# 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:** 220
**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, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4387 "2024-11-06T00:08:12Z")
> [@ZonexandScout](#): > > … what’s the point of setting the show in Brighton if you never see the characters on the pier? Were they on that rocky beach? I don’t think I’ve ever seen another like it. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2024, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4388 "2024-11-06T01:53:01Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > The one with John Steed and Emma Peel, on CHCH (Toronto) at noon. Today’s episode was “The £50,000 Breakfast.” Ah, old episodes. Cool show. ---
**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, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4389 "2024-11-06T02:48:36Z")
Steed in his best suit was both walking and crawling along a ledge hundreds of feet above the street. ---
**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:** [November 6, 2024, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4390 "2024-11-06T03:06:16Z")
> [@Asuka](#): > > It seemed like every episode of Walker Texas Ranger involved local bar thugs trying to beat up Officer Walker, and also Walker never seemed to just pull his gun out to end the potential bar fight and went out of his way to beat them up. Was there ever an episode of that show in which he didn’t find a reason to kick somebody? ---
**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 6, 2024, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4391 "2024-11-06T03:28:02Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Inspired by today’s episode of _ **The Avengers …** _ I’d give a lot to see the Marvel Avengers taken captive, only to be saved by dead ringers for Patrick McNee and Diana Rigg… Bowler hat, clever quips and black leather mandatory. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2024, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4392 "2024-11-06T03:48:01Z")
Getting a letter/package and it starts with “if you’re reading this, something has happened to me” The one that really made me wonder was a packet of blackmail material that had been used by the original murder victim to get people to do her bidding. And several of her blackmailees were in town. ---
**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:** [November 6, 2024, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4393 "2024-11-06T04:02:14Z")
Seems like a lot of movie blackmail plots involved the victims buying incriminating negatives, which wouldn’t do them much good if the blackmailer had printed off copies. ---
**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 6, 2024, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4394 "2024-11-06T04:12:45Z")
“Okay, here are the negatives and all the prints.” “Okay, I’ll just believe you, since you’re a sleazy blackmailer. So here’s my manilla envelope bulging with cash …” ---
**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, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4395 "2024-11-06T05:47:10Z")
I never realized until yesterday that Diana Rigg’s hair was more red than brown. Steed called it “Titian.” The color in Season 5 episodes is 'way over the top after transitioning from monochrome (B&W). BTW, Diana wore the leather catsuit only once in Season 5, in yesterday’s episode “The £50,000 Breakfast.” She didn’t like it, and it was virtually demolished in one of her fights. If you dig leather, you have to watch the Cathy Gale episodes in Seasons 2 and 3. ---
**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:** [November 6, 2024, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4396 "2024-11-06T07:20:44Z")
Yeah, but like “Play it again Sam,” it’s what people remember. ---
**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 6, 2024, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4397 "2024-11-06T12:14:07Z")
Do you mean one of the shingle beaches? They’re pretty common. ---
**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, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4398 "2024-11-06T13:30:33Z")
I remember the beach at Brighton as consisting of fist-sized potato-shaped rocks, no sand anywhere. Not good if you want to stretch out and sunbathe. ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2024, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4399 "2024-11-06T13:46:27Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > Was there ever an episode of that show in which he didn’t find a reason to kick somebody? You don’t hire Chuck Norris if you’re not going to have him roundhouse kick people. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2024, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4400 "2024-11-06T13:54:08Z")
> [@Asuka](#): > > 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. Or when they go investigate some suspected serial killer all by themselves instead of with, you know, an entire SWAT team. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2024, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4401 "2024-11-06T14:11:28Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Steed in his best suit was both walking and crawling along a ledge hundreds of feet above the street. Reminded me of an errant thought I had while doing an ‘X Files’ rewatch a few years ago-- Mulder got in a _ **lot** _ of situations where he’d totally ruin his suit. Made me think, jeez, I don’t think FBI agents and other public servants get paid _ **that** _ much-- half his salary must go toward suit replacement. Maybe he would take advantage of a ‘buy 4, get 1 free deal’ at the Men’s Wearhouse or something. ---
**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 6, 2024, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4402 "2024-11-06T14:41:44Z")
“What a lovely restaurant… wait, Mulder, why are you wearing a kevlar jump suit? You’re not planning to crawl through a sewer, climb a razor-wire fence, and fight an alien hand-to-hand _again,_ are you?” “Of course not! This is… just in case…” ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2024, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4403 "2024-11-06T15:14:19Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > I was always amazed that Hogan could come up with “a plan” on the spur of the moment, and it never ever failed. Some people are just good at it. I figure after the war Hogan went to work for the CIA as a mission planner. As for things I _hope_ don’t happen in real life the the trend in FBI and newer Law & Order episodes where the detectives see someone they want to question and call out from so far away “FBI! We’d like to talk to you!” that they practically have to shout, so _of course_ the guy runs. Foot chase ensues. And the show FBI is so bad at containment that if they had a guy in a phone booth surrounded by their swat team he’d get away and foot chase ensues. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2024, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4404 "2024-11-06T15:20:22Z")
As highlighted recently on Only Murders in the Building when a murder investigation hits some kind of dead end of unresolvable conflict there will be a _ding dong_ event where a surprise witness suddenly appears at the door with the crucial information that clears up the problems with the evidence and generally points at the only remaining possible suspect. ---
**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:** [November 6, 2024, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4405 "2024-11-06T15:45:55Z")
Something I realized after watching a couple of British detective dramas; there’s an awful lot of amateur detectives in these shows. And as Only Murders in the Building shows, it’s not just the Brits. ---
**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, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4406 "2024-11-06T15:46:34Z")
Are you suggesting that Steed could ruin a suit just by crawling along a ledge? _Au contraire_, he strolled into the criminal mastermind’s lair looking as dapper as ever. His '60s-style pointy slip-on shoes weren’t even scuffed! [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=219) [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=221)