The Show Stoppers

The Show Stoppers
Season №:	1
Season episode №:	18
Overall episode №:	18
Original airdate:	March 4, 2011
Written by:	Cindy Morrow
Storyboard:	Scott Jeralds and Francisco Avalos
Featured characters:	Cutie Mark Crusaders
Song:	Cutie Mark Crusaders Song
See also
credits • transcript • gallery • allusions animation errors • statistics • speculation
Episode guide
Previous Stare Master	Next A Dog and Pony Show

The Show Stoppers is the eighteenth episode of the first season of My Little Pony Friendship is Magic. In this episode, the Cutie Mark Crusaders believe that winning a talent show will help them earn their cutie marks. The title of this episode may be literally referencing the Cutie Mark Crusaders' antics, in which they perform a theatrical showstopper - a performance that garners enthusiastic or prolonged applause, which usually forces the performers to stop the performance until it has died down. An alternate meaning in business terms, however, is an action or event that puts a halt to all other activities until it can be resolved.

Development

According to Cindy Morrow, this episode was originally titled "No Talent Show."^[1]

Summary

The Cutie Mark Crusaders clubhouse

The episode begins with Applejack leading the Cutie Mark Crusaders through Sweet Apple Acres, without telling them where they're going. They eventually reach an old clubhouse that she used as a filly. Unfortunately, the group is less than thrilled at this hand-me-down clubhouse because it's in disrepair from years of neglect. Applejack tells them that they can fix it up to become their new base of operations, then immediately falls through a wall.

Later, Scootaloo stands in front of Golden Oak Library and adds it to a hoof-drawn map of Ponyville. After a high-speed run on her scooter she returns to the clubhouse, which Apple Bloom has completely repaired. Meanwhile, Sweetie Belle is dusting and making up a theme song for the group.

With everything set up, they continue their quest to find their special talents. The adventure takes them everywhere on their map: they feed pigs at Sweet Apple Acres, make taffy at Sugarcube Corner, style hair at Rarity's boutique, use a modified form of Zener cards, climb rocks, and go scuba diving. Each attempt is a spectacular failure, after which they look eagerly at their flanks but do not receive their cutie marks. The last stop on their map is Twilight Sparkle's library. The musical score during the montage of their attempts is the same music that plays during Diamond Tiara's cute-ceañera in Call of the Cutie and both Gummy's and Pinkie Pie's birthday party in Party of One.

Preparing for the show

Twilight Sparkle and the girls' teacher, Cheerilee, walk into the library and see the Crusaders among a huge pile of fallen books. Twilight asks what's going on, to which Apple Bloom replies, "Well, we sure aren't gettin' our cutie marks for bein' librarians." Twilight tells them that they're trying to get their cutie marks the wrong way, and suggests they do things in areas they already like. Cheerilee shows them a flier for a talent show that will be taking place the next day. With so many possibilities to find their talents, the fillies start to plan their show, each making bizarre or dangerous suggestions. Twilight again urges them to do something they're already good at. The girls say they can do that, then go around town collecting and borrowing random items.

"My little ponies! Think about the things you already enjoy doing. Think about what you're already good at."

— Twilight Sparkle

Inside the clubhouse, the Crusaders come up with a plan for the show: a spectacular musical number. Apple Bloom suggests Sweetie Belle as the singer, but Sweetie Belle is afraid to sing in front of a crowd and says she would rather be like her sister, Rarity, and design the scenery. Despite Scootaloo's agility, she decides to sing instead of doing the choreography, thus leaving the job to Apple Bloom, though the closest thing she knows is Kung Fu. They all fail miserably while practicing but help each other out in the process.

While they're finishing their preparations, Applejack comes to check on them. She sees their act is terrible and hesitates when they ask her opinion. Thinking she's impressed, they feel ready to wow the crowd.

The show begins

The show begins with Snips and Snails trying to pull off a magic trick, and then Sunny Daze and Peachy Pie doing a poem on roller skates. Backstage, the Cutie Mark Crusaders talk with Twilight, who initially tells them they'll do great but looks worried when she learns that they aren't sticking to their own talents. The performance starts off smoothly, but soon Scootaloo begins singing off-key, Apple Bloom starts accidentally dancing into scenery, and Sweetie Belle struggles to maintain the backdrops and effects. In the end, the entire act literally falls on top of them, and the audience laughs. They slink backstage, wondering if they were really "that bad." Cheerilee meets them and tells them to go back onstage for the awards, but they're too embarrassed. She tells them to be good sports, so they return with her while trying to hide behind the other performers.

