Oh, come on, people. Even my grandson knew the paddles of a defibrillator have to be applied directly to the patient's skin. I think I threw a pillow at the TV. This rates right up there with giving CPR to a victim who was conscious and talking - yes, I actually saw that in a show. I can't count the number of times I've seen CPR given by supposed professionals doing compressions by flexing their arms (if you don't know, the elbows remain locked and the body moves).
I know TV shows take a lot of liberties with reality. Female cops on the job in stiletto heels, showing six inches of cleavage. DNA results in under an hour. Vast databases that just happen to contain whatever piece of information is needed to close the case. But shouldn't they want to get at least the obvious stuff right?
Most writers I know put an incredible number of hours into research...to get it right. What would be the proper police procedure in this case? How would doctors handle this kind of injury? In a courtroom, would a judge allow... Well, you know what I mean. Even writers of sci fi and fantasy stick to the rules of whatever world they've created.
Why? Because we know our readers expect no less.
So why, when we close a book and switch on the TV, do we no longer care? Why don't we expect TV writers to get it right? Even a little bit?
Have you seen anything on TV lately that made you want to throw a pillow? What's one of your favorite "oh, come on" moments?
Quote of the Day:
Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint. ~ Mark Twain
24 comments:
Maybe we have lower expectations when it comes to television shows.
It's so much easier to crucify an author who gets it wrong than a tv executive.
Ugh. I hate that, too.
How about all those women in network TV shows who keep their bras on in bed? Seriously?
I'm CPR certified and what annoys me is they never tilt the head back. Open the person's airway before you start blowing in his or her mouth!
I'm always talking back to my tv.
My favorite is Podunkville population maybe 1500 has a lab that puts MIT to shame.
Okay - I haven't seen that episode of Covert Affairs yet (it's on the DVR waiting), but I'll have to see if my husband notices before I say anything to him!
I've groaned A LOT at television shows (especially the wearing of makeup in bed), but it's television - all about the visual!
Maria - I wonder if it's because we've just paid for the book so we expect more for our money. Of course, that would mean lower expectations for a book from the library so maybe not.
Linda G. - Yup that's another one.
Diane - Oh don't get me started on what they do with CPR. And kudos for being trained. Everyone should be.
Mary - One of my favorites is Abby's lab on NCIS. I love Abby but in reality NCIS doesn't maintain it's own lab. Morgue either. (Sorry, Ducky.)
And I talk back to my TV, too.
Stacy - Let me know if he notices.
If they must wear makeup in bed (feasible if they fell into bed in the heat of passion), couldn't it at least be smudged. :-)
The gorgeous lady detectives in six-inch stillettos with tough sounding names who can never seem to get a date are personal pet peeves of mine...
Just think how long CSI shows would be if it were in real time though?
Liz - I'm with you on that one. Makes me crazy.
Alex - True. But people start believing this stuff.
awesome quote! love the twain!
and one reason tv does what it does: ratings
thry're more concerned with excitement & hooking a viewer than accuracy. as long as they're close to real, they can show cleavage & hope we wont notice the flaws =)
Tara - Agreed. And that's why I don't throw things over the cleavage, stiletto, and long flowing tresses. But defibrillator paddles through clothing...too much for me.
And thanks for liking the quote.
I was really into that episode until the scene in the hospital. I just barely refrained from throwing jigsaw puzzle pieces when I saw the doc using the defibrillator like that. And where was the rest of the medical team that responds to a code blue?
I can live with the DNA tests that come back too quickly. I don't think we, the audience, could wait three weeks. LOL And other minor things don't bother me because I know it is done for expediency. There's only an hour to get this case solved.
However, I do hate the way female officers are "dressed" for the shows. I've interviewed a lot of women detectives and none of them wear heels, or shirts that look like the button are going to pop any second.
There are times that you just can't have a TV episode that doesn't require some form of tossing a pillow at it for a blatantly bad thing. I've watched shows with military or ex-military buds and had to hide my giggles when a scene involving some over-dressed-over-decorated officer came on the screen. Wow...let the cursing begin.
You're so right. Nothing gives me the giggles faster than a sleuth in high heels.
Maryann - I know. One lone idiot responding to a code blue. Unbelievable.
I guess I forgive the inappropreiate clothes because I know sex boosts ratings. But stupidity doesn't. Or at least it shouldn't.
Angela - Yup. My husand's retired military so I hear it, too.
Patricia - And giving chase to a fleeing suspect. I keep waiting for one of them to break an ankle.
Hubby is a 31 year retired firefighter/paramedic. He really laughed at that one.
The worst show to watch with him is Royal Pains. LOL!
Donna - Oh yeah, Royal Pains makes me crazy. And while I love the show Castle, I do a lot of pillow throwing at the mistakes in that one, too.
Post a Comment