History Main / IsThisThingStillOn

* ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles1987'': In "Donatello Trashes Slash", Vern does a report on a new turtle exhibit at the aquarium. After he's finished, he goes to a rant on how he thinks it's a waste of taxpayers' money on "dirty, smelly reptiles". Unfortunately, the cameraman informs him they're still rolling. Needless to say, Donatello, who saw the report, isn't pleased.

* Beckett suffered a variation of this in ''Series/{{Castle}}''; in the episode "47 Seconds", she confronts a suspect in the interrogation room, who claims to have no memory of what happened to him after he was shot. Beckett tells him that she was shot once and remembered everything that happened immediately after. Unfortunately for Beckett, 1) Castle was standing on the other side of the two-way mirror, and 2) she had earlier told him that she didn't remember what happened after she was shot, because she didn't want to deal with his admitting his love for her when she was shot. Things got tense between them until the 4th season finale, when [[LoveConfession she finally admitted her feelings for him.]]

-->'''Kimball:''' Thank you, thank you... ''[to his bodyguards]'' All right, let's get the fuck out of here. What, do you think I want to get shot? Let's get out of here.

* A famous UrbanLegend has it some children's radio presenter in the '30s finished up his show, then said "That oughtta hold the little bastards!" on an open mic. He was allegedly fired immediately. The slip is supposedly uttered by Uncle Don, but [[http://www.snopes.com/radiotv/radio/uncledon.asp his career says otherwise.]] [[note]] Uncle Don himself admitted he said a much milder version of it, and was not fired, but was reprimanded by his director - all the while, said director was desperately trying to avoid laughing! [[/note]]

* A famous UrbanLegend has it some children's radio presenter in the '30s finished up his show, then said "That oughtta hold the little bastards!" on an open mic. He was allegedly fired immediately. The slip is supposedly uttered by Uncle Don, but [[http://www.snopes.com/radiotv/radio/uncledon.asp his career says otherwise.]]

* Subverted in ''Comicbook/BatmanIncorporated'', when after getting instructions from Ghost-Maker over his com-link, Guacho mutters about how much he hates him. Ghost-Maker tells him his com is still open, and Guacho just says "I am aware."

* One Legion quest in ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'' involves assassinating NCR President Aaron Kimball during a bold but dangerous visit to Hoover Dam. If you don't interrupt him, Kimball gives a RousingSpeech lauding the sacrifices of the Republic soldiers and steeling them for the coming fight against the Legion. Then...

* ''VideoGame/Fallout4'':
** Haddock Cove in Far Harbour was construced by [[Wrestling/TheWyattFamily the Husky family]] as a supposedly impenetrable outpost... impenetrable, that is, except to the [[GiantEnemyCrab Mirelurks]] lurking in the water below. All that remains are corpses, and [[ApocalypticLog a handful of holotapes]] recorded by clan leader Bray, all of which end with him being unable to figure out how to stop recording. He can't catch a break even while recording [[ThatWasTheLastEntry his final tape]], as he's being torn apart.
--->''"Aw, God, is this thing still recording?!? [[YouHaveGotToBeKiddingMe You've got to be kidding me!]]"''
** The Supermutant Radio station broadcasts a human woman promising that if humans come to Shaw School Place they'll be helped and [[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial not torn limb from limb and eaten]]. A supermutant interupts and complains that he wants to eat humans. The woman then reminds him she's saying the words he told her to say and they're a lie, it's a trick. He remembers and she continues with the message. This loops continually, presumably the supermutants don't listen to their own radio station.

** In "Harper's Locket", while showing pre-taped footage of a wooden horse exploding.

* The following occurs in an episode of ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'':
-->'''Linda Park:''' Are we off? Jeez, he's [ComicBook/TheFlash] a total babe. ''[fanning herself with her reading card]'' Like the entire track team at once. I can't believe you're not into him, Marla.\\

* ''Series/Utopia2014'': In "Lights, Camera, Inaction", Nat and Ash are setting up a teleconference with Olaf Olafson from UNESCO. Nat asks "Why do Norwegian peoplealways looklike they've got of the shower?" and then tells Ashs to turn the mute off, only for Olaf to say "I can hear you". After the prickly meeting ends, Ash shuts off the link and Nat says "Well, he was a barrel of laughs" and then Olaf's voice comes back "And if you need anything else, just call".

