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The Cheerleader

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"The Cheerleader" is the 8th episode of The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball.[1]

Synopsis

Gumball wants to get Richard on the cheerleading team in order to end their family's generational trauma.

Plot


SPOILER AHEAD!

Important details about the plot or story are up ahead

(Skip section)

In the shed, Gumball and Darwin dig through their parents' belongings to learn embarrassing secrets about their past. They come across a pink diary and initially believe it's Nicole's. As Gumball begins reading, they find out the writer was a boy and discussed how he wanted to go to cheerleading tryouts. Richard arrives and begrudgingly confirms the diary was his. Darwin asks him if he made the team, and a flashback is shown of Richard arriving at the gym to audition before his mother discourages him, claiming his dreams and desires are impossible.

Saddened by his story, Darwin looks inside of Richard to find some monsters deep inside and deduces he's suffering from intergenerational trauma. Anais explains that the bad advice and experiences that happened to his ancestors were dumped into him, resulting in his current outlook on his dream. She believes that he can cure it if he joins the school cheerleader team, and tryouts are the next day. The rest of the family agrees to help him, particularly Nicole as it gives her an excuse to go against Granny Jojo's teachings.

First they take him to a skatepark to build up his confidence and because it was something Granny Jojo forbade him from doing. Darwin pushes him down the ramp, and he has fun at first before crashing through the half pipe on the other side. Anais then has him ride a kiddie roller coaster, but he's too big and slams his head in some of the apple holes on the track. Gumball cheers him on as he attempts to ride a pony, but the exhausted horse suffers from his weight and kicks him back into a bounce castle that he deflates. The family then has him bungee jump off a construction crane, but the rope breaks and he falls face-first into the ground.

They find that Richard's inner demons are too tough to put down. Realizing he lacks the self-confidence and self-worth to pull it off, Richard begins to sink into the ground. The family is determined to help him overcome his trauma not just out of love, but also to avoid turning out like him when they grow up. Anais believes they can potentially trick him into becoming better. That night, as Richard is too anxious to sleep, Anais brings out a tennis ball with googly eyes and pretends it's the shrunken head of the first cheerleader, Alexandria Cheerleader, and claims that kissing it will drastically improve his performance.

The next day, Elmore Junior High begins their cheerleader tryouts, with Principal Brown and Mr. Small judging. Richard kisses the tennis ball and begins his routine. His clumsy, uncoordinated, and aggressive approach weirds out the audience, but Gumball and Darwin help him get back into a proper rhythm. However, he stops his performance when he spots Granny Jojo in the audience. He runs up to her and she explains that being retired, she likes going to sporting tryouts to see people fail and feel better about herself. When he tells her he has Alexandria to help him out, Granny Jojo tells him it's a tennis ball and wrecks his self-confidence.

Now sulking in his past again, Gumball, Darwin, Anais, and Nicole perform their own chant where they say they believe in him. This motivates Richard to push aside the trauma and perform spectacularly. With Gumball and Darwin's help, he's able to perform a high jump and flip so powerful it destroys all the windows in the school. The audience erupts in cheers as Mr. Small and Principal Brown award him a perfect score. The other cheerleaders come up to congratulate him while Granny Jojo and Nicole express their pride in him. Meanwhile, Gumball and Darwin lay on the ground in pain after helping Richard land, commenting that while they suffered from some trauma, at least it wasn't intergenerational.

End spoilers

Characters

Main characters

Supporting characters

Minor characters

Trivia

  • One of Richard's ancestors resembles Mr. Corneille, albeit without a pixel filter.
  • This episode reveals that Frankie and Granny Jojo were disappointed in Richard's life and had high expectations for him within the family tradition.

Continuity

  • The background from "The Brain" is reused during the montage.
  • Richard's shrine from "The Hero" appears in the background at the beginning of the episode.
    • Some of Richard's dance moves from "The Hero" are also seen during his cheerleading routine.
  • Several of the babies previously seen in the maternity ward in "The Wicked" reappear as toddlers.
  • Mr. Small and Principal Brown are judges for cheerleader tryouts, resuming the position from "The Meddler."
    • Mr. Small's abrasive and harsh attitude during the cheerleader tryouts is similar to how he acted in that episode.
  • Richard saying that he stopped believing in magic two and a half years ago might be a reference to "The Wand."

Cultural references

  • Richard makes an anxious expression that is strikingly similar to Pepe the Frog the night before the cheerleading tryouts.

Goofs/errors

  • Richard says he is a 30 year old man. Ben Bocquelet has confirmed he is 38, and past episodes such as "The Signature" and "The Parents," imply a similar answer.
    • However, despite Richard being wrong, this can be excused due to him not retaining a strong memory.
  • In "The Gumball Chronicles: Ancestor Act," Richard mentions that Frankie's mother was a cockatoo. However, in this episode, she is shown to be a pink mouse creature.
  • During the tryouts, several characters seated in the bleachers change positions or vanish in-between shots.
  • Juke lacks his squiggly outline when he watches the tryouts.
  • When Richard drops Alexandria Cheerleader, Teri slowly clips through the ground as the camera moves.
  • The Rainbow octopus is colored solid purple instead of their usual rainbow color. Apparently this was originally concept art of said character.

Other titles

  • Español (Spanish): La Porrista (The Cheerleader)
  • Français (French): Le pom-pom girl (The Cheerleader)
  • Hrvatski (Croatian): Navijanje (The Cheerleading)
  • Български (Bulgarian): Мажореткото (The Cheerleader)
  • ไทย (Thai): เชียร์ลีดเดอร์⁩ (The Cheerleader)
  • 日本語 (Japanese): パパの夢はチアリーダー (Dad's Dream Of Becoming A Cheerleader)

References

  1. ↑  (February 15, 2023). "EIDR Record: The Amazing World of Gumball (2023, Season)". ui.eidr.org. Entertainment Identifier Registry. Archive from the original on August 29, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2025.


