History Main / IdiotBall

Coined by Creator/HankAzaria on ''Series/HermansHead'': Azaria would ask the writing staff, "Who's carrying the idiot ball this week?" [[CaptainObvious This is generally not a compliment]]. Frequently, the person carrying the idiot ball is acting {{Out of Character|Moment}}, [[YouKnowWhatYouDid misunderstanding something]] that could be cleared up by asking a [[PoorCommunicationKills single reasonable question]], or [[JustEatGilligan not performing a simple action]] that would solve everything. It's almost as if the character holding the ball is being willfully stupid or obtuse (or impulsive) far beyond what has been established as "natural" for them. Frequently, it's only because the story (and by extension, the writers) ''need'' them to act this way, or else the chosen plot/conflict for the episode won't happen.

Note that this trope only applies if the person is acting incompetent '''beyond''' what we have normally seen of them. If they are continuously that dumb, they're more likely TheDitz or TheFool. Similarly, generally doesn't count if the holder is DrivenToMadness or under a HeroicBSOD.

* HeroBall

Coined by Creator/HankAzaria on ''Series/HermansHead'': Azaria would ask the writing staff, "Who's carrying the idiot ball this week?" [[CaptainObvious This is generally not a compliment]]. Frequently, the person carrying the idiot ball is acting {{Out of Character|Moment}}, [[YouKnowWhatYouDid misunderstanding something]] that could be cleared up by asking a [[PoorCommunicationKills single reasonable question]] or [[JustEatGilligan not performing a simple action]] that would solve everything. It's almost as if the character holding the ball is being willfully stupid or obtuse (or impulsive) far beyond what has been established as "natural" for them. Frequently, it's only because the story (and by extension, the writers) ''need'' them to act this way, or else the chosen plot/conflict for the episode won't happen.

On the other hand, Administrivia/TropesAreTools -- making stupid mistakes can be the hallmark of CharacterDevelopment if the person recognizes it in the end. Seeing someone discarding the idiot ball can be a rewarding moment when they are TaughtByExperience. Likewise, Idiot Balls can also deflect a boring InvincibleHero, which is positive for an audience reaction. There is nothing like a "Why on earth did he do that?" to get the fans talking about the show after it's over. In any relatively [[SlidingScaleOfIdealismVsCynicism Idealistic setting]], the villains will typically ''always'' firmly hold onto the Idiot Ball; instead of [[WhyDontYouJustShootHim just shooting the heroes]], expect to see plenty of EvilGloating because... well, the show would be over otherwise. It's also worth noting that an idiot ball can be in the hands of someone whose personality would likely leave them holding it (the hotheaded type shooting his or her mouth off at a crucial moment when silence and discretion were necessary, for example).

Coined by Creator/HankAzaria on ''Series/HermansHead'': Azaria would ask the writing staff, "Who's carrying the idiot ball this week?" [[CaptainObvious This is generally not a compliment.]] Frequently, the person carrying the idiot ball is acting {{Out of Character|Moment}}, [[YouKnowWhatYouDid misunderstanding something]] that could be cleared up by asking a [[PoorCommunicationKills single reasonable question]] or [[JustEatGilligan not performing a simple action]] that would solve everything. It's almost as if the character holding the ball is being willfully stupid or obtuse (or impulsive) far beyond what has been established as "natural" for them. Frequently, it's only because the story (and by extension, the writers) ''need'' them to act this way, or else the chosen plot/conflict for the episode won't happen.

On the other hand, Administrivia/TropesAreTools - making stupid mistakes can be the hallmark of CharacterDevelopment if the person recognizes it in the end. Seeing someone discarding the idiot ball can be a rewarding moment when they are TaughtByExperience. Likewise, Idiot Balls can also deflect a boring InvincibleHero, which is positive for an audience reaction. There is nothing like a "Why on earth did he do that?" to get the fans talking about the show after it's over. In any relatively [[SlidingScaleOfIdealismVsCynicism Idealistic setting]], the villains will typically ''always'' firmly hold onto the Idiot Ball; instead of [[WhyDontYouJustShootHim just shooting the heroes]], expect to see plenty of EvilGloating because... well, the show would be over otherwise. It's also worth noting that an idiot ball can be in the hands of someone whose personality would likely leave them holding it (the hotheaded type shooting his or her mouth off at a crucial moment when silence and discretion were necessary, for example).

Compare with PingPongNaivete where a character goes back and forth between grabbing and not grabbing a particular Idiot Ball, ForgotAboutHisPowers where a character advances the plot by ''not'' doing something expected rather than doing something unexpected, LethallyStupid if a character remains alive but their actions are disastrous and put others at risk, or TooDumbToLive where an Idiot Ball kills them.

On the other hand, Administrivia/TropesAreNotBad - making stupid mistakes can be the hallmark of CharacterDevelopment if the person recognizes it in the end. Seeing someone discarding the idiot ball can be a rewarding moment when they are TaughtByExperience. Likewise, Idiot Balls can also deflect a boring InvincibleHero, which is positive for an audience reaction. There is nothing like a "Why on earth did he do that?" to get the fans talking about the show after it's over. In any relatively [[SlidingScaleOfIdealismVsCynicism Idealistic setting]], the villains will typically ''always'' firmly hold onto the Idiot Ball; instead of [[WhyDontYouJustShootHim just shooting the heroes]], expect to see plenty of EvilGloating because... well, the show would be over otherwise. It's also worth noting that an idiot ball can be in the hands of someone whose personality would likely leave them holding it (the hotheaded type shooting his or her mouth off at a crucial moment when silence and discretion were necessary, for example).