To their surprise, they win the award for best comedy act, which immediately perks them up until they find out they still haven't gotten their cutie marks. After the show, Twilight congratulates them for a job well done and asks them if they learned anything, saying she could make a special friendship report. As she asks them questions, they seem to understand their mistakes, eventually reaching the conclusion that their true talent is comedy instead. Applejack, Rarity and Rainbow Dash come backstage, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders run off to talk with them. After the Crusaders run off, Twilight chuckles and expresses hope that the fillies will one day figure out their talents.

Quotes

For more quotes, see the episode's transcript.

Applejack: It just needs a little... TLC.

Scootaloo: TLC as in "Tender Loving Care" or "Totally Lost Cause"?

Scootaloo: OK, so that's six wooden planks, 4x8 plywood, a box of nails, four cans of paint, and four brushes. Anything else?

Sweetie Belle: Yeah... Instructions on how to use six wooden planks, 4x8 plywood, a box of nails, four cans of paint, and four brushes.

Twilight Sparkle: "Ghosts, Goblins, and Ghoulish Figures"? Good heavens, girls, what do you need a book like this for?

Scootaloo: You'll see, thanks Twilight! We'll give it back as soon as we're done with it.

Twilight Sparkle: What do you think they're up to?

Spike: I have no idea, and I don't know if I should be excited or scared to find out.

Scootaloo: We fight the fight! Walk the walk! Talk the talk! Eat the... uh... food. Like a celery stalk?

Sweetie Belle: Dumb fabric. Hey, Scoot. How's the song going?

Scootaloo: [blows raspberry]

Sweetie Belle: [blows raspberry]? Oh my. Sounds serious.

Scootaloo: I'm just no good at lyrics. Coming up with words is, like, really hard.

Sweetie Belle: Oh, they can't be that bad... "With our cutie marks, we'll rock Equestria. We use our stomachs to... digest-ia"? Um... Well... these are good but...

Apple Bloom: We should be embracing our true talent!

Twilight Sparkle: And that is...?

Cutie Mark Crusaders: Comedy!

Gallery

The Show Stoppers image gallery

References

1. ↑ Cindy Morrow on Twitter (2013-03-15). Retrieved on 2013 March 15.

