Dumb Animal Characters

The FAQ uses the phrase "dumb animal characters" to refer to the cast.

"Dumb animal characters" is a lightheartedly self-deprecating term used by The Brothers Chaps to describe the Homestar Runner characters, referring to the many odd and varied designs of the cast. This phrase is typically used in interviews, public appearances, social media, or other news that exists outside the body of work proper; outside of occasional @StrongBadActual posts, the characters do not use this term to describe themselves.

Appearances

• Wired News Radio Interview - 23 Jun 2003 — Describing the volume of store orders, Matt Chapman expresses surprise at how many people "want to wear t-shirts with our dumb animal characters on them."
• Sample Of Style — Mike Chapman says that people all the time ask him how he does the voices for his dumb animal characters, explaining that Matt does the voices.
• FAQ — One question asks who does the voices for the dumb animal characters.
• SXSW Panel - 14 Mar 2005 —
  • Mike's panelist biography says he "does the good graphics and animation for the dumb animal characters".
  • Matt's mentions he "does the voices for the dumb animal characters".
• Zoinks! Magazine Interview — Matt describes Homestar Runner as "a cartoon about a bunch of dumb animal characters".
• Late Nite JengaJam Interview - 4 Oct 2007 — The host introduces Matt as "the man who does the voices for most of the, quote-unquote, 'dumb animal characters'".
• The Jeff Rubin Jeff Rubin Show Interview - 7 July 2014 — Discussing a return to making toons, Matt says he's "excited to make these dumb animal characters talk again."
• Halloween Safety — The Brothers Chaps directly address the viewer, remarking that they normally let their dumb animal characters do the talking.
• Gizmodo Interview - 24 Jan 2017 — Matt describes a photo of Geddy Lee wearing a Strong Bad beanie as "our dumb animal character was on his head while he probably shredded 'Working Man'!"
• @StrongBadActual —
  • November 23, 2019 — Announcing Fan 'Stumes 2019, Strong Bad says "Thanks to everybody who still dresses up as me and my fellow dumb animal characters!!"
  • November 25, 2020 — The Fangamer "Everybody! Everybody!" shirt is the first time "ALL the dumb animal characters appeared on one t-shirt".
  • December 25, 2020 — The Homestar Runner Character Meeples are referred to as "dumb animal characters".
  • January 5, 2021 — Replying to an NPR feature on Flash, Strong Bad notes a shout-out to "me and my dumb animal character companions".
  • March 18, 2022 — Strong Bad is fascinated by the idea of Diaper Sunrise being someone's entry point to "me and my dumb animal character friends' exploits".
• Index Page Messages —
  • December 31, 2020 — The Teespring Store was promoted as selling "T-shirts of our dumb animal characters!"
  • January 2021 — The "Everybody Everybody" shirt was advertised as a "cool t-shirt with ALL the dumb animal characters!"
• Halloween Hide & Seek — The itch.io description reads "A short Halloween point n' click starring the dumb animal characters of HomestarRunner.com".
  • The v2.0 Trailer instructs players to "help Homestar Runner find all eleven of his dumb animal character friends".
• Talk-It-Yourself Homestar Runner Puppet Plush — The announcer pitches that the puppet can be used to make "dumb animal characters say way more than fifteen phrases!"

Variations

• Inkhole Interview — Matt describes them as "a bunch of crazy animal characters".
• Peasant's Quest Movie Trailer (DVD commentary) — Mike says that it was nice to go outside and do something instead of animating "stupid animal characters" all day.
• homestarrunnerdotcom (channel description) — The cartoons feature "waggly, animated animal characters".
• Screenland - 24 Apr 2017 — Matt refers to them as "weird non-human, non-animal characters".
• TechStuff Interview - 16 Feb 2018 — Matt uses the term "non-humanoid, ageless organisms" in a faux elevator pitch for the site.

See Also

• Everybody Everybody
• Fully Human Characters