History Main / SarcasmBlind

Compare PoesLaw, CryingWolf, DoNotDoThisCoolThing, SchmuckBait, NoSenseOfHumor, CannotConveySarcasm, BluntMetaphorsTrauma, SuperGullible. Often seen in CaptainObvious. It's also a trait found in persons with UsefulNotes/AspergerSyndrome. It can lead to an IWasJustJoking situation, and is a common cause of ComicallyMissingThePoint.

-->'''Gantu''': You never did understand the meaning of "aloha", did you?\\

-->'''Simba''': My dad showed me the whole kingdom, and I'm gonna rule it all!\\

-->'''Simba''': My dad showed me the whole kingdom, and I'm gonna rule it all!

-—>'''Simba''': My dad showed me the whole kingdom, and I'm gonna rule it all!

'''Simba''': My dad showed me the whole kingdom, and I'm gonna rule it all!

* Cat Curio and Vlad in ''Comicbook/HackSlash'' both have a really hard time with any kind of sarcasm or figurative speech. Cat has UsefulNotes/AspergerSyndrome, and Vlad had an extremely sheltered upbringing wherein speaking to someone besides his not-fluent-in-English foster father was a ridiculous notion.

** ''ComicBook/AllNewUltimates'': When ComicBook/MilesMorales mentioned Diamondback's tattoo, she said that it was a marker drawing. He was amazed. Then she clarified that no, it isn't. "Er... I knew that".
** ''Comicbook/UltimateSpiderMan'':

* Dagwood of ''ComicStrip/{{Blondie}}''. Apparently even sarcasm [[http://www.blondie.com/strip.php?month=12&year=2005&comic=2005-12-4 can't penetrate "that thick skull of his"]]. Made even funnier by the fact that his boss took some time to find this out.

A common trait among characters who have NoSocialSkills due to an offbeat background, also TheSpock, and those who are just that [[TheComicallySerious Comically Serious]], or are just too young. These characters do not understand sarcasm. A lot of times, that can be ([[DeadpanSnarker especially]]) annoying to the sarcastic ones in question.

* ''ComicStrip/CalvinAndHobbes'': Calvin can be a ''very'' sarcastic child, but it often takes him a while to recognize sarcasm from [[CatsAreSnarkers Hobbes]]. [[LateToThePunchline Sometimes a very long while.]]

* Sōsuke in ''LightNovel/FullMetalPanic'', to no-one's surprise. Very late in the series, Sōsuke acquires enough of a sense of sarcasm to actually (attempt to) employ it, suggesting that he and Tessa should forget the whole deal with Amalgam and saving Kaname, sell off the ''Tuatha de Danann'', and head off to Guam to party. Tessa does not find Sōsuke's very first joke at all amusing -- [[CannotConveySarcasm or even realize he's telling one until the part about Guam.]]

[[folder:Real Life]]
* The whole point of using (deadpan) sarcasm for humor is that it creates a brief disconnect between the speaker and the listener (who's implicitly assuming the speaker will say what they mean). Even someone with the best sarcasm-dar in the world will take a moment to realize that that's what's going on, and that tension-and-release is what makes it funny. The problem (and this trope proper) happens when that gap is so large that the listener has reacted to the face-meaning of the utterance before they've spotted the sarcasm (if they ever do).
* Children often take a couple years to recognize sarcasm, hence the prevalence of the "talking to children" tone from adults. Their reaction can vary between simply taking the statement at face value just like this trope, or getting confused at why the speaker's tone and expression doesn't match their words.
** According to this [[https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20211110-your-teens-being-sarcastic-its-a-sign-of-intelligence BBC article]], children under five are unable to process sarcasm at all, and then the skill comes gradually, until they grow into sassy teenagers. So, realistically, a LittleMissSnarker should be at least about twelve.
* Some people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, such as [[UsefulNotes/AspergerSyndrome Asperger syndrome]], don't get sarcasm, as they often tend to be very LiteralMinded. And even if they do realize that you're being sarcastic, it can still make a conversation very complicated very quickly. Interestingly, autistic people can still ''be'' very sarcastic, even if they can't always recognise sarcasm themselves. What's worse is that these people may want to mean serious things but other people take it to be sarcasm, causing great frustration, PoorCommunicationKills and other trouble.
** It can also be somewhat amusing (or incredibly annoying) when WrongGenreSavvy people, being aware of this, interpret the autistic person speaking sarcastically as if they were [[SincerityMode being sincere]].
** The sarcasm recognition problems in case of Aspies are usually based on the fact that recognizable sarcasm involves presenting a more or less ridiculous sentence, and Aspies are relatively probable to disagree with you whether a sentence is ridiculous or not. Interestingly, this even applies to Aspie-to-Aspie conversation, except that the speakers are usually more used to the whole disagreeing concept than an NT person.
** Complicated by the fact that tone of voice has no ''meaning'' the way words do, and when sarcasm is defined as "saying the opposite of what you mean", the change in tone seems optional.
* The ''use'' of sarcasm and the ''recognition'' of sarcasm from someone else are two different things -- this is why even a person who uses a lot of sarcasm might not pick up on it when used against them. The expressions and idioms we use are picked up from interaction with other people, so Sarcasm-Blind people can sometimes use a sarcastic expression without recognizing it as sarcasm.
* A [[http://www.ucsf.edu/news/2011/04/9719/inability-detect-sarcasm-lies-may-be-early-sign-dementia-ucsf-study-shows 2012 study]] found a link between sarcasm-blindness and some forms of dementia.
* Sarcasm is literally a foreign language in some countries, where the spoken and written languages of those countries do not use sarcasm... though they're becoming increasingly scarce as time goes by due to the bad influence of others. This is especially so in Japanese, and other languages that rely on remaining formal and honest even with friends. The closest equivalent to sarcasm in Japanese is the speaker saying the "sarcastic" line, before [[CueCardPause following it up]] with, "...is what I would like to say, but..."
** This is why there's an advisory, [[https://twitter.com/ceallachs_/status/1275296527783653381 especially on Twitter]], to not use sarcastic language on Japanese Twitter artists, as given the language gap and ValuesDissonance on Western humor, they'd see it as serious/threatening and would delete it.
* Due to lacking an ability to demonstrate tone, it's a poor idea to try to be sarcastic on the Internet without using tone indicators (i.e. tacking "/s" at the end of a post). There are stories of people getting banned from several online communities for sarcastically stating something that's against the Terms of Use, the most famous incidents involving "I am twelve and what is this?" when you need to be 13 or over to make an account. This was the original reason PoesLaw was formulated, and is a frequent source of examples.
[[/folder]]

** Later on, after his HeelFaceTurn, Gantu outwits Hästerviel regarding the definition of "ohana":

'''Gantu''': Uh, that was a rhetorical question. [''Hämsterviel groans in frustration after being outwitted by Gantu'']

* Iris in ''Fanfic/PokemonResetBloodlines'', due to her upbringing by [[RaisedByWolves being raised by Dragon-type Pokémon]], often fails to catch jokes and sarcastic comments from the other characters, always taking their words at face value.

* In Music/WeirdAlYankovic's 11-minute epic "Albuquerque," he mentions an incident where he saw a co-worker struggling with a sofa and asked if he wanted help. The co-worker responded "No, I want you to cut off my arms and legs with a chainsaw." [[BlackComedy So Al did]], and then wondered why the co-worker started complaining, especially when he's got that really cool nickname now: Torso Boy!

* [[http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-082 SCP-082]] from the ''Wiki/SCPFoundation'', a giant cannibalistic mutant who, among other delusions, doesn't grasp sarcasm, parody, or fiction in general (he has even expressed a desire to meet Hannibal Lecter).

!!Examples:

* Caboose from ''Machinima/RedVsBlue''. Of course, he doesn't understand [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} reality sometimes, either]].

