History Main / NotListeningToMeAreYou

** ''Literature/TheFifthElephant'' has a lengthy discussion of the art of listening without listening, which features His Grace His Excellency Commander Sir Samuel Vimes the Dukh of Ankh not only making noises like he's listening to his wife planning for their trip to Uberwald, but adding an appropriate comment to the conversation... and then asking, a moment later, "What alligator?"

'''Father:''' ''(absent-minded)'' Good.

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]

-->'''Clancy''': You're up bright and early, sir.\\
'''Dick''': Gotta fly, Clance. Interview with the cops.\\
'''Clancy''': I'm startin' premed this morning.\\
'''Dick''': That's great!\\
'''Clancy''': And this afternoon I'm flyin' to Stockholm to accept the Nobel Prize.\\
'''Dick''': Great!\\
'''Clancy''': In the nude.\\
'''Dick''': Great!\\
'''Clancy''': Didn't hear a bloody word. ''[sighs]''

-->'''Man''': ...And after Cindy and I stopped off to pick up our Pulitzer prizes, we were abducted by aliens who made us their king and queen.\\

[[folder:Fanfiction]]
* The famous ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'' fanfic ''FanFic/BagEnders'' features Aragorn trying to get Legolas' attention:
-->"I'm pregnant."\\
"Mhm."\\
"I've sold the house to an international terrorist organisation."\\
"Mhm."\\
[[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking "I've told Celeborn he can come live with us. Permanently."]]\\
"You what?"\\
"I thought you weren't listening."

-->'''Wammy''': What is it, Namikawa?\\
'''Namikawa''': Just some reports that I wanted to give you in person. Apparently there's a health concern about one of the employees that we don't want the media to know about.\\
'''Wammy''': ''[No response.]''\\
'''Namikawa''': One of our employees is in what might be a temporary coma.... There have never been any problems severing a connection with the game before so it's a cause for concern.\\
'''Wammy''': ...hmm, the media?\\
'''Namikawa''': The man concerned is Teru Mikami.... He's in the infirmary now, and we're moving him to the hospital if nothing improves. We didn't want a media storm from this, which is why...\\
'''Wammy''': ''[No response.]''\\
'''Namikawa''': [[BreadEggsMilkSquick Actually, Mikami and I were thinking of getting married, and we want L to be the godfather of our adoptive children.]]\\
'''Wammy''': ''[Looks up from his paperwork and blinks.]'' What about my son?
* [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7277874/2/From_Brothers_To_Lovers This]] ''[[Webcomic/HetaliaAxisPowers Hetalia]]'' fic has this:
-->"-so I think that would be best. What is your opinion on the matter, England?"\\
"Hm? Oh, yes very good."\\
"...And then I also think that we should form an alliance with France and you two can be the best of friends."\\
"Sounds good."\\
"I knew it! You've not been listening to a single thing I've been saying!"

* ''Fanfic/{{The Contest|MyLittlePony}}'': The fic opens with Rarity telling Twilight the story of why she was late to their spa appointment. Twilight, meanwhile, has tuned out long ago, occasionally giving an absentminded "uh-huh" or similar. When she realizes Rarity has finished her story and is looking at her expectantly, she manages to piece together enough memories to come up with a diplomatic response — smiling and saying, “Well, I’m just glad you were able to join us.”

[[folder:Film — Live-Action]]

-->'''Lily Palmer''': How are you anyway, sweetheart?\\
'''Diana Palmer''': I've contracted malaria, mother.\\
'''Lily Palmer''': That's nice.

-->'''Margo Lane''': And now, I'm completely and utterly depressed.\\
'''Reinhardt Lane''': Well, that's nice, dear.

* ''Film/TrueLies'': Creator/JamieLeeCurtis tells husband Arnold Schwartzenegger how the plumber wants a small fortune for what she considers a small repair, so (thinking he's not listening) mentions that she slept with the plumber and he knocked $100 off the bill. Ahnold then says to her that was good thinking, and gives her a kiss as he goes on his way to work, as if he never heard a word she said. Played with, as it's heavily implied he heard everything and is just playing up his persona as being either oblivious or perfectly aware she's trying to mess with him.

