Line #89 WesternAnimation/BuddyThunderstruck


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/maxresdefault_1_850x478.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:From left to right: [[TheRival Tex Jr.]], [[CloudCuckoolandersMinder Darnell]], [[TheAce Buddy]], [[OnlySaneWoman Muncie]], [[TheSheriff Cannonball]]]]
3
4	''Buddy Thunderstruck'' is a stop-motion comedy series created by Ryan Wiesbrock as a {{Creator/Netflix}} original series, produced by Creator/StoopidBuddyStudios[[note]](Who are more famously known as the studio behind ''WesternAnimation/RobotChicken''.)[[/note]] and released in March 10, 2017.
5
6	[[ProtagonistTitle The title character, Buddy Thunderstruck,]] is an egotistical canine semi-truck racer. His best friend Darnell, a white ferret/stoat, serves as his mechanic, accomplice, and voice of reason (usually). The two spend their days alternately tormenting and being admired by the citizens of the small town of Greasepit, who don't seem to have anything more interesting to do, and of course, winning every race.
7
8	A special {{Gamebook\|s}} episode was released on July 14, ''The Maybe Pile''. Only one season was made and it's unknown if the series will continue.
9	----
10	!!This show provides examples of:
11	* TheAce: Buddy Thunderstruck, without fail, wins every race he's in, even though most of the time he is barely paying attention and spends the race talking about random things with Darnell.
12	* AchievementsInIgnorance: A lot of these are present in the series, specifically by Buddy's hand. The aforementioned constant victories are thusly half skill, and half dumb luck. He also managed to ''somehow'' construct a fully working arm cannon out of parts from the Rabble Rouser despite having absolutely no skill in mechanics.
13	--> '''Buddy''': I kinda wanna get back to fightin', because it took a lot of effort to make this. Mechanics are not my strong house and I am rather impressed with the results.
14	* AmbiguouslyAbsentParents: It's unknown where Buddy's parents are or why he lives on Auntie Uncle's place.
15	* ArbitraryHeadcountLimit: It's a local law that races can only have 6 racers.
16	* BackseatDriver: Buddy's Auntie Uncle is a pretty severe one, to the point where it's the one thing that can cancel out Buddy's natural skill and make him drive poorly.
17	-->'''Auntie Uncle''': Change lanes! Put on disco music! Slow down! This street has too many ugly people!\
18	'''Buddy''': There's no one on this street!
19	%%* BadassBiker: Artichoke.
20	* TheBigRace: Although not all of the episodes revolve around or even mention racing, Buddy's still seen crossing the finish line in many.
21	* BlackBeadEyes: Every single character due to the art style.
22	* BritishBrevity: US example. Only a twelve episode season of TwoShorts has been made to date.
23	* BullyingADragon: Moneybags constantly pokes and angers Tex Jr., with predictable results.
24	* CatchPhrase:
25	** "KABOOM!"
26	** "[[SharePhrase Fartnugget!]]"
27	** Junior's is "Yo Yo Yo!" or some variant thereof.
28	** "[[LetsGetDangerous Blame it on the Thunder!]]"
29	* CloudCuckoolander: The entire town of Greasepit is full of these with the exception of [[WomenAreWiser Muncie]]. Yes, even [[NotSoAboveItAll Darnell]] qualifies. Mr. Weaselbrat is probably the most notorious example, though.
30	* CoolCar: Buddy's truck, The Rabble Rouser, which has rocket propulsion.
31	* CuteLittleFangs: Buddy has fangs that stick out of the bottom-right of his mouth.
32	* TheCutie: Deputy Sheriff Hoisenberry, who doesn't look like he could actually apprehend a hardened criminal to save his life. His favorite drink seems to be grape juice boxes.
33	* TheDitz: Buddy doesn't think very many things through.
34	* DontTryThisAtHome: Parodied.
35	-->'''Buddy:''' And remember, kids, do not attempt this stunt at home! Because I will sue you for stealing my intellectual property.
36	* DrivesLikeCrazy: Buddy is an extremely talented figure 8 racer, but he has no off switch; he drives like he's in a race ''all the time''.
37	* EveryoneHasStandards: Buddy loves racing more than anything but he refuses to race just to satisfy Belvedere Moneybags' ego.
38	* EvilBrit: Moneybags has a British accent and tries to sabotage Buddy's career and title as the fastest racer.
39	* {{Expy}}: Artichoke acts and talks like a combination of [[WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons Snake and Nelson Muntz.]]