v • e
Episode 1
"The DVD" 		Episode 2
"The Responsible" 		Episode 3
"The Third" 		Episode 4
"The Debt"
Episode 5
"The End" 		Episode 6
"The Dress" 		Episode 7
"The Quest" 		Episode 8
"The Spoon"
Episode 9
"The Pressure" 		Episode 10
"The Painting" 		Episode 11
"The Laziest" 		Episode 12
"The Ghost"
Episode 13
"The Mystery" 		Episode 14
"The Prank" 		Episode 15
"The Gi" 		Episode 16
"The Kiss"
Episode 17
"The Party" 		Episode 18
"The Refund" 		Episode 19
"The Robot" 		Episode 20
"The Picnic"
Episode 21
"The Goons" 		Episode 22
"The Secret" 		Episode 23
"The Sock" 		Episode 24
"The Genius"
Episode 25
"The Poltergeist" 		Episode 26
"The Mustache" 		Episode 27
"The Date" 		Episode 28
"The Club"
Episode 29
"The Wand" 		Episode 30
"The Ape" 		Episode 31
"The Car" 		Episode 32
"The Curse"
Episode 33
"The Microwave" 		Episode 34
"The Meddler" 		Episode 35
"The Helmet" 		Episode 36
"The Fight"
Episode 1
"The Remote" 		Episode 2
"The Colossus" 		Episode 3
"The Knights" 		Episode 4
"The Fridge"
Episode 5
"The Flower" 		Episode 6
"The Banana" 		Episode 7
"The Phone" 		Episode 8
"The Job"
Episode 9
"Halloween" 		Episode 10
"The Treasure" 		Episode 11
"The Apology" 		Episode 12
"The Words"
Episode 13
"The Skull" 		Episode 14
"The Bet" 		Episode 15
"Christmas" 		Episode 16
"The Watch"
Episode 17
"The Bumpkin" 		Episode 18
"The Flakers" 		Episode 19
"The Authority" 		Episode 20
"The Virus"
Episode 21
"The Pony" 		Episode 22
"The Hero" 		Episode 23
"The Dream" 		Episode 24
"The Sidekick"
Episode 25
"The Photo" 		Episode 26
"The Tag" 		Episode 27
"The Storm" 		Episode 28
"The Lesson"
Episode 29
"The Game" 		Episode 30
"The Limit" 		Episode 31
"The Voice" 		Episode 32
"The Promise"
Episode 33
"The Castle" 		Episode 34
"The Boombox" 		Episode 35
"The Tape" 		Episode 36
"The Sweaters"
Episode 37
"The Internet" 		Episode 38
"The Plan" 		Episode 39
"The World" 		Episode 40
"The Finale"
Episode 1
"The Kids" 		Episode 2
"The Fan" 		Episode 3
"The Coach" 		Episode 4
"The Joy"
Episode 5
"The Puppy" 		Episode 6
"The Recipe" 		Episode 7
"The Name" 		Episode 8
"The Extras"
Episode 9
"The Gripes" 		Episode 10
"The Vacation" 		Episode 11
"The Fraud" 		Episode 12
"The Void"
Episode 13
"The Boss" 		Episode 14
"The Move" 		Episode 15
"The Law" 		Episode 16
"The Allergy"
Episode 17
"The Mothers" 		Episode 18
"The Password" 		Episode 19
"The Procrastinators" 		Episode 20
"The Shell"
Episode 21
"The Burden" 		Episode 22
"The Bros" 		Episode 23
"The Mirror" 		Episode 24
"The Man"
Episode 25
"The Pizza" 		Episode 26
"The Lie" 		Episode 27
"The Butterfly" 		Episode 28
"The Question"
Episode 29
"The Saint" 		Episode 30
"The Friend" 		Episode 31
"The Oracle" 		Episode 32
"The Safety"
Episode 33
"The Society" 		Episode 34
"The Spoiler" 		Episode 35
"The Countdown" 		Episode 36
"The Nobody"
Episode 37
"The Downer" 		Episode 38
"The Egg" 		Episode 39
"The Triangle" 		Episode 40
"The Money"
Episode 1
"The Return" 		Episode 2
"The Nemesis" 		Episode 3
"The Crew" 		Episode 4
"The Others"
Episode 5
"The Signature" 		Episode 6
"The Check" 		Episode 7
"The Pest" 		Episode 8
"The Sale"
Episode 9
"The Gift" 		Episode 10
"The Parking" 		Episode 11
"The Routine" 		Episode 12
"The Upgrade"
Episode 13
"The Comic" 		Episode 14
"The Romantic" 		Episode 15
"The Uploads" 		Episode 16
"The Apprentice"
Episode 17
