# Extremely brief TV and movie cliches/tropes that you typically do not see mentioned **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 24, 2017, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-brief-tv-and-movie-cliches-tropes-that-you-typically-do-not-see-mentioned/780621 "2017-02-24T11:04:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-brief-tv-and-movie-cliches-tropes-that-you-typically-do-not-see-mentioned/780621/41 "2017-02-27T14:32:15Z")
Nobody ever realizes that beaming down in a red shirt is the kiss of death! ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-brief-tv-and-movie-cliches-tropes-that-you-typically-do-not-see-mentioned/780621/42 "2017-02-27T15:53:14Z")
I caught this on _The Blacklist_ last week, but I’ve realized pretty much every police procedural will eventually have some sort of scene where a male perp is caught in some state of undress, just so the detective can tell him to put some pants on (and possibly insult his manhood). ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-brief-tv-and-movie-cliches-tropes-that-you-typically-do-not-see-mentioned/780621/43 "2017-02-27T17:21:56Z")
Not sure if this qualifies, but it always strikes me as weird: someone is talking on a cell phone and when the other person hangs up, we hear a dial tone. Also, a person is angrily running or walking away and another person calls after them, “Bob! Bob! Come back here!” And Bob \ NEVER NEVER NEVER stops, comes back, or even turns around. If anyone in a TV show or movie coughs or has a pain in his/her left arm, they’re toast. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-brief-tv-and-movie-cliches-tropes-that-you-typically-do-not-see-mentioned/780621/44 "2017-02-27T17:43:53Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > C’mon, we all know that none of those 35,000 officers are even half as good as our hotshot maverick NYC detective. They’re probably all on Bob’s payroll, and if they are not, they are Mary’s ex and we don’t want them anywhere near her. Besides, there’s only going to reasonably be 100-300 in place to help before I can get there, depending on the neighborhood. Do you really want to play with those odds? The only cop on Bob’s payroll is the one that had a few lines of dialogue in the first scene. All the others are fine. If you are confronting a homicidal manic it is perfectly legal to point your gun at him. After speaking with him make sure you rack a round into the camber to make sure he knows you really mean it. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-brief-tv-and-movie-cliches-tropes-that-you-typically-do-not-see-mentioned/780621/45 "2017-02-27T17:46:19Z")
> [@Oly](#): > > When someone is talking on the phone, and they hear something surprising\important, they switch the phone to their other ear. There’s actually truth here. Everybody has a better ear, and you generally put a phone to your better ear. You hear the conversation better, and minimize background interruptions through your worse ear (your worse ear may not be terrible, but still, it’s your worse ear). If you suddenly need to tune into sounds in the room, you want to free up your better ear, and the telephone conversation may even go on hold briefly. I have done this all my life, but didn’t realize it until I had an audiogram, and I found out which was my better ear, and also it was explained to me that it was normal even for people with normal hearing to have a better ear. When hearing something upsetting or exasperating, I personally do tend to take off my glasses and rub my eyes and forehead-- but you can’t very well rub your eyes and forehead with your glasses on. > [@astro](#): > > When ordering food you almost never hear an item ordered where the server would need to ask them how they wanted it cooked or engage in any dialog about preparation. Unless the ordering of the food is going to be a Sheldon Cooper type shtick-- “lettuce torn not cut, burger medium-well, BBQ sauce, pickles, and spicy mustard on the side, Swiss cheese not Cheddar, etc., etc.” ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-brief-tv-and-movie-cliches-tropes-that-you-typically-do-not-see-mentioned/780621/46 "2017-02-27T17:50:37Z")
> [@astro](#): > > When ordering food you almost never hear an item ordered where the server would need to ask them how they wanted it cooked or engage in any dialog about preparation. Lampshaded nicely in Gross Point Blank. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-brief-tv-and-movie-cliches-tropes-that-you-typically-do-not-see-mentioned/780621/47 "2017-02-27T17:57:16Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > I caught this on _The Blacklist_ last week, but I’ve realized pretty much every police procedural will eventually have some sort of scene where a male perp is caught in some state of undress, just so the detective can tell him to put some pants on (and possibly insult his manhood). There’s a scene in an ep of _Law & Order: TOS_ where the cops catch the perp in the closet naked from the waist down, and he demands to have his pants before he comes out. They open the door a crack and dangle his pants and say “Here.” When he leans forward to get them, they smash the door into his nose. I think they do let him put his pants on, but in the next scene, he has a bandage on his nose and two black eyes. The cops (Briscoe and Curtis) are never called to account for this behavior (and seeing as it’s fiction, it is kind of funny-- if you see it, you’ll know what I mean). The guy has done a particularly nasty murder, so his lawyer (who is incompetent in several ways anyway) may be leaving the brutality issue alone to keep plea bargains flowing more freely. Anyway, recently arrested people screaming about police brutality is pretty common on TV, when in fact, in real life, most people don’t press the issue. Guilty people don’t want to make waves because they know the police are friends of the prosecution, and innocent people usually wait until their case is cleared up before they make a stink about brutality-- and they may eventually make a stink, but they want to be free first. They know it isn’t politic to be pleading false arrest and also crying brutality at the same time. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-brief-tv-and-movie-cliches-tropes-that-you-typically-do-not-see-mentioned/780621/48 "2017-02-27T18:06:58Z")
There’s a particular series I’ve been enjoying on the cash-strapped CBC. For (I presume) cost-containment issues, only the handful of regulars speak. Other characters, like waiters, clerks, etc. never say anything. Like in real life someone is going to serve your table and not speak? It’s rather humorous. ---