40	* TheFaceless: Every race consists of the same 6 racers, but all of the drama centers around Buddy and Tex Jr. Of the remaining racers, only Flossy Trophydash's identity is known; the other three regular racers are never talked about, nor can their faces be seen through their muddy windows/helmets.
41	* AFoolAndHisNewMoneyAreSoonParted: Buddy gives all of his weekly race winnings to his Auntie Uncle to keep Thunderstruck Trucking in business, but even that cash flow can't stop her from occasionally running out before the week is over.
42	-->'''Auntie Uncle:''' I pawned everything we own over at the Gold Brick Pawn Shop to keep the business afloat!\
43	'''Buddy:''' What happened to all the race money I ''just'' gave you?
44	* FrothyMugsOfWater: The Concho Bolo is not a bar, despite looking exactly like one.
45	* FullyDressedCartoonAnimal: The majority of the cast of characters in this series.
46	* GirlScoutsAreEvil: The Cootie Scout relentlessly pushes cookies on Buddy and Darnell, and when they try to call the police on her, she just beats them up instead.
47	* GoshDarnItToHeck: If you think about what a "fartnugget" actually is, you can guess [[RoadApples what that word is trying to say]].
48	* HeroicBSOD: Implied to be the reason [[spoiler:Handsome Joe went insane following the (apparent) death of his friend]].
49	%%* HeterosexualLifePartners: Buddy and Darnell.
50	%%* IfItTastesBadItMustBeGoodForYou: Fiber Foam Veggie Poofs.
51	* InherentlyFunnyWords: Fartnugget!
52	* ItsAllAboutMe: Buddy embodies this trope. He occasionally learns to consider the effects of his actions on others, but always forgets by the next episode.
53	* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Buddy may seem vain and arrogant, but he actually does care about others and does what he can to help them out.
54	* JiveTurkey: Tex Jr. speaks in urban slang like "Yo yo yo!" and "That was off the chain!"
55	* LampshadeHanging: The show does a ton, such as Moneybags routinely referred to as "the creepy guy" before being properly introduced.
56	* LetsGetDangerous: "Blame it on the thunder!" generally marks the point at which Buddy starts taking a race seriously, leading to his victory almost immediately afterward no matter how far behind he was at the time.
57	* LoonyFan:
58	** Buddy has a lot of fans, but Mr. Weaselbrat is a little more crazy about him than most, fanboying at every opportunity and willingly becoming the ButtMonkey of Buddy's antics. At one point it's implied he has a pair of Buddy's dirty underwear -- framed -- but that may have just been an ImagineSpot.
59	** His wife seems to be almost as crazy, if her matching Buddy-themed car and T-shirt are any indication.
60	* MeaningfulName:
61	** The Gold Brick Pawn Shop's lack of credibility should be no surprise, since "goldbrick" is an old-fashioned term for a cheat or a swindler.
62	** FreezeFrameBonus shows that [[NewJobAsThePlotDemands Jacko's]] full name is Jacko Valltrades.
63	* TheMentallyDisturbed: Handsome Joe, [[spoiler:though he seems quite coherent after getting a translator device]].
64	* MirrorCharacter: "Babysitters, Yo!" has Buddy and Darnell looking after/baby sitting Tex Jr. and while the two of them attempt to make fun of Tex Jr. for being inept and incapable of living on his own, it becomes clear that Buddy himself is exactly as inept.
65	* MissingMom: Tex Jr.'s mom is never seen or mentioned.
66	* NewJobAsThePlotDemands: Jackalope Jacko is seen performing many different jobs. He's been a Buddy Impersonator, a TV Show Host, a Judge, president of a recording label, and even a Doctor.
67	-->'''Darnell''': Hey Jacko, you're sometimes Dr. Jacko, right?\
68	'''Jacko''': Uh... why, yes I am.
69	* NitroBoost: With the push of a button (and generally a "Blame it on the thunder!!"), the Rabble Rouser's coupling can convert into a rocket booster.
70	* NoHuggingNoKissing: Most likely because the only girl in Greasepit that's the same age as Buddy is his cousin.
71	* NutritionalNightmare: Fire Gut Jerky Sticks.
72	* OlderThanTheyLook: WordOfGod [[https://twitter.com/superpunchy/status/845266554619121664 confirms]] that despite appearing incredibly child-like, Deputy Hoisenberry is in fact an adult.
73	* PaperThinDisguise: Racer #85, Flossy Trophydash, is clearly Buddy's cousin Muncie Thunderstruck. The only thing she does is wear a face concealing helmet. She doesn't even bother to drive a different truck.