"The Hug" 		Episode 18
"The Wicked" 		Episode 19
"The Traitor" 		Episode 20
"The Origins"
Episode 21
"The Origins: Part Two" 		Episode 22
"The Girlfriend" 		Episode 23
"The Advice" 		Episode 24
"The Signal"
Episode 25
"The Parasite" 		Episode 26
"The Love" 		Episode 27
"The Awkwardness" 		Episode 28
"The Nest"
Episode 29
"The Points" 		Episode 30
"The Bus" 		Episode 31
"The Night" 		Episode 32
"The Misunderstandings"
Episode 33
"The Roots" 		Episode 34
"The Blame" 		Episode 35
"The Slap" 		Episode 36
"The Detective"
Episode 37
"The Fury" 		Episode 38
"The Compilation" 		Episode 39
"The Scam" 		Episode 40
"The Disaster"
Episode 1
"The Rerun" 		Episode 2
"The Stories" 		Episode 3
"The Guy" 		Episode 4
"The Boredom"
Episode 5
"The Vision" 		Episode 6
"The Choices" 		Episode 7
"The Code" 		Episode 8
"The Test"
Episode 9
"The Slide" 		Episode 10
"The Loophole" 		Episode 11
"The Fuss" 		Episode 12
"The Copycats"
Episode 13
"The Potato" 		Episode 14
"The Outside" 		Episode 15
"The Vase" 		Episode 16
"The Matchmaker"
Episode 17
"The Box" 		Episode 18
"The Console" 		Episode 19
"The Ollie" 		Episode 20
"The Catfish"
Episode 21
"The Cycle" 		Episode 22
"The Stars" 		Episode 23
"The Grades" 		Episode 24
"The Diet"
Episode 25
"The Ex" 		Episode 26
"The Sorcerer" 		Episode 27
"The Menu" 		Episode 28
"The Uncle"
Episode 29
"The Weirdo" 		Episode 30
"The Heist" 		Episode 31
"The Singing" 		Episode 32
"The Best"
Episode 33
"The Worst" 		Episode 34
"The Deal" 		Episode 35
"The Petals" 		Episode 36
"The Nuisance"
Episode 37
"The Line" 		Episode 38
"The List" 		Episode 39
"The News" 		Episode 40
"The Puppets"
Episode 1
"The Rival" 		Episode 2
"The Lady" 		Episode 3
"The Sucker" 		Episode 4
"The Vegging"
Episode 5
"The One" 		Episode 6
"The Father" 		Episode 7
"The Cringe" 		Episode 8
"The Cage"
Episode 9
"The Neighbor" 		Episode 10
"The Anybody" 		Episode 11
"The Faith" 		Episode 12
"The Candidate"
Episode 13
"The Pact" 		Episode 14
"The Shippening" 		Episode 15
"The Brain" 		Episode 16
"The Parents"
Episode 17
"The Founder" 		Episode 18
"The Schooling" 		Episode 19
"The Intelligence" 		Episode 20
"The Potion"
Episode 21
"The Spinoffs" 		Episode 22
"The Transformation" 		Episode 23
"The Understanding" 		Episode 24
"The Ad"
Episode 25
"The Ghouls" 		Episode 26
"The Stink" 		Episode 27
"The Awareness" 		Episode 28
"The Slip"
Episode 29
"The Drama" 		Episode 30
"The Buddy" 		Episode 31
"The Possession" 		Episode 32
"The Master"
Episode 33
"The Silence" 		Episode 34
"The Future" 		Episode 35
"The Wish" 		Episode 36
"The Factory"
Episode 37
"The Agent" 		Episode 38
"The Web" 		Episode 39
"The Mess" 		Episode 40
"The Heart"
Episode 41
"The Revolt" 		Episode 42
"The Decisions" 		Episode 43
"The BFFs" 		Episode 44
"The Inquisition"
Episode 1
"The Burger" 		Episode 2
"The Assistant" 		Episode 3
"The Distance" 		Episode 4
"The Thing"
Episode 5
"The Butts" 		Episode 6
"The Traffic" 		Episode 7
"The Astrological" 		Episode 8
"The Cheerleader"
Episode 9
"The Boring" 		Episode 10
"The Teacher" 		Episode 11
"The App" 		Episode 12
"The Entrance"
Episode 13
"The Letter" 		Episode 14
"The Gut" 		Episode 15
"The Wrinkle" 		Episode 16
"The Gourmet"
Episode 17
"The Pool" 		Episode 18
"The Portrait" 		Episode 19
"The Climb" 		Episode 20
"The Amadain"
To edit the gallery, click here.

