History Sandbox / ShoutOutMyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicCleanup

* Episode six, "Power Ponies," features a spoof of Film/{{The Avengers|2012}} and Franchise/{{Justice League|of America}}. The main villain, the Mane-iac, is a parody on ComicBook/DoctorOctopus, [[ComicBook/{{Batman}} The Joker and Poison Ivy]] (and possibly Marvel's Medusa and [[WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls Sedusa]]), Pinkie (Fili-Second) has super speed, akin to ComicBook/TheFlash, Fluttershy (Saddle-Rager) loses her temper like the [[ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk Hulk]], Rainbow Dash (Zapp) controls the weather like ComicBook/{{Storm}}, Applejack (Mistress Mare-velous) has a lasso like ComicBook/WonderWoman, Rarity (Radiance) has a gem that creates shiny things like ComicBook/GreenLantern, and Twilight (the Masked Matterhorn) has a freezing beam just like ComicBook/{{Iceman|MarvelComics}}. Spike is merely put as [[ComicBook/{{Batman}} Robin]], and although his character was just there for comic relief, and also as TheLoad and a TagalongKid, he ended up being TheChessmaster due to his insight on the comic books themselves.

** Twilight's training with Zecora in "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS3E5MagicDuel Magic Duel]]" shares some similarities with the one [[Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack Luke]] once went through, taking place in the local primeval forest, having a mentor who puts a lot of emphasis on concentration and likes to [[RhymesOnADime talk funny]], down to the training itself involving levitating objects while standing on water - and failing due to similar distractions. Not to mention that Trixie's dark cloak and red magic aura make her look very much like a Sith Lord.

** The Mayor being stuck in a cage in the center of the town surrounded by evil brings [[VideoGame/{{Diablo}} Deckard Cain]] to the minds of many viewers.

*** This is also a reference to ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsonsMovie''.

** The scene where Scootaloo tries to run away from the Headless Horse is reminiscent of the last part of Disney's ''Literature/TheLegendOfSleepyHollow'' and the final shot of Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash flying is similar to the final shots of the Superman movies.
** Heck, the title is a nod to ''Film/SleeplessInSeattle''.

** The plot matches 'Andy Saves Gomer' from ''Series/TheAndyGriffithShow''. Sheriff Taylor saves Gomer from a fire as Applejack saves Spike from timberwolves and like Spike, Gomer returns the favor to Andy with excessive and embarrassing help; prompting Andy to like Applejack, to improvise a situation where the roles are reversed to void a life-debt.

** In title to [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keep_Calm_and_Carry_On "Keep Calm and Carry On"]].

** Discord's [[ExactWords "making himself at home"]] involves a [[{{Film/Inception}} room rotating on itself.]]

*** "Celestia's Ballad" is reminiscent of Disney {{Award Bait Song}}s.

** The Plundervines somewhat resemble the Facehuggers from ''Franchise/{{Alien}}''.
** The Sun and the Moon being stuck in the sky also happened in {{Fanfic/Antipodes}}.
** When the sun and the moon are both in the sky at the same time during the season premiere it bears a striking resemblance to the sky seen during the Sekigahara conflict in VideoGame/SengokuBasara.

** Twilight's discovery of Pinkie Pie playing the haunted pipe organ parallels the revelation Don Knotts' character came upon towards the end of "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken" where his coworker, Mr. Kelsey was playing the organ at the haunted Simmons residence. Also as with "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken," the source of the scares for most of 'Castle Mane-ia' was not supernatural. Yet the viewer for both the episode and the film (in addition to the characters in the latter) are given an eerie feeling that a 'pony of shadows' and a 'ghost' may truly be present in the respective stories.
* Episode four "Daring Don't" featured Ahuízotl once again with a {{Mayincatec}} culture as well. One of the artifacts was called the "Tenochtitlan basin"[[note]]Tenochtitlan was the capital city of the Mexica empire, although they mispronounced it, since it's "teh-nosh-tee-tlan"[[/note]]. Dr. Caballerón's appearance and approach to archaeology mirror those of ''Franchise/IndianaJones'' character [[Film/RaidersOfTheLostArk René Emile Belloq]], who also sold artifacts for personal profit, and the whole episode is inspired by ''Film/IndianaJonesAndTheKingdomOfTheCrystalSkull''.
** Daring Do's nom-de-plume, "A.K. Yearling" is a spoof of Creator/JKRowling.
** Also if you look at the cover of the new book at the end of the episode you can see that Rainbow is wearing baseball cap making her Daring Do's [[Film/IndianaJonesAndTheTempleOfDoom Short Round]]

** Pinkie yells "[[Film/SesameStreetPresentsFollowThatBird follow that bat]]"!

* In [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E10RainbowFalls "Rainbow Falls"]], [[Franchise/{{Rocky}} Mickey Goldmill]] trains the Wonderbolts.

** Discord at one point dresses like the Creator/HunterSThompson-inspired character Raoul Duke played by Johnny Depp in ''Literature/FearAndLoathingInLasVegas'', down to the shirt, glasses, and hat. (This being a kid's show, the cigarette is replaced by a lollipop.)

** [[Series/DoctorWho Time Turner and Roseluck]] appear with each other again, with Time Turner inexplicably wearing [[Recap/DoctorWhoS28E12ArmyOfGhosts 3D glasses]].
** Seabreeze. He's a tiny fae creature with a dark blue coat, a vaguely-Scottish-ish accent, and anger issues. He's a pony version of a bloody [[Literature/{{Discworld}} Nac Mac Feegle]].

* In "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E21LeapOfFaith Leap of Faith]]", Silver Shill resembles [[Film/BackToTheFuture1 George McFly]].

** Spike's recital of the Cloudsdalean anthem was not unlike [[Creator/RowanAtkinson Rowan Atkinson's]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWGZdYNpaSo recital of Ode To Joy]] or [[Film/TheNakedGun Frank Drevin's attempt at the National Anthem]].

** Technical issues at the opening ceremonies aren't unheard of since the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympic Games also had technical issues in their opening ceremonies.

** For a long time, the villain is reduced to a weakened form, shadow of his former self, and then he sustains himself by preying on unicorns... wait, are we talking about Lord Tirek, or [[Literature/HarryPotter Lord Voldemort]]?

** Discord makes his entrance à la Film/MaryPoppins.

** The plot of the season premiere is alarmingly reminiscent of "Literature/HarrisonBergeron".
** And Starlight Glimmer's staff looks unsettlingly like [[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion the Lance of Longinus]].

* Twilight's last name was changed from "Twinkle" to "[[Literature/TheTwilightSaga Sparkle]]". When Creator/LaurenFaust was [[http://comments.deviantart.com/4/1603670/2216411631 asked]] if the name was an intentional joke, her [[http://comments.deviantart.com/4/1603670/2216416237 response]] was "It passed legal."

** The first outfit seen in the CostumeTestMontage in episode 1 is very clearly the pony version of the Statue of Liberty. In a later episode, we see the statue proper in Manehattan. '''Keep, self-explanatory.'''
** Twilight calls a lovestruck Spike "Casanova", a reference to the RealLife person. '''Keep.'''

** Nightmare Moon's exit from her first appearance in the second episode is a shout out to Maleficent's exit in ''WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty''.
** Even Applejack holding back Rainbow Dash from charging Nightmare Moon, even though it suits the two of them so well it hasn't been the only time, has a clear parallel in the same scene, with Flora (red fairy) holding back Merryweather (blue).

** Heck, in the beginning of the second episode, they literally take two lines from ''Sleeping Beauty'' almost word-for-word.

** The part of the manticore scene where Rainbow Dash attempts to create a vortex around the beast is ''very'' similar to a battle in ''Toys/{{Bionicle}}'' where Lewa Nuva attempted the same move against the [[MixAndMatchCritters Rahi Nui]] (Which is more or less a biomechanical manticore). In both stories, the creature sticks a limb into its enemy's path and sends them sprawling. '''One thingg you'll notice is how common FanMyopia is in the examples, and all the Bionicle ones embody this.'''

** The General premise and execution of the climax in the pilot seems very much like Toys/{{BIONICLE}}. Six heroes discovering their elements after being tested? Check. Master of Shadows? You bet! A KirkSummation delivered to the villain with the friends arriving in the nick of time? Yes! The whole scene will remind many of ''Legends of Metru Nui''. '''Fan Myopia as noted before, plus it's written in such a gushy "EVERYONE has to recognize how obvious this is" way, even though all that are listed seem like standard tropes, not indicative of a reference.'''

** Included is a Benny Hill-style chase scene, right down to a Suspiciously Similar version of "Yakkity Sax" playing in the background. Like the original, this BGM has been reused for every wacky chase scene throughout the show, twice so far (although the second one is slightly different and actually even closer to the original). '''This is a clear reference, but I'll cut down on the specific details.'''
** "[[Film/TheWizardOfOz There's loons and toucans and bitterns, oh my!]]" '''Keep, but have it not be as Zero-Context.'''
** "And then I said '[[Literature/{{Animorphs}} Oatmeal? Are you CRAZY?]]'" '''Looking into this, the only thing in common is the mention of Oatmeal. It's more a case of Pinkie Pie's random humor than a specific Animorphs reference, which screams FanMyopia. Cut.'''

** The bunny stampede is a shout out to ''Film/NightOfTheLepus'', a 1970's horror movie.
** And the shot of them swarming around the fallen pony is a clear homage to ''WesternAnimation/{{The Lion King|1994}}''.
** And don't forget the line immediately afterward: [[Film/ApocalypseNow "The horror!]] [[Literature/HeartOfDarkness The horror!"]]

* "Boast Busters":
** Trixie refers to herself as [[TheAdjectivalSuperhero The Great and Powerful]], but is revealed to be a fraud, much like [[Film/TheWizardOfOz Oz]], [[TheMagnificent The Great and Terrible]]. '''A likely keep.'''

