This particular episode is laced with obvious references to popular TV shows and movies:
This particular episode is laced with obvious references to popular TV shows and movies:
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*'''''Clash of the Planets''''': obviously a ''Star Wars ''spoof. The Clash of the Planets name and logo design resemble the ones for ''Battle of the Planets'', aka ''Gatchaman'', in which some of the'' Teen Titans ''crew have also participated.
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*'''''Clash of the Planets''''': obviously a ''Star Wars ''spoof. The ''Clash of the Planets'' name and logo design resemble the ones for ''Battle of the Planets'', aka ''Gatchaman'', in which some of the'' Teen Titans ''crew have also participated.
*The killer robot '''Seven-Gorn-Seven''' is a clone of Robby the Robot, a character from the 1956 film ''Forbidden Planet.'' "Gorn" is also the name of an alien race from ''''''Star Trek''''''.
*The killer robot '''Seven-Gorn-Seven''' is a clone of Robby the Robot, a character from the 1956 film ''Forbidden Planet.'' "Gorn" is also the name of an alien race from ''''''Star Trek''''''.
*The dimensional panel Control Freak ends up trapped in is a reference to the Phantom Zone panel featured in the movies '''''Superman'' '''(1978) and '''''Superman II'' '''(1980), starring late actor Christopher Reeve.
*The dimensional panel Control Freak ends up trapped in is a reference to the Phantom Zone panel featured in the movies '''''Superman'' '''(1978) and '''''Superman II'' '''(1980), starring late actor Christopher Reeve.
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*'''''The Matrix'''''
*'''''The Matrix'''''
*'''''The Duke Boys'''''
*'''''The Duke Boys'''''
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*The ''Zinthos'' commercial mentions that you're not supposed to get Zinthos wet or feed it after midnight. This is a reference to the movie '''Gremlins'''.
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*The ''Zinthos'' commercial mentions that you're not supposed to get Zinthos wet or feed it after midnight. This is a reference to the movie '''''Gremlins'''''.
*'''''Highlander'''''
*'''''Highlander'''''
*'''''Iron Chef''', ''a discontinued Japanese cooking show specializing in different international cuisines. The [[Jump City|Red Chef is]] a parody of Iron Chef French Hiroyuki Sakai, one of the two chief cooks in the show.[[File:257-494_BB_family_soap.jpg|thumb|150px|Beast Boy's family sitcom act]]
*'''''Iron Chef''', ''a discontinued Japanese cooking show specializing in different international cuisines. The [[Jump City|Red Chef is]] a parody of Iron Chef French Hiroyuki Sakai, one of the two chief cooks in the show.[[File:257-494_BB_family_soap.jpg|thumb|150px|Beast Boy's family sitcom act]]
The Titans facing their first challenge in the TV Dimension.
One beautiful day, Control Freak suddenly pops up right on the Titans Tower TV screen, right before Beast Boy's eyes. The other Titans are at first of course highly sceptical about Beast Boy's somewhat incoherent report until a newsflash about Control Freak's escape from prison brings the official confirmation. The Titans trace him back to Cooks Electronics Store, where Control Freak appears before them inside the on-air TV scenes, gloating.
As it turns out, Control Freak has constructed an oversized version of his super remote control to transport himself into the TV Dimension. Just as the Titans proceed to check out the device, Beast Boy unwittingly activates it, transporting them all into the TV Dimension as well. A wild chase ensues, leading right across all running programs, but Control Freak manages to use his vast knowledge to his advantage: He recruits three notorious movie villains - The Creature from Jones Lake, Seven-Gorn-Seven and the Off-World Outlaw - to distract the Titans while he proceeds to learn kung-fu and obtain a formidable arsenal of ultratech weapons from various TV shows, which enable him to outfight the Titans and escape yet again. And to make things worse, a newsflash informs the Titans that Control Freak's and their presence inside the TVs is causing them to emit harmful electromagnetic waves which will eventually destroy the brains of all viewers.
In this moment of peril, Beast Boy is finally able to draw upon his own immense knowledge about TV and movies, and he leads them right to Control Freak's next haunt, the sci-fi scenario Clash of the Planets. Again, Control Freak manages to maintain the upper hand against the Titans, but then Beast Boy recalls a vital detail Control Freak had overlooked, enabling him to strip him of his newly gained powers and imprisoning him in a dimensional panel.
Back at Titans Tower, Robin and Starfire reflect on the effects watching too much television had on their mission: While Robin concludes that watching too much TV is indeed unhealthy, Starfire interjects by stating that it was in fact Beast Boy being a TV junkie that had enabled them to win the day. And all Titans - along with a guest from the TV Dimension - join in a short laughter about this particular irony.