* The British 1997 {{black comedy}} ''Underworld'' begins with William Smith coming home to find his young wife Gilda has run away. He goes to the neighbors to ask if they know anything. The neighbor goes upstairs to talk to his own wife, with their conversation relayed downstairs via baby monitor, showing they knew all about the affair Gilda was having with the kid who worked in the local store due to {{The Immodest Orgasm}}s they'd hear after William left for work. The husband comes downstairs with an INeedToGoIronMyDog excuse he's cooked up with his missus (also overheard), only to find William is already leaving, having learned TooMuchInformation already.

-->-- ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'', "The Klimpaloon Ultimatum"

** In "Calvin Brain", Brain's latest plan for world domination is undone when a behind-the-scenes documentary crew films him unleashing a diatribe on the shallowness of the fashion industry and the brainlessness of those who follow its dicates. His last words on the video are even "Is that thing on?"

-> '''Employee''': See, when the light's on that means the mic's off. So it's safe to talk about how we get our meat from.. What? it is? Uh-I was just saying it's safe to talk about how we get our meat from... Nowhere. Gervason's!

* ''VideoGame/{{Octodad}}'' This happens with a supermarket employee in one level Employee: See, when the light's on that means the mic's off. So it's safe to talk about how we get our meat from.. What? it is? Uh-I was just saying it's safe to talk about how we get our meat from, Nowhere, Gervason's!

* The "beginning" version was a running gag on ''Series/SaturdayNightLive''. As "Weekend Update" started, moderator Chevy Chase would be on the phone in a saucy conversation with his girlfriend, then notice the camera was on, and quickly hang up.
* ''Series/ThirtyRock''

* On ''Series/{{Alias}}'', Sydney and Vaughn are discussing a romantic night together. After they start getting dirtier, Sydney suddenly asks, "Wait, are we still on comms?" Her father Jack answers, "Yes, you're still on comms! ''Right now!''"
* In a season 4 episode of ''Series/{{Arrow}}'', Oliver and Felicity discuss relationship issues over the radio, while Oliver (as Green Arrow) is on a mission. Diggle opens his line, stating that he can hear everything. When Felicity asks if everyone can hear their conversation, Black Canary and Speedy simultaneously confirm this.

--->'''Felicity:''' ''(imitating Oliver)'' Felicity, the magnetic arrow gag will never work. ''(as herself)'' Yes, it will my love, because ''I'' am really smart! And guess what Oliver--it did work!
--->'''Oliver:''' ''(on radio)'' Felicity honey, it's a little hard to fight with you doing that in my ear!
--->'''Felicity:''' Oh, I totally forgot this was an open line.

* ''Series/DoctorWho'': In [[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E15PlanetOfTheDead "Planet of the Dead"]], Captain Magambo and Dr. Taylor of UNIT gush about the fact that they're actually ''speaking'' to the Doctor over the phone.

** Happens in the Pilot, where Jayne tests an earworm transmitter... while standing right next to Mal.

* ''Series/ForAllMankind''. Molly Cobb is informed that President UsefulNotes/RichardNixon is on the line to speak to the first American woman on the Moon. As she's TheLadette she replies, "Really? Shit!" only to be told she's live on all the networks.

-->'''Danny''': Jess, I'm sorry. Joey told me to hit the third fader from the left.
-->'''Jesse''': It's the third fader from the right.
-->*both Jesse and Danny give a scrutinizing look on Joey*
-->'''Joey''': You know, from down here, you really lose all sense of direction.

* On ''Series/TheGoodWife'', Alicia has a teleconference with an opposing firm. After the meeting, David Lee turns off the monitor, but ''forgets to disconnect from Skype'', allowing Alicia and her colleagues to eavesdrop on their entire strategy.
* On ''Series/HaveIGotNewsForYou'', GuestHost [[Series/TopGearUK Jeremy Clarkson]] managed to offend several countries with offhand remarks. Panelist Charles Kennedy noted that he'd offended Scotland and Ireland and wondered if he was planning to try for Wales next. Jeremy added that he'd also offended Birmingham, but that it was before recording had started. Paul Merton pointed out that they were, however, recording ''now''.

* On ''Series/{{MASH}}'', Hot Lips had a scorching case of prickly heat and woke up Col. Potter in the middle of the night to authorize some rash cream for the next supply shipment. Unfortunately, the Colonel had had trouble sleeping and had taken a powerful sleeping pill. As a result, he was in a daze at the communications desk and began rambling about Margaret's condition, just as Klinger accidentally trips the camp PA. HilarityEnsues.