!!Examples

[[folder:Fan Works]]
* ''Fanfic/{{Anthropology}}'': Lyra does not understand sarcasm, and actually has to be informed when someone is being sarcastic with her. Example from chapter 23:
--->'''Lyra:''' I was reading that history book you gave me and it said that America had been in wars. A lot of them, actually.\\
'''Paul:''' News flash. I've never heard that before.\\
'''Lyra:''' So... It wasn't true? I mean, if there had really been so many, you would have heard--\\
'''Paul:''' That was sarcasm, Lyra.
* A rather non-humorous example from ''Canterlot Consequences'' from, surprisingly enough [[TheSmartGirl Twilight]]. [[TheWoobie Twilight]] has placed all blame for her fallout with her brother on herself, and none on Shining Armor. When Luna remarks that yes, Twilight should be condemned for losing her temper in the heat of the moment while Shining should be condoned for the same thing, [[ItsAllMyFault Twilight]] agrees, having completely missed Luna's sarcasm. Luna and Cadance are forced to be a bit more direct to convince Twilight to stop blaming herself.
* ''Manga/DeathNote'' fanfic [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7292991/1/Xanatos Xanatos]] gives us Linda[[note]]You know, that girl from Wammy's House who appeared in a panel the size of a postage stamp[[/note]], who, while not ''totally'' ignorant of it, at least needs to be told when someone is being facetious. [[RuleOfFunny Naturally]], she interacts a lot with [[DeadpanSnarker Matt]].
* Goku in Creator/TeamFourStar's ''WebVideo/DragonBallZAbridged'' series, among [[IdiotHero other problems]], fails to understand sarcasm. Best demonstrated after he asks Piccolo if he’s a [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Yoshi]] and Piccolo says yes:
-->'''Raditz:''' Now, disregarding the Namekian...\\
'''Goku:''' Nu-uh, the Yoshi.\\
'''Piccolo:''' I'm not a goddamn Yoshi!\\
'''Goku:''' But you said you were?\\
'''Piccolo:''' It's called sarcasm!!\\
'''Goku:''' What's that taste like?\\
'''Piccolo:''' DAMMIT GOKU!!!
* ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/3545676/3/Family-Counseling-With-the-Dursleys Family Counseling With the Dursleys]]'':
-->'''Harry:''' I was hiding out here so that no stupid oafs would come over and talk to me. But I guess my plan was foiled.\\
'''Dudley:''' Why? Who found you?
* In ''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/8243003/58/Gypsy-Caravan Gypsy Caravan]]'' Barty Crouch Jr. comments on how hard he's been trying to stay out of Voldemort's way when the latter is busy, prompting Snape to offer to bring a book next time he's called and Crouch to reply that that would be lovely and sincerely thank him. Snape's final thought as he departs is that sarcasm is wasted on the insane.
* In ''[[WebAnimation/FridayNightFunkinWithLyrics Garcello WITH LYRICS]]'' by [=RecD=], Boyfriend and Girlfriend attempt to console Annie after she finds out about Garcello's death. Annie's frustrated sarcasm is lost on Boyfriend.
-->'''Girlfriend:''' He told us a lot.\\
'''Boyfriend:''' And he wanted me to tell you that... you helped him be at peace before the cigarettes took him.\\
'''Annie:''' Oh, OK, that makes me feel a lot better.\\
'''Boyfriend:''' Really?\\
'''Annie:''' ''No!'' Of course it doesn't!
* In the ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'' fanfic ''Fanfic/HalfPastAdventure'', [[BrainUploading Dr. Minerva Campbell]] appears to have trouble registering sarcasm, interpreting a joking comment about someone who's taking too long in the bathroom as a request to send out a search party.
* In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13677220/10/Harry-Potter-and-the-Angry-Grim-Reaper Harry Potter and the Angry Grim Reaper]]'', Ron insists that Harry can't be the ''real'' Harry Potter since he doesn't have the scar or glasses.
-->'''Harry:''' What did you say your name was again? Bilious? Well, gosh, you're right, Bilious, you caught me out. My real name isn't Harry James Potter, it's actually Fool Foodchomper. Come on, Hermione, let's go.\\
'''Ron:''' I ''knew'' it!
* [[Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda Princess Zelda]] sometimes shows signs of this in ''Fanfic/PaperMarioX''. Example from chapter 41:
-->'''Koopatrol:''' Oh, would you like to be in the quiz?!\\
'''Zelda:''' OH... a quiz? It's a good test for my wisdom--\\
'''Koopatrol:''' I WAS SARCASTIC! We only need one person!
* In ''Fanfic/ShipsAhoy'', Olive and Oscar help [[Series/{{Zoboomafoo}} the Kratt Brothers and Zoboomafoo]] with a striped scarf preventing visitors from coming to Animal Junction. While attempting to stop the scarf, Oscar accidentally turns Zoboomafoo and every other lemur in existence into a jelly baby using the Candy-inator gadget, and he comes to the horrid realization that since there's no "Unzap All" setting, he and Olive have to go and unzap every lemur themselves. Olive responds with sarcasm that flies over his head.
-->'''Olive:''' ''[groans]'' Well, let's fix Zoboomafoo first. I wasn't planning on sleeping tonight, anyhow.\\
'''Oscar:''' Really?\\
'''Olive:''' No, Oscar, that was sarcasm.\\
'''Oscar:''' Oh.
%%* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' fanfics:
%%** Cloud Kicker in ''Fanfic/AceCombatTheEquestrianWar'' acts like that at times.
%%** [[spoiler:Prince Blueblood]] in ''Fanfic/TheVinylScratchTapes'':
%%--->'''Octavia:''' Still as good at detecting sarcasm as you ever were...\\
%%'''[[spoiler:Blueblood]]:''' Oh... Well, thank you for the compliment.\\
%%'''Octavia:''' No, I was being... Ugh, you know what, never mind.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Literature]]
* Marcus in ''About A Boy'', who can also be a little LiteralMinded. For instance, in one scene Will suggests Marcus try to fit in with the others in his class by wearing a "disguise", meaning he should dress more like they do; Marcus asks if he means [[WigDressAccent wearing a mustache]], and when Will tells him that a 12 year old with a mustache wouldn't stand out at all, he takes the comment seriously. Later on, Marcus at least figures out how to fake the proper response to such remarks even if he doesn't actually understand them - replying with an equally sarcastic "ha, ha".
* In the ''Literature/{{Animorphs}}'' books, Ax the Andalite at first didn't understand sarcasm, though he was a quick learner. He occasionally played dumb, though.
* ''Literature/ArtemisFowl: The Eternity Code'' has Loafers Macguire, a mafia hitman. The narration describes sarcasm making a slight whistling noise as it sails clean over his head.
* In Rob Grant's ''Backwards'', Ace takes as genuine that Rimmer has telepathic powers, before admonishing him when Rimmer reveals the sarcasm.
* ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'':
** Carrot Ironfoundersson, due to his upbringing by the LiteralMinded dwarves. He gets better at recognizing it, even if he still doesn't really understand it. Though some wonder, in-story, if Carrot [[ObfuscatingStupidity isn't as oblivious as he seems]].
** Interestingly, though Carrot has NoSocialSkills because he grew up at the bottom of a dwarven mine, most of the dwarfs seen in the books are a lot more savvy than himself. This is mainly because most of them are from Ankh-Morpork. Mountain dwarfs fall more definitely into this trope, which is justified by the fact that sarcasm (along with metaphor, and other forms of non-literal communication) are useless and potentially unsafe in a mine.
** Sergeant Colon as well, who thinks "irony" means "sort of like iron." When he's made Captain in ''Literature/TheFifthElephant'', Vetinari's barbed comments just bounce straight off, no matter how blatant he tries to make them. Even better, he ''explicitly fears'' irony and sarcasm being used on him in several books, he just has no idea what they are.
** Cohen the Barbarian ''does'' understand sarcasm, in a vague sense, but he has a little more trouble with metaphor and hyperbole. Several Agatean nobles commit suicide in ''Literature/InterestingTimes'' by telling him they'd rather die than see him on the throne.
* The Eighth Doctor, in the ''Series/DoctorWho'' Literature/EighthDoctorAdventures books. He's more of a genuine {{Cloudcuckoolander}} than the Doctor [[ObfuscatingStupidity usually is]]. Why he has one or two {{Deadpan Snarker}}s traveling with him basically at all times is something of a mystery.
-->"Well. They could've been muggers, I suppose."\\
"I'm so, so sorry."\\
"Why, did you put them up to it?"\\
The Doctor looked at her strangely. "Of course not!"
* ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'': [[TheFairFolk Faeries]] often have this due to their physical inability to lie, particularly those with little experience with humans, such as Toot-toot.
** Harry invokes this when he accidentally stumbles into the realm of the Erlking. The Erlking, who is noted for not taking trespassing lightly, sarcastically refers to Harry as a guest. Harry pounces on it with both hands, and states that since the Erlking has called him a guest, he must be protected by the law of SacredHospitality, right? The Erlking is impressed, both by Harry's quick wit and sheer unbridled chutzpah.
* At Bill and Fleur’s wedding in ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallows'', Dumbledore’s old friend Elphias and Ron’s Auntie Muriel get into an argument about Dumbledore’s sister Ariana’s mysterious death. Muriel suggests that Ariana was a [[MuggleBornOfMages Squib]] and that Mrs. Dumbledore imprisoned her and wanted to kill her because she was too proud to admit that one of her kids wasn’t a wizard. Elphias sarcastically says that since Muriel thinks a mother would do that to her own child, maybe Ariana killed her in an escape attempt. Muriel takes it at face value.
* Hephaestus in ''Literature/TheHeroesOfOlympus''. As the god of the forge, he's not too smart dealing with organic life forms.
-->'''Hephaestus:''' That was sarcasm, wasn't it? Machines don't have sarcasm, usually.
* ''Literature/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy'': Ford Prefect doesn't usually understand sarcasm because he's an [[HumanAliens alien]] and they don't have it on his planet. It's stated that he ''can'' recognize it, but only if he's really paying attention. This leads to a moment in ''Literature/MostlyHarmless'', when he responds to a huge rant about the Guide from Arthur ("I can hardly wait to find out which are the most interesting spaceports to get bored hanging around in!") with a genuinely perplexed "This is that thing you call sarcasm, isn't it?" CharacterDevelopment in ''Literature/AndAnotherThing'':
-->'''Arthur:''' I don't suppose you have a bomb-proof towel.\\
'''Ford:''' Sure, I have a bomb-proof towel and an antimatter pillowcase.\\
'''Arthur:''' Hey, sarcasm. Well done, mate, you're learning.
%% * ''Literature/TheMortalInstruments'': Alec Lightwood. Occasionally.
* Creator/BillBryson notes this is a problem when conversing with some of his friends and neighbors, in an article in ''Notes From a Big Country'':
-->'''Bill:''' (''sees his neighbor's car covered in tree branches the morning after a storm'') Morning George! Camouflaging your car, I see!\\
'''George:''' ... No, the storm blew these branches onto my car last night and I need to clear them away.
* In ''Literature/PsyChangeling'', as a result of the Silence Protocol, most [[PsychicPowers Psys]] tend to be this.
* From ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'':
** We get an interesting subversion of this with Sansa Stark. She ''isn't'' blind to the vast majority of the snark aimed at her, but ''is'' painfully aware that neither her relative position nor available skill-set allow her to openly [[SnarkToSnarkCombat snap back in kind]] without risk of physical and social backdraft. So, she actively uses PolitenessJudo to try to [[SarcasmFailure turn the sarcasm around]], while usually outwardly appearing as if it sailed right over her pretty little head.
** Podrick Payne, however, does play it rather straighter, since he usually focuses on trying to be factually exact, so misses many contextual cues. Given he squires for [[DeadpanSnarker Tyrion]], this is rather amusing.
* In ''Literature/TheSunSword'', Kiriel has been raised in a demonic court where sarcasm just isn't a thing anyone wants to try. And then she goes among sarcastic humans.
* Bitch of ''Literature/{{Worm}}'' can't properly interpret human social cues [[spoiler:[[BlessedWithSuck as a consequence of her power]]]], which includes sarcasm. Since she can't tell when people are mocking her, she tends to [[HairTriggerTemper respond to everything with aggression]].
* In the ''Literature/XWingSeries'', Runt is like this at first, being a non-human new to serving in the New Republic. He learns.