v • e
Episode 1
"The DVD" 		Episode 2
"The Responsible" 		Episode 3
"The Third" 		Episode 4
"The Debt"
Episode 5
"The End" 		Episode 6
"The Dress" 		Episode 7
"The Quest" 		Episode 8
"The Spoon"
Episode 9
"The Pressure" 		Episode 10
"The Painting" 		Episode 11
"The Laziest" 		Episode 12
"The Ghost"
Episode 13
"The Mystery" 		Episode 14
"The Prank" 		Episode 15
"The Gi" 		Episode 16
"The Kiss"
Episode 17
"The Party" 		Episode 18
"The Refund" 		Episode 19
"The Robot" 		Episode 20
"The Picnic"
Episode 21
"The Goons" 		Episode 22
"The Secret" 		Episode 23
"The Sock" 		Episode 24
"The Genius"
Episode 25
"The Poltergeist" 		Episode 26
"The Mustache" 		Episode 27
"The Date" 		Episode 28
"The Club"
Episode 29
"The Wand" 		Episode 30
"The Ape" 		Episode 31
"The Car" 		Episode 32
"The Curse"
Episode 33
"The Microwave" 		Episode 34
"The Meddler" 		Episode 35
"The Helmet" 		Episode 36
"The Fight"
Episode 1
"The Remote" 		Episode 2
"The Colossus" 		Episode 3
"The Knights" 		Episode 4
"The Fridge"
Episode 5
"The Flower" 		Episode 6
"The Banana" 		Episode 7
"The Phone" 		Episode 8
"The Job"
Episode 9
"Halloween" 		Episode 10
"The Treasure" 		Episode 11
"The Apology" 		Episode 12
"The Words"
Episode 13
"The Skull" 		Episode 14
"The Bet" 		Episode 15
"Christmas" 		Episode 16
"The Watch"
Episode 17
"The Bumpkin" 		Episode 18
"The Flakers" 		Episode 19
"The Authority" 		Episode 20
"The Virus"
Episode 21
"The Pony" 		Episode 22
"The Hero" 		Episode 23
"The Dream" 		Episode 24
"The Sidekick"
Episode 25
"The Photo" 		Episode 26
"The Tag" 		Episode 27
"The Storm" 		Episode 28
"The Lesson"
Episode 29
"The Game" 		Episode 30
"The Limit" 		Episode 31
"The Voice" 		Episode 32
"The Promise"
Episode 33
"The Castle" 		Episode 34
"The Boombox" 		Episode 35
"The Tape" 		Episode 36
"The Sweaters"
Episode 37
"The Internet" 		Episode 38
"The Plan" 		Episode 39
"The World" 		Episode 40
"The Finale"
Episode 1
"The Kids" 		Episode 2
"The Fan" 		Episode 3
"The Coach" 		Episode 4
"The Joy"
Episode 5
"The Puppy" 		Episode 6
"The Recipe" 		Episode 7
"The Name" 		Episode 8
"The Extras"
Episode 9
"The Gripes" 		Episode 10
"The Vacation" 		Episode 11
"The Fraud" 		Episode 12
"The Void"
Episode 13
"The Boss" 		Episode 14
"The Move" 		Episode 15
"The Law" 		Episode 16
"The Allergy"
Episode 17
"The Mothers" 		Episode 18
"The Password" 		Episode 19
"The Procrastinators" 		Episode 20
"The Shell"
Episode 21
"The Burden" 		Episode 22
"The Bros" 		Episode 23
"The Mirror" 		Episode 24
"The Man"
Episode 25
"The Pizza" 		Episode 26
"The Lie" 		Episode 27
"The Butterfly" 		Episode 28
"The Question"
Episode 29
"The Saint" 		Episode 30
"The Friend" 		Episode 31
"The Oracle" 		Episode 32
"The Safety"
Episode 33
"The Society" 		Episode 34
"The Spoiler" 		Episode 35
"The Countdown" 		Episode 36
"The Nobody"
Episode 37
"The Downer" 		Episode 38
"The Egg" 		Episode 39
"The Triangle" 		Episode 40
"The Money"
Episode 1
"The Return" 		Episode 2
"The Nemesis" 		Episode 3
"The Crew" 		Episode 4
"The Others"
Episode 5
"The Signature" 		Episode 6
"The Check" 		Episode 7
"The Pest" 		Episode 8
"The Sale"
Episode 9
"The Gift" 		Episode 10
"The Parking" 		Episode 11
"The Routine" 		Episode 12
"The Upgrade"
Episode 13
"The Comic" 		Episode 14
"The Romantic" 		Episode 15
"The Uploads" 		Episode 16
"The Apprentice"
Episode 17
"The Hug" 		Episode 18
"The Wicked" 		Episode 19
"The Traitor" 		Episode 20
"The Origins"
Episode 21
"The Origins: Part Two" 		Episode 22
"The Girlfriend" 		Episode 23
"The Advice" 		Episode 24
"The Signal"
Episode 25
"The Parasite" 		Episode 26
"The Love" 		Episode 27
"The Awkwardness" 		Episode 28
"The Nest"
Episode 29
"The Points" 		Episode 30
"The Bus" 		Episode 31
"The Night" 		Episode 32
"The Misunderstandings"
Episode 33
"The Roots" 		Episode 34
"The Blame" 		Episode 35
"The Slap" 		Episode 36
"The Detective"
Episode 37
"The Fury" 		Episode 38
"The Compilation" 		Episode 39
"The Scam" 		Episode 40
"The Disaster"
Episode 1
"The Rerun" 		Episode 2
"The Stories" 		Episode 3
"The Guy" 		Episode 4
"The Boredom"
Episode 5
"The Vision" 		Episode 6
"The Choices" 		Episode 7
"The Code" 		Episode 8
"The Test"
Episode 9
"The Slide" 		Episode 10
"The Loophole" 		Episode 11
"The Fuss" 		Episode 12
"The Copycats"
Episode 13
"The Potato" 		Episode 14
"The Outside" 		Episode 15
"The Vase" 		Episode 16
"The Matchmaker"
Episode 17
"The Box" 		Episode 18
"The Console" 		Episode 19
"The Ollie" 		Episode 20
"The Catfish"
Episode 21
"The Cycle" 		Episode 22
"The Stars" 		Episode 23
"The Grades" 		Episode 24
"The Diet"
Episode 25
"The Ex" 		Episode 26
"The Sorcerer" 		Episode 27
"The Menu" 		Episode 28
"The Uncle"
Episode 29
"The Weirdo" 		Episode 30
"The Heist" 		Episode 31
"The Singing" 		Episode 32
"The Best"
Episode 33
"The Worst" 		Episode 34
"The Deal" 		Episode 35
"The Petals" 		Episode 36
"The Nuisance"
Episode 37
"The Line" 		Episode 38
"The List" 		Episode 39
"The News" 		Episode 40
"The Puppets"
Episode 1
"The Rival" 		Episode 2
"The Lady" 		Episode 3
"The Sucker" 		Episode 4
"The Vegging"
Episode 5
"The One" 		Episode 6
"The Father" 		Episode 7
"The Cringe" 		Episode 8
"The Cage"
Episode 9
"The Neighbor" 		Episode 10
"The Anybody" 		Episode 11
"The Faith" 		Episode 12
"The Candidate"
Episode 13
"The Pact" 		Episode 14
"The Shippening" 		Episode 15
"The Brain" 		Episode 16
"The Parents"
Episode 17
"The Founder" 		Episode 18
"The Schooling" 		Episode 19
"The Intelligence" 		Episode 20
"The Potion"
Episode 21
"The Spinoffs" 		Episode 22
"The Transformation" 		Episode 23
"The Understanding" 		Episode 24
"The Ad"
Episode 25
"The Ghouls" 		Episode 26
"The Stink" 		Episode 27
"The Awareness" 		Episode 28
"The Slip"
Episode 29
"The Drama" 		Episode 30
"The Buddy" 		Episode 31
"The Possession" 		Episode 32
"The Master"
Episode 33
"The Silence" 		Episode 34
"The Future" 		Episode 35
"The Wish" 		Episode 36
"The Factory"
Episode 37
"The Agent" 		Episode 38
"The Web" 		Episode 39
"The Mess" 		Episode 40
"The Heart"
Episode 41
"The Revolt" 		Episode 42
"The Decisions" 		Episode 43
"The BFFs" 		Episode 44
"The Inquisition"
Episode 1
"The Burger" 		Episode 2
"The Assistant" 		Episode 3
"The Distance" 		Episode 4
"The Thing"
Episode 5
"The Butts" 		Episode 6
"The Traffic" 		Episode 7
"The Astrological" 		Episode 8
"The Cheerleader"
Episode 9
"The Boring" 		Episode 10
"The Teacher" 		Episode 11
"The App" 		Episode 12
"The Entrance"
Episode 13
"The Letter" 		Episode 14
"The Gut" 		Episode 15
"The Wrinkle" 		Episode 16
"The Gourmet"
Episode 17
"The Pool" 		Episode 18
"The Portrait" 		Episode 19
"The Climb" 		Episode 20
"The Amadain"
To edit the transcript, click here.