*** A few African tribes use similar rings, though mostly for formal attire. '''Improper indentation aside, I don't think reference real cultures counts as a ShoutOut.'''
* The "Welcome Princess Celest" banner in "Swarm of the Century" is [[https://twitter.com/M_A_Larson/status/257018107003031552 a]] [[https://twitter.com/M_A_Larson/status/257136540210315264 reference]] to ''Film/TheCommitments''. '''Keep, though Larson's tweet is long-deleted (maybe there's an archived screenshot somewhere? Couldn't find it on the Wayback Machine)'''

** Finally, Pinkie's solution for getting rid of parasprites is just a more insane version of the classic folk tale "The Pied Piper".
*** It's also another version of how [=SpongeBob=] got rid of the wild jellyfish in his house in the episode "Jellyfish Jam."

** Twilight's racing number for the Running of the Leaves is [[Franchise/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy 42]]. '''Maybe, but the number is also that of famous baseball player UsefulNotes/JackieRobinson, so it could go either way.'''

** When Twilight flips out, her [[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} fur turns white and her mane turns into a roaring fire]]. '''BurningWithAnger has been a cartoon trope for a long time

** On top of that, in "The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000", there's a background pony with a hammer [[Myth/NorseMythology and a lightning bolt]] on her flank, who has been given the FanNickname Mjolna, after Thor's hammer {{Mjolnir}}.

** The way the Cutie Mark Crusaders are lit when their song begins is an obvious shout-out to the music video for Music/{{Queen}}'s [[http://www.entertainmentgeekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/bohemianrhapsody.jpg Bohemian Rhapsody]].
** The audience's reaction to the performance and its unintentional hilarity is almost directly lifted from ''Film/TheProducers''.

** Spike exclaims "Hi-ho, Trilight, away!" This is clear reference to the Lone Ranger's "Hi-ho, Silver, away!" shouted at the starts and conclusions of many episodes of "The Lone Ranger" television series with the William Tell Ouverture playing in the background. '''Keep, but needs a rewrite to fix the poor grammar.'''
* In "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E21OverABarrel Over a Barrel]]", when Spike walks off in a huff because the girls keep interrupting his sleep, Fluttershy calls him "[[Music/PuffTheMagicDragon Huffy the Magic Dragon]]". Made all the more bizarre by the fact that Fluttershy says it as if she's deliberately making the reference, and Twilight seems to get the joke. This is immediately followed by a gag used in ''WesternAnimation/TheEmperorsNewGroove'' – Rarity getting up angrily and scaring the others with her CucumberFacial.

* "A Bird in the Hoof":
** Angel runs around with a watch, and Fluttershy eventually remarks [[WesternAnimation/AliceInWonderland "I'm late! For a very important date!"]] '''Keep, but fix the pothole.'''

** And during Celestia's brunch at the Sugarcube Corner, right when she announces that she must leave because royal duty is calling, the scene looks very similar to "The Last Supper" from Creator/LeonardoDaVinci. (Even the number of ponies on screen is exactly twelve and Celestia makes it 13.) '''This would be a LastSupperSteal, and it makes a good case... except some of the ponies are looking at Celestia from the opposite side of the table, unlike the painting. There's also no posing like the painting, aside from Celestia being in the middle.'''

*** This is followed by another instance of Fluttershy (and Hummingway) singing a tune similar to the theme song. '''An example of DiegeticSoundtrackUsage, and thus not a Shout-Out. Cut.'''
** Pinkie Pie's introduction has her saying [[Film/TheWizardOfOz "Cupcakes and candies and pies, oh my!"]]

** Not to mention her hair and makeup style in that picture have a distinctly [[{{Goth}} gothic character]]. '''ShoutOut is for references to specific other works, not a real-life subculture.''

** Filly Rarity also (literally) bumps into a rock that resembles the black monolith from Film/TwoThousandOneASpaceOdyssey, musical fanfare included.
*** This part also brings to mind the scene in ''WesternAnimation/TheRoadToElDorado'' in which the main duo also come before a great big rock (Rarity's complaints about it have a similar tone to Tulio's) after thinking that it led to their main goal (which in both cases, turns out to be true).

** "There was no talking. There was no smiling. There were only rocks." Think that type of dystopian narration sounds [[Literature/NineteenEightyFour a bit familiar]]?

** When Spike first sees him, Owlowiscious is looking outside and to look at Spike, [[Film/TheExorcist his head does a 180°]] while the lightning darkens and a scary tune plays. As Spike comments "Dude, that's creepy." '''This is a real thing owls do.'''
* "Party of One"
** When Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash give their excuse for not attending Gummy's after-birthday party, they burden themselves into explaining what Harry the bear was doing at the beach (with comedic ineffectiveness). This funny dialogue device is probably classic comedy gold for writers and is probably found with characters from many other stories. Examples include Lamont and Rollo in the "Sanford and Son" episode, 'Fred's Treasure Garden,' where they attempt to tell the police that a "wheelbarrow" and "parsley" were stolen, made all the more difficult as one man says one word at the same time as his friend says the other (both excuses to avoid saying the name of a plant used for recreational drug use which in 1970s USA was illegal to possess).A key difference between the two examples, is that Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy have three lines of synchronized divergent dialogue as opposed to two with Lamont and Rollo. '''With the example even noting that this is a common bit of comedy writing, that it's "probably found with characters from many other stories", and the Sanford and Son exchange positioned as just an example of a similar scene and not what [=MLP=] is referencing, it absolutely does not fit this trope. Cut.'''

** During her SanitySlippage, Pinkie Pie voices a pile of rocks that she gives the name Franchise/{{Rocky}} and also a [[Creator/SylvesterStallone certain accent]]. '''Keep.'''
** Not to mention that it "calls" Rainbow Dash "Chump!".

** At the end of the episode, we can see Spike dance like Creator/JohnTravolta in ''Film/SaturdayNightFever''.
* The opening of "The Best Night Ever" has Twilight channeling [[Literature/{{Cinderella}} the Fairy Godmother]] by making a carriage out of an apple and horses out of mice, even adding the stipulation that they'll revert by midnight. The ending also includes a bit about one of Rarity's [[TheGirlWhoFitsThisSlipper glass slippers]]. '''Keep.'''

** The big song is a reference to "Ever After" from ''Theatre/IntoTheWoods'' [[FridgeBrilliance which is sung in the play right before everything goes south.]]
** During "At the Gala", Pinkie's fellow can-can dancers seem a little [[Music/MichaelJackson zombiesque]] and after Princess Celestia flies over Canterlot, it looks distinctively like [[Creator/WaltDisney another company's logo.]] '''The cancan dancers look nothing like Thriller zombies, while the Celestia one might work.'''

** Fittingly, the hedge maze itself makes a blink-and-you'll-miss-it allusion to [=DeLancie=]'s career. '''This needs more context. Is a maze something one of his characters used at some point?'''

* "Return of Harmony, Part 2" ends with an [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4wh4FnwiAg almost shot-for-shot]] homage to the ending of ''Film/StarWarsANewHope'', complete with a SuspiciouslySimilarSong version of the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5N6_NWtVxY Throne Room]] [[Administrivia/TropesAreTools music]]. '''Keep, though we don't need to pothole tropes are tools'''
** The same episode features a musical homage to Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack: Compare [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFp3E_Nz1iY&t=16m57s this]] to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaVz5djS26c&t=5m23s this]]. '''I think it should go under Suspiciously Similar Song, but it still needs a rewrite as it's reliant on video links'''

** The eye-shaped Nightmare Night decorations (such as [[http://www.hasbro.com/common/assets/Flash/Creative/dad2af6e1c4311ddbd0b0800200c9a66/0f6b55af5056900b1013cd724a8d4018/assets/props/MLP_PropH_SauronBalloon.swf this balloon]]) are based on the [[Film/TheLordOfTheRings Eye of Sauron.]] The filename even contains the phrase "[=SauronBalloon=]." '''Keep.'''

*** Twilight's costume also resembles the Sorcerer in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XChxLGnIwCU "The Sorcerer's Apprentice".]] Apparently, someone at Studio B likes ''Fantasia''. '''This isn't out of the question, though it's a common design for wizards in cartoons.'''
** Nearly the end of the episode, Luna comes out of a cauldron filled with green goo. Does this remind you of [[WesternAnimation/TheNightmareBeforeChristmas anything?]] '''Likely keep, but definitely needs to be reworded to remove the rhetorical question.'''

* "Sisterhooves Social" includes a line that parodies ''Film/GoneWithTheWind'': [[spoiler:"As Celestia is my witness, I will never go sisterless again!"]] '''Keep, but I'm not sure if the spoiler tag is needed?'''
** Rarity and Sweetie Belle's parents are rather reminiscent of [[WesternAnimation/{{Recess}} Spinelli's parents]]. '''The similarities seem too loose, a likely cut.'''

* In the bowling alley scene at the start of "The Cutie Pox", you can see pony versions of several characters from ''Film/TheBigLebowski'', including Jesus Quintana, Walter Sobchak, Donny, and the Dude. '''Keep.'''
** Two of them were later named in a licensed mobile game by Gameloft: [[AscendedFanon Jeff "The Dude" Letrotski and Jesús Pezuña]]. The pony resembling Walter was added to the same game for a winter update, but he was called simply "Bowling Pony". '''Not sure on this, it might need to be moved to the mobile game's Shout-Out page.'''

* In "May The Best Pet Win!", Rainbow Dash's wing becoming trapped beneath a boulder in a canyon is reminiscent of hiker [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aron_Ralston Aron Ralston]], who was trapped in a canyon for five days when a falling boulder pinned his arm.

** The musical number is [[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=83445&view=findpost&p=1953006 inspired]] [[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=83445&view=findpost&p=1953008 by]] the ''Film/DoctorDolittle'' song [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10AMqdJUcFY "Fabulous Places"]]. '''Keep, though the forum links need to be reworked'''

* Mare-Do-Well owes a lot to Batman's animated series version. The banners resemble the show's opening logo, and the central plot is a WholePlotReference to ''WesternAnimation/BatmanMysteryOfTheBatwoman''. '''Keep on the logo, though it actually appeared in Batman's closing credits, not the opening.'''
** Going back even further than Batman, MMDW strikes a classic Zorro pose immediately following her first appearance.
** Plus, the opening notes for the music during Rainbow's pursuit of Mare-Do-Well as the episode closes resemble the introductory notes to Danny Elfman's "Batman Theme."