[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
* ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'': Sheldon Cooper.
** Leonard even made a sarcasm sign in an early episode. And Sheldon keeps track of how many times he correctly understands sarcasm.
** Once, when Howard made a sarcastic comment, Sheldon asked "Was that sarcasm?", and Howard sarcastically replied "No!" -- which, of course, Sheldon failed to recognize the sarcasm of.
** In at least one episode, this is inverted: Sheldon takes something as sarcastic when it isn't. This can be TruthInTelevision to some extent if you can't recognize sarcasm and you're used to looking for it everywhere.
** Over the course of several seasons, Sheldon has eventually learned to recognise sarcasm.
--->'''Sheldon:''' Leonard, I believe what we just heard from Penny was sarcasm. (Penny nods) Oh, good. I’m eight for 26 this month.
** ...but not always.
--->'''Sheldon:''' I zinged him with sarcasm, he didn’t even notice.\\
'''Leonard:''' I know, and it was the greatest sarcastic quip I’ve ever heard.\\
'''Sheldon:''' [[SincerityMode Well, aren’t you a peach.]]
* Virtually everyone in ''Series/{{Blackadder}}'' except the title character takes turns at failing to understand his sarcasm, especially in the fourth series. This is lampshaded once in the third series.
-->'''Blackadder:''' Baldrick, do you have any idea what irony is?\\
'''Baldrick:''' Yeah. It's like goldey and bronzey, only it's made of iron.
* ''Series/BoardwalkEmpire'':
** Deputy Halloran. when he marvels at the existence of a "lady lawyer," she deadpans "What next, horseless carriages?", prompting his response "They already got those." On another occasion, while helping dispose of a body, he asks whose it is and is sarcastically told it's silent film star Mary Pickford, leading to the shocked response "You killed Mary Pickford?!"
** When Sigrid nags Nelson again about the plumbing, he angrily claims that he got the president of the Roebuck company to personally send a crack team of men to fix the problem. She believes him, forcing to him to state that it was sarcasm and storm out.
* Dr. Temperance Brennan, title protagonist of ''Series/{{Bones}}'', often fails to understand sarcasm at first (if at all) and usually must use logical deduction (out loud) to detect it. Much to the bemusement of her [[UnresolvedSexualTension partner]].
* ''Series/TheBrittasEmpire'': Mr. Gordon Brittas not only fails to understand sarcasm, but anything at all that's subtler than coming out and speaking your mind. Cue CringeComedy.
-->'''Laura:''' You see, we were all standing outside the ambulance waving goodbye to Mr. Petrov, and Mr. Brittas was saying "Where are we going to find an internationally famous pianist in the next half hour?" and I said, "Hey kids, why don't we do the show ourselves?"\\
'''Helen:''' Oh, you didn't...\\
'''Laura:''' I just never thought.
* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'': Willow Rosenberg. "Cibo Matto can clog dance!?"
* ''Series/TheClass2006'' had this with Yonk Allen. Richie had all kinds of fun with it.
* The elderly Ernie "Coach" Pantusso, bartender at ''Series/{{Cheers}}'', made a lot of dimwit comments after taking sarcasm too literally. His future [[SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute replacement]] Woody Boyd, a farmboy from Indiana, was probably even worse at it.
* In ''Series/{{Community}}'', Abed's inability to understand being "messed with" drives his and Troy's subplot for an episode. [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]]:
-->'''Abed:''' Troy invented rap music, and he's related to Danny Glover, and President Obama.\\
'''Troy:''' Hey man, that stuff I said this morning wasn't true, I was just messing with you.\\
'''Abed:''' You were lying?\\
'''Troy:''' Yeah, as a joke. You've never had somebody mess with you before?\\
'''Abed:''' Yes, just kidding, no. Like that?... This isn't a table. ''(laughs)'' ... That's funny.
** Abed ''uses'' sarcasm in another episode, but the group fails to recognize it because it wasn't said in a sarcastic tone of voice. Abed then calls himself on that, ending (in a very sarcastic voice), "Sarcasm is soooooo interesting."
* Wanda from ''Series/CornerGas'' has the ''opposite'' problem in the episode "Dog River Dave". Because she's sarcastic almost all the time, other characters keep assuming her sincere comments are just more sarcasm.
* Bennett Halverson, the programmer played by Creator/SummerGlau on ''Series/{{Dollhouse}}'', shows signs of this as part of a general [[Film/RainMan Rainman]] vibe, as evidenced by an exchange with Adelle.
-->'''Bennett:''' You used the company jet to abduct the programmer of a rival house?\\
'''Adelle:''' I'm certain I'll be kicking myself come holiday bonus time.\\
'''Bennett:''' I'm sure you'll be dead by then.
* A sort of secondhand example in sketch show ''The Edge''-- Creator/AlanRuck's character sarcastically confesses to a brutal murder while on the stand in court. Since the audience are laughing at his sarcastic rant, and he hasn't been heard properly, the judge asks the stenographer to read back the last statement, which she does without the sarcastic tone; as such, the confession is taken as genuine.
* In ''Series/FatherTed'', when Mrs Doyle encounters Father Jessup, "the most sarcastic priest in Ireland";
-->'''Mrs. Doyle:''' Shall I make the beds in the spare room?\\
'''Father Jessup:''' No, we'll sleep outside, in a ditch!\\
'''Mrs. Doyle:''' OK so... would you like a cup of tea?\\
'''Father Jessup:''' No, We want to die of thirst.\\
'''Mrs. Doyle:''' ''(baffled)'' OK so...\\
'''Father Ted:''' ''(quietly)'' Mrs. Doyle, I think Father Jessup might have been being a bit... sarcastic...\\
'''Mrs. Doyle:''' Really? Were you being sarcastic, Father Jessup?\\
'''Father Jessup:''' No, we'd like to die of thirst!\\
'''Father Ted:''' ''(quietly)'' Mrs. Doyle, I know it's a bit confusing, but the trick is to do the opposite of what Father Jessup says.\\
'''Mrs. Doyle:''' ''(very uncertain)'' So, you really... ''do''... want a cup of tea?\\
'''Father Jessup:''' ''(exasperated)'' Yes! ''(reaches out for the cup)''\\
'''Mrs. Doyle:''' ''(takes the cup away, looking very pleased with herself)''
* On ''Series/TheGoldenGirls'', Dorothy is a DeadpanSnarker extraordinaire, while Rose is a [[TheDitz ditzy]] {{Cloudcuckoolander}}. Since this is something akin to an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object, the writers will usually split the difference and have Rose understand that Dorothy is being sarcastic about half the time. Example: Sophia was telling her friends a friend of hers passed away.
-->'''Rose:''' How did she die?\\
'''Sophia:''' She was fighting an oil rig fire in the Gulf of Mexico. She was 88!\\
'''Rose:''' Well, at least she was able to work right up until the end.
* ''Series/HoratioHornblower'': Horatio Hornblower sort of inhabits a WorldOfSnark. The resident {{Deadpan Snarker}}s do not exchange sneering comments with each other, but they are paired with poor Sarcasm Blind Horatio, who is a genius at everything else, but irony, jokes, and the like usually escape him. However, his close friend Archie's smartass comments are likely to bring about one of his rare and most attractive smiles. An example from "Retribution", involving the hero and a snarky captain at the Lieutenants' trial which investigates a possible mutiny aboard their ship commanded by [[InsaneAdmiral a crazy Captain]].
-->'''Captain Collins:''' ''(in {{sarcasm mode}})'' A happy day for James Sawyer when you four gentlemen came aboard.\\
'''Horatio:''' ''(completely honest)'' Thank you, sir.\\
'''Captain Hammond a.k.a. HangingJudge:''' ''(smirks and laughs out loud)''
