Writing: Jargon Preservation 2

Over at the Artful Writer, they've got a list of terms up which are excellent, but are a bit more specifically film -- and film comedy -- oriented. An interesting difference in meaning through context is "schmuck bait".

In David Zucker's list - Schmuck Bait: A twist ending that makes the audience feel cheated, such as the old "It-Was-All-A-Dream".

But because of the serial nature of television, Schmuck Bait has a distinctly different meaning. As submitted by Ron Anderson, for TV -- Schmuck Bait: When the promos for a show tease an outcome which will obviously never happen. Example: "Will Ross leave Rachel forever and move to Paris?" Obviously the actor isn't going to leave the show so it's "schmuck bait".

This term doesn't just refer to the promos. When coming up with dilemmas and storylines, a threat to characters which we'd obviously never let happen -- and only a viewer who had no idea how television works would fall for -- is called Schmuck Bait. So not only is the above example promo Schmuck Bait, but during the writing of the episode, this may well have occured:

"Then, at the end of the first act, Ross gets on the plane, maybe never coming back!"
"Come on, that's schmuck bait."

We'll add our TV version to our list, with a nod to the inimitable Mr. Zucker.

"Schmuck Bait:" A threatened plot twist/outcome in a TV show which will obviously never happen. Example: "Will Ross leave Rachel forever and move to Paris?" Obviously the actor isn't going to leave the show so it's "schmuck bait".

They also have "Gilding the Lily", but I prefer the way I learned it (and again, probably more of a TV variation) ...

"Gilding the Matzah": Over-writing a joke, so it's no longer funny.

Also, used in every sitcom room I'm aware of:

"laying pipe": writing and delivering the onerous dialogue which provids backstory and the plot facts needed to support the weight of the funny (or interesting). Exposition, kids, and it ain't fun.

Example: "Geesh, all Dougie's doing this scene is laying pipe. Couldn't we give him a joke?"

One always strives to lay pipe in an interesting way, or "hide the pipe" in an otherwise entertaining sequence. Such a two-for one is a pleasant flourish signifying your professional ability, like a nice chip shot.