History LookBehindYou / LiveActionTV

** Another Python sketch has a well-to-do household gathered in a drawing room after a murder has been committed. A Scotland Yard inspector strides in, introducing himself as Inspector Tiger. They echo his name in puzzlement and he spins around shouting "Where, where??" Later, Inspector Lookout enters, the same thing happens. Later still, Inspector There's-a-man-behind-you enters, they echo ''his'' name, and he chuckles "Oh no, I'm not falling for ''that'' one!"

* In the pilot episode of ''Series/{{Farscape}}'', Aeryn Sun and John Crichton are confronted by a sword-wielding D'Argo, only to see Captain Crais coming up behind him with a squad of soldiers. Aeryn stands to attention while John tries to point them out to D'Argo who scoffs at the idea that he would fall for such a trick. The fact that he's not watching his own back establishes the Luxan's inexperience as a warrior despite his claims otherwise.

==>'''Crais:''' [[WalkInChimeIn But fall you will, Luxan!]]

** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS31E12ThePandoricaOpens "The Pandorica Opens"]]: The Doctor does this himself, in his own... [[CrazyAwesome unique]] fashion.

* ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'': Subverted in an interesting way. At the start of Series 3 when the Federation and Dominion have forged a treaty together, the cast decides to sabotage the treaty and find an unexpected ally in Garak, the station's resident tailor. To break Sisko out of prison, Garak, Dax and Bashir confront Eddington who's taken over station security. Dax and Bashir's challenge of him is interrupted by Garak, who is standing on Eddington's right, spotting a loose thread on Eddington's left shoulder. As Eddington turns his head to look at what Garak's pointing at, it causes him to fully expose the right side of his neck to Garak who whips out a hypospray and sedates him. [[spoiler: The subversion? It never happened. It was a simulation the command crew was unknowingly being forced to experience by their Dominion captors.]]

* ''Series/{{Angel}}''. Averted in "Epiphany" when the heroes realise this tactic won't work on a demon that literally has eyes in the back of its head.

* ''Series/RedDwarf'': "Excuse me, could I just distract you for a brief second?" The villain's response is to grunt "Huh?" and turn around!

* Used in ''Series/TheSarahJaneAdventures'', where Maria says, "Look! UNIT!" to a Sontaran. However, the Sontaran claims he looked deliberately as he knew where Maria and the others would escape to, and it would save him having to chase them.

* The B-plot of the ''Series/CityGuys'' episode "The Roommate" involves Al taking photos of Cassidy and Dawn as they're working as models for an agency. Late in the episode, Cassidy and Dawn confront Al at the [[LocalHangout Manhattan Diner]] because the agency has the girls' image photo-shopped for a "before" picture for a weight-loss program. Seeing himself in trouble, Al points to the restroom and say "ooh, Creator/LeonardoDiCaprio", and then hightails it out of the diner the moment the girls turn around at the direction of the restroom, prompting the girls to run after him.

** The "Burglar Hides in the Library" sketch features a variation; because the burglar and the policemen pursuing him are shushed impatiently by the librarian and the other library patrons if they so much as whisper, the policemen disarm the burglar using a [[TalkingWithSigns sign reading]] [[AC:"Look out. There's someone behind you"]].

** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS31E12TbePandoricaOpens "The Pandorica Opens"]]: The Doctor does this himself, in his own... [[CrazyAwesome unique]] fashion.

