I often hear this term but am unclear how to define it or what exactly it’s supposed to me. So what’s a good definition for the term ‘throw away line’?
A line which has no effect on the plot, the characters or even the next line of dialogue, but is only used for comedic (or at least witty) effect and then ignored.
It’s something said in a deliberately casual or offhand manner.
Ahh, so it’s a line that is included on the off chance that it might work and if not it can be thrown away (edited out) without being missed.
The one that finally made me ask was when the director of “Galaxy Quest” referred to the line “Did any of you actually watch the show?” as a throw away line.
Thank you.