** During the Rainbow Dash fan club scene, there's a poster in the background that shows Rainbow flying with a starry background and a rainbow streaming out behind her. '''Example doesn't specify what this reference even is, an easy cut.'''
** At a couple points in the episode, Rainbow Dash calls herself [[ComicBook/SpiderMan "Your friendly neighborhood Rainbow Dash".]] '''Keep.'''
*** ''And'' she says [[WesternAnimation/{{Underdog}} "There's no need to fear..."]] '''Keep, but rewrite so it's not responding to the previous example.
** She also rescues the filly in the well with [[Film/ANewHope "I'm Rainbow Dash and I'm here to rescue you."]] '''Keep, though again will need a rewrite.'''

* In "Sweet and Elite", a painting in an art gallery is inspired by Creator/SalvadorDali's "Art/ThePersistenceOfMemory". '''Keep.'''
** Twilight's awkward dancing at the Canterlot ponies' party mirrors a scene in ''Series/{{Seinfeld}}''. '''Maybe, bad dancing is a common joke if you want to make a character seem awkward or weird at a party.'''

** The design of the blimp that Rarity helps see off in her musical number evokes [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaLinksAwakening the Wind Fish]]. '''Maybe, the design does look similar.'''

** Twilight teleporting Spike back to her to clean his cheek, yet another allusion to Doctor Who. '''I don't remember the Doctor Who scene being referenced, and it's so vague that it reeks of FanMyopia. Cut.'''

** Applejack's line "Twilight, get my rope" [[https://twitter.com/M_A_Larson/status/206946823976386560 is]] [[https://twitter.com/M_A_Larson/status/206947977338699776 a]] [[https://twitter.com/M_A_Larson/status/206948599895040001 reference]] [[https://twitter.com/M_A_Larson/status/206948801242595328 to]] a Pace Picante sauce commercial from the '80s. '''These tweets have been deleted and not archived anywhere. If they were confirmed it's an easy keep.'''

** At the very beginning of the episode, Granny Smith is running around in the middle of the night causing a huge ruckus in direct reference to the famous Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. '''I don't know if historical references count as this trope (HistoricalInJoke maybe?) but given that she says "the zap apples are coming" this would be a keep.'''
* The scene in "Baby Cakes" where Pinkie suddenly sees Pound Cake walking along the ceiling may be a nod to, of all things, the film version of ''Literature/{{Trainspotting}}''. '''Keep, though a small rewrite to take out the "this show referenced an adult movie?!" tone'''
** The following line: '''very unhelpful pothole - apparently Steven Wright once said ""I poured spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone", which seems to make it a keep though I've been unable to track down where exactly he said it, or if he was the first to make said joke.'''

** Pinkie's line about how the crib is only for "[[WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons sleeping, napping, and on occasion, with permission, a pretend old-timey Western fort!]]" '''I'm a big Simpsons fan, but I had no idea which episode the pothole is referencing.'''
** Also, a bath toy that appears in the episode looks like WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants. '''Checking the episode itself, I can only see a regular sponge, and without any of the cues that could make it a Spongebob reference, this is a likely cut.'''

** The first post-title scene backstage with the Mane 6 preparing for the performance is indirectly similar to the first scene of the musical, history, comedy, drama film "1776." Specifically both the ponies and the delegates were arguing but while the Twilight, Pinkie, Rarity, and Fluttershy wanted the window closed in light of a draft, the delegates wanted among other things, to "open up a window," for the opening song noted it was infernally hot in Philadelphia. '''If it is "indirectly similar", than it doesn't sound like a reference. Leaning on cut.'''
* At one point in "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E14TheLastRoundup The Last Roundup]]", the chocolate line scene from ''Series/ILoveLucy'' gets [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFj9Cxt4oD8 the pony treatment]], only with cherries. '''Keep, though I don't think we need a video link'''
** Rainbow Dash asks if Applejack met [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Bill_Hickok Wild Bull Hickok]] and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calamity_Jane Calamity Mane]] while competing at the rodeo.

** Several lines/characters in Dodge City bring to mind ''Series/{{Gunsmoke}}''. '''Possible, but with no context (I haven't watched Gunsmoke) I don't have any idea if it's true'''
** The plot is subtlety similar to 'The Guitar Player Returns,' from "The Andy Griffith Show," in that Applejack and James Best's character both have a sobering secret as to why the former cannot return home and for the latter to pay the debts he accrued while acting like a music titan in the town where he began small. '''Seems a little vague to be a reference, likely cut.'''

** The Flim Flam brothers look a bit like Harold Hill from ''Theatre/TheMusicMan'', and their big musical number is reminiscent of the song "Trouble". '''Keep.'''

* Cranky's snowglobe in "A Friend In Deed" is clearly based on the one from the infamous final episode of ''Series/StElsewhere''. '''Needs more context.'''
** Pinkie's guesses as to what the "C" in C.D.D. stands for include [[Creator/TheMarxBrothers "Chico"]] and [[WesternAnimation/{{Up}} "Carl"]]. '''Cut. Those are both reasonably common names, especially Carl.'''

** Iron Will says "I pity [[FunetikAksent da]] [[{{Pun}} foal]]" at one point, a shout out to Creator/MrT and his {{catchphrase}}.

** The music playing during her conversation with herself (both in the beginning of the episode, and when the same scene is revisited at the end) is a remix of "I am the Doctor", a piece of ''Series/DoctorWho'' music. Also, Future Twilight's appearance is preceded by a sound similar to the one heard when the TARDIS materializes. (A key being rubbed against a piano string, incidentally.)

* In Ponyville Confidential, Rarity asks Sweetie Belle [[UsefulNotes/JuliusCaesar "Et tu, Gabby Gums?"]]. '''Keep, though a rewrite is needed to indicate it came from the Shakespeare play and not the real event, as the pothole to a Useful Notes page implies.'''
** [[Film/CitizenKane Citizen Tiara]], anypony? Diamond Tiara addresses the rest of the students from behind a podium in front of a giant-sized portrait of herself, and turns the Foal Free Press into a success based on yellow journalism. Fortunately for her, she's still young enough to avoid Kane's DownerEnding and learn from her mistakes... [[StatusQuoIsGod maybe]]. '''Keep, though again a rewrite's needed (especially to take out the "everypony", a real relic from when this was written).'''

** The episode's Japanese name ("Meitantei Pinkie!") is a reference to ''Manga/CaseClosed'' (also known back in Japan as "Meitantei Conan"). '''Keep, a clever example of a reference added in localization.'''
* Andrew Francis is a captain of the guard, Kathleen Barr voices an evil queen commanding a legion of insectlike creatures... [[Toys/{{Bionicle}} seems familiar...]] '''Bionicle again, with the example so reliant on a supposed ActorAllusion through their voice actors in otherwise standard tropes that it doesn't ring true to me. Cut.'''

* The Changelings as a whole are very reminiscent of [[Toys/{{BIONICLE}} Visorak]]. Bonus points in that Chrysalis' VA was also Roodaka, Visorak queen. '''These Bionicle examples feel like they were added by one particularly devoted troper. Again, a shoehorned example that was already mentioned. Easy cut.'''
** [[spoiler:The end of the fight scene between the Changelings and the Mane 6 resembles that of one of the shows Lauren [[WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls previously worked on]].]]
** [[spoiler:The False Princess Cadance's OneWingedAngel transformation into Queen Chrysalis seems to [[WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty take a few pages out of Maleficent's book]].]]
** The manner in which [[spoiler:the Changelings are defeated seems reminiscent of the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RHPmpOM_V8 Stardust film adaptation.]]]]

* The way Shining Armor's shield looks and works is quite reminiscent of the shield that was put up to protect [[Franchise/HarryPotter Hogwarts]] in ''Film/HarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallows, Part 2''. '''This one was removed from the recap page, cut.'''
* When [[spoiler:impostor]] Cadance is singing her half of the duet, we see the chandelier in her chamber--straight out of the VideoGame/{{Myst}} library '''A chandelier in a fancy room isn't very specific, and the design is nothing alike. Easy cut.'''

*** The powerful object is also [[VideoGame/SuperPaperMario a crystal shaped like a heart]].

** Shining Armor throwing Princess Cadance to save Spike and the Crystal Heart from Sombra during the climax is very parallel to [[WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles Mr. Incredible and his wife Elastigirl doing the same thing to save one of their children from a villain]].

** Twilight's training with Zecora in "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS3E5MagicDuel Magic Duel]]" shares some similarities with the one [[Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack Luke]] once went through, taking place in the local lost woods of sorts, having a mentor who puts a lot of emphasis on concentration and likes to [[RhymesOnADime talk funny]], down to the training itself involving levitating objects while standing on water - and failing due to similar distractions. Not to mention that Trixie's dark cloak and red magic aura make her look very much like a Sith Lord. '''Keep, though a rewrite is needed. Trixie as a Sith Lord sounds dubious, as dark cloaks and "red magic = evil" are both common fantasy tropes.'''
** The whole episode centers around a powerful magical object that slowly drives Trixie insane, [[Literature/TheLordOfTheRings just like a certain golden ring drives a hobbit insane]]. '''An ArtifactOfDoom is a common fantasy trope. The show has referenced Lord of the Rings before, but this feels like a stretch.'''
** The Mayor being stuck in a cage in the center of the town surrounded by evil brings [[VideoGame/{{Diablo}} Deckard Cain]] to the minds of many viewers. '''"Many viewers" reeks of FanMyopia - there's no real context given for the reference beyond the name.'''
** Ponyville is trapped beneath a dome, where nopony can get in or out? A power-hungry leader taking full advantage of everything? The hero is cast out and unable to help? The entire town is in fear and powerless against said leader? Said leader has a vendetta against the protagonist? [[Literature/UnderTheDome Quite a few have caught the similarities to a certain book and television adaptation...]] '''See right below.'''
*** This is also a reference to ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsonsMovie''. '''The concept of a DomedCity long predates either of these works. The Simpsons Movie only shares some of the ideas cited, and the Under the Dome ones seem just to be general tropes you'd do, not a specific reference. Easy cut for Simpsons, but only leaning on a cut for Under the Dome.'''

** The scene where Scootaloo tries to run away from the Headless Horse is reminiscent of the last part of Disney's ''Literature/TheLegendOfSleepyHollow'' and the final shot of Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash flying is similar to the final shots of the Superman movies. '''The first is a likely keep, but the second doesn't resemble the Superman ending beyond being a FlyAtTheCameraEnding.'''
** Heck, the title is a nod to ''Film/SleeplessInSeattle''. '''Keep, but remove the "heck" at the start like it's responding to the previous example.'''