* Parodied frequently on ''Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000'' -- their version usually boils down to, "Hey, look, a ''big distracting thing!''"
* Would you believe that Maxwell Smart used this ploy in most episodes of ''Series/GetSmart''?
** [[RunningGag I find that hard to believe.]]
* On ''Series/GilligansIsland'' during Gilligan's dream where he's a secret agent, Mr. Howell (who plays the Big Bad in the dream) pulls this on him. Gilligan falls for it and they struggle over Gilligan's gun as the dream ends.
* The first episode of Season Three of ''Series/{{House}}'' featured Cameron following House down a corridor, pestering him about something he didn't want to discuss. House tells her she's forgetting: he can do something now he couldn't do before... and then trails off, looking over her shoulder with a puzzled expression. As soon as she turns to check, he runs away.
** Wilson does this to House in "Frozen", when House keeps pestering him about who he's dating: "Okay, but you swear not to tell anyone? It's-- (dodges around House and runs)."
* Reese from ''Series/MalcolmInTheMiddle''
-->Hey look, I'm over there.
** In another episode, Malcolm and Reese are playing the Circle Game (if you see someone's thumb and index finger in a circle below their waist, they get to punch you). Then Stevie joins in, and it turns out he's very easily distracted, as Reese manages to get him with "Hey, look, a snake!" while indoors.
* Larry of ''Series/PerfectStrangers'' distracts Balki by saying something like "Hey, isn't that Wayne Newton?" This upsets Balki, as Larry [[SeriousBusiness "took the name of Wayne in vain."]]
* ''Series/SpaceCases'', when Thelma is cornered by the cast of {{Evil Twin}}s:
-->'''Thelma''': Look over there.
-->'''Evil Harlan''': You don't get it. We're ''[[CardCarryingVillain evil]]''. We don't do what we're told.
-->'''Thelma''': Don't look over there.
-->''(everyone looks, and Thelma bolts)''
* One sketch in the improv-comedy show ''Series/WhoseLineIsItAnyway'' has Ryan Stiles playing a ruthless "killer" taking out the other cast-members. When he finally corners lone "survivor" Colin Mochrie, Colin pulls this trick. Ryan dopily turns and stares, and Colin, showing impressive speed, sprints off the stage to safety.
* ''Series/RedDwarf'': "Excuse me, could I just distract you for a brief second?" The villain's response is to grunt "Huh?" and turn around!
* Used in ''Series/TheSarahJaneAdventures'', where Maria says, "Look! UNIT!" to a Sontaran. However, the Sontaran claims he looked deliberately as he knew where Maria and the others would escape to, and it would save him having to chase them.
* In ''Series/TheITCrowd'', when Moss needs to distract a roomful of women so Roy can [[ItMakesSenseInContext escape from under a desk]], he looks out of a window and starts describing a builder on the scaffolding outside, "taking his shirt off, just like in ads!" Subverted as there ''is'' a shirtless builder out there, but he's not exactly sexy.
** This was actually Jen's successful tactic. Moss' attempt involved literally saying something unbelievable was happening that couldn't be described, in an unconvincing tone. It fails miserably.
* In ''Series/KenanAndKel'', the two are about to be beaten up by a bar gang, when Kenan says, "Look, the Great Wall of China!" The entire gang, plus Kel, not only looks, but stares silently awe-struck at this nonexistent wonder.
* An extended version of the cup-switching trick is carried out in ''Haggard'' wherein two characters repeatedly get one another to look behind them in order to switch who has the drugged cup. Both are well aware of what the other is doing.
* Pee-wee Herman would often do this. The talking doll even says, "What's that? Made you look!" However, it was subverted in the ChristmasSpecial: inside the Magic Screen, Magic Johnson says, "Pee-wee! Look! A polar bear!" Pee-wee responds, "Oldest trick in the book!" but looks behind anyway. Sure enough, a big, mean-looking polar bear is behind them.
* In an episode of ''Series/{{Stella|US}}'', a novelist with writers block escapes with the three main characters' manuscript by shouting "Oh my gosh! a baby deer!" (when they weren't even outside):
-->'''David''': Hey, you guys? She's gone!
-->'''Michael''': There ''was'' no baby deer!
-->'''Michael''': Do you mean the entire time she was talking about the baby deer, she was lying?
-->'''Michael''': Yes. I'm afraid so...
-->'''David''': She's ''brilliant''...
-->'''Michael''': I'm gonna look one more time for that baby deer...
* Subverted in ''Series/JackOfAllTrades'': during a poker game with Napoleon with the Louisiana Purchase as the stakes, Nap tells Jack, "What on Earth is that?!" and when Jack makes a great show of looking intently and trying to see what it is that Napoleon saw, Napoleon slips a fourth queen into his hand. What he doesn't realize, but Jack does, is that when Jack's back was turned to Napoleon, his front was obscured ''from'' Napoleon, and Jack took the opportunity to slip a fifth jack into his own hand (he had a joker).

