Never understood... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

BWLuv · 01-24-2006, 08:20 PM

In the Impractical Joke, in the opening scene why would Sally have a party with Buddy & Mel, but not invite Rob? Is there something cut out that explains why he isn't at the party.

JudgeGarth · 01-24-2006, 11:39 PM

I agree! That's always bothered me, too! There was nothing left out at the beginning to explain that.

treky · 01-25-2006, 02:35 AM

maybe she invited Rob and Laura, but they couldn't make it.

BWLuv · 01-25-2006, 07:21 AM

But they were home watching TV when they played the joke. It's a a funny episode, but they should have set it up better in the beginning.

caladon · 01-25-2006, 09:30 AM

I used to wonder about that as well. I just chalked it up to being an unavoidable plot hole necessary to get the episode rolling. But treky has the most logical explanation:

Probably something like:

R&L had a school related function to attend (They usually break-up by 8 or 9 pm) and the drive to Sally's would've been too far by that time.

But a couple of lines of exposition in the office scene the next day would've easily filled in the plot hole.

SawgrassSteve · 01-25-2006, 01:35 PM

Funny, but it never crossed my mind! Good thingking guys.

Steve

Lolac · 01-25-2006, 03:32 PM

That has always bothered me.

Lolac

BWLuv · 01-25-2006, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caladon

But a couple of lines of exposition in the office scene the next day would've easily filled in the plot hole.

Yeah, something like Sally saying, "That'll teach you to go to a PTA meeting instead of a party at my place."

David VP · 01-26-2006, 09:32 AM

I'd never thought of that "Why Wasn't Rob Invited?" question either re. the "Joke" episode. (And I should have....since I've got a laundry list of such oddities and plot/logic gaps for "The Cat Burglar", plus some other V.D. eps.)

But -- Let me add: The "PTA Meeting" excuse (or some other "out of the house till 8 or 9 or 10 PM" excuse) probably won't wash either, IMO, for the "Joke" episode......

Because Rob and Laura are in the middle of a TV show when the joke begins over the phone. (Although I suppose R&L could have gotten home from somewhere and started watching TV after they came home of course.....However, "Phil Franklin", the jokester, asks Rob "Have you used your telephone in the last hour or so?"...with Rob answering "No" ... So we know he's been home for AT LEAST a full hour, or more, prior to the joke's commencement!)

Therefore, ladies & germs of the jury, I submit to you that R&L were home the ENTIRE EVENING in question, and therefore COULD have attended the bash @ Sally's dwelling that evening!

Perry, your witness! And make it good....my client has suffered long enough.

BWLuv · 01-26-2006, 12:06 PM

Well, how about a variation of my original...

Next day Sally says, "That'll teach you to choose a quiet evening at home over one of my parties."

Or Rob says, "Next time I say I'm not up to a party at your place and want to just stay home and watch TV, play that tape again."

caladon · 01-26-2006, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David VP

But -- Let me add: The "PTA Meeting" excuse (or some other "out of the house till 8 or 9 or 10 PM" excuse) probably won't wash either, IMO, for the "Joke" episode......

Because Rob and Laura are in the middle of a TV show when the joke begins over the phone. (Although I suppose R&L could have gotten home from somewhere and started watching TV after they came home of course.....However, "Phil Franklin", the jokester, asks Rob "Have you used your telephone in the last hour or so?"...with Rob answering "No" ... So we know he's been home for AT LEAST a full hour, or more, prior to the joke's commencement!)

Therefore, ladies & germs of the jury, I submit to you that R&L were home the ENTIRE EVENING in question, and therefore COULD have attended the bash @ Sally's dwelling that evening!

Perry, your witness! And make it good....my client has suffered long enough.

Objection your Honor

I believe that it's been established that R&L were watching the "conclusion" of a movie when Phil Franklin alias The Prankster called. In fact I believe Rob asked him to hold on while he watched the last few minutes of the movie to see how it would end before getting back to the phone call. Therefore The "PTA Meeting" excuse (or some other "out of the house till 8 or 9 or 10 PM" excuse) excuse would in fact be valid.

But let us assume for a moment that R&L were in the "middle" of the movie at the time of the phone call. Rob's "no" response to not having used the phone over the last hour or so would still support the "PTA meeting" excuse; buy viture of the fact that if you were away from home, you wouldn't have used the phone. Rob never clarified as to his or Laura's whereabouts during the last hour or so.