v • e Episodes, films, and animated shorts

Friendship is Magic

Season one Episode 1 Friendship is Magic, part 1 Episode 2 Friendship is Magic, part 2 Episode 3 The Ticket Master Episode 4 Applebuck Season Episode 5 Griffon the Brush Off Episode 6 Boast Busters Episode 7 Dragonshy Episode 8 Look Before You Sleep Episode 9 Bridle Gossip Episode 10 Swarm of the Century Episode 11 Winter Wrap Up Episode 12 Call of the Cutie Episode 13 Fall Weather Friends Episode 14 Suited For Success Episode 15 Feeling Pinkie Keen Episode 16 Sonic Rainboom Episode 17 Stare Master Episode 18 The Show Stoppers Episode 19 A Dog and Pony Show Episode 20 Green Isn't Your Color Episode 21 Over a Barrel Episode 22 A Bird in the Hoof Episode 23 The Cutie Mark Chronicles Episode 24 Owl's Well That Ends Well Episode 25 Party of One Episode 26 The Best Night Ever Season two Episode 1 The Return of Harmony Part 1 Episode 2 The Return of Harmony Part 2 Episode 3 Lesson Zero Episode 4 Luna Eclipsed Episode 5 Sisterhooves Social Episode 6 The Cutie Pox Episode 7 May the Best Pet Win! Episode 8 The Mysterious Mare Do Well Episode 9 Sweet and Elite Episode 10 Secret of My Excess Episode 11 Hearth's Warming Eve Episode 12 Family Appreciation Day Episode 13 Baby Cakes Episode 14 The Last Roundup Episode 15 The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000 Episode 16 Read It and Weep Episode 17 Hearts and Hooves Day Episode 18 A Friend in Deed Episode 19 Putting Your Hoof Down Episode 20 It's About Time Episode 21 Dragon Quest Episode 22 Hurricane Fluttershy Episode 23 Ponyville Confidential Episode 24 MMMystery on the Friendship Express Episode 25 A Canterlot Wedding - Part 1 Episode 26 A Canterlot Wedding - Part 2 Season three Episode 1 The Crystal Empire - Part 1 Episode 2 The Crystal Empire - Part 2 Episode 3 Too Many Pinkie Pies Episode 4 One Bad Apple Episode 5 Magic Duel Episode 6 Sleepless in Ponyville Episode 7 Wonderbolts Academy Episode 8 Apple Family Reunion Episode 9 Spike at Your Service Episode 10 Keep Calm and Flutter On Episode 11 Just for Sidekicks Episode 12 Games Ponies Play Episode 13 Magical Mystery Cure Season four Episode 1 Princess Twilight Sparkle - Part 1 Episode 2 Princess Twilight Sparkle - Part 2 Episode 3 Castle Mane-ia Episode 4 Daring Don't Episode 5 Flight to the Finish Episode 6 Power Ponies Episode 7 Bats! Episode 8 Rarity Takes Manehattan Episode 9 Pinkie Apple Pie Episode 10 Rainbow Falls Episode 11 Three's A Crowd Episode 12 Pinkie Pride Episode 13 Simple Ways Episode 14 Filli Vanilli Episode 15 Twilight Time Episode 16 It Ain't Easy Being Breezies Episode 17 Somepony to Watch Over Me Episode 18 Maud Pie Episode 19 For Whom the Sweetie Belle Toils Episode 20 Leap of Faith Episode 21 Testing Testing 1, 2, 3 Episode 22 Trade Ya! Episode 23 Inspiration Manifestation Episode 24 Equestria Games Episode 25 Twilight's Kingdom - Part 1 Episode 26 Twilight's Kingdom - Part 2 Season five Episode 1 The Cutie Map - Part 1 Episode 2 The Cutie Map - Part 2 Episode 3 Castle Sweet Castle Episode 4 Bloom & Gloom Episode 5 Tanks for the Memories Episode 6 Appleoosa's Most Wanted Episode 7 Make New Friends but Keep Discord Episode 8 The Lost Treasure of Griffonstone Episode 9 Slice of Life Episode 10 Princess Spike Episode 11 Party Pooped Episode 12 Amending Fences Episode 13 Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep? Episode 14 Canterlot Boutique Episode 15 Rarity Investigates! Episode 16 Made in Manehattan Episode 17 Brotherhooves Social Episode 18 Crusaders of the Lost Mark Episode 19 The One Where Pinkie Pie Knows Episode 20 Hearthbreakers Episode 21 Scare Master Episode 22 What About Discord? Episode 23 The Hooffields and McColts Episode 24 The Mane Attraction Episode 25 The Cutie Re-Mark - Part 1 Episode 26 The Cutie Re-Mark - Part 2 Season six Episode 1 The Crystalling - Part 1 Episode 2 The Crystalling - Part 2 Episode 3 The Gift of the Maud Pie Episode 4 On Your Marks Episode 5 Gauntlet of Fire Episode 6 No Second Prances Episode 7 Newbie Dash Episode 8 A Hearth's Warming Tail Episode 9 The Saddle Row Review Episode 10 Applejack's "Day" Off Episode 11 Flutter Brutter Episode 12 Spice Up Your Life Episode 13 Stranger Than Fan Fiction Episode 14 The Cart Before the Ponies Episode 15 28 Pranks Later Episode 16 The Times They Are A Changeling Episode 17 Dungeons & Discords Episode 18 Buckball Season Episode 19 The Fault in Our Cutie Marks Episode 20 Viva Las Pegasus Episode 21 Every Little Thing She Does Episode 22 P.P.O.V. (Pony Point of View) Episode 23 Where the Apple Lies Episode 24 Top Bolt Episode 25 To Where and Back Again - Part 1 Episode 26 To Where and Back Again - Part 2 Season seven Episode 1 Celestial Advice Episode 2 All Bottled Up Episode 3 A Flurry of Emotions Episode 4 Rock Solid Friendship Episode 5 Fluttershy Leans In Episode 6 Forever Filly Episode 7 Parental Glideance Episode 8 Hard to Say Anything Episode 9 Honest Apple Episode 10 A Royal Problem Episode 11 Not Asking for Trouble Episode 12 Discordant Harmony Episode 13 The Perfect Pear Episode 14 Fame and Misfortune Episode 15 Triple Threat Episode 16 Campfire Tales Episode 17 To Change a Changeling Episode 18 Daring Done? Episode 19 It Isn't the Mane Thing About You Episode 20 A Health of Information Episode 21 Marks and Recreation Episode 22 Once Upon a Zeppelin Episode 23 Secrets and Pies Episode 24 Uncommon Bond Episode 25 Shadow Play - Part 1 Episode 26 Shadow Play - Part 2 Season eight Episode 1 School Daze - Part 1 Episode 2 School Daze - Part 2 Episode 3 The Maud Couple Episode 4 Fake It 'Til You Make It Episode 5 Grannies Gone Wild Episode 6 Surf and/or Turf Episode 7 Horse Play Episode 8 The Parent Map Episode 9 Non-Compete Clause Episode 10 The Break Up Break Down Episode 11 Molt Down Episode 12 Marks for Effort Episode 13 The Mean 6 Episode 14 A Matter of Principals Episode 15 The Hearth's Warming Club Episode 16 Friendship University Episode 17 The End in Friend Episode 18 Yakity-Sax Episode 19 Road to Friendship Episode 20 The Washouts Episode 21 A Rockhoof and a Hard Place Episode 22 What Lies Beneath Episode 23 Sounds of Silence Episode 24 Father Knows Beast Episode 25 School Raze - Part 1 Episode 26 School Raze - Part 2 Season nine Episode 1 The Beginning of the End - Part 1 Episode 2 The Beginning of the End - Part 2 Episode 3 Uprooted Episode 4 Sparkle's Seven Episode 5 The Point of No Return Episode 6 Common Ground Episode 7 She's All Yak Episode 8 Frenemies Episode 9 Sweet and Smoky Episode 10 Going to Seed Episode 11 Student Counsel Episode 12 The Last Crusade Episode 13 Between Dark and Dawn Episode 14 The Last Laugh Episode 15 2, 4, 6, Greaaat Episode 16 A Trivial Pursuit Episode 17 The Summer Sun Setback Episode 18 She Talks to Angel Episode 19 Dragon Dropped Episode 20 A Horse Shoe-In Episode 21 Daring Doubt Episode 22 Growing Up is Hard to Do Episode 23 The Big Mac Question Episode 24 The Ending of the End - Part 1 Episode 25 The Ending of the End - Part 2 Episode 26 The Last Problem Clip shows Episode 1 A-Dressing Memories Episode 2 Cakes for the Memories Episode 3 Memnagerie Episode 4 Deep Tissue Memories Episode 5 Harvesting Memories Episode 6 Memories and More