** [[Film/TheWizardOfOz "IT'S A TWISTER!"]] '''Keep, but needs more context.'''

** The plot matches 'Andy Saves Gomer' from ''Series/TheAndyGriffithShow''. Sheriff Taylor saves Gomer from a fire as Applejack saves Spike from timberwolves and like Spike, Gomer returns the favor to Andy with excessive and embarrassing help; prompting Andy to like Applejack, to improvise a situation where the roles are reversed to void a life-debt. '''This kind of IOweYouMyLife story is such a common sitcom trope (to the point where Phineas and Ferb joked that it was a "70s sitcom cliche") that I doubt it was specifically an Andy Griffith reference. A likely cut.'''

** In title to [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keep_Calm_and_Carry_On "Keep Calm and Carry On"]]. '''Keep, but needs a little more context.'''

** Discord's [[ExactWords "making himself at home"]] involves a [[{{Film/Inception}} room rotating on itself.]] '''This is more just Discord being wacky and strange, literally turning things upside down, than specifically an Inception reference. A likely cut.'''

*** "Celestia's Ballad" is reminiscent of Disney {{Award Bait Song}}s. '''Cut. Seems to broad, and possibly stealth-complaining.'''

** The Plundervines somewhat resemble the Facehuggers from ''Franchise/{{Alien}}''. '''"Somewhat" makes this sound like a stretch.'''
** The Sun and the Moon being stuck in the sky also happened in {{Fanfic/Antipodes}}. '''Probably a coincidence. Apparently the writers aren't allowed to read fanfiction?'''
** When the sun and the moon are both in the sky at the same time during the season premiere it bears a striking resemblance to the sky seen during the Sekigahara conflict in VideoGame/SengokuBasara.

** Twilight's discovery of Pinkie Pie playing the haunted pipe organ parallels the revelation Don Knotts' character came upon towards the end of "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken" where his coworker, Mr. Kelsey was playing the organ at the haunted Simmons residence. Also as with "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken," the source of the scares for most of 'Castle Mane-ia' was not supernatural. Yet the viewer for both the episode and the film (in addition to the characters in the latter) are given an eerie feeling that a 'pony of shadows' and a 'ghost' may truly be present in the respective stories. '''Seemingly supernatural events turning out to not be true goes way beyond one Don Knott film, a likely cut.'''
* Episode four "Daring Don't" featured Ahuízotl once again with a {{Mayincatec}} culture as well. One of the artifacts was called the "Tenochtitlan basin"[[note]]Tenochtitlan was the capital city of the Mexica empire, although they mispronounced it, since it's "teh-nosh-tee-tlan"[[/note]]. Dr. Caballerón's appearance and approach to archaeology mirror those of ''Franchise/IndianaJones'' character [[Film/RaidersOfTheLostArk René Emile Belloq]], who also sold artifacts for personal profit, and the whole episode is inspired by ''Film/IndianaJonesAndTheKingdomOfTheCrystalSkull''. '''The first one is an easy cut, since it's a general historical reference, not to other media. The second can be kept.'''
** Daring Do's nome-de-plume is a spoof of Creator/JKRowling. '''Keep, but I'll add a specific mention of A.K. Yearling.'''
** Also if you look at the cover of the new book at the end of the episode you can see that Rainbow is wearing baseball cap making her Daring Do's [[Film/IndianaJonesAndTheTempleOfDoom Short Round]] '''Keep, but remove the "Also" at the start.'''

** A blink-and-you-miss-it of [[Series/DoctorWho Time Turner standing with Roseluck, i.e. Rose Tyler]].

* Episode six, "Power Ponies," features a spoof of Film/{{The Avengers|2012}} and ComicBook/{{Justice League|of America}}. The main villain, the Mane-iac, is a parody on ComicBook/DoctorOctopus, [[ComicBook/{{Batman}} The Joker and Poison Ivy]] (and possibly Marvel's Medusa and [[WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls Sedusa]]), Pinkie (Fili-Second) has super speed, akin to ComicBook/TheFlash, Fluttershy (Saddle-Rager) loses her temper like the [[ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk Hulk]], Rainbow Dash (Zapp) controls the weather like ComicBook/{{Storm}}, Applejack (Mistress Mare-velous) has a lasso like ComicBook/WonderWoman, Rarity (Radiance) has a gem that creates shiny things like ComicBook/GreenLantern, and Twilight (the Masked Matterhorn) has a freezing beam just like ComicBook/{{Iceman|MarvelComics}}. Spike is merely put as ComicBook/{{Robin}}, and although his character was just there for comic relief, and also as TheLoad and a TagalongKid, he ended up being TheChessmaster due to his insight on the comic books themselves.

** Pinkie yells "[[Film/SesameStreetPresentsFollowThatBird follow that bat]]"! '''Seems too generic to be a specific refence.'''

* In [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E10RainbowFalls "Rainbow Falls"]], [[Franchise/{{Rocky}} Mickey Goldmill]] trains the Wonderbolts. '''Keep, though it's not entirely accurate so a rewrite is needed (the Mickey pony doesn't actually train them, he just gives Spitfire a massage'''

*** [[Franchise/StarWars Discord holds up the glass in a triumphant fashion in space, while Twilight and Cadance look on]]. '''Keep, but rewrite without the pothole.'''
*** [[Film/{{Flashdance}} Discord pouring water on himself]]. '''Keep, but rewrite without the pothole.'''

** Discord at one point dresses like the Creator/HunterSThompson-inspired character Raoul Duke played by Johnny Depp in ''Literature/FearAndLoathingInLasVegas'', down to the shirt, glasses, and hat. (This being a kid's show, the cigarette is replaced by a lollipop.) '''Keep.'''

** [[Series/DoctorWho Time Turner and Roseluck]] appear with each other again, with Time Turner inexplicably wearing [[Recap/DoctorWhoS28E12ArmyOfGhosts 3D glasses]]. '''Keep, but needs more context.'''

** One of the mannequins (ponnequins?) in front of the obstacle course has [[Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration Geordi LaForge's visor]] on it. '''Keep.'''

* In "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E21LeapOfFaith Leap of Faith]]", Silver Shill resembles [[Film/BackToTheFuture1 George McFly]]. '''He doesn't really look like George in that film at all.'''

** When Spike's unable to light the torch, Twilight notes [[Film/{{Apollo13}} "Equestria, we have a problem" which obviously mirrors "Houston, we have a problem."]]
** Spike's recital of the Cloudsdalean anthem was not unlike [[Creator/RowanAtkinson Rowan Atkinson's]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWGZdYNpaSo recital of Ode To Joy]] or [[Film/TheNakedGun Frank Drevin's attempt at the National Anthem]]. '''Bad Anthem singing is so exclusive

** Technical issues at the opening ceremonies aren't unheard of since the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympic Games also had technical issues in their opening ceremonies. '''If it's that common, it's probably not a reference to one specific event.'''

** For a long time, the villain is reduced to a weakened form, shadow of his former self, and then he sustains himself by preying on unicorns... wait, are we talking about Lord Tirek, or [[Literature/HarryPotter Lord Voldemort]]? '''Villains coming back in a weaker state and finding their power again isn't exclusive to Potter.'''

** Discord makes his entrance à la Film/MaryPoppins. '''Keep.'''

** When Twilight [[spoiler:saves Owlowiscous from the library before it is destroyed by Tirek, and sends him off flying to safety]], it's much like the sequence in ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' where Aang faces off against Fire Lord Ozai and sends [[TeamPet Momo]] flying off to safety. The fact that both Tirek and Ozai are both RedAndBlackAndEvilAllOver really stresses this point further.

** The plot of the season premiere is alarmingly reminiscent of "Literature/HarrisonBergeron". '''Needs more context.'''
** And Starlight Glimmer's staff looks unsettlingly like [[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion the Lance of Longinus]]. '''I've never seen Evangelion, but since it's one of the most popular works on this site, this feels like FanMyopia.'''

** In Sugar Cube Corner, Pinkie Pie manages to spot Discord, [[VideoGame/MetalGear even though he was in a cardboard box labeled "The Orange".]] He even has the trademark "!" appear with the noise from that game. '''Keep.'''

** Discord is wearing a [[Film/DumbAndDumber completely orange tuxedo and top hat, while the Smooze's top hat is blue]]. '''Keep, but I'll make the title of the film being referenced clearer.'''

** The Smooze gets bigger as it is given more and more objects. Kinda like a [[VideoGame/SonicAdventure certain water god that was in Sonic's first ever 3d game when it was given Chaos Emeralds.]] '''A gelatinous form growing bigger as it absorbs things long predates Sonic, including the original Smooze. Cut.'''

** "[[Series/{{Seinfeld}} Hellooooo, Gilda."]] '''Needs more context.'''

*** Or more obviously, Grandpa Gruff resembles Grunkle Stan from Gravity Falls even more. '''Bad indentation.'''

** Doctor Hooves gets a big role (see below); though the writers wrote him with a bit of [[Franchise/BackToTheFuture Dr. Emmett Brown]] in mind, [[WordOfGod Peter New confirmed]] his portrayal was based on Creator/DavidTennant, with a touch of Creator/ChristopherEccleston (specifically, "EverybodyLives!") at the end (the Doctor's even sitting next to Roseluck for that line). '''Keep for all of these, the references are obvious.'''

** The Lebowski ponies are back, with the Dude even having some lines. '''Keep, though I'll indent it properly to emphasize the new reference being made.'''

** When Spike begins to take advantage of speaking for Twilight, one of is perqs is a personalized portrait. The pony painting the portrait is designed in ode to Leonardo Da Vinci and Spike's portrait is an allusion to the left side of Michaelangelo's "The Creation of Adam" featured in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.
** One of the delegates Spike deals with [[Film/{{Fargo}} comes from "Whinnyapolis", has a fur-lined brown coat and snow hat resembling a Minnesotan police outfit, speaks with a thick Minnesotan accent, and has a cup of coffee as her cutie mark]]. '''Keep, but need to rearrange things so the example isn't nearly all-blue.'''
* "Party Pooped"
** Pinkie joins a "[[Music/TheBeatles travelling band]]". '''Keep, but it needs to be expanded as it doesn't explain the specifics of the reference. I think there's a more detailed explanation on the Recap page for the example.'''

