Follow TV Tropes

Following

Darth Wiki / Live For Laughter

Go To

It is 1981 in a small town in Pennsylvania. The town is growing moderately, but won't hit city status for at least another decade or two, but the people there are still happy. The kids enjoy life there, and the parents are satisfied. A buzz goes around the community as the kids become excited for a certain TV show from the makers of one of the best cartoon producers of all time once it is announced, and almost all of the children in town tune in for the premier. Unfortunately with that premier, the children begin to change, becoming more hostile and aggressive, tempermental, and obsessed with the show. The few children who were not able to watch the broadcast are harrassed by the other children, to the point where they are bullied and beaten for not yet watching. The parents begin to worry, including single father, Andrew Sternwood, who is simply trying to keep his only son safe from the show, because he knows the truth behind it, and its sinister host, the so-called 'Larry Laughter'.

This story takes place in the interconnected literary universe from young author Nathan Thornsbury, Universe 11-N. For more information on his other stories and how they connect, go to Universe 11-N .


This story provides examples of:

  • Anachronism Stew: It may be The '80s, but there are a few details that are from later in time, like some of the kids making references to films that hadn't been made yet.
  • Brainwashed and Crazy: After watching the show, the children in the town start to act differently, as if they're being controlled by the show and its creator.
  • Cloud Cuckoolander: In the beginning, it is implied that Andrew is paranoid and over-protective, reacting so vigorously and panicking to the idea of his son watching the show, and the other kids start to say that Andrew is crazy, thinking VHS tapes can brainwash people and such. The other kids even start bullying Andrews son for it.
  • The Cloud Cuckoolander Was Right: As it turns out, Andrew wasn't wrong for forbidding his son to watch the show, and he was just being careful by destroying the tape, because the show was actually dangerous. How did he know though? Because he knows that the show's host, Larry Laughter, is actually Lucius, due to prior dealings with the Devil himself.
  • Do Wrong, Right: Lucius takes offense to the fact Andrew thinks that he's brainwashing the children of the town in order to consume their souls. He might be taking the children for a horribly sinister purpose, but not to eat them or their literal souls.


Top