Overused Plots in Movies and TV

[Vincent L]

A meets B
A and B gets together
A and B gets separated for some reason
B realizes he/she loves A
B goes back to A
A is going to marry C
B gets depressed
Turns out A is not going to marry C
A marries B

 

[mo]

A meets B
A and B gets together
A and B gets separated for some reason
B realizes he/she loves A
B goes back to A
A is going to marry C
B gets depressed
Turns out A is not going to marry C
A marries B

then A and B have children and they name them ABBA.

 

[Vincent L]

Than C gets on a boat but gets C-sick (terrible pun)

You have a great sense of humor, mo!

 

[mo]

Than C gets on a boat but gets C-sick

(terrible pun)

then D comes and he relizes that B is his second cousin twice removed!

 

[Vincent L]

Than D killes B and replaces B because they look so alike, and D gets all of A's money.
(this plot is going nowhere)

 

[mo]

Than D killes B and replaces B because they look so alike, and D gets all of A's money.
(this plot is going nowhere)

then it all ends happily in...idaho?

 

[Vincent L]

THE END

[credits start rolling]

 

[mo]

THE END

[credits start rolling]

but then....I got nothing.

 

[D'Snowth]

A meets B
A and B gets together
A and B gets separated for some reason
B realizes he/she loves A
B goes back to A
A is going to marry C
B gets depressed
Turns out A is not going to marry C
A marries B

Which brings to mind a very similar overused plot device, as explored in this comic:

http://idget.comicgenesis.com/d/20110104.html

 

[Mo Frackle]

One plot device that I can tolerate is the classic "three version story". What usually happens is two main characters will get into a fight about something that happened in the past. One character tells a totally exaggerated story that makes the other character look bad. The other character does the same, and while their story is just as exaggerated as character 1, it's also completely different. In the end, a third character shows up and tells the audience what really happened.

I like this plot device because (a) it's not used quite as often as some of the devices already mentioned and (b) from a comedy standpoint, it always brings out the best in the characters. Plus, the exaggerated stories are usually pretty funny.