# What is extremely common in real life but almost never happens on TV or movies? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [January 20, 2025, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-real-life-but-almost-never-happens-on-tv-or-movies/1013143 "2025-01-20T00:56:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-real-life-but-almost-never-happens-on-tv-or-movies/1013143/41 "2025-01-21T16:40:46Z")
True. I’ve known and lived with quite a few myself. But I’ve worked with lots of LEOs (in the US) and they go out of their way to get clean and stay clean, especially the investigators. I can’t imagine them working a murder for 12 hours, going home to drink and have sex, and then bouncing up to pull on the same clothes for another 12 hour day. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-real-life-but-almost-never-happens-on-tv-or-movies/1013143/42 "2025-01-21T16:41:11Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > wash jeans only every 10 wears unless they are visibly dirty or smell. “Jeans are to be considered clean until proven dirty.” Or so a college acquaintance one said. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-real-life-but-almost-never-happens-on-tv-or-movies/1013143/43 "2025-01-21T18:45:45Z")
The suspect in a case takes a plea or is found not guilty and the cop involved doesn’t care because it’s just a job and he doesn’t take things personally. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-real-life-but-almost-never-happens-on-tv-or-movies/1013143/44 "2025-01-21T18:53:45Z")
Cases going completely cold and are left without resolution forever. ---
**Author:** ![iamatractorboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iamatractorboy/32/21261_2.png) [@iamatractorboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamatractorboy)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-real-life-but-almost-never-happens-on-tv-or-movies/1013143/45 "2025-01-21T19:06:05Z")
Most people are average in looks. ---
**Author:** ![Wallaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/dc4da7/32.png) [@Wallaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallaby)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-real-life-but-almost-never-happens-on-tv-or-movies/1013143/46 "2025-01-21T19:46:03Z")
In relation to people in TV/Movies always speaking perfectly, never ‘umming’ or ‘aaahing’, never stuttering etc - they are also never clumsy or awkward. They never drop things, bump into the couch, do the ‘I go left, you go left, I go right, you go right’ dance in the street, or spill things. If they DO make a clumsy mistaake - ie dropping something, it will be pertinent to the plot (eg - the cop bends down to pick up his keys and sees under the couch…). ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-real-life-but-almost-never-happens-on-tv-or-movies/1013143/47 "2025-01-21T19:55:55Z")
And half of them are well below average. ---
**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:** [January 21, 2025, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-real-life-but-almost-never-happens-on-tv-or-movies/1013143/48 "2025-01-21T20:11:02Z")
> [@Tripler](#): > > But texting doesn’t develop dialog to move the plot along! 😁 I often see how I’d improve a scene if I were directing, but maybe I should flip that around sometimes (like this thread!) and think like a BAD director. In the case of “Texting as Dialog”, I’d have someone read the texts… including their own: > [@Monologue from bad TV episode](#): > > “Oh, it’s a text from Mitch. He’s wondering if we know about the party…” > [Dictates to friend - and audience - as he texts back] “Do you mean… the surprise… party for Charlene… no, not Charlie, Charlene! _sigh_ It always does this, just a second… C-h-a-r-l-e-n-e.” > [pause] > “Oh, he says it’s really an engagement party! But wait a minute, didn’t she and Raphael break up?” > [pause] > “Y’know, if I text that, it’ll take three tries to not be asking about someone named Ralph. I’m just going to say we can’t come…” ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-real-life-but-almost-never-happens-on-tv-or-movies/1013143/49 "2025-01-23T17:23:42Z")
> [@Nars\_Glinley](#): > > Going to the bathroom occasionally happens but is orders of magnitude shown less on the big or small screen. That’s probably a good thing. When _24_ was popular folks would ask the creators why nobody seemed to use the bathroom. Their answer was, “They go the same time you do – during the commercial breaks.” ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-real-life-but-almost-never-happens-on-tv-or-movies/1013143/50 "2025-01-23T18:12:01Z")
Very clever. ha ha. When I’m watching TV I sure don’t go to the bathroom during commercial breaks. Commercial breaks are met with ⏩ [fast forward]. I go whenever I want … right after pushing ⏸ [pause]. The cast might be able to pee while the cameras are paused, but the characters are stuck there standing in odd poses with rigid expressions until I return. Sucks to be them. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-real-life-but-almost-never-happens-on-tv-or-movies/1013143/51 "2025-01-23T18:24:30Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > > [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > > > > [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > > > > > no one ever takes a pee first thing in the morning, like everybody in real life does. > > > > Jim Carrey’s character did in _Me, Myself & Irene_; but you’re right that it’s rare. > > Will Smith’s character did so in _Independence Day_ as well. So did Jessica Lange in the 1995 film **Rob Roy** , but some people might not have realized, because she didn’t hike up her skirt or anything – she just walked out a nit into the nearby lake and squatted. The only time I can recall a woman peeing first thing in the morning in a movie. A simple, common, and natural thing in its day, but a little les obvious today ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-real-life-but-almost-never-happens-on-tv-or-movies/1013143/52 "2025-01-23T20:48:08Z")