** The Mane Six refer to Tantibus as a [[Series/{{Lost}} "smoke monster"]]. '''Cut. Seems too generic to be a specific reference.'''
** Though the Cutie-Mark Crusaders' dream trilogy hint at allusions to "A Nightmare on Elm Street," what is undeniable in the movie series and this particular episode is that the Mane 6 all had dreams featuring the Tantibus, just as many of the teens in Wes Craven's masterpiece (and sequels) all had dreams of Freddy Krueger.

** [=Big McIntosh=] transforming into an alicorn during the shared dream resembles the transformation scenes in ''Anime/SailorMoon'', even the music is similar. '''Keep.'''
** The episode title references Creator/PhilipKDick's ''Literature/DoAndroidsDreamOfElectricSheep''. '''Keep.'''

** Every one of Rarity's dress names is a shout out to something, with the Princess Dress being "The Reign in Stain". Sassy Saddles makes the allusion to {{Theatre/Pygmalion}} even stronger by saying "The Reign in Stain is too complicated to explain". '''Keep, but it'll need a rewrite.'''

** While Rarity questions the cake store owner, ponified versions of [[Series/{{Sherlock}} the BBC series versions of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson]] appear eating in the background. The two later reappear chasing what seems to be a pony version of Moriarty. It is worth noting that the Sherlock pony has a bee cutie mark, referencing his eventual fate as a beekeeper in the original stories. '''Keep.'''
** Towards the beginning of the episode, a costume very closely resembling the attire of [[Series/DoctorWho Doctor Who's]] Missy is shown as part of Rarity's collection.
** Rarity's primary Shadow Spade outfit is a dead ringer for [[VideoGame/CarmenSandiego Carmen Sandiego.]]

** One pony yells at a taxi cab, [[Film/MidnightCowboy "I'm trottin' here!"]] '''Keep.'''
** One of Coco Pommel's scrapbook photos is of a stage version of ''Film/TheWizardOfOz'', with Coco herself playing the part of Dorothy. '''Keep.'''
** A couple of musical nods: '''Keep, and I think there's more titles that aren't listed here.'''
*** "My Fair Filly"="My Fair Lady"

** The episode title itself is a reference to ''Series/{{Friends}}'' and its IdiosyncraticEpisodeNaming. '''On the fence here, leaning on Keep.'''

** The poster of "Smash Fortune" is a dead ringer for Literature/DocSavage. '''Keep.'''

** When Fluttershy tries to convince her friends [[EpicFail she can make a haunted house]], she has a few dangling cardboard cutouts of some unusual ponies, looking suspiciously like [[Manga/SailorMoon Usagi]], [[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion Rei]], [[Anime/RevolutionaryGirlUtena Utena]], [[Manga/DragonBall Bulma]] and [[Manga/RanmaOneHalf Ranma]]. '''Keep for all of them.'''

** When Pinkie suggests time travel, she briefly dresses as Marty [=McFly=] while the ''Franchise/BackToTheFuture'' theme song plays. '''Keep.'''

** Discord [[Series/TheJoyOfPainting paints in a Bob Ross outfit]] twice. '''Keep.'''

** Featured in the pre-title scene, "Wuthering Hooves" and the character Hoothcliff (Hoofcliff) are direct shout-outs to Emily Brontë's 19th century classic "Wuthering Heights," and Heathcliff, one of the main characters. '''Keep, it's all so specific and unmistakable.''
** Equestria's Smoky Mountain's are an exact reference to this reality's/Earth's Great Smoky Mountains bordering the states of North Carolina and Tennessee in the continental U.S.A. Before any more bridges should be considered however, the Hatfields and McCoys in our reality feuded in the Kentucky/West Virginia borderlands.

** The Hoofields enter the McColt Fort through a Trojan carrot cake. '''Doesn't specify what it's a reference to.'''

*** The overall structure, however, has more in common with "Time And Punishment" from ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' Treehouse Of Horror V, where various changes to the past cause a different alternate future. '''That is a common trope in time travel fiction, even the Simpsons episode was a parody of Ray Bradbury's A Sound of Thunder.'''
** The process of time-travel has some parallels with Stephen King's "11/22/63" where journeys back in time produce resettings for all characters who exist in the destination event (save time travelers ex: Starlight, Twilight, Spike). This prevents self-meets-self paradoxes. Additionally, the alteration of a significant event, like President Kennedy's assassination has catastrophic consequences for the future (examples: catastrophic earthquakes, lost lives, and acts of war in the novel and in the episode, a cycle from Sombra's imperialism to the climate of fear with the changelings to the tyranny of Nightmare Moon to the gluttony of Tirek to the unfettered chaos of Discord to Flim-Flam's aggressive redevelopment to finally a complete wasteland). More to the point, numerous alternate timelines in the novel and the episode that deviate from a fixed timeline gradually destroy the settings for the characters. The only remedy for this devastation is creating a timeline which matches the fixed timeline to a tee, demonstrated when Twilight gains Starlight's trust. '''Like before, all of these are time travel clichés that existed long before Stephen King's novel.'''
** Both Twilight and Spike get to say [[Fanfic/HardResetEakin "Well, that didn't work."]] '''Given that crewmembers aren't allowed to read fanfiction, this reads as more a fun coincidence than a deliberate refernece.'''
* Sombra's soldiers are a reference to the Death Guards from {{TheBeastmaster}}

** In addition to Manehattan's Lady Liberty and Times Square (seen in previous episodes), this episode offers three new locations that mirror landmarks from the real New York City: Manehattan's Grand Central Station, Central Park, and Rockafeller Plaza (or possibly for Manehattan: "Rockafilly Plaza").

** The title and competition is a nod to "The Goblet of Fire," and it's Tri-Wizard Tournemant from the "Harry Potter" series. '''Keep, but the grammar needs to be improved.'''

** Torch's throaty English accent has a quality most in common with one of the three trolls Bilbo and the dwarves crossed in the first live-action Hobbit film. This was very likely unintentional, as throaty English and New Zealand accents have appeared many times recently in public cinema, television, web (and maybe radio) media. Other comparable vocal qualities can be heard in Ugluk, the Urukai leader who replaced Lurtz at the beginning of "The Two Towers" film, certain pirates belonging to Barbossa's and Davy Jones' crew from the Disney's first three "Pirates of the Caribbean" films, and Manu Bennett's Slade Wilson/Deathstroke in the live-action "Arrow" series. '''If the example itself points out this was unintentional, it's an easy cut.'''
** In the strictest degree of coincidence, Dragon 2 's comical plan to steal every pillow from Equestria and his reason for doing so upon becoming Dragon Lord echo the grievance of the wild men of Dunland from "The Two Towers" film, who according to Saruman were driven out from their lands by Rohan "...into the hills to scratch a living off rocks." This cannot be mentioned without adding Garble's plans to burn and raid Equestria as Dragon Lord, echoing Saruman's command to the wild men to take back their lands from Rohan and "Burn every village!" '''Again, if the example suggests it's coincidence, than it isn't a Shout-Out. Easy cut.'''

** Ember shares her name with another female dragon. Said dragon is from the video game: "Spyro: A Hero's Tail," an installment from the "Spyro the Dragon" series pre-dating the "Legend of Spyro" trilogy and the current "Skylanders"' franchise. The sleek appearance of ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'''s Ember, however is more reminiscent to Cynder in the reboot trilogy and "Skylanders." Furthermore, unlike quadrupedal Ember from the "Spyro the Dragon" series and Cynder from the reboot and "Skylanders" Equestria's Ember is bipedal and blue rather than pink or black. '''Since Ember means (according to Google) "a small piece of burning or glowing coal or wood in a dying fire", it's an easy name to give to a fire-breathing dragon and thus a coincidence. Cut.''

** Probably a subject with more similarities than those to be presented is the poster for Trixie's magic show. The "eyes without a face" (not to be confused with a Billy Idol song) element resembles the album cover for Styx's "The Grand Illusion!" the 1925 Francis Cugat cover illustration for "The Great Gatsby," and the novel cover appearing at the end of Season 4's ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' episode 'Daring Don't.' The crystal ball carries a more loose thematic reference to the album covers of Styx's "Crystal Ball;" and Electric Light Orchestra's (ELO) "Discovery." '''The poster might be a reference to something, but all the connections made in this example are loose at best. Cut.'''
*** Though pure coincidence, Trixie even says the words: "grand illusion." '''As before, cut.'''

** Hoofdini is a pun on Houdini. '''Keep.'''

** It was a rare twist of fate that the Don Knotts comedy film "The Reluctant Astronaut" was shown on AMC at 10:00 p.m. EST, nearly twelve hours before 'Newbie Dash' aired on Discovery Family on May 7. The 1967 movie was mentioned because "Newbie Dash" has a few coincidental features (merely Dash's janitorial duties, her welcome home party, and the closing disaster in the presence of her friends are indirectly paralleled in Knotts' film). As such, these features are not true similarities as unlike the titular astronaut (or janitor as initially employed), Dash knew the job she'd be taking; Dash's friends were sympathetic and open to listening to her plight at the welcome-home-from-work-party, and by the end, Dash's fellow Wonderbolts responded similarly and raised her spirits when Rainbow explained her discomfort with "Rainbow Crash" (additionally, Spitfire only put Dash on probation rather than drumming her out for the mishap). '''Uh... what? This might be the strangest one yet. Brings up a film that happened to run the same day as the episode, with so few vague similarities that even the example notes the major differences. Easy cut.'''
** Chronologically within the overall series' storyline, this is the third episode where the derogatory "Rainbow Crash" is heard, preceded by 'Sonic Rainboom,' and 'Bridle Gossip.' Altogether, it is the sixth appearance of the name by broadcast when 'The Cutie Mark Chronicles' and both parts of 'The Cutie Remark' are included. '''A ContinuityNod, not a Shout Out. Cut.'''
** The nickname Dash uses during her Twilight impression: "Reading Rainboom" is a play on the popular PBS program "Reading Rainbow." '''Keep.'''
*** And subsequently, the nickname during Dash's Fluttershy impression is "Care Mare," a singular pun on a plural franchise sharing the same adjective only attached to bears. '''Keep, though I'll reformat the indentation.'''
** Rubbing salt in a wound for Dash was the degrading "Rainbow Crash" symbol/nickname appearing on her Wonderbolts' jacket. Archie Bunker had more excitement about the nickname he could get on his club jacket in the appropriately named "All in the Family" episode: 'Archie and the Bowling Team.' But this may be true for some clubs in reality, not to mention additional clubs from other imaginative stories. '''The example already points out that it's not unique to the work cited, so an easy cut.'''
** With the exception of two segments in Rainbow Dash's climatic fumble, the rest have similarities to specific accidents endured by characters in the following films: "Jingle All the Way," "How the Grinch stole Christmas," "Baby's Day Out," "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York," and "Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit." Also worth including many more scenes both in animated and live stories where cartoonish electric shock occurs. '''No parts are cited here, and it's all so vague it's hard to claim these nods are specific. The part about "cartoonish electric shock" scenes in general feels like especially bad shoehorning. I'd say cut.'''