Cultural spoofs
This particular episode is laced with obvious references to popular TV shows and movies:
Clash of the Planets: obviously a Star Wars spoof. The Clash of the Planets name and logo design resemble the ones for Battle of the Planets, aka Gatchaman, in which some of the Teen Titans crew have also participated.
The killer robot Seven-Gorn-Seven is a clone of Robby the Robot, a character from the 1956 film Forbidden Planet. "Gorn" is also the name of an alien race from 'Star Trek'.
The dimensional panel Control Freak ends up trapped in is a reference to the Phantom Zone panel featured in the movies Superman(1978) and Superman II(1980), starring late actor Christopher Reeve.
James Bond with Agent 257 and Control Freak imitating Bond villain Blofeld.
Looney Tunes Cartoons with the Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner sequence.
The Matrix
The Duke Boys
The Zinthos commercial mentions that you're not supposed to get Zinthos wet or feed it after midnight. This is a reference to the movie Gremlins.
Highlander
Iron Chef, a discontinued Japanese cooking show specializing in different international cuisines. The Red Chef is a parody of Iron Chef French Hiroyuki Sakai, one of the two chief cooks in the show.File:257-494 BB family soap.jpg
Beast Boy's family sitcom act
the Batman live-action comedy show from the 60s, with the spinning Titans T.
Terminator II: Judgment Day
The Creature from the Black Lagoon is represented here by the Creature from Jones Lake.
The Six Million Dollar Man with Control Freak's quote: "We have the technology."
Stunt Fest is a parody of action-y reality shows, like Fear Factor or Survivor, while the host is a parody of the late Australian show host and wildlife expert Steve Irwin (Crocodile Hunter).
The black and white sitcom is a parody of family sitcom shows from the 40s and 50s like Leave It to Beaver.
The end scene is a refence to the show Friends.
The show with a character named Rebecca that calls Cyborg Lance is a parody of modern soap operas.
Quotes
Rebecca: Oh, Lance! I didn't mean for you to fall madly in love with me, but since Joachim left with my evil half-sister... Cyborg: Yo! I don't love you. My name is not Lance, and I just wanna know if you've seen a fat guy in an overcoat. Rebecca: Oh, Lance! [kisses him soundly]
Pelican: Oh, have you seen my hippo? He hides and I must seek. Starfire: I cannot play. Please do you know a strange man named Control Freak? He is big, not tall and nasty and known for causing strife. He escaped into the TV... Beast Boy: HEY STAR, RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!!
Advertiser: The makers of Azarath and Metrion are proud to introduce ... Zinthos. New and improved Zinthos gives you exactly what you need, exactly when you need it. And because it's blue, Zinthos goes with everything. [continuing rapidly] Zinthos isn't right for everyone and may cause bloating, cramping, hair loss, disturbing visions, fits of rage, and the growth of additional eyes. Children under three should not be exposed to Zinthos. Do not get Zinthos wet, and never feed it after midnight. If you experience trouble meditating, stop saying "Zinthos" and consult your ancient scrolls immediately. - New blue Zinthos!
Control Freak: [mimicking Arnold Schwarzenegger's accent] Hasta la vista, Titans!
Cyborg: Hey, I know where we are! We're in the first episode of Season Four.
Host: My guest tonight is Dr. Victor Payton, who has discovered the secret to world peace. Tell me, Doctor - Robin: Do not watch this program! It will liquify your brain! An escaped criminal has tampered with this transmission, and it is imperative that you turn off your television right now. - I'm serious! Stop watching the show!!
Space Hero: Who ... who are you? Control Freak: I am Count Rol Freako, the 12th-level Space Samurai who trained Baron Ryang. And I am your father! Space Hero: NOOO!!
Robin: So, I guess all this proves it really is bad to watch too much TV. Starfire: But, truthfully, we only prevailed because Beast Boy watched too much the television! Raven: So... there really isn't a lesson here? Cyborg: Nope! It was all completely meaningless!
Trivia
The number 257-494 is the episode's actual production number.File:144.jpg
Lipton and Victor Payton
Control Freak's prison number, 257-325, is the production number of the episode in which he first appeared on Teen Titans.
The answers to the questions Starfire could not answer on Quizz Monkey are: "What is the capital of Liechtenstein?" - Vaduz. "When did Hannibal cross the Alps?" - In late 218 BC. "What was Spiro Agnew's middle name?" - Theodore.
The man hosting the talk show resembles James Lipton, famous actor and host of Inside the Actor's Studio. His guest, Dr. Victor Payton, is the name of the father of voice actor Khary Payton (Cyborg).
In the Clash of the Planets scenario, Cyborg says, "Hey, I know where we are! We're in the first episode of season of Season Four." This episode of Teen Titans is also the first episode of Season Four.