** Later in the same book, Sybil mentions that she's going to have a baby, and the narrative records that Vimes' brain "hastily rewrote what she'd just said across the inside of his eyeballs in white-hot fire, then went away and hid," to prevent him answering absently with something unwise such as "Choose any colour you like" or "I'll have a man in to take care of it".

--->'''Liz''': I think we need to change this Donald Trump joke... ''[all the male writers are staring at Cerie]'' ...because Donald Trump was eaten by a lion this morning... on the International Space Station.

--->'''Liz''': You're not even listening, are you? Poop. Monkey butt.\\
'''Jenna''': No, you're a good friend and thank you.

-->'''Gunn:''' They've made arrangements to transport his body back to... the North Pole. Turns out he had a close personal relationship with Santa. Angel?\\

-->'''Giles''': Buffy, a word in your ear. Um, if you, uh, think of the store as a, as a library, ''[cleaning glasses]'' it'll help you to, to, uh, concentrate on, on ... service rather than selling.\\
'''Buffy''': Yes. And then I'm going to marry Bob Dole and raise penguins in Guam.\\
'''Giles''': ''[not listening]'' Yes, uh, quite, quite, yes.

-->'''Lilith''': Frasier? Frasier? Doctor, are you listening to me?\\

* In ''Series/{{CSINY}}'' “Comes Around”, Mac is preoccupied thinking about being railroaded in a case where a suspect jumped from a roof to make Mac look like a killer. Peyton is trying to tell him autopsy results and when she realizes he isn’t listening, she says she made a patê with the victim’s liver. Mac finally pays attention again.

* In ''Series/{{Scrubs}}'', the Janitor tells JD that he's going on a janitor-only cruise for the weekend. He then tells JD that he paid Ted and Todd to duct tape him to the ceiling of the cafeteria while he's away and that [[LampshadeHanging the only reason he's telling him this]] is that he knows that JD has zoned out by now and isn't even paying attention. JD then leaves, saying that he wasn't sure what the Janitor had said.
** In another episode, Dr Cox tries the same thing on Dr Kelso:
--->'''Dr Kelso''': Perry, are you familiar with Sacred Heart's community service program?\\
'''Dr Cox''': Bobby, lately I've noticed you don't listen to a single word people say, so my reply to your question is "I think you're the world's biggest jackass and I look forward to your death."\\
'''Dr. Kelso''': ''[not looking up]'' Well, you must not be familiar with it because you're the only staff member not to have completed his 24-hour mandatory community service. Consider yourself suspended until you do. [[SubvertedTrope Oh, and I'm never dying.]]

'''Tom:''': ''[yells at the TV]'' Oh! Look at that!\\

--->'''Voice''': She's gone.\\
'''Bashir''': Who is this? What have you done?\\
'''Voice''': I have eaten her.\\
'''Bashir''': What?!\\
'''Voice''': I've eaten her! What difference does it make to you? You weren't even listening to her!

-->'''Elizabeth''': And so I told him I would spend the night with him for a million dollars. I'd have to run it by my husband first, but honey, it's a million dollars. What do you think?\\
'''Peter''': I think that's great. ''[notices her expression]'' I don't think that's great. What did you ask me?\\
'''Elizabeth''': Okay, admit it. You're worried about Neal.

-->'''Bunk''': Maz's pretty quick to yank a pitcher, ain't he?\\
'''[=McNulty=]''': ''[stares at his ex-wife and her male friend]''\\
'''Bunk''': ... I'm thinking of becoming a woman.\\
'''[=McNulty=]''': ''[continues to stare]''

--->'''Scully''': I've collected soil specimens and, uh, although numerous shoe impressions were made from the sandlot game, I think a couple of dental stone casts will prove invaluable to the investigation.\\

'''Scully''': Meanwhile, I've quit the F.B.I. and become a spokesperson for the Ab-Roller.

--->'''Mulder''': And I'm not wearing any pants right now.