Richard's Diary

[The episode opens on an exterior shot of the shed, then to the inside, where Gumball and Darwin are looking through boxes]
Gumball: Ah, I love going through Mom and Dad's past when I'm bored. [laughs] We always find a new chink in the armor.
[He holds up a photo of a younger Nicole and Richard posing together in elaborate costumes. Gumball and Darwin laugh and then sigh]
Gumball: [gasps] Dude! That's Mom's old diary!
[He takes a pink, glittery diary from the box and begins to read it]
Gumball: Today I spent all my money on new pom poms because I'm a big boy... '' [He and Darwin share a confused look] "and I want to go to the tryouts even if my mom says that-"
Richard: "Cheerleading is for fit people, not kids whose feet don't get wet in the shower." Yes... this diary's mine.
Darwin: [gasps] Mr. Dad, did you actually make the team?
[Richard flashes back to the day of the cheerleader tryouts. Cheerleaders are stretching in the school gymnasium as a teenage Richard comes running in excitedly, wearing a cheer uniform and holding pom poms. His mother is right behind him, pulling him by his underwear to stop him from running any further]
Granny Jojo: Richie, stop. It's gonna be like that time you tried horse riding.
Richard: But it was a small accident. Just a pulled muscle in the lower back.
Granny Jojo: Of the horse.
Richard: But I wanna be like them, Mama.
[Cuts to a trio of cheerleaders, two of them tossing the third into the air. She flips and they catch her]
Richard: [dreamily] A flyer. It's my dream.
Granny Jojo: Ah, don't dream too big, baby. Success doesn't run in the Watterson family. Cholesterol, on the other hand..
[She leads Richard out of the gymnasium as he looks sadly behind him at the cheerleaders]
Richard: [voiceover] I didn't even bother trying to make the team, [returns to present day] because Mama taught me an important lesson that day. [His face resembles Jojo's, and he mimics her voice] "Dreams are impossible and desires are pointless."
[Gumball and Darwin both cry with more realistic looking faces. Darwin shakes himself back to normal]
Darwin: Aw, Mr. Dad, listen. Sometimes the key to your dreams is looking inside yourself.
[Darwin literally opens Richard up. Inside of him are a bunch of ugly, snarling monsters. Gumball gasps in fear as Darwin silently closes Richard back up]
Darwin: Yeah. That's gonna be a big... NOOOO!
[The power of Darwin's yell blasts Gumball through the wall of the shed. He lands in front of the mall, triggering its automatic doors]
Gumball: Huh... What the what was that?!
Darwin: [yelling from offscreen] Intergenerational trauma!
[This time, the power of Darwin's yell blasts the diary towards Gumball, and it hits him in the back of the head. He falls back down]

Intergenerational Trauma

[Back at the house, the entire family has now gathered in the living room]
Gumball: And what the what does that mean?
Anais: It means the bad that happened to the people before we were born being dumped onto us. From our parents all the way to our furthest ancestors.
[Richard looks up, where he sees visions of his parents and ancestors projected above him]
Granny Jojo: Dreams are stupid.
Jojo's Father [laughs] Girls can't do that.
Jojo's Mother: Yeah, only boys are intelligent enough to invent genius things like plastic, honey.
Jojo's Grandfather: I love the smell of asbestos in the morning. [speaks gibberish] Failure is not an option.
[The visions fly upward all the way back to the very beginning of Richard's ancestry, with two caveman ancestors each hitting their son over the head with large pieces of wood. The mother speaks in a prehistoric language, with a caption slowly appearing with each hit reading "This is totally normal parenting."]
Gumball: Huh. So like, the reason Mom always screams like an electrocuted goat is because of her mother?
Nicole: I DON'T ALWAYS SCREAM LIKE MY- [pauses, realising that she is doing exactly that] Are you sure that's what it is?
Anais: Yes, and I'll prove it. Say "I'm worthy", Dad.
Richard: Hm.. I'm... [His face resembles Jojo's again, and he speaks mimicking her voice] not!
Gumball: [whimpers and tears up] Is there a cure?
Anais: Yes, self worth! This middle aged slob must join the school cheerleader team and feel good about himself.
Gumball: Wait, aren't the tryouts tomorrow?
Richard: [digging through the couch cushions] Yeah! [pulls out a moldy, half eaten sandwich] Found my sandwich! [Eats it, but his face contorts as he tries to swallow it. He gulps it down] Ah.
Nicole: [doing cheerleader poses] One, two, three, four! Don't listen to your mother anymore! Five, six, seven, eight! Who I was right to deprecate!
[Richard's stomach rumbles, and he burps. Nicole gives him a look]

Training

[The family is now at a skate park, Nicole, Gumball and Anais stand to the side cheering Richard on as he stands beside Darwin on a skateboard, ready to ride down a very tall ramp]
Richard: Uh, how is this supposed to help me become a cheerleader?
Darwin: [doing cheerleader poses] C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-C-E! We're making you do stuff she forbid in your diary! And you need exercise for your clogged up arteries! Do you want to become a cheerleader, baby! Whoo!
[He kicks Richard off the top the ramp. Though initially nervous, he begins to chuckle and enjoy the ride. He then immediately crashes through the other side of the ramp at high speed, leaving a hole shaped like himself]
Richard: [Offscreen] Steezy!
[At an amusement park, Larry uses a crowbar to push Richard's safety bar down into place as he sits in a roller coaster meant for toddlers]
Larry: There you go.
Anais: Confidence! [claps twice] Confidence!' [claps three times] Confidence! [ride takes off] Confidence!
[Richard crashes into three wooden apples that the roller coaster passes through, getting more beaten up with each one. Once the ride returns to the beginning, As Anais gives an awkward look, he collapses]
[At a fair, Gumball stands on top a haystack holding a megaphone]
Gumball: Be aggressive! B-E aggressive! Ho!
[Richard is saddled on top of a horse, whose back legs are collapsing under his weight, struggling to walk forward]
Gumball: Be aggressive! B-E aggressive! Ho! Be assertive! B-E assertive! Ho! Be-
[Richard whips the horse with the reigns, and it neighs. It kicks him off, sending him flying into a bouncy castle, which deflates on top of him]
[Now at the junkyard, Richard is balancing on top of a large crane, his leg tied to it with a black rope]
Nicole, Gumball, Darwin, Anais: Put the old demons to sleep! [They are watching from the ground] Trust yourself and take a leap!
[Richard whimpers, but he braces himself and jumps off the crane. He screams as he falls, and ands headfirst with a crash on the ground, breaking the pavement. He flops over on his face]
Gumball: Huh. I was kind of expecting the bridge to-
[The rope falls down, whipping Richard's butt, creating a hole in his pants and causing it to smoke]
Richard: Ow.
Nicole, Gumball, Anais: Oh.
Darwin: Woo-hoo! Wooo! [Nicole, Gumball, and Anais stare at him] Woo. Woo hoo..
[Nicole, Gumball, and Anais cheer reluctantly, but then Darwin sighs]
Darwin: This isn't working at all. Those demons from the past won't die easy.
Gumball: Then they'll have to die hard.

