"Bad Ear Day" is one of the season 1 shorts of the new Mickey Mouse (2013) series created by Paul Rudish for the Disney Channel and Disney.com. It's the ninth to both air on the Disney Channel and to be put up on Disney.com.
While getting ready for a date with Minnie, Mickey's ears are blown off into the city, forcing him to race the clock to get his ears back and be punctual for his date.
Tropes:
- Big "WHAT?!": Goofy shouts this twice when, after Mickey steals his ears, he can't hear without them. Then a third time later, because he hasn't figured out how to put his ears back on.
- The Cameo: A white-feathered Clara Cluck appears at the end as a opera singer.
- Casting Gag: The hockey commentator is played by Don Cherry.
- Coincidental Broadcast: Micky happens to hear a newscast about a hockey game with three hockey pucks. It's his ears.
- Continuity Nod: The pillow Mickey is napping on has the scenery from "Yodelberg".
- Ears as Hair: The concept behind this short.
- Eye Scream: Mickey accidentally sprays some "Sear Spray" in his eyes while trying to get his uncooperative ears under control, which causes him to scream.
- Impairment Shot: When Mickey loses his ears, the sounds are turned down very low (except for Goofy's dialogue, which is completely inaudible).
- Mythology Gag: The parts where Minnie calls a napping Mickey to remind him about their date and Mickey running around in the city are a homage to the 1947 short Mickey's Delayed Date.
- Phlegmings: The cartoon opens with a beautiful forest waterfall. Zoom out to show Mickey drooling on a pillow.
- Shout-Out:
- While Mickey is searching for his ears, he passes by a sign for King Candy and the clocktower from Peter Pan.
- Mickey uses. Old Mice body spray, a nod to Old Spice.
- The Television Talks Back:Hockey Commentary: This hockey game is nuts! There's three pucks on the ice!
Mickey: Wait, did you say three pucks on the ice?
Hockey Commentary: That's right, three pucks on the ice!
