Powered by The Cheat

From Homestar Runner Wiki

(Difference between revisions)
Jump to: navigation, search
(Partially Powered by The Cheat Content: chronological)
(elaborate and separate paragraphs)
(includes 3 intermediate revisions)
Line 2: Line 2:
"'''Powered by The Cheat'''" toons are [[Flash]] animations created by [[The Cheat]] and his computers, [[Tangerine Dreams]] (2002-2004), [[Monosodium Dreams]] (2006-2014), and [[The Cheat's iMac (2018)|his new iMac]] (2018-present). Many of them are [[Flash]] toons within the [[Homestar Runner universe]]. The toons, which are a parody of the many poorly drawn Flash cartoons on the web, are usually packed with bad animation and [[Powered by The Cheat Character Variations|character depictions]], poor imitations of the characters' voices (provided by [[Mike Chapman]]), vocalised sound effects, and senseless or nonexistent plots.  
"'''Powered by The Cheat'''" toons are [[Flash]] animations created by [[The Cheat]] and his computers, [[Tangerine Dreams]] (2002-2004), [[Monosodium Dreams]] (2006-2014), and [[The Cheat's iMac (2018)|his new iMac]] (2018-present). Many of them are [[Flash]] toons within the [[Homestar Runner universe]]. The toons, which are a parody of the many poorly drawn Flash cartoons on the web, are usually packed with bad animation and [[Powered by The Cheat Character Variations|character depictions]], poor imitations of the characters' voices (provided by [[Mike Chapman]]), vocalised sound effects, and senseless or nonexistent plots.  
-
It is never explained how The Cheat manages to imitate the other characters speaking human language; in all regular toons, The Cheat speaks in his own native "The Cheat" language. In the [[Georgia Tech - 26 Apr 2007|Georgia Tech]] appearance, an audience member asked [[The Brothers Chaps]] a question concerning this, and [[Matt Chapman]] responded in [[Strong Bad]]'s voice, "The guy's got two throats," and that, "he goes into this secret room when he does the voices, so I never see how he does it." He often [[Powered by The Cheat Cameo Appearances|incorporates himself into his cartoons]], sometimes in a [[Wikipedia:List_of_Hitchcock_cameo_appearances|Hitchcock-style cameo]], but usually portraying himself as superior to the other characters or receiving some sort of prize. The Cheat has won five prizes for these cartoons in "real" life, including an [[New Boots|iron cup full of Brunswick Stew]], a [[pizza]] for his "[[Everybody to the Limit]]" music video, the fabled "Pizza [[Trophy]]", a slice of "chinstrap pizza", and another pizza.
+
It remained a mystery for well over a decade how The Cheat manages to imitate the other characters speaking human language; in all regular toons, The Cheat speaks in his own native "The Cheat" language. In the [[Georgia Tech - 26 Apr 2007|Georgia Tech]] appearance, an audience member asked [[The Brothers Chaps]] a question concerning this, and [[Matt Chapman]] responded in [[Strong Bad]]'s voice, "The guy's got two throats," and that "he goes into this secret room when he does the voices, so I never see how he does it." In an Easter egg in [[The Homestar Runner Enters the Spooky Woods]], The Cheat finally demonstrates his voicing ability, to Strong Bad's astonishment: he swivels the top of his head to allow his mouth to open wide. He describes it as "just a certain way I do things".
 +
 