** The episode is a WholePlotReference to ''Literature/HowTheGrinchStoleChristmas'' (Snowfall Frost disliking the Hearth's Warming and trying to stop it for others) and ''Literature/AChristmasCarol'' (him being dissuaded from his plan by the [[YetAnotherChristmasCarol ghosts of past, present, and future]]). '''Keep.'''

** The reporter at the start of the show bears a physical resemblance to J. Jonah Jameson. '''Keep, but will add a mention of Spider-Man since it's not made clear where J. Jonah Jameson is from.'''

** Likely a coincidental point, Mr. Stripes resembles the 007 ally and Russian kingpin played by Robbie Coltrane in "Goldeneye," and "The World is Not Enough." '''When the example suggests it's likely a coincidence, it's not a good sign. Mr. Stripes is very much the stereotypical "Russian Landlord" character, like Ditkovich in the Film/SpiderManTrilogy, and not Robbie's character from those films.''

** The scene in which Twilight is [[Film/MissionImpossible suspended via rope over Applejack's pigpen and stops falling just short of the ground]] clearly pays homage to the MissionImpossibleCableDrop, complete with a brief snippet of the M:I theme.

** A pony version of Gordon Ramsey can be seen in Zesty Gourmand's appearance. '''Keep, but needs a rewrite.'''
** Zesty Gourmand is basically a female Pony version of [[WesternAnimation/{{Ratatouille}} Anton Ego]]. Unfortunately unlike Ego she never actually tastes the food.

* "28 Pranks Later"
** The title is a shoutout to horror film "28 Days Later." '''Keep, though it needs a slight rewrite.'''
** The round-table scene features Pinkie's heart at a stretch beat as seen with Ipkiss during Carlisle's performance in the film "The Mask," which largely was an ode to Tex Avery cartoons. '''Cut, more of a general cartoon trope.'''

** Oddly, the sewing machine cake has some connections to reality. Forget unconventionally-designed cakes, and consider a special documentary Animal Planet aired in the mid 2000s where the production tried to show how ants determined edibles from non-edibles. The producers gave the host a test to see if he could spot any food in a seemingly barren room by smell and taste rather than sight (most was candy such as licorice designed to imitate cable wires). However, given that many special documentaries from Discovery Communications did not have as great a magnitude as "Walking with Dinosaurs," more than likely the sewing machine cake was original. '''Obvious cut, it's a weird side digression that even the example points out is likely original.'''
** It maybe just a bogey in the memory bank of this contributor, but upon being surprised by Dash and Gummy in the closet, Pinkie appears to scream like the Screaming Banshee from a series of Hallmark e-cards produced in the 2000s. '''Cut, it even has Administrivia/ThisTroper.'''
** The rainbow muzzles can be a shout out to horror comic "The Crossed". In that series those that are infected get a cross shaped rash on their faces. '''Cut, the resemblance is lacking.'''
* "The Times they are a Changeling"
** The title is a shoutout to Music/BobDylan's song/poem "The Times they are a Changing". '''Keep.'''
** The snowy plain where spike and the militia split up subtlety reminds one of the movie "The Thing," which was set in Antarctica. Apart from the snow and Thorax however, there are no direct nuances to the horror film. '''If it's that subtle, and there are no other direct references, I'm leaning on cut.'''

* "Dungeons and Discords"
** A clear reference to "Dungeons and Dragons," a preview for the second half of season 6 also shows Spike "Garbuckle" with staff and garb like Gandalf and Discord "Captain Was" with bow, vestments, and wig comparable with Legolas.

* "The Fault in our Cutie Marks"
** The title is a take on "The Fault in our Stars" by John Green which is subsequently based on an exchange between Cassius and Brutus in Act One of William Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar".

** Applejack's spellcast recitation of memories includes one visual reference to the ending of the film "Predator" and two quotation references to Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities" and Stan Lee's "Spider-Man" (comic and films). '''Needs more context.'''

** This episode features loose characteristics with portions of films such as the beginning of "Overboard" and the climax of "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End." '''Vague, and if the references are described as "loose" they probably aren't references.'''

** Rarity's outfit in Applejack's account is the same outfit Rose wore in "Titanic". She also performs the 'King of the World' pose on the bow of the ship as well. '''Keep.'''

** There's also [[Literature/TheHobbit the episode's title]]. '''Keep, though I'll rewrite it beyond a Pot Hole.'''

** Twilight creates three personal fantasy scenes regarding Starlight's future on her own. While basically similar to the "Scrubs" fantasies, the trio in this episode were used more for plot than for laughs. '''Cut, fantasy sequences are a common trope and aren't Scrubs-specific.'''

** The title refers to two "Fame and Fortune" titles, one by Elvis Presley, the other featured in the classic Rankin Bass "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer" Christmas Special. '''Cut, as "Fame and Fortune" is a common phrase that isn't specific to said works.'''
** Starlight says that her book splicing spell was previously used to make copies of "a certain...(uncomfortable chuckles)...manifesto." Given the stern looks the other ponies give her, the manifesto could have been Karl Marx's "Communist Manifesto" or that of an Equestrian doppelgänger. If it was Marx's manifesto, it would fit with some fans' characterizations of Starlight during her first appearance, as a strict, charismatic socialist leader of a small village. It could also make sense as real-world references (however rare) have been made in "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic." For instance, Fluttershy mentions French haute couture in season one, Cheese Sandwich mentions Hawaiian shirts in Season 4, and Discord mention mentions Abyssinia in the same season, which is a name used by writers like Samuel Tayler Coleridge to refer to certain regions in North Africa. '''Very rambly. The "manifesto" was probably a CallBack to Starlight's time as a dictator.'''
** Various episodes from Season 4 are mentioned following the journal's publication. '''CallBack, not a Shout Out. Easy cut.'''

** The episodes in this premiere and others featuring the School of Friendship and the Student/Creature Six (Gallus, Ocellus, Sandbar, Silverstream, Smolder, and Yona) parallels general dynamics between mutant students and teachers in the "X-Men" publications, TV series', and films. '''Needs more context, but it feels like a stretch anyway.'''

* "Marks for Effort":
** In an homage to ''Film/DeadPoetsSociety'', the pony students in Spike's class have their hooves on the desks, saying "O Dragon, my Dragon". '''Keep.'''

** Discord gets a phone call on a banana. Possibly a reference to an early episode of Phineas & Ferb, as well as the popular song "Banana Phone". '''Not sure about this: The reference to the Banana Phone song feels more likely, but either way it could be more jst random silliness and not a specific reference.'''
** Discord barges in saying "Yo! Greetings, fellow creatures!", referencing the [[MemeticMutation memetic]] scene from ''Series/ThirtyRock'', even wearing a similar outfit to Steve Buscemi's character. '''Keep.'''

* "Sounds of Silence"
** When Autumn Blaze sings about the dilemma of the Kirin regarding the vow of silence taken by the village, there is a montage of several drama titles including ''Theatre/Hamilton'' and ''Theatre/ThePhantomOfTheOpera'', which she created in-universe, and a campaign for political office with a banner reminiscent of both the Celestia "Obey" design and/or Obama's campaign "Hope" banners with the letters KIR (obviously meaning Kirin to be emboldened and capitalized) visible. '''Keep, though the bracketed part has weird grammar.'''

* "School Raze - Part 1"

* "The Beginning of the End - Part 1"
** When Applejack mentions "cakewalk", Pinkie sticks cakes on her hind legs and begins dancing Music/MichaelJackson-style.
** Grogar's history as an ancient tyrant and creator of monsters resembles that of Morgoth, villain of Creator/JRRTolkien's ''Literature/TheSilmarillion''. His title of "Father of Monsters" is also similar to that of the Greek Titan Typhon, husband to the Mother of All Monsters Echidna.
** When the Mane Six show up to defeat King Sombra, Pinkie says "The cavalry's here!", which is a reference to [[VideoGame/{{Overwatch}} Tracer]]'s CatchPhrase - "Cheers, love! The cavalry's here!".
* "Sparkle's Seven"
** The title is a ShoutOut to ''Film/OceansEleven''. '''Keep.'''

(They're Pinkie. They're Pinkie and the Pie, Pie, Pie, Pie, Pie! Da-da-da-dun!!)

* The manly tennis player pony ("[[FanNickname Ace]]") in "Call of the Cutie" and "Luna Eclipsed" is based on Andre Agassi (before he started shaving his head)
* The backstage manager at the Best Young Flyer competition ("[[FanNickname Lucy]]") in "Sonic Rainboom" who later appears as a unicorn with a different cutie mark in "Putting Your Hoof Down" is based on [[Series/ILoveLucy Lucille Ball]].

* One of the background characters was eventually dubbed "Time Turner" by the staff after fans noticed he looked like David Tennant's portrayal of The Doctor from ''Series/DoctorWho''. A few of his appearances (and one of his collectible cards) directly reference lines or scenes from episodes in which Tennant played the Doctor.
** Expies of the Doctor as portrayed by John Pertwee, Peter Davison, and Matt Smith have also appeared in-show, and they have the same cutie mark as Time Turner. Their cutie mark: ''An hourglass.'' Yet, the staff says it was originally a coincidence until the fans latched onto "[[FanNickname Doctor Whooves]]."

