History Main / AskAStupidQuestion

->I just hate stupid people. They should have to wear signs that just say "I'm Stupid." That way you wouldn't rely on them, would you? You wouldn't ask them anything. It would be like, "Excuse me...oops, never mind. I didn't see your sign." It's like before my wife and I moved from Texas to California, our house was full of boxes and ''there was a U-Haul truck in our driveway''. My friend comes over and says, ''"Hey, You moving?"'' ''"Nope. We just pack our stuff up once or twice a week. Just to see how many boxes it takes. [[CatchPhrase Here's your sign]].''"
-->-- '''BillEngvall'''

Bill Engvall's "[[HeresYourSign Here's Your Sign]]" routine, as explained at the top, was dedicated to these exchanges. {{MAD Magazine}} also had a section called SnappyAnswersToStupidQuestions.

Be aware of the TroperTales for TroperTales/AskAStupidQuestion.

Is there one?

* One of the many, many, ''many'' problems with Tommy Wiseau's TheRoom. The most {{egregious}} being Mark constantly asking Lisa why she's undressing in front of him despite them sleeping with each other multiple times in the film.
** But the one that takes the cake is at the very end after Johnny [[spoiler: kills himself, Lisa asks Mark "Is he dead?"]].

* In ''Discworld/MenAtArms'', when Cuddy, a dwarf is asked if he's a dwarf, he answers: "It's the nose, isn't it? It always gives me away."

** In the season 2 episode "Hunting", House and Stacy are cleaning dishes at her home when her husband, Mark, arrives unexpectedly.
-->'''Mark:''' What's going on?
-->'''House:''' It's not what you think. I know it looks like we're cleaning dishes, but actually we're having sex.

* [[BuffyTheVampireSlayer Buffy]] has done it twice. In "Anne", she answers an accusatory "What're you doing?" with "Breaking into your office and going through your private files." In a later season, when Dawn finds her sitting on her bed, reading a magazine, she asks the same question. Buffy gives a less straight-forward answer this time: "Playing soccer."

* On ''DeadLikeMe'' someone doing performance reviews at the Happy Time Temp Agency once had the following exchange with George,
--> '''Ed Barphin:''' Can I ask you a question?
--> '''George:''' That ''is'' a question. Would you like to ask me ''another'' one?

* In ''Goblins'', there was a time that Big ears asked Thaco "how did you find us"? Thaco only needed to point a finger to 8 or so bizarre random magic effects still ongoing (only 8 were seen because the rest of the random magic effects would fill many more panels).

<<|{{Dialogue}}|>>

** But the one that takes the cake is at the very end after Johnny [[spoiler: kills himself]; Lisa asks Mark [[spoiler: "Is he dead?"]].

Bill Engvall's "[[HeresYourSign Here's Your Sign]]" routine, as explained at the top, was dedicated to these exchanges. MAD Magazine also had a section called SnappyAnswersToStupidQuestions.

-->[[BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor So I did.]]"

[[AC:{{Literature}}]]
* In ''Discworld/MenAtArms'', when Cuddy, a dwarf is asked if he's a dwarf, he answers: "It's the nose, isn't it? It always gives me away."

* From the ''Frasier'' episode, "Martin Does it His Way":

* ''TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy''- Zaphod is asked if he's THE Zaphod Beeblebrox "No, just a Zaphod Beeblebrox. Haven't you heard, we come in six packs?".
** Zaphod does this a lot, but it's especially heavy in that episode. Right after that:
-->'''Receptionist:''' But sir, I umm, it was on the sub-ether radio this morning, er... it... er... said you were dead.
-->'''Zaphod:''' Yeah that's right, I just haven't stopped moving yet.
-->[AND]
-->'''Roosta:''' Beeblebrox! Over here!
-->'''Zaphod:''' No, Beeblebrox over here. Who are you?
-->'''Roosta:''' A friend.
-->'''Zaphod:''' Oh yeah? Anyone's friend in particular or just generally well disposed to people?
* The song "Foolish Questions"
* Tabletop RPG- Paranoia supplement Acute Paranoia, adventure "Outland-ISH". The Troubleshooters try to find out the source of a drug affecting ISH sector by questioning the residents.
-->'''Troubleshooter:''' How did all these people get drugged?
-->'''Drugged Citizen:''' They drank the water. Snrfff.
-->'''Troubleshooter:''' The drug is in the water?
-->'''Drugged Citizen:''' Sklaxxl. No, the drug is on the inside of the cups! Of course it's in the water. Hrraww.
* ''{{Red vs Blue}}'':
-->Church (in Sarge's body): Uhh... Who ya talking to red? Me?
-->Grif: No, I'm talking to Lopez, because, you know, that's real rewarding.

