15 American TV Show Clichés That We Can’t Make Happen In Real Life
15 American TV Show Clichés That We Can’t Make Happen In Real Life
We decided to have a light-hearted look at some of the common clichés found in American TV shows. These are those repeated elements that might give us a chuckle because they just don’t happen like that in real life. Let’s have a look at 15 of these TV show clichés!
1. Enhance the Image
In TV shows, you’ve probably seen scenes where tech experts take a blurry image and magically enhance it to crystal clear quality in seconds. In real life, though, once an image is pixelated or blurry, enhancing it to high definition isn’t as simple or effective as TV makes it seem.
2. Infinite Ammunition
Ever notice how characters in action-packed TV series never seem to run out of bullets? They shoot endlessly without ever reloading. In the real world, guns have limited ammo and need to be reloaded, which often isn’t shown on screen, keeping the action seamless and continuous.
3. The Lone Expert
TV shows often feature a character who is an expert in multiple complex fields—be it science, languages, combat, and more. In reality, it’s rare for one person to possess such an extensive set of high-level skills across diverse disciplines. Most real-life experts specialize in one or maybe two fields.
4. 555 Phone Numbers
Have you ever noticed that phone numbers in TV shows frequently start with the digits 555? This is a fictional number range used to prevent viewers from calling real numbers. Real phone numbers are varied and wouldn’t constantly have the 555 prefix.
5. Rapid Lab Results
In crime and medical dramas, lab results come back almost instantly, helping advance the plot quickly. However, in actual labs, tests can take anywhere from hours to weeks, depending on the complexity of the tests being conducted.
6. Never Saying Goodbye on the Phone
It’s common in TV to see characters end phone conversations abruptly without a formal goodbye. This rarely happens in real life as most people conclude phone calls more politely to avoid seeming rude.
7. Impeccable Timing
Characters in TV shows seem to have perfect timing, arriving just at the right moment to save the day or catch the bad guy. Real-life timing isn’t usually this conveniently perfect and often involves misses and waiting.
8. Walking Away from Explosions
In action scenes, characters often walk away from massive explosions without flinching or getting hurt. This cool demeanor is purely for dramatic effect. In reality, explosions are dangerous, and such stunts would likely result in serious injuries.
9. Dramatic Pauses Before Commercials
TV shows love to create suspense by pausing the action right at the peak of drama, usually right before commercials. This tactic keeps viewers hooked but doesn’t mirror how real-life events unfold, which lack scripted pauses for added drama.
10. Eating Without Really Eating
Characters in TV shows often sit around fully served meals yet rarely do they actually eat the food. They might toy with their food or take small bites. In real gatherings, people usually focus more on the meal.
11. Instant Healing
On TV, characters recover from injuries incredibly fast and with minimal consequences, ready for the next scene. Unlike TV, real-life injuries often require significant time and care for recovery, impacting daily activities.
12. Hacking in Seconds
TV hackers break into complex security systems within seconds, showcasing flashy screens and rapid typing. Real hacking is a complex process, often taking substantial time and involving less visual drama.
13. Perfect Parking Spots
In TV land, characters always seem to find parking right in front of their destination. This is rarely the case in real life, especially in busy cities where parking can be a significant challenge.
14. Climactic Courtroom Confessions
Dramatic courtroom scenes often feature a last-minute, climactic confession that resolves the plot. While confessions do happen, they are seldom as theatrical and timely as depicted in TV courtrooms.
15. Endless Coffee Refills
On TV, coffee cups seem to have an endless supply, rarely needing a refill no matter how much the characters drink. In the real world, coffee drinkers often have to pause their conversations to refill their cups.
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We are Mary and Eric, the founders of Be Right Back, a blog dedicated to romance around the globe and at home.
We are Mary and Eric, the founders of Be Right Back, a blog dedicated to romance around the globe and at home. With over 10 years of experience in dating and traveling to romantic places, we share our favorite date ideas and romantic destinations to help couples level up their relationships. Having lived in and traveled through the USA, we also share our favourite things to do in the States.
With 70,000 monthly readers and 16,000 followers on social media, Be Right Back is your go-to resource for romantic trip ideas and couple activities at home and abroad.