# 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:** 26
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/503 "2009-09-15T23:17:13Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Regarding the Brady house, do we know that he built the house after marrying Carol? Perhaps he already had it and had Greg in one room with Peter and Bobby in the other room, and then had to put all three in one room once Carol and the girls arrived. That’s exactly what happened. So, not only did they have to figure out where to put the three girls, they had to find a place for Alice. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/504 "2009-09-15T23:35:55Z")
> [@5-4-Fighting](#): > > So, not only did they have to figure out where to put the three girls, they had to find a place for Alice. Alice? Who the fuck is Alice? [size=1]Sorry, this has been stuck in my head all day for some reason. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/505 "2009-09-15T23:50:06Z")
She was the maid. Did she live with them before Mrs. Brady and her daughters moved in? ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/506 "2009-09-15T23:57:09Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > She was the maid. > > Did she live with them before Mrs. Brady and her daughters moved in? Yes. Alice was Mr. Brady’s maid. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/507 "2009-09-15T23:58:36Z")
But was she always a live-in maid? ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2009, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/508 "2009-09-16T00:00:39Z")
I think so. She moved in when the first Mrs. Brady died to help him with the boys. In the very first episode, she’s at their house, while Carol and the girls live with her parents. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2009, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/509 "2009-09-16T00:06:56Z")
> [@5-4-Fighting](#): > > That’s exactly what happened. > > So, not only did they have to figure out where to put the three girls, they had to find a place for Alice. This suggests from the process of elimination that Alice was previously either bunking with Mr. Brady, Greg, or Peter and Bobby. Or was rotating amongst them. Bow-chicka-bow-wow. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2009, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/510 "2009-09-16T00:08:33Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > This suggests from the process of elimination that Alice was previously either bunking with Mr. Brady, Greg, or Peter and Bobby. > > Or was rotating amongst them. Bow-chicka-bow-wow. I notice you left out Tiger. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2009, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/511 "2009-09-16T00:09:59Z")
That’s sick. I love it. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2009, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/512 "2009-09-16T00:11:29Z")
I thought that Alice had a room next to the kitchen (opposite the family room). ---
**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:** [September 16, 2009, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/513 "2009-09-16T01:15:53Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > She was the maid. [Whoosh](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsrfovOPcjk). ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2009, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/514 "2009-09-16T06:05:43Z")
> [@Larry\_Mudd](#): > > Alice? Who the fuck is Alice? > > [size=1]Sorry, this has been stuck in my head all day for some reason. OK, now you have me ticked off…yes…where did I just see that bit? Was it in a recent film? (Damn, getting old sucks…I just saw this…) ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2009, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/515 "2009-09-16T06:49:20Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > OK, now you have me ticked off…yes…where did I just see that bit? Was it in a recent film? (Damn, getting old sucks…I just saw this…) It’s a popular addendum to the chorus from the song _Living Next Door To Alice_… ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2009, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/516 "2009-09-16T08:07:38Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > It’s a popular addendum to the chorus from the song _Living Next Door To Alice_… Yes, but I had never heard this “porn” version..and obviously not on regular American television…it has to have been in a recent film, or cable network show? Damn…it must have been in a recent movie…where did I just hear this?! Help! ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2009, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/517 "2009-09-16T08:24:09Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > Yes, but I had never heard this “porn” version..and obviously not on regular American television…it has to have been in a recent film, or cable network show? Damn…it must have been in a recent movie…where did I just hear this?! Help! “Porn” version? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2009, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/518 "2009-09-16T08:44:37Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > “Porn” version? :dubious: Who “the fuck” is Alice? Trust me, I didn’t just hear this on Jay Leno’s new show. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2009, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/519 "2009-09-16T09:38:57Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > Who “the fuck” is Alice? Trust me, I didn’t just hear this on Jay Leno’s new show. I know which version you were referring to. I was just giving you the Raised Eyebrow Of Dubiousness over your choice of words in describing it. ---
**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 16, 2009, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/520 "2009-09-16T13:43:03Z")
People have “Very Special Friends” who only show up once to have a crisis and then fade back into the woodwork. I can understand that if they die, but if a VSF is alive, they could show up once in a while. ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2009, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/521 "2009-09-16T15:03:44Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > OK, now you have me ticked off…yes…where did I just see that bit? Was it in a recent film? (Damn, getting old sucks…I just saw this…) I think Ed says it in Shaun of the Dead, but I could be mistaken. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2009, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/522 "2009-09-16T15:40:28Z")
Don’t if this has been said yet or not (I’m only on page 3): Software that doesnt require loading or processing time. Everytime somebody’s typing away or clicking on a computer, the information instantly pops up. There’s no loading time or waiting for the software to load, its like all of the windows are just layered on top of each other. And for some reason, nobody’s computer has a screen saver even though they’re always on People spontaneously bursting into song. This always happens in cartoons or musicals, but has happened to me exactly once in real life, ironically when discussing this very subject. I was working at Activision at the time and one of the guys there was trying to get into acting. He said that musical theater students do this all the time, and so somehow we got to talking about South Park and started singing the M’kay song from the movie [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=25) [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=27)