Zenned Out Mario

The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! live-action segment
"Zenned Out Mario"
Production number	133
Airdate	November 1, 1989
Guest star(s)	Arsenio Trinidad
Cartoon episode	"The Koopas are Coming! The Koopas are Coming!"
Zelda preview	"Stinging a Stinger"
<< List of episodes >>43

"Zenned Out Mario" is the forty-third live-action segment of The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! Its corresponding animated episode is "The Koopas are Coming! The Koopas are Coming!"

Plot synopsis

In Mario Brothers Plumbing, Mario is in a highly distressed state and heavily locks a door. Luigi asks him what he's doing, and Mario explains that Tulio, the "Human Wrench," is out to get him. Luigi is shocked, mentioning that Tulio "eats steel parts for lunch." Mario mentions that he asked Tulio's sister out, and Luigi is shocked, since Tulio turned her last boyfriend into a "human pretzel." Mario tells him to "think of the locks as pretzel insurance," and then looks into a mirror to see a mysterious old man in there.

Luigi explains that it's his lucky day, as the man in the mirror is Obi-Wan Cannoli, who Mario recognizes as "the famous spirit who helps people who are about to get pounded." Mario is relieved, and turns to Obi, who explains he came on short notice and tells him to fill him in.

Mario explains the situation with Tulio, and asks what Obi's first lesson for him is. Obi tells him that when he can pass through a wall, "the path to enlightenment will be clear," and orders him to do so, saying, "What are you waiting for? There's the wall. Start passing!" Mario promptly rams into a brick wall, but only succeeds in sending bricks flying and knocking himself out. Luigi promptly goes to check on Mario, and asks Obi what he plans on having Mario do when he comes to.

Obi continues to lead Mario down the path of enlightenment, but Mario is completely in the dark about what he is supposed to learn. While cleaning up the bricks left behind by Mario's attempt to pass through the wall, Luigi accidentally knocks Mario aside and ruins his "stork pose." As the two start arguing, Obi declares that they're ruining his afternoon, and orders them to pipe down.

Eventually, Mario gets the idea to pretend that he is on crutches, hoping to appeal to Tulio's better nature; however, Luigi is not sure it will work. At that moment, Tulio shows up at the door, prepared to break in, and Mario hides. Luigi asks Obi what they should do, and Obi tells him to leave it to him. In a firm voice, Obi orders Tulio to go home and forget about wanting to pulverize Mario, and should be lucky to be rid of his sister, because she's "such a pain." Sounding hypnotized, Tulio calls Mario his pal and leaves.

Thanking Obi, Mario asks him how he did it, and Obi explains he just "makes his voice echo and sound bossy." Mario then asks what he should have learned from this, and Obi explains, "Some people like Tulio grow strong and firm like a mighty oak. Some grow round and soft like a ripe tomato." When Mario asks what that means, Obi simply states that Mario "makes a better tasting sauce than Tulio," and leaves.

Bidding Obi farewell, Mario and Luigi laugh and say they love each other.