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Original poster

Realities that don't exist in TV land

306 replies

QueSyrahSyrah · 16/04/2023 08:12

Inspired by the ongoing curtains thread, what realities of the world do you consistently see ignored in TV and Film?

I'll start; Car Insurance. We've been watching a show recently where the characters are forever borrowing or swapping cars with family and friends. Vanishingly unlikely that everyone has open all-driver insurance (unless that's a more common thing in America maybe?).

OP posts:
SinnerBoy · 05/05/2023 05:37

Taxi drivers work for the sheer love of it; nobody ever pays them.

In fights, the hero only ever ends up with a slight cut over his eye, after being beaten by half a dozen baddies. The baddies have broken limbs, are unconscious, or dead.

Unless he's been shot. In which case, it's his shoulder... actually his upper chest, which would result in a lung wound and thus, prevent him from climbing the wires of the bridge, to confront and kill the Boss Baddie.

Women will be petite and face a 6 foot five, 18 stone ex special forces unarmed combat instructor. He will punch her in the face a couple of times, kick her in the ribs, then throw her down, somehow not breaking her spine.

As she adopts a pained expression, he will loom over her and say something profound, before she struggles to her feet, then not react as she punches him, a blow which would scarcely trouble a kitten.

As he staggers around, badly stunned, she will spot an iron bar and use it to dispatch him.

PieonaBarm · 05/05/2023 07:14

Forensics such as fingerprints and dna come back with an ident either in an hour or at scene when in reality they take weeks.

Iamtheonwandlonely · 05/05/2023 08:07

And talking of soaps,who has their wedding reception in the local pub🤣

Ellmau · 06/05/2023 22:59

High end burglars do cartwheels over laser beams to avoid security systems.

QueenSmartypants · 07/05/2023 01:02

Iamtheonwandlonely · 05/05/2023 08:07

And talking of soaps,who has their wedding reception in the local pub🤣

People who want to celebrate with their local community in a place that holds good memories? People without the funds - or the willing to splash the funds - on an overpriced venue?

Liorae · 07/05/2023 01:38

PriamFarrl · 16/04/2023 08:57

If you live on a farm there is only one farm in the entire country. I’ve seen the same farm used in 4 different shows now. It’s mainly in the new version of Worzel Gummidge but I saw it in The Cleaner the other day too. I can’t remember the others.

As for child care, there is always a grandmother who has nothing else to do. She doesn’t have her own job, house or social life.

Her daughter must be on Mumsnet.

Tayegete · 07/05/2023 01:41

People in restaurants or cafes who leave without eating any of their food. Especially drives me mad when people are on the run and must be completely starving because they’ve spent the last 48 hours moving around constantly yet don’t need to eat.

Iamtheonwandlonely · 07/05/2023 02:00

QueenSmartypants · 07/05/2023 01:02

People who want to celebrate with their local community in a place that holds good memories? People without the funds - or the willing to splash the funds - on an overpriced venue?

Show quote history

Seriously if you were getting married you'd have your wedding reception in the living pub.
I find that very hard to believe.

Liorae · 07/05/2023 02:58

Iamtheonwandlonely · 05/05/2023 08:07

And talking of soaps,who has their wedding reception in the local pub🤣

When I lived in London I was at several weddings of that type. It was always a wedding of those who care more about who they marry than how they marry. A good basis for married life.

Clementineorsatsuma · 07/05/2023 06:52

Iamtheonwandlonely · 05/05/2023 08:07

And talking of soaps,who has their wedding reception in the local pub🤣

Many people who can't afford a big do...

OkayBozo · 07/05/2023 07:01

Vertical sex! Against a wall and defying the laws of gravity/biology

Simonjt · 07/05/2023 07:05

Iamtheonwandlonely · 05/05/2023 08:07

And talking of soaps,who has their wedding reception in the local pub🤣

Lots of people, thats a completely normal thing.

colddrytoast · 07/05/2023 09:50

I understand why it has to be that way, but in a who dunnit, the perpetrator is always another character. Not just some unknown evil little git out of the millions and millions of other people in the world.

