Judge Gray, assuming Irving had completed his answer, began to ask his next question. Rather than answer, Irving looked up in surprise and explained his silence to Judge Gray: "I was just pausing for dramatic effect." There was a slight titter of laughter in the room.
— Denial by Deborah Lipstadt
Roger: Are you the Piñata Man?
Stan: ... Sí.
Audience Member #1: He waited so long between words!
Audience Member #2: Because he's good!
Stan: ... Sí.
Audience Member #1: He waited so long between words!
Audience Member #2: Because he's good!
— American Dad! ("A Piñata Named Desire")
"Pause for dramatic effect..."
— Rainbow Dash, My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic
Måns: Now, the perfect Eurovision host understands the power of the dramatic pause. Vova?
Vova: Yes?
Måns: What's in your pocket?
Vova: Um... the car keys?
Måns: Good. Now ask me what's in mine.
[Vova, Timur and Oleksandr all laugh, but Måns cuts them off with a Death Glare]
Vova: OK, what is in your pocket, Må—?
[Måns makes a gesture for him to go silent. Dramatic Pause ensues as Måns prepares to produce whatever was in his pocket. The three hosts look at him increasingly intrigued, waiting for The Reveal]
Måns: A wallet! [drops it to the floor and walks off, as Timur, Vova and Oleksandr stare in amazement]
Vova: Yes?
Måns: What's in your pocket?
Vova: Um... the car keys?
Måns: Good. Now ask me what's in mine.
[Vova, Timur and Oleksandr all laugh, but Måns cuts them off with a Death Glare]
Vova: OK, what is in your pocket, Må—?
[Måns makes a gesture for him to go silent. Dramatic Pause ensues as Måns prepares to produce whatever was in his pocket. The three hosts look at him increasingly intrigued, waiting for The Reveal]
Måns: A wallet! [drops it to the floor and walks off, as Timur, Vova and Oleksandr stare in amazement]
— Mans Zelmerlow teaching Oleksandr Skichko, Vova Ostapchuk and Timur Miroshnychenko how to invoke this trope, Eurovision Song Contest 2017
