# Things that are extremely common in TV shows/movies that you've rarely seen in real life **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 29, 2009, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161 "2009-08-29T16:20:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 16
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/301 "2009-09-04T02:36:59Z")
I’ve never been to a wedding that was in someone’s backyard or living room. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/302 "2009-09-04T02:59:08Z")
> [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](#): > > I’ve never been to a wedding that was in someone’s backyard or living room. I’ve officiated at several of each. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/303 "2009-09-04T03:08:15Z")
> [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](#): > > I’ve never been to a wedding that was in someone’s backyard or living room. My sister’s 3rd wedding was in our grandparents front yard. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/304 "2009-09-04T03:16:00Z")
> [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](#): > > I’ve never been to a wedding that was in someone’s backyard or living room. I got married in our living room. I’ve been to a wedding in a backyard, and a reception in my parent’s back yard. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/305 "2009-09-04T03:30:28Z")
Most movie weddings I see these days are conducted by a middle-aged non-denominational female clergyperson. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/306 "2009-09-04T03:37:56Z")
> [@Koxinga](#): > > Most movie weddings I see these days are conducted by a middle-aged non-denominational female clergyperson. Our wedding was conducted by…sonofagun! ---
**Author:** ![Leiko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Leiko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leiko)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/307 "2009-09-04T05:38:55Z")
> [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](#): > > I’ve never been to a wedding that was in someone’s backyard or living room. My aunt and uncle got married in their side yard/backyard. It rained. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/308 "2009-09-04T10:28:57Z")
> [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](#): > > I’ve never been to a wedding that was in someone’s backyard or living room. My first wedding was in the living room of our apartment … we just invited his division and a couple non navy friends over, had a justice of the peace and a quiet afternoon of wedding and revelry. The ribs gently scenting the air made for a better atmosphere than any church =) ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/309 "2009-09-04T10:56:10Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > The ribs gently scenting the air made for a better atmosphere than any church =) The scent of hickory as the ribs smoke is a religious experience. No need for the frippery of organized religion. What bugs me is the hero takes a beating that would kill a bear and the next day he has nary a scratch or any swelling. ---
**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:** [September 4, 2009, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/310 "2009-09-04T13:24:14Z")
Groups of people suddenly breaking out into perfect singing and wonderfully choreographed routines. Hell, I hang out with theatre people and I’ve never seen this once. ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/311 "2009-09-04T13:31:06Z")
Zombies and Vampires. While I’ve seen a few zombies (usually on Sunday morning after a night out), I’ve yet to see any vampires. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/312 "2009-09-04T13:50:36Z")
From a British perspective… People getting stuck in lifts all the time, for hours, and solving all their problems in the process… Christmas is always snowy (think Bridget Jones) - it never is in real life The whole neighbourhood goes to the same pub everyday - lunch and evening - and knows everyone when they get there. All weddings, Christmas parties, birthdays and christenings take place in the same pub. ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/313 "2009-09-04T14:23:05Z")
My grandparents’ house had a kitchen door, mine doesn’t. I kind of wish mine did sometimes. It would be handy to be able to keep the cats out of the kitchen when we’ve dropped and broken something and are trying to clean it up. > [@Meyer6](#): > > People who wake up from a nightmare with a gasp and sit bolt upright in bed. > [@Polerius](#): > > This, plus people who are sleeping and whose partner has left the bed, and who pat the side of the bed expecting to touch the partner, and upon not finding him/her after a couple of exploratory pats, wakes up to the realization that the partner has left. I have done both of these. Sitting bolt upright in bed doesn’t happen often, but it has happened. I’m awake but not totally awake when I do the patting the side of the bed thing. ---
**Author:** ![Danger\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/314 "2009-09-04T14:23:33Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > Groups of people suddenly breaking out into perfect singing and wonderfully choreographed routines. Hell, I hang out with theatre people and I’ve never seen this once. Never? [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dkYZ6rbPU2M/hqdefault.jpg "Food Court Musical - Musicals In Real Life Episode 1") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkYZ6rbPU2M) ---
**Author:** ![Ellis\_Aponte\_Jr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@Ellis\_Aponte\_Jr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellis_Aponte_Jr)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/315 "2009-09-04T14:55:45Z")
Quicksand Sticks of dynamite Irish taxicab drivers ---
