List of fourth wall breaks

This is a list of fourth wall breaks in the Arthur TV series. A fourth wall break is when a character acknowledges that they are fictional, which is usually done by speaking to the audience. Most fourth wall breaks on Arthur are done in the show openings, which happen before the title card.

TV show

Season 1

• Arthur Accused! - Mrs. MacGrady gives an aside glance to the viewers when her brownies are cleared by a metal detector. We also have Buster, as a narrator, talking to the viewers throughout the episode.
• Team Trouble - Luke waves to the viewers through the cafeteria window.
• Bully for Binky - Binky threatens "What are you looking at?" towards the camera, although it is later revealed that he was talking to some kids.

Season 2

• Buster and the Daredevils - In the intro, a clip from the episode's climax is shown. Arthur stops it to make comments about how strange the scene is.
• Buster Baxter, Cat Saver - Buster claims that his TV show will be "edutainment." Arthur and his friends are disgusted by this. Arthur is an edutainment program. In his TV show, Buster turns to the camera and says "Kids, hitting and punching people is wrong."
• The Short, Quick Summer - Arthur talks to the viewers during the opening.
• Arthur and the Square Dance - After Arthur hastily leaves the Sugar Bowl ice cream shop following a silent teasing from Brain and Binky, Francine looks at the viewers and asks, "What's gotten into him?"
• Grandma Thora Appreciation Day - Grandma Thora "gets public television clear as a bell." PBS and PBS Kids are public television.
• Fern's Slumber Party - When she hears Fern telling a Sherlock Holmes story, Mrs. Walters tells the viewers, "I knew this party was a good idea." When Fern suggests they should move on to the title card, she specifies, "Maybe that swimming one."
• D.W.'s Name Game - D.W. introduces the episode by talking about Arthur.

Season 3

• The Ballad of Buster Baxter - Art Garfunkel, while talking about Buster's absence from Season 2, says that "we thought he left the show."
• Background Blues - The framing device of the episode is R4 and 3W watching a Datagram. They comment on the episode at the end.
• Buster's Growing Grudge - Buster, while talking to Binky, says that "we can have our own TV show! You, me, and Arthur!" Binky responds, "Sounds good, but maybe not Arthur. Who'd want to watch him on TV?"
• Arthur's Almost Live Not Real Music Festival - Arthur says "Here they come! Our big music videos!" At the end, D.W. says that "it was okay for the basement, but it [Arthur and Buster's show] would never work on real TV."
• Mom and Dad Have a Great Big Fight - Nadine introduces herself with, "My name is Nadine. I'm D.W.'s imaginary friend, and I'll be your host for Mom and Dad have a Great Big Fight."
• D.W.'s Perfect Wish - After Arthur reminds D.W. not to say her birthday wish, D.W. whispers to the viewers, "Even if it does come true."
• The Long, Dull Winter - Arthur asks the viewers if they've ever felt as bored as he was.

Season 4

• D.W.'s Library Card - The opening has Arthur talk to the viewers.
• Prove It - Brain seems to be teaching the viewers about the rotation of the earth. However, it is later revealed he is talking to Kate and Pal.
• What is that Thing? - Buster suggests, "Maybe there's something to be learned from all this." A moment later, the group bursts into, "Nah!"

Season 5

• Double Dare - In the opening, Arthur talks to the viewers.
• You Are Arthur - The entire episode is shown from Arthur's point of view. The beginning has Arthur trade places with the viewer. At the end, he suggests that next time, you run the marathon and he watches TV.
• The Last of Mary Moo Cow - Arthur says, "Wha-what are you waiting for?! Quick! Go to the title card!"

Season 6

• Rhyme for Your Life - Binky tells Arthur that "All will be clear to he who sits, and listens for eleven minutes!" This refers to the running time of the episode.
• Crushed - At the end of the opening, Buster says, "Roll the tape, Greg!"

Season 8

• Arthur's Snow Biz - Arthur talks to the viewers during the opening.
• D.W., Dancing Queen - Binky quotes the theme song. D.W. asks him if he made it up, and he responds, "I've heard it somewhere, but I can't remember where."
• Desk Wars - Binky says that he should have his own show. Francine complains that Arthur always introduces the show.

Season 10

• Happy Anniversary - The Bionic Bunny 10th Anniversary Special is premiering on the day Arthur has his vacation. Arthur had its tenth anniversary in the same year this episode first aired.
• The Secret About Secrets - A 3x3 square of characters telling D.W., "It's a secret!" fills the screen. D.W. breaks through the blocks, angrily shouting, "Alright, already!"

Season 11

• Baby Kate and the Imaginary Mystery - When Kate tells Pal that she was talking to the viewers, Pal tells Kate that the viewers don't say anything even when Arthur talks to them.

Season 12

Francine parodies the theme song

Mei Lin shows a chart of how many episodes are focused on pets.