* ''{{Animorphs}}'', during a time-travel scenario involving GeorgeWashington crossing the Delaware:
--> '''Rachel:''' No way. George Washington?
--> '''Marco:''' Jake, tell her, "No, Guido Washington."
--> '''Jake:''' Marco would like me to pass along a sarcastic remark.
* In an episode of ''JusticeLeagueUnlimited'', Solomon Grundy gives Superman a NoHoldsBarredBeatdown that involves - among other things - punching him through several buildings, smashing him between two cars, and tossing him through the supports of a suspension bridge. After that last one, Superman climbs out onto a pier, not only bruised and battered but dripping wet as well, and:
--> '''Green Lantern:''' You okay?
--> ''{{Beat}}''
--> '''Superman:''' [[SarcasmMode Do I ]]''[[SarcasmMode look]]'' [[SarcasmMode okay?]]
** Although in fairness to GL, [[DependingOnTheWriter sometimes]] Superman will just shrug that off like it's nothing.

* In the ''Elefun and Friends'' short "A Tangled Tale," Elefun follows a kite string all the way to China, where he and his friends see a panda trying to launch herself across a river [[{{Treebuchet}} using a piece of bamboo]]. The bamboo gets stuck halfway, leaving her dangling and leading to this conversation:
-->'''Elefun''': Whatcha doing?
-->'''Panda''': [[SarcasmMode Sipping tea]]. What does it look like I'm doing?
-->'''Spin''': Sinking.
-->'''Pandarama''': Who asked you?
* Literary example: In ''Magic Strikes'', KateDaniels is in a strange kitchen trying to make coffee, only someone has rearranged all the labels on the containers so she can't find anything.
-->"Looking for something?" Dali came up from the hallway.
-->"No, I'm dancing the can-can." Ask a dumb question...
-->Dali blinked at me. "Would you mind making coffee while you're dancing? I smell it on the bottom shelf, either first or second jar on the left."
* [[BuffyTheVampireSlayer Buffy]] has done it twice. In ''Anne'', she answers an accusatory "What're you doing?" with "Breaking into your office and going through your private files." In a later season, when Dawn finds her sitting on her bed, reading a magazine, she asks the same question. Buffy gives a less straight-forward answer this time: "Playing soccer."

-->'''Dick:''' ''(serene voice)'' No, Nina, little Davey Tenant, the boy down the block. You see, ever since Davey was three years old, he's wanted more than anything to see a real professional baseball game. He wished the biggest wish his little heart could muster. But his dad was laid off and couldn't afford the tickets. Well, one day last week, little Davey was outside playing ball like he always does, and who should walk up the block, tall as a building, but home run king Mark Mc Gwire. To see little Davey's face light up as Mc Gwire handed him four seats on the first base line, well, it's something that I will never forget. ''(pause)'' YES, STRUDWICK'S! DON'T ASK STUPID QUESTIONS!

* NotAlwaysRight. Good God.
* In ''Goblins'', there was a time that Big ears asked Thac0 "how did you find us"? Thaco only needed to point a finger to 8 or so bizarre random magic effects still ongoing (only 8 were seen because the rest of the random magic effects would fill many more panels).
* From ''ChickenRun'':
-->'''Mr. Tweedy''': What is it? \\
'''Mrs. Tweedy''': It's a pie machine, you idiot. Chickens go in, pies come out. \\
'''Mr. Tweedy''': Ooh, what kind of pies? \\
'''Mrs. Tweedy''': Apple. \\
'''Mr. Tweedy''': My favourite. \\

* [[http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2009/3/13/ This]] PennyArcade strip.
* Sherlock Holmes's ''War of the Worlds'' had an offensive misinterpretation. Sherlock Holmes tells Dr. Watson how one of the invading machines was going after him. Watson exclaims, "And you escaped!" Holmes replies, "No, Watson. I was caught and killed by the machines." Of course, Watson wasn't asking a silly question, he was exclaiming in surprise.

