Phineas and Ferb’s signature brand of comedy naturally lent itself to several clever episodes that serve as standalone spoofs or parodies during its beloved four-season run.Phineas and Ferb’s constant meta-humor is a staple part of the series' narrative, almost a kid-friendly version of the referential comedy largely established byThe Simpsons. The cartoon which is one ofDisney Channel’s best sitcomsis also highly formulaic, with the same basic plot of the boys building something impossible and their sister trying to show their mother playing out in almost every episode.
The structure is expected to continue intoPhineas and Ferbseason 5, which will revive the show after a decade. However, especially (but not entirely) in the later seasons, the showrunners veered away from regular days of summer for episodes typically set in a separate universe with parallel characters, with a storyline obviously replicating that of another property (one either in the public domain or owned by Disney). However,Phineas and Ferb’s parody episodes, whether telling another version of the regular plot or embarking on a totally new adventure, are some of the bestof the entire series.
10"Doof Dynasty"
Season 3, Episode 29 On Disney+
However, ofPhineas and Ferb’s spoof episodes claiming some period setting or other,“Doof Dynasty” isn’t that creative and relatively tasteless.With no narrative device used to frame the adventure within the show’s overall continuity (which is the case with other spoof episodes), Phineas, Ferb, and co. are all just different versions of themselves in 16th-century China. The biggest draw of the episode is simply that it shakes things up by taking a break from the modern-day environment with some not-hilarious but still funny jokes in the show’s usual style.
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However, the whole concept revolves around some blatant cultural appropriation. The episode loosely parodies any period kung fu movie, with the boys training with martial arts master Perry to save the princess Isabella, and some quips about the tragic backstory and mysterious location tropes of the genre. Fans who are just watching for more time with the characters might enjoy it, but some fundamental problems bring “Doof Dynasty” down, with nothing that stands out as the series' absolute best humor to make up for it.
9"The Monster Of Phineas-n-Ferbenstein"
Season 1, Episode 22 On Disney+
Early on in the series, before spoof episodes became more frequent, Grandpa Fletcher tells everyone about Ferb’s ancestor helping a brilliant scientist to create a Frankenstein-like monster. Phineas is the Dr. Frankenstein character, Ferb becomes his assistant Ferb-gore, and they create a platypus monster, to the chagrin of their governess Constance, who threatens to tell the mob. Meanwhile, Doofenshmirtz claims that his ancestor was competing in the same monster competition as the past boys, recounting the tale to Perry.
The “Frankenstein episode” is an interesting case because it comes earlier in the series; the writers were already establishing their meta humor, but much of the time, it lacks the impeccable intelligence of later in the show. However,“The Monster Of Phineas-n-Ferbenstein” is still a fun Halloween special and showcases the inherent creativity ofPhineas and Ferb.It serves as the forerunner for the series' biggest parody hits, and while it also doesn’t have the best jokes, proves that the characters translate well into different settings.
8"Tri-Stone Area"
Season 3, Episode 8 On Disney+
The gimmick of the Stone Age episode was a huge risk, which the showrunners obviously knew, as they inserted themselves into the episode supposedly going through the creative process while handily explaining any plot details the audience might not get — and questioning the whole concept of the episode on screen. It is complete nonsense: the characters are made into caveman counterparts, and all speak in complete gibberish; Phineas and Ferb invent the wheel while Doofenshmirtz wields a “stick-inator.”
Yet the fact that they made this episode shows a lot of faith in the audience as having come to love the regular episode formula. Even without Dan and Swampy explaining, most viewers can infer what is going on. When they realize that the episode still needs a song, they segue into a nostalgic and upbeat caveman rendition of “Gitchee Gitchee Goo.““Tri-Stone Area” is weird, even byPhineas and Ferbstandards, but shows so much love for the show overallthat die-hard fans will also love it.
7"Phineas and Ferb And The Temple Of Juatchadoon”
Season 3, Episode 22 On Disney+
Especially after “Doof Dynasty,” audiences will probably notice the less foundational problems of “The Temple of Juatchadoon,” a facet which is more the fault of the material being parodied thanPhineas and Ferbitself. On the other hand, the way that the episode replicates and ruthlessly makes fun ofIndiana Jonesis priceless. Phineas and Ferb become the 20th-century adventurers known as “Ohio Flynn” and “Rhode Island Fletcher,” Isabella an amalgamation ofeveryIndiana Joneslove interest, and Candace an ambitious reporter trying to get a scoop on them.
“The Temple of Juatchadoon” is also one of the few parody episodes that isn’t a longer special but still packs a full adventure into less than 15 minutes. The boys set out to discover the truth about a fabled corn monster, Isabella betrays them to Doofenshmirtz, and Perry brings actual dancers into the temple to bolster his entrance. It’s wild, butthe best part of thisPhineas and Ferbepisode is the obviousness of it beingIndiana Jonesand mocking that without ever directly saying it.
6"Excaliferb”
Season 3, Episode 20 On Disney+
Similarly, “Excaliferb” can also be described as a wild ride. The main storyline is provided with some framing, as the story is supposed to be a book being read by Carl to Major Monogram while he is sick. “Excaliferb” sees medievalist versions of Phineas and Ferb going on a quest to find a mythical sword and save their kingdom, in a narrative that is a mix ofLord of the Rings, Arthuriana, and classic fairy tales. Some highlights include Vanessa as the Lady of the Puddle and Buford and Blajeet as the traveling companions “Bulavolus” and “Baljeetolas.”
