History Main / GoldenMoment

A staple of the American family-oriented SitCom, the Golden Moment usually occurs in the last few minutes of the episode, when AnAesop is delivered. After 20+ minutes of hijinks and confusion, Dad sits down with Junior for the following exchange:

->'''Junior:''' I guess I screwed up, didn't I?
->'''Dad:''' Hmm. I guess so.
->'''Junior:''' None of this would have happened if I hadn't been trying to impress people. I just wanted so much for them to like me.
->'''Dad:''' Son, anybody who doesn't like you for who you are isn't worth trying to impress.
->'''Junior:''' Gee, you're right dad. From now on I'll just [[BeYourself be myself]].
->'''Dad:''' I'm [[SoProudOfYou proud of you]], son.

They hug and the [[StudioAudience audience]] goes, "AWWWWWWWWW." The lesson has been taught. [[SentimentalMusicCue Sentimental Music Cues]].

Typically, the writers will then try to reduce the {{Glurge}} by adding a [[HilarityEnsues joke]], such as having Junior say, "Dad, [[NoodleImplements how do I get baked beans out of my pants?]]" to [[LaughTrack gales of laughter]] [[EverybodyLaughsEnding from both sides of the Fourth Wall]].

DeadHorseTrope to the fullest, although it's starting to resurface in newer forms of media.
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!!Examples:

