# What is extremely common in TV or movies but almost never happens in real life? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 6, 2021, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311 "2021-02-06T04:16:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 105
**Author:** ![abcdefghij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/43a26b/32.png) [@abcdefghij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abcdefghij)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2022, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2082 "2022-10-01T10:45:59Z")
> **[Lily Allen](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lily_Allen)** > > Lily Rose Beatrice Allen (born 2 May 1985) is an English singer-songwriter and actress. She is the daughter of actor Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen. Her music career began in 2005 when she made some of her vocal recordings public on Myspace and the publicity resulted in airplay on BBC Radio 1 and a contract with Regal Recordings. Her first mainstream single, "Smile", reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in July 2006. Her debut record, Alright, Still, was well received, In 2... > Her music career began in 2005 when she made some of her vocal recordings public on [Myspace](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myspace) and the publicity resulted in airplay on [BBC Radio 1](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_Radio_1) and a contract with [Regal Recordings](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regal_Recordings). ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2022, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2083 "2022-10-01T11:18:52Z")
I should have known that. I do love me some Lily Allen. ---
**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:** [October 1, 2022, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2084 "2022-10-01T12:28:41Z")
I’m pretty sure that Lily Allen and Justin Bieber aren’t the only ones to start their careers on YouTube; I’m pretty sure Shawn Mendes did as well, and there are probably others who were not musicians. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2022, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2085 "2022-10-01T14:20:58Z")
And Lana Turner really did get discovered by a casting agent who saw her sitting at a drugstore counter. But that’s a single real-life example up against how many film and TV examples of such a thing happening? The thread title is “_almost_ never happens.” ---
**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:** [October 1, 2022, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2086 "2022-10-01T14:22:34Z")
Yes, but @Asuka said “Who’s the only person to get lifetime fame from a viral video that wasn’t a sex tape?”, suggesting that this was some sort of unique occurence. ---
**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:** [October 1, 2022, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2087 "2022-10-01T15:59:47Z")
It appears to be happening more often without letting up. Of course fame does not equal wealth. ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2022, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2088 "2022-10-01T16:05:32Z")
I should have also put it “musicians” as an exception. Since the examples I’m thinking of someone is in a viral video and suddenly becomes a politician/major league athlete/CEO. ---
**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:** [October 1, 2022, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2089 "2022-10-01T16:11:24Z")
But even our examples are, what, half a dozen unknowns “discovered”? Out of the millions who are spending their time trying, just _sure_ fame’ll happen to _them…_ ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2022, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2090 "2022-10-01T18:01:19Z")
> [@Asuka](#): > > I feel “Person gets famous via a viral video and suddenly gets stardom/major career from it” happens way too often in fiction than in real life. Who’s the only person to get lifetime fame from a viral video that wasn’t a sex tape? Not a performer, but it’s similar to how [Andy Weir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Weir) launched his career as a professional writer. He had a website where he posted his comic Casey and Andy. He wrote a novel [The Martian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Martian_(Weir_novel)), which he made available as a fee download from his website. Readers suggested it should be put on Amazon. It became a big hit, and was adapted into a movie. ---
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2022, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2091 "2022-10-02T07:08:39Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > When someone is shot in the head or has other severe head trauma you never see decorticate posturing. Even if you have never seen it before you will automatically know it means something is really fucking wrong. Ugh, I’ve seen too much of this. Before I understood what was happening, it was, for lack of a better word, surreal. I wondered if people were posing bodies for some reason. You absolutely cannot un-see it. When I saw this photo today, I cringed. Brought all the memories right back. > Oops! I see you already posted that. Sorry! ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2022, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2092 "2022-10-02T09:04:59Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > " For Several Decades Quicksand Was the Most Dangerous Thing on TV and Movie Screens…and Exactly Nowhere Else" I am all agog to discover what Jesus has to do with quicksand! ---
**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2022, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2093 "2022-10-02T10:56:59Z")
Sheena Easton had a moderately successful music career as a result of being bigged up by a BBC documentary called _The Big Time_. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2022, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2094 "2022-10-02T12:17:38Z")
I don’t know that I’ve ever turned on the news and seen the authorities or anyone really pursuing someone on top of a moving train. ---
**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:** [October 2, 2022, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2095 "2022-10-02T14:34:33Z")
Maybe because those chases don’t last long. Just until that tunnel that the bad guy doesn’t see. ---
**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:** [October 2, 2022, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2096 "2022-10-02T15:28:32Z")
… And went on to be sniped on stage on _ **Miami Vice** _. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2022, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2097 "2022-10-02T21:28:36Z")
Has running at you despite being riddled with bullets been mentioned yet? For example, James Caan in _The Godfather_. I watched a behind-the-scenes show about the movie, and someone was saying that Coppola was told by an expert on the set that there was no way Sonny or anyone else riddled with that many bullets could possibly run at anyone. The guy said Coppola listened carefully to the expert and then said that well, he wanted it to happen that way. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2022, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2098 "2022-10-03T15:11:02Z")
People breaking their leg and lying in traction in a hospital bed. I’ve known many people who have broken their legs and never heard of one requiring traction. ---
**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:** [October 4, 2022, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2099 "2022-10-04T01:29:35Z")
Isn’t traction only needed for a broken femur? ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2022, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2100 "2022-10-04T03:10:28Z")
People have mentioned serial killers but not a trope that’s especially annoying. In a police show, a serial killer who murders about once every three years will have drawn attention by a new murder. And then, for their convenience he - it’s almost always a he - will kill again three days later so he can get caught in the act. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2022, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2101 "2022-10-04T11:29:24Z")
That’s what I thought as well but when my daughter broke hers no traction there either. Seen it lots of time on tv (especially cartoons) but never in life. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311.md?page=104) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311.md?page=106)