74	-->'''Darnell:''' Your cousin's truck looks familiar...\
75	'''Buddy:''' Like we just saw it somewhere. Oh well, who cares?
76	* ThePiratesWhoDontDoAnything: Other than the first episode where Buddy and Darnell deliver a box of baby-sized adult diapers, the only revenue Thunderstruck Trucking seems to have is Buddy's racing earnings; no one is ever seen doing any actual trucking for the company.
77	* PsychicLink: Buddy and Darnell seem to be psychically connected to each other.
78	-->'''Buddy:''' ''Is Muncie right? Am I doin' wrong? Have I become a bad person?''\
79	'''Darnell:''' ''Don't be too hard on yourself, Buddy!''\
80	'''Buddy:''' ''Darnell? Is this some kind of mental telepathy thing? Cool! Hey, what number am I thinking?''\
81	'''Darnell:''' ''76.''\
82	'''Buddy:''' ''Woah.''
83	* RascallyRaccoon: Robby Burgles lives up to his name by teaching Buddy and Darnell that repossession, normally Robby's job, involves lying, threatening, and stealing... though he had to re-name them "fairy tales", "predict the future", and "do not disturb".
84	* RidiculouslyCuteCritter:
85	** Deputy Hoisenberry is a little child-like deer who tries his best to uphold the law while having an innocent demeanor.
86	** Darnell is a little white ferret mechanic with a slick pompadour.
87	* RingAroundTheCollar: All characters either have no neck, or wear turtleneck sweaters to hide the seam on the puppets dividing their head from the rest of their bodies.
88	* SavingTheOrphanage: It seem Buddy is in a perpetual state of racing to save his family business, Thunderstruck Trucking.
89	-->'''Buddy''': Here you go, Auntie Uncle, that will keep Thunderstruck Trucking open for another few weeks, so don't go wasting all that money!\
90	'''Auntie Uncle''': Of course I won't waste it! Hey everyone, party's on me!\
91	'''Buddy''': ''(To Darnell)'' Don't matter, once I win next week's prize money, she'll be just fine.
92	* TheSheriff: Sheriff Cannonball, with a dose of BadCopIncompetentCop.
93	* ScoutOut: The Cootie Scouts (see GirlScoutsAreEvil above).
94	* ShoutOut: ''WesternAnimation/CareBears1980s'' (also owned by what is now Cloudco Entertainment[[note]]which was American Greetings Entertainment at the time[[/note]]) is seen on TV at points.
95	* ShortDistancePhoneCall: Darnell steps out of the Rabble Rouser during a race to repair a broken wheel and Buddyimmediately calls him to have a discussion on worms vs beetles.
96	* StuffBlowingUp: In an interesting variant, as the show is stop-motion and the characters look to be made largely of felt, most of the explosions and smoke are rendered with loose cotton batting.
97	-->'''Buddy:''' ''(Regarding a gas pump they just drove into)'' Huh, in the movies that would have blowed up in gratuitous fashion.\
98	''(Beat, the gas station blows up in gratuitous fashion)''\
99	'''Buddy:''' There it is!
100	* TinyGuyHugeGirl: Mr. Weaselbrat is a head or two shorter than his wife, and much thinner.
101	* ToiletHumor: In just about every episode.
102	* TrademarkFavoriteFood: Buddy and Darnell really like hot wings. And Truck Stop Snacks.
103	* TwoShorts: Except for the season 1 finale, which is a QuarterHourShort.
104	* WellDoneSonGuy: Tex Jr. is constantly trying to make his father proud of him.
105	* WrenchWench: Muncie is a skilled truck driver and racer just like her cousin Buddy.
106	* WorldOfFunnyAnimals: Everyone is an anthropomorphic animal.
107	----
108	!!Episodes of this series provide examples of:
109	* BrickJoke: In "Get the Hock Out", Big Tex employs Buddy and Darnell because Robby, his usual repossessor, ate super-hot wings and needed to be within 10 feet of a bathroom. Once Robby went to the bathroom, Big Tex screams "Turn the fan on... and the radio!" After Robby finishes teaching Buddy and Darnell how he reposseses, he gets a GrowlingGut. Robby excuses himself before running to the bathroom then turning on the fan and the radio.
110	* CellPhonesAreUseless: Parodied in "Truck Cab in the Woods". Buddy immediately assumes help will come without having to call for it. By the time they decide they should call for help, the batteries in the phone are dead from Darrell using it to watch cat videos to pass the time.
