hide the [[CatGirl cat ears]] perched atop her head. From a meta perspective, seeing as hints to this were dropped heavily, when she accidentally blurted it near the end of the penultimate episode of the first season, [[IKnewIt almost no viewers were surprised]]. It was actually lampshaded the very next episode:
-->'''Yang''': We're looking for our friend, Blake.
-->'''Penny''': Oh! You mean the Faunus girl!
-->'''Ruby''': Wait... How did you know that?
-->'''Penny''': ''*points to the top of her head*'' Uhhh, the cat ears?
-->'''Yang''': ''Cat'' ears!? She wears a... ''*dawning realization*'' Bow...
-->''*[[ChirpingCrickets the girls all stand around awkwardly as a tumbleweed rolls by]]*''
-->'''Ruby''': She ''does'' like tuna a lot.

-->'''John''': I must say, you rather remind me of someone.\\
'''Derek''': Well, I am well known locally.\\
'''John''': Your telescopic manipulator arm in particular looks familiar.\\
'''Derek''': What? This little thing? (''boing'')\\
'''John''': Yes.\\
'''Derek''': It's just there for show, John! JUST! THERE!! FOR!! SHOW!!! (''exterminates a tree'')

* From ''ElChiguireBipolar'': [[http://www.elchiguirebipolar.net/16-10-2015/maduro-sale-a-la-calle-con-bigote-postizo-para-que-nadie-lo-reconozca/ Maduro [who is already moustachioed] goes out wearing a fake moustache hoping that nobody recognizes him]].
* In Episode 22 of ''WebAnimation/TheMostPopularGirlsInSchool'', Ashley Katchadorian disguises (read: tries to) herself with...sunglasses, and a trenchcoat. Atchison's Taylor called her "a lesbian InspectorGadget".

-->'''Yang''': "We're looking for our friend, Blake."
-->'''Penny''': "Oh! You mean the Faunas girl!"
-->'''Ruby''': "Wait... How did you know that?"
-->'''Penny''': ''*points to the top of her head*'' "Uhhh, the cat ears?"
-->'''Yang''': "''Cat'' ears!? She wears a... ''*dawning realization* Bow...''"

-->'''Ruby''': "She ''does'' like tuna a lot."

* ''Roleplay/ScaryNewsOutOfTokyo3'': Anyone with any knowledge of ''NeonGenesisEvangelion'' should be able to guess immediately who's hiding behind the transparent handle of "[=ZeroGirl00=]" -- she's one of several characters with inside knowledge of NERV, and she has a tendency to talk about the Pilots in IHaveThisFriend fashion. Unfortunately, none of the other characters are in a position to figure out the truth until she finally comes out and admits it.

* [[Franchise/TheSlenderManMythos The Slender Man]] [[TheBlank is]] [[NoodlePeople obviously]] [[CreepilyLongArms not]] [[CombatTentacles human,]] [[ByTheEyesOfTheBlind but]] [[LieToTheBeholder it]] [[EvilDetectingDog usually]] [[FauxAffablyEvil works.]] To the point where he can pull off the usual ChildEater shtick in [[DaylightHorror broad daylight,]] ''[[UpToEleven in direct view of their parents, who usually refuse to believe he exists.]]''

** "Desdemona Hughes, Diva Detective" features former actress Desdemona Hughes adopting various disguises to solve murders. The disguises are apparently legitimately good, and unlike Jib Janeen Desdemona alters her voice to suit her impersonations. She also makes a very conspicuous show of leaving right before assuming a new disguise and the disguise is often of someone or something completely random and unrelated to the current situation. Nobody is ever suspicious for long and are always surprised at the actual reveal.

* The ''Podcast/ThrillingAdventureHour:''