[[folder:Professional Wrestling]]

-->'''Woman''': Do I have to slaughter that thing to get your attention?\\
'''Man''': ''[bored]'' No, dear.\\
'''Woman''': Are you lying to me?\\
'''Man''': ''[bored]'' No, dear.\\
'''Woman''': Are you listening to me?\\
'''Man''': ''[bored]'' [[RuleOfThree No, dear.]]\\

-->'''Hau''': Hey, (player), did you know?\\
'''[[DialogueTree Player]]''': Of course!\\
'''[[PerpetualSmiler Hau]]''': ''[visibly annoyed]'' I haven't even finished the question yet.

[[folder:Webcomics]]

-->'''Sarda''': ...And that's your mission.\\
'''Red Mage''': Sarda? Just a suggestion. We could strap dynamite to our heads and roll around in fire. It would increase our chances of survival.\\
'''Sarda''': Yeah, sure, why not?\\
'''Red Mage''': I have doubts that he's listening to us.

-->'''Ellen''': "So I was thinking I might dance naked in your backyard while burning your finest art and furniture."\\
'''Susan''': "[[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2003-07-03 Have fun]]."

** Similarly (in a more broad application of the trope), after [[spoiler:the group splits up]], Vaarsuvius spends every waking moment (and s/he has plenty, seeing as how s/he refuses to sleep) [[spoiler:trying to devise a spell to look for Haley]]. Sure, s/he listens to the things the other members are saying, but actively dismisses them as unimportant in the grand scheme of things.

-->'''Quine''': I guess the moral of the story is even a finely-tuned machine like the protocol system can't always '''THE BACK OF MY HEAD IS ON FIRE'''. ...See? You're not even listening.\\
'''Cutter''': I am, Quine. You know where the extinguishers are.

-->'''RM #1''': Orange aardvarks are going to visit the moon.\\
'''RM #2''': I know that.\\
'''RM #1''': You're not listening to a word I say.\\
'''RM #2''': I know that.

-->'''Arcturus''': Came back for my books, mom. Leaving again.\\
'''Mom''': Mm-hmm.\\
'''Arcturus''': Gonna be gone all day.\\
'''Mom''': Mm-hmm.\\
'''Arcturus''': I set the bathroom on fire and cut open the couch to hide my secret heroin stash.\\
'''Mom''': Mm-hmm.\\
'''Arcturus''': ''[sigh]'' So good to know I'm cared about...

* ''WebVideo/DoctorHorriblesSingAlongBlog'': Dr. Horrible is in the middle of conducting a heist via remote control when his crush, Penny, asks him to sign a petition for a homeless shelter. He tries to keep up a conversation with her while working the remote, and she picks up on his distraction:

* ''WebAnimation/HomestarRunner'': In the WebAnimation/StrongBadEmail "dullard", one of Strong Bad's methods for dealing with "the office dullard" is to pretend to be listening while saying things like "Yeah? Yeah! Oh yeah!" During the demonstration, Homestar (playing the dullard) catches on and walks away, annoyed.

--->'''Mung Daal''': Chowder! Were you listening?\\
'''Chowder''': Sure I was! You said we should fill the kitchen with chocolate so we can swim in it all day long!\\
([[BeatPanel beat]])\\
'''Mung Daal''': [[StrangeMindsThinkAlike Lucky guess.]]

* From the ''WesternAnimation/{{Daria}}'' episode "That Was Then, This Is Dumb":
-->'''Jane''': You see, my theory is that our primitive hunting instinct has no outlet in modern society.\\
'''Jesse''': Cool.\\
'''Jane''': So, rather than stalking animals, we substitute it with the shopping experience, and hunt for objects.\\
'''Jesse''': Cool.\\
'''Jane''': And then, Jesse, while we're asleep, those objects come to life and plot their secret takeover of our civilization. April 1st, 2007. That's the day they make their move.\\
'''Jesse''': Cool.

--->'''Jake''': Hey, kiddo! How was your day?\\
'''Daria''': Fine. I heard a new voice inside my head and Kevin stole a test, so everyone's getting an F.\\
'''Jake''': That's great!\\
'''Helen''': Daria, you were just kidding about the voice, right?\\
'''Daria''': Relax...we don't have to answer that.