** And now there's a new ad parodying ''Series/MadMen'' in the [[http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lYppZHD4A6M/TwnP5Npti2I/AAAAAAAACTE/_MzEmNBOoOs/s1600/image.jpeg Los Angeles newspaper]]. '''Examples are not recent'''

** The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMvwko9jY_I official promo for Season 7]] is a recreation of the intro and theme from ''Series/TheFreshPrinceOfBelAir''.

* Pinkie Pie in general is a ShoutOut to the ''WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes''. '''Zero-context'''
* In the comic detailing the Nightmare Forces attacking Ponyville, you can briefly see Time Turner/[[FanNickname DoctorHooves]] holding a [[Series/DoctorWho Sonic Screwdriver.]]

** The name Time Turner may even be an alias, since in the official guide, his name is listed as Doctor Hooves. Due to the whole 'Timey-Wimey' bit, it may be inferred that either this is a different iteration of the character, or he may have changed his name if he regenerated. Fanon, after all, holds that Doctor Hooves ''is'' The Doctor himself! '''Natter.'''

* elements of the show seem similar to elements of the story to Toys/{{Bionicle}}. '''Like the other Bionicle examples, this is just a reworded version of previous shoehorned examples of it, so this is an obvious cut.'''
** six heroes each representing a different element and each have a specific talent/ability signified by a physical mark/mask.
** the six heroes following the values of unity, duty, and destiny.
** a being of darkness whose actions were born of envy and ambition:Nightmare Moon and Makuta Teridax
** a queen of deception commanding a horde of insects:Queen Chrysalis and Roodaka, in fact both are voiced by the same person.
* WordOfGod reveals that Discord ''was'' inspired by Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration character Q. (some Fanon declares them to be one and the same). (It doesn't hurt these theories that Discord is voiced by Creator/JohnDeLancie.) '''Redundant with the example in the season 2 folder.'''

* In "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E20ItsAboutTIme It's About Time]]", Twilight Sparkle [[Franchise/MetalGear wears a headband, an eye-patch, and sneaks around in a black bodysuit]], and her time-travelling spell is reminiscent of the ''Franchise/{{Terminator}}''.

** In Sugar Cube Corner, Pinkie Pie manages to spot Discord, [[Franchise/MetalGear even though he was in a cardboard box labeled "The Orange".]] He even has the trademark "!" appear with the noise from that game. '''Keep.'''

** Iron Will says "I pity [[FunetikAksent da]] [[JustForPun foal]]" at one point, a shout out to Creator/MrT and his {{catchphrase}}.

** And then there's TheReveal that [[Film/ADayAtTheRaces two horses got mixed up when covered in mud]] (deliberately, this time).

** Filly Twilight Sparkle tries to get accepted into "Princess Celestia's School For Gifted Unicorns" and during the admission exam her magical power violently awakens, turning her into a huge danger for everyone and herself, until Princess Celestia herself manages to calm her down and offers herself as her guide so she could learn how to control her immense magical power. The entire scene is a shout out to Franchise/XMen, with Twilight as Jean Grey, Celestia as Charles Xavier and the school itself a shout-out to "Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters".

** At a couple points in the episode, Rainbow Dash calls herself [[Franchise/SpiderMan "Your friendly neighborhood Rainbow Dash".]] '''Keep.'''

*** Her scenes also contain nods to John Jonah Jameson of the Daily Bugle from ''Franchise/SpiderMan''.

** A crystal palace growing out of a chilly Arctic ice desert [[Franchise/{{Superman}} has been done before]].

** In the opening, one of Apple Bloom's outfits includes glasses with [[Comicbook/{{Transmetropolitan}} one rectangular lens and one round lens]].

** The Plundervines somewhat resemble the Facehuggers from ''{{Franchise/Alien}}''. '''"Somewhat" makes this sound like a stretch.'''

** The ponies have [[Franchise/{{Batman}} light signals]] to use if something fishy goes on.

* In [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E10RainbowFalls "Rainbow Falls"]], [[{{Franchise/Rocky}} Mickey Goldmill]] trains the Wonderbolts. '''Keep, though it's not entirely accurate so a rewrite is needed (the Mickey pony doesn't actually train them, he just gives Spitfire a massage'''

** When using his power, Tirek manifests a fireball, hovering between his curved horns. This makes him resemble {{Comicbook/Hellboy}}, who would [[http://i.imgur.com/qLtvztG.jpg manifest a fiery crown hovering between his curved horns]] on the occasions that he tapped into his full power as the Prince of Hell.\\\

** Flurry Heart's deafening cry which shatters the Crystal heart has strong similarities to Banshee's "Sonic Scream" attack from [[Franchise/XMen the X-men franchise]].

** A pony resembling [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZelda Link]] can be seen hauling a cart full of Ruppies. Screen shot [[https://derpibooru.org/1170002 here]].

* In "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E21LeapOfFaith Leap of Faith]]", Silver Shill resembles [[Film/BackToTheFuture George McFly]]. '''He doesn't really look like George in that film at all.'''

** Doctor Hooves gets a big role (see below); though the writers wrote him with a bit of [[Film/BackToTheFuture Dr. Emmett Brown]] in mind, [[WordOfGod Peter New confirmed]] his portrayal was based on Creator/DavidTennant, with a touch of Creator/ChristopherEccleston (specifically, "EverybodyLives!") at the end (the Doctor's even sitting next to Roseluck for that line). '''Keep for all of these, the references are obvious.'''

** When Pinkie suggests time travel, she briefly dresses as Marty [=McFly=] while the ''Film/BackToTheFuture'' theme song plays. '''Keep.'''

* In The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000, Flam calls out Granny Smith on being a chicken, [[Film/BackToTheFuture to which she responds by saying "What did you call me, sonny?", looking backwards with pure anger in her eyes]]. The camera angle is even similar to the Biff scenes.

* In "Stare Master", Sweetie Belle makes the comment "who wants a hammer on their flank anyway". As a matter of fact, the Wreckers, the Autobot subgroup from Hasbro's other major property {{Transformers}}, have a hammer over their usual Autobot symbols.

* Episode six, "Power Ponies," features a spoof of Film/{{The Avengers|2012}} and Franchise/{{Justice League|of America}}. The main villain, the Mane-iac, is a parody on ComicBook/DoctorOctopus, [[Franchise/{{Batman}} The Joker and Poison Ivy]] (and possibly Marvel's Medusa and [[WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls Sedusa]]), Pinkie (Fili-Second) has super speed, akin to Franchise/TheFlash, Fluttershy (Saddle-Rager) loses her temper like the [[ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk Hulk]], Rainbow Dash (Zapp) controls the weather like ComicBook/{{Storm}}, Applejack (Mistress Mare-velous) has a lasso like Franchise/WonderWoman, Rarity (Radiance) has a gem that creates shiny things like Franchise/GreenLantern, and Twilight (the Masked Matterhorn) has a freezing beam just like ComicBook/{{Iceman}}. Spike is merely put as [[Franchise/{{Batman}} Robin]], and although his character was just there for comic relief, and also as TheLoad and a TagalongKid, he ended up being TheChessmaster due to his insight on the comic books themselves.

* The Changeling Queen's plot to take over Canterlot is similar to Ursula's plot to take over the sea in WesternAnimation/TheLittleMermaid. Both disguise themselves as [[spoiler:the bride, both possess the bridegroom, and both get a VillainSong where they sing about their plans into a mirror!]]

* In Ponyville Confidential, Rarity asks Sweetie Belle [[UsefulNotes/JuliusCaesar "Et tu, Gabby Gums?"]].
** [[Film/CitizenKane Citizen Tiara]], anypony? Diamond Tiara addresses the rest of the students from behind a podium in front of a giant-sized portrait of herself, and turns the Foal Free Press into a success based on yellow journalism. Fortunately for her, she's still young enough to avoid Kane's DownerEnding and learn from her mistakes... [[StatusQuoIsGod maybe]].

** Twilight's training with Zecora in "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS3E5MagicDuel Magic Duel]]" shares some similarities with the one [[Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack Luke]] once went through, taking place in the local lost woods of sorts, having a mentor who puts a lot of emphasis on concentration and likes to [[RhymesOnADime talk funny]], down to the training itself involving levitating objects while standing on water - and failing due to similar distractions. Not to mention that Trixie's dark cloak and red magic aura make her look very much like a Sith Lord.
** The whole episode centers around a powerful magical object that slowly drives Trixie insane, [[Literature/TheLordOfTheRings just like a certain golden ring drives a hobbit insane]].

*** This is also a reference to ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsonsMovie''. '''The concept of a DomedCity long predates either of these works. The Simpsons Movie only shares some of the ideas cited, and the Under the Dome ones seem just to be general tropes you'd do, not a specific. Easy cut for Simpsons, but only leaning on a cut for Under the Dome.'''

** The plot matches 'Andy Saves Gomer' from ''Series/TheAndyGriffithShow''. Sheriff Taylor saves Gomer from a fire as Applejack saves Spike from timberwolves and like Spike, Gomer returns the favor to Andy with excessive and embarrassing help; prompting Andy to like Applejack, to improvise a situation where the roles are reversed to void a life-debt. '''This kind of IOweYouMyLife is such a common sitcom trope (to the point where Phineas and Ferb joked that it was a "70s sitcom cliche") that I doubt it was specifically an Andy Griffith reference. A likely cut.'''

* Twilight's last name was changed from "Twinkle" to "[[Literature/{{Twilight}} Sparkle]]". When Creator/LaurenFaust was [[http://comments.deviantart.com/4/1603670/2216411631 asked]] if the name was an intentional joke, her [[http://comments.deviantart.com/4/1603670/2216416237 response]] was "It passed legal."

* In "Sweet and Elite", a painting in an art gallery is inspired by Creator/SalvadorDali's "Art/ThePersistenceOfMemory".
** Twilight's awkward dancing at the Canterlot ponies' party mirrors a scene in ''Series/{{Seinfeld}}''.

** The design of the blimp that Rarity helps see off in her musical number evokes [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaLinksAwakening the Wind Fish]].

** Applejack's line "Twilight, get my rope" [[https://twitter.com/M_A_Larson/status/206946823976386560 is]] [[https://twitter.com/M_A_Larson/status/206947977338699776 a]] [[https://twitter.com/M_A_Larson/status/206948599895040001 reference]] [[https://twitter.com/M_A_Larson/status/206948801242595328 to]] a Pace Picante sauce commercial from the '80s.

