# 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:** 252
**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:** [June 16, 2025, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/5049 "2025-06-16T12:09:20Z")
One of the first. He appeared in 1960, but I don’t know when he was first reported as married. The Silver Age incarnation of Hawkman was married from his first appearance in 1961. ---
**Author:** ![Tzigone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Tzigone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzigone)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2025, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/5050 "2025-06-16T13:41:49Z")
First appearance of his wife is when Elongated Man married - cover date March 1961 (Elongated Man’s third appearance, I think). Fawcett’s Bullet Man was engaged in the golden age comics, but they never married before the comic ended. Don’t know what the status of Ibis and Taia was. And Elongated Man was totally a superhero. His powers were ripoff, but his personality was totally different. I enjoy those silver age tales - he and Sue are so cute. Unfortunately, his less than spectacular powers led to him becoming less impressive a detective by late bronze age and eventually turning into a loser/butt of joke right up until we got the terrible Identity Crisis. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2025, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/5051 "2025-06-16T17:24:48Z")
> [@sciurophobic](#): > > Lois and Clark Married in some versions, but by no means all. But in that show, the marriage isnt until Epi 3 of the last season. The show was then cancelled at the end of that season. ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2025, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/5052 "2025-06-16T17:29:38Z")
I was referring to the comic books, not _Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman_ ---
**Author:** ![batsto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b2d939/32.png) [@batsto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/batsto)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2025, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/5053 "2025-06-16T17:35:46Z")
And of course Reed Richards and Sue Storm have been married for decades. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2025, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/5054 "2025-06-16T17:42:41Z")
Not a good example as theirs is a terrible relationship. ---
**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:** [June 16, 2025, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/5055 "2025-06-16T17:48:02Z")
Tumultuous to be sure, but in the end they love each other and have made it work. [Having super powers can easily sink a marriage](https://www.amazon.com/Chain-Cover-GARZA-RICHARD-BENNETT/dp/B088C33MTM). ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2025, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/5056 "2025-06-16T21:09:30Z")
If a strange person walks up to you and takes a legitimate giant bite out of your arm/hand, your first reaction is going to be bewildered saying HEY, WHY THAT CRAZY GUY BITE ME?! but then continue on your day until the infection finally makes you pass out. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2025, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/5057 "2025-06-17T09:04:23Z")
And Tommy & Tuppence Married characters are just a variation on the comic duo: Laurel & Hardy; Abbott & Costello; French & Saunders. Burns & Allen showed us that the fact that they were married didn’t matter, and it could be fodder for material. I remember in serious shows like _Hart to Hart_ a lot of the comic relief was marriage jokes. ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2025, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/5058 "2025-06-17T21:04:39Z")
“I don’t carry you just got into a shootout with 10 guys, got shot once, and now have to protect the President’s daughter from Assassin’s, if you miss your son’s little league game tonight this marriage is over!” ---
**Author:** ![Toxgoddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Toxgoddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxgoddess)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2025, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/5059 "2025-06-17T22:56:10Z")
“Where is my super suit?” “Why do you need to know?” “The public is in danger!” “My dinner party is in danger!!” I freaking love that movie.Married superheros can be hilarious. (The Incredibles if you didn’t know…) ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2025, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/5060 "2025-06-18T00:50:48Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > So, I’ll need to start drinking Bacardi 151, huh? A shot of 151 and a can of Jolt make a great rum & Coke substitute. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2025, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/5061 "2025-06-18T00:52:38Z")
> [@Asuka](#): > > “I don’t carry you just got into a shootout with 10 guys, got shot once, and now have to protect the President’s daughter from Assassin’s, if you miss your son’s little league game tonight this marriage is over!” Yeah. I mean, if you marry a cop, you have to understand the dangers (something like the 10th most dangerous job, but sources vary) and workload. Mind you, in a small town (a buddy was a Sgt in Gardena CA) the dangers are lower and the job is mostly 9-5 unless you want the OT- which most cops do. > [@Toxgoddess](#): > > “Where is my super suit?” We use that line all the time when playing Supers. The inflection is what makes it- [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/x2qRDMHbXaM/maxresdefault.jpg "The Incredibles on Blu-ray: "Wheres My Super Suit" - Clip") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2qRDMHbXaM) ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2025, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/5062 "2025-06-18T05:05:42Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > I’d like to see one where, after the old guy is encountered, they cut to him lying on the floor in his blood saying, “what was I thinking”? The generally entertaining film [Kiss Kiss Bang Bang](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiss_Kiss_Bang_Bang) does a decent comedic take. Robert Downey Jr. coolly and calmly threatens a random flashily dressed jerk who is clearly about to sexually molest a drunk, passed out Michelle Monaghan at a Hollywood party. Cut to him getting the shit kicked out of him and then the guy driving away with a now awake and smiling Monaghan. ---
**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:** [June 18, 2025, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/5063 "2025-06-18T05:32:14Z")
> [@Toxgoddess](#): > > “My dinner party is in danger!!” Was Honey established to be a super hero? And you left out the best part. ‘Greater good?’ I am your wife! I’m the greatest _good_ you are ever gonna get! ---
**Author:** ![Toxgoddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Toxgoddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxgoddess)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2025, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/5064 "2025-06-18T15:10:17Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > Was Honey established to be a super hero? Not that I know of. Spin-off idea! > [@DesertDog](#): > > Greater good?’ I am your wife! I’m the greatest _good_ you are ever gonna get! I’m going to start using that on my husband. I don’t know why I haven’t already! ---
**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:** [June 18, 2025, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/5065 "2025-06-18T15:32:18Z")
I think marriage (and kids) can be an effective way to raise the stakes. _The Incredibles_ was a good example. I do love a good will-they won’t-they romance, but it doesn’t have to be that way all the time. My husband (age 42) reads a lot of comics on Marvel Unlimited. He owns and has read all the X-Men comics at least once, and I’ve read them all through the 90s except some later stories. The last one he insisted I read was House of X Powers of X and before that, the one with the lady Thor. I thought they were really good but I can’t muster the same passion for any comic book, except the graphic novels _From Hell_ and _Maus._ I have never had my life perspective changed by a Marvel story. It was difficult for me to jump right in as a new reader in my late 20s. I had tried and stopped a few times. What got me in was Joss Whedon’s X-Men run. If you think of each run as a discrete story it works okay. But generally I prefer prose fiction. ---
**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:** [June 18, 2025, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/5066 "2025-06-18T15:39:17Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > I do love a good will-they won’t-they romance, but it doesn’t have to be that way all the time. I liked when NewsRadio got the will-they-won’t-they issue out of the way in episode #2. ---
**Author:** ![Tzigone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Tzigone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzigone)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2025, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/5067 "2025-06-18T15:45:43Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > I do love a good will-they won’t-they romance, but it doesn’t have to be that way all the time. I feel like will-they-won’t-they only works for a while (unless you have a rotating audience). Otherwise, it gets to the point where I just don’t care anymore if they will or won’t after a few years. Thought certainly resolving UST can be a show-killer if UST is all the show has going for it. ---
**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:** [June 18, 2025, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/5068 "2025-06-18T16:05:28Z")
My favorite is the will-they won’t they that turns into a sustained partnership, for example Brooklyn 99 or The Office. You get to see how the love is earned and then you get the reward of seeing it sustained. For a comics example, Phoenix and Cyclops are usually together but I f\*cking hate Scott Summers so I don’t relish it much. AFAIC he’s just in Wolverine’s way. [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=251) [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=253)