# Things you see in TV commercials that never happen in the real world **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** commercials-ads\ **Created:** [February 18, 2020, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-see-in-tv-commercials-that-never-happen-in-the-real-world/848112 "2020-02-18T15:22:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![tricoteuse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tricoteuse/32/4334_2.png) [@tricoteuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tricoteuse)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-see-in-tv-commercials-that-never-happen-in-the-real-world/848112/81 "2020-02-19T14:51:28Z")
Kids riding bikes or skateboards are always wearing helmets and the right kinds of padding. ---
**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:** [February 19, 2020, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-see-in-tv-commercials-that-never-happen-in-the-real-world/848112/82 "2020-02-19T16:09:38Z")
Happy people on commercial airliners. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-see-in-tv-commercials-that-never-happen-in-the-real-world/848112/83 "2020-02-19T16:12:53Z")
A little person rewarding people with a diet Dr Pepper for such mundane tasks as replacing a thermostat or painting the living room. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-see-in-tv-commercials-that-never-happen-in-the-real-world/848112/84 "2020-02-19T16:23:26Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > When a married couple is discussing anything, the husband is always the one who is wrong. Always. > > Start looking for it if you don’t believe me. Lightning burnt down the che-chier she shed, nobody burned it down. It is the insurance guy, not a hideous woman. Just two commercials straight off the top of my head where the husband is right. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-see-in-tv-commercials-that-never-happen-in-the-real-world/848112/85 "2020-02-19T16:44:43Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > Lightning burnt down the che-chier she shed, nobody burned it down. It’s obviously arson, and would an insurance guy guarantee covering it before he gets a report from an investigator? ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-see-in-tv-commercials-that-never-happen-in-the-real-world/848112/86 "2020-02-19T16:55:24Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > It’s obviously arson, and would an insurance guy guarantee covering it before he gets a report from an investigator? Like an insurance company is gonna be that wrong. Just because you’re glad to see it burn doesn’t mean it’s arson. ---
**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:** [February 19, 2020, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-see-in-tv-commercials-that-never-happen-in-the-real-world/848112/87 "2020-02-19T16:59:16Z")
As I mentioned in another thread, Cheryl’s comment that “it finally happened” strongly suggests that there have been threats and/or attempts to burn down her she-shed in the past. Definitely arson. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-see-in-tv-commercials-that-never-happen-in-the-real-world/848112/88 "2020-02-19T17:05:47Z")
I do not get this insistence that it was arson. It’s an insurance commercial and insurance companies can tell the difference between arson and a lightning strike. It’s not meant to be arson. Nobody liked her shed as evidenced by her ‘it finally happened’, implying that nobody liked it. But, like I said, just because someone wanted to see it burn doesn’t mean it was arson. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-see-in-tv-commercials-that-never-happen-in-the-real-world/848112/89 "2020-02-19T17:25:18Z")
The last car we bought was at Carmax and yes, we did pose for a picture before driving off that included a big yellow bow (that was not part of the purchase). A bag of groceries will always have carrot greens and/or celery sticking out the top. A perfect blend of racial, ethnic, gender attendees at a football party. Dirty, sweaty roughneck construction dudes driving a top-of-the-line Silverado or F-350 or Ram pickup towing a massive trailer with electrical equipment or cinder blocks. As if the typical blue-collar worker can afford an $80K truck. Also, the way they dump gravel in the back of said top-of-the-line pickup. Dogs eating from an overflowing bowl of dog food. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-see-in-tv-commercials-that-never-happen-in-the-real-world/848112/90 "2020-02-19T17:25:44Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > I do not get this insistence that it was arson. It’s an insurance commercial and insurance companies can tell the difference between arson and a lightning strike. It’s not meant to be arson. Nobody liked her shed as evidenced by her ‘it finally happened’, implying that nobody liked it. But, like I said, just because someone wanted to see it burn doesn’t mean it was arson. Then explain the 60 foot steel pole in the background. Made you look! 😃 ---
