Original air date: 5/8/1993 (produced in 1992)
Ren and Stimpy get a letter from a fan, Anthony, for them to come over and visit. But his father (Randy Quaid) doesn't like or trust them, warning them about how if they ever harm his son, he'll be after them.
A Visit To Anthony contains examples of...
- Actually Pretty Funny: Stimpy actually enjoys Anthony's dad's non-joke and suggests they use it on their show. This gets a Dope Slap from Ren.
- Animated Actors: How Ren and Stimpy are portrayed, aside from where they travel from and a few antics here and there, there's very little not normal about them here, which confuses Anthony greatly. Ren even seems like a case of Mean Character, Nice Actor, with him doing a bulging eye trick in an effort to not disappoint Anthony.
- Anti-Humor: This is Anthony's father's idea of a joke:Q: Why did they bury the fireman behind the hill?
A: Because he was dead! - Ascended Fanboy: Anthony himself. The episode was made as a tribute to the first bit of fan mail the show ever received, a simple letter from him.
- Children Are Innocent: Anthony.
- Darker and Edgier: Along with "Stimpy's Fan Club", one of the darkest episodes of season 2, simply due to how much of a turn it takes when Victor shows up halfway through. The mood when Anthony's Dad is around in particular is particularly intense and serious, with him showing a realistic combo of over-protectiveness of his son and a kind of fury normally associated with Ren.
- Does This Remind You of Anything?: Anthony is a kid who has hyperventilation attacks when his beliefs are challenged, is picked on viciously by a bully, and who's family is extremely protective of him.
- Fireball Eyeballs: The fireplace reflected off Anthony's dad's glasses gives this effect.
- Help Mistaken for Attack: After Anthony is beaten up by a bully, Ren and Stimpy try to help revive him, but his dad sees them and assumes they beat Anthony up.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Anthony's Dad. He makes it clear from the start that he doesn't really like Ren or Stimpy, but is willing to let them be friends with Anthony and stay in his house as long as they don't crush his dreams or hurt him. HE's EXTREMELY tough and unpleasant to the two, but its obvious he cares deeply for his son, and in the end, understands the character's appeal and enjoy it along with his family.
- Mood Whiplash: Constantly back and forth. first it seems like typical cartoon fare, seeming Lighter and Softer in comparison to a lot of episodes beforehand, then we're introduced to the father and the tone completely shifts to something intense, but not unheard of as far as cartoon comedy set ups go (I.E.: "don't let X get hurt, or you'll regret it"). Things then get slightly lighter when Victor, an over-the-top bully, shows up and beats up Ren and Stimpy, but then things shift right back to dark when he beats up Anthony and leaves him, Ren and Stimpy lying on the front lawn (Anthony pale and breathing hard). Ren and Stimpy try to revive him, but are mistaken for attacking him by his Dad who marches them into the house and has a very intense conversation where the fireplace is constantly reflected in his glasses. The things shift back to light-hearted comedy when Stimpy spits hairballs at Ren, allowing the Father to finally enjoy the two along with his son.
- Nobody Poops: Averted. Anthony catches Ren and Stimpy in the bathroom, with Ren sitting in the toilet. He has a panic attack because "Cartoon characters don't do that!"
- Wrong Genre Savvy: Given how much Toilet Humor is on the show, it's surprising Anthony didn't suspect that cartoon character went to the bathroom.