--->'''David''': Steinbeck was perhaps best known for his poignant novel about the "Okies"...\\
'''Tiffany''': ''[Applying makeup]'' Uh-huh...\\
'''David''': A heavy metal band famous for having a baboon on bass.\\
'''Tiffany''': ''[Still applying makeup]'' Uh-huh...

--->'''Daria''': How about I read you some Byron instead?\\
'''Mrs. Blaine''': ''[Nods]''\\
'''Daria''': Or some really graphic smut?\\
'''Mrs. Blaine''': ''[Nods]''\\
'''Daria''': You're deaf aren't you?.

'''{{Beat}}'''\\

---> '''Bart''': I got suspended from school today.\\

'''Bart''': They found a switchblade in my locker.\\

'''Bart''': I took a swing at a cop.\\

'''Bart''': I'm just mad all the time.

'''Homer''': Ummm... No?\\
'''Guard''': You just don' learn, do you?

-->'''Maguro''': As co-leader of the Sushi Pack, do you think you should spend so much time sitting here playing that game?\\
'''Tako''': Yeah.\\
'''Maguro''': You do?!\\

'''Maguro''': Or should you take a break and come eat dinner?\\
'''Tako''': Yeah.\\
'''Maguro''': Yeah, ''what''?\\
'''Tako''': Yeah, whatever. Maguro, I'm ''playing'' here!
* Eliza from ''WesternAnimation/TheWildThornberrys'' did this when her parents weren't listening. "I'm gonna go stay up all night, makes some prank phone calls."

[[folder:Other]]

* [[https://notalwaysright.com/the-cake-is-a-lie-part-3-2/75543/ This entry]] on ''Website/NotAlwaysRight'' is told by someone who works at a family-run bakery that changed owners 23 years prior. A customer shows up and orders a very complicated wedding cake for her daughter while sending out multiple texts. She is completely oblivious to the worker's protests that the bakery doesn't make cakes of any kind and his offer to give her the number of someone who does, reacting to every protest as if it were a confirmation. Predictably, the woman came back a week later and angrily demanded the promised cake, claiming he had taken her order, guaranteed it would be ready, and promised he would bill her for it. The story goes on to state that they were contacted by not only the wedding couple, but also four lawyers she hired to represent her, but that all of them quickly apologized when they realized the bakery didn't even sell cakes.

* ''Film/TrueLies'': Creator/JamieLeeCurtis tells husband Arnold Schwartzenegger how the plumber wants a small fortune for what she considers a small repair, so (thinking he's not listening) mentions that she slept with the plumber and he knocked $100 off the bill. Ahnold then says to her that was good thinking, and gives her a kiss as he goes on his way to work, as if he never heard a word she said.

* [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7277874/2/From_Brothers_To_Lovers This]] ''[[Webcomic/AxisPowersHetalia Hetalia]]'' fic has this:

** Maybe a subversion in a ''Simpsons'' episode called "Kill the Alligator and Run" where Homer gets in trouble from a guard [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpCfDf1h6TE for talking to someone]]:

'''Guard''': You just don' learn do you?

'''B'Elanna:''' [[NotListeningToMeAreYou You haven't heard a single thing I've said, have you?]]\\

* ''Series/OnceUponATime'': In the Season 1 episode "Skin Deep", [[Disney/BeautyAndTheBeast Belle]] agrees to be the maid for Literature/{{Rumpelstiltskin}}. When he assigns her a list of tasks, she agrees to each one automatically, without really listening. He catches on and adds "You must skin the children I hunt for their pelts", causing her to drop the teacup she is polishing in shock, at which point he assures her that he was only kidding.

'''Father''' (absent-minded): Good.

* [[https://notalwaysright.com/the-cake-is-a-lie-part-3-2/75543/ This entry]] on ''Website/NotAlwaysRight'' is told by someone who works at a family-run bakery that changed owners 23 years prior. A customer shows up and orders a very complicated wedding cake for her daughter while sending out multiple texts. She is completely oblivious to the worker's protests that the bakery doesn't make cakes of any kind and his offer to give her the number of someone who does. Supposedly she was "good friends" with the former owner. Predictably, the woman came back a week later and angrily demanded the promised cake, claiming he had taken her order, guaranteed it would be ready, and promised he would bill her for it (the latter being something the former owner apparently did). The bakery later heard from the wedding couple and four attorneys hired by the customer, but they all apologized and took the bakery's side.

