# 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:** 128
**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 27, 2023, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2542 "2023-02-27T15:50:56Z")
> [@Tibby](#): > > I think clever, snappy _dialogue_ in general is something rarely seen in real life. People can’t really construct witty retorts quickly and constantly the way fictional characters do. I remember one actor on a talk show saying "Good question. And I’m sure [my well-known character] would have a clever reply. But that’s because _he has writers coming up with that stuff for him._ People meet me and they expect witty repartée, but _that’s not me!"_ ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2023, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2543 "2023-02-27T16:36:32Z")
> [@digs](#): > > I remember one actor on a talk show saying "Good question. And I’m sure [my well-known character] would have a clever reply. But that’s because _he has writers coming up with that stuff for him._ > People meet me and they expect witty repartée, but _that’s not me!"_ IIRC, Michael J Fox once said he got lots of excited questions about time-travel, and he’d apologetically reply, _look, I’m just an actor; they pay me to stand next to things and say stuff…_ ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2023, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2544 "2023-02-27T16:43:56Z")
> [@Tibby](#): > > I think clever, snappy _dialogue_ in general is something rarely seen in real life. Not too long ago, my brother and I were fixing something in the basement when mom came down and asked what we were doing. In unrehearsed unison, we said, “_making trouble_.” It was almost creepy. ---
**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:** [February 27, 2023, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2545 "2023-02-27T17:49:20Z")
AAAHHH!! [How about a trigger warning next time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-strange-mustard/710142/22) ---
**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 27, 2023, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2546 "2023-02-27T19:16:11Z")
But when it happens it’s pure magic! It helps if you have a store of snappy lines saved up for when the opportunity presents itself. For example: **A:** I have to write an obituary for this guy. 😧 **B:** How about “He was a fine gentleman, a great scholar, and a wonderful human being”? **A:** Have you ever seen _ **Snatch** _? (The movie.) **B:** Many times, many times… (Not the movie.) **A:** Would you like to pet my pussy? **B:** Move the cat and I will! All of which I’ve used at one time or another. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2023, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2547 "2023-02-27T19:54:50Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > All of which I’ve used at one time or another But, have you had a chance to use “_I am afraid I will be unable to attend the funeral, but I would like to say that I approve of it_.” ---
**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 27, 2023, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2548 "2023-02-27T20:09:31Z")
That’s a good one! If invited to a wedding, I say “Sorry, I don’t do either weddings or funerals.” Did you know, BTW, that Lucille Ball normally refused to attend funerals? If she did, it was a sign of high respect for the deceased. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2023, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2549 "2023-03-03T21:46:19Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Now talk about shock tube 😂 Kind of off topic for the thread but here goes (former demo range instructor hat on). Shock tube is a plastic **hollow** tube with high explosive material deposited on the interior wall. HMX [HMX - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMX) is commonly used. It can replace detonating cord (plastic tube with **solid explosive core** usually PETN [Pentaerythritol tetranitrate - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentaerythritol_tetranitrate)) in many applications. Det cord and shock tube both transfer an explosive shock wave from a firing device to an explosive charge over a distance. The shock tube is considerably smaller in diameter (3mm and 2mm minitube) by about half and hollow. It’s much lighter and more flexible than the det cord. One area were shock tube does not replace det cord is in demolition ground work where substantial earth cover is required over the explosives to be destroyed. A shock tube assembly (see below) has a detonator at its terminus. Detonators are sensitive somewhat to shock and are never buried for safety reasons. (Earth cover thrown on may contain rocks, in case of a misfire you don’t want to go digging for detonators). Typically the explosive donor charge (molded C4 plastic explosive or TNT blocks) has the det cord embedded in or wound/knotted around the charge with a sufficient length (loop) to extend out from the pit/earth cover to allow attachment of a detonator visibly above ground. In case of a misfire, a new detonator(s) is/are attached to the det cord and initiation is tried again. A shock tube **assembly** (initiator at one end and detonator at the other) is used to replace electric blasting circuits in areas with electric fields or electromagnetic transmissions could induce currents in the firing wire prematurely detonating the system. Film blurb from Ensign-Bickford [Shock Tube Assembly (STA) - Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense](https://www.ebad.com/shock-tube-assembly-sta/) is a good rundown. Thank you for your attention, take a smoke/snack break. ---
