Just 29 of the most annoying movie and TV clichés that never happen in real life.

How many movies or TV shows have you seen where a distressed character dramatically cuts off their long hair?

Or how about the deeply shy character who suddenly reveals their musical talent to hundreds of spectators?

Yep, it's no secret that most movies and TV shows employ a few clichés. 

But once you start to notice them, it can get... annoying.

The movie mistakes you may have missed. Post continues below.

Here are just some of the most annoying movie and TV clichés that never happen in real life:

• When patients hastily rip IVs out of their arms in hospital. 
• When a character texts a family member and there's no prior message thread. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TEXT MESSAGE YOU'VE SENT YOUR MUM.
• When characters hang up without saying "Goodbye". No one ever ends a phone conversation. They just... hang up.
• When characters go to sleep with the light on with perfectly styled hair and makeup. (Not to mention when they later wake up with flawless makeup).
• When characters go downstairs in the morning to a FULL COOKED BREAKFAST and take a measly piece of fruit to eat instead. (We're looking at you, Gossip Girl).
• When a female character has a mind blowing orgasm after approximately 30 seconds of sex. 
• When characters meet up with their partner at a restaurant... to dump them.
• When a character dramatically slides down the wall while crying. Bonus points if the character later splashes water on their face to help them calm down. WHO DOES THAT?
• When a pregnancy test is found face up in the bin. DID YOU EVEN ATTEMPT TO HIDE THAT SH*T?
• When the celebrant says, 'Speak now or forever hold your peace', and some character actually interrupts the wedding.
• When a couple dramatically push everything off a desk/bench/table so that they can have sex. Immediately.
• When female characters are still perfectly groomed in a post-apocalyptic/deserted island situation. No. Just... no.
• When a character asks a stranger out on a date, and then they say, 'I'll pick you up at 8pm', before walking away. PICK THEM UP FROM WHERE? DO YOU KNOW WHERE THEY LIVE? DO YOU EVEN HAVE THEIR PHONE NUMBER?
• When an "ugly" female character is suddenly noticed by the popular boy after getting rid of her glasses. (The Princess Diaries, anyone?)
• When a female character goes on a run with a full face of makeup. (If you do this in real life, you're probably a psychopath).

Speaking of annoying movie and TV clichés, it seems most of them relate to professions. 

In 2019, Twitter user Rory Turnbull pointed out an oh-so-typical movie cliché about teachers and university professors.

"Hello, I’m a professor in a movie, I only reach the main point of my lecture right as class is ending. Then I yell at students about the reading/homework as they leave," he wrote.

Hello, I’m a professor in a movie, I only reach the main point of my lecture right as class is ending. Then I yell at students about the reading / homework as they leave.

— Rory Turnbull (@_roryturnbull) January 1, 2019

From freelance writers who somehow manage to live in huge apartments in New York City to the IT guy who can hack into any system by typing random keys into any keyboard, there are endless examples.

Here's just a few of them:

"Hello. I’m Senior Partner in a law firm. I wear designer white suits, impossible high heels and have a massive corner office with a drinks cabinet as well as my own chauffeur and 2 PAs. I don’t actually do any work but do stare out of the window a lot." - Rachael Heenan.

Hello. I’m a computer geek in a movie. I can break into any system by typing random keys extremely fast then shouting ‘I’m in!’ All the while this is happening green text will be projected scrolling up my face. My T shirt has a band on it too.

— Chris Hollis (@Chrishollis11) January 4, 2019

Hello, I’m an alien in a movie and I want to invade planet earth – when I say planet earth, I mean the US.

— Juli Ana (@maysee_ven) January 4, 2019

Hi, I’m a pregnant lady in a movie. My waters break in a huge gush at the most inconvenient time while I experience my first and very painful contraction. Very soon I push a 3 month old out in one screaming heave. Baby is miraculously not attached to anything.

— LauraS (@mslaurasawesome) January 5, 2019

Hi, I’m a college freshman in a movie. It’s the first day of orientation and I’m moving into my dorm, but every other student is already walking around with books like it’s mid-semester.

— Chris Conroy (@conniewriter) January 5, 2019

Hi, I’m a vendor’s fruit cart in a movie. Do you like apples and bana—

*is destroyed when a police car crashes into me*

— brett g porter (@bgporter) January 4, 2019

"Hi, I write books for children in a movie. I wear funny cardigans, colorful eyeglasses and keep my curly, greying hair in a bun on top of my head. I may have magical abilities but am definitely not sexy or attractive in any way. I’m a silly, whimsical woman." - Magdalena Hai.

Hi, I’m a bartender in a movie. There are never any queues or rude customers at the bar. I stand patiently polishing glasses until you want a drink and the other customers never seem to order unless they are of importance to the plot.

— Hans (@Hannajandro) January 4, 2019

"Hi, I’m the doctor wheeling your wife into emergency surgery. I’ll let you sprint through the halls of the hospital with us until we reach a particular set of double doors where I will turn to you and say, 'Please wait outside, let me do my job.'" - Madison Gilmore.

Hello, I’m a writer in a movie. I write one piece a week and live in a two bedroom New York apartment with a walk-in wardrobe. Also I never actually pitch anywhere, the jobs just come to me. https://t.co/YyuPjYgEyP

— Kayleigh Donaldson (@Ceilidhann) January 3, 2019

Hello, I’m a reporter in a movie. I have three months in which to file a story and it’s about the person I’m falling in love with. My editor is as much a mentor as a boss.

— KP Jordan (@failingjordan) January 3, 2019

Hi, I’m a lawyer in a movie. I say absolutely whatever I want in court and then I say “Withdrawn.” https://t.co/bAFHi86pBR

— Linda Holmes (@lindaholmes) January 3, 2019

Hello, I’m a scientist in a movie. I’m slightly attractive in a nerdy way. No one listens to me until they get into real trouble, but I always come to their aid with my vast knowledge of biology, chemistry, paleontology, medicine, physics, rocket science…etc. https://t.co/4hkf5M7BrL

— D????Hunter (@greenchilegirl) January 4, 2019

Feature Image: Disney Plus.

This post was originally published on November 1, 2019, and updated on February 24, 2021.

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