[[quoteright:234:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/notlisten.png]]

'''Father (absent-minded):''' Good.

'''Father:''' Good.

** ''Discworld/TheFifthElephant'' has a lengthy discussion of the art of listening without listening, which features His Grace His Excellency Commander Sir Samuel Vimes the Dukh of Ankh not only making noises like he's listening to his wife planning for their trip to Uberwald, but adding an appropriate comment to the conversation... and then asking, a moment later, "What alligator?"

** Also in ''Discworld/{{Maskerade}}'', Agnes does this:

** Averted in the "Call to Arms" episode of when O'Brien, Dax and Rom are trying to come up with a way to block the wormhole.

'''Player''': Of course!\\
'''[[PerpetualSmiler Hau]]''': ''[visibly annoyed]'' I haven't finished the question yet.

'''[[PerpetualSmiler Hau]]''': ''[visually annoyed]'' I haven't finished the question yet.

Bob is busy with something - playing a game, reading a book, [[BreadEggsMilkSquick tampering in the domain of God]] - and Alice comes up and tries to talk to him about "something important." Bob just answers with a few muttered lines of, "Yep, uh-huh, yeah," the lion's share of his concentration on his task, until Alice gets annoyed and says something completely outlandish: "There's a weasel chewing on my [[Literature/{{Discworld}} figgin]]." After a moment, the absurdity sinks in and Bob asks what she said, which (usually) prompts the stock phrase: "You're not listening to me, are you?" Variations on the gag includes Bob failing to even register Alice's outlandish comment and her lamentation that he isn't listening, or first noticing what she said after she has long given up and left the room in exasperation.

The actual import of what Alice has to say, compared with the importance of what Bob is doing, is largely irrelevant to the gag - it's perfectly okay to interrupt both video games and world-saving research with relationship questions, after all. The whole point of the gag is to bring out as absurd a non sequitur as possible when Alice "tests" whether Bob's listening to her.

!!Examples

[[folder: Comic Books]]

[[folder: Fan Fic ]]

[[folder:Film]]
* ''Film/WaynesWorld2'': When the boys give an interview to a local radio DJ, they discover he's more interested in loading tapes than actually listening...so they start calling him names, and he's completely oblivious to their joking around.
* ''Film/TheShaggyDog'' (2006) has a scene where Dave's wife Rebecca is trying to point out to him that he's turning into the present-in-body-only form of DisappearedDad. She points out the kids got into an argument and took the dog's side. Dave nods. Then, to test if he's listening, she tells him that a neighbor asked her something and she told the neighbor the family had converted to cannibalism. Dave replies, "OK, great. I'd have said the same thing." In an odd twist, he does not pick up the absurdity, and Rebecca is forced to drop a pile of heavy law books on his desk to get his full attention.

* Done by the titular ''Film/PatchAdams'' to his psychiatrist at the beginning of the movie, upon realizing that he's not really interested in his patient. It drives him to leave and become a ''good'' doctor.
* ''Film/TrueLies'': Creator/JamieLeeCurtis tells husband Arnold Schwartzenegger how the plumber wants a small fortune for what she considers a small repair, so (thinking he's not listening) mentions that she slept with the plumber and he knocked $100 off the bill. Ahnold then says to her that was good thinking, and gives her a kiss as he goes on his way to work, as if he never heard a word she said.
* ''Film/{{Amelie}}'' provides the page quote. Amelie's father is distracted because his favorite gnome went missing and sent him pictures from various cities around the world. What he doesn't know is that [[spoiler: Amelie got one of her friends who was a flight attendant to take the gnome and take pictures of it around the world, all to convince her father to travel more.]]

* Used in ''Film/ExtraordinaryMeasures'' by, of all people, the IllGirl. Realizing that her father is not paying attention to her playing, she tells him about how her doll is going to go AxCrazy and slaughter penguins. It takes him awhile to notice.
* In ''Film/CarryOnCamping'', Peter Potter tries to tell his wife, Harriet, that he doesn't want to go camping this summer, but instead wants to go to a resort. She is busy going through their camping things and is ignoring him, so, in the same tone of voice, he talks about his afternoon at work where a series of bizarre things happened, to which she continues talking about their upcoming camping trip.