Note that this trope only applies if the person is acting incompetent '''beyond''' what we have normally seen of them. If they are continuously that dumb, they're more likely TheDitz or TheFool. Similarly, generally doesn't count if the holder is DrivenToMadness or under a HeroicBSOD

Note that this trope only applies if the person is acting incompetent '''beyond''' what we have normally seen of them. If they are continuously that dumb, they're more likely TheDitz or TheFool.

A moment where a normally competent character suddenly becomes incompetent -- knowingly or otherwise -- which fuels an episode, a plot line, or any number of smaller threads.

A moment where a normally competent character suddenly becomes incompetent - knowingly or otherwise - which fuels an episode, a plot line, or any number of smaller threads.

Compare with PingPongNaivete where a character goes back and forth between grabbing and not grabbing a particular Idiot Ball, ForgotAboutHisPowers where a character advances the plot by ''not'' doing something expected rather than doing something unexpected, LethallyStupid if a character's actions puts others at risk but doesn't result in their death, or TooDumbToLive where an Idiot Ball kills them.

Compare with PingPongNaivete where a character goes back and forth between grabbing and not grabbing a particular Idiot Ball, ForgotAboutHisPowers where a character advances the plot by ''not'' doing something expected rather than doing something unexpected, and TooDumbToLive where an Idiot Ball puts a character in mortal peril if not kills them.

** ''Series/KamenRiderZeroOne''

Unsurprisingly, this provokes a WhatAnIdiot response from the audience. However, sometimes, the purpose is to ''help'' the audience. Sometimes, the holder of the idiot ball [[TheWatson asks the dumb question]] to allow a certain amount of exposition to occur, that wouldn't naturally be talked about, but needs to be stated for the audience.

A moment where a normally competent character suddenly becomes incompetent which fuels an episode or a small plot line.

Coined by Creator/HankAzaria on ''Series/HermansHead'': Azaria would ask the writing staff, "Who's carrying the idiot ball this week?" [[CaptainObvious This is generally not a compliment.]] Frequently, the person carrying the idiot ball is acting {{Out of Character|Moment}}, [[YouKnowWhatYouDid misunderstanding something]] that could be cleared up by asking a [[PoorCommunicationKills single reasonable question]] or [[JustEatGilligan not performing a simple action]] that would solve everything. It's almost as if the character holding the ball is being willfully stupid or obtuse far beyond what has been established as "natural" for them. Frequently, it's only because the story (and by extension, the writers) ''need'' them to act this way, or else the chosen plot/conflict for the episode won't happen.

This trope can be seen as TruthInTelevision, as everyone makes stupid mistakes every once in a while.

Compare with PingPongNaivete where a character goes back and forth between grabbing and not grabbing a particular Idiot Ball, ForgotAboutHisPowers where a character stupidly advances the plot by ''not'' doing something expected rather than doing something unexpected, and TooDumbToLive where an Idiot Ball puts a character in mortal peril if not kills them.

Coined by Creator/HankAzaria on ''[[Series/HermansHead Herman's Head]]'': Azaria would ask the writing staff, "Who's carrying the idiot ball this week?" [[CaptainObvious This is generally not a compliment.]] Frequently, the person carrying the idiot ball is acting {{Out Of Character|Moment}}, [[YouKnowWhatYouDid misunderstanding something]] that could be cleared up by asking a [[PoorCommunicationKills single reasonable question]] or [[JustEatGilligan not performing a simple action]] that would solve everything. It's almost as if the character holding the ball is being willfully stupid or obtuse far beyond what has been established as "natural" for them. Frequently, it's only because the story (and by extension, the writers) ''need'' them to act this way, or else the chosen plot/conflict for the episode won't happen.

-->-- ''Franchise/StarWars'' Episode III: ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith''

Coined by Creator/HankAzaria on ''[[Series/HermansHead Herman's Head]]'': Azaria would ask the writing staff, "Who's carrying the idiot ball this week?" [[CaptainObvious This is generally not a compliment.]] Frequently, the person carrying the idiot ball is acting {{Out Of Character|Moment}}, [[YouKnowWhatYouDid misunderstanding something that could be cleared up]] [[PoorCommunicationKills by asking a single reasonable question]] or [[JustEatGilligan not performing a simple action]] that would solve everything. It's almost as if the character holding the ball is being willfully stupid or obtuse far beyond what has been established as "natural" for them. Frequently, it's only because the story (and by extension, the writers) ''need'' them to act this way, or else the chosen plot/conflict for the episode won't happen.

!!Examples

* [[IdiotBall/AnimatedFilms Film — Animated]]
* [[IdiotBall/LiveActionFilms Film — Live-Action]]

-->-- ''Franchise/StarWars'' Episode III: ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith''[[note]][[SubvertedTrope They actually wanted to be caught so they could be taken to Grievous.]][[/note]]