Back Home

[Back at the Wattersons' backyard, Gumball weakly pokes Richard's inner demons with the end of a broom]
Gumball: [sighs] Yeah, no. [Throws broom on the ground] Worth a shot, I guess.
[He closes Richard, who chuckles sheepishly and gives his family two thumbs up]
Gumball: Come on, Dad! Say you're gonna kill it tomorrow!
Richard I'm gonna fly like... [His face resembles Jojo's again, and he speaks mimicking her voice] a stove!
[The altered voice startles Richard, who whimpers as he begins to sink into the ground]
Nicole: Oh, stop putting yourself down! You're gonna do great, honey!
Richard: I'm trying, but it's- it f-feels like a ball and chain attached to the... the sometimes you get so used to thinking that you're not enough that you just...
Gumball: Can't even finish a sentence?
Richard: [nods] Mhm. Mhm. Why are you doing all this for me?
Darwin: Because we love you, Mr. Dad.
[The family rushes to Richard's side and hugs him]
All: Aww.
[They break apart]
Gumball: We're also lowkey terrified to turn out the way he grew up.
Darwin: The problem is he's the only one who can give that confidence to himself. But how can you give something you don't have?
Anais: I think it's time we put the "con" in "confidence."
[All three of them chuckle and nod to each other. Richard then lets out a muffled shout, as he has almost completely sunk into the ground. The family immediately begin to dig him up]

Alexandria Cheerleader

[Inside Nicole and Richard's bedroom, the latter is now sat in his bed whimpering]
Anais: Are you anxious about the tryouts tomorrow?
Richard: [nods] Mhm.
Anais: Well, I've got something that might help. [whispers] But it's a secret.
Richard: Is it a magic placebo? Because I'm a thirty year old man. I stopped believing in magic two and a half years ago.
Anais: It's not magic. It's... [holds up a tennis ball with yarn for hair, googly eyes, and a mouth drawn on with marker] the shrunken head of the first ever ancient cheerleader. Alexandria.... Cheerleader.
Gumball: I came up with the name.
Anais: Just one kiss of her lips, and you will fly like a jacked up pterodactyl on Tiger Juice!
Richard: [takes Alexandria Cheerleader from Anais] Whoa! Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
Anais: Yeah, i-it, uh, i-it also helps you go to sleep.
Richard: Oh, okay! [falls asleep and starts snoring. A piece of food is stuck in his teeth]
[Anais gives him a kiss on the cheek. Gumball does the same, and then Darwin. Nicole takes one look at him still snoring loudly and decides to kiss his paw instead. As the family leaves the room, Nicole shuts the lights off and closes the door]

The Tryouts

[The next day the front of the Elmore Junior High is decorated with balloons, and signs and a banner read "Cheerleading Tryouts" as upbeat music plays in the background]
Music: What's up? Are you ready for this?
[Inside the gymnasium, a group of cheerleaders is finishing their routine performance. The music stops and the audience starts clapping, and then it cuts to the judges, Mr. Small and Principal Brown. Principal Brown is smiling and holding up a scorecard that reads "10" while Mr. Small is frowning angrily and holding up a scorecard that reads "1". Principal Brown gives him a confused look]
Nigel Brown: Mr. Small, that was amazing.
Mister Small: [slamming the score card down on the table and yelling in Principal Brown's face] This is Elmore Junior High Cheer Squad! We're looking for strength, determination, and smiles wider than a dance floor at a funeral, not these amateur dramatics! [Sits back down and starts clapping politely as a scared Principal Brown readjusts his glasses] Great job, kids. Remember, winning isn't everything.
[Meanwhile Gumball and Darwin, wearing dark pink zip ups/sweatpants and grey sneakers, are stretching and preparing to help Richard with his routine]
Nigel Brown: [over the PA system] We're now calling the young Richard Watterson to the central stage, please.
[Richard looks into the gymnasium at the cheerleaders, a look of fear on his face. Whimpering and sweating nervously, he shuts the doors. He is wearing a glittery purple cheer uniform with gold accents and the initials "RW". A gold bow sits on top of his head, and his face is made up with dark pink blush and purple eyeshadow. He unzips his duffle bag, where Alexandria Cheerleader sits inside. He picks her up and gulps, then kisses her and drops her in his pants. He grunts determinedly, his eyes sparkling. He slams the gymnasium doors open, causing the audience to gasp. Holding yellow pom poms in his paws, he poses fiercely, and then smiles wide]
Richard: Ah!
[Cut to Nicole and Anais on the bleachers, sitting next to Juke]
Nicole: Start the music.
[Anais presses a button on Juke, and upbeat music starts to play. Richard runs/stomps over to the center of the gym floor, sliding to a stop once he reaches it. He attempts a cartwheel, but falls over halfway through. He gets up and starts dancing randomly while waving his pom poms around, accidentally knocking two cheerleaders to the side. He then notices a group of three cheerleaders across from him and dances over to them, grunting and trying to intimidate them. He then smiles and laughs as he bounds away, the cheerleaders terrified and shaking. Cuts to Nicole and Anais, cheering weakly]
