Things which annoy or puzzle you on telly or in films

What makes me laugh is how quickly the suspect in murder mysteries breaks down and confesses the whole story! Does not happen in real life.

Whenever there is a fancy dress party - usually impromptu - everyone turns up wearing the most amazing costumes.

No one ever gets through to an engaged phone.

Everyone knows everyone else's phone number - even those they have only just met, or who are "enemies".

How big are the local precincts and do businesses open and close weekly? They are always going to "the new Italian in the precinct". No one ever seems to go back, nor does the Italian ever cease to be "the new Italian" and just become "the Italian".

Heinous crimes against other residents are always forgiven and the perpetrator rarely leaves under a cloud. For example, Kevin Webster forgiven by, and in business with, the husband of the woman he had an affair with and had a child with.

No one ever lives on benefits. No one is ever unemployed - as has been mentioned, as soon as someone needs a job, one miraculously opens up. They get offered work at the drop of a hat, without any discussion about hours, pay etc. And they start working on the next shift with a perfectly fitting uniform.

When going to investigate a strange noise in a house, (usually when the occupant is alone), they NEVER switch a ruddy light on, and stumble through the gloom.

Why do members of the public in a TV drama being interviewed by a policeman just walk away without the interview being over.

Yes annsixty - that is something that really annoys me!! How arrogant - would anyone really do that?

Corrie-? When people go in the Rovers Return the loo is on the right of the bar, when you see the outside shot it's clear if that was the case they'd be weeing in Ken Barlow house!!

Apart from 'Home and Away' and 'Neighbours' which I love (at least you get sunshine in them) I've given up watching soaps. East Enders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street, which I stopped watching years ago, are just full of misery

I find the background music in most programmers very annoying being a bit hard of hearing. Why does a documentary need music when someone is speaking? More and more programmed are like this now which is why I need to put the subtitles on.

The people who wander around holding cups (especially take away coffee) and there is obviously no liquid in them. Surely they could have a little water in them to make carrying them more realistic

Going back to In The Dark, which, incidentally, I enjoyed, I wish actresses could be taught how to walk when supposedly 9 months pregnant. The other night she was walking briskly along, practically running in one scene! Unless I was an odd one out, no way could I have moved like that at 9 months gone!

Exactly what I thought callgirl! No way could anyone in reality skip about like whoever when 9 months pregnant and so enormous!! My recollection of being like that was of discomfort, and feeling like a beached whale!! Very unrealistic!!

I can't stand it when, before a break someone announces what's 'coming up' followed after the add by 'previously'. Yes we know - we've just been watching it!!

The worst one we watch is The Dog Rescuers - the repetition is bonkers in it.

In dramas: stabbing at food with a fork or spoon and never taking a mouthful (OK, I know they have to deliver their lines, but at least they could take a tiny morsel) .

TV news: there's a particular reporter who is unable to pronounce '-ing', e.g. ' Mrs May was hopin' for a bigger majority'. The reporter in question uses RP so it can't be a regional quirk. I have to switch over.

In "In the Dark", the pregnant woman did that thing they always do on TV, she walked around with her hands on her belly (in this case one above, one below) as if she thought it might slip off and roll away - as well she might, as she appeared to have a small piece of furniture, or at least a large Space Hopper, tucked inside her shirt.

The other thing (it didn't happen in this case, but is very common) is whenever a pregnant woman goes into labour in a drama, it's instant. None of this wandering around saying, "I think this could be it, you know! Shall I give my Mum a call? Will you make me a cup of tea?" ; one minute they're having a picnic or arguing with their husband, then suddenly they clutch their belly or cling to the nearest person and start to gasp and shriek, with a pain that is constant and overwhelming. I don't know anyone who had a labour like that.

Rain machines that drench, seem to be using firefighters' hoses.

Actors' suitcases nearly always so light they swing. Don't expect them to buckle under the weight,but no need to be empty!

Don't watch much TV now
But what perplexed me in either a soap or drama featuring a wedding or funeral
was where were the persons family?
Only people relevant to the programme attended.
No mother, father, brother, sister or grandparents etc.

And another thing - in TV dramas when people are visited by detectives to ask about a missing person, crime etc. they carry on whatever they were doing, e..g hanging out washing, chopping carrots, weeding ..... I think I might actually stop and engage with the police if they were to come calling.

Why are the children in soaps so well behaved? As soon as they are told to " go upstairs" or "go to bed" they always go straight away and are never heard of again.

Yes, Oriel, the "previously" thing infuriates me. As if we'll all have completely forgotten what happened three minutes ago (or three seconds, if we've recorded it and skipped the ads).

I hate the videos they often run on news reports now, often from mobile phone footage. A narrow strip of frantic action in the middle with a blurred version of the same running at each side. What's that supposed to add to our knowledge? Also, the stock pictures or videos we have to have illustrating a report. Concerns about obesity? Cue a couple of big people scoffing burgers. Or a couple of pairs of fat legs waddling along, knees down, shown from the rear. Traffic issues? Here's a snap of cars blocking the M25, just in case you're having trouble visualising them.

Awful things happen to soap-folk. Someone is usually undergoing a life or death trauma. So how come that even a lowly kebab slinger is nursed in a private room? They all get private rooms; so convenient for family arguments to range freely across the sick bed. Bring back the Matron I say!
And in hospital dramas, it seems to be normal for relatives to watch ops through an observation window, especially when the dreaded panels are brought into play.

Also, are relatives really allowed in to watch when family members are receiving major intervention after an emergency?

Predictive text again. Paddles,not panels.

I hate background music, is it necessary on a documentary?

Tizliz (and others) background music on anything! I keep thinking I can hear my phone ringing!! (My sons set it!!) Lots of other niggles have already been mentioned too. Walking along swinging an obviously empty suitcase drives me crazy.

Oh yes some poverty stricken person suddenly finds the cash to fly to some emergency in Spain, America, Australia or wherever I could never afford to go. Similarly characters can go off on holiday the next day with no financial problems or discussions about holiday allowance from work!!

Also why do people in great danger run upstairs to be trapped or down into the cellar. If something horrendous or terrifying happened in my house I would not go and investigate. Either I would leave by the front door or back door or even the patio door .. there is plenty of choice, even climbing out of a window!!!

Or even leave without appearing to pack, make provision for post cat, or anything else come t that!
Why do people creep upstairs if they hear a suspicious noise without turning on the light?! Why do they enter a tunnel or building, obviously terrified, on their own in the dark? Wouldn't you get help?! Coming in late at night and again not putting on the light (normal people do) till you reach the lounge?! Surprise,surprise, someone jumps out at you having been hiding in the gloom of your hallway!!!!

I've not read the entire thread so others may have mentioned this - stumbling around in the dark (turn a flipping light on!)

Important and sensitive interviews that take place on the doorstep, on a corridor, or someone's place of work on earshot of others. As if.

And the "main cop" will always, always go into a very dangerous situation without calling for backup.