Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

One thing they get wrong in films or TV dramas about your job

321 replies

KarlWrenbury · 23/07/2022 21:57

In schools. That boyfriends (invariably ) could just turn up in classes
See. Bruce almighty. Yesterday. Cheaters.

OP posts:
themonkeysnuts · 24/07/2022 15:30

Any program, every time the characters are (supposedly) wandering around in the dark there is always a fox screaming and owls hooting

upthem5 · 24/07/2022 16:20

As an IT person, “we’ll hack into the mainframe” pisses me off

TheUnexpectedPickle · 24/07/2022 16:21

sashh · 24/07/2022 08:08

@TheUnexpectedPickle

I had been taken into A and E by ambulance, a few days later I met the paramedic in the Supermarket, I was shocked he remembered me.

Generally if I remember someone, there was something memorable about them.
-very unwell
-unusual symptoms
-a sad, upsetting situation
-interesting life/job/story
-very rude and unpleasant
-extremely lovely

I hope you're in one of the nice categories!

Quia · 24/07/2022 16:22

Reallyreallyborednow · 24/07/2022 11:03

That you can be a senior scientific/medical expert, who knows everything, is paid extremely well all at the age of 21. And still have time to perfectly do your hair and makeup every morning as well as have a social life 😂

you are also an expert in an unbelievable (literally) range of techniques.

Southern blot? Here you go, did it in 10 mins while I was waiting for the mass spec, running ballistics on a bullet, preparing and comparing DNA samples, checking the brake fluid on the vehicle, downloading the phone, pinging a different phone, developing photo reels, doing a quick fingerprint analysis, hacking into a computer program, running a few gels, culturing several different bacteria, and isolating a nasty virus.

looking at you, NCIS….

And if you're in Silent Witness, you can also interview the witnesses, work out who the perpetrator is, arrest him single handed (provided you're not stupid enough to get yourself attacked or kidnapped first) - and yes, your hair and make-up will, at worst, be attractively dishevelled.

ancientgran · 24/07/2022 17:19

When I had covid earlier this year I spent 8 weeks in bed or lying on the sofa and if I was well enough watching daytime TV. I started watching Law and Order every afternoon. I had to ask my DH, retired police officer, if he had ever jumped out of a car and shouted to a suspect on the other side of the road to give him time to run away and start an exciting chase. He said it had never happened, he wouldn't want to waste his energy.

TheUnexpectedPickle · 24/07/2022 17:23

EarringsandLipstick · 24/07/2022 08:55

I think most people would be aware of all this from the innumerable programmes like 24 Hours in A&E, 999 What's your Emergency and other fly-on-the-wall programmes where we see paramedics in action.

Their calmness always impresses me.

The public are definitely more aware of what we do, which is lovely.

It seems to have bypassed the writers of casualty etc though.

I keep saying to DP if they chuck me a couple of hundred quid and some wine I'll help them make it realistic!

WiddlinDiddlin · 24/07/2022 17:34

Horse related stuff... drives me nuts and makes me shout at the telly.

These days anything period appears to require Friesians, and whilst they are a very old breed, and were brought to many countries.. the idea that EVERY knight, princess, prince etc rode one and every carriage was pulled by one since the year dot is absolutely laughable. In fact very few were ridden early on, the big flashy ones were carriage horses, not riding horses.

In many of the time periods these things are set in, we'd have had an abundance of popular breeds - flashy welsh ponies, even flashier lighter hackney horses and ponies, chunky working cobs.. they'd have all been far more available than the Friesian.

Then theres the tack - so much of it is BLACK.. black leather work is for the working animal, carriage horses, farm horses - BROWN leather is for riding horses.

Its also often shown as being very chunky crude stuff - in fact fancy tack for the posh ridden animal was very very fine (Sewn at 16 stitches to the inch, you'll struggle to get that now as the pricking irons used to mark the stitches are either antiques or made to order!).

Or its just plain wrong, nosebands and bits and saddles that just didn't exist!

Argh!

mrsmalcolmreynolds · 24/07/2022 17:53

That mid-level lawyers have vast immaculate offices all to themselves - I'm a city equity partner with 20 years' experience and I share an office that is full of boxes, papers and about 20 pairs of shoes under the desk...

smurfette1818 · 24/07/2022 18:58

People with demanding jobs that involve long hours (criminal lawyers, surgeon, barristers, investment bankers) will have a perfect life (fit, flawless make up, stylish wardrobe, tidy & spotless houses) whilst in reality, it is extremely hard to even juggle basic necessities of life with long working hours. It is really tricky to stay on top of basic things like exercise regularly, make sure your children in the right place and at the right time, eat & sleep properly when you work 60+ hours a week plus commuting.

TheUnexpectedPickle · 24/07/2022 19:39

Actually even some medical reality shows are inaccurate.

BBCs Ambulance is a big culprit. It features a lot of procedural stuff that is completely staged for the show and just doesn't happen in real life.

I know crews that were filmed and they were often stood down from duty to drive round and chat in the cab while being filmed. They were told what to talk about. Off the cuff conversation on the way to calls is often picked up on, the producers ask for it to be reshot several times and edited together.

24hours in A&E is better, but still only cherry picks certain cases. Its filmed for about 4 months. Most of us avoid St Georges when they are filming as its annoying!