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
* A fresh twist on the Trope occurs every now and again in ''Manga/AhMyGoddess'' (which has ''very'' apparent [[FantasticComedy Supernatural]] DomCom elements to it, despite being a BishoujoSeries). Every time [[MagicalGirlfriend wish-granting goddess Belldandy]] feels like less of a deity because she behaved jealous or stubborn over [[NiceGuy Keiichi]] (her sort-of boyfriend), he's been there to try to cheer Belldandy up, explaining that it's part of a relationship.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Live Action TV]]
* Occurs with [[OnceAnEpisode disturbing frequency]] on ''Series/{{Scrubs}}''. Generally occurs in the form of a voice over of JD's [[InnerMonologue thoughts]] pertaining to the week's episode. Often comes with some [[FullHouseMusic cheesy music]] too.
** Also [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] in one episode where JD is putting his InnerMonologue down in his diary and leaves. A few seconds later, the [[AlmightyJanitor Janitor]] breaks into his locker to read the diary and mocks it.
* Surprisingly, ''Series/TheOddCouple1970'' was often guilty of this. Many episodes, especially early ones, would end with Oscar and Felix each admitting that the problem was the result of their respective sloppiness and pickiness, and reaffirming the importance of their friendship.
** [[StatusQuoIsGod It never really lasted, though.]]
* Pick an episode, any episode of ''Series/FullHouse''.
* ''Series/LeaveItToBeaver'': The series did this often at episode conclusions, complete with Ward providing AnAesop to either or both of Wally and Beaver (always featuring pensive underscore music), and a promise from the child to do better. On occasion, a lighthearted bit would follow.
* Subverted and played for laughs in an episode of ''Series/{{Eureka}}'', wherein Carter and his daughter have a moment, complete with sappy music...at which point they demand to know where the music is coming from, and then leave when the AI controlling the house [[SorryILeftTheBGMOn owns up]].
* ''Series/TheFactsOfLife'' owned this trope, playing it so straight they frequently didn't even bother with the lighten-up gag. Or if they did, it came through brave tears.
* Lampshaded in ''Series/ArrestedDevelopment'': Michael and George Michael, his son, are making snacks and discussing their plot of that episode. George Michael remarks that he doesn't need his dad to stay out of his life, he's the biggest part of his life. Michael states, referring to the snack they are making, "That's a little cornball, son."
* ''Series/{{Seinfeld}}'' is a vengeful aversion: No hugging, no learning.
* ''Series/FamilyMatters'' had this quite frequently, complete with FullHouseMusic.
* ''Series/HappyDays'' has an episode in season one where, after going through gang initiation which involved pulling pranks on a policeman, stealing their principal's toupe, and going to a sockhop in dresses, Potsie and Richie realize that Mr. Cunningham was right--they didn't even like the guys they were trying to impress and should have just been themselves all along. Mr. C then comes in and has a little chat with Richie which ends on a corny joke.
* Averted in the very first episode of ''Series/TheCosbyShow'', when Cliff is trying to get to the bottom of Theo's terrible grades and Theo makes a heartfelt plea for understanding, pointing out that while Cliff and Claire are, respectively, a doctor and a lawyer, Theo doesn't love them more or less because of that, and maybe his parents should accept the fact that Theo is just 'a regular person' and love him anyway. As the studio audience begins to 'awww...' Cliff reacts silently for a second, then yells, "That's the dumbest thing I ever heard!" and proceeds to tear Theo a new one for not even trying.
* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer''. Fellow vampire slayer Kendra delivers the Aesop of the TwoPartEpisode "What's My Line?", that being a Slayer isn't a job, it's what Buffy is. Buffy then goes to hug her...
-->'''[[TheSpock Kendra]]:''' I don't hug.\\
'''Buffy:''' Right. No. Good. Hate hugs.
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[[folder:Video Games]]
* In ''VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou'', Shiki and Neku get a moment on day 7, before fighting the DiscOneFinalBoss, to talk about what they learned about themselves that week and [[HopeSpot reinforce the illusion that this is actually going to be the end]].
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Original]]
* In ''Literature/ThaliasMusings'', [[CloudcuckoolandersMinder Apollo]] attempts to invoke this trope after Thalia has a narrow brush with [[GodSaveUsFromTheQueen Hera's]] wrath. Thalia can't take it seriously and doubts he does, either.
--> '''Apollo:''' Well, that's the end of that. I hope you've learned something.
--> '''Thalia:''' [[ItMakesSenseInContext I've learned I am never giving birth.]] [[http://thaliasmusingsnovels.wordpress.com/2011/06/13/1-3-my-kingdom-for-a-pet/]]
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Western Animation]]
* Parodied in nearly every episode of ''WesternAnimation/MoralOrel'', in which Orel learns a [[SpoofAesop twisted Aesop]] after a beating from his alcoholic father.
* Happens frequently in ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'', with varying degrees of seriousness. One episode [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] it by having guest star [[Series/TheJeffersons Isabel Sanford]], acting as a presenter for a television museum, break the FourthWall and describe this trope. She goes on to say that they normally put in an extra, jokey scene to dilute the syrupiness. The scene then cuts to a clip of ''Series/TheBeverlyHillbillies''.
** Marge unintentionally pointed out the flawed logic behind this trope with the line "Bart, anyone who beats you up for wearing a shirt isn't your friend."
** Also, Homer's "wisdom" tends to be things like "No matter how good you are at something, there's always going to be somebody better" (which Bart distills into "Can't win, don't try") and things to say to get yourself out of trouble, such as "It was like that when I got here."
* Happened in almost every episode of the animated ''WesternAnimation/SabrinaTheAnimatedSeries''.
* Seth [=MacFarlane=] in DVD commentaries has termed this the 'moment of shit', and as such has subverted it quite a few times in ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'', usually having the father, Peter, fail to get the lesson at all and say something inappropriate.
** The episode "Holy Crap" parodies this, as Peter [[WellDoneSonGuy desperately envisions having this with his now-retired father]] "where we hug and the music goes 'la la laaaaa'", [[LeftTheBackgroundMusicOn complete with his own backing orchestra.]] Unfortunately, his dad is [[HateSink a thoroughly unpleasant]] and [[HolierThanThou self-righteous jerkass]] [[AbusiveParents who doesn't respect Peter at all]], and even when [[AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther he finally admits that he]] ''[[AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther does]]'' [[AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther love his son]], he still clarifies that he also still doesn't ''like'' him. The trope ends up being played straight in [[BittersweetEnding a bittersweet way]] ([[BrickJoke Peter signals to the orchestra to keep playing because it's as good as they're gonna get]]) -- the emotional resolution is still fulfilled, but [[HardTruthAesop the moral conclusion]] (the two will ''never'' agree with the other's life choices, but can still love each other as family) is much harsher than normal.
* It's also subverted a lot in Seth [=MacFarlane=]'s ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDad''. To cite one example, in the episode "Haylias", Stan tries to brainwash Hayley so she'll start behaving like [[StayInTheKitchen he feels a woman should]], but a bug in the program causes her to want to kill Stan instead. As Hayley holds him at gunpoint, Stan sees the light and apologizes to Hayley for trying to control her life. [[spoiler:She shoots him in the head.]]
* ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'' plays with this a lot. Sometimes it seems to be played ''almost'' straight. Other times they make satire out of how seriously the townspeople seem to take it, when it's not a real/decent moral at ''all''.
** "You know, I learned something today..."
* Parodied in ''WesternAnimation/TheTick''. The titular superhero would often end the episode by declaring "I think we've all learned something today!" and then [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} deliver an aesop that made no sense whatsoever]].
* See also: the Wheel of Morality on ''WesternAnimation/{{Animaniacs}}'' which was only played straight once: in TheMovie, ''WesternAnimation/WakkosWish''.
* Almost THE EXACT exchange of the example, or at least the exact scenario, occurs at the end of ''WesternAnimation/AGoofyMovie''.
* In the first season of ''WesternAnimation/GarfieldAndFriends'', several of the U. S. Acres/Orson's Farm segments had one of these, usually in song and dance form. The show got rid of them later.
* Parodied on ''WesternAnimation/AquaTeenHungerForce'' when Meatwad watches the other characters in a "sitcom with a sci-fi/horror twist" on an apparently cursed television. It comes complete with sitcom-style "Awwwww" from the audience, followed by a lame joke with laugh track. Meatwad appears to be the ideal television watcher, though, declaring "I identify with that!"
* Played completely straight (except for maybe [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E15TheSuperSpeedyCiderSqueezy6000 one episode]]) at the end of most ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' episodes. Earlier seasons had it in the form of a "friendship report" written by Twilight Sparkle (and later her friends as well) to Princess Celestia, while Season Four has the cast keeping a diary of what they've learned.
** Interestingly, these come back as plot points on at least two occasions. In "Return of Harmony," Twilight's re-reading of her own friendship reports break her out from her depression and convince her to fight for her friendships. In "Twilight's Kingdom," specific entries in their journal show the mane six how to open the box given to them by the Tree of Harmony.
** Lampshaded in "Triple Threat":
-->'''Princess Ember:''' Is this another part of pony friendship? Telling each other what you learned all the time?
-->'''Starlight Glimmer:''' Yeah, pretty much.
* Parodied in the ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'' episode "I, Roommate", where Fry and Bender watch a Golden Moment happen on TV, and Leela encourages them to apply the same lesson to their own disagreement. They repeat the same dialogue as on the show word for word... with the roles reversed, so that Bender apologizes even though he was the one being treated unfairly. Regardless, it ends the fight, and Leela ultimately decides to leave well enough alone.
** Played mostly straight however, in "Cold Warriors."
* ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'': Parodied in "[[Recap/PhineasAndFerbSpaDay Spa Day]]". Candace apologizes to Stacy for making them miss their spa appointment and making a mess of their attempts to help with a charity project, and Stacy interrupts her, saying "You sound like one of those sitcoms we like to make fun of."
[[/folder]]
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* A fresh twist on the Trope occurs every now and again in ''Manga/AhMyGoddess'' (which has ''very'' apparent [[FantasticComedy Supernatural]] DomCom elements to it, despite being a BishoujoSeries). Every time [[MagicalGirlfriend wish-granting goddess Belldandy]] feels like less of a deity because she behaved jealous or stubborn over [[NiceGuy Keiichi]] ([[InnocentCohabitation her]] [[CannotSpitItOut sort]][[UnresolvedSexualTension -of]] [[WillTheyOrWontThey boyfriend]]), he's been there to try to cheer Belldandy up, explaining that it's part of a relationship.

* ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'': Parodied in "Spa Day". Candace apologizes to Stacy for making them miss their spa appointment and making a mess of their attempts to help with a charity project, and Stacy interrupts her, saying "You sound like one of those sitcoms we like to make fun of."

* Vengeful aversion: [[Series/{{Seinfeld}} No hugging, no learning.]]

* Happens frequently in ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons''. One episode [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] it by having guest star [[Series/TheJeffersons Isabel Sanford]], acting as a presenter for a television museum, break the FourthWall and describe this trope. She goes on to say that they normally put in an extra, jokey scene to dilute the syrupiness. The scene then cuts to a clip of ''Series/TheBeverlyHillbillies''.

* Seth [=MacFarlane=] in DVD commentaries has termed this the 'moment of shit', and as such has subverted it quite a few times in ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'', usually having the father Peter fail to get the lesson at all and say something inappropriate.

* Surprisingly, ''Theatre/TheOddCouple'' was often guilty of this. Many episodes, especially early ones, would end with Oscar and Felix each admitting that the problem was the result of their respective sloppiness and pickiness, and reaffirming the importance of their friendship.

** It's also subverted a lot in ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDad''. To cite one example, in the episode "Haylias", Stan tries to brainwash Hayley so she'll start behaving like [[StayInTheKitchen he feels a woman should]], but a bug in the program causes her to want to kill Stan instead. As Hayley holds him at gunpoint, Stan sees the light and apologizes to Hayley for trying to control her life. [[spoiler:She shoots him in the head.]]

* ''Series/LeaveItToBeaver'' tended to end like this.

[[folder:Anime and Mang]]

[[folder: Anime and Manga ]]

* A fresh twist on the Trope occurs every now and again in ''[[Manga/AhMyGoddess Ah My Goddess!]]'' (which has ''very'' apparent [[FantasticComedy Supernatural]] DomCom elements to it, despite being a {{Bishoujo Series}}). Every time [[MagicalGirlfriend wish-granting goddess Belldandy]] feels like less of a deity because she behaved jealous or stubborn over [[NiceGuy Keiichi]] ([[InnocentCohabitation her]] [[CannotSpitItOut sort]][[UnresolvedSexualTension -of]] [[WillTheyOrWontThey boyfriend]]), he's been there to try to cheer Belldandy up, explaining that it's part of a relationship.