 +
The Cheat often [[Powered by The Cheat Cameo Appearances|incorporates himself into his cartoons]], sometimes in a [[Wikipedia:List of Hitchcock cameo appearances|Hitchcock-style cameo]], but usually portraying himself as superior to the other characters or receiving some sort of prize. The Cheat has won five prizes for these cartoons in "real" life, including an [[New Boots|iron cup full of Brunswick Stew]], a [[pizza]] for his "[[Everybody to the Limit]]" music video, the fabled "Pizza [[Trophy]]", a slice of "chinstrap pizza", and another pizza.
These animations show hints of The Cheat's fantasies and possibly insecure personality. The email [[mile]], which The Cheat guest-authored, is an ideal example of what he most desires yet cannot possibly possess. The Cheat shamelessly elevates his status in the eyes of others through praise given by his boss, [[Strong Bad]], while [[Marzipan]] finally gives him the [[Marzipan and The Cheat's Relationship|attention and affection he has been craving]]. However, the two rarely exchange words outside of a fabricated Flash universe, despite having gone on one [[Date Nite|date]] together.
These animations show hints of The Cheat's fantasies and possibly insecure personality. The email [[mile]], which The Cheat guest-authored, is an ideal example of what he most desires yet cannot possibly possess. The Cheat shamelessly elevates his status in the eyes of others through praise given by his boss, [[Strong Bad]], while [[Marzipan]] finally gives him the [[Marzipan and The Cheat's Relationship|attention and affection he has been craving]]. However, the two rarely exchange words outside of a fabricated Flash universe, despite having gone on one [[Date Nite|date]] together.
Line 8: Line 10:
The Cheat has provided animation for other [[Free Country, USA]] artists. He has also collaborated with the likes of [[The Skate Party]], [[They Might Be Giants]], and more.
The Cheat has provided animation for other [[Free Country, USA]] artists. He has also collaborated with the likes of [[The Skate Party]], [[They Might Be Giants]], and more.
-
It has been referred to by Strong Bad in a Quote of the week as an outtake from [[Most In The Graveyard]] as "The Cheat's regular animating crap".
+
It has been referred to by Strong Bad in a [[Quote of the Week]] as an outtake from [[Most In The Graveyard]] as "The Cheat's regular animating crap".
==Powered by The Cheat Content==
==Powered by The Cheat Content==
Line 49: Line 51:
*[[Really Cool Boat]] — This [[Skills of an Artist]] episode finishes with a PBTC animation of the Deep Sea Fangly Fish encountering the Cheatviathan.
*[[Really Cool Boat]] — This [[Skills of an Artist]] episode finishes with a PBTC animation of the Deep Sea Fangly Fish encountering the Cheatviathan.
*[[Quickstart Overview (video)|Quickstart Overview]] — The video uses PBTC combined with [[Puppet Stuff]].
*[[Quickstart Overview (video)|Quickstart Overview]] — The video uses PBTC combined with [[Puppet Stuff]].
 +
*[[The Homestar Runner Enters the Spooky Woods]] — The Cheat talks in his PBTC Strong Bad voice in one Easter egg. Another shows a scene from [[dragon]] with added PBTC animation.
==Responses==
==Responses==

Revision as of 05:47, 16 November 2019

Powered by The Cheat, for The Cheat

"Powered by The Cheat" toons are Flash animations created by The Cheat and his computers, Tangerine Dreams (2002-2004), Monosodium Dreams (2006-2014), and his new iMac (2018-present). Many of them are Flash toons within the Homestar Runner universe. The toons, which are a parody of the many poorly drawn Flash cartoons on the web, are usually packed with bad animation and character depictions, poor imitations of the characters' voices (provided by Mike Chapman), vocalised sound effects, and senseless or nonexistent plots.

It remained a mystery for well over a decade how The Cheat manages to imitate the other characters speaking human language; in all regular toons, The Cheat speaks in his own native "The Cheat" language. In the Georgia Tech appearance, an audience member asked The Brothers Chaps a question concerning this, and Matt Chapman responded in Strong Bad's voice, "The guy's got two throats," and that "he goes into this secret room when he does the voices, so I never see how he does it." In an Easter egg in The Homestar Runner Enters the Spooky Woods, The Cheat finally demonstrates his voicing ability, to Strong Bad's astonishment: he swivels the top of his head to allow his mouth to open wide. He describes it as "just a certain way I do things".

The Cheat often incorporates himself into his cartoons, sometimes in a Hitchcock-style cameo, but usually portraying himself as superior to the other characters or receiving some sort of prize. The Cheat has won five prizes for these cartoons in "real" life, including an iron cup full of Brunswick Stew, a pizza for his "Everybody to the Limit" music video, the fabled "Pizza Trophy", a slice of "chinstrap pizza", and another pizza.

These animations show hints of The Cheat's fantasies and possibly insecure personality. The email mile, which The Cheat guest-authored, is an ideal example of what he most desires yet cannot possibly possess. The Cheat shamelessly elevates his status in the eyes of others through praise given by his boss, Strong Bad, while Marzipan finally gives him the attention and affection he has been craving. However, the two rarely exchange words outside of a fabricated Flash universe, despite having gone on one date together.

The Cheat has provided animation for other Free Country, USA artists. He has also collaborated with the likes of The Skate Party, They Might Be Giants, and more.

It has been referred to by Strong Bad in a Quote of the Week as an outtake from Most In The Graveyard as "The Cheat's regular animating crap".

Powered by The Cheat Content

"The Cheat is a millionaire!"

Partially Powered by The Cheat Content

The credits squeeze from theme song

Responses

These are the responses of characters, mostly Strong Bad, after watching a toon with The Cheat. While most are discouraging, there is occasional praise.