* In ''Series/{{Scrubs}}'' Season 2's finale (if I remember right), when Dr Cox finds out that Jordan has just had his baby (that he previously thought was someone else's), he (rightfully) tells her outright that, because she lied to him, he's not sure if they will be able to continue in a relationship. She refuses to accept this and won't stop pestering him until he takes back what he said. He manages to buy a few moments of sweet relief by starting a sentence normally, then trailing off and stating loudly "and oh my God, is that guy on fire?", then making a break for it when Jordan isn't looking.
* Arthur pulls this on Merlin in one episode of ''Series/{{Merlin|2008}}'' [[spoiler: so he can mix the liquids and drink the poison [[MoreHeroThanThou rather than letting Merlin do it]] This turned out to be how he passed the test, and saved Camelot]].
* In the ''Series/DoctorWho'' serial ''The Time Monster'':
-->'''Benton:''' You didn't really think you could fool me with a fake telephone call, did you? It's the oldest trick in the book.
-->'''The Master:''' I underestimated you, Sergeant. ... [glancing behind Benton] Why, Doctor! What a very timely--
-->[Benton turns around; the Master hits him, and he goes down cold.]
-->'''The Master:''' You're ''wrong'', Sergeant Benton! ''[[SugarWiki/MomentofAwesome That]]'' is the oldest trick in the book!
** [[TheBrigadier Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart]] actually pulled this on the Doctor in [[Recap/DoctorWhoS26E1Battlefield Battlefield]]; when the Doctor was preparing to face Morgaine (who would very likely kill him), the Brigadier suddenly shouts, "My God, it's a flying saucer!" When the Doctor turns to look, the Brigadier punches him out, then says, "Sorry, Doctor, but I'm MoreExpendableThanYou now!"
** Later, in ''The Pandorica Opens'', the Doctor does this himself, in his own...[[CrazyAwesome unique]] fashion.
--->'''The Doctor''': LOOK AT ME I'M A TARGET!
* Used in the "Bicycle Repair Man" sketch on ''Series/MontyPythonsFlyingCircus''.
** Another Python sketch has a well-to-do household gathered in a drawing room after a murder has been committed. A Scotland Yard inspector strides in, introducing himself as Inspector Tiger. They echo his name in puzzlement and he spins around shouting "Where, where??" Later, Inspector Lookout enters, the same thing happens. Later still, Inspector There's-a-man-behind-you enters, they echo ''his'' name, and he chuckles "Oh no, I'm not falling for ''that'' one!"
* Subverted in an episode of ''Series/{{Primeval}}'' where Danny is [[ItMakesSenseInContext fighting a knight]] and successfully gets him to look up. His subsequent GroinAttack however fails due to the knight's armour.
* In one episode of ''Series/TheGoldenGirls'', Sophia yelled, "Look! Saint Francis of Assisi!" in order to distract a priest so she could slap Stan.
* Used - and {{lampshade|Hanging}}d - by Drew Carey on ''Series/TheDrewCareyShow'': "Look, it's the oldest trick in the book!"
* Used by [[Series/KamenRiderDecade Daiki Kaitou/Diend]] in the ''[[Series/KamenRiderDenO Den-O Trilogy: Episode Yellow]]'', trying to escape TimePolice Reiji Kurosaki by pointing out the [=DenLiner=] crew trying to reclaim the time train. Kurosaki doesn't buy it at first, so of course this is one of the few times [[{{Troll}} Kaitou]] is being 100% truthful.
** In ''Series/KamenRiderDouble'', a FlashBack shows protagonist Shotaro as a [[DarkAndTroubledPast young crook]] doing this to beat cop Mikio Jinno...by shouting "Look, a UFO! A yeti!" [[GoodIsDumb It works.]] And then at the end of the episode, [[BigLippedAlligatorMoment a yeti shows up and scares the crap out of Shotaro]].
*** ''Series/KamenRiderFourze'' has a ShoutOut to this in episode 7, where JK uses the exact same line to try and escape from a vengeance-minded MonsterOfTheWeek. It doesn't work for him, though.

* ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'' did a sketch that purported to show the historical origin of this trick (although, judging by the way the characters were dressed, the sketch had to be taking place in the 1920s at the very earliest). A teacher at a high-school spelling bee (Creator/WillFerrell) loses his cards and is reduced to making up words for the contestants to spell. When they start to catch on to his deception, he points and shouts: "Hey! Look over there!" - before humorously creeping off the stage with his hands held in front of him like a praying mantis. Cue a FreezeFrame and a LemonyNarrator announcing: "That was the first time that 'Hey! Look over there!' was used to escape an embarrassing situation. And how do I know this? Well....Uh....[[HypocriticalHumor 'Hey! Look over there!']]"
* Used in a ''Series/MadTV'' sketch in which the Franchise/{{Terminator}} travels back to Biblical times, shows up at the Last Supper, and shouts: "Look! Pontius Pilate at six o'clock!" so that he can shoot Judas Iscariot.
* DoubleSubversion in ''Series/SisterSister''. Tia got Tamera a date with what was initially believed to be a college kid (although it was later revealed that he was actually an elementary/middle school person, and the confusion stemmed from the fact that the school was referred to as an "academy."). Tamera then approaches Tia when telling some jokers about her having a date, then asks Tia where her date is. Tia then tells her that he's right behind her. She turns and then asks where. Tia then specifies that she has to look down when turning, to show a kid right behind her.
-->'''Tamera:''' Tia, where's my date? ''(oblivious to the child behind her)''
-->'''Tia:''' ''(irritated)'' Right behind you. ''(pointing behind her)''
-->''(Tamera turns quickly and back)''
-->'''Tamera:''' Where?
-->'''Tia:''' ''(sighs heavily)'' Look ''''down''''.
-->''(Tamera's face grows nervous at the implication, turns cautiously while looking down, then jumps away in shock)''
-->'''Kid:''' Well, whaddya know?! T-wins! Looks like I've hit the jackpot! ''(mimicking a slot machine payout)'' Ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-CHING!!
* On ''Series/LawAndOrderCriminalIntent'' episode "Renewal", a cop was able to make the robber look by shouting "Don't come in here!" while pointing at the door behind the criminal.
* While fighting with a sword-wielding intruder, Series/{{Sherlock}} shouts, "Look!" then punches the man when he turns his head.
* ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'': Subverted in an interesting way. At the start of Series 3 when the Federation and Dominion have forged a treaty together, the cast decides to sabotage the treaty and find an unexpected ally in Garak, the station's resident tailor. To break Sisko out of prison, Garak, Dax and Bashir confront Eddington who's taken over station security. Dax and Bashir's challenge of him is interrupted by Garak, who is standing on Eddington's right, spotting a loose thread on Eddington's left shoulder. As Eddington turns his head to look at what Garak's pointing at, it causes him to fully expose the right side of his neck to Garak who whips out a hypospray and sedates him. [[spoiler: The subversion? It never happened. It was a simulation the command crew was unknowingly being forced to experience by their Dominion captors.]]