* In the Flemish movie ''[[MoscowBelgium Moscow, Belgium]]'', Matty is calling to her daughter from the bathroom.
-->'''Vera''': Mom, are you taking a bath?
-->'''Matty''': No, I'm getting a massage from a big black guy.
* On ''DeadLikeMe'' someone doing performance reviews at the Happy Time Temp Agency once had the following exchange with George,
--> '''Ed Barphin:''' Can I ask you a question?
--> '''George:''' That ''is'' a question. Would you like to ask me ''another'' one?
* PeterDavid likes these. For example, this exchange from Madrox:
-->'''Jamie Madrox''': How long was I out?
-->'''Guido Carousella''': Seventeen years. The US was bought by the Swiss. The new national bird's the cuckoo, but the chocolate's better.
* Then there's this exchange in {{AnalyzeThis}}:
-->'''Paul Vitti''': I couldn't get it up last night.
-->'''Ben Sobel''': You mean sexually?
-->'''Paul Vitti''': No, I mean for the big game against Michigan State. Of course sexually!
* Real life: At the supermarket deli I work at, we have every product marked with signs as to what they are and how much they cost per pound. Yet we still get the occasional ninny with an expensive car come in and not only ask what kind of chicken/turkey/ham/cheese we have but how much does it cost. The mind boggles as to what kind of response I'd give if protocol permitted.

<<|{{Dialogue}}|>>

--> '''Geogre:''' That ''is'' a question. Would you like to ask me ''another'' one?

You know how obnoxious CaptainObvious can be. You just want to yell at them and say, "Any blind idiot can tell what's going on!" But then there are those [[CaptainObvious Captains Obvious]] who can not only tell what is going on but ask a stupid question ''just to verify.''

This is not only when that question is asked, but to the frustrated individual this is their chance to strike back with a non-sequitur either in a DeadpanSnarker retort or full on MindScrew confusion. A specific variation of SarcasmMode.

While examples on this page are of InUniverse instances of this type of exchange, this is certainly a staple of {{MSTing}} by pointing out where people are being oblivious to their dialogue (or [[ParrotExposition being repetitive in them]]). [[TheMummy "This is a map to Hammunaptra."]] "''The'' Hammunaptra?" "No, the one in Jersey."

* In the [[TheFifties 1950s]], a parody of a radio quiz show was broadcast, titled "It Pays to be Ignorant." The show featured stupid questions, and the craziest responses one could come up with, sometimes leading to an AbbottAndCostello-style contorted misunderstanding. Sample questions:
-->What color was George Washington's white horse?
-->What season of the year does spring fever refer to?
-->Who wrote the autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, and what famous historical figure is it about?
* In [[TheSeventies 1976]], [=McDonalds=] produced an advertisement celebrating the 200th anniversary of the United States. Ronald [=McDonald=] and the gang were making a giant birthday cake. At one point, the Grimace rushes up to Ronald and asks, "How do you spell USA?"

* Then there's this excahange in {{AnalyzeThis}}:

-->So I did."

While examples on this page are of InUniverse instances of this type of exchange, this is certainly a staple of {{MSTing}} by pointing out where people are being oblivious to their dialogue. [[TheMummy "This is a map to Hummanaptra."]] "''The'' Hummanaptra?" "No, the one in Jersey."

* Buffy has done it twice. In ''Anne'', she answers an accusatory "What're you doing?" with "Breaking into your office and going through your private files." In a later season, when Dawn finds her sitting on her bed, reading a magazine, she asks the same question. Buffy gives a less straight-forward answer this time: "Playing soccer."