[[folder: Live Action TV ]]

[[folder: Web Original ]]

* In ''Literature/ThaliasMusings'', [[{{CloudcuckoolandersMinder}} Apollo]] attempts to invoke this trope after Thalia has a narrow brush with [[{{GodSaveUsFromTheQueen}} Hera's]] wrath. Thalia can't take it seriously and doubts he does, either.

--> '''Thalia:''' [[{{ItMakesSenseInContext}} I've learned I am never giving birth.]] [[http://thaliasmusingsnovels.wordpress.com/2011/06/13/1-3-my-kingdom-for-a-pet/]]

[[folder: Western Animation ]]

* In the first season of ''WesternAnimation/GarfieldAndFriends'', several of the Orson's Farm segments had one of these, usually in song and dance form. The show got rid of them later.

* Parodied in the ''{{WesternAnimation/Futurama}}'' episode "I, Roommate", where Fry and Bender watch a Golden Moment happen on TV, and Leela encourages them to apply the same lesson to their own disagreement. They repeat the same dialogue as on the show word for word... with the roles reversed, so that Bender apologizes even though he was the one being treated unfairly. Regardless, it ends the fight, and Leela ultimately decides to leave well enough alone.

DeadHorseTrope to the fullest, although it's starting to resurface in newer forms of media. Distinct from CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming, which is what this trope aims at [[{{Narm}} but tends to be too formulaic to reach]].

DeadHorseTrope to the fullest, although it's starting to resurface in newer forms of media. Distinct from CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming, which is what this trope aims at but tends to be too formulaic to reach.

Typically, the writers will then try to reduce the {{Glurge}} by adding a [[HilarityEnsues joke]], such as having Junior say, "Dad, how do I get baked beans out of my pants?" to [[LaughTrack gales of laughter]] [[EverybodyLaughsEnding from both sides of the Fourth Wall]].

* See also: the Wheel of Morality on ''WesternAnimation/{{Animaniacs}}'' which was only played straight once: in TheMovie, ''Film/WakkosWish''.

Typically, the writers will then try to reduce the {{Glurge saccharine}} by adding a [[HilarityEnsues joke]], such as having Junior say, "Dad, how do I get baked beans out of my pants?" to [[LaughTrack gales of laughter]] [[EverybodyLaughsEnding from both sides of the Fourth Wall]].

Typically, the writers will then try to reduce the [[{{Glurge }}saccharine]] by adding a [[HilarityEnsues joke]], such as having Junior say, "Dad, how do I get baked beans out of my pants?" to [[LaughTrack gales of laughter]] [[EverybodyLaughsEnding from both sides of the Fourth Wall]].

Typically, the writers will then try to reduce the [[Glurge saccharine]] by adding a [[HilarityEnsues joke]], such as having Junior say, "Dad, how do I get baked beans out of my pants?" to [[LaughTrack gales of laughter]] [[EverybodyLaughsEnding from both sides of the Fourth Wall]].

Typically, the writers will then try to reduce the [[SickeninglySweet saccharine]] by adding a [[HilarityEnsues joke]], such as having Junior say, "Dad, how do I get baked beans out of my pants?" to [[LaughTrack gales of laughter]] [[EverybodyLaughsEnding from both sides of the Fourth Wall]].

* A fresh twist on the Trope occurs every now and again in ''[[Manga/AhMyGoddess Oh My Goddess!]]'' (which has ''very'' apparent [[FantasticComedy Supernatural]] DomCom elements to it, despite being a {{Bishoujo Series}}). Every time [[MagicalGirlfriend wish-granting goddess Belldandy]] feels like less of a deity because she behaved jealous or stubborn over [[NiceGuy Keiichi]] ([[InnocentCohabitation her]] [[CannotSpitItOut sort]][[UnresolvedSexualTension -of]] [[WillTheyOrWontThey boyfriend]]), he's been there to try to cheer Belldandy up, explaining that it's part of a relationship.

DeadHorseTrope to the fullest. Distinct from CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming, which is what this trope aims at but tends to be too formulaic to reach.

* Almost THE EXACT exchange of the example, or at least the exact scenario, occurs at the end of AGoofyMovie.

[[folder: Web Original ]]

* In ''Literature/ThaliasMusings'', [[{{CloudcuckoolandersMinder}} Apollo]] attempts to invoke this trope after Thalia has a narrow brush with [[{{GodSaveUsFromTheQueen}} Hera's]] wrath. Thalia can't take it seriously and doubts he does, either.
--> '''Apollo:''' Well, that's the end of that. I hope you've learned something.
--> '''Thalia:''' [[{{ItMakesSenseInContext}} I've learned I am never giving birth.]] [[http://thaliasmusingsnovels.wordpress.com/2011/06/13/1-3-my-kingdom-for-a-pet/]]

[[/folder]]