History Main / IsThisThingOn

* At one point in his Presidency RonaldReagan was asked to talk into a mic for a sound level and turned the trope UpToEleven by saying "My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in ten minutes." Needless to say the Russians were not amused.

* At one point in his Presidency RonaldReagan was asked to talk into a mic for a sound level and turned the trope UpToEleven by saying "My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever, we begin bombing in ten minutes." Needless to say the Russians were not amused.

* At one point in his Presidency RonaldReagan was asked to talk into a mic for a sound level and turned the trope UpToEleven by saying "Negotiations with the Soviet Union have failed, we begin bombing in ten minutes." Needless to say the Russians were not amused.

* In ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'', episode [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E5SisterhoovesSocial "Sisterhooves Social"]], Granny Smith does it with a megaphone, before grumbling about modern appliances in general.

* In the intro of ''[[VideoGame/CrashBandicoot Crash of the Titans]]'', Cortex appears inside of a big zeppelin and utters this line before properly addressing (and kidnapping some of) the protagonists of the game.

* ''Series/{{Stargate SG-1}}'', season 8 episode "New Order, Part 2", Jack O'Neill does this while merged with the computer of Thor's spaceship, and talking through its comms.

* [[http://twitter.com/Othar/status/1464283426 This entry]] on [[Webcomic/GirlGenius Othar Tryggvassen's]] twitter: Our favorite GentlemanAdventurer finds his twitting device after a TimeSkip.

** She does it again in ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamCity'' when speaking through her statue-communicators.

* The 2009 ''Film/AstroBoy'' film.

Bob the rock star is ready to wow the crowd with his hip brand of radical [[RapRock rap-rock]]-[[RapMetal metal]] fusion. He calmly walks onto the stage. The crowd remains in an eager silence. He takes slow, echoing steps towards his personal, Jimi Hendrix signed microphone. His hand reaches out to grasp it. A light but dramatic cough, and... "Hey, Is This Thing On?" *tap tap tap* "Testing, testing, 1-2-3...".

Okay, so it's rarely that dramatic. But 9 times out of 10, you can bet any character, no matter how experienced with electrical sound equipment, WILL utter this phrase. You've probably SeenItAMillionTimes, probably even [[TruthInTelevision in real life]]. For some reason the microphone will always feedback for a moment. Unfortunately, because of a case of TVNeverLies, many people will often do this in RealLife, thinking this is the normal way to test a microphone. Doing so actually damages the microphone, and the AV technicians running the show will probably get really frustrated at you. If feedback DOES occur, the AV will become even more frustrated. Despite this fact, all forms of media still use this trope, misleading the common people to think that it is the proper way to check a mic.

* Being an experienced professional doesn't mean that you don't do it -- it means that you spend an hour doing it before the show starts to make sure the levels are correct.
** Some professionals don't, however. Techs often use tongue-twisters, poems, songs and even a grocery list to sound check to ensure a broad range of vowel and consonant sounds are properly equalized. Tapping the mic, however, is frowned upon.
** And even that doesn't foretell if the thing's actually going to work. Someone who's had a mic fail on them even after all this testing will ''still'' perform this ritual to make sure the thing's working.
** Tapping the mic damages the thing. That is why it is frowned upon. It is also really frustrating for the AV when the people using the mic to tap the thing, not trusting the AV that it is on and working.
** Surprisingly frustrating when working smaller venues. During sound checks, inexperienced singers will literally just say "check check, one two" and leave it at that as a result of this trope. In reality it takes a minute or two to properly EQ each microphone, and a few mumbled words are of no use to man nor beast. Many will also need to be given a specific topic to talk about, as they're often unwilling to sing a'capella in front of their mates and blowing their cool.
* The trope is justified however, as both "testing" and "one two" feature harsh syllables (''T''wo), plosives (WUH-ne) and sibilance (teSSSting), the three fiddliest aspects of speech to amplify. Once you've got these three sorted, the rest is easy.
** Some replace "toast" for "testing", which serves much the same purpose. There's also usually at least one smart arse who goes for "testes". It's neither as funny nor as original as you think it is, but it tends to break up the monotony.

* In one ''[[ComicStrip/TheFarSide Far Side]]'' comic, captioned "Testing whether fish have feelings", two scientists have one microphone in a fishbowl inhabited by a single goldfish and another one being held by one of the scientists. The scientist begins to yell insults at the fish, only to ask if the mic is on when he doesn't get a response.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Shrek}} 2'' has this trope, although rather amusingly it's when the fairy godmother is recording an "answering machine message"...

* In ''Disney/HomeOnTheRange'', show cow Maggie says this line and blows at her ''cow bell''.

** Played with in the novel ''Discworld/{{Thud}}'': an ancient recording of a historic dwarven leader begins with a couple of loud knocking noises, followed by "Art thys thyng workyng?"

* Played with in ''Series/SlingsAndArrows''. A stagehand soundchecks with "check, one, [[ShoutOut to be]] or [[WilliamShakespeare not to be]]" before [[TheFunInFuneral Oliver's memorial service]].

