List of references to Heroes

As Heroes grows in popularity and becomes a part of pop culture, many other media make reference to Heroes.

References to Heroes

30 Rock

In the October 4, 2007, second season premiere (SeinfeldVision), NBC executive Jack Donaghy attempts to boost ratings by digitally inserting Jerry Seinfeld into promotional spots for current shows. One such advertisement features a scene from Better Halves. Jerry, in the role of Peter Petrelli, relays a message to Ando over the phone: "Save the cheerleader, save the world." When Ando repeats the message, an irritated Jerry says, "Yeah, that's what I said!"

Cable & Deadpool

In Issue #39 (Mistaken Identities, June 2007) of the Marvel comic book Cable & Deadpool, Deadpool stabs T-Ray with a katana. Before he does so, he says that his "katana was forged by the same guy who made the one on Heroes." Incidentally, Issue #39 was colored by Chris Sotomayor, and numerous issues prior to #39 were drawn by Staz Johnson.

Chuck

Commercials for NBC's Chuck (which debuted directly before Four Months Later) teased, "Save the Geek, Save the World".

Ctrl+Alt+Del

In the It's on My Mind issue of the webcomic Ctrl+Alt+Del, Ethan asks Lucas if he is familiar with Sylar's habit of absorbing powers by taking their brains. Ethan, excited that Lucas is skilled at Halo, takes out a saw. Lucas balks, explaining that Sylar's victims usually end up dead.

The Daily Show with John Stewart

An episode of The Daily Show aired a featurette lampooning Heroes.

Epic Movie

A promo for Epic Movie (starring Jayma Mays) poked fun at the success of Heroes.

ER

In the episode Crisis of Conscience (February 15, 2007), Dr. Dubenko says, "Save the cheerleader, save the world," after he attends to a cheerleader.

Family Guy

A commercial for an episode of Family Guy showed quick cuts of Stewie Griffin wearing a cheerleader outfit, then talking to a tied up cheerleader, interspersed with title cards that read "Save the Baby, Save the Planet".

Jeopardy!

On the February 13, 2007, episode, the $600 answer in the first round under the category TV is So Dramatic was, "Save Hayden Panettiere, who plays an indestructible cheerleader on this NBC drama, save the world." On the May 3, 2007, episode, the $800 answer in the second round under the category Famous Young Women was, "On this show an Internet stripper has unnatural abilities that would appeal to a genetics professor." Both answers, of course, were "What is Heroes?"

Joe Dirt

When Joe Dirt was broadcast on Comedy Central, promotions read "Save the mullet, save the world".

Kyle XY

During Lockdown (August 27, 2007), an exasperated Hillary exclaims, "Oh, for the love of Peter Petrelli!"

Late Show with David Letterman

The May 15, 2007, Top Ten List was presented by Masi Oka:
Top Ten Surprises In The Heroes Season Finale
10. One of us gets whacked by Tony Soprano
9. Show's slogan changed to "Save the Cheerleader, Save the World, Save 15% on Your Car Insurance by Switching to Geico"
8. Judges go nuts after the pulse-pounding rumba I do with Billy Ray Cyrus
7. We use our powers to lower gas prices, am I right, people?
6. Devote entire show to figuring out what the hell is happening on Lost
5. The telepathic cop wins a new car after reading Pat Sajak's mind on Wheel Of Fortune
4. New hero has the ability to reduce acid reflux
3. I beat the crap out of Spider-Man
2. The invisible man gets caught sneaking into dressing rooms at J.C. Penney
1. I use my teleporting powers to bust Paris Hilton out of the slammer

My Name is Earl

During the episode Foreign Exchange Student, in a flashback scene in a classroom, a chalkboard can be seen in the background. Writing on this board reads "Screw the cheerleader, destroy the world."

MadTV

Heroes was mentioned as one of the show that the audience don't know what's going on, and the narrator asks "Who is the guy with the glasses?" A full parody was also made, parodying Hiro, Ando, Niki, Mr. Bennet and Claire.

The Office

During The Negotiation (April 5, 2007), Dwight says, "You know who's a real hero? Hiro, from Heroes. That's a hero."

One Life to Live

Christian Vega's studio apartment prominently features an in-progess painting, which just so happens to be the exact same as Isaac's unfinished painting of Sylar, A Long Shadow. Incidentally, Hayden Panettiere once had a small role on One Life to Live. Additionally, some find great parallels between One Life to Live's Niki/Viki storyline and Heroes's Niki/Jessica storyline.

One Tree Hill

A promo for the episode Prom Night at Hater High (February 21, 2007) focused on a list Haley asks Nathan to make of all the girls he's ever been with. The promo ends with the tag, "Are you on the list?"

Shaq's Big Challenge

In episode four (17 July 2007) of Shaq's Big Challenge, contestents had to lose 20 pounds in order to see a Miami Heat game. An announcer, over images of Miami Heat cheerleaders, said "Lose the weight, see the cheerleaders".

The Simpsons

Promotions for syndicated Simpsons episodes featured the tagline "Save the Beerdrinker, Save the World," touting the promise that "unlikely chumps combine special abilities." In true Simpsons fashion, the 30-second spot featured a large number of quick references, including Wiggum (a cop), Quimby (a politician), Apu (an Indian), Cletus wearing a wifebeater, Marge side-by-side in dissimilar poses (and later holding a gun), Lisa as a cheerleader, Ralph as a football player, Mrs. Krabappel as a fortune teller, Willie having his thoughts read, Homer's face melting, an explosion, a donut in place of an O, and Homer facing a dinosaur.

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

An episode of Studio 60, guest starring Masi Oka, featured a sketch in which a woman dressed as a cheerleader leans up against Masi Oka and says, "Save me, save the world".

Ugly Betty

Promotions for Ugly Betty read "Love the ugly, love the world".