# 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:** 167
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2024, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3322 "2024-02-27T11:02:33Z")
Attempted murder by cutting brake lines. Has anyone anywhere ever been murdered by having their brakes sabotaged? I imagine some folks have died via faulty brakes, but I have a hard time seeing a successful murder this way. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2024, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3323 "2024-02-27T12:06:42Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > Or by having a piano or safe dropped on me. As far as you know. Dun dun duuuun! ---
**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:** [February 27, 2024, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3324 "2024-02-27T12:13:14Z")
Opus: Why are we pulling back for a Long Shot? ---
**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:** [February 27, 2024, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3325 "2024-02-27T16:56:53Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Attempted murder by cutting brake lines. Has anyone anywhere ever been murdered by having their brakes sabotaged? I imagine some folks have died via faulty brakes, but I have a hard time seeing a successful murder this way. Certainly not a foolproof murder plot. It’s more likely to result in a fender bender than a death. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2024, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3326 "2024-02-28T00:16:27Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > As for some posts earlier about people smashing wedding cake in each others’ faces, YouTuber Penguinz0 (that’s a zero on the end) did a video about this recently. It does contain profanity. TL : DW - he’d never seen it either, nor known of anyone personally who did it themselves. One of my cousins had wedding cake smooshed in her face by the groom at her wedding. The marriage was over less than a year later. ---
**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 28, 2024, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3327 "2024-02-28T01:31:34Z")
Weddings are a sinful waste of time and money. Caterers, florists, dressmakers, et al. make a fortune fleecing the happy bride’s parents. If you’ve never seen this movie, I highly recommend it. > **[The Catered Affair](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Catered_Affair)** > > The Catered Affair (also known as Wedding Party) is a 1956 American comedy drama film directed by Richard Brooks and produced by Sam Zimbalist from a screenplay by Gore Vidal, based on a 1955 television play by Paddy Chayefsky. The film stars Bette Davis, Ernest Borgnine, Debbie Reynolds, Barry Fitzgerald and Rod Taylor. It was Taylor's first film for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer after signing a long-term contract with the studio. The film score was by André Previn and the cinematographer was John Alto Ag... Marriage is **EVIL** anyway! 😡 ---
**Author:** ![BrickBat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@BrickBat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrickBat)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2024, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3328 "2024-02-28T01:43:02Z")
I second that recommendation. Great film. ---
**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:** [February 28, 2024, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3329 "2024-02-28T16:23:40Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Certainly not a foolproof murder plot. It’s more likely to result in a fender bender than a death. Especially since modern autos have _two_ brake systems, front and rear and a light on the dash to indicate one of them is not doing its job. The killer would have to, but rarely, make two cuts. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2024, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3330 "2024-02-28T20:56:49Z")
I also give _The Catered Affair_ thumbs up. Great performances. ---
**Author:** ![Wallaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/dc4da7/32.png) [@Wallaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallaby)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2024, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3331 "2024-02-28T23:32:03Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > In a Western where the leader of the outlaw gang says “All right, boys, you know what to do,” just once I’d like to hear them answer “Uhh … no. We don’t know what to do” and then start arguing about what they’re supposed to do. Mitchell and Webb handled this. > **[Mitchell & Webb - Needlessly ambiguous terms](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6cake3bwnY%2F)** > > Sketch from BBC's "That Mitchell and Webb Look", S01E02 (2006) ---
**Author:** ![abcdefghij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/43a26b/32.png) [@abcdefghij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abcdefghij)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2024, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3332 "2024-02-28T23:45:33Z")
“i.e. deliberately killed to death” ---
**Author:** ![stui\_magpie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stui_magpie/32/11010_2.png) [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2024, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3333 "2024-02-29T00:02:03Z")
> [@salinqmind1](#): > > People who close their eyes and just expire. Like they’re taking a nap - a looooong nap. This is exactly what happened to my Grandmother. She was in hospital having broken her hip in a fall. 97 but completely coherent. The nurse bought her a tray of sandwiches and a cup of tea for lunch, she said thank you, I think I’ll have a nap after this. The nurse came back later to collect the plate, sandwiches and tea were gone and Nan was dead. Lying back peacefully just like she was asleep. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2024, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3334 "2024-02-29T00:37:23Z")
We should all go that way. ---
**Author:** ![Jay\_Z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Jay\_Z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jay_Z)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2024, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3335 "2024-02-29T00:43:05Z")
Hopefully not while behind the wheel. ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2024, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3336 "2024-02-29T00:50:09Z")
[![](https://quotecatalog.imgix.net/assets/quote-picture-K3ne2JgVvh8NeDE7z4bjl5NV/Orange-JackHandey.jpg?h=600) ](https://quotecatalog.imgix.net/assets/quote-picture-K3ne2JgVvh8NeDE7z4bjl5NV/Orange-JackHandey.jpg?h=600) ---
**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 29, 2024, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3337 "2024-02-29T00:59:38Z")
Or… \*\* [Colonel Ticonderoga](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0341431/?ref_=ttqu_qu): You missed! How could you miss?\* \*\* [Jud](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0539095/?ref_=ttqu_qu): Even with these sights we have a target a hundred yards away, maybe more, we’ve never fired these weapons before, there’s a definite wind factor, AND we have a problem with the sun!\* \*\* [Colonel Ticonderoga](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0341431/?ref_=ttqu_qu): Just shoot, okay?\* ---
**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 29, 2024, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3338 "2024-02-29T01:41:46Z")
Seems like Mannix had that happen so often, that he would have checked his brakes every time he’s at the top of a winding mountain road. ---
**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 29, 2024, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3339 "2024-02-29T01:43:52Z")
> **[Popeye: Oh, my garshk! He'll be killed to death!](https://www.quotes.net/mquote/828253)** > > A great memorable quote from the Popeye the Sailor movie on Quotes.net - Popeye: Oh, my garshk! He'll be killed to death! Actually spoken by Olive Oyl in regard to Swee’ Pea: **OLIVE:** Oh, help, Popeye! Stop him, he’ll be killed to death! **POPEYE:** I’ll save ya for him, Olive! I’d post the actual cartoon, but I don’t have time to search for it right now. ---
**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 29, 2024, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3340 "2024-02-29T01:51:38Z")
Not quite what I have in mind, but funny nevertheless! 😆 ---
**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:** [February 29, 2024, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3341 "2024-02-29T02:01:48Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Opus: Why are we pulling back for a Long Shot? also Opus: _Na naaa na nana!!!_ [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=166) [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=168)