**Author:** ![gwendee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@gwendee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gwendee)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/316 "2009-09-04T14:56:54Z")
I have never thrown a drink in anyone’s face to register my indignation. I have never had a drink thrown in my face nor have I ever been in a restaurant or bar where a drink was thrown. I’ve asked my friends (an admittedly small sample of fairly laid back people) and their experience seems to mirror mine. Maybe people were throwing drinks at those huge parties that certainly did occur in my small town but that I did not attend. Another thing I’ve seen on TV (often on any variation of L&O) is characters meeting at a bar or restaurant. One is already there with a drink and/or a meal. The second to arrive orders and says a thing and leaves. Sometimes they both leave. But without cancelling the order and without paying. A phone thing that only exists fictionally is that when the off camera party is first to hang up the on camera party (and we) immediately hear the dial tone. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/317 "2009-09-04T15:14:47Z")
I was going to say, weddings officiated by people who got their license to do so out of the back of a magazine. (Chris on Northern Exposure). Or through some odd circumstances, performing the wedding in a goofy costume (like at Halloween). But last week, because the state fair director’s daughter had her wedding at the fairgrounds (after some expensive upgrades and beautifying), a local humor columnist declared that since the fair director’s daughter could have a wedding, he would be glad to perform a “mass wedding” for ordinary folks during the fair. So he got credentials and became an instant minister, made it legal for three couples, and led a procession to the wine court for wine slushies all around. Dressed in a Winnie The Pooh outfit. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/318 "2009-09-04T16:28:43Z")
**Mister Rik** said: > [@](#): > > While the actual content of the dreams themselves changed, the theme was always the same: I couldn’t breathe, and I was crawling on the floor struggling to get help, and I lacked the strength to reach the doorknob/telephone/oblivious bystander. This is a common experience with these type dreams. The sensation of being pinned/immobilized/weak is inherent, as is the sensation of risk/threat. This is the root of alien abduction experiences, as well as the historical incubi/succubi. _My_ versions typically involve being in bed and some burglar breaks in and is approaching my bed, but I could totally see how someone could experience it in the gestalt of their era. So when demons and spirits are all the rage, someone experiences it as a demon trying to pin them to the bed, or a ghost haunting them. When aliens are the big cultural rage, people hallucinate aliens. For me, I am usually afterward able to break down the obvious clues things were a dream. Like the walls of my bedroom being missing and watching cars drive by. The layout of my room being my bedroom as a kid. Besides, of course, the fact there is _ **not** _ a rattlesnake curled around my neck ready to bite me at the slightest move, or some guy in black trying to knife me in my sleep. **aruvqan** said: > [@](#): > > there are private bars in some dry areas where you bring in your own bottles and the barkeeps keep it in little lockers, or stored between visits. I was skimming the thread, didn’t read the post you quoted, and was momentarily jarred because I connected this post with the one above yours about peeing. :eek: **furryman** said: > [@](#): > > I’m sure it happens but I always roll my eyes whenever I see some sitcom were the nerd is agonizing about who to take to the prom. It never even occurred to me that I could go to the prom. I didn’t exactly freak out, but I did worry a bit that year about who I could ask to prom. **AuntiePam** said: > [@](#): > > Why the screaming? Is it more attractive than moaning and groaning? Is it subliminal birth control? “Don’t get pregnant – it **hurts**!” It’s called “drama”. It either plays up better that the experience is dramatic and painful, or it’s played for comedic effect, where exaggeration is the heart of fun. Who needs reality, this is TV! **alphaboi867** said: > [@](#): > > Speaking of childbirth; has anyone ever actually heard of a woman in labour insisting on the wedding going forward in the delivery room so she doesn’t give birth out of wedlock? Has that ever happened in real life? I suspect this hasn’t been much of an issue for 30 years or so. Being illegitimate no longer has any meaning or social stigma. **eleanorigby** said: > [@](#): > > No one in a TV show has to pump gas or go to the drycleaners or the DMV. Mundane stupid errands are not shown. Characters get flat tires or their cars die, but there’s always a quick scene of the towtruck lights (if that) and then they’re magically at home, no problem! This is called “the rule of good TV”. Don’t show boring or irrelevant things, show the things that advance the story. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/319 "2009-09-04T16:29:17Z")
Straight men who are not transvestites dressing as women- and being hit on by men. Including men they know who don’t recognize them. (I have actually wondered if it’d be possible to put on a disguise using things from my house [i.e. no Hollywood latex costume guru stuff] good enough that it could fool my friends and family.) ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/320 "2009-09-04T17:34:15Z")
TV and movies are filled with disgruntled vets who lash out against society/become mercs/get into illegal work. Why in Miami alone, you probably couldn’t swing a dead cat without hitting an ex Special Forces operator or Navy SEAL who’s either running heroin or working as a contract killer. Yeah, I know a lot of vets have trouble reintegrating into society, but turning to a life of crime seems pretty far fetched. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161.md?page=17)