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This is one of the most brilliant examples of the biggest delight of the parody format in general, which is getting to see the characters in a new setting and genre.It allows for fun action and some imagination about how Phineas and Ferb and their friends would handle being Arthurian heroes,still standing together and being hilarious while doing it. The overall plot isn’t as clever as some other examples, but the genre trappings and jokes about medievalism are perfectly wonderful.
5"Wizard Of Odd"
Season 2, Episode 26 On Disney+
In the real world, the boys wash the house by actually spinning it and hosing it down, causing Candace to become dizzy and pass out as she is trying to readThe Wizard of Oz. She is then launched into a dream sequence of playing out the same story, on a mission to reach Bustopolis and bust her brothers to the Wizard. Isabella becomes the good witch, Baljeet a “nerd-crow,” Jeremy a tree, Buford a lion-tiger-bear mix, and Doofenshmirtz the Wicked Witch. The inherent strangeness of Oz, renamed “Odd,” meshes well with the standard fare ofPhineas and Ferb’s dialogue.
Like Dorothy, Candace has a goofy adventure and learns something along the way. This episode also stands out as some of the best use of the source material, twisting the elements ofThe Wizard of Ozto suit the parody, with some laugh-out-loud references to regularPhineas and Ferbcontinuity as well.The whole thing wraps up with a hysterical credits song of Candance parodying “Busted” as “Rusted,“singing to the Tin Man she abandoned in favor of Jeremy-tree.
4"Phineas And Ferb: Mission Marvel”
Season 4, Episodes 11 & 12 On Disney+
“Mission Marvel” isn’t a strict parody, as it seems to take place in the regularPhineas and Ferbtimelineonly never to be referenced again, but it would be a mistake not to compare it to other episodes ofPhineas and Ferbthat are playing with characters outside the show’s main cast. When a few of the Avengers show up at their house in need of help regaining their powers,Phineas and Ferb must use their relentless optimism and engineering know-how to save the day.
The showrunners appropriately mock some of the heroes' famous habits, while Doofenshmirtz’s characterization is made even more ludicrous when he clashes with all the Marvel villains. The episode also follows a thought-provoking subplot of Candace and Isabella feeling locked out of the overly macho environment until they save the day in the end. Blending a one-off Avengers adventure with a soft sequel to thePhineas and Ferbepisode “The Beak” prompts character development unusual for the series — with some still amazing humor about how oblivious their mom and bizarre Danville is.
3"Terrifying Tri-State Trilogy Of Terror”
Season 4, Episode 18 On Disney+
“Terrifying Tri-State Trilogy of Terror” creates a kind of spoof of scary campfire stories when the events taking place on-screen clearly violate the regular world-building ofPhineas and Ferb(which, in the strictest sense, does not include magic).A hopeful bookseller tells the audience three terrifying tales that happen to star thePhineas and Ferbcharacters,with Candace accidentally bringing a doll to life, Doofenshmirtz gaining three wishes with unexpected results, and the boys and their friends playing out the plot ofGremlinswith evil platypus clones.
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The episode’s premise is deeply clever, showing how the writers are still making the best of the characters' idiosyncrasies in new ways. All three mini-episodes are plain hilarious, commenting on their wacky plots to elevate the absurdity to something smarter. Everyone from the bookseller hyping up the tales to Phineas trying to tell his own version of the story where they all die embraces spooky vibes, again making for a stellar addition to the series.
2"Phineas And Ferb: Star Wars"
Season 4, Episodes 31 & 32 On Disney+
Disney knew what it was doing when it letPhineas and Ferblose have a go atStar Wars, in a surprisingly strong bit of internal advertising in the lead-up to the release ofStar Wars: The Force Awakens. In this spoof episode, versions of thePhineas and Ferbcharacters live in the universe ofStar Warsand are having their own adventure in the background ofA New Hope— always out of the sight of the camera of theStar Warsmovie, so they plausibly could have been there.
Phineas and Ferb are farm boys from Tatooine; Candance, Buford, and Baljeet are all stormtroopers; and Isabella is masterfully cast as the Han Solo-coded character.The episode brilliantly celebratesStar WarsandPhineas and Ferb,fully diving into the meta-humor of the situation (and assuring the audience that it isn’t canon in the opening crawl) and including plenty of in-jokes with theStar Warsfandom. The result is something truly special that hyped upStar Warsin 2015 and leveragesStar Warstropesto show heartfelt new angles of thePhineas and Ferbinterpersonal relationships.
1"Night Of The Living Pharmacists"
Season 4, Episodes 29 & 30 On Disney+
Yet theNight of the Living Deadparody emerged as the best spoof episode near the end of the initial series, mainly because its older source material allows thePhineas and Ferbcharacters to shine instead of being slightly overshadowed by the set dressings ofStar WarsorThe Avengers. In what initially appears to be a regular day of summer, Doofenshmirtz accidentally triggers a “zombie” outbreak, turning everyone in Danville into mindless versions of him. The audience again gets a look at how the happy-go-lucky characters would handle themselves in a crisis, punctuated with razor-sharp jokes.
The characters make fun of zombie tropes, each other, and it all comes to a head with Isabella being the de facto final girl who has to save everyone. Meanwhile, the episode also makes great use of Stacy, an underrated character in general, who hilariously misses the entire zombie apocalypse.Phineas and Ferbmay produce more spoof episodes yet, butthe writers will have a hard time topping “Night of the Living Pharmacists” and other stand-out selections.
Phineas and Ferb
Cast
Phineas and Ferb follows the adventures of stepbrothers Phineas Flynn and Ferb Fletcher as they embark on various creative and often unreal projects during their summer vacation, while their sister Candace tries to reveal their escapades to their mother. Concurrently, the family’s pet platypus Perry leads a double life as a secret agent battling the evil scientist Dr. Doofenshmirtz.