* ''Series/ModernFamily'': In "Diamond in the Rough", Mitchell and Phil have a heated text exchange about what a bad idea that a house that Cam and Claire want to buy and flip is. However, they are using the group address they used yesterday and Claire is receiving every text.
** To ridiculous degree in the season 6 premiere "The Long Honeymoon" where it turns out Haley's blog had gained so much traffic because she didn't actually know how to turn off the livestream function, nor did she realize she hadn't, meaning that her laptop was streaming pretty much constantly, even when she was changing in view of the camera.
* ''Series/{{Monk}}''
** In the episode "Mr. Monk Gets Fired", Stottlemeyer admits to his wife that he realizes that having her do the documentary on him and the rest of the police force was a very big mistake, as the current case he's investigating, Monk getting fired, and the Commissioner hounding him is getting on his nerves... and then he realizes the camera's still on.
** In "Mr. Monk and The End Part 1", Stottlemeyer and a squad of policemen were staking out at a train station for Kazarinski to capture him alive and find out what product he poisoned Monk with, as well as which poison he used. Disher arrives at the control tower after their odd lack of an announcement for a certain train. He goes up and finds that Kazarinski has killed the announcer in the control tower and stolen the announcer's uniform. Unfortunately, Kazarinski left something else besides dead bodies at the tower, as he also left the mic on, causing the staff and passengers to hear Randy attempting to report to Stottlemeyer.\\\
This leads to some FridgeLogic: If the mic was on when Kazarinski killed the announcer, the gunshot would have been audible over the loudspeakers and would have been heard in the station. And even if he had used a silencer, the body would have made a sound while hitting the floor, and he would make noise while removing the announcer's uniform, which would certainly sound like a struggle.

* ''Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000''
** In the ''Film/{{Mitchell}}'' episode, Frank accidentally contacts the Satellite of Love by leaning on The Button. Since Joel and the 'bots are on survival test maneuvers, Gypsy is the only one to respond. She overhears the Mads discussing how to kill temp worker Mike - and thinks they're planning to off ''Joel'', which leads to Joel's escape from the S.O.L.
** Played with in a later episode: Mike decides to find out whether the communications system works both ways and tries calling the Mads... who, not even knowing they're on in the first place, are caught engaging in some very suspect AmbiguouslyGay pastimes.

* In "[[Recap/TheOrvilleS1E12MadIdolatry Mad Idolatry]]" from ''Series/TheOrville'', Captain Ed Mercer and first officer Kelly Grayson get chewed out by comm for Grayson's actions which led to [[AlienNonInterferenceClause cultural contamination]] on a planet and particularly for Mercer not explaining what Grayson did in his initial report. She orders the crew not to return to the surface until after the civilization on it achieves space travel, which should be in less than a month, given the accelerated time on the planet compared with real time. After he thinks they're done, Mercer starts mocking "That's an order," only for the admiral to say "What?!" and he realizes in a panic they're still on.

* ''Series/TheProfessionals''. In "Heroes", Bodie isn't happy about being told by Cowley to work with a PsychoSidekick, and starts venting accordingly until...

* ''Series/RadioActive''

%%* Used [[RunningGag frequently]] on ''Series/{{Reno 911}}'' whenever the officers make announcements.
* In "Salvage", the pilot for the short-lived series ''Series/{{Salvage 1}}'', Skip Carmichael suggests to Mel Slozar [[ZeroGSpot a way they might wile away the time on their flight to the moon]]. When she demurs, he asks if would help if he closed the blind. Their ground control then comes over the radio saying "No, but you might want to turn off your microphone".

* On ''Series/WelcomeToWrexham'', Creator/RyanReynolds forgets to turn his microphone off before going to the bathroom so the show treats viewers to real sounds of him peeing.
* And subverted in ''Series/TheWestWing'', when Bartlet makes an insulting comment about his election opponent while the mic was still open just after a radio interview. Panic sets in amongst the staff and it seems they get away lucky when the opposition's response is totally inept. CJ is the only one to realize, at the end, that the president had to have done it deliberately.