• Room to Ride - In the opening, Arthur asks the viewers what they would do if they could press a button and change the world.
• The Frensky Family Fiasco - The opening has Francine walking on a road with Pal, just like Arthur does in the theme song. She thinks that she should open the show because Arthur always does. D.W. and Buster then want to rename the show after themselves. Francine even points out that Buster has his own show.
• I Owe You One - The opening is hosted by Muffy. Arthur complains about this at the end.
• Do You Believe in Magic? - Buster tells the viewers, "And now, here's something we hope you'll enjoy!" before the title card.
• Home Sweet Home - At the beginning, Buster writes that it has been two hours since he has eaten. At the end, he writes that it his been two hours and eleven minutes. Most Arthur episodes have a running time of eleven minutes.
• Mei Lin Takes a Stand - The opening has Mei Lin complaining about the lack of baby-related episodes.

Season 13

• The Silent Treatment - George asks if the viewers can see him and he knocks on the screen.
• Prunella and the Disappointing Ending - Prunella tries to tell the viewers about the episode, but Marina doesn't want her to spoil it. At the end, Marina says, "Greg, start the show!"
• The Pride of Lakewood - In the opening, when James asks Buster about why he has a button with his face on it, Buster responds, "It's a long story." Arthur argues that it could be told in ten minutes.
• The Secret Origin of Supernova - D.W. says "Stay tuned for 'The Secret Origin of... Supernova!'" right before the title card.

Season 14

• Falafelosophy - When Sue Ellen is confused, Neil Gaiman shouts, "Cue special effects!" to someone off-screen. The dream transition effect plays, and Neil Gaiman explains that the transition shows that he's imaginary.
• Around the World in 11 Minutes - The title refers to the length of most Arthur episodes, which is eleven minutes.
• In My Africa - D.W. and Cheikh talk about having a show, titled "D.W. and Cheikh."

Season 15

• Fifteen - The constant mention of the number fifteen is a reference to the fact that this episode is the premiere of the fifteenth season. Buster counts down the seconds left in the opening.
• Grandpa Dave's Memory Album - Bubby says, "It's public television."
• The Trouble with Trophies - Arthur receives the Marc Brown Certificate of Existence.

Season 16

• Based on a True Story - Ladonna and Arthur talk about the things that will be in the episode.
• Brain's Biggest Blunder - Brain covers the screen with his hand.
• Fern and the Case of the Stolen Story - Fern shakes the screen.

Season 17

• Adventures in Budylon - D.W. introduces with, "Hello, TV audience! Here are some things you'll need to watch today's show..." She points to a drawing of a TV, and continues, "but you already have one of those, because you're watching me right now!" Bud walks in and asks, "What about a computer? They could be watching us on a computer!" He also points out that they could be watched on a phone. At the end of the opening, D.W. points a remote towards the screen, which causes a flash and transitions to the title card.
• Ladonna Compson: Party Animal - Ladonna introduces the episode with, "Today's show is all about having fun!"
• Pets and Pests - Arthur talks to the viewers in the opening.
• Go Fly a Kite - Arthur talks to the viewers in the opening.
• Binky's Music Madness - After Binky tells Arthur to not play a song by Bang on a Can All-Stars, Arthur turns to the viewers and says, "I think you can handle it!"

Season 18

• Best Wishes - George wishes that he could start the show.
• Messy Dress Mess - Ladonna and Arthur talk to the viewers in the opening.

Season 19

• Brain's Brain - Arthur, Buster, and Brain challenge the viewers to remember five objects until the end of the episode.
• Sue Ellen Adds It Up - In the opening, Sue Ellen "confesses" to the viewers that she's not good at math.
• Arthur's Toy Trouble - The episode begins with Arthur walking on the Earth, like he does in the theme song.
• Spar for the Course - Muffy, Buster, and Binky argue over who gets to host the show opening.

Season 21

• Binky's 'A' Game - Arthur asks the viewers if they understand the comic that Brain is reading.
• The Master Builders - In the opening, Muffy talks to the viewers. She points a TV remote towards the screen and presses a button, which leads to the title card.
• Slink's Special Talent - The Tough Customers record their own show opening. Binky claims that "this show opener is going great, and by golly people are going to love it! Or else."
• Take a Hike, Molly - Binky talks to the viewers about how there are some things you'll never hear certain people say.
• Invasion of the Soccer Fans - Kate mentions "the TV audience," referring to the viewers.

Season 22-25

• The Longest Eleven Minutes - The title refers to the length of the episode. At the end, Arthur is surprised that the internet has only been out for ten minutes, again referring to the length of the episode.
• Binky Wrestles with a Story - When Binky spoils the Dark Bunny vs. Bionic Bunny movie, he tells Arthur and Buster that it's not worth watching and suggests they watch this episode instead, before signaling to the camera to start the show.
• Making Conversation - Wally explains to the audience George's nervousness about talking to people.
• Arthur's New Old Vacation - Arthur shares to the viewers his feelings on how we can get tired of the things we love.

Albums

• At the end of My Dog Pal, Arthur's friends tell him to play the song again. Arthur responds, "If you want to hear it again, start the track over. I'm exhausted."
• The album contains two tracks called "Crazy Bus (No Way!)" and "Crazy Bus (I Said No, D.W.!)." These "tracks" are short interludes about D.W. trying to play Crazy Bus, but Arthur stopping her.

Games

• Francine's Tough Day - At the end of the game, Francine tells the player that it was nice to have someone to discuss her decisions with.
• Dear Adil - Throughout the game, Arthur and Adil talk to the player.