History InsultBackfire / LiveActionTV

--->'''Gia:''':Come on, Steph. Right now, she's all we got.\\

* ''Series/{{Castle}}'' has this happen a few times:

* ''Series/HellsKitchen'': In one season, Chef Ramsey looked at an order ticket that a contestant wrote and complained that it looked like a child had scribbled on it, angrily asking the contestant if he'd ever gone to school. The man said "no" and explained that he'd had to drop out of school at a young age to support his family after the death of his father. Flabbergasted, Ramsey apologized and told him to get back to work.

* This example from ''Series/{{Angel}}'' is somewhere between this trope and a StealthInsult depending on how mean it was meant to be (probably not very given the person speaking). When [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} Harmony]] [[TheDitz Kendall]] goes to see Lorne for help she gives a rather painful rendition of "Memories" so that [[ItMakesSenseInContext he can read her future from the song]]. Lorne comes to talk to her afterwards and says "I can't help you, my little Cacophony". She's disappointed, then a second later says "Cacophony... that's pretty... what's it mean?"
* The Nickelodeon short "Attack of the Giant Vulture" contains this exchange:
-->'''Robin''': You are the ugliest bird I've ever seen!\\
'''Giant Vulture''': Why thank you, and now it's dinner time!
* In an episode of ''Series/BabylonFive'', [[DaChief Garibaldi]] tells [[MagnificentBastard Bester]] how he'd like to use him as a pinata. Bester considers this, and then says "So you think of me as something bright and cheerful, full of candy and toys for young children. Thank you, Mr. Garibaldi." Though considering this is [[JerkAss Bester]] we're talking about here, he probably did it on purpose to infuriate Garibaldi.
** A similar instance occurred when Londo, the Centauri Ambassador, was being honoured by his people. Ambassador G'kar turned up wearing shoes (apparently a grave insult at such a function). Londo not only isn't offended, but gladly welcomes G'kar to the celebration and calling him 'friend'. It manages to confuse G'kar so badly that he gets a migrane and has to leave, with Londo muttering to himself afterwards "[[{{Troll}} I love doing that to him.]]"

* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer''. Spike and Buffy have had sex for the first time, so Spike points out that NothingIsTheSameAnymore.

'''Spike:''' ''(smiling happily)'' Yeah. Me, too.

-->'''Child Molester''': Go to hell!\\
'''Michael Westen''': Come with me.
** At this point, Michael is wearing a particularly natty black suit and red shirt-and-tie combo, has introduced himself (once) as [[LouisCypher "Louis"]], and keeps blowing stuff up with a click of his fingers. The target isn't ''entirely'' sure that Michael isn't the Devil.

-->'''Castle''': Is that supposed to be an insult? Because Nancy Drew solved every case...

* In ''Series/ChappellesShow'', during the second of the two "C: True Hollywood Stories" skits, Charlie Murphy describes a time when Music/{{Prince}} challenged him and his friends to a game of 3-on-3 basketball. Charlie, amused by Prince's [[{{Camp}} mannerisms and getup]], mockingly calls the game a "shirts vs. blouses" contest, referring to Prince's team as the latter. Later, after Prince's team wipes the floor with him:
-->'''Prince:''' Game... (game-winning slam dunk) "blouses".

-->'''Mr Logan''': You are the most insolent child I've ever had the misfortune to teach.\\
'''Lauren''': Thank you.

--> '''María:''' You're an asshole.
--> '''Pablo:''' Yeah.

-->'''Nolan''': I've had my eye on the wrong snake. ''You're'' the dangerous one.\\
'''Stahma''': (''seemingly honest'') You're sweet.
* ''Series/{{Degrassi}}'' had a few between Mia and [[AlphaBitch Holly J.]], the former would say something along the lines of Holly J being evil or the devil, Holly J would smile and say she "liked the sound of that."

** TheMaster is easily the most frequent offender:
*** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS9E5TheTimeMonster "The Time Monster"]]: The Master completely annihilates the Doctor (Jon Pertwee). Companion Jo Grant remarks that it was the most brutal, inhuman, monstrous thing she had ever seen. The Master gives a nod and says "Thank You" as if he were accepting a compliment on his new suit. On the other hand, after it turns out the Doctor isn't dead the Master is somewhat lost for words (see GodGuise).
*** [[Recap/DoctorWho20thASTheFiveDoctors "The Five Doctors"]]: The Time Lord President himself informs him "You are one of the most evil and corrupt beings our Time Lord race has ever produced. Your crimes are without number and your villainy without end." The Master just sits there, with the most colossal smirk on his face imaginable.
*** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS23E4TheUltimateFoe "The Ultimate Foe"]]: Mel calls the Master "utterly evil" after learning his plot. His response? What else? "Thank you." Simple, but cute. There's another one in the deleted scenes, when she calls him "despicable".

*** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E12TheSoundOfDrums "The Sound of Drums"]]: The Master, upon being accused of [[YoureInsane insanity]], just gives a double thumbs up.
*** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E17E18TheEndOfTime "The End of Time"]]:

-->'''Hutchinson:''' You speak treason!\\

** At the end of [[Recap/DoctorWhoS8E5TheDaemons "The Dæmons"]], when the Doctor says he'll want to talk to the Master later, the Master sneers "You always were an [[SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids optimist]], weren't you?" The Doctor replies "Thank you for the compliment."
** Another heroic example occurs in [[Recap/DoctorWhoS28E3SchoolReunion "School Reunion"]]. Never has a robot sounded so ''smug''.

'''K9:''' [[CatchPhrase Affirmative.]]
** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E6TheLazarusExperiment "The Lazarus Experiment"]]: Tish calls the Doctor a "science geek", and when Martha explains that it means he's "obsessively enthusiastic about it", the Doctor's flattered.
** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E9TheFamilyOfBlood "The Family of Blood"]]: When Tim Latimer absorbs some of the Doctor's psyche and runs off to help him:

** Also in the spinoff ''Series/TheSarahJaneAdventures'', "The Gift":

** Another heroic example from the Doctor is in the Series 9 opener [[Recap/DoctorWhoS35E1TheMagiciansApprentice "The Magician's Apprentice"]]. At the beginning of the episode, it's revealed that the Doctor accidentally found Skaro during the Thousand-Year War and comes across a young boy trapped in a Handmine field. He intends to help the child but when he asks for the boy's name... He finds out that it's ''Davros''. And so he just leaves, but he feels horrendously guilty about it, so much so that he's prepared to die to make amends for his mistake. Near the end, when he finally goes to Davros, they get talking as usual and then Davros tells the Doctor:

-->'''Josh''': You're the worst stepbrother ever!\\
'''Drake''': Harsh.

'''Megan''': I know.\\
'''Drake''': Then what happened?\\
'''Megan''': I got them all together.\\
'''Drake''': You're an evil, evil little girl!\\
'''Megan''': Whoa, look who's catching on.
* In an episode of ''Series/{{Farscape}}''. The villain of the episode is a crazy, amoral MadScientist and the hero disgustedly compares him to Mengele. This backfires, as after hearing a bit about Mengele, the villain declares him a visionary.
* Happens offscreen in one episode of ''Series/{{EvenStevens}}'' where a teacher calls Louis a detriment to the learning process and he thanks her, and is then promptly sent to detention.

'''Damien:''' (''[[PsychoticSmirk grinning]]'') Flatteries will get you nowhere...
* From ''Series/{{Friends}}'':

-->'''Michelle:''' You got a bad attitude.\\

-->'''Gia''': Come on, Steph. Right now she's all we got.
-->'''Stephanie''': But you don't know Kimmy like I do! She's rude, lewd, and crude.
-->'''Gia''': That's perfect!

-->'''Dennis:''' Would you consider me a methodical person?\\

-->'''[[CorruptCorporateExecutive Andy]]''': You see, when people say "controversy", I hear "attention".\\
'''[[ConsummateLiar Sophie]]''': Andy, you are shameless.\\
'''Andy''': Oh, god, you get me so well.
** An addition one featuring [[NoSocialSkills Parker]]:
--->'''Goon''': You know when I said earlier you had pretty hair? I lied.\\
'''Parker''': Yeah, well, I lied when I said you didn't. Wait... dammit. ''[jumps off bridge to escape]''
* ''Series/{{Life on Mars|2006}}'':
-->'''Gene Hunt''': I think you've forgotten who you're talking to!\\
'''Sam Tyler''': An overweight, over-the-hill, nicotine-stained, borderline alcoholic homophobe with a superiority complex and an unhealthy obsession with male bonding?\\
'''Gene Hunt''': You make that sound like a bad thing.

* ''Series/{{Monk}}'' episode "Mr. Monk Goes To Vegas":
-->'''Natalie''': (to Stottlemeyer) He gets hooked on everything. He's the most compulsive person I've ever met!\\
'''Monk''': Thank you.
** The opposite happens in 'Mr. Monk And His Biggest Fan':
--->'''Natalie''': Mr. Monk, you're not flustered - you're flattered! Who wouldn't be? She adores you; she knows everything about you. After all, you're only human.\\
'''Monk''': There's no need for name-calling.
** One episode (can't remember the title) had someone pointing out how lonely Monk must be. His response? "Yes, I am, thank you." It's the one where he visits Mexico, and it's not meant that way - Monk is appreciative someone understands how lonely he is due to all his neuroses.

