# 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:** 183
**Author:** ![Deanna\_D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e495f1/32.png) [@Deanna\_D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deanna_D)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2024, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3647 "2024-05-14T00:44:13Z")
There are always local businesses who will cut a local celebrity a break on something, probably thinking that they will get some free PR out of it, with the DJ raving about how great the place is on their next show. In reality, that would violate a lot of rules in the radio biz. The local business would have to compensate the radio station for their air time, not give the DJ a free $10 admission. So, no. But that never stopped some of the larger egos from trying to cash in. ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2024, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3648 "2024-05-14T01:16:23Z")
Iirc it doesn’t prevent them from BASHING the place though, so it becomes a sort of “protection” payment even if they can’t legally get a positive ad for it. ---
**Author:** ![Deanna\_D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e495f1/32.png) [@Deanna\_D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deanna_D)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2024, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3649 "2024-05-14T01:27:20Z")
Also frowned upon by radio management, and a great way to discover new career opportunities. 😆 ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2024, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3650 "2024-05-14T01:40:34Z")
On a related note, my second favorite story in Rush singer/bassist Geddy Lee’s recent autobiography was the one where they hired a photographer who was openly gay, and at some time in the late 1980s, they were on tour and at a stop in San Francisco, the photographer took Geddy to a favorite bar of his. The bouncer recognized him, and said, “You do know this is a GAY bar, don’t you?” My favorite? Geddy’s 8-year-old grandson realized that Grandpa really was famous when he found out about this asteroid. > **[Asteroid (12272) Geddylee](https://www.rasc.ca/asteroid/12272)** > > Geddy Lee (Gary Lee Weinrib, b. 1953) is the bassist, vocalist and keyboardist for the Canadian music band Rush. Geddy is the son of Polish concentration-camp survivors. He has become one of the most influential bass guitarists in rock music, and his... ---
**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:** [May 14, 2024, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3651 "2024-05-14T10:15:10Z")
I don’t get the bar story. ---
**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:** [May 14, 2024, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3652 "2024-05-14T11:43:57Z")
Maybe the bouncer thought that Lee might not want to be seen in a gay bar. IDK. Further explanation would be helpful. ---
**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:** [May 14, 2024, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3653 "2024-05-14T12:45:53Z")
I’m thinking famous bands tend to have lots of female groupies, wild parties, etc… The bouncer may have thought Geddy was in the wrong place for ‘chicks’. ---
**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:** [May 14, 2024, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3654 "2024-05-14T16:42:49Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > I’m thinking famous bands tend to have lots of female groupies, wild parties, etc… The bouncer may have thought Geddy was in the wrong place for ‘chicks’. He’s used to it. Rush concerts were the wrong place for chicks. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2024, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3655 "2024-05-14T20:06:12Z")
This “chick” saw Rush 4 times. The point is that the bouncer knew who Geddy was, and that he was not gay and might feel out of place there, especially in that era. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2024, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3656 "2024-05-14T22:22:20Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Rush concerts were the wrong place for chicks. I wonder how much this is a stereotype vs. reality. I love Rush! ---
**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:** [May 14, 2024, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3657 "2024-05-14T22:25:46Z")
Has any policeman in real life ever yelled “Stop, in the name of The Law!” at a fleeing suspect? ---
**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:** [May 14, 2024, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3658 "2024-05-14T22:27:51Z")
> [@Nars\_Glinley](#): > > Maybe the bouncer thought that Lee might not want to be seen in a gay bar. IDK. Further explanation would be helpful. “Excuse me, Mr. Lee… I’m not sure you want to be in a bar where all the ladies have deeper voices than you do.” “Oh, I’m _[8va]_ uuuuuuused to iiiiiit…” . [8va] = up an octave ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2024, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3659 "2024-05-14T22:33:56Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > I wonder how much this is a stereotype vs. reality. I love Rush! If you like a marginal bass player who can’t sing but can only screech, this is the band for you. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2024, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3660 "2024-05-14T22:43:37Z")
Or had some say “follow that car!” ---
**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:** [May 14, 2024, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3661 "2024-05-14T23:18:18Z")
I’ve never actually said “Follow that car” but was in the car when a co-worker did. (We were in New Orleans at a convention, on our way to an exhibitor-only event, but the only person who knew the destination was in the other taxi.) And no idea if anyone has offered this but how about escaping a stuck elevator via the trapdoor in the ceiling. First of all, I’m told that elevators don’t have trapdoors (and I’ve looked but never seen one) and second, how would you reach it, without a ladder? Perhaps if someone else hoisted you up, but even then, what would you do on the roof of an elevator cab? ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2024, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3662 "2024-05-14T23:20:14Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > what would you do on the roof of an elevator cab? Maybe get to the upper floor and open the door somehow? ---
**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:** [May 14, 2024, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3663 "2024-05-14T23:53:42Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > elevators don’t have trapdoors (and I’ve looked but never seen one) Modern elevators have an emergency access hatch in the ceiling, but it may not be visible from inside the cab, and it’s usually locked from the outside. (As we all learned from _Archer_, the hatch isn’t there to let people inside get out - it’s to let people outside get in.) ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2024, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3664 "2024-05-15T00:11:37Z")
Yeah I believe they started locking them when people started elevator surfing with them in the 80s ---
**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:** [May 15, 2024, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3665 "2024-05-15T02:36:09Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > > [@Loach](#): > > > > Rush concerts were the wrong place for chicks. > > I wonder how much this is a stereotype vs. reality. I love Rush! I saw them multiple times, several times with women. I received reports that the lines for the woman’s restroom were very short. ---
**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:** [May 15, 2024, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3666 "2024-05-15T02:56:27Z")
Like in that episode of _ **Mission: Impossible** _ where Barney synchronized two elevators to set up a Mob boss they wanted whacked? [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=182) [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=184)