-->'''Jack's voice:''' Hello. Testing, testing. One, two. One, two, one, two, testing. Helloooo? Is this thing on?

* Music/GetoBoys -- "My minds Plain' Tricks on Me"

** ''The Eminem Show'' album ends with a skit. During the skit Ken Kaniff taps the microphone and says "Erm... izzis thing on...?"
** At the start of "The Real Sugar Baby" (a cover of Eminem's "The Real Slim Shady", only with a female singer and with "sugar baby" instead of "slim shady") the singer goes into the mic at the start; "Hello, is this thing on?"
* The Shellac song, "The End of Radio", repeats this phrase many times. Which is especially surreal when you consider that band leader Steve Albini is a ''professional recording engineer''. "This... microphone... ''turns sound into electricity!'' Can you hear me now?!"

* [[http://twitter.com/Othar/status/1464283426 This entry]] on [[Webcomic/GirlGenius Othar Tryggvassen]]'s twitter: Our favorite GentlemanAdventurer finds his twitting device after a TimeSkip.

* Used in ''Theatre/{{Wicked}}'' -- ''for a malfunctioning wand''.

* ''Series/{{Stargate SG-1}}'', season 8 episode "New Order, Part 2", Jack O'Neill does this while fusioned with the computer of Thor's spaceship, and talking through its comms.

* ''Series/{{Stargate SG-1}}'', season 2 episode "New Order, Part 2", Jack O'Neill does this while fusioned with the computer of Thor's spaceship, and talking through its comms.

* Parodied by Zack Galifianakis, playing a stand-up comic from the 1700s. "Is this thing on?...''What is this thing?''"

* [[spoiler: Nappa's ghost]] in ''WebVideo/DragonBallAbridged'', while ''mentally'' contacting Vegeta.

* ''{{Shrek}} 2'' has this trope, although rather amusingly it's when the fairy godmother is recording an "answering machine message"...
* ''TheIncredibles'' has it in its initial interview to Mr. Incredible.

* ''{{Literature/Discworld}}''
** Played with in the novel ''{{Discworld/Thud}}'': an ancient recording of a historic dwarven leader begins with a couple of loud knocking noises, followed by "Art thys thyng workyng?"

* In one ''Literature/CiaphasCain'' novel, an out-of-touch, confused planetary governor practices a speech... only to learn that the camera was in fact on the whole time.

* In one of the last episodes of ''ILoveLucy'', Fred installs an intercom between his guest house and the Ricardo's main house. Lucy tests it with the "Testing 1,2,3" method.
* Played with in ''SlingsAndArrows''. A stagehand soundchecks with "check, one, [[ShoutOut to be]] or [[WilliamShakespeare not to be]]" before [[TheFunInFuneral Oliver's memorial service]].

* {{Music/Eminem}}

* [[http://twitter.com/Othar/status/1464283426 This entry]] on Othar Tryggvassen's twitter: Our favorite GentlemanAdventurer finds his twitting device after a TimeSkip.

* Used in ''{{Theatre/Wicked}}'' -- ''for a malfunctioning wand''.
* The Tango: Maureen in ''{{RENT}}''.

* Similarly, Malcolm Corley said "How do I turn this thing off?" in ''FullThrottle''.

* In the intro of ''[[CrashBandicoot Crash of the Titans]]'', Cortex appears inside of a big zeppelin and utters this line before properly addressing (and kidnapping some of) the protagonists of the game.

-->'''Wesker:''' Is this thing on? Excella, I told you I hate AT&T! [sigh] Greetings, you have reached Albert Wesker's... celulate device. I'm currently away on business-- business that does not concern you. If Chris has given you this number I'll deal with you shortly. If you're calling to confirm the date of launch for the final phase of... the plan, please dial 01-800- [background noise] Excella, do not touch that! [more noise] Goddamnit, woman!

* In ''TheInexplicableAdventuresOfBob'', spoken by the Captain of the [[SpacePirates Pirates of Ipecac]] before he announces his plans to attack Earth.

* Uttered by Lrrr of the planet Omicron Persei 8 in an episode of ''{{WesternAnimation/Futurama}}''.

* In ThePowerpuffGirls episode "The City Of Frownsville," Lou Gubrious sets a ray on Townsville that has everyone crying torrents of tears. The girls attempt to make the crowd at a festival laugh, even though ''they're'' crying as well. Blossom taps the mic and sobs "Is this thing on?"

-->'''Bill Bailey:''' A medieval roadie? Ah, one do I say, one do I say, one do I say, one do I say then surely two should follow, two should follow, two should follow, two should follow.

* ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil5'': Albert Wesker says this in a [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyxNviCGLoI voicemail message]].

* [[spoiler: Nappa's ghost]] in ''WebOriginal/DragonBallAbridged'', while ''mentally'' contacting Vegeta.