RollingDownTheRiver · 07/05/2023 09:57

A character cuts their own hair, using a knife/kitchen scissors/sword. The next time we see them their hair is beautifully layered and styled.

SockGoddess · 07/05/2023 10:22

A character cuts their own hair, using a knife/kitchen scissors/sword. The next time we see them their hair is beautifully layered and styled.

Ha ha yes! I remember seeing this ages ago in a film about some misfit squatter types who had escaped from normal society or something (I was a teen, can't remember what it was). A new woman joined and another woman cut her hair off with a knife presumably to give her a more hip/rebel look. It looked amazing and has been the hairstyle of my dreams ever since - thick, choppy long pixie effect - but my hair refuses to do that as it's too fine.

Needless to say if I tried the knife method it wouldn't work (and I'd end up having to explain myself in A&E into the bargain)

notsayingmuch · 07/05/2023 10:26

Iamtheonwandlonely · 07/05/2023 02:00

Seriously if you were getting married you'd have your wedding reception in the living pub.
I find that very hard to believe.

Show quote history

I had my reception at the local pub. It was a nice do, as I remember. That was a long time ago, though. Sorry that it wasn't swanky enough for you.

Richvanilla · 07/05/2023 10:34

But who wants to watch somebody methodically brushing their teeth for at least two minutes when watching a TV show or film??

icanneverthinkofnc · 07/05/2023 10:42

RollingDownTheRiver · 07/05/2023 09:57

A character cuts their own hair, using a knife/kitchen scissors/sword. The next time we see them their hair is beautifully layered and styled.

The Bourne Identity is a good one for that, Jason hacks off her hair with scissors and it looks fine lol

midsomermurderess · 07/05/2023 10:46

Richvanilla · 07/05/2023 10:34

But who wants to watch somebody methodically brushing their teeth for at least two minutes when watching a TV show or film??

People clearly struggle with grasping dramatic licence. Like the poster saying, but it takes weeks to get DNA results back!!. How does that work for your average drama? It's all a bit tedious.

QueenSmartypants · 07/05/2023 10:59

Iamtheonwandlonely · 07/05/2023 02:00

Seriously if you were getting married you'd have your wedding reception in the living pub.
I find that very hard to believe.

Show quote history

Judgy much?

People do, you know. It may not be to your taste but don't be such a snob.

UrbanMage · 07/05/2023 11:22

A one night stand becomes a plot point. They simply can't have a shag with someone they met in a bar without it becoming 'the new boss' or 'child's teacher' or 'patient about to die'...

swayingpalmtree · 07/05/2023 12:42

icanneverthinkofnc · 07/05/2023 10:42

The Bourne Identity is a good one for that, Jason hacks off her hair with scissors and it looks fine lol

Show quote history

Yes, this pisses me off too. Usually its done in front of a grubby mirror with some blunt scissors. In the next scene her hair looks like she's spent 3 hours in the salon with Jlo's stylist.

Harringtonperle · 07/05/2023 14:36

People with children never have them with them

Newnamenewname109870 · 07/05/2023 15:13

Harringtonperle · 07/05/2023 14:36

People with children never have them with them

This is especially annoying. They go on about how hard newborns are then suddenly they are 3 months old and sleep perfectly forever. And the parents will suddenly be able to go away or shop in a supermarket without the baby.

Thighlengthboots · 07/05/2023 17:02

Harringtonperle · 07/05/2023 14:36

People with children never have them with them

Yes! they want all the drama of a birth scene but as soon as the kid is born they're never to be seen again. They're always either 1. asleep (for 23 hours a day) 2. With multiple relatives (who were nowhere to be found during the actual birth), 3. who knows?- they just disappeared into the ether

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