**Author:** ![Soylent\_Juicy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@Soylent\_Juicy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soylent_Juicy)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-brief-tv-and-movie-cliches-tropes-that-you-typically-do-not-see-mentioned/780621/49 "2017-02-27T18:07:28Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > No one ever says “bye” when hanging up a phone, they just - hang up. That used to annoy me so much when I was a kid, it seems so rude! People never carry stuff around. No purse, no luggage, no backpack - I can’t go to the mall without my purse yet people on TV go everywhere without anything. (Except Mike Ross on Suits always seems to carry a satchel.) ---
**Author:** ![Dante\_G](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@Dante\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante_G)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-brief-tv-and-movie-cliches-tropes-that-you-typically-do-not-see-mentioned/780621/50 "2017-02-27T18:27:38Z")
Unless it’s a plot device, no one ever seems to wear a seatbelt in a car. Also, no one seems to continue plot conversations in cars. A big development happens in one place. Characters are thrown for a loop. They drive to new location but the drive is never shown, just the arrival, in which they get out of the car and immediately start talking about the big development from last scene. So, what, they drove there in silence? Maybe sang along to the radio instead of discussing the big plot situation? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-brief-tv-and-movie-cliches-tropes-that-you-typically-do-not-see-mentioned/780621/51 "2017-02-27T18:33:44Z")
Saw this one on Man In the High Castle just a few weeks ago. Was wondering if there is a name for it on TVtropes. Low-ranking officer finds incriminating evidence or just plain bad news on film. Shows it to the main bad guy. They watch it together. Main bad guy looks at low-ranking guys and says, “Has anyone else seen this?” or “Does anyone else know about this?” Low-ranking guy says, “Just you and me, sir.” We all know that either now or soon, low-ranking guy will be dead. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-brief-tv-and-movie-cliches-tropes-that-you-typically-do-not-see-mentioned/780621/52 "2017-02-27T18:52:42Z")
Several of these are common listings on TVTropes. E.g. the turning on the TV just in time to hear the right story. Not sure about the bad news/wash hands/punch mirror one. There’s a mirror punch listing, but just on its own. I’d do some lookup but I’m planning on having a life the rest of the day.:o ---
**Author:** ![Dante\_G](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@Dante\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante_G)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-brief-tv-and-movie-cliches-tropes-that-you-typically-do-not-see-mentioned/780621/53 "2017-02-27T19:26:47Z")
People always answer their door as if they were right by the door waiting for the knock. Maybe 1-2 seconds go by after the knock, but then, BOOM, it’s answered. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-brief-tv-and-movie-cliches-tropes-that-you-typically-do-not-see-mentioned/780621/54 "2017-02-27T20:44:39Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Saw this one on Man In the High Castle just a few weeks ago. Was wondering if there is a name for it on TVtropes. > > Low-ranking officer finds incriminating evidence or just plain bad news on film. Shows it to the main bad guy. They watch it together. > > Main bad guy looks at low-ranking guys and says, “Has anyone else seen this?” or “Does anyone else know about this?” > > Low-ranking guy says, “Just you and me, sir.” > > We all know that either now or soon, low-ranking guy will be dead. I was able to find mine. [Have you told Anyone Else?](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HaveYouToldAnyoneElse) ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-brief-tv-and-movie-cliches-tropes-that-you-typically-do-not-see-mentioned/780621/55 "2017-02-27T21:48:35Z")
> [@Dante\_G](#): > > People always answer their door as if they were right by the door waiting for the knock. Maybe 1-2 seconds go by after the knock, but then, BOOM, it’s answered. Unless you’re one of Sheldon Cooper’s friends: _Knock_Knock_Knock_"Penny" _Knock_Knock_Knock_"Penny" _Knock_Knock_Knock_"Penny" When someone realizes who the murderer is and confronts them alone in a deserted place. Heaven forbid they should call the police! ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-brief-tv-and-movie-cliches-tropes-that-you-typically-do-not-see-mentioned/780621/56 "2017-02-27T22:11:42Z")
To the TV Tropes! > [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Whenever there is a bartender, you will often see him either mindlessly wiping the bar with a rag or wiping a glass with a rag. [Obsessive-Compulsive Bartending](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ObsessiveCompulsiveBarkeeping) > [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > Apparently plastic grocery bags don’t exist in the make believe world and every shopping trip includes the purchase of a baguette and a bunch of carrots with the leaves still attached. [ISO Standard Urban Groceris](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ISOStandardUrbanGroceries) > [@GuanoLad](#): > > Waking from a nightmare by sitting bolt upright. > > Whenever anyone orders “a beer”, it’s without mentioning any brand names, not even made up ones. [Catapult Nightmare](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CatapultNightmare) I also coulda sworn I’ve seen the beer one mentioned, but I can’t find it at the moment. Maybe it’s not on TV Tropes. > [@Icarus](#): > > No one ever says “bye” when hanging up a phone, they just - hang up. [TV Telephone Etiquette](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TVTelephoneEtiquette) > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Similarly, there’s the scene in which the protagonist gets a phone call urging him to turn on the TV. So he does, just to catch the beginning of a story about him or one he’s interested in. The protagonist never turns on the TV to find the story is already over, or has to change channels to find the local news station. [Coincidental Broadcast](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CoincidentalBroadcast) > [@astorian](#): > > Every nun will wear a floor length gown- the type real nuns haven’t worn in about 50 years. [Hollywood Nuns](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HollywoodNuns) ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-brief-tv-and-movie-cliches-tropes-that-you-typically-do-not-see-mentioned/780621/57 "2017-02-27T23:29:26Z")
> [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](#): > > [Coincidental Broadcast](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CoincidentalBroadcast) [“Now imagine the impact if that had come on right when we turned on the TV!”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjqbiMFonR8) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-brief-tv-and-movie-cliches-tropes-that-you-typically-do-not-see-mentioned/780621.md?page=2)