'''Sam:''' (sigh) Freakos, 1 - Civilization, 0.\\

* ''Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000'' used this trope as one of Dr. Forrester and Dr. Erhardt's catchphrases in the first and "zeroth" season, before it petered out later on. Joel would call them mad, or tell them that they were tampering in God's domain, or some such, and they would reply, in unison, "Thank you!"
** ''Film/EarthVsTheSpider'', largely considered an early years ShoutOut by the fans, shows Dr. Forrester and TV's Frank using this phrase, only to look confused at the occurrence immediately after. (This episode also contained an explicit reference to Dr. Erhardt, who was PutOnABus between seasons one and two, and a sketch of the 'Bots being given RAM chips as rewards for complimenting the film--a RunningGag that had been long since phased out.)
** In ''Film/DangerDeathRay'', Frank approaches Forrester at the end, revealing he had done some glamour shots and shows them off. As Frank pushes the button to end the episode, Forrester responds "Frank... you look like a slut." This prompts Frank to reply cheerfully "Really? You think?"

--> '''O'Donahue:''' Hey Oprah. We're wondering if you've seen any odd stuff goin' on-
--> '''Oprah:''' Hey hey hey, I don't want to get involved with your oddness. I sell fruit. That's it.
--> '''Olga:''' ''[snide]'' You wouldn't understand anyway.
--> '''Oprah:''' Probably not. I'm too busy working on my latest product.

--> '''The Waffler:''' Here's a picture of Ms. O's face when she sees our odd plan. ''[giggling]''
--> '''Over-Easy:''' Yeah, that's awful.
--> '''The Waffler:''' Thank you!
--> ''[Over-Easy and Corn Flakes exchange confused looks]''

* On ''Series/PeeWeesPlayhouse'':
-->'''Cap'n Carl''': Ya know, Pee-Wee, you got a really ''twisted'' side to you.\\
'''Pee-Wee''': Gosh, thanks, Cap'n Carl! Hehheh!!
* From ''The Persuasionists'' episode 4:
-->'''Billy''': Emma, you are weight obsessed! This is why the other girls call you [[Franchise/MastersOfTheUniverse Skeletor]]!\\
'''Emma''': The other girls call me Skeletor?\\
'''Billy''': Yeah.\\
'''Emma''': Oh, that is so nice! I do have quite high cheekbones, don't I?

---->'''Jellyfish Warrior''': I was hoping I'd catch you, little power fishies. ''(evil laugh)''\\
'''Zack''': Oh, yeah? Well, you're the one who's caught, slime!\\
'''Jellyfish Warrior''': Flattery will get you nowhere, little mastodon!

---->'''Broodwing''': You may be a millionaire, but you're still the same disgusting, filthy, wretched piece of worthless ''garbage'' to me!\\
'''Piggy:''' ''(earnestly)'' Thank you! It's nice to know money hasn't changed me.

---->'''Syd''': This place is a roach-infested germ farm.\\
'''Piggy''': Thanks! I've done my best.
* On ''{{Series/Pramface}}'', Mike asks Beth how he looks when he's found religion, dressing all in white with a prominent cross, and says "thank you" when she answers "like a lunatic."
* From ''Series/RedDwarf''
-->'''Rimmer''': You're totally egocentric, you flee at the first sign of danger, [[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment you only look after number one, you're vain, you're selfish, you're narcissistic and you're self-obsessed]].\\
'''The Cat''': You just listed all my best features.
** And in another episode, after Rimmer double-crosses them:
--->'''Lister''': ...you're a total scum-sucking, two-faced, weaselly weasel!\\
'''Rimmer''': Ah, my entry in "Who's Who." ''(walks out)''

--->'''Lister''': You really are gullible.\\
'''The Cat''': Thanks!

* ''Series/{{Seinfeld}}'' George has it really though when he tries to get back at a guy for insulting him during a meeting. Made even worse by the fact that he considered his original comeback so devastating that he spent the whole episode trying to get the guy to repeat the insult so he could use it.
-->'''Rodney''': Hey George, the ocean called, they're running out of shrimp.\\
'''George''': Oh yeah, well The Jerk Store called, they're running out of you.\\
'''Rodney''': What's the difference, you're their all-time bestseller!\\
'''George''': Well, I had sex with your wife!\\
'''Person at the meeting''': His wife's in a coma.
* One episode of ''Series/SharkTank'', has a man trying to get a deal on a product which helps eliminate aging in the face. Mark Cuban not believing in the product, accuses the man of being a "gold digger". The man pitching the product replied: "I AM a gold digger, [[NotSoDifferentRemark I'm an entrepreneur."]] He ultimately makes a deal with Lori Greiner.