Gumball: [running over to the judges' table with Darwin] Hey! [chuckles sheepishly. Richard is still awkwardly dancing] Uh, we're here to assist the, uh... the young flyer.
[Richard appears at the judges' table and starts posing on it. Then he falls on his face and rolls away]
Nigel Brown: If it helps end whatever that was, then go for it.
[Gumball and Darwin leap away, clapping rhythmically. They appear at Richard's sides, and he is shaking his butt. He continues to dance randomly]
Gumball: Dad, Dad, remember the routine. Come on.
Richard: Oh. Oh, yeah. [inhales, grunts, continues to dance] Woo! Yeah! [he dances more, huffing, and starts to laugh. Then he freezes, gasping in terror as he notices Granny Jojo sitting high up on the bleachers, her arms crossed and a disapproving look on her face. He drops his pom poms] Mom?
[The audience gasps, and Juke spits out his tape. Richard runs over to the bleachers where Granny Jojo is sitting]
Richard: Mom? What are you doing here?
Granny Jojo: Richie, I'm retired. I ain't got nothing to do, so I walk around and waltz into whatever open public event. Graduation ceremonies, trials, cookouts in the park. I like sports tryouts the most. For some reason, seeing others fail miserably makes me feel better about my own mistakes.
[Richard whimpers, and his head deflates into his body. Anais appears at his side, placing her paw on his arm]
Anais: Hey, come on, Dad. Keep your head up. Remember our secret. [winks]
Richard: [pulls his head back up] Oh yeah! Mom, I don't need your support, because now I have... [digs around in his pants and holds up Alexandria Cheerleader] Alexandria Cheerleader.
Granny Jojo: Richard, that's a tennis ball with googly eyes stuck to it.
[One of the googly eyes falls off. Richard gasps, his face sinking in. He drops Alexandria Cheerleader, and she dramatically falls to the ground in slow motion, her other eye and hair falling off as well]
Gumball: No, Dad, don't listen to her!
[Richard whimpers, and sadly sits down on the steps. The images of his parents and ancestors reappear, all shouting over each other. Gumball and Darwin meet each other's eyes and nod. They start stomping and clapping rhythmically]
Gumball and Darwin: Richard, when you're feeling a little blue, remember that we all believe in you! Richard-
[Nicole and Anais nod to each other and stand, clapping along with the boys]
Gumball, Darwin, Nicole, Anais: When you're feeling a little blue, remember that we all believe in you! [As they continue chanting, Richard starts to grunt determinedly as the shouts of his ancestors become quieter] So go, go go go, go! Go go go, go! Go go go, go!!!
[Richard opens his eyes, a look of determination on his face. He screams, and the scream blasts the projections of his ancestors away. He continues to scream, and then the upbeat music kicks back in. He does multiple backflips down the stairs, then does a flip off of the judges' table and flies through the air in slow motion with his arms crossed over his chest. Granny Jojo gasps. He backflips towards Gumball and Darwin, picking his pom poms back up on the way, and lands in their hands. With great effort, their arms temporarily becoming muscular, they launch Richard into the air. Nicole and Anais gasp. Richard continues going up, and then he starts to spin rapidly, his face contorting and his eyes watering. He stops near the ceiling poses in midair, the sunlight from the window illuminating him. He falls back down and Gumball and Darwin catch him. Cuts to an exterior shot of the school, and every window shatters. Cuts back to the gymnasium, where Granny Jojo gasps in disbelief. Gumball and Darwin hold Richard up as he poses with his pom poms, and Principal Brown gasps in awe while the audience erupts into cheers. Mr. Small holds up a scorecard that reads "10" and salutes. He looks at Principal Brown, who is still frozen in awe, and places a scorecard that reads "10" in his hands, then goes back to saluting. Cuts to Gumball, Darwin, and Richard, the boys struggling to hold him up as he smiles wide and chuckles. Then Gumball and Darwin crash, collapsing face first into the floor and breaking it, their heads under Richard's feet. Six cheerleaders then rush to Richard's side, all chattering over each other. Cuts back to the bleachers]
Granny Jojo: [crossing her arms and nodding approvingly] That's my Richard.
Nicole: Nope. [crosses her arms. Anais is next to her clapping with wide, sparkling eyes] That's OUR Richard.
[Cuts back to Richard still surrounded by the cheerleaders, happy as ever]
Gumball: Well, dude. I think we're suffering some trauma, but at least it's not intergenerational.
Darwin: [weakly] Give me an E. Give me an R. [his arm drops down on Gumball's head]
[Episode ends]