[[folder:Fan Works]]
* [[spoiler: Nappa's ghost]] in ''DragonBallAbridged'', while ''mentally'' contacting Vegeta.
-->"Is this thing on? ''(coughs nosiliy)'' You are now thinking about what [[AmbiguouslyGay Zarbon]] did to you while you were unconscious. [[ParanoiaFuel Have fun with that.]]"

[[folder:Comics -- Newspaper]]
* In one [[TheFarSide Far Side]] comic, captioned "Testing whether fish have feelings", two scientists have one microphone in a fishbowl inhabited by a single goldfish and another one being held by one of the scientists. The scientist begins to yell insults at the fish, only to ask if the mic was on when he didn't get a response.

* In ''HomeOnTheRange'', show cow Maggie says this line and blows at her ''cow bell''.

* Said in the ''TheProwler'' when the supervising teacher tells the partygoers that there is a [[TitleDrop prowler]] on the grounds and everyone should stay inside.

* ''Literature/{{Discworld}}''
** Played with in the novel ''Discworld/{{Thud}}'': an ancient recording of a historic dwarven leader begins with a couple of loud knocking noises, followed by "Art thys thyng workyng?"

* In one CiaphasCain novel, an out-of-touch, confused planetary governor practices a speach... only to learn that the camera was in fact on the whole time.

* Geto Boys -- "My minds Plain' Tricks On Me"

* {{Eminem}}'s ''The Eminem Show'' album ends with a skit. During the skit Ken Kaniff taps the microphone and says "Erm... izzis thing on...?"
** At the start of "The Real Sugar Baby" (a cover of Eminem's "The Real Slim Shady", only with a female singer and with "sugar baby" instead of "slim shady") the singer goes into the mic at the start "Hello, is this thing on?"

* Zach De La Rocha of {{Rage Against the Machine}} would usually open concerts by shouting "one, two"
* LessThanJake has a song with this trope as its name. It uses the phrase to represent loneliness and watching the world leave you behind.

Can't make it through this world all alone.\\
Is this thing on at all?''
* The Jimi Hendrix song "Hey Baby (New Rising Sun)" has this trope as its first line after the epic intro/solo.

[[folder:Stand-Up Comedy]]
* Stock covering line for a comic who tells a joke at which no-one laughs.
* Parodied by Zack Galifianakis, playing a stand-up comic from the 1700s. "Is this thing on? ...''What is this thing?''"
* In BillBailey's ''Part Troll'' tour, he mentions how in one review he was described as looking like "a medieval roadie":
-->'''Bill Bailey:''' A medieval roadie? Ah, one do I say, one do I say, one do I say, one do I say then surely two should follow, two should follow, two should follow, two should follow.
[[/folder]]

* Used in ''Theatre/{{Wicked}}'' -- ''for a malfunctioning wand''.

* In ''{{Dead to Rights}}'', the objective of one of the levels is to stop a member of a corrupt SWAT-style unit from calling his boss. During the level the guy constantly repeats "Come in, hey Dick you copy! This stupid... What's the damn frequency?"

* At one point in ''BatmanArkhamAsylum'', Harley Quinn says this while delivering an announcement over the Arkham Asylum PA system.
* In the intro of [[CrashBandicoot Crash of the Titans]], Cortex appears inside of a big zeppelin and utters this line before properly addressing (and kidnapping some of) the protagonists of the game.
* [[ResidentEvil5 Albert Wesker]] says this in a [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyxNviCGLoI voicemail message]].
-->'''Wesker:''' Is this thing on? Excella, I told you I hate AT&T! *Sigh* Greetings, you have reached Albert Wesker's... celulate device. I'm currently away on business- business that does not concern you. If Chris has given you this number I'll deal with you shortly. If you're calling to confirm the date of launch for the final phase of... the plan, please dial 01-800- *Background noise* Excella, do not touch that! *more noise* Goddamnit, woman!

* Turg the minotaur asks "This thing working?" with a communication crystal ball in ''YetAnotherFantasyGamerComic''.

* Uttered by Lrrr of the planet Omicron Persei 8 in an episode of ''{{Futurama}}''.
* Used in the series ''DaveTheBarbarian'' in which a peasant asks a series of really bad jokes before asking: "Has this thing been invented yet?"
* Subverted in ''TheSimpsons'' where Moe tells an awful joke, asks if his microphone is on, then gets an apology from Barney as he failed to plug the wire in.
* Used in the start of the opening theme for ''SidTheScienceKid''

* On August 11, 1984, United States President RonaldReagan, while running for re-election, was preparing to make his weekly Saturday address on National Public Radio. As a sound check prior to the address, Reagan made the following joke to the radio technicians: "My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes." (the joke was a parody of the opening line of that day's speech). Contrary to urban legend it was not, thankfully, broadcast on-air.

* In one [[TheFarSide ''Far Side'']] comic, captioned "Testing whether fish have feelings", two scientists have one microphone in a fishbowl inhabited by a single goldfish and another one being held by one of the scientists. The scientist begins to yell insults at the fish, only to ask if the mic was on when he didn't get a response.

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