What is extremely common in TV or movies but almost never happens in real life?

[Chronos]

[Moderating]
With 26 posts on the Columbo episode with the cigar box, it probably warrants its own thread. I’ve moved those posts.

Legality of Columbo's trick with the cigar box

Given the way this thread has been going, I’m not sure I need to bother spoilering this — but you’ve just reminded me of a Columbo episode I’ve always sort of wondered about: SHORT FUSE. The idea is, Roddy McDowall in the dark. Columbo, doop-dee-doop-dee-doo! And so role. I’m just saying: there’s “basically” bullying someone into confessing, and then there’s death?