* In the ''Series/{{House}}'' episode "Family Practice", the PatientOfTheWeek is Cuddy's mother, played by Candice Bergen. After going through the usual incorrect diagnoses of what's wrong with her (her hypochondria didn't exactly help things much), House makes a blatantly sarcastic remark about how much he ''loves'' a certain famous baseball player, then asks her if he really meant what he just said. Her inability to detect his sarcasm confirms his suspicions, allowing him and his team to proceed finally in the right direction.
* Ted from ''Series/HowIMetYourMother'' has this problem.
** In "I Heart [=NJ=]", Ted is surprised that Stella expects them to live in New Jersey after they get married, after Ted thought she agreed that they would live in New York. A flashback shows that she made a sarcastic remark about living in New York, which Ted failed to see as sarcasm.
** In "Mom and Dad", Ted is suspecting many people who may have covered the picture of Wayne Gretzky (which Barney planned on giving to Robin) in ink. When he tells Lily about who he narrowed it down to, he gets this response:
--->'''Lily:''' ''(sarcastically)'' Right, 'cause an elaborate conspiracy is much more likely than you leaving the picture next to an open ink bottle.\\
'''Ted:''' Thank you.\\
'''Lily:''' [[LampshadeHanging You can't even detect sarcasm!]]
* ''Series/{{Leverage}}'''s Parker. Too many to count in every episode.
* ''Series/{{MASH}}''-- when Radar O'Reilly is leaving the unit, he tells Major Winchester that he's welcome at his Iowa home for dinner anytime. Winchester snarks that he'll anticipate "the dinner bell a-clangin'". Radar replies that he'll be looking forward to it too, and Winchester is genuinely touched at his guileless good nature.
* In one episode of ''Series/ModernFamily'', Haley asks whether her boyfriend Dylan can stay at their house, and Claire sarcastically responds that he can take her and Phil's room. Alex has to explain the sarcasm to Haley.
* In ''Series/MontyPythonsFlyingCircus'', Mr Pither in the episode "The Cycling Tour":
-->'''Cafe Proprietor:''' 35 p please.\\
'''Mr Pither:''' Ah... oh, I have only a fifty. You have change?\\
'''Cafe Proprietor:''' Well, I'll have a look, but I may have to go to the bank.\\
'''Mr Pither:''' I'm most awfully sorry.
* A ''Series/MrShow'' sketch has a man who expresses constant, venomous sarcasm... through letter writing. Given the obvious lack of cues towards his sarcasm as a result, everyone tends to take him at face value (including one poor woman who receives a "love" letter from him).
* ''Series/TheMuppetShow'': One skit in the Mac Davis episode consists of Davis making fun of Link Hogthrob's ego for four minutes, including a performance of "Hard to Be Humble", with Link totally failing to recognise the sarcasm and [[InsultBackfire parsing the mockery as sincere praise]].
-->'''Davis:''' Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble / When you're perfect in every way...\\
'''Link:''' You too?
* In an episode of ''Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000'', Mike is put on trial for [[MikeNelsonDestroyerOfWorlds all those planets he blew up]] by an omnipotent alien judge. The judge offers Mike the chance to choose who he wants as the prosecutor and defense; both times he lists two famous historical figures [[FamousFamousFictional plus one of the Mads]] ("Your choices are UsefulNotes/ThomasJefferson, Clarence Darrow, and Professor Bobo.") When Mike snarks "Yeah sure, like I'd choose Bobo", the judge takes him seriously. After doing the exact same thing to make Pearl the prosecutor even Mike himself comments that he clearly doesn't learn very quickly.
* ''Series/OddSquad'':
** Olive, of all people, gets a moment in "Bad Luck Bears".
--->'''Oprah:''' I have an idea. Let's all stop working, and talk about how much you love the Bears.\\
'''Olive:''' ''Really?!''\\
'''Oprah:''' '''''NO!!''''' We have a case to solve!
** In "No Ifs, Ands or Robots", [[GeniusDitz Oscar]] explains how to shut off Oscarbot 10. Surprisingly, it's not resident DeadpanSnarker Olive that gives out the sarcasm-- it's [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} Otto.]]
--->'''Oscar:''' There are three switches: two on his ears and one on his neck. But you need to hit them at the ''exact'' same time, or it won't work.\\
'''Otto:''' You could've made it a ''little'' bit more complicated.\\
'''Oscar:''' Sure I could have! I mean I could have a-- ''[catches himself]'' Right, you weren't actually asking that.\\
'''Otto:''' ''[[LittleNo No.]]''
** Due to his [[NoSocialSkills lack of social skills,]] things like insults and sarcasm tend to fly over Otis's head a lot, especially early on in Season 2. One example is from "High Maintenance".
--->'''Obby:''' I suppose I can get my ''magic tool'' which fixes this door in five seconds.\\
'''Otis:''' Sounds amazing!\\
''[cue [[DisapprovingLook Disapproving Looks]] from O'Mary and Obby]''\\
'''Otis:''' That tool doesn't exist, does it?\\
'''O'Mary and Obby:''' Nope.
** In "The Cherry-on-Top-inator", following Olympia's and Otis's musical story about how they stopped the Puppy Master and Evil Knight using the Cherry-on-Top-inator (in a manner that's not its intended use), Oona sarcastically thanks them for making her decision clear. Not only does Otis take her comment at face value, but so does Olympia, and they begin panicking when the Scientist whips out her [[DropTheHammer mallet]] again to smash the titular gadget to pieces.
* ''Series/TheOfficeUK''-- Gareth is as clueless here as everywhere, notably when Lee gives Tim a wrapped gift that is obviously a bottle:
-->'''Gareth:''' Probably a bottle of something.\\
'''Tim:''' You reckon?\\
'''Gareth:''' Look at the shape.
* ''Series/OurMissBrooks'': Miss Brooks' [[DeadpanSnarker snark]] occasionally backfires when she aims it as Mr. Boynton, Walter Denton or Stretch and Bones Snodgrass. Mr. Boynton's so ObliviousToLove that sarcasm has a habit of sliding right off him. Walter Denton occasionally mistakes the sarcastic for the serious. As for the Snodgrasses, it's unlikely [[DumbJock they even know what sarcasm is]].
* Subverted with Chris Trager on ''Series/ParksAndRecreation''. Due to his extremely positive, upbeat personality, one would expect that he wouldn't understand sarcasm. He does understand and recognize sarcasm, he just ignores it because he believes there is a kernel of truth in it.
* ''Series/PowerRangersZeo'': Inverted in "King for a Day: Part 2". Bulk and Skull helped destroy the forcefield preventing the Rangers from escaping Prince Gasket. [[CassandraTruth No one believes their story]] - except the actual Rangers, whose praise they interpret as sarcasm.
-->'''Kat:''' I'm sure wherever they are, they're really grateful for your help.\\
'''Tommy:''' I bet if they were here right now, they'd really wanna thank you guys.\\
'''Bulk:''' Oh, cut the sarcasm, will ya?\\
'''Skull:''' Yeah! These guys obviously don't believe us, either.
* ''Series/PrettyLittleLiars'': When you tell Hanna she [[WesternAnimation/FoghornLeghorn has the subtlety of a hand grenade]], she's actually ''delighted'' to hear it!
* ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'':
** On a sketch hosted by Creator/KevinSpacey he played the "inventor" of sarcasm. He said things like "I love this party" meaning he hated it, but no-one got it because no-one else knew of sarcasm. Until they all understood he was being ''ironic'', became extremely hurt, and burned him at the stake.
** Another SNL skit had Creator/MatthewPerry as a teacher in a class for [[Subject101 Sarcasm 101]].
--->"Is this Sarcasm 101?"\\
"No this is embroidery. Sarcasm 101 is down the hall."\\
"Ah. Thanks!"
* ''Series/{{Seinfeld}}'': Kramer sometimes asks Jerry for unreasonable favors to which Jerry, as a comedian, replies sarcastically to. Kramer never manages to detect it. For example, when Kenny Roger's Chicken [[AbsurdlyBrightLight makes Kramer's apartment uninhabitable]], Kramer asks Jerry to switch apartments with him:
