History Main / BestFriendManual

* Frequently used in ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'' regarding Sheldon - most often to [[FishOutOfWater Penny]], but sometimes from Leonard to the other guys who aren't quite so used to him (as evidenced by the page quote). Justified in this case as Sheldon really did come with a manual, in the form of The Roommate Agreement which Leonard had to sign. It's full of various rules for their interactions, most of which let Leonard know not to do X thing that will annoy Sheldon sufficiently to make him unbearable.

* ''Series/{{Scrubs}}'': Not just with the main HeterosexualLifePartners JD and Turk, but other characters either start out close enough for this, or develop it as the series progresses.

->'''Howard:''' [to Penny] Try telling him it's a non-optional social convention.

->'''Penny:''' [to Sheldon] It's a non-optional social convention.

---> '''Leonard:''' ''(in regards to Sheldon's latest freak out)'' Aren't you going to ask?\\

* ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'': Kaldur explains Wally's disbelief in magic to the rest of TheTeam. Kaldur is himself a practitioner, and he and Wally have known each other for years.

Its three strengths are that it establishes a meaningful relationship between the Manual and the... "Blinking VCR character"; it provides characterization for the VCR; and most importantly, it skips over the messy "coming to an understanding" process that would otherwise require awkward frustrated encounters and use up the time slot.

* ''Series/TheOffice'': As the Dunder-Mifflin crew become more chummy, the more socially adept characters like Jim and Pam help the more socially inept characters like Michael, Dwight, or Andy deal with stuff like heartbreak, bad relations, or PR disasters.

* While their suggestions never come to pass, Lancer's two dads in Chapter 2 of ''VideoGame/{{Deltarune}}'' both show [[AwwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther how much they care for Lancer]] by giving another character advice on how to deal with them. The first time, [[IneffectualSympatheticVillain Rouxls Kaard]] is told that Lancer is unwell, and immediately suggests burping him and giving him ginger ale. The second time, the [[EvilOverlord King]] suggests that if he ever cries, to bounce him up and down like a basketball; apparently, he likes it.

-->'''Dr. Chase''': Do you have to do that?\\

---> '''Leonard:''' *''(in regards to Sheldon's latest freak out)'' Aren't you going to ask?\\

* Alex Eames is this for her police partner, Robert Goren, in ''Series/LawAndOrderCriminalIntent.'' She's the only person, possibly in his entire life, who cares for and understands him enough to really understand how he ticks.
* Saturday Night Live has a skit with Reese Witherspoon and Leslie Jones. Reese Witherspoon helps Leslie Jones get through tough situations as a helpful white friend and vice versa.

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** House, being a character inspired by Franchise/SherlockHolmes (with his manipulative tendencies dialed way past eleven) owns a manual for every major character, patient of the week, clinic patient, and passer-by on the show.

* Dr. Watson, in his own way, is this for SherlockHolmes, which makes this OlderThanRadio. He doesn't necessarily help other ''characters'' understand the Great Detective better, but he does help the ''readers'' understand him better.

---> '''Leonard:''' *In regards to Sheldon's latest freak out* Aren't you going to ask?\\

The Manual, usually a friend, ex-lover or family member, has already leveled up in the area of understanding that particular model of VCR. They're ready to shepherd the n00b around the traps and over-reactions into greener pastures with a simple and unintuitive insight. Compare CloudcuckoolandersMinder.

[[AC:{{Anime}} and {{Manga}}]]

[[AC:{{Film}}]]

[[AC:{{Literature}}]]

[[AC:LiveActionTV]]

[[AC:WesternAnimation]]

'''Hiei:''' Friends are a crutch for the weak. I only saved you because I might need you later.\\\

* ''Film/HowToLoseAGuyIn10Days'' has the mother let slip that Andie is the first girl Ben ever brought home. It's not exactly advice, but it's a "heads up" insight that let her see the context.

* Frequently used in ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'' regarding Sheldon - most often to [[FishOutOfWater Penny]], but sometimes from Leonard to the other guys who aren't quite so used to him (as evidenced by the page quote). Justified in this case as Sheldon really did come with a manual the form of The Roommate Agreement which Leonard had to sign. It's full of various rules for their interactions. Most of which are rules that let Leonard know not to do X thing that will annoy Sheldon sufficiently to make him unbearable.