111	* ElectionDayEpisode: Buddy runs for mayor against ManOfWealthAndTaste Belvedere Moneybags. Moneybags gets only one vote, but wins on a technicality. It's all part of an elaborate (but very much up-front) scheme to get Buddy to race him.
112	* GrowlingGut: [[JustifiedTrope Justified:]] ever since Robby ate super-hot wings, he got some intestinal trouble.
113	* HardboiledDetective: Darnell turns into one for an episode.
114	* LeaningOnTheFourthWall: Combined with SceneryCensor, Darnell [[ShameIfSomethingHappened "predicts the future"]] about someone possibly peeing on a fountain. He cannot do so because he cannot go with people washing. The camera pans to Buddy talking with Mama Possum, the owner of the fountain, when suddenly Darnell says, off-screen, "Whoo! There it goes!" In other words, Darnell could not go withanyone, including the ''audience'', watching.
115	* MandatoryUnretirement: Sheriff Cannonball tries his darndest to quit his job in one episode. Even Buddy and Darnell want him back.
116	* NewJobEpisode: "Thunderstruck Rad Cab" has the race track closed for paving forcing Buddy to come up with another way to make money, settling on running a Taxi service.
117	* RidiculousRepossession: Big Tex employs Robby, then Buddy and Darnell, in repossesing some ''fancy'' stuff that others had bought with money that Tex Sr. loaned them. Two of them was a ''hot tub'' and a ''blender''.
118	* ToiletHumor: Two in "Get The Hock Out":
119	** Robby Burgles ate super-hot wings and cannot be more than 10 feet from a bathroom. Every time he goes, he has to turn on the fan and radio.
120	** Darnell warns others that someone may pee on the objects that need to be repossessed.
121	* VisualPun: In the first episode, Buddy and Darnell escape from prison by challenging the cops to a dance-off. After some hip-hop moves, they literally waltz out the door.
122	* AWinnerIsYou: The extremely bad Crash Master 3000 game naturally has one of these; upon beating the game a simple fanfare and a "Good Job" message is displayed, and while this then causes the arcade cabinet to open an impenetrable vault containing a trophy, Buddy finds the small hand-sized trophy equally underwhelming.
123	* WhatTheFuAreYouDoing: In Thunder Fu Buddy and Darnell start a Kung Fu Dojo and have no idea what their are doing.
124	* WorstAid: In "Truck Stop Clerks", Robby tries to take advantage of Buddy running the truck stop to stage an injury, but Buddy is having none of that and claims he can fix a broken back with the Heimlich, after which he then proceeds to administer CPR instead.
125	----
126	!!''The Maybe Pile'' provides examples of:
127	* BreakingTheFourthWall: While the story doesn't address you directly for the most part, Buddy makes an exception for the first decision point in the story, where he will give you a second chance when time runs out to make sure you understand how to play. After that the decisions will make themselves.
128	-->'''Buddy''': ''(ScreenTap)'' Hey there! Did you forget that you control what happens? So get your fingers ready and tap left or right!
129	* CallBack: The entire concept of Buddy and Darnell having a Maybe Pile of ideas is alluded to in a throwaway line in the first episode. In addition, the Pyrotechnics ending has Buddy remark "Ka-Boom! Literally!" to which Darnell remarks he's already used that joke (In "Truck Stop Clerks").
130	* IgnoredEpiphany: The "Yes" ending has Artichoke assert that the entire process of playing with the Maybe Pile as a whole maybe have been the awesome idea they were looking for. Buddy and Darnell claim to be enlightened by this idea, only to immediately disregard it and Artichoke as stupid.
131	-->'''Artichoke''': I am right here!\
132	'''Buddy''': And we should have whispered.
133	* LastSecondEndingChoice: The ending you get is determined entirely by the last two choices in the story.
134	* LeaningOnTheFourthWall: For the most part, your role in the story is not acknowledged, however when the time to choose is just about to run out, Buddy will remark to Darnell "You thinking what I'm thinking?" while looking directly at the camera.
135	* MultipleEndings: There are four different endings to the story. The non-interactive version goes with the "Yes" ending.
136	* ResetButton: The "No" ending has Buddy and Darnell go through the entire Maybe Pile without finding their awesome idea, leading them to believe that they might find it if they go through it again. The decide to refill the Maybe Pile and pretend the whole thing never happened. [[PaintingTheMedium This results in the episode literally restarting from the beginning]].
137	* WrongGenreSavvy: Buddy and Darnell try to get super powers by going to the dump and finding some radioactive waste to consume. This only ends up making them extremely sick.

Context WesternAnimation / BuddyThunderstruck