** At the very beginning of the episode, Granny Smith is running around in the middle of the night causing a huge ruckus in direct reference to the famous Midnight Ride of Paul Revere.

** The following line:

** Pinkie's line about how the crib is only for "[[WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons sleeping, napping, and on occasion, with permission, a pretend old-timey Western fort!]]"

** The first post-title scene backstage with the Mane 6 preparing for the performance is indirectly similar to the first scene of the musical, history, comedy, drama film "1776." Specifically both the ponies and the delegates were arguing but while the Twilight, Pinkie, Rarity, and Fluttershy wanted the window closed in light of a draft, the delegates wanted among other things, to "open up a window," for the opening song noted it was infernally hot in Philadelphia.

** And the shot of them swarming around the fallen pony is a clear homage to ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing''.

* In "Sweet and Elite", a painting in an art gallery is inspired by Creator/SalvadorDali's Persistence of Memory.

** Gets even more obvious, when you realize that the AnimationLeadTime is one year!

* In [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E10RainbowFalls "Rainbow Falls"]], [[{{Franchise/Rocky}} Mickey Goldmill]] trains the Wonderbolts.

** Doctor Hooves gets a big role (see below); though the writers wrote him with a bit of [[Film/BackToTheFuture Dr. Emmett Brown]] in mind, [[WordOfGod Peter New confirmed]] his portrayal was based on Creator/DavidTennant, with a touch of Creator/ChristopherEccleston (specifically, "EverybodyLives!") at the end (the Doctor's even sitting next to Roseluck for that line). '''Keep for all of these, the references are all obvious.'''

* The opening of "The Best Night Ever" has Twilight channeling [[Literature/{{Cinderella}} the Fairy Godmother]] by making a carriage out of an apple and horses out of mice, even adding the stipulation that they'll revert by midnight. The ending also includes a bit about one of Rarity's [[TheGirlWhoFitsThisSlipper glass slippers]]. Of course, [[spoiler:after seeing how much of a douche her dream prince actually is, she [[DefiedTrope destroys the slipper]], not wanting him to find her.]] '''Keep.'''

*** You might as well add in [[Anime/DragonBallZ Cell]] too. '''FanMyopia.'''

** The battle with the bugbear on the town hall building is a ''Film/{{King Kong|1933}}'' reference.
** The episode is also a perfect storm of Internet and fandom memes. '''Not sure if these should be cut, they're more of an AscendedMeme than anything. Can an example be both?'''
*** The opening scene references Ditzy Doo/Derpy Hooves' fandom TrademarkFavoriteFood, muffins.
*** Both the fan-favorite pairings, Vinyl Scratch and Octavia Melody, Bon Bon/Sweetie Drops and Lyra Heartstrings, are made canon.
*** Vinyl Scratch's mobile DJ station can be clearly seen jumping over a stuffed-toy shark while racing to town hall.
*** The Twilicane also makes a very prominent appearance in the racing to town hall scene.
*** [[WordOfGod Word Of Larson]] is that Hasbro staff insisted that the bugbear monster had to be a panda; most likely referencing the "They're throwing ''PANDAS'' at us!" line from Saberspark's parody video "Leaving the Fandom".
*** An interaction between Sweetie Drops and Lyra Heartstrings in the wedding scene references the infamous "Ponies With Hats" video.
*** Steven Magnet's name is made canon.

*** She shows up again in "The Cutie Re-Mark Part 1", sitting next to Starlight Glimmer and above Moondancer while Twilight is giving her speech.

** What makes Trixie's triumphant confession seem like a sore betrayal for Starlight is that Trixie like Starlight said the phrase: "...just a bonus." Trixie said it in reference to to testing Starlights and Twilight's relationship, but the utterance of "just a bonus," was probably a reverberating humiliation and unintentional guilt trip for Starlight who had earlier referred to her vendetta against Twilight as "just a bonus," while speaking to Twilight and Spike in "The Cutie Re-Mark." Furthermore Twilight was present at both times the phrase was uttered and thus Starlight's shame can be more understood. '''This is a CallBack, not a Shout-Out. Cut.'''

** Starlight and Trixie face similar predicaments to Sunset Shimmer's from the "Rainbow Rocks" spinoff.

** The Spirit of Hearth's Warming Present's song is a musical shoutout to jazzy brass songs with a tap-dance interlude included.

** Quibble Pants is voiced by Patton Oswalt, known for his role as Remy, the protagonist of "Ratatouille" and his narration on episodes of "The Goldbergs." '''This is just listing a guest star and the other roles they've played, not pointing out any specific references. Easy cut.'''

** 'Ogres and Oubliettes' is the second nuance this episode presents to "Dungeons and Dragons." A third is that Oubliette is another name for dungeon in French: coming from the verb 'oublier' meaning 'to forget.'

** Twilight's racing number for the Running of the Leaves is [[Franchise/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy 42]].

** Spike exclaims "Hi-ho, Trilight, away!" This is clear reference to the Lone Ranger's "Hi-ho, Silver, away!" shouted at the starts and conclusions of many episodes of "The Lone Ranger" television series with the William Tell Ouverture playing in the background. '''Keep, but needs a rewrite in terms of poor grammar.'''

* The scene in "Baby Cakes" where Pinkie suddenly sees Pound Cake walking along the ceiling may be a nod to, of all things, the film version of ''Literature/{{Trainspotting}}''.

** Also, a bath toy that appears in the episode looks like WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants.

* When [[spoiler:impostor]] Cadance is singing her half of the duet, we see the chandelier in her chamber--straight out of the VideoGame/{{Myst}} library

** The Mayor being stuck in a cage in the center of the town surrounded by evil brings [[VideoGame/{{Diablo}} Deckard Cain]] to the minds of many viewers.

*** [[Franchise/StarWars Discord holds up the glass in a triumphant fashion in space, while Twilight and Cadance look on]].
*** [[Film/{{Flashdance}} Discord pouring water on himself]].

** Discord at one point dresses like the Creator/HunterSThompson-inspired character Raoul Duke played by Johnny Depp in ''Literature/FearAndLoathingInLasVegas'', down to the shirt, glasses, and hat. (This being a kid's show, the cigarette is replaced by a lollipop.)

** One of the mannequins (ponnequins?) in front of the obstacle course has [[Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration Geordi LaForge's visor]] on it.

* In "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E21LeapOfFaith Leap of Faith]]", Silver Shill resembles [[Film/BackToTheFuture George McFly]].

* Fluttershy's Cutie Mark resembles the shirt Hannah, Sid's sister, wore in the original ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory''. The only major difference seems to be they have blue instead of purple on them.

* The "Welcome Princess Celest" banner in "Swarm of the Century" is [[https://twitter.com/M_A_Larson/status/257018107003031552 a]] [[https://twitter.com/M_A_Larson/status/257136540210315264 reference]] to ''Film/TheCommitments''. '''Keep, though Larson's tweet is long-deleted (maybe there's an archived screenshot somewhere? Couldn't find it on the Wayback Machine)

* "Return of Harmony, Part 2" ends with an [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4wh4FnwiAg almost shot-for-shot]] homage to the ending of ''Film/StarWarsANewHope'', complete with a SuspiciouslySimilarSong version of the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5N6_NWtVxY Throne Room]] [[Administrivia/TropesAreTools music]].
** The same episode features a musical homage to Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack: Compare [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFp3E_Nz1iY&t=16m57s this]] to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaVz5djS26c&t=5m23s this]].

** The eye-shaped Nightmare Night decorations (such as [[http://www.hasbro.com/common/assets/Flash/Creative/dad2af6e1c4311ddbd0b0800200c9a66/0f6b55af5056900b1013cd724a8d4018/assets/props/MLP_PropH_SauronBalloon.swf this balloon]]) are based on the [[Film/TheLordOfTheRings Eye of Sauron.]] The filename even contains the phrase "[=SauronBalloon=]."

*** Twilight's costume also resembles the Sorcerer in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XChxLGnIwCU "The Sorcerer's Apprentice".]] Apparently, someone at Studio B likes ''Fantasia''.
** Nearly the end of the episode, Luna comes out of a cauldron filled with green goo. Does this remind you of [[WesternAnimation/TheNightmareBeforeChristmas anything?]] '''Definitely needs to be reworded to remove the rhetorical question.'''

** Two of them were later named in a licensed mobile game by Gameloft: [[AscendedFanon Jeff "The Dude" Letrotski and Jesús Pezuña]]. The pony resembling Walter was added to the same game for a winter update, but he was called simply "Bowling Pony". '''Not sure on this, it might need to be moved to the mobile game's Shout-Out page.

** The musical number is [[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=83445&view=findpost&p=1953006 inspired]] [[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=83445&view=findpost&p=1953008 by]] the ''Film/DoctorDolittle'' song [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10AMqdJUcFY "Fabulous Places"]].

* At one point in "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E14TheLastRoundup The Last Roundup]]", the chocolate line scene from ''Series/ILoveLucy'' gets [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFj9Cxt4oD8 the pony treatment]], only with cherries.
** Rainbow Dash asks if Applejack met [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Bill_Hickok Wild Bull Hickok]] and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calamity_Jane Calamity Mane]] while competing at the rodeo.

** Several lines/characters in Dodge City bring to mind ''Series/{{Gunsmoke}}''.
** The plot is subtlety similar to 'The Guitar Player Returns,' from "The Andy Griffith Show," in that Applejack and James Best's character both have a sobering secret as to why the former cannot return home and for the latter to pay the debts he accrued while acting like a music titan in the town where he began small.

** The episode title itself is a reference to ''Series/{{Friends}}'' and its IdiosyncraticEpisodeNaming.

** Twilight's training with Zecora in "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS3E5MagicDuel Magic Duel]]" shares some similarities with the one [[Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack Luke]] once went through, taking place in the [[TheLostWoods local lost woods of sorts]], having a mentor who puts a lot of emphasis on concentration and likes to [[RhymesOnADime talk funny]], down to the training itself involving levitating objects while standing on water - and failing due to similar distractions. Not to mention that Trixie's dark cloak and red magic aura make her look very much like a Sith Lord.