Story Lab: TV Tropes

Exploring the world of TV Tropes turned out to be much more exciting than I would have initially thought. Especially since I did this with my boyfriend and his roommates. Reading through various tropes, having discussions about what makes a trope a trope, and listing different examples proved to be hilarious, especially when someone was able to guess a trope before I found it on the list.

Some of the tropes that we found hilarious, in no particular order:

How many sitcoms operate. (Source: TV Tropes)

In a simple explanation, the idiot plot is a plot that occurs solely because everyone is an idiot and doesn't question what's going on. According to the article, this can be done intentionally (and can come off very well when done so), and can also be done unintentionally. In the cases of the latter, usually the intelligent question is ignored in favor of driving the plot forward.

Those explanations that aren't really explanations (Source: TV Tropes)

The Voodoo Shark trope is when the creators of the show catch a plot hole, but roll with it anyway for reasons. Usually there's an acknowledgement of the hole in some or fashion, either by explaining it with nonsense or having the characters question it without getting a reason (see the example in the picture).

Those episodes that "tackle" the tough issues (Source: TV Tropes)

Everyone knows what a Very Special Episode is: where the characters go through something tough and difficult, but through the love of their friends and family pull through. The episodes that have issues like eating disorders, drug abuse, abuse from a loved one, death, etc. Although more often than not, especially in sitcoms, the entire thing is portrayed completely inaccurately. 

I don't even know if this one needs any explanation (Source: TV Tropes)

Hahaha, mental illness is hilarious! (Source: TV Tropes)

This is a trope that is basically using "schizophrenia" for humor (the quotes are there because it's just what the creators labeled schizophrenia. Rarely is it what would actually be diagnosed as). While once in a while it might be handled tastefully, more often than not it's better left alone.

"No way that's real, it looks so different in the movies!" (Source: TV Tropes)

This is kinda the whole, "Truth is stranger than fiction" mindset. People don't think something is portrayed accurately (even when it is) because it doesn't fit what they think is real. An example would be saying an Main Actor's accent sounds fake, and that Other Actor has a better accent, even when Main Actor has that accent in real life and is from that Country, while Other Actor isn't. 

Overall this was very fascinating, and it's very easy to fall down the hole and get lost in the website. As the website states on its front page, tropes aren't necessarily bad! If done correctly they can be very good. They're needed to make a story, no matter what in the end. Hopefully I can use this site in my stories to make sure I don't follow a trope incorrectly.