* On ''Series/SlingsAndArrows'', Geoffrey (who's directing a production of ''Theatre/{{Macbeth}}'') and Henry (his lead actor) disagree fundamentally about the play's interpretation. Geoffrey thinks it's necessary to showcase Macbeth's vulnerability in order to humanize him; Henry thinks Macbeth should remain in control of himself at all times (or, more precisely, Henry is the kind of actor who wants to be in control of his own performance at all times, and that informs the way he plays Macbeth). As a result of this conflict, Geoffrey pulls Henry out one night and puts in his understudy. Geoffrey thinks this is a great success. Henry, well...
-->'''Henry''': I saw a man stuttering and sweating his way through ''Macbeth''. Now, if that was your desired effect, well, I'd say you succeeded admirably.\\
'''Geoffrey''': ''(proudly)'' Yes.

-->'''[[IncorruptiblePurePureness Chloe]]''': Go to hell.\\
'''[[TortureTechnician Desaad]]''': No. It be here soon enough.
* On ''Series/SonnyWithAChance'', the annoyed cast of So Random draws a mustache on Chad's picture on the billboard he puts up to help him win Sonny back. While Nico, Tawni, and Grady laugh about how Chad really looks like a fool now, Zora points out, "Isn't that the whole point of this sign?" Her three costars stare at her while, offscreen, Chad yells, "Hey guys! Thanks for making it better!"

-->"Hey! [[UsefulNotes/AbrahamLincoln Abe Lincoln]]'s [[CaptainObvious dead]]!"[[note]]ItMakesSenseInContext, sort of. [[CrazyCulturalComparison The Chigs lack the concept of an afterlife or anything similar]], which is also why they tend to mutilate human corpses: they mistakenly thought humans could come back from the dead after getting ahold of somebody's Bible, and are just being cautious.[[/note]]
* ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'' "[[Recap/StarTrekS1E20CourtMartial Court Martial]]":

'''Spock:''' Why thank you, Doctor.
** [=McCoy=] has just walked in on Spock playing 3D chess against the computer while Kirk is facing some serious criminal charges. It is revealed that Spock was testing a hypothesis that the computer he was playing against [[spoiler: had been tampered with, producing some false evidence framing Kirk. He was correct.]]
** In "The Return of the Archons":

** In "I, Mudd", Harry Mudd tells Spock that he couldn't sell fake patents to his mother. Of course, the insult is lost on Spock, who has no reason to induce his mother to purchase falsified patents.
** "Arena", on the other hand, makes it work in [=McCoy=]'s favor.

** This exchange on ''Series/StarTrekEnterprise'':
--->'''Tucker''': Mind if I ask you something? Why are you doing this? I never got the impression that you cared that much about humans. Seems like...you were always finding something new to complain about.\\
'''Soval''': I lived on Earth for more than 30 years, Commander. In that time, I developed an affinity for your world and its people.\\
'''Tucker''': You did a pretty good job of hiding it.\\
'''Soval''': Thank you.

* A variation occured in ''Series/TwoAndAHalfMen''. A running joke is that Charlie often goes makes a meowing sound and then making a whipping motion towards Alan when trying to hint that Alan is a pussy. This eventually backfired during a psychotherapy session after Alan was sleepwalking and trying to make a cake, where he does this to Alan and it resulted in the psychiatrist attending the session to schedule a future appointment with Charlie when she mistakenly interpreted the mocking action by Charlie as a means to communicate his fear of Vaginas.

** Another example in "The One With The Dirty Girl", the eponymous girl (who is SMOKING hot) agrees to go on a date with [[HollywoodNerd 'nerdy']] guy Ross, leading to this exchange with ex-girlfriend Rachel:

* In one episode of ''Series/{{Castle}}'', FBI agent (and jealous ex-boyfriend) Sorenson tries to mock Castle's amateur sleuthing skills, by calling him ''Franchise/NancyDrew'', but it backfires:
-->''Castle'': Is that supposed to be an insult? Because Nancy Drew solved every case...

** When Herc gets annoyed that all the local hoppers wear their hats backwards, he leans out his window and sarcastically asks a passing kid where he bought his hat, with the bill on the back of the head. The kid doesn't get it, and explains that it's a normal hat, just turned around. Herc is left speechless.

* From ''Series/ItsAlwaysSunnyInPhiladelphia'', "The Gang Gets Stranded in the Woods":