* Literature/{{Discworld}}:

* In one of the ''Literature/ConfessionsOfGeorgiaNicolson'' books, Georgia's mother is clearly not listening to her and Georgia says "Something very interesting happened to me last night. I slit my throat and my head fell off. Have you seen it?"
* Variation in ''[[Literature/ThursdayNext The Eyre Affair]]'': Thursday and her brother are speaking to an elderly and mostly deaf woman, and when Thursday realizes this she and her brother start saying increasingly obscene things about each other, to absolutely no reaction other than "that's nice, dear."
* From the ''Franchise/StarTrek'' expanded-universe novel ''Q-Squared'' (and paraphrased from memory):
-->'''Q:''' You're not listening to a word I said."\\
'''[[spoiler:Trelane]]:''' "I ''am'' listening!"\\
'''Q:''' "I just said you had a foot growing out of your stomach and you nodded!"\\
'''[[spoiler:Trelane]]:''' "...I thought it was metaphorical."
* In the ''Literature/StarTrekVoyagerRelaunch'', Chakotay isn't listening to Janeway as she recounts her latest meeting with the admiralty. Janeway therefore gets his attention by mentioning how Admiral Nechayev supposedly turned up naked, with Admiral Montgomery offering no comment.
** In ''Unity'', part of the Literature/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineRelaunch, Quark catches Nog's attention by randomly mentioning parasites, referencing the root cause of the current crisis, which he isn't supposed to know about. Until the magic word is thrown in, Nog was just nodding and grunting.

* In the opening scene of ''Literature/{{City of Bones|2007}}'', Clary and Simon are at a club, when Clary spots a mysterious, handsome young man. As she stares at him, Simon tries to get her attention with a series of increasingly outrageous comments, culminating with him telling her that he was sleeping with her mother and considering taking up crossdressing.
* A very dark example in ''Literature/AmericanPsycho''. Bateman often reveals his psychotic nature to friends by saying things such as "I like to dissect girls. Did you know that I'm utterly insane?" They either are not listening or think he is someone else.
* A brief flashback sequence in ''Literature/AudreyWait'' gives us this exchange that happened before the break up.
-->"Hey," I said casually. "Bendomolena's on fire."\\
"Cool. So yeah, Jon wants to do a drum solo and we were like, 'Dude, ''no''!'"

* In ''[[Literature/TheHeroesOfOlympus The Mark of Athena]]'', Percy sums up his attempts to have conversations with a severely distracted Annabeth:
-->'''Percy''': Hey, how's it going?\\
'''Annabeth''': Uh, no thanks.\\
'''Percy''': Okay...have you eaten anything today?\\
'''Annabeth''': I think Leo is on duty. Ask him.\\
'''Percy''': So, my hair is on fire.\\
'''Annabeth''': Okay. In a while.
* In ''[[Literature/{{Newsflesh}} Countdown]]'', Professor Mason tries to get the attention of his students, who are collectively distracted by rumors of a ZombieApocalypse, by throwing mention of the final exam into a sentence. That doesn't work, but dropping books loudly on his desk does. Turns out the students were right to be more concerned about those rumors than about the final....

[[folder: Live Action TV]]
* From ''Series/BabylonFive'':
** In "Infection", an old mentor of Stephen Franklin's comes back with some alien artifacts that look like they're organic technology. Stephen gets so absorbed in the research that his friend tries to draw him out with the statement, "[[Literature/TheWarOfTheWorlds There's a Martian war machine parked outside; they'd like a word with you about the common cold.]]"
** Later in the series, Marcus Cole realizes that Ivanova isn't paying attention to his report: "There's always the threat of an attack by say, a giant space dragon, the kind that eats the sun once every thirty days. It's a nuisance, but what can you expect from reptiles? Did I mention that my nose is on fire? And that I have fifteen wild badgers living in my trousers? [''She finally reacts.''] I'm sorry, would you prefer ferrets?"

