History Main / ParodiesForDummies

* ''Series/TheBrittasEmpire'': At one point in “[=Http://etc=]”, Brittas can be seen briefly consulting ''The Idiot's Guide to 4.1 Computer Operating Manual'' whilst talking to Councillor Drugget.

* ''TabletopGame/{{GURPS}} Bio-Tech'' includes several quotes from ''Nanovirus for Dummies'' by possible MadScientist Dr Lucien Locke. One excerpt has Dr Locke assuring the reader that a GreyGoo scenario can't possibly happen unless you intend it to. And if you ''do'' intend it to, here's what you do...

* ''VideoGame/DwarfFortress'' has some entertaining in-universe examples created through ProceduralGeneration, producing titles that sound like vaguely pretentious self-help guides ("Start Your Day With X", "X For The Beginning Practitioner" etc) applied to every subject from medicine and engineering to [[TomeOfEldritchLore necromancy]].

* ''VideoGame/KingdomOfLoathing'': Getting really good feng shui in your dwelling requires a decorative fountain, wind chimes, and a book called "Feng Shui for Big Dumb Idiots" to figure out how to arrange them.

* ''{{Series/Bones}}'': One episode had ''Forensics for Knuckleheads'' on Aubrey’s desk. This is a bit odd since Booth used ''Plumbing for Dummies'' in an earlier episode. “Forensics for Dummies” is a real book so why they didn’t use it is unknown.

* ''{{Series/Bones}}'': One episode had “Forensics for Knuckleheads” on Aubrey’s desk. Which is a bit odd since Booth used “Plumbing for Dummies” in an earlier episode. “Forensics for Dummies” is a real book so why they didn’t use it is unknown.

* Upon her arrival in Munchkinland in ''Film/TheMuppetsWizardOfOz'', the Munchkins quiz her on exactly what they are using the book ''Oz for Dummies''.

* In ''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}'' John consults ''Data Structures for Assholes'' when he needs help with his InventoryManagementPuzzle. The [[http://www.mspaintadventures.com/?s=6&p=002291 page he turns to]] is a spot-on parody of the style, format and clip-art used in such guides. However, instead of providing advice useful to a novice, the book addresses its reader in the tone of an obnoxious abusive jerk.

[[caption-width-right:319:[[http://www.signgenerator.org/books/dummies/ They really do have a book for everything, don't they?]] [[note]][[ComicallyMissingThePoint That book's a few years out of date.]][[/note]]]]

* ''Series/TheBrittasEmpire'': At one point in “[=Http://etc=], Brittas can be seen briefly consulting ''The Idiot's Guide to 4.1 Computer Operating Manual'' whilst talking to Councillor Drugget.

* ''WebComic/EightBitTheater'' has ''[[http://www.nuklearpower.com/2009/02/26/episode-1099-more-like-borrissey/ Necromantic Arts for Dummies.]]''

* ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'' presents: ''[[http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20030519 Advanced Mechanics for the Mad.]]''

* ''Webcomic/YetAnotherFantasyGamerComic'' has ''[[http://yafgc.net/comic/0248-nuts-to-that-solution/ Dimension Doors for Dummies.]]''
* ''[[http://www.yip.org/dosmoron.html DOS For Complete and Utter Morons, Like You, Fuckhead]]''
* ''Webcomic/{{Sinfest}}''
** ''War for Dummies'' is in its [[http://www.sinfest.net/view.php?date=2004-05-06 bestseller list]].
** Lil' E uses ''[[http://www.sinfest.net/view.php?date=2008-08-18 Black Magic for Dummies]]'' to summon a savage demon {{hellhound}} (for dummies).
** Later he reads ''"[[http://www.sinfest.net/view.php?date=2012-06-05 World Domination Manual.]]''
* ''Webcomic/{{Bug|Martini}}'' has ''[[http://www.bugcomic.com/comics/read-between-the-whines/ The Complete Idiot's Guide to Musical Belching.]]''

* ''Webcomic/BrunoTheBandit'' has ''[[http://www.brunothebandit.com/d/19991029.html Sorcery for Fatheads.]]''

* ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'': After Ruby blows up Weiss' [[AppliedPhlebotinum Dust]] supply, Weiss hands her a pamphlet titled ''Dust for dummies and other inadequate individuals''.
-->'''Weiss:''' Read this, and then ''never'' speak to me again.

* In ''VideoGame/SpiderManPS4'', one of the collectible items that can be found is a book owned by Peter that's titled "Work/Life Balance For Idiots", it notably has sold over three million copies.

-->-- ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'', "Real Me"

** ''Literature/MobyDick for Dummies''. FridgeBrilliance: For Dummies and Cliffs Notes have the same publisher.

** When the Simpsons go to Brazil, Bart learns Spanish on the flight there, which is ''Español para Dummies'' with Bumblebee Man as the instructor. Marge is quick to point out that Brazilians speak Portuguese, causing Bart to fly off in an angry rant in Spanish.

* ''WesternAnimation/MickeyDonaldGoofyTheThreeMusketeers'' has Goofy reading a ''Complete Idiot's Guide''.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Shrek}} [[ChristmasSpecial the Halls]]'' with ''Christmas for Village Idiots''.

* ''Film/LooneyTunesBackInAction'' has WesternAnimation/BugsBunny fighting Marvin the Martian with lightsabers while Bugs reads ''The Force for Dummies''.

* ''Film/LooneyTunesBackInAction'' has Bugs Bunny fighting Marvin the Martian with lightsabers while Bugs reads ''The Force for Dummies''.

* In the ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' episode "Look Before You Sleep", Twilight Sparkle hosts a slumber party, but has no idea how, so she relies on a book titled ''Slumber 101: [[Creator/WoodyAllen All You've Ever Wanted to Know About Slumber Parties]] ([[GettingCrapPastTheRadar But Were Afraid to Ask]])''.

** In ''Literature/{{Wintersmith}}'', one village of anti-witchcraft fanatics get their information from the ''Magavenatio Obtusis'', which [[FootnoteFever a footnote]] helpfully translates as ''Witch-Hunting for Dumb People''.

* ''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}''
** ''Data Structures for Assholes'', which parodies many of the elements associated with programming manuals that bill themselves as accessible to the novice: [[http://www.mspaintadventures.com/?s=6&p=002291 lengthy explanations of simple topics, clip art, diagrams...]]
** Rose also mentions getting ''Knitting for Assholes'' after getting her yarn and knitting needles from John as a birthday gift.

* In ''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4740990/3/The-Master-s-Gambit The Master's Gambit]]'' a recently-freed Dobby steals Lucius Malfoy's library and one of the few books left behind is ''Spell-Creation for Dummies''.

* ''[[Fanfic/TheManyDatesOfDannyFenton After Many Dates: Danny and Kim]]'': Sounding Cool for Dimwits.