** {{Averted}} in later season as Penny's finally gotten smart enough to just roll with Sheldon's quirks and not ask why.

'''Penny:''' What is this [[LampshadeHanging my first day]]?

* ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'': Kaldur explains Wally's disbelief in magic to the rest of TheTeam. Kaldur is himself a practitioner, and he and Wally have known each other for years.

** {{Averted}} in later season as Penny's finally gotten GenreSavvy enough to just roll with Sheldon's quirks and not ask why.

* ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'': Kaldur explains Wally's disbelief in magic to the rest of TheTeam. Kaldur is himself a practitioner, and he and Wally have known each other for years.

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-->--''TheBigBangTheory''

* ''GakuenHeaven'' sets characters up in neat pairs, so you don't have to reach far for the Manual. Omi/Saionji, King/Hideaki...
* ''YuYuHakusho'': Kurama/Hiei after the gate of betrayal, to bystander Yuusuke.
-->'''Yuusuke:''' You're a hell of an actor. Not everyone can pretend to laugh at their dying friends.
-->'''Hiei:''' Friends are a crutch for the weak. I only saved you because I might need you later.
-->'''Kurama:''' That's his way of saying 'You're welcome'. You will learn.
* ''Film/HowToLoseAGuyIn10Days'' has the mother let slip that Andie is the first girl Ben ever brought home. It's not exactly advice, but it's a "heads up" insight that let her see the context.
* The ''Takumi-kun'' series has Akaike show up and dispense advice concerning Gii for [[ShrinkingViolet Takumi]].

--> '''Leonard:''' *In regards to Sheldon's latest freak out* Aren't you going to ask?
--> '''Penny:''' What is this [[LampshadeHanging my first day]]?

* ''Literature/KillTimeOrDieTrying''
** James acts as this for Dylan, and there is also a real manual which is circulated by email amongst new Warplings.
-->'''James:''' You don't just wake him up! There's a procedure.
** This trope is also lampshaded for Nathan.
-->'''Brad:''' Isn't there a manual for him?\\
'''James:''' It's in Chinese. Hence Chan.
* ''Literature/JourneyToChaos'': Eric spends the early parts of ''Literature/AMagesPower'' studying his teammates' manuals because he likes puzzles. Thus, by the end of the adventure he's able to translate for others. For instance, when Tiza says, "You better do a good job healing (the patient) because I'm gonna beat them up later" what she ''really'' means to say is "I want (the patient) to be at full strength when I challenge them to an honorable duel".
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* ''HowToLoseAGuyIn10Days'' has the mother let slip that Andie is the first girl Ben ever brought home. It's not exactly advice, but it's a "heads up" insight that let her see the context.

* Frequently used in ''TheBigBangTheory'' regarding Sheldon - most often to [[FishOutOfWater Penny]], but sometimes from Leonard to the other guys who aren't quite so used to him (as evidenced by the page quote). Justified in this case as Sheldon really did come with a manual the form of The Roommate Agreement which Leonard had to sign. It's full of various rules for their interactions. Most of which are rules that let Leonard know not to do X thing that will annoy Sheldon sufficiently to make him unbearable.

* {{Scrubs}}: Not just with the main HeterosexualLifePartners JD and Turk, but other characters either start out close enough for this, or develop it as the series progresses.

Plots would move more efficiently if difficult people had manuals. Convenient humanoid manuals, like best friends who know all the intricacies of their personality and are looking to clear the conflict up for the sake of their friend.

* ''{{Bones}}'':

* Much of the dialog in ''Series/{{House}}'' is devoted to troubleshooting. They're not really manuals when throwing out conjectures, but House's ex-girlfriend and Wilson, and later his former team, have enough experience to strip him down sometimes.

** {{Averted}} in the most recent season as Penny's finally gotten GenreSavvy enough to just roll with Sheldon's quirks and not ask why.

* In many ways, this is at the heart of {{Scrubs}}. Not just with the main HeterosexualLifePartners JD and Turk, but other characters either start out close enough for this, or develop it as the series progresses.
* Kaldur in ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'' explain Wally's disbelief in magic to the rest of TheTeam. Kaldur is himself a practitioner, and he and Wally have known each other for years.

** {{Averted}} in the most recent season as Penny's finally gotten GenreSavy enough to just roll with Sheldon's quirks and not ask why.

---> '''Penny:''' What is this [[LampshadeHanging my first day]]?