**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:** [February 19, 2020, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-see-in-tv-commercials-that-never-happen-in-the-real-world/848112/91 "2020-02-19T17:31:15Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > A bag of groceries will always have carrot greens and/or celery sticking out the top. … And a loaf of French bread. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-see-in-tv-commercials-that-never-happen-in-the-real-world/848112/92 "2020-02-19T17:41:12Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > A bag of groceries will always have carrot greens and/or celery sticking out the top. [Like this?](https://www.lileks.com/institute/frahm/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-see-in-tv-commercials-that-never-happen-in-the-real-world/848112/93 "2020-02-19T17:44:02Z")
Things you see in TV commercials that never happen in the real world: People suddenly confronted with a total stranger unexpectedly in their kitchens or even bedrooms or bathrooms, who react with interest in the product instead of by screaming and/or running and/or calling the cops and/or attacking said intruder with whatever comes to hand. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-see-in-tv-commercials-that-never-happen-in-the-real-world/848112/94 "2020-02-19T17:52:18Z")
Or even saying ‘who the hell are you? Get out of my bathroom!’ ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-see-in-tv-commercials-that-never-happen-in-the-real-world/848112/95 "2020-02-19T18:01:50Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > Dirty, sweaty roughneck construction dudes driving a top-of-the-line Silverado or F-350 or Ram pickup towing a massive trailer with electrical equipment or cinder blocks. As if the typical blue-collar worker can afford an $80K truck. Also, the way they dump gravel in the back of said top-of-the-line pickup. And they just haphazardly dump a load of cinder blocks from a front end loader into the bed. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-see-in-tv-commercials-that-never-happen-in-the-real-world/848112/96 "2020-02-19T18:05:22Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Things you see in TV commercials that never happen in the real world: > > People suddenly confronted with a total stranger unexpectedly in their kitchens or even bedrooms or bathrooms, who react with interest in the product instead of by screaming and/or running and/or calling the cops and/or attacking said intruder with whatever comes to hand. > [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Or even saying ‘who the hell are you? Get out of my bathroom!’ Opening the medicine cabinet and the guy who made your pillow is inside. And you _don’t_ freak out. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-see-in-tv-commercials-that-never-happen-in-the-real-world/848112/97 "2020-02-19T18:44:55Z")
Do they still goop on the toothpaste so that it starts to _double back over_? Rollercoasters barrelling through small mountains of shaving cream. Eggo fight! If I see one more old woody tennis racquet… ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-see-in-tv-commercials-that-never-happen-in-the-real-world/848112/98 "2020-02-19T19:20:56Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Why not market the Corolla to the people who want a sensible, practical car? THEY will buy it; the Fast&FuriousTokyoDrifters won’t, no matter how many fast cuts with a driving bass you throw at them. It kind of makes sense to me. The people who want sensible, practical cars are no doubt _already_ buying Corollas. They’re trying to expand their appeal beyond that group. And I don’t see it much with Corollas, but believe it or not at least here in California it’s not uncommon to see the “Fast&FuriousTokyoDrifter” types driving modified Camrys. [Like these, for example](http://toyotacamrytuning.blogspot.com/2016/03/toyota-camry-tuning-modified-toyota.html). ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-see-in-tv-commercials-that-never-happen-in-the-real-world/848112/99 "2020-02-19T20:01:09Z")
You will never see Shaquille O’Neal or Snoop Dogg driving around in a car with a short bald general with a Yosemite Sam mustache. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-see-in-tv-commercials-that-never-happen-in-the-real-world/848112/100 "2020-02-19T20:29:54Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > The last car we bought was at Carmax and yes, we did pose for a picture before driving off that included a big yellow bow (that was not part of the purchase). We weren’t saying we didn’t believe anyone could put a bow on a car, it was the fact that someone bought their spouse a car (or in one ad, his and her trucks) without a discussion beforehand. In the commercials, it’s always a surprise, and a delighted one at that. (“Yay, we can put off all our vacations and the kids’ orthodontia while we pay off this car!”) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-see-in-tv-commercials-that-never-happen-in-the-real-world/848112.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-see-in-tv-commercials-that-never-happen-in-the-real-world/848112.md?page=6)