v • e
Episode 1
"The DVD" 		Episode 2
"The Responsible" 		Episode 3
"The Third" 		Episode 4
"The Debt"
Episode 5
"The End" 		Episode 6
"The Dress" 		Episode 7
"The Quest" 		Episode 8
"The Spoon"
Episode 9
"The Pressure" 		Episode 10
"The Painting" 		Episode 11
"The Laziest" 		Episode 12
"The Ghost"
Episode 13
"The Mystery" 		Episode 14
"The Prank" 		Episode 15
"The Gi" 		Episode 16
"The Kiss"
Episode 17
"The Party" 		Episode 18
"The Refund" 		Episode 19
"The Robot" 		Episode 20
"The Picnic"
Episode 21
"The Goons" 		Episode 22
"The Secret" 		Episode 23
"The Sock" 		Episode 24
"The Genius"
Episode 25
"The Poltergeist" 		Episode 26
"The Mustache" 		Episode 27
"The Date" 		Episode 28
"The Club"
Episode 29
"The Wand" 		Episode 30
"The Ape" 		Episode 31
"The Car" 		Episode 32
"The Curse"
Episode 33
"The Microwave" 		Episode 34
"The Meddler" 		Episode 35
"The Helmet" 		Episode 36
"The Fight"
Episode 1
"The Remote" 		Episode 2
"The Colossus" 		Episode 3
"The Knights" 		Episode 4
"The Fridge"
Episode 5
"The Flower" 		Episode 6
"The Banana" 		Episode 7
"The Phone" 		Episode 8
"The Job"
Episode 9
"Halloween" 		Episode 10
"The Treasure" 		Episode 11
"The Apology" 		Episode 12
"The Words"
Episode 13
"The Skull" 		Episode 14
"The Bet" 		Episode 15
"Christmas" 		Episode 16
"The Watch"
Episode 17
"The Bumpkin" 		Episode 18
"The Flakers" 		Episode 19
"The Authority" 		Episode 20
"The Virus"
Episode 21
"The Pony" 		Episode 22
"The Hero" 		Episode 23
"The Dream" 		Episode 24
"The Sidekick"
Episode 25
"The Photo" 		Episode 26
"The Tag" 		Episode 27
"The Storm" 		Episode 28
"The Lesson"
Episode 29
"The Game" 		Episode 30
"The Limit" 		Episode 31
"The Voice" 		Episode 32
"The Promise"
Episode 33
"The Castle" 		Episode 34
"The Boombox" 		Episode 35
"The Tape" 		Episode 36
"The Sweaters"
Episode 37
"The Internet" 		Episode 38
"The Plan" 		Episode 39
"The World" 		Episode 40
"The Finale"
Episode 1
"The Kids" 		Episode 2
"The Fan" 		Episode 3
"The Coach" 		Episode 4
"The Joy"
Episode 5
"The Puppy" 		Episode 6
"The Recipe" 		Episode 7
"The Name" 		Episode 8
"The Extras"
Episode 9
"The Gripes" 		Episode 10
"The Vacation" 		Episode 11
"The Fraud" 		Episode 12
"The Void"
Episode 13
"The Boss" 		Episode 14
"The Move" 		Episode 15
"The Law" 		Episode 16
"The Allergy"
Episode 17
"The Mothers" 		Episode 18
"The Password" 		Episode 19
"The Procrastinators" 		Episode 20
"The Shell"
Episode 21
"The Burden" 		Episode 22
"The Bros" 		Episode 23
"The Mirror" 		Episode 24
"The Man"
Episode 25
"The Pizza" 		Episode 26
"The Lie" 		Episode 27
"The Butterfly" 		Episode 28
"The Question"
Episode 29
"The Saint" 		Episode 30
"The Friend" 		Episode 31
"The Oracle" 		Episode 32
"The Safety"
Episode 33
"The Society" 		Episode 34
"The Spoiler" 		Episode 35
"The Countdown" 		Episode 36
"The Nobody"
Episode 37
"The Downer" 		Episode 38
"The Egg" 		Episode 39
"The Triangle" 		Episode 40
"The Money"
Episode 1
"The Return" 		Episode 2
"The Nemesis" 		Episode 3
"The Crew" 		Episode 4
"The Others"
Episode 5
"The Signature" 		Episode 6
"The Check" 		Episode 7
"The Pest" 		Episode 8
"The Sale"
Episode 9
"The Gift" 		Episode 10
"The Parking" 		Episode 11
"The Routine" 		Episode 12
"The Upgrade"
Episode 13
"The Comic" 		Episode 14
"The Romantic" 		Episode 15
"The Uploads" 		Episode 16
"The Apprentice"
Episode 17
"The Hug" 		Episode 18
"The Wicked" 		Episode 19
"The Traitor" 		Episode 20
"The Origins"
Episode 21
"The Origins: Part Two" 		Episode 22
"The Girlfriend" 		Episode 23
"The Advice" 		Episode 24
"The Signal"
Episode 25
"The Parasite" 		Episode 26
"The Love" 		Episode 27
"The Awkwardness" 		Episode 28
"The Nest"
Episode 29
"The Points" 		Episode 30
"The Bus" 		Episode 31
"The Night" 		Episode 32
"The Misunderstandings"
Episode 33
"The Roots" 		Episode 34
"The Blame" 		Episode 35
"The Slap" 		Episode 36
"The Detective"
Episode 37
"The Fury" 		Episode 38
"The Compilation" 		Episode 39
"The Scam" 		Episode 40
"The Disaster"
Episode 1
"The Rerun" 		Episode 2
"The Stories" 		Episode 3
"The Guy" 		Episode 4
"The Boredom"
Episode 5
"The Vision" 		Episode 6
"The Choices" 		Episode 7
"The Code" 		Episode 8
"The Test"
Episode 9
"The Slide" 		Episode 10
"The Loophole" 		Episode 11
"The Fuss" 		Episode 12
"The Copycats"
Episode 13
"The Potato" 		Episode 14
"The Outside" 		Episode 15
"The Vase" 		Episode 16
"The Matchmaker"
Episode 17
"The Box" 		Episode 18
"The Console" 		Episode 19
"The Ollie" 		Episode 20
"The Catfish"
Episode 21
"The Cycle" 		Episode 22
"The Stars" 		Episode 23
"The Grades" 		Episode 24
"The Diet"
Episode 25
"The Ex" 		Episode 26
"The Sorcerer" 		Episode 27
"The Menu" 		Episode 28
"The Uncle"
Episode 29
"The Weirdo" 		Episode 30
"The Heist" 		Episode 31
"The Singing" 		Episode 32
"The Best"
Episode 33
"The Worst" 		Episode 34
"The Deal" 		Episode 35
"The Petals" 		Episode 36
"The Nuisance"
Episode 37
"The Line" 		Episode 38
"The List" 		Episode 39
"The News" 		Episode 40
"The Puppets"
Episode 1
"The Rival" 		Episode 2
"The Lady" 		Episode 3
"The Sucker" 		Episode 4
"The Vegging"
Episode 5
"The One" 		Episode 6
"The Father" 		Episode 7
"The Cringe" 		Episode 8
"The Cage"
Episode 9
"The Neighbor" 		Episode 10
"The Anybody" 		Episode 11
"The Faith" 		Episode 12
"The Candidate"
Episode 13
"The Pact" 		Episode 14
"The Shippening" 		Episode 15
"The Brain" 		Episode 16
"The Parents"
Episode 17
"The Founder" 		Episode 18
"The Schooling" 		Episode 19
"The Intelligence" 		Episode 20
"The Potion"
Episode 21
"The Spinoffs" 		Episode 22
"The Transformation" 		Episode 23
"The Understanding" 		Episode 24
"The Ad"
Episode 25
"The Ghouls" 		Episode 26
"The Stink" 		Episode 27
"The Awareness" 		Episode 28
"The Slip"
Episode 29
"The Drama" 		Episode 30
"The Buddy" 		Episode 31
"The Possession" 		Episode 32
"The Master"
Episode 33
"The Silence" 		Episode 34
"The Future" 		Episode 35
"The Wish" 		Episode 36
"The Factory"
Episode 37
"The Agent" 		Episode 38
"The Web" 		Episode 39
"The Mess" 		Episode 40
"The Heart"
Episode 41
"The Revolt" 		Episode 42
"The Decisions" 		Episode 43
"The BFFs" 		Episode 44
"The Inquisition"
Episode 1
"The Burger" 		Episode 2
"The Assistant" 		Episode 3
"The Distance" 		Episode 4
"The Thing"
Episode 5
"The Butts" 		Episode 6
"The Traffic" 		Episode 7
"The Astrological" 		Episode 8
"The Cheerleader"
Episode 9
"The Boring" 		Episode 10
"The Teacher" 		Episode 11
"The App" 		Episode 12
"The Entrance"
Episode 13
"The Letter" 		Episode 14
"The Gut" 		Episode 15
"The Wrinkle" 		Episode 16
"The Gourmet"
Episode 17
"The Pool" 		Episode 18
"The Portrait" 		Episode 19
"The Climb" 		Episode 20
"The Amadain"
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