# 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:** 219
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2024, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4367 "2024-11-02T23:06:04Z")
Apologies if this has been touched on in the thread already, but I just observed this today, and every time I see it on stage or screen it feels so… unnatural. People stopping their sentences mid-word (they get one syllable out but not the rest) because they are startled by something that had happened. I suppose it’s technically possible that it happens in life sometimes, but in experience people finish the word at least, if not wrap up their sentences. ---
**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:** [November 3, 2024, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4368 "2024-11-03T00:11:10Z")
True. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone say _“What th…?”_ in real life. Now, I do say _“What in the wide world of sports is goin’ on here?!?”_ But even when shocked, I finish the sentence. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2024, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4369 "2024-11-03T01:27:42Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > People stopping their sentences mid-word (they get one syllable out but not the rest) because they are startled by something that had happened. > > I suppose it’s technically possible that it happens in life sometimes, but in experience people finish the word at least, if not wrap up their sentences. Not quite the same, but I’ve definitely had people trail off mid-word because whatever it is they’re simultaneously reading on their phone is more interesting. Yes, it is incredibly rude. ---
**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:** [November 4, 2024, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4370 "2024-11-04T13:21:24Z")
> [@ZonexandScout](#): > > “DCI Smith, we’ve just discovered that the suspect’s best friend lives at 33 Charning Place.” > > “It’s important we interview them. Check out that alibi.” > > “Right, I’ll walk back to the station, get my car, drive over there, and interview them.” > > “Good idea. But, why did we walk all the way over here to the beach to discuss this?” To quote a MAD magazine parody, “The director wanted to get us away from that boring, confining set.” My reality could use a few more breaks from boring, confining sets. ---
**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:** [November 4, 2024, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4371 "2024-11-04T13:24:54Z")
True. Plus, what’s the point of setting the show in Brighton if you never see the characters on the pier? ---
**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:** [November 4, 2024, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4372 "2024-11-04T14:12:22Z")
In the next scene, the DCI and Sgt. are walking into the ocean and it’s revealed to be a Monty Python sketch complete with fish slapping. ---
**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:** [November 4, 2024, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4373 "2024-11-04T15:38:34Z")
Revealed to be a Monty Python sketch _almost_ never happens in real life. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2024, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4374 "2024-11-04T20:58:54Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > To quote a MAD magazine parody, “The director wanted to get us away from that boring, confining set.” They also go visit people when a phone call would do as well. ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2024, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4375 "2024-11-04T21:49:13Z")
When cops are on stakeouts for dangerous killers they’ll sit in their squad cars with their windows fully open so just anybody can walk by and slash their throats. ---
**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:** [November 4, 2024, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4376 "2024-11-04T22:00:03Z")
I loved the episode of _ **The Sopranos** _ where two Feds were listening to a CI talking to Tony in a diner while they were sitting “inconspicuously” inside a car across the street in the pouring rain. A crooked cop noticed the FBI license plates and tipped off Tony’s crew. Bye-bye, CI! ---
**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:** [November 5, 2024, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4377 "2024-11-05T14:30:04Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Revealed to be a Monty Python sketch _almost_ never happens in real life. What about that time I got slapped with a fish? ---
**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:** [November 5, 2024, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4378 "2024-11-05T15:23:31Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > > [@Lumpy](#): > > > > Revealed to be a Monty Python sketch _almost_ never happens in real life… > > What about that time I got slapped with a fish? It was only a fish wound. ---
**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:** [November 5, 2024, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4379 "2024-11-05T16:17:37Z")
Did the slapper have a fish license? ---
**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:** [November 5, 2024, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4380 "2024-11-05T16:40:49Z")
“This is a Dog License with the word “Dog” crossed out and the word “Fish” written on in crayon.” “Man didn’t have the right form.” ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2024, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4381 "2024-11-05T18:04:01Z")
I’ve noticed the “walking around outside for no reason” trope was heavily used in later episodes of _[Kavanagh QC](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108826/)_ TV show from the 90s. I suspect it’s to avoid being stagnant, play-like. Some of the actors, for various reasons, are not up for a long walk so they have to sit on a bench fairly quickly. One scene in the very last episode with Kavanaugh and daughter is truly a long walk to nowhere. I remember an early episode of _Gray’s Anatomy_ where Baily took the interns on a 4-turn indoor walk where they ended up exactly where they started and didn’t do anything at all on the walk except talk. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2024, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4382 "2024-11-05T18:18:18Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > People stopping their sentences mid-word (they get one syllable out but not the rest) because they are startled by something that had happened. Similarly, when someone is talking and another person interrupts them, the person immediately stops and there is no overtalk. When I did stage, I usually added a couple of words to my line if interrupted to get that small overtalk. ---
**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:** [November 5, 2024, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4383 "2024-11-05T19:26:26Z")
Inspired by today’s episode of _ **The Avengers** _: Why is there always a ledge outside a window somebody (good guy/bad guy) has to climb through multiple stories above the ground? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2024, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4384 "2024-11-05T20:37:41Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > What about that time I got slapped with a fish? I got hit with a fish in the face twice! Once my friend pulled the fish in too fast and - bang, right in the kisser! next, we were on a fishing boat and the deck hands were chumming with live anchovies and one hit me in the head. > [@ftg](#): > > I’ve noticed the “walking around outside for no reason” trope Worse is a cop show where the detectives are shown as morons- calling out a suspects name from 30 feet away, leading to a foot chase. Those **FBI** shows on CBS are really bad on doing that. > [@terentii](#): > > Inspired by today’s episode of _ **The Avengers** _: Which Avengers? On what Channel? ---
**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:** [November 5, 2024, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4385 "2024-11-05T23:03:50Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Worse is a cop show where the detectives are shown as morons- calling out a suspects name from 30 feet away, leading to a foot chase. I think we saw this being done on three shows in a row we watched recently. You guys are supposed to be professionals??? > [@ZonexandScout](#): > > Plus, what’s the point of setting the show in Brighton if you never see the characters on the pier? Digression: I’d heard of the movie _Brighton Rock_ years and years ago, but only saw it a few years ago. I always thought “Brighton Rock” was some big rock off shore that was a local landmark – like Morro Rock. Although I knew it before I saw the movie I had no idea (for years) that Brighton Rock was a kind of hard candy. ---
**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:** [November 6, 2024, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4386 "2024-11-06T00:03:53Z")
The one with John Steed and Emma Peel, on CHCH (Toronto) at noon. Today’s episode was “The £50,000 Breakfast.” [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=218) [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=220)