-->'''Jerry''': Or I could sleep in the park. You could knock these walls down, make it an eight room luxury suite.\\
'''Kramer''': Jerry, these are ''load-bearing'' walls, they're not gonna come down!
* As of the ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' episode "Data's Day", Data can recognize sarcasm using logic, but can't quite grasp how to use it:
-->'''Riker:''' (''sarcastic'') Charming woman.\\
'''Data's voice-over:''' The tone of Commander Riker's voice makes me suspect that he is not serious about finding Ambassador T'Pel charming. My experience suggests that, in fact, he may mean the exact opposite of what he says. Irony is a form of expression I have not yet been able to master.
* ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'':
** Castiel. Though as he hangs out with Dean more, he might get a handle on it.
--->'''Castiel:''' [God] isn't in Heaven. He has to be somewhere.\\
'''Dean:''' Try New Mexico! I hear he's on a tortilla.\\
'''Castiel:''' ''(after seriously considering this)'' No, He's not on any flat bread.
** Also:
--->'''Jo:''' Hey, ever heard of door handles?\\
'''Castiel:''' ''(after teleporting himself out of the car)'' Of course I have.
** Lately, he's become more sarcastic himself.
--->'''Castiel:''' You're right. Pardon me for highlighting their crippling and dangerous empathetic response with "sarcasm".
* ''Series/TeenWolf'': While Stiles is usually one of the resident snarkers, he has his moments, usually around the more intimidating werewolves. One example being in "Chaos Rising":
-->'''Stiles:''' Where do you live?\\
'''[[spoiler:Peter Hale]]:''' In an underground network of caves hidden deep in the woods.\\
'''Stiles:''' Whoa, really?\\
'''[[spoiler:Peter Hale]]:''' No you idiot! I have an apartment downtown.
* ''Series/TheWestWing'': In the third season episode "Bartlet for America", there's a {{Flashback}} to when President Bartlet was governor of New Hampshire, and two staffers are pitching him a tourism campaign ("[[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment New Hampshire: it's what's new!]]"). The two staffers clearly believe that Governor Bartlet is deeply interested in the subject, his comments ("And the goggles? What about the goggles?") are completely sincere, and he is not in any way being sarcastic or snarky out of irritated boredom. They could not be more wrong.
* ''Series/TheWire'': Herc, a cop, is annoyed by the fashions of the local street kids. He sarcastically asks one where he can get "one of those cool hats with the brim on the side." Oblivious to the sarcasm, the kid patiently explains that it's a regular hat simply turned sideways on his head. The flummoxed Herc has no response.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Music]]
* In Music/WeirdAlYankovic's 11-minute epic "Albuquerque," he mentions an incident where he saw a co-worker struggling with a sofa and asked if he wanted help. The co-worker responded "No, I want you to cut off my arms and legs with a chainsaw." [[BlackComedy So Al did]], and then wondered why the co-worker started complaining, especially when he's got that really cool nickname now: Torso Boy!
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Video Games]]
* In ''VideoGame/TheDarksideDetective'', Dooley has this as an aspect of his general ditziness.
* ''VideoGame/{{Dishonored}}'' features a few guards [[PetTheDog who make complaints to their commanding officers about terrorizing/executing civilians]]. When they start reacting to the officers' extremism with sarcastic praise about the murder of the innocent for fun and profit, the officers seem to think THIS IS CONSTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR. KILLING PEOPLE IS NOT CONSTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR.
* Knight-Commander Meredith in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'' is either totally sarcasm blind or utterly determined to ignore Snarky!Hawke. "Always happy to help in a life-threatening situation." "Good." And so on...
-->'''Meredith:''' I assume you are ready, Champion?\\
'''Hawke:''' To [[spoiler:slaughter the entire Circle]]? Oh, sure.\\
'''Meredith:''' Good.
** One of your companions, Merrill, starts out a few seconds behind on any sarcastic comment. Since "Snarky" is one of the standard conversation options, this can happen several times in her introductory conversation alone.
* In the backstory of ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear'', this is the reason why [[HalfHumanHybrid Sin Kiske]] [[ImprobableWeaponUser wields a flag]] as his WeaponOfChoice. During his training, Sin had a discussion with his instructor Sol Badguy about what kind of weapon would suit him. Sin said that he wanted something that draws attention and lets everyone know who he is; in response Sol snarked "Why don't you just use a flag while you're at it?!" Needless to say...
* In ''VideoGame/MySimsKingdom'', the first time you go to Cowboy Junction, Buddy asks what kind of people they'll find there. Lyndsay says that it's probably inhabited by a race of fishmen, which excites Buddy. She tells him that was sarcasm. He tells her that ''he's'' a fishman, prompting a "Really?" from her. He takes that to mean that he fooled her "with a sarcasm."
* Ward the {{Jerkass}} from ''The Orion Conspiracy'' does not know sarcasm when he hears it. Devlin says sarcastically at one point, "Thank you for your compassion and understanding." Ward's response goes something like "What?"
* During the climax of ''VideoGame/{{Portal 2}}'' as the second core transfer starts. {{Justified|Trope}} as it's a machine:
-->'''Announcer:''' Corrupted core, are you ready to start?\\
[[spoiler:'''Wheatley''']]: What do you think?\\
'''Announcer:''' [[YesNoAnswerInterpretation Interpreting vague answer as "yes"]].\\
[[spoiler:'''Wheatley''']]: [[RapidFireNo Nonononononono!!]] Didn't pick up on my sarcasm...
* ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClank'': Between his constant malfunctioning and lack of tact, one has to question Dr. Nefarious's claim to being an evil super genius. Especially when he can't even see past the scathing burns his own personal servant Lawrence, who constantly snides him on a regular basis, yet he never notices any of it.
-->'''Nefarious:''' To think, they called me insane Lawrence. We'll see who's insane... when my pets have exterminated all life, on this MISERABLE PLANET!!!\\
'''Lawrence:''' Well, that should clear things right up, sir.\\
'''Nefarious:''' The famous Captain Qwark couldn't possibly be this stupid... Could he?\\
'''Lawrence:''' Even drooling imbeciles can achieve success in certain fields, sir. Mad Science, for example.\\\
'''Nefarious:''' That moron [Captain Quark] could never hope to match wits with the likes of me!\\
'''Lawrence:''' If ''anyone'' can beat a moron at his own game, it's ''you'', sir.
* ''VideoGame/RedDeadRedemptionUndeadNightmare'' once again features the omni-bigot ConspiracyTheorist and {{memetic|Mutation}} LargeHam Herbert Moon, who blames a broad yet bizarrely specific cabal of groups for the undead plague. John Marston, DeadpanSnarker extraordinaire, piles sarcasm onto Moon for his irrational hate, which Herbert mistakes for support for his righteous cause to single-handedly stop the undead plague and bring down the conspiracy. [[ShootTheShaggyDog Herbert Moon is promptly eaten by zombies seconds after he steps out of his store.]]