* The ''Series/YesPrimeMinister'' episode "Man Overboard" features this; Sir Humphrey Appleby stays behind after a Cabinet meeting to voice his concerns over Jim Hacker's latest scheme to relocate defence establishment to the North of England. Hacker, however, is completely absorbed by his notes, leading Sir Humphrey to facetiously remark that "There's been an earthquake in Hazlemere." Hacker responds with a distracted "Good".
* ''Series/TheXFiles'':
** From the season 4 episode "Home": Scully tries to talk to Mulder about a case while he's tossing a baseball around on the field:
--->'''Scully''': I've collected soil specimens and, uh, although numerous shoe impressions were made from the sandlot game, I think a couple of dental stone casts will prove invaluable to the investigation.\\
''[Scully watches as Mulder throws the ball into the air some more]''\\
'''Scully''': Meanwhile, I've quit the F.B.I. and become a spokesperson for the Ab-Roller.
** From the season 7 episode "all things", Mulder tries to talk to Scully about CropCircles in England, while she crunches on a salad and ignores him.
--->'''Mulder''': And I'm not wearing any pants right now.

* ''Series/{{Seinfeld}}'': Played with in that George appears to be listening but misses the point of Elaine's words.
-->'''Elaine:''' What're you looking at?\\
'''Jerry:''' There's a naked woman across the street.\\
'''Elaine:''' ''[chuckling]'' This is gonna be the easiest money I've ever made in my life. So, my friend, Joyce, is teaching an aerobics class. I'm gonna go tonight.\\
'''Jerry:''' Yeah...the - the waitress should've taken it back.\\
'''Elaine:''' So then, I got a call this morning. You know, I was, uh, chosen to go on the space shuttle. We're goin' to Mars.\\
'''Jerry:''' Uh-huh.\\
'''George:''' Have a good time.
* In ''Series/{{Scrubs}}'', the Janitor tells JD that he's going on a janitor-only cruise for the weekend. He then tells JD that he paid Ted and Todd to duct tape him to the ceiling of the cafeteria while he's away and that [[LampshadeHanging the only reason he's telling him this]] is that he knows that JD has zoned out by now and isn't even paying attention. JD then leaves, saying that he wasn't sure what the Janitor had said.
** In another episode, Dr Cox tries the same thing on Dr Kelso:
-->'''Dr Kelso''': Perry, are you familiar with Sacred Heart's community service program?\\
'''Dr Cox''': Bobby, lately I've noticed you don't listen to a single word people say, so my reply to your question is "I think you're the world's biggest jackass and I look forward to your death."\\
'''Dr. Kelso''': ''[not looking up]'' Well, you must not be familiar with it because you're the only staff member not to have completed his 24-hour mandatory community service. Consider yourself suspended until you do. [[SubvertedTrope Oh, and I'm never dying.]]

* An episode of ''Series/StargateAtlantis'' uses this.
-->'''Sheppard''': ''[Trying to get Rodney's attention]'' Pluto should never have been a planet... Zelenka's smarter than you are...\\
'''Rodney''': ''[Indicates that he's finally paying attention]''\\
'''Sheppard''': Whatever, ''[[EmbarrassingFirstName Meredith]]''.
* ''Series/WhiteCollar'':
-->'''Elizabeth''': And so I told him I would spend the night with him for a million dollars. I'd have to run it by my husband first, but honey, it's a million dollars. What do you think?\\
'''Peter''': I think that's great. ''[notices her expression]'' I don't think that's great. What did you ask me?\\
'''Elizabeth''': Okay, admit it. You're worried about Neal.
* ''Series/{{Castle}}'':
** Beckett is out on a date, but she can't stop talking about her latest case. At one point, her date says "Do you want to have sex with me?" and she doesn't even notice.
** In another episode, Beckett is speculating about why a victim's clothes are missing, but Castle is distracted by thinking about his daughter having a boyfriend, and doesn't react when she suggests that giant moths killed the guy and ate his clothes. A few minutes later, he says, "Wait, did you say something about a giant moth?"
* ''Series/GilmoreGirls'': Emily Gilmore outlines her itinerary for the day to Richard, who is engrossed in the financial pages. She ends it by telling him that she was going to have sex with the gardener after the party they were planning. It was averted because Richard ''had'' been listening and suggested that the gardener might not be able to wait. After all, ''he'' hadn't.

