# Stupid errors that crop up repeatedly in TV shows and movies **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 29, 2014, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866 "2014-03-29T23:33:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/21 "2014-03-30T02:28:18Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Someone with blood type AB positive needs a transfusion. They have to find a donor with AB positive blood. They can’t accept typo O negative, for instance. What makes you say that? O neg blood has none of the relevant surface proteins that would trigger an incompatibility reaction. O neg is called the universal donor as a result. It’s not as good as type matched, but it’ll work. In fact, since AB pos has all three relevant surface proteins it can accept blood from all blood types. (A blood has A proteins, B blood has B proteins, Rh+ has Rh type. AB + has all three). FYI: [Blood Types Explained - A, B, AB and O | Red Cross Blood Services](http://www.redcrossblood.org/learn-about-blood/blood-types) Now, swap o neg and AB pos in your post and you’d be right. ---
**Author:** ![Orr\_G](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ee59a6/32.png) [@Orr\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orr_G)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/22 "2014-03-30T02:36:40Z")
In space, no one can hear you scream… over the sound of all the explosions! ---
**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:** [March 30, 2014, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/23 "2014-03-30T02:44:45Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > What makes you say that? I say that as an example of a stupid error that crop up repeatedly in TV shows and movies > [@](#): > > O neg blood has none of the relevant surface proteins that would trigger an incompatibility reaction. O neg is called the universal donor as a result. Exactly. TV gets that wrong all the time. In reality AB+ can accept O-, but on TV they must have AB+ and no other. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/24 "2014-03-30T02:49:02Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > I say that as an example of a stupid error that crop up repeatedly in TV shows and movies > > Exactly. TV gets that wrong all the time. In reality AB+ can accept O-, but on TV they must have AB+ and no other. I see. I thought the error you were complaining about was the TV show saying they could use the O neg, but you saying they have to get AB pos. I read it is they (really do) _have to_ find AB pos blood. > [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Someone with blood type AB positive needs a transfusion. They have to find a donor with AB positive blood. They can’t accept typo O negative, for instance. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/25 "2014-03-30T02:50:20Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > High school students being played by actors in their 20s or even their 30s. I understand the problems with using actors under 18, but when the point of the show is the character’s immaturity and the need for growth showing people with fully developed faces, bodies, and personalities kills the characters. Worse, it sets up impossible expectations for real teens. In addition to just trying to find actors that are the ‘right age’ another reason they use older actors is because it helps them stand out from the crowd. Having a (young looking) 20 year old (or group of 20 year olds) in a high school makes it easier for you to focus on them instead of the extras since they’re physically bigger and more mature and they just…look different. ---
**Author:** ![nevadaexile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb8c5e/32.png) [@nevadaexile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nevadaexile)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/26 "2014-03-30T03:08:58Z")
> [@nevadaexile](#): > > Let’s see: > > [ol] > [li] **Running away from motorized wheeled vehicles** - Most people would have a hard time running away from a bicycle, much less a car or a motorcycle.[/li][li] **People who are trained in the use of firearms holding the weapons far enough away from their bodies to be grabbed by an opponent** - This has actually grown WORSE as a casual observation of television and films **IN THE PAST** shows characters keeping their weapons relatively close to their bodies when holding a gun on someone.[/li][li] **People walking around in dark houses** - You have lights in the house. Unless you are interested in tripping over something and injuring yourself, why don’t you turn them on?[/li][li] **Computers being able access records which would only be on paper** - Most documents are not online. They won’t be for many years and some may never be. Yet “hackers” are able to locate records with a few simple keystrokes.[/li][li] **Enhancing photos** - Even though HD is becoming more common place, even it has its limits. You can only “enhance” an image so much before it becomes grainy or pixilated.[/li][li] **Defendants taking the stand** - Unfortunately, one the greatest weaknesses of the L&O original series is defendants taking the stand during a trial, even when the prosecution has a **weak** case. Not only is this not going to happen, the defendant should sue his/her attorney for malpractice if it does.[/li][/ol] sorry…had to make a seriously needed edit ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/27 "2014-03-30T03:17:52Z")
[quote=“nevadaexile, post:13, topic:684866”] [li] **Enhancing photos** - Even though HD is becoming more common place, even it has its limits. You can only “enhance” an image so much before it becomes grainy or pixilated.[/li][/QUOTE] So you don’t like the episode of ST:NG where from a mere sliver of a being in a picture they are able to ‘extrapolate’ and identify the entire person? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/28 "2014-03-30T03:18:48Z")
[QUOTE=nevadaexile;17240897 **Defendants taking the stand** - Unfortunately, one the greatest weaknesses of the L&O original series is defendants taking the stand during a trial, even when the prosecution has a **weak** case. Not only is this not going to happen, the defendant should sue his/her attorney for malpractice if it does. [/LIST] [/QUOTE] Not always. Sometimes, it is helpful for a defendant to testify, particularly if he’s claiming self defense. Also, there is nothing an attorney can do to prevent a defendant from taking the stand if the defendant wants to testify. You can advise against it, and possibly even make a record of you advising against it, but you can’t stop it from happening. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/29 "2014-03-30T03:39:28Z")