* In ''VideoGame/TheSecretWorld,'' Hayden Montag suffers from this. As Headmaster of Innsmouth Academy, one of the most disaster-prone {{Wizarding School}}s in the country, its expected for him to be a bit on the dour and humourless side- especially now that the school ''and'' most of the surrounding countryside are under attack by everything from ancient Norse sea-zombies to Native American wendigos. Montag, however, has great difficulty understanding human emotions, catapulting quite a bit of his dialogue into this trope. Example: Montag has just explained how living humans have been BuriedAlive inside the walls to act as immortal magical power sources, and how the few that just escaped have to be rounded up and forced back into their tombs:
-->'''Usher:''' The first time you get bricked in's probably the worst time, eh?\\
'''Montag:''' From my research, [[FateWorseThanDeath it seems each time begins a claustrophobic eternity anew.]]\\
'''Usher:''' You're like the world's revenge on sarcasm, d'you know that?
* Mical the Disciple in ''Franchise/StarWars'': ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic II''. When the player character receives a request to meet a shady character, [[ComeAlone alone]], [[DeadpanSnarker Atton Rand]] snarks, "Well, at least we know it isn't a trap," to which Mical earnestly replies, "No, Atton, I think it may ''be'' a trap!" Since her and Mical are an either/or pair, The Handmaiden fills this role for [=Male!Exile's=] party. "What are you talking about? It's obviously a trap."
* In ''VideoGame/TouchDetective'', when the player first converses with Daisy:
-->'''Mackenzie:''' Um, I'm Detective Mackenzie.\\
'''Daisy:''' Oh, how cute. A detective.\\
'''Mackenzie:''' Thanks...\\
'''Daisy:''' Don't you understand sarcasm when you hear it?\\
'''Mackenzie:''' ...
:: Mackenzie's reaction showed that she didn't like it.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Western Animation]]
* Happy of ''WesternAnimation/The7D'' doesn't quite have a grasp on Grumpy's wisecracks.
* Stan Smith from ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDad'' frequently falls into this...
-->'''Francine:''' If it's so darn important for you to dance with the homecoming queen, why don't you just go with Betty Sue?\\
''(Stan does that)''\\
'''Betty Sue:''' I hope this isn't awkward.\\
'''Stan:''' Awkward? Don't be silly, it was Francine's idea.\\
'''Francine:''' I was being sarcastic! Or don't you get sarcasm, genius?\\
'''Stan:''' Oh, I think I get sarcasm, and I'm hardly a genius, but still, thank you; that's awfully sweet of you.
* In an episode of ''WesternAnimation/{{Arthur}}'', Arthur suggests that he travels through time to find an event he missed funny, and Buster unsurprisingly thinks he has one.
* Most characters on ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' are pretty quick on the uptake, but Aang, due to his optimism and shining idealism, demonstrates this characteristic at least once, when he is reluctant to kill the BigBad, but the rest of the Gang wants him to.
-->'''Aang:''' Maybe we could make some big pots of glue, and then I could use gluebending to stick his arms and legs together so he can't bend anymore!\\
'''Zuko:''' Yeah! And then you can show him his baby pictures and all those happy memories will make him good again!\\
'''Aang:''' Do you really think that would work?\\
'''Zuko:''' NO!
** ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra:'' While on a stake-out, Bolin and Asami descide to play a game of Pai Sho, only to realise that the earth-bending street kid and the fire nation aristocrat had been taught different versions of the game.
--->'''Bolin:''' That's no help at all. Korra, as the Avatar, you need to standardize these Pai Sho rules. \\
'''Korra:''' ''[exasperated]'' Okay, I'll put that on my to-do list, right after bringing back the Air Nation and taking down the group that tried to kidnap me. \\
'''Bolin:''' ''[sincerely]'' That's cool, whenever you get to it.
* Beavis from ''WesternAnimation/BeavisAndButtHead''. If told "Tell me something I don't know." he'll do exactly that. He thinks "Stick it where the sun doesn't shine." means "Put it under your pillow."
* In ''WesternAnimation/BobsBurgers'', Louise is always snarky and sarcastic all the time, but this backfires on her in season 8 "The Hurt Soccer". When Linda asks Louise if she would like to sign up for soccer, her answers were very sarcastic. Linda took them at face value, and Bob had to point out to her that Louise didn’t mean what she says, but eventually both were tire of trying to figure out if she was being sarcastic or not and simply signed her up.
-->'''Linda''': Hey, look, an e-mail from Harley's dad. He's asking if Louise would want to join Harley's soccer team.\\
Think she would?\\
'''Bob''': I've met Louise, so probably not.\\
'''Linda''': Louise, do you want to sign up for soccer?!\\
'''Louise''': ''(offscreen, sarcastically)'' Yes! Please sign me up for soccer!\\
'''Linda''': Oh!\\
'''Bob''': She's being sarcastic.\\
'''Linda''': Are you being sarcastic?!\\
'''Louise''': ''(sarcastically)'' No!\\
'''Linda''': Aw, yeah, you're right.\\
'''Bob''': Well, wait, now I'm not so sure. Louise, do you want to sign up for soccer?!\\
'''Louise''': ''(sarcastically)'' Uh-huh!\\
'''Linda''': I guess she wants to do it. Should we double-triple-check?\\
'''Bob''': [[GaveUpTooSoon No, I-I don't want to yell anymore.]]
* At one point in ''WesternAnimation/{{Bunnicula}}'', Bunnicula makes an idea, to which Chester sarcastically says it's a great idea. When it works, Harold is impressed at how it worked, and Chester angrily says he was being sarcastic. Cue [[KindheartedSimpleton Harold]] asking "What's a sarcasm?"
* In ''WesternAnimation/CentralPark'', Season 1 "[[Recap/CentralParkS1E9LiveItUpTonight Live It Up Tonight]]", when Mayor Whitebottom asks why they're meeting in her car, Bitsy tells him she has to get her hair done and be back at the hotel before the award ceremony begins. Whitebottom tells her as mayor of New York, he has nothing he's supposed to be doing before then, which Bitsy replies with "Good" until Whitebottom points out he's being sarcastic.
* In ''WesternAnimation/ACharlieBrownChristmas'', Charlie Brown is none too pleased to discover he has received no Christmas cards, so he goes up to Violet and says:
-->'''Charlie Brown:''' Thanks for the Christmas card you sent me!\\
'''Violet:''' '''I''' didn't send you a Christmas card, Charlie Brown! ''(walks off)''\\
'''Charlie Brown:''' Don't you know sarcasm when you hear it?!
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Daria}}'':
** Much of the cast (aside from Daria and Jane, obviously), to much comic effect. Particularly the stupidest characters (Brittany, Kevin, Sandy/Quinn, Mr. O'Neil...).
** This ends up being a minor plot point for Jake in "Is It Fall Yet?" along with his [[CannotTellAJoke inability to tell a joke]].
* WesternAnimation/{{Doug}} would occasionally fall into this, usually with his DeadpanSnarker of an older sister. There was even an entire episode where he was worried when Patti invited him over for a dinner party and said they were having his favorite: liver and onions. He actually hated liver and onions and even made a speech in front of the class about how much he hated them. It never dawned on Doug that Patti was only kidding until she flat out told him at the end of the episode, after he had practiced eating liver and onions until he could convincingly pretend to enjoy it.
** In "Doug's Chubby Buddy", Patti asks Doug if he thinks she's fat, and Doug sarcastically responds with "Yeah, you're huge!" She ends up taking it at face value and nearly develops an eating disorder.
* Inverted with one RunningGag in ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'', involving an ambiguously foreign man who has just ''barely'' mastered English, and insists on [[DontExplainTheJoke pointing it out and laughing uproariously]] whenever somebody says something sarcastic, as if he's proud of himself for getting the joke.
* ''WesternAnimation/FostersHomeForImaginaryFriends'':
