TVTropes Now available in the app store!
Open

Follow TV Tropes

Following

Needs Help: Plumbers Crack

Go To

Deadlock Clock: Jul 24th 2014 at 11:59:00 PM
Lakija Since: Jul, 2012
#51: May 6th 2014 at 3:40:53 PM

Forgive me, but I would prefer an even more neutral definition for this trope. I like 39 except for a couple little tidbits here and there. This may be an improvement or even worse. But here it is, nonetheless.


The Plumber Crack gag is a classic comedy staple. It is a situation in which a plumber or other blue-collar worker of similar ilk bends to do some task and exposes their butt crack in the process to onlookers.

Common stereotypes of the Blue-Collar worker are their apparent lack of hygiene and personal fitness. Keeping in mind the principle of Show, Don't Tell, the (usually) overweight and hirsute character bends down to take a look at something, and their pants fall or get pulled below their waistline.

The Reaction Shot of the other characters is typically Played for Laughs. Characters are often far more disgusted by the sight than similar sights of "Mooning". Another similar trope is Wardrobe Malfunction.


Same message, a little cleaner, a little more neutral. Maybe it takes too much away tho... hmm.

edited 6th May '14 3:46:52 PM by Lakija

m8e from Sweden Since: Jul, 2012 Relationship Status: Wanna dance with somebody
ShanghaiSlave Giver of Lame Names from YKTTW Since: Mar, 2012 Relationship Status: is commanded to— WANK!
shimaspawn from Here and Now Since: May, 2010 Relationship Status: In your bunk
#54: May 18th 2014 at 1:41:16 PM

[up][up][up] Make the swap and let us be done with this.

Reality is that, which when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. -Philip K. Dick
Willbyr Hi (Y2K) Relationship Status: With my statistically significant other
Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#57: May 20th 2014 at 11:15:05 AM

The examples need cleaning up, too. I smell note  a lot of ZCEs.

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
Furienna from Örnsköldsvik, Sweden Since: Nov, 2013
#58: May 20th 2014 at 3:19:52 PM

Uncle Phil (a white-collar lawyer) having an unattractive ass is not a "humourous spin" in the trope. Uncle Phil (a white-collar lawyer) doing a blue-collar job badly is a humourous trope of its own.

Uncle Phil taking on the blue-collar job of plumbing then exposes his buttcrack because his pants cannot cover it while he works is a straight example of the trope. No changes needed.

So I guess I can do an entry about it?

Willbyr Hi (Y2K) Relationship Status: With my statistically significant other
lakingsif Since: Dec, 2012 Relationship Status: Wanna dance with somebody
#60: Jun 21st 2014 at 8:56:39 AM

Right, the fact that some of the examples aren't even labourers, but just anyone showing their arse crack suggests that it really isn't a trope. For pity's sake, I forget to pull my pants up half the time, too, but I wouldn't say it's a trope. It could also present some Unfortunate Implications that labourers can't afford fitting trousers or are forgetful.

however.... Plumbers/builders show their arse crack? Only thing I could see to make of it would be maybe aversions when someone who lives there walks in and starts talking to the plumber like they're a parent/ friend/ at least acquaintance because they are just bent over, not showing a crack, and then discover they're actually the plumber/ whatever... maybe. Actually, no, not really.

I say toss it, or if not really possible, make it clear that it's a Played for Laughs Stereotyping Trope, and clean it up.

edited 21st Jun '14 1:15:28 PM by lakingsif

OH MY GOD; MY PARENTS ARE GARDENIIIIINNNNGGGGG!!!!!
Willbyr Hi (Y2K) Relationship Status: With my statistically significant other
Hi
#61: Jul 21st 2014 at 6:30:26 AM

Re-clocked; let's hike this up before it gets flushed.

edited 21st Jul '14 6:30:33 AM by Willbyr

jayoungr Since: Sep, 2009
#62: Jul 23rd 2014 at 1:51:00 PM

Do we even need the gender-neutral language? This strikes me as an Always Male trope.

Willbyr Hi (Y2K) Relationship Status: With my statistically significant other
Hi
#63: Jul 25th 2014 at 7:05:57 AM

We're past the clock, time to flush this.

Add Post

Total posts: 63
Top