History Main / TropeTelegraphing

* [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] like hell in ''Film/LastActionHero'', where in-universe action movie plot is StrictlyFormula to its GenreSavvy young viewer. This continues to be brought up during his [[TrappedInAnotherWorld visit within the movie's universe]].

* ''WesternAnimation/OlafsFrozenAdventure'': The pictured above example sees Elsa go up into the castle's attic looking for Anna. It sets up a classic jump scare as Anna is hiding in one of the trunks. Prompting a gasp and a mild "Anna, what are you doing?" from Elsa. As they browse Elsa's trunk of old belongings, it seems set up for a second jump scare. Anna finds it only full of Elsa's old gloves. Elsa lifts out a row of gloves and her childhood stuffed penguin Sir Jorgen Bjorgen. She reaches into her trunk and pulls out a small wooden box with two tiny bells on it. She hands it to Anna and tells her to look inside...and finds old drawings of Olaf that Anna would slip under Elsa's door.

** A [[LargeHam big-name guest star]] is on "The Mothership" or ''[[Series/LawAndOrderSpecialVictimsUnit SVU]])''. If this star isn't the victim or the defense lawyer, [[NarrowedItDownToTheGuyIRecognize (s)he's the perp]]. *** ''[[Series/LawAndOrderCriminalIntent Criminal Intent]]'' likes to disrupt the curve by offering up multiple guest stars.

* A [[LargeHam big-name guest star]] is on one of the ''Franchise/LawAndOrder'' shows (particularly "The Mothership" or ''[[Series/LawAndOrderSpecialVictimsUnit SVU]])''. If this star isn't the victim or the defense lawyer, [[NarrowedItDownToTheGuyIRecognize (s)he's the perp]]. ''[[Series/LawAndOrderCriminalIntent Criminal Intent]]'' likes to disrupt the curve by offering up multiple guest stars. If there's a courthouse PerpWalk, there's a 50/50 shot of a VigilanteExecution. If it's at the halfway point of the episode or 55-minute mark, the only question is who's going to pull the trigger.

* In ''Franchise/StarTrek'', every SugarBowl planet that our heroes visit will turn out to be a CrapsaccharineWorld.

* Likewise in ''Series/DoctorWho''. Also, any exciting new technology, whether in the PresentDay or TheFuture, is either going to GoHorriblyWrong and create monsters, or was always secretly ''meant'' to create monsters. A SugarBowl planet [[BreadEggsBreadedEggs created thanks to an exciting new technology]]? Yep, it's both.

* Oh look, the [[Series/{{Frasier}} Cranes]] are throwing a party. Cue ASimplePlan, with the occasional FawltyTowersPlot.

* A [[LargeHam big-name guest star]] is on one of the ''Franchise/LawAndOrder'' shows (Particularly The Mothership or [[Series/LawAndOrderSpecialVictimsUnit SVU]]). If this star isn't the victim or the defense lawyer, [[NarrowedItDownToTheGuyIRecognize (s)he's the perp]]. [[Series/LawAndOrderCriminalIntent Criminal Intent]] likes to disrupt the curve by offering up multiple guest stars.
** If there's a courthouse PerpWalk, there's a 50/50 shot of a VigilanteExecution. If it's at the halfway point of the episode or 55-minute mark, the only question is who's going to pull the trigger.

* If a wedding ring appears at ANY TIME before TheyDo, [[LostWeddingRing that sucker is going on an adventure.]]

* [[DeathBySex Two people are having sex. They are unmarried and really enjoying it. One or both will die]]. If it's one, the survivor will be accused of the other's death.

* The love interest girl or UnluckyChildhoodFriend or just a childhood friend in an EasternRPG is a playable character. If she doesn't eventually leave permanently, there will be a two-hour stretch where she isn't playable, either by [[DistressedDamsel kidnapping]] or for some other reason.

* Likewise in ''Series/DoctorWho''. Also, any exciting new technology, whether in the PresentDay or TheFuture, is either going to GoHorriblyWrong and create monsters, or was always secretly ''meant'' to create monsters. A SugarBowl planet created thanks to an exciting new technology? Yep, it's both.

See also {{Foreshadowing}}.

* A pure girl is [[IllGirl ill.]] Her illness is constantly brought up. And she isn't an action heroine or anything. [[DullSurprise Surprise surprise,]] [[TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth she's going to die.]]

* A [[LargeHam big-name guest star]] is on one of the ''Franchise/LawAndOrder'' shows (Particularly [[FanNickname The Mothership]] or [[Series/LawAndOrderSpecialVictimsUnit SVU]]). If this star isn't the victim or the defense lawyer, [[NarrowedItDownToTheGuyIRecognize (s)he's the perp]]. [[Series/LawAndOrderCriminalIntent Criminal Intent]] likes to disrupt the curve by offering up multiple guest stars.

* You just got a really cool new party member in an RPG. But what's this? You can't change their equipment or customize their abilities? You've just met a GuestStarPartyMember, and there's about a 90% chance they'll be KilledOffForReal soon.

* In a similar vein, two characters have identical-looking bags/briefcases/whatever holding radically different cargo. They will get switched, and bizarre shenanigans will ensue while the characters try to get things sorted out.

* In ''any'' movie featuring a monster, natural disaster, terrorist attack, supervillain or other flamboyant menace disrupting a public celebration, whoever is in charge of a community (usually the mayor) will [[CassandraTruth refuse to listen to any warnings]], either because cancelling the event will make him/her look weak and/or get bad press, or because cancelling it will be bad for the local economy. Of course, the predicted catastrophe ''will'' occur, and if the authority figure doesn't repent ''immediately'', he/she is due for a KarmicDeath at the hands of whatever he/she had dismissed. This trope becomes more enforceable the lower the prestige of the film, and ironclad if it's a TV movie.