--> "Look! A Pterodactyl!"
--> (George pauses to look; the thief bolts.)
--> George (voiceover): ''I can't '''believe''' I fell for that.''
* ''Series/{{Firefly}}'' Mal, Zoe, and Jayne are in a bar on I day. Mal pulls this in a fight, the guy refuses to fall for it. That is OK, Zoe cold cocks him from behind.
* ''Series/{{Angel}}''. Averted in "Epiphany" when the heroes realise this tactic won't work on a demon that literally has eyes in the back of its head.
* ''Series/{{Community}}'' - in "Regional Holiday Music", Glee Club director Mister Rad, during an angry outburst, realizing he's basically admitted [[spoiler: killing the last year's Glee Club]] on stage to a good sized audience, points and shouts "Hey! Kings of Leon!" and bolts.
** In "Comparative Religion", Troy and Pierce teach Jeff how to fight, Pierce teaching how to fight dirty.
-->'''Pierce''': Britta, put your blouse back on. [Jeff spins around, Pierce kicks his shin]
-->'''Jeff''': OWW!
-->'''Pierce''': Boys, this is not a game, you've gotta be ready for anything!
-->'''Troy''': Dude! That is not cool!
-->'''Pierce''': Look, that foxy black girl thinks it is. [Troy spins around, Pierce kicks his shin]
-->'''Troy''': OWW!
-->'''Jeff''': What are you ''doing?''
-->'''Troy''': Why's she have to be ''black?''
* In ''Series/DarkAngel'', Max faces Alec in a cage match, and eventually goes, "Look, the ring girl took off her top!" Alec says he's not falling for it, but when Max insists, he gets a perverted look on his face and turns around. The ring girl is ''not'' topless and glares at him, then Max gives him a GroinAttack and defeats him.
* Used multiple times in ''Series/AtLastThe1948Show''.
** In the parody thriller "Mice Laugh Softly, Charlotte", the hero, Oddish, twice disarms villains by pointing at the ceiling and saying "Look out!", then kicking their guns out of their hands while they are distracted.
** The "Burglar Hides in the Library" sketch features a variation; because the burglar and the policemen pursuing him are shushed impatiently by the librarian and the other library patrons if they so much as whisper, the policemen disarm the burglar using a [[TalkingWithSigns sign reading]] [[AC:"Look out. There's someone behind you"]].
* In a Halloween special of ''Series/SabrinaTheTeenageWitch'', Salem tries pulling this on the viewer, warning them of an alleged escaped convict. Dramatic lightning, and then...
-->'''Salem''': Made you look!

* ''Series/BlakesSeven''
** In "Time Squad", Blake meets the telepath Cally, who's about to shoot him in the belief he's a spy. Blake pretends to glance behind her, then jumps Cally when she turns to look, saying it's a good thing she's not the [[CombatClairvoyance kind of telepath who can read minds]]. Ironically it turns out there really is someone behind her -- Avon had been keeping her covered with his gun the whole time.
** In "Countdown", the VillainOfTheWeek fires up the rockets of a small spacecraft while ostensibly activating the door control, making his captor instinctively look towards the noise.
** In "Aftermath", Servalan steals Avon's teleport bracelet at gunpoint. Avon then claims it's damaged and won't work. "Look at the casing; it's cracked right across." Servalan doesn't fall for it, but fortunately someone else shoots at her, providing a genuine distraction.

* In the ''Series/{{Decoy}}'' episode "My Brother's Killer," a man is holding Casey at gunpoint in a car. While the man is distracted, Casey yells, "Watch out for that train back there!" and shoots him with his own gun while he's looking the other way.

* Arthur pulls this on Merlin in one episode of ''Series/{{Merlin}}'' [[spoiler: so he can mix the liquids and drink the poison [[MoreHeroThanThou rather than letting Merlin do it]] This turned out to be how he passed the test, and saved Camelot]].

* On ''Gilligan's Island'' during Gilligan's dream where he's a secret agent, Mr. Howell (who plays the Big Bad in the dream) pulls this on him. Gilligan falls for it and they struggle over Gilligan's gun as the dream ends.

--> Hey look, I'm over there.

* ''Series/RedDwarf''... "excuse me, could I just distract you for a brief second?" The villain's response is to grunt "huh?" and turn around!

-->'''The Master:''' You're ''wrong'', Sergeant Benton! ''[[CrowningMomentofAwesome That]]'' is the oldest trick in the book!

* ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'' did a sketch that purported to show the historical origin of this trick (although, judging by the way the characters were dressed, the sketch had to be taking place in the 1920s at the very earliest). A teacher at a high-school spelling bee (Creator/WillFerrell) loses his cards and is reduced to making up words for the contestants to spell. When they start to catch on to his deception, he points and shouts: "Hey! Look over there!" - before humorously creeping off the stage with his hands held in front of him like a praying mantis. Cue a FreezeFrame and a LemonyNarrator announcing: "That was the first time that 'Hey! Look over there!' was used to escape an embarrassing situation. And how do I know this? Well....Uh....[[HypocriticalHumor 'Hey! Look over there!']] "