** Used hilariously in an episode: Bloo has no idea what sarcasm is, despite the fact that he uses it ''[[HypocriticalHumor all the time]]''.
--->"Oh, yes, I'm sarcastic ''all the time.''"\\
"You're doing it right now!"
** Later in the episode, when a man defends a pretty ludicrous deceit with "[[JustJokingJustification I was being sarcastic]]," Mac and Bloo are able to call him out, and back it up with extensive research.
** Also gets mixed with MindScrew in that episode, right after Mr Herriman proved that he 'wasn't' being sarcastic about getting Bloo and Mac jet cars:
--->'''Mr. Herriman:''' ''Yes'', could I ''be'' any more sarcastic?\\
([[CreditsGag Mac and Bloo are still sitting there, trying to figure that one out, well into the credits]].)
** In a later episode when Bloo has eaten all of the food on a camping trip and has to fish for breakfast:
--->'''Bloo:''' I said I wanted bacon and eggs!\\
'''Mac:''' Okay, let me just go back in time and prevent you from eating the ones we brought!\\
'''Bloo:''' You can do that?
* During the episode "Snake Hunt" of ''WesternAnimation/JackieChanAdventures'' we get an abusing scene after a television show host, posing as an archeologist, deliberately sabotages a cave drawing while Chan is preoccupied with the Dark Hand.
-->'''Rank''': And thus, "Just the Artifacts" has the exclusive scoop on this infamous Snake Talisman, whatever that is. You do think everyone was fighting over the chalk drawing, don't you?\\
'''Stefanson''': Maybe we should ask an archeologist.\\
'''Rank''': I AM AN ARCHEOLOGIST!\\
'''Stefanson''': Oh right, destroying 4,000 year-old drawings, yeah that's what archeologists do.
* ''WesternAnimation/JimmyTwoShoes'':
-->'''Lucius:''' Well, I hope you're happy, Two-Shoes.\\
'''Jimmy:''' Aw, Thanks Lucy. I'm a little bummed about the [[CoolPlane plane]] and Jez, but other than that [[ThePollyanna I'm pretty happy]]!
* Used hilariously in ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague''. In the episode "Eclipsed", a general is possessed by an evil spirit, which wants to pass itself along to a member of the Justice League. Asking a subordinate how to get the attention of the Justice League, the subordinate replies, [[{{Supervillain}} "Put on a gaudy costume and threaten to hurt a lot of people."]] ''So he does.'' The costume he puts together is a ShoutOut to one of the more garish of the old school super villains, Eclipso.
* WesternAnimation/{{Kaeloo}} and Stumpy are generally oblivious to [[CatsAreSnarkers Mr. Cat]]'s sarcasm.
* In ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfTarzan'', Terk gives Tantor a sarcastic compliment. When Tantor acts smug, she follows it up by saying that he's really good at detecting sarcasm, as well. Tantor continues acting smug.
* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic''
** From the episode "Winter Wrap Up":
--->'''Spike:''' Well, you're good at a lot of things. Just not nest making, ice skating, animal waking, snow clearing...\\
'''Twilight Sparkle:''' Thanks a lot for making me feel ''so'' much better.\\
'''Spike:''' That's what I'm here for, sister.
** [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} Pinkie Pie]] seems to be especially prone to this. In "Feeling Pinkie Keen":
--->'''Pinkie Pie:''' (''observing the frog conspicuously clinging to Twilight's head'') Uh, Twilight, you got [[{{Understatement}} a little something]] on your face there.\\
'''Twilight Sparkle:''' Oh? Did your "Pinkie Sense" tell you that too?\\
'''Pinkie Pie:''' No, I could just see it. (''hops off'') La la la la laaaa....
** In "Griffon the Brush Off", Rainbow Dash's old friend Gilda Griffon observes Pinkie with a wary eye:
--->'''Gilda''': I know what you're planning.\\
'''Pinkie Pie''': [giggles] Well, I hope so. This wasn't supposed to be a surprise party.\\
'''Gilda''': I mean, I've got my eye on you.\\
'''Pinkie Pie''': And ''I'' got my ''eye'' on you.\\
[...]\\
'''Gilda''': Hey, I'm watching you. Like a hawk.\\
'''Pinkie Pie''': Why? Can't you watch me like a griffon?
** And again in "Over a Barrel," where it [[InsultBackfire backfires]] on Rainbow Dash because [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} Pinkie Pie]] takes her quip about Fluttershy being a tree out of context.
--->'''Rainbow Dash:''' When we get to Appleoosa, you think we'll have to carry that heavy tree all the way from the train to the orchard?\\
'''Pinkie Pie:''' What tree? You mean Bloomberg?\\
'''Rainbow Dash:''' (''sarcasm'') No. Fluttershy.\\
'''Pinkie Pie:''' Fluttershy's not a tree, silly.\\
'''Twilight Sparkle:''' What's going on?\\
'''Pinkie Pie:''' Rainbow Dash thinks Fluttershy's a tree.\\
'''Rainbow Dash:''' I do ''not'' think she's a tree, I was just... \\
'''Twilight Sparkle:''' Did you ''say'' she was a tree?\\
'''Rainbow Dash:''' No... well, yes... but... not exactly ... \\
'''Twilight Sparkle:''' You know she's not a tree, right?\\
'''Pinkie Pie:''' She's not a tree, Dashie.\\
'''Fluttershy:''' ...[[MemeticMutation I'd like]] [[AscendedMeme to be a tree]].
** And once again in "A Canterlot Wedding, Part 1", after showing off what she had planned for the wedding reception:
--->'''Pinkie Pie:''' I think this reception is gonna be perfect! Don't you?\\
'''Princess Cadance [[spoiler:(actually Queen Chrysalis)]]:''' Perfect! ...if we were celebrating a six-year-old's birthday party.\\
'''Pinkie Pie:''' (''gasps'') Thank you!
** In "The Crystal Empire, Part 1":
--->'''Twilight Sparkle:''' I love research papers!\\
'''Rainbow Dash:''' Yeah, (''nudges Pinkie'') who doesn't?\\
'''Pinkie Pie:''' Oh, oh, oh! Let me guess! Is it Spike? No, no, Fluttershy! Rarity?
** In "Gauntlet of Fire'', Spike makes several sarcastic remarks towards Garble, all of which Garble takes at face value.
--->'''Spike:''' It's nice to see you too, ''Garble''.\\
'''Garble:''' I didn't say it was nice to see you. It's not! I don't like you! Was I not clear about that?
* Phineas from ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb''. Case in point: Candace, his [[DeadpanSnarker snarky (and proud of it)]] sister, flat-out informs him that she's being sarcastic, and he's happily shocked and goes off track [[ComicallyMissingThePoint to compliment her for her believability]].
-->'''Phineas:''' Well, y'know how we do something new every day?\\
'''Candace:''' ''(in phony shock)'' Nooo...\\
''({{Beat}})''\\
'''Phineas:''' ...Oh, well, we try to build some big project, or do something--\\
'''Candace:''' I'm aware of the concept, Phineas, I was just being sarcastic.\\
'''Phineas:''' ...Really? Hey, that was pretty good. Wow, I totally fell for it. Ferb, I totally fell for it!
* In ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls'' a truant officer parody of [[Series/{{Dragnet}} Joe Friday]] tells the Gangreen Gang that he is going to make sure that they go to school. Ace tells him that they have never been to school before and the officer pretends he is shocked. When Ace continues the officer explains that he was being sarcastic, which someone would only know if they went to school.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Rugrats}}'': Tommy and his friends can never comprehend whenever Angelica is being sarcastic. Ironically, Angelica herself falls into this trope when she overhears [[DepravedKidsShowHost Miss Carol]] state that the real catchphrase of the show is "[[CurseCutShort she thinks they're all little]]--" (''SoundEffectBleep'') and Angelica thinks it's sincere. This leads to a [[InnocentSwearing quite disastrous turn of events]].
* ''WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooAndGuessWho'': In "What a Night, For a Dark Knight!", while in [[Franchise/{{Batman}} Gotham City]], Shaggy sarcastically agrees to go to a "spooky abandoned department store in the middle of the night in one of the toughest towns, [[LikeIsLikeAComma like]], ever". Fred (who's driving at the moment) replies with "That's the spirit, Shaggy. Let's hit it!" and turns the wheel to the left to get to the store, much to Shaggy's annoyance.
