History Main / CompressedAbstinence

People aren't perfect. It's an understandable fact. When a character recognizes this, they might try to improve or eliminate a stock vice ([[TheAlcoholic alcohol]], masturbation, [[SirSwearsALot swearing]], [[BigEater eating sweets]]), which in any other episode would be portrayed as completely normal. But for this episode, the problem must be ''completely'' eradicated. Beyond clean living, this is a sterilization of a minor imperfection.

People aren't perfect. It's an understandable fact. When a character recognizes this, they might try to improve or eliminate a stock vice ([[TheAlcoholic alcohol]], [[ADateWithRosiePalms masturbation]], [[SirSwearsALot swearing]], [[BigEater eating sweets]]), which in any other episode would be portrayed as completely normal. But for this episode, the problem must be ''completely'' eradicated. Beyond clean living, this is a sterilization of a minor imperfection.

* In the ''Series/{{Seinfeld}}'' episode "The Contest", the characters try to "[[UnusualEuphemism be the master of their domain]]" by spending the longest without... [[ADateWithRosiePalms mastering their domain]]. It doesn't last long. It was called back to, however, even in the series finale.

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheSmurfs'' episode "Willpower Smurfs", Jokey challenges several of his fellow Smurfs to give up their favorite things to do if he is willing to give up playing his pranks on his fellow Smurfs. Several of the Smurfs take Jokey up on the challenge. However, when one of them, Harmony, is captured by Gargamel, he ends up failing his part of the challenge on purpose by blowing his trumpet, which then signals the end of the challenge for all the other Smurfs, although Papa Smurf understands this as Harmony signaling for help.

* ''[[VideoGame/PuyoPuyo Puyo Puyo 20th Anniversary]]'': In his story segment, Lemres tried to train without his candy for a few days, due to it contributing to his magic power, possibly trying to wean himself from relying on it. The end result? '''''Candy withdrawal.'''''

* ''Webcomic/{{Sinfest}}'': In [[http://www.sinfest.net/view.php?date=2012-08-29 Begin Countdown.]]

* ''Webcomic/{{Sinfest}}'': In [[http://www.sinfest.net/view.php?date=2012-08-29 Begin Countdown]].

* ''[[VideoGame/PuyoPuyo Puyo Puyo 20nth Anniversary]]'': In his story segment, Lemres tried to train without his candy for a few days, due to it contributing to his magic power, possibly trying to wean himself from relying on it. The end result? '''''Candy withdrawal.'''''

[[folder: Comic Books ]]

[[folder: Fan Fic ]]

[[folder: Live Action TV ]]

[[folder: Video Games ]]

* [[VideoGame/PuyoPuyo Puyo Puyo 20nth Anniversary]]: In his story segment, Lemres tried to train without his candy for a few days, due to it contributing to his magic power, possibly trying to wean himself from relying on it. The end result? '''''Candy withdrawal.'''''

[[folder: Webcomics ]]

* ''WebComic/PvP'''s Brent Sienna once resolved to give up sarcasm. He made a crack about his boss' weight-loss resolution a mere five seconds later, which was considered a new personal record for him.

[[folder: Western Animation ]]

* ''TheSimpsons'' prohibition episode, brought on by one exceptionally rowdy St. Patrick's Day. This is enforced, as the 200 year old prohibition law is revealed early in the episode, and the 199 year old anti-prohibition law is revealed near the end.

* ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants'': One episode centers on Spongebob (and Patrick) rejecting all their normal activities and acting as adults (which boils down to becoming StopHavingFunGuys). Patrick snaps first, basically declaring that GrowingUpSucks.

[[quoteright:350:[[/Webcomic/{{Sinfest}} http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/quitting_porn_6.jpg]]]]

Of course, ColdTurkeysAreEverywhere, StatusQuoIsGod, and perfect characters are unrelatable to the audience. So, one end of episode SnapBack later, they're back at square one. And the simple problem is never exaggerated this much again.

* ''Series/AllInTheFamily'': Archie and Mike have a bet over who can last longer (of a 48 hour limit): Archie without a cigar or Mike without eating. (Mike's a BigEater.) They start taunting each other: [[ColdTurkeysAreEverywhere Mike starts smoking in front of Archie and Archie eats in front of Mike]]. They decide to call it a draw, with Archie lighting up & Mike eating on the count of three; but [[spoiler: Archie pulls the lighter away from his cigar just as Mike starts eating, therefore he wins the bet. But then while gloating he accidently puts the lit end of the [[LaserGuidedKarma cigar in his mouth and burns his tongue]]]]

* One episode of ''Series/CornerGas'' followed the characters for a year as they tried to follow their New Years resolutions. Only Lacy managed it.

* Tommy from ''Series/RescueMe''.

* ''VideoGame/PuyoPuyo'': Lemres tried to train without his candy for a few days, due to it contributing to his magic power, possibly trying to wean himself from relying on it. The end result? '''''Candy withdrawal.'''''

* In an episode of ''DrakeAndJosh'', the titular characters made a bet that they could each quit junk food or videogames respectively longer than the other.

* In ''FatherTed'' for Lent Ted decides to give up cigarettes, Dougal rollerblading, and on Jack's behalf, Ted makes a vow that Jack will give up drinking. After they can't go one day without succumbing they call in a specialist, who turns out to be quite insane, and eventually they do a turnaround and indulge these things to a greater degree than they did before.
* One episode of ''CornerGas'' followed the characters for a year as they tried to follow their New Years resolutions. Only Lacy managed it.

* ''AllInTheFamily'': Archie and Mike have a bet over who can last longer (of a 48 hour limit): Archie without a cigar or Mike without eating. (Mike's a BigEater.) They start taunting each other: [[ColdTurkeysAreEverywhere Mike starts smoking in front of Archie and Archie eats in front of Mike]]. They decide to call it a draw, with Archie lighting up & Mike eating on the count of three; but [[spoiler: Archie pulls the lighter away from his cigar just as Mike starts eating, therefore he wins the bet. But then while gloating he accidently puts the lit end of the [[LaserGuidedKarma cigar in his mouth and burns his tongue]]]]

* Shelton and Mavrides' ''TheFabulousFurryFreakBrothers'' (the Frisco hippies with attitude) once try going cold turkey from all recreational chemicals. After three miserable, horrible, tedious, dragging, hours, they give up and are seen snorting and ingesting every drug to hand as if their lives depended on it.

People aren't perfect. It's an understandable fact. When a character recognizes this, they might try to improve or eliminate a stock vice (alcohol, [[ADateWithRosiePalms masturbation]], swearing, eating sweets), which in any other episode would be portrayed as completely normal. But for this episode, the problem must be ''completely'' eradicated. Beyond clean living, this is a sterilization of a minor imperfection.