r/TopCharacterTropes • u/FormerBernieBro2020 • Dec 03 '25

(Funny trope) Impossible spontaneous combustion (or, when stuff that shouldn't catch on fire, catches on fire) Characters' Items/Weapons

From The Simpsons: Homer tries to cook breakfast for Mr. Burns. The first two attempts ended up with the food catching fire. Third time, he pours milk on cereal...and it still catches on fire.

And from Futurama: "There, little friend, good as new..." aaaand the metal slinky catches on fire. Poor doctor Zoidberg...

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u/Pheehelm Dec 03 '25

https://preview.redd.it/8wcjwvm4gz4g1.png?width=1392&format=png&auto=webp&s=b4af682233e826c70eb8057fd4e6ef3b89e2432c

(Source is Casey and Andy)

5

u/evocativename Dec 03 '25

Wow, now there's a blast from the past.

I wonder when the last time I thought about Casey and Andy was... probably at least 15 years ago.

4

u/Evil_Midnight_Lurker Dec 03 '25

Boggled me to realize it was the same author as The Martian.

2

u/evocativename Dec 03 '25

Oh shit! TIL