> [@Wallaby](#): > > In relation to people in TV/Movies always speaking perfectly, never ‘umming’ or ‘aaahing’, never stuttering etc - they are also never clumsy or awkward. > > They never drop things, bump into the couch, do the ‘I go left, you go left, I go right, you go right’ dance in the street, or spill things. > > If they DO make a clumsy mistaake - ie dropping something, it will be pertinent to the plot (eg - the cop bends _emphasized text_down to pick up his keys and sees under the couch…). I think an exception is _The Bear._ The dialogue patterns seem more natural. Maybe not the actual dialogue. > [@digs](#): > > > [@Tripler](#): > > > > But texting doesn’t develop dialog to move the plot along! 😁 > > I often see how I’d improve a scene if I were directing, but maybe I should flip that around sometimes (like this thread!) and think like a BAD director. > > In the case of “Texting as Dialog”, I’d have someone read the texts… including their own: > > > [@Monologue from bad TV episode](#): > > > > “Oh, it’s a text from Mitch. He’s wondering if we know about the party…” > > [Dictates to friend - and audience - as he texts back] “Do you mean… the surprise… party for Charlene… no, not Charlie, Charlene! _sigh_ It always does this, just a second… C-h-a-r-l-e-n-e.” > > [pause] > > “Oh, he says it’s really an engagement party! But wait a minute, didn’t she and Raphael break up?” > > [pause] > > “Y’know, if I text that, it’ll take three tries to not be asking about someone named Ralph. I’m just going to say we can’t come…” _Sherlock_ attempted to incorporate texting into the show to varying degrees of effectiveness depending on the episode. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-real-life-but-almost-never-happens-on-tv-or-movies/1013143/53 "2025-01-23T21:32:13Z")
> [@ZonexandScout](#): > > Forget taking a pee in the morning. What about bathing or showering? Reminds me of a great little bit of dialog from the _West Wing:_ > LEO: Sam, go home, would you? > > SAM: No, I’m just going to change my shirt. > > LEO: You look bad. You’re tired, you slept in the office. It’s Friday - go home. > > SAM: Why? > > LEO: 'Cause I think you’re putting too much faith in the magical powers of a new > shirt. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-real-life-but-almost-never-happens-on-tv-or-movies/1013143/54 "2025-01-23T22:38:50Z")
(1) Taking your Vitamin D tablets at breakfast. (2) At lunch, stare at the bottle of Vitamin D tablets and think, “FFS, did I remember this morning….?” (3) Take Vitamin D tablets. j ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2025, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-real-life-but-almost-never-happens-on-tv-or-movies/1013143/55 "2025-01-24T19:21:37Z")
There is a solution for this: a pill box with compartments for each day of the week. So you fill the compartments for the whole week and empty one each day. Cheaply available at Walmart drug department,etc. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2025, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-real-life-but-almost-never-happens-on-tv-or-movies/1013143/56 "2025-01-24T19:24:49Z")
Yep, eventually had to do this with my levothyroxine. I still have experiences like this week, though. I can see you in your little compartment, Wednesday. Yes, I totally forgot about you. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2025, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-real-life-but-almost-never-happens-on-tv-or-movies/1013143/57 "2025-01-24T19:27:53Z")
Yes, the boxes don’t help me when I forget to take Wednesday’s pills. But they do keep me from taking them twice. Now if I can figure out a way to keep track of Trulicity… ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2025, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-real-life-but-almost-never-happens-on-tv-or-movies/1013143/58 "2025-01-24T20:06:59Z")
(At risk of prolonging the hijack: the irony is, yeah, I know - thirty odd years in the pharma industry. I regularly lecture my elderly neighbor about using a Dosette box, but then I forget that I’m old myself… 😉 ) j ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2025, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-real-life-but-almost-never-happens-on-tv-or-movies/1013143/59 "2025-01-24T20:41:39Z")
People not talking and sitting around looking at their phones. Not even getting up to speak, just texting each other privatly. Doesn’t make for exciting movie. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-real-life-but-almost-never-happens-on-tv-or-movies/1013143/60 "2025-01-25T00:22:01Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > And half of them are well below average. Sdmb nitpick: The " **well below average** “ part is factually wrong. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-real-life-but-almost-never-happens-on-tv-or-movies/1013143.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-real-life-but-almost-never-happens-on-tv-or-movies/1013143.md?page=4)