Pony Life
Episode 1 Princess Probz	Episode 2 The Best of the Worst	Episode 3 Cute-pocalypse Meow	Episode 4 How Applejack Got Her Hat Back
Episode 5 Bad Thing No. 3	Episode 6 Pinkie Pie: Hyper-Helper	Episode 7 The Trail Less Trotten Death of a Sales-Pony	Episode 8 Bighoof Walking The Fluttershy Effect
Episode 9 The Fast and the Furriest Disappearing Act	Episode 10 Badge of Shame Discord's Peak	Episode 11 A Camping We Will Go Campfire Stories	Episode 12 Friendship Gems Dol-FIN-ale
Episode 13 Potion Mystery Sick Day	Episode 14 Meet Potion Nova! Pony Surfin' Safari	Episode 15 All Bottled Up All That Jitters	Episode 16 I, Cookie Keynote Pie
Episode 17 Ponies of the Moment One Click Wonder	Episode 18 Zound Off Unboxing Day	Episode 19 Don't Look a GIF Horse in the Mouth The Root of It	Episode 20 The Mysterious Voice The 5 Habits of Highly Effective Ponies
Episode 21 Game Knight Director Spike's Mockumentary	Episode 22 Whoof-dunnit Dear Tabby	Episode 23 Pie vs. Pie Superb Six	Episode 24 The Debut Taunt Flutterdash
	Episode 25 The Rarity Report The Great Divide	Episode 26 The Great Collide Sportacular Spectacular Musical Musak-ular

Feature films
Equestria Girls	Rainbow Rocks	Friendship Games	Legend of Everfree
My Little Pony The Movie

Specials
Dance Magic	Movie Magic	Mirror Magic	Forgotten Friendship
Rollercoaster of Friendship	Best Gift Ever	Spring Breakdown	Rainbow Roadtrip
	Sunset's Backstage Pass	Holidays Unwrapped

Animated shorts
Rainbow Rocks shorts	Friendship Games shorts	Summertime Shorts	Equestria Girls: Better Together (season 1)
Equestria Girls: Better Together (season 2)	Equestria Girls: Choose Your Own Ending (season 1)	Equestria Girls: Choose Your Own Ending (season 2)	Equestria Girls Minis
Baby Flurry Heart's Heartfelt Scrapbook	Rarity's Peek Behind the Boutique	Fundamentals of Magic	My Little Pony Established 1983
Friendship is Magic shorts	Hello Pinkie Pie	Stop Motion Shorts