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Unrealistically Delayed Dialogue?

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Newtrope Since: Dec, 1969
#1: Oct 27th 2010 at 7:25:15 AM

First-time poster here. I wonder what you call this trope, which occurs frequently on television, perhaps especially on sitcoms. Say a couple has been to a party and they had an argument or something embarrassing happened. In the next scene, they enter their own home after the party and their conversation sounds like something they should have said in the car on the way home.

As the door opens and they enter the living room, she might say, "I can't believe you said that to Alice! You insulted her decor AND their baby!"

He: "What are you talking about? She knew I was kidding!"

In real life, this conversation would have occurred immediately upon the couple entering their car to leave the party. They wouldn't have driven in silence for 15 minutes and saved the conversation for the moment they enter their front door. It's more unnatural than the couple-just-had-sex-and-wraps-themselves-in-the-bed-sheet trope, which must be on this site somewhere.

So, is there a name for it? Thank you!

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#2: Oct 27th 2010 at 7:41:33 AM

I would call it Rule of Perception, since it does the audience no good if scripted conversation happens offscreen. However, you should take these types of inquiries to Lost And Found or YKTTW.

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