* ''VideoGame/Fallout4'': Haddock Cove in Far Harbour was construced by [[Wrestling/TheWyattFamily the Husky family]] as a supposedly impenetrable outpost... impenetrable, that is, except to the [[GiantEnemyCrab Mirelurks]] lurking in the water below. All that remains are corpses, and [[ApocalypticLog a handful of holotapes]] recorded by clan leader Bray, all of which end with him being unable to figure out how to stop recording. He can't catch a break even while recording [[ThatWasTheLastEntry his final tape]], as he's being torn apart.
-->Aw, god, is this thing still recording?!? [[YouHaveGotToBeKiddingMe You've got to be kidding me!]]

* Towards the climax of ''VideoGame/MaxPayne'', Nicole Horne repeatedly taunts Max over speakers as he fights his way through her headquarters. Then, after a sudden burst of static, Max gets a message that seems to have been intended for her henchmen instead:

* ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClank2002 Ratchet & Clank]]''
** Supreme Executive Chairman Drek broadcasts his plan to take parts of other planets (destroying them) to piece together a new planet to replace his polluted homeworld. He starts in a polite tone, but drops it after a crewman yells "cut!":

-->'''Eggman:''' Please beware of the spikes on the Asteroid Coaster. They are sharp. ...really, we have to ''warn'' people about spikes?! Like they won't ''notice'' the spikes -- I mean, come on, the cars are ''nothing BUT spikes!'' Unbelievable! Wh- uh- my ''what'' is still on?

* Both of the UNN reporters in ''VideoGame/StarcraftII'' are terrible about this. For instance, when Kate reports on Donny Vermillion's sudden hospitalization in a neutral "news" tone, and wishes him well -- and forgets to turn her mic off before celebrating her promotion to anchor.

* During ''VideoGame/{{World of Warcraft}}'''s Operation Gnomeregan event, the MadScientist who's taken over the gnomes' underground city uses a "Brag-Bot" to taunt the heroes. First he launches into his rant, stops to make sure that the mic is on, and then starts over. Later, while gloating how his trump card will vaporize everyone, he wishes aloud that he could see his arch-rival's face before realizing that the mic is ''still'' on.

* ''Series/TheColbertReport'' parodied the infamous Creator/BillOReilly "Inside Edition" clip ([[StupidStatementDanceMix "Fuck it! We'll do it live!"]]) with Colbert unable to say the words "I'm sorry." when they appear on the prompter. The expected fit of rage follows, Colbert {{Cluster F Bomb}}s the show's producer and everyone else within earshot...

* Beckett suffered a variation of this in ''Series/{{Castle}}''; in the episode "47 Seconds", she confronts a suspect in the interrogation room, who claims to have no memory of what happened to him after he was shot. Beckett tells him that she was shot once and remembered everything that happened immediately after. Unfortunately for Beckett, 1) Castle was standing on the other side of the two-way mirror, and 2) she had earlier told him that she didn't remember what happened after she was shot, because she didn't want to deal with his admitting his love for her when she was shot. Things got tense between them until the 4th season finale, when [[TheyDo she finally admitted her feelings for him.]]

* On ''Series/SesameStreet'', the "Sesame Street News" skits usually began with reporter Kermit the Frog addressing an off-screen producer or stage hand before realizing he was on the air.

* Terrorists [=McLocke=], Kaige and Rice from ''Roleplay/SurvivalOfTheFittest'' accidentally activate the PA system in their headquarters, treating the students to a charming rendition of a SlashFic (involving two ''of'' the students) they found on the web. [[/folder]]

* The ''WesternAnimation/{{Doug}}'' episode "[[Recap/DougS1E5DougCantDigItDougDidntDoIt Doug Didn't Do It]]" combined this with [[AccidentalPublicConfession Accidental]] AND EngineeredPublicConfession; Roger, who framed Doug for stealing one of Vice-Principal Bone's yodeling trophies, goes into the office to taunt Doug, sits at Bone's desk and kicks his feet up -- switching on the intercom just in time for Bone to hear the whole thing. Doug even tries to warn him, but Roger's too full of himself to notice and just mocks Doug further until it's far too late. The punishment Bone was about to give Doug for stealing the trophy was that he polish all of his trophies after school, but Doug's punishment is reversed and Roger gets it instead.

* An episode of ''WesternAnimation/{{Doug}}'' combined this with AccidentalPublicConfession; Roger, who framed Doug for stealing one of Vice-Principal Bone's yodeling trophies, goes into the office to taunt Doug, sits at Bone's desk and kicks his feet up -- switching on the intercom just in time for Bone to hear the whole thing. Doug even tries to warn him, but Roger's too full of himself to notice and just mocks Doug further until it's far too late.