-->'''Shaggy:''' ''(frowning)'' [[LampshadeHanging One of these days, Scoob, I’m gonna have to teach Freddy the meaning of sarcasm!]]\\
'''Scooby:''' Yeah! ''[{{Beat}}]'' [[HypocriticalHumor What's sarcasm?]]
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
** Homer can exhibit this sometimes.
--->'''Chief Wiggum:''' Just sit down and wait for Detective "Like I Give a Damn."\\
'''Homer:''' Thank you so much.\\
(''{{beat}}'')\\
'''Lisa:''' Dad?\\
'''Homer:''' Honey, Daddy's waiting for the detective.
** Also...
--->'''Lisa:''' Maybe they're all reverse vampires and they have to get home before dark.\\
'''Kids:''' AAAAAAHHHHH!!! REVERSE VAMPIRES!!!
** Barney also shows this in one famous scene:
--->'''Barney:''' And I say England's greatest Prime Minister was Lord Palmerston!\\
'''[[UsefulNotes/{{Baseball}} Wade Boggs:]]''' Pitt the Elder!\\
'''Barney:''' LORD PALMERSTON!\\
'''Boggs: ''[[PunctuatedForEmphasis PITT! THE! ELDER!]]'''''\\
'''Barney:''' Okay, you asked for it, Boggs! (''punches out Boggs'')\\
'''Moe:''' [[SincerityMode Yeah, that's showin' 'im, Barn!]] ''"Pitt the Elder"...''\\
'''Barney:''' ''LORD PALMERSTON!'' (''punches out Moe'')
** Bart sees Bonestorm advertised for 99 cents in a store window.
--->'''Bart''': I want to buy a copy of Bonestorm. Here's 99 cents.\\
'''Comic Book Guy''': [[LetMeGetThisStraight Allow me to summarize the proposed transaction]]: you wish to purchase Bonestorm for 99 cents. Net profit to me, negative $59. Oh, oh please, take my $59. I don't want it. It's yours.\\
[Bart reaches for the money, Comic Book Guy stops him by deflecting his hand with a pen]\\
Eh, eh, eh -- seeing as we are unfamiliar with sarcasm, I shall close the register at this point and state that 99 cents is the ''rental'' price.
** In "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS9E15TheLastTemptationOfKrust The Last Temptation of Krust]]" Bart is looking for Jay Leno and doesn't recognize him when Leno arrives. Leno comments that someone should get him a TV and Bart thanks him for the gift.
** In "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS2E17OldMoney Old Money]]" the family takes Grampa to spend the day with them on his girlfriend's birthday despite his protests and finds out she died while he was away. At the funeral Homer tries to apologize but Grampa pretends that he doesn't hear anything. Homer bemoans the loss of Grampa's hearing.
* ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'':
** Used in the movie "Imaginationland". The military is interrogating Stan and Kyle, trying to find a way into Imaginationland, and a specialist accidentally lets slip that they have a secret portal there. The general shuts him up, sarcastically saying, "Why don't you just tell them everything about Project X?!" The specialist starts describing it until the general cuts him off by pointing out he was being sarcastic.
** This is the main plot of the episode "[[Recap/SouthParkS16E8Sarcastaball Sarcastaball]]". Randy complains about new rules enforced in junior football to make the sport safer, saying it might as well played with a balloon while all the players wear bras and tinfoil hats, hugging their opponents and giving them compliments. He ends up being team coach after the school board takes him seriously when he says he'd ''love'' to coach the new sport.
** The Canadian Health Control Head explained in a video about puberty that queefing into a man's face results in having a baby since that is what his wife told him.
* WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants frequently falls into this due to his naïve and innocent nature, particularly whenever he talks to [[DeadpanSnarker Squidward]].
* In ''WesternAnimation/StarVsTheForcesOfEvil'', Miss Heinous tracks down "Princess Marco" to force "her" to make a statement recanting the RousingSpeech that lead the [[RebelliousPrincess students]] of [[BoardingSchoolOfHorrors St. Olgas]] to rebel and throw her out. Marco does so, emphasising that he's totally doing so [[SarcasmMode of his own free will]], and [[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial definitely not]] because Miss Heinous is threatening him and his family. Miss Heinous assumes he's being completely sincere. In fact the very concept of deception appears to be alien to her, as she continues to believe the "Princess Marco" disguise, referring to Marco by female pronouns and addressing the Diazes as "Your Highness", even though it's blatantly obvious that Marco is a boy and a commoner.
* ''WesternAnimation/SuperMarioWorld'': In "Gopher Bash", Yoshi eats the Piranha Plants that Cheatsy planted in place of Dome City's crops. A Monty Mole gets stuck trying to save the last one, and Cheatsy sarcastically commands the rest with "Don't just help him! Stand there!" The other Monty Moles end up doing just that before Cheatsy clarifies what he meant: "Get him out! NOW!"
* In the ''WesternAnimation/TinyToonAdventures'' episode, "Take Elmyra Please", when Elmyra asks her dad if he will be on the news on the day of his new discovery (a clean-burning alternative fuel made from cholesterol), her [[BrattyTeenageDaughter sarcastic teenage older sister]], Amanda, tells her, "No, they're coming over to give you your own show, Elbow-head!". Since Elmyra is unable to understand sarcasm, she really believes what she just said, and as a result, she thinks that George and Leonard, who are sent by their boss, Arthur Jabba, to capture her and hold her for ransom, are the executives for her new show and that their warehouse is the studio for the show.
* ''WesternAnimation/TotalDrama'':
** [[BrainlessBeauty Lindsay]], much to the chagrin of {{Deadpan Snarker}}s like Gwen and Noah.
--->'''Noah:''' Throwing balls, gee, another mentally challenging test.\\
'''Lindsay:''' I know, right?
** In the special:
--->'''Izzy:''' Noah, I'm counting on you for three gallons of diesel fuel.\\
'''Noah:''' Sure thing. I'll just get my unicorn to deliver it.\\
'''Izzy:''' Perfect!
** [[HarmlessVillain Max]] from the third generation cast. When he attempts to turn a rabbit evil with one of his inventions (and fails):
--->'''Max:''' Isn't it terrifying?!\\
'''[[DeadpanSnarker Scarlett]]:''' Goose bumps, Max. I have goose bumps.
* In ''WesternAnimation/VoltronLegendaryDefender'', Lance falls into this sometimes. A good example from the first episode:
-->'''Lance:''' ''(referring to Keith's motorcycle)'' Can't this thing go any faster?\\
'''Keith:''' [[DeadpanSnarker We could toss some non-essential weight.]]\\
'''Lance:''' Oh, right! ({{Beat}}) ...Okay, that was an insult. I get it.
** And later in the first season:
--->'''Lance:''' Hey, does Allura ever talk about me when I'm out of the room?\\
'''Hunk:''' Oh, yeah, all the time.\\
'''Lance:''' ''(excitedly)'' Really?
* Nigel from ''WesternAnimation/TheWildThornberrys'' is terrible at recognizing sarcasm. When [[DeadpanSnarker Debbie]] mentions it in TheMovie, he says he likely never had an ability to recognize it and that he never noticed how sarcastic his daughter was before.
-->'''Nigel''': We'll be gone until after the eclipse. Will you be alright with Donnie?\\
'''Debbie''': Are you kidding? This will be the highlight of my young life.\\
'''Nigel''': That's the spirit, poodles!\\
'''Debbie''': Dad, have you completely lost your ability to recognize sarcasm?\\
'''Nigel''': I'm not sure I ever had it, Deborah.
* Omi of ''WesternAnimation/XiaolinShowdown'' is often slow to catch on to sarcasm, due to his youth and sheltered upbringing.
-->'''Omi:''' ''(In a dungeon referred to as a hospitality suite)'' Oh...perhaps I am misunderstanding the meaning of the word hospitality.\\
'''Kimiko:''' Or the meaning of sarcasm!
[[/folder]]