Not What I Signed on For in Western Animation.
- In the Batman: The Animated Series episode "Joker's Millions", the Joker hires a replacement for Harley, claiming that it's cheaper than buying the real one out of jail. The one he gets isn't nearly as good as the real one, and she says twice that this "wasn't in the job description" (the second time when she's arrested; still, this was the Joker... she should have known better. Still, she can take comfort with the fact that the real Harley did get revenge on the Joker for the insult...)
- Carmen Sandiego: In this iteration, the gal herself willingly wanted to join the criminal organization VILE so badly, since she enjoyed the prospect of stealing for fun and therefore assumed that her classmates had the same reason for becoming potential members. However, when Carmen found out that VILE operatives are trained to not just be master thieves, but also professional assassins, she defected and opposed them from that point onwards.
- A mutual version in The Fairly OddParents! episode where Timmy summons the April Fool. After the Fool almost sends Timmy's parents plummeting to a gruesome death as a "prank", forcing Timmy to save them, Timmy complains that the "prank" was far crueler than what he'd signed on for; the Fool counters that he hadn't signed on to have his pranks constrained by "compassion". The deal promptly breaks down.
- The Captain of the Guard allowed the Viking leader Hakon to invade Castle Wyvern in the premiere of Gargoyles in exchange for what is implied to be allowing Demona and the other Gargoyles to gain control of Castle Wyvern. When Hakon decides after capturing Castle Wyvern to smash the hibernating Gargoyle statues, the Captain of the Guard attempts to stop him, citing that this was not what they agreed to do. Unfortunately, Hakon forces him back and resumes smashing the hibernating Gargoyles, with the Captain of the Guard only being able to watch in horror at what he unwittingly brought about.
- Averted with Fred from George of the Jungle in the Super Chicken segments. As he says, "I knew the job was dangerous when I took it."
- Justice League Unlimited:
- Gorilla Grodd assembles a new Legion of Doom, but, aside from opposing the Justice League, keeps their long-term goals largely to himself. When it's revealed that his master plan is to turn everyone on Earth into apes (which is not only ridiculous, but also failed), Lex Luthor shoots him in the chest, takes over the Legion, and redirects their efforts to more sensible endeavors (well, sensible for him, at least).
- Hawkgirl willingly signed on to infiltrate Earth and learn the weaknesses and abilities of the planet's society, military strength and its heroes in order to help the Thanagarians subjugate the planet to build their hyperspace bypass. Once she learns the bypass will destroy the Earth, she defects and helps the League destroy it.
- King of the Hill had a show where Hank met another dad who was appalled with the way the history of the Alamo was being rewritten in the new history books the school had recently purchased. They both agree to put on a play that showed the history of the Alamo, with Hank building the set and the other guy writing. Turns out Hank's vision was of the traditional heroic picture of the battle he remembered from his childhood and the other guy had written a play depicting all the soldiers as drunks and cowards (not because he thought it was more historically accurate, just for the buzz such a "controversial" depiction would get him and his Hollywood dreams).
- The Legend of Korra:
- In "The Aftermath" a warehouse worker and secret member of The Equalists meets with Lin, Tenzin, and Korra to give them information about the Equalist's Hideout and weaponry production, explaining that he joined their organization believing they would do something about the Bender discrimination against Non-Benders but didn't sign up for the war they're gearing up for. It turns out he did in fact sign up for that, and was luring them into a trap.
- In the episode "Turning the Tides", Tenzin has to find members of the council in the city, so he tells his ex-girlfriend Lin Beifong to help his wife Pema around the house. Pema comes out with a dirt-covered Meelo and asks Lin to help her give him a bath, and then Meelo says he has to poop. This makes Lin say this exact quote.
- Mako also says something like this in "Rebirth", when Korra rough-houses with him during an Airbending session.
- Played far more seriously in Book Four, when Bolin comes to the realization that Kuvira's army, which he joined in order to aid the Earth Kingdom, has become a force of conquest that imprisons dissenters in camps.
- Tangled: The Series: In "Rapunzel's Return", Varian turns on the Saporians when they reveal they intend to destroy Corona.
- In The Simpsons, the founding of Springfield and Shelbyville, as well as the feud between the two towns that followed, is based on this trope. Originally the town founders, Jebediah Springfield and Shelbyville Manhattan were allies who led a group of pioneers in pursuit of new lands to settle. Once they found the site for their settlement, however...Jebediah: People, our search is over. On this site we shall build a new town, where we can worship freely, govern justly and grow vast fields of hemp for making ropes and blankets.
Shelbyville: Yes, and marry our cousins.
Jebediah: I was — wha... what are you talking about, Shelbyville? Why would we want to marry our cousins?
Shelbyville: Because they're so attractive. I thought that was the whole point of this journey? - In the first episode of Total Drama, Chris gets this reaction from certain campers when they learn that they'll be staying in a cruddy camp instead of the four-star resort they were promised.Gwen: I did not sign up for this.
Chris: Actually... [holds up contract] you did.