** In an early episode, Ted took a girl out dancing but eventually realized she was only nodding politely to his conversation because she couldn't hear him over the obnoxious club music. (He started saying random silly comments for the fun of it but then the music dropped out [[SevenMinuteLull just long enough]] for him to scream "I'm wetting my pants" in her face.
* ''Series/{{Angel}}'':
-->'''Gunn:''' They've made arrangements to transport his body back to... the North Pole. Turns out he had a close personal relationship with Santa. Angel?\\
'''Angel:''' What? I'm with you. Turning over to... ''[mentally catches up]'' Santa?
** "Harm's Way" is a DayInTheLife episode about [[SexySecretary Harmony]], showing her as a [[DumbBlonde ditzy]] but hardworking ButtMonkey that no-one appreciates. One example is when Harmony is filling the boss in on his appointments. Angel is nodding away, but turns out to be listening to a language tape.
** On a couple of occasions when Angel is giving a PatrickStewartSpeech. Lindsey confesses he just zones out when the yapping starts. Wesley shoots a man dead in the middle of the conversation.
* From ''Series/H2OJustAddWater'' Rikki gives us this little gem while Lewis is too busy at his computer.
-->'''Rikki:''' Me and the girls were going to have a pillow fight in our jim-jams if you wanted to join us.\\
'''Lewis:''' Sure, no problem.
* In ''Series/GhostWhisperer'' when Andrea is talking about the interior decorator...
-->'''Andrea:''' And then I hope he rips my clothes off and has his way with me on the table.\\
''[Melinda looks up.]''\\
'''Andrea:''' Oh, you ''were'' listening.
* ''Series/HoustonKnights'': Detective Lundy tells his distracted lieutenant that he's thinking about buying a suspect lunch, a new car, and a round-trip ticket to Paris. She doesn't react as he says it, but a few minutes later she dryly warns his bemused partner that she doesn't want to see a ticket to Paris on their expense report.
* The episode "Come Dancing" of ''Series/TheGoodies'' has an unusual example, with the one on the receiving end simply revealing he wasn't listening. The leader of a female dancing mafia (...uh, ItMakesSenseInContext) is informing Graeme of the vital importance that he listen to her ''right now'' because if they genuinely win the dancing competition it will be ''very bad'' for them, while he just keeps tinkering with the [[GadgeteerGenius gadget]] vital to their success. After she's done snarling and yelling, he simply says "Sorry--wasn't listening" and, distracted and [[AbsentMindedProfessor absent-minded]], reveals exactly what he was doing and how that machine is vital to them winning. She, however, listened. HilarityEnsues.
* ''Series/RoyalPains'': Evan is worried about his father, and replies with "uh-huh, that's great" when his girlfriend says, "Oh, by the way, I'm pregnant. With triplets. Which is going to be tough in a maximum security prison." Later, at the end of the scene, he jokingly adds, "And I'll be sure to visit you and the triplets in prison."

* In a season three episode of ''Series/{{NCIS}}'', [=McGee=] isn't listening to Abby, prompting her to say: "I'm pregnant, [=McGee=]. Twins. Haven't told the father yet. It's Gibbs. I know it's wrong, but something about his silver hair just gets me all tingly inside." Tony comes in just in time to hear her.
** Happens again in the season 7 premiere when Tony is distracted by Ziva's absence.
--->'''[=McGee=]:''' I've been thinking about getting some tight leather pants. You know, something that really cradles my butt.\\
'''Tony:''' [[SubvertedTrope It's not normal.]]\\
'''[=McGee=]:''' I'm kidding, I'm not really -\\
'''Tony:''' [[DoubleSubverted It's not normal we haven't heard from Ziva.]]

** In "The Sound of Her Voice," the crew of the ''Defiant'' makes contact with a Starfleet captain who is stranded on an inhospitable planet and maintain a pretty much continuous comlink to her. At one point, it's Doctor Bashir's turn and