CharlotteSt · 24/07/2022 20:43

EarringsandLipstick · 24/07/2022 11:08

A work acquaintance was once on one being diagnosed with a brain tumour. He’s dead now.

Gosh that's terrible. I've never considered that of course some people will know the individuals featured. 💐

I've never considered that of course some people will know the individuals featured.

A friend of ours who lives in the next road was taken in after falling off a ladder and the paramedic handing over was our next door neighbour!

Babamamananarama · 24/07/2022 20:57

Theatre director here.
We don't direct plays while sitting in the dark in an auditorium shouting at the actors who are rehearsing on the stage, often with a script in their hand.
The majority of a rehearsal period would be done in a rehearsal studio; we wouldn't be in the theatre auditorium, as the auditorium would have another show on. Usually productions get a few days of technical/dress rehearsals in the actual theatre before the show opens; by this time everyone should know what they are doing and it's a case of rehearsing in sound/light/set/costume changes.

KatherineofGaunt · 24/07/2022 22:39

Not my job but a hobby - men in the medieval period did not hold their hose up with their belts!

MingeofDeath · 25/07/2022 00:11

*@TheUnexpectedPickle

The Ambulance programme has just finished filming in my trust. I work in the EOC though so wasnt filmed cos my job involves talking to people over the phone and looking at a computer screen. Not dramatic enough.

TheUnexpectedPickle · 25/07/2022 03:16

MingeofDeath · 25/07/2022 00:11

*@TheUnexpectedPickle

The Ambulance programme has just finished filming in my trust. I work in the EOC though so wasnt filmed cos my job involves talking to people over the phone and looking at a computer screen. Not dramatic enough.

No way could I do EOC, you're an absolute hero 👏

Wait till you see the programme, you'll be amazed how much is staged!

There's a new BBC drama about a call taker, not seen it yet but be interesting to hear if they've got EOC right unlikely

CalishataFolkart · 25/07/2022 03:25

The dancers are onstage rehearsing whilst someone shouts, “5,6,7,8!” and the lighting bars are in with lights being rigged and switched on, the set is being built with sawing and hammering, someone is up a ladder and the orchestra is tuning up ALL AT THE SAME TIME!

CalishataFolkart · 25/07/2022 03:27

Babamamananarama · 24/07/2022 20:57

Theatre director here.
We don't direct plays while sitting in the dark in an auditorium shouting at the actors who are rehearsing on the stage, often with a script in their hand.
The majority of a rehearsal period would be done in a rehearsal studio; we wouldn't be in the theatre auditorium, as the auditorium would have another show on. Usually productions get a few days of technical/dress rehearsals in the actual theatre before the show opens; by this time everyone should know what they are doing and it's a case of rehearsing in sound/light/set/costume changes.

Cross post, from a cross stage manager.

UndertheCedartree · 25/07/2022 04:01

That as a student nurse you would have time to go to Fresher's or hang around with other students in the week day daytime.

Anycrispsleft · 25/07/2022 05:45

How about when they put a pipette down on the bench and it still has liquid in it? Silent Witness, I'm looking at you!

VickyEadieofThigh · 25/07/2022 08:29

ancientgran · 24/07/2022 17:19

When I had covid earlier this year I spent 8 weeks in bed or lying on the sofa and if I was well enough watching daytime TV. I started watching Law and Order every afternoon. I had to ask my DH, retired police officer, if he had ever jumped out of a car and shouted to a suspect on the other side of the road to give him time to run away and start an exciting chase. He said it had never happened, he wouldn't want to waste his energy.

I wish I had a quid for every time, in a police procedural, the coppers shout at the suspect from a distance rather than sneaking up on them - resulting in the inevitable chase.

Quia · 25/07/2022 08:38

VickyEadieofThigh · 25/07/2022 08:29

I wish I had a quid for every time, in a police procedural, the coppers shout at the suspect from a distance rather than sneaking up on them - resulting in the inevitable chase.

Also when they shout something like "Stop!" or "Come back!" Has there been any villain in the history of policing who has ever obeyed?

Quia · 25/07/2022 08:42

smurfette1818 · 24/07/2022 18:58

People with demanding jobs that involve long hours (criminal lawyers, surgeon, barristers, investment bankers) will have a perfect life (fit, flawless make up, stylish wardrobe, tidy & spotless houses) whilst in reality, it is extremely hard to even juggle basic necessities of life with long working hours. It is really tricky to stay on top of basic things like exercise regularly, make sure your children in the right place and at the right time, eat & sleep properly when you work 60+ hours a week plus commuting.

Ahh, but that's because they all earn an absolute fortune and have invisible nannies, cooks, gardeners etc. They probably have people to do their shopping for them, too. The fact that criminal lawyers in particular earn a pittance passes scriptwriters by.

Gubu · 25/07/2022 08:45

I'm currently hate watching SWAT on netflix. If any if it is even vaguely accurate, I'm never going to LA.

LaPerduta · 25/07/2022 09:01

MangyInseam · 24/07/2022 03:50

There was a Ben Affleck movie where he was an accountant too, I think. An accountant with guns.

Isn't Skyler White an accountant or bookkeeper?

topcat2014 · 25/07/2022 09:46

@qc24 an accountant who couldn't do numbers would be shit though?

(But please never give me a group restaurant bill to work out and divide)