Your Honor; the defense rests.

David VP · 01-28-2006, 12:52 AM

Quote:

...if you were away from home, you wouldn't have used the phone. Rob never clarified as to his or Laura's whereabouts during the last hour or so.

Point taken, counselor.

sbeamish · 02-05-2006, 09:09 PM

If you were married to Laura Petrie wouldn't you want to stay home sometimes?

SawgrassSteve · 02-06-2006, 07:43 PM

LOL!
sbeamish,
that's the best point yet! Heck, I think I'd invent the Internet and eBay just so we could work from home

. Good call!

Steve

#1MrTerrificFan · 02-06-2006, 08:28 PM

Quote:

If you were married to Laura Petrie wouldn't you want to stay home sometimes?

No. Why?

01-25-2006, 02:35 AM	#3
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	maybe she invited Rob and Laura, but they couldn't make it.
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

01-25-2006, 01:35 PM	#6
SawgrassSteve Loyal Worshipper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,423	Funny, but it never crossed my mind! Good thingking guys. Steve
	__________________ The Cult Of Laura

01-24-2006, 08:20 PM	#1
BWLuv Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 21, 2004 Posts: 203	Never understood... In the Impractical Joke, in the opening scene why would Sally have a party with Buddy & Mel, but not invite Rob? Is there something cut out that explains why he isn't at the party.

01-24-2006, 11:39 PM	#2
JudgeGarth Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 07, 2004 Location: Wheaton, IL Posts: 443	I agree! That's always bothered me, too! There was nothing left out at the beginning to explain that.

01-25-2006, 07:21 AM	#4
BWLuv Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 21, 2004 Posts: 203	But they were home watching TV when they played the joke. It's a a funny episode, but they should have set it up better in the beginning.

01-25-2006, 09:30 AM	#5
caladon Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 30, 2001 Location: Massachusetts state home for the bewildered Posts: 1,151	I used to wonder about that as well. I just chalked it up to being an unavoidable plot hole necessary to get the episode rolling. But treky has the most logical explanation: Probably something like: R&L had a school related function to attend (They usually break-up by 8 or 9 pm) and the drive to Sally's would've been too far by that time. But a couple of lines of exposition in the office scene the next day would've easily filled in the plot hole.

01-25-2006, 03:32 PM	#7
Lolac Dolce far niente, Carissima! Senior Member Join Date: Jan 02, 2003 Location: Fairfax Station, VA Posts: 1,487	That has always bothered me. Lolac

01-26-2006, 09:32 AM	#9
David VP Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 29, 2004 Posts: 310	I'd never thought of that "Why Wasn't Rob Invited?" question either re. the "Joke" episode. (And I should have....since I've got a laundry list of such oddities and plot/logic gaps for "The Cat Burglar", plus some other V.D. eps.) But -- Let me add: The "PTA Meeting" excuse (or some other "out of the house till 8 or 9 or 10 PM" excuse) probably won't wash either, IMO, for the "Joke" episode...... Because Rob and Laura are in the middle of a TV show when the joke begins over the phone. (Although I suppose R&L could have gotten home from somewhere and started watching TV after they came home of course.....However, "Phil Franklin", the jokester, asks Rob "Have you used your telephone in the last hour or so?"...with Rob answering "No" ... So we know he's been home for AT LEAST a full hour, or more, prior to the joke's commencement!) Therefore, ladies & germs of the jury, I submit to you that R&L were home the ENTIRE EVENING in question, and therefore COULD have attended the bash @ Sally's dwelling that evening! Perry, your witness! And make it good....my client has suffered long enough.

01-26-2006, 12:06 PM	#10
BWLuv Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 21, 2004 Posts: 203	Well, how about a variation of my original... Next day Sally says, "That'll teach you to choose a quiet evening at home over one of my parties." Or Rob says, "Next time I say I'm not up to a party at your place and want to just stay home and watch TV, play that tape again."

02-05-2006, 09:09 PM	#13
sbeamish Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 28, 2004 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 296	If you were married to Laura Petrie wouldn't you want to stay home sometimes?

02-06-2006, 07:43 PM	#14
SawgrassSteve Loyal Worshipper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,423	LOL! sbeamish, that's the best point yet! Heck, I think I'd invent the Internet and eBay just so we could work from home . Good call! Steve