Toon Transcript
The Cheat Theme Song

THE CHEAT: {The Cheat noises}

STRONG BAD: Um, I dunno, The Cheat, I don't think it was very good... at all. I mean, the song was kinda catchy but the visuals were lacking, at best.

HOMESTAR RUNNER: This is the best video game I've ever played.

Everybody to the Limit

STRONG BAD: {talking to The Cheat} Now that's what I'm talkin' about! That was amazing! I mean you—... I—... I can't b—... Chi-g-d-b ... He—g ... I'm buyin' you a pizza!

Email crazy cartoon

{the cartoon pans out to a Powered by The Cheat-styled cartoon of Strong Bad and The Cheat watching the toon}

STRONG BAD: The Cheat, this is the greatest cartoon in the whole world! Have a trophy!

{Strong Bad gives The Cheat a trophy}

THE CHEAT: {The Cheat noises}

{Zoom out again to the actual Strong Bad and The Cheat.}

STRONG BAD: Hey, I didn't do that! Did I?

THE CHEAT: {The Cheat noises}

STRONG BAD: I mean, it was good. I liked the way you worked in Eh! Steve, but I don't think it deserved a trophy. I don't even think it deserved a pizza! Maybe a pizza trophy.

New Boots

STRONG BAD: Purple boxing gloves?! Did you do any fact-checking before you turned this in? What if I did that to you? Oh yeah, The Cheat, he's a... stripèd, green rabbit! With two butts!

THE CHEAT: {responds angrily}

STRONG BAD: But you made my underwears showing! Everybody knows I don't wear underwears!

THE CHEAT: {Pleading The Cheat noises}

STRONG BAD: Mmm... all right... You get an... iron cup. Full of Brunswick Stew. {places cup of stew on table}

THE CHEAT: {responds excitedly and pushes the cup over to his side of the table}

STRONG BAD: But lemme tell ya's. With a little extra effort, it would have been a trophy full of Steak-umms.

THE CHEAT: {sad The Cheat noise (in an "Awww" pattern)}

STRONG BAD: Guy drops a couple of JPEGs in his cartoon and thinks he's like, the guy who draws The Lockhorns or something. Now that guy knows funny!

Main Page 15

(to show these three randomized responses scroll the mouse over the email button)


THE CHEAT: {Exclamatory The Cheat noises}

STRONG BAD: Once again, your visual style just looks thrown together. It looks like you don't care.


STRONG BAD: And what is that terrible voice? Is that supposed to be Homestar?

THE CHEAT: {Defensive The Cheat noises}


THE CHEAT: {Questioning The Cheat noises}

STRONG BAD: The animation looks terrible. It's all jerky, ya know, like it was done by a two years old boy.

Rap Song

COACH Z: The Chort, that was amazing! It's gonna rocket straight to the bottom of the BET charts!

THE CHEAT: {The Cheat noises}

COACH Z: Oh, your payment. How's about a nice slice of chin strap pizza? {holds up a pizza slice that has a chin strap on it}

{The Cheat sinks out of view, making sick-sounding The Cheat noises.}

Trudgemank

{The Cheat looks around for viewers and lowers his head, looking disappointed. He then gives himself a pizza trophy and begins applauding.}

Fish Eye Lens

STRONG BAD: The Cheat! That was incredible!

{He begins babbling as if at a loss for words, like in Everybody to the Limit. He keeps babbling in rhythm. The Cheat pulls out his keyboard and drops a beat in time with the babbling. The rave lights come on.}

STRONG BAD: {overlapping himself} I'm buying you a pizzaaaaa!

{The music stops as he says "pizzaaaaa". A pizza falls from the ceiling and covers their heads. The Cheat makes a "da-ta-da!" fanfare noise.}

STRONG BAD: Whoa! Guess I can conjure ceiling pizzas now.


Most Recent Toons
Big Toons

Homestar Runner Goes for the Gold
Dec 24, 2016

Shorts

Diaper Sunrise
Mar 9, 2022

Holidays

Fan 'Stumes 2023
Nov 22, 2023

Puppet Stuff

Action Cool News-oween Report
Oct 27, 2021

Strong Bad Email

parenting
Apr 1, 2022

Video Stuff

Disk 4 of 12 - Vampire's Castle
Sep 19, 2022

Teen Girl Squad

Issue 15
May 11, 2009

Marzipan's Answering Machine

Version 17.2
Apr 1, 2016

YouTube

Dangeresque: The Roomisode Triungulate Launch Trailer
Aug 11, 2023

Personal tools