**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:** [March 3, 2023, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2550 "2023-03-03T21:56:47Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > On beaches in the Caribbean, French people often come with a banquette sticking out of their beach bag. Very subliminal. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2023, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2551 "2023-03-11T17:28:39Z")
I know, right? M_A_S\*H alone provided a lifetime of snappy comebacks: A: Now, will you walk this way? B: If I could walk _that_ way, I wouldn’t need the talcum powder. ---
**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:** [March 11, 2023, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2552 "2023-03-11T17:36:07Z")
My favorite line from _ **MASH** _ is the one spoken at the memorial for the man who never was: “You might say we _made up_ Tuttle.” ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2023, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2553 "2023-03-11T17:38:30Z")
That is a funny line, but I was referencing mine as a snappy comeback. Another example, for when anytime someone gives a convoluted and unlikely explanation for something: " **Meanwhile, Aunt Martha, having taken a tromp through the woods, is lying in a ditch at the edge of town."** Or: A: “Who’s Walter?” B: “It’s my given name.” A: “Give it back.” ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2023, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2554 "2023-03-16T18:40:30Z")
> [@CaptMurdock](#): > > M_A_S\*H alone provided a lifetime of snappy comebacks: > > A: Now, will you walk this way? > B: If I could walk _that_ way, I wouldn’t need the talcum powder. A Groucho line, originally, I believe. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2023, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2555 "2023-03-26T19:22:16Z")
The destination shown on a bus is always exactly where the protagonist needs to go. ---
**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:** [March 26, 2023, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2556 "2023-03-26T23:56:19Z")
Well, of course. Why else would he/she get on it? **DUH!** 🥺 ---
**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:** [March 27, 2023, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2557 "2023-03-27T01:55:03Z")
The bus does stop at other locations too. Not everyone goes to the end of the line. But it does seem like it’s always the end of the line for the protagonist. ---
**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:** [March 29, 2023, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2558 "2023-03-29T17:06:00Z")
I thought someone already mentioned this, but I can’t seem to find it… Whenever characters have to fly somewhere, there’s always a nonstop flight available, no matter how big or small a city they’re traveling to or from. Usually, I just tell myself that they connected somewhere but they just didn’t show us that part. But I just started watching the latest season of Ted Lasso last night. When Ted sent his son back home (from London Heathrow) you actually hear a PA announcement “Flight 1234 to Kansas City is now boarding”. Which made me say “Come on, Kansas City doesn’t have nonstop flights to Europe!” Although not something “extremely common in TV shows”, another thing that bothered me was when Ted looked at his phone to check the status of his son’s flight, it shows the the correct IATA code for Heathrow, LHR, but for Kansas City it shows KCI, which is wrong. Kansas City’s IATA code is **M** CI. Airport codes in the US aren’t supposed to start with K, because radio stations use K for their call letters. ---
**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:** [March 29, 2023, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2559 "2023-03-29T17:08:43Z")
I did laugh at the improbability of a direct London-to-Kansas City flight. But some of this is like how people can always find a parking spot directly in front of the place they’re visiting, even if that’s in midtown Manhattan. The show isn’t going to waste time showing people hunting for parking or walking blocks to the place they need to be. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2023, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2560 "2023-03-29T17:19:46Z")
They poked some fun at this in the “Simpsons” episode where Manjula travels from India to marry Apu: “Which Bombay-to-Springfield flight is she on: the 10:00, the 10:15, or the 10:30?” ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2023, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2561 "2023-03-29T19:14:49Z")
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