Vampires have been around in TV and cinema for a long time. From new releases like The Vampire Diaries, movie and TV-goers love their supernatural stories with these dangerous and mysterious creatures. But, these vampire characters are not always terrifying and animalistic, but sometimes are akin to humans.
This pertains specifically to Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries who is known to be hilarious with many iconic quotes and pop culture references. These references not only provide humor to the show, but they also humanize the character to further connect him to watchers.
"...And My Unflinching Ability To Listen To Taylor Swift."
Season 1, Episode 4: "Family Ties"
In this scene, Damon is discussing with Stefan all the great attributes that help him get girls, including his good looks, charisma, and love for Taylor, Swift right before stabbing him in the gut.
Not only is this a great reference to the famous singer herself, but it's a very in-character moment for Damon. He's hilarious, confident, always joking around, and very dangerous. The fact that he's a Swiftie on top of it all makes him even more likable for watchers who are fans of the show and the singer-songwriter.
"Couldn't Take Another Day Of The '90s. That Horrible Grunge Look, Did Not Suit You."
Season 1, Episode 1: "Pilot"
This quote is part of Damon's introduction to the show in the very first episode. His conversation with Stefan is just overall a great way to reveal Damon's personality as the mischievous and "bad boy" brother whose magnetic and highly intelligent, as well as giving watchers a glimpse of what Damon and Stefan's relationship in The Vampire Diaries is like.
It also starts to hint that the two brothers have been on Earth for a very long time, foreshadowing the fact that they are actually immortal vampires.
"It's My Audition Tape For Real World: London, Fingers Crossed..."
Season 6, Episode 9: "I Alone"
In this scene, Elena finds an old camcorder and discovers Damon's video journal with him calling his surroundings his "personal hell." It seems to be an important moment, but Damon brushes it off, simply describing it as his "audition tape."
This is very representative of how Damon uses jokes to protect himself and cope with being a vampire. Although the joke is funny, it reminds viewers that Damon is more than just the comedic relief character and has his own internal wars to fight.
"Very Emerson, The Way You Reveal Your Soul With So Many... Adjectives."
Season 1, Episode 3: "Friday Night Bites"
In this scene, Stefan finds Damon reading his private journal and Damon immediately starts to make fun of him. This is very representative of each brother and their respective personality types - how Stefan is very deep and inquisitive, reflecting in his journal while Damon is completely the opposite.
This also shows that Damon is not just a thoughtless, animalistic vampire, but one who is incredibly intelligent, having read works by famous and important authors like Emerson. It just adds another facet to this perfectly complex character that is Damon Salvatore.
"Waltz, Jitterbug, The Moonwalk, He Does It All."
Season 1, Episode 4: "Family Ties"
Damon is trying to get Caroline and Stefan to dance at the Founder's Ball by advocating for Stefan's expertise. But while doing so, he's also hinting that they have been around in the world long enough to learn these dances that were popular throughout various decades.
From the waltz in the mid-19th century to the jitterbug in the '30s and '40s to even the moonwalk in the '80s, it's evident that these two brothers have had their fair share of experience with pop culture throughout the years.
"Okay, Count Deepak."
Season 1, Episode 7: "Haunted"
In this scene of the supernatural romance show The Vampire Diaries, Damon and Stefan are teaching the newly-made vampire Vicki how to cope with her new form. Stefan discusses the moral obligations of being a vampire and how it affects people's lives, to which Damon calls him "Count Deepak".
This is a great reference to the most iconic vampire himself Count Dracula as well as the known Indian-American alternative medicine advocate Deepak Chopra. Not only is this nickname creative, but it's interesting that Damon would even know who Chopra is.
"Stefan's Different... He Wants To Feel Every Episode Of How I Met Your Mother."
Season 1, Episode 21: "Isobel"
Damon is talking with Alaric about his wife Isobel, who has given up her humanity and turned off her emotions. He compares her to Stefan who still tries to be human, despite his vampire identity.
Fans of both The Vampire Diaries and the popular comedy sitcom How I Met Your Mother rejoice at this reference. This series is known to be a rollercoaster of emotions, from hilarious moments to profound ones to downright heartbreaking. It's a great choice for a vampire who wants to feel something.
"Well, Let's Just Say He's Not There To Meet Oprah."
Season 3, Episode 3: "The End Of The Affair"
In the beginning of the episode, Damon tells Elena the news that he's found where Stefan is: Chicago.
This city in Illinois is known for a lot of things, especially the fact that Oprah has hosted The Oprah Winfrey Show there for twenty-five years. It's an interesting reference for Damon to include and reveals that he's immersed in modern pop culture. Additionally, it's a pretty funny joke that lightens the more serious moment of discovering where Stefan has been all this time and confronting his dark past.
"Ooh...Cover Up, Fabio."
Season 2, Episode 1: "The Return"
In this scene of The Vampire Diaries, Elena is tending to Stefan's wound on his stomach when Damon interrupts. He tells his brother to "cover up" and nicknames him "Fabio."
This is a reference to Fabio Lanzoni, an iconic male model in movies, TV, and the covers of romance novels known as the "King of Romance." The joke is pretty funny and creative, but more so the fact that Damon is trying to embarrass his brother in front of his girlfriend, which is a very typical sibling thing to do.
"What's So Special About This Bella Girl? Edward's So Whipped!"
Season 1, Episode 4: "Family Ties"
In this scene, Damon is reading the popular and well-known Twilight series and discussing how unrealistic it is with Caroline. This is pretty ironic as the Twilight series was one of the main reasons why The Vampire Diaries became so popular, and they can be considered in the same genre of book-to-screen adaptations about vampires and werewolves.
This quote is not a fourth wall break, but it's pretty close. Damon's commentary on the series is also especially funny since it's perfectly in character for him.