# Right Forum for This? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [January 18, 2018, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-forum-for-this/806878 "2018-01-18T03:35:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2018, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-forum-for-this/806878/1 "2018-01-18T03:35:38Z")
What is the proper forum to ask a factual question about something portrayed on a fictional TV show imitating reality: General Questions or Cafe Society? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2018, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-forum-for-this/806878/2 "2018-01-18T03:38:22Z")
If your question is about whether something depicted on a show or movie could really happen, or how likely it is, then asking in General Questions would be OK. However, you should be clear what exactly you are asking about. ---
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2018, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-forum-for-this/806878/3 "2018-01-18T03:48:37Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > If your question is about whether something depicted on a show or movie could really happen, or how likely it is, then asking in General Questions would be OK. However, you should be clear what exactly you are asking about. Thanks! On the flip side, would it be a sin to play it safe and place it under Cafe Society (again, being clear what kind of answer I seek to get accurate responses)? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2018, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-forum-for-this/806878/4 "2018-01-18T03:56:00Z")
> [@Jinx](#): > > Thanks! On the flip side, would it be a sin to play it safe and place it under Cafe Society (again, being clear what kind of answer I seek to get accurate responses)? I wouldn’t see a problem with it, but I’m not a Cafe Society mod. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2018, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-forum-for-this/806878/5 "2018-01-18T08:57:16Z")
I’ve asked a few such questions in GQ. No objections from the moderators so far. Examples: [Legality of this (TV) Police trick](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=753022) [The wind from Minicoy.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=491478) [Geology/ Planet of the Apes](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=630720) [Blood donors, movies vs reality](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=572093) I expect your question would fit in GQ, if it is similar to these. And if the mods decide to move it, that probably won’t be an issue. I’ve rarely seen anyone warned for posting in the wrong forum. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2018, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-forum-for-this/806878/6 "2018-01-18T13:47:37Z")
If it’s more about the factual situation, then it’s GQ. If it’s more about the situation as depicted in that particular fictional work, it’s CS. There’s probably some gray area in the middle where it could be either. In any event, don’t stress too much about it, because if you get it wrong, the worst that’ll happen is that it gets moved. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2018, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-forum-for-this/806878/7 "2018-01-18T16:13:42Z")
^ But then you’re stuck with the U-haul fee. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2018, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-forum-for-this/806878/8 "2018-01-18T17:08:42Z")
If this involves a soap opera TV program don’t forget the any music just before going to a commercial is included in the standard fee when in CS, but carries a surcharge if you post in GQ. Something about having to move the organist in/out of GQ … 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-forum-for-this/806878/9 "2018-01-22T00:47:53Z")
Thanks, everyone!