Outrunning an explosion. Sometimes you can’t do it on foot and it requires a motorcycle. Along with that you can escape harm from a nuclear blast by jumping behind a sturdy cardboard box, or ducking down an alleyway, because of course, explosions can’t go around corners. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/30 "2014-03-30T03:51:26Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Along with that you can escape harm from a nuclear blast by jumping behind a sturdy cardboard box, or ducking down an alleyway, because of course, explosions can’t go around corners. I guess it falls under the general “guns” category but: Bulletproof tables, couches, fences, desks, drywall, etc. Someone shooting at you? Flip over a card table and crouch behind it! Edit: I was just watching Lord of War where, in one scene, a guy flips and covers behind a wooden table in a restaurant which stops AK-47 fire and, in another scene, the lead character and his brother are almost killed in Beirut while walking behind a masonry wall when a firing squad with AK-47s on the other side shoot at their victims and the bullets fly through the wall. Not a whole lot of consistency there. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/31 "2014-03-30T04:02:08Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > So you don’t like the episode of ST:NG where from a mere sliver of a being in a picture they are able to ‘extrapolate’ and identify the entire person? 😛 Or in Flashforward, when they use a security cam at a baseball stadium to enhance a picture of somebody clear on the opposite side of the stadium well enough to make out the design on a ring he’s wearing. Most shows with jets: “Wheels up in five!” Um, no. FORTY-five, maybe. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/32 "2014-03-30T04:03:26Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > In addition to just trying to find actors that are the ‘right age’ another reason they use older actors is because it helps them stand out from the crowd. Having a (young looking) 20 year old (or group of 20 year olds) in a high school makes it easier for you to focus on them instead of the extras since they’re physically bigger and more mature and they just…look different. The original cast of _Glee_ had actors ranging in age from 19 to 27 playing characters who were supposed to be high school freshmen and sophomores. With the guys at least the youngest actors were playing the dorky/outcast characters (Kurt and Artie) while the oldest actors were playing the popular guys on the football team (Finn, Puck, Mike). IIRC at age 15-16 some guys really do look significantly older than their classmates, so in that sense casting actors of different ages may have been a better reflection of high school than just casting a bunch of 19 year olds. Although it did mean that by the second or third season some of the “boys” on _Glee_ were 30…and looked it. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/33 "2014-03-30T04:04:49Z")
> [@ataraxy22](#): > > People seeing themselves in their own dreams from perspectives other than their own eyes > [@Trinopus](#): > > Hm? I do that all the time! My dreams often involve a p.o.v. that is outside my dream-image of myself. Same. I had a dream like that this morning, in fact. Happens probably 1 in 10 times. I also have dreams that I’m not in at all, and I’m just watching other people. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/34 "2014-03-30T04:20:52Z")
Another thing about firearms: you can’t silence a revolver. An automatic, yes; a revolver, no. Enough of the firing gas escapes from the tiny gap between the cylinder and the barrel to produce a sharp report. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/35 "2014-03-30T05:04:16Z")
My pet peeve is pretty specific and it comes up IRL a lot too. Treason. Treason is the only crime as defined by the Constitution and it’s damn hard to prosecute on. But you wouldn’t think so from shows like “24” or just about any political forum. ---
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/36 "2014-03-30T05:25:42Z")
WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, NOW GO…you know the one where the space ship or whatever is needing to dodge some incoming object or make some trajectory adjustment and instead of making a small move early and getting it done easy hollywood invariably goes for the stupid dramatic last second full burn bullshit. its as bad as cats that scream for no reason at all. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/37 "2014-03-30T06:04:06Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > . . . you can’t silence a revolver. . . . Wrap it up in a towel? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/38 "2014-03-30T06:13:41Z")
There’s a countdown to something horrible, and the characters are frantically working to stop it from happening. And they succeed IN THE LAST SECOND. Or the writers who have absolutely no knowledge of simple astronomy and physics. _Twilight Zone_ was one of the worst offenders, like the one that takes place on an asteroid that’s 9 million miles away . . . and it has earth’s gravity and atmosphere. Or someone gets shot or injected with poison . . . and dies immediately. ---
**Author:** ![Deereman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Deereman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deereman)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/39 "2014-03-30T07:26:21Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Another thing about firearms: you can’t silence a revolver. An automatic, yes; a revolver, no. Enough of the firing gas escapes from the tiny gap between the cylinder and the barrel to produce a sharp report. You’re right…with one exception that I know of the Nagant M1895 Revolver. The cylinder slides forward and seals against the barrel when firing. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866/40 "2014-03-30T07:36:22Z")
> [@Deereman](#): > > You’re right…with one exception that I know of the Nagant M1895 Revolver. The cylinder slides forward and seals against the barrel when firing. Ah, progress! Ain’t science wonderful? 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-errors-that-crop-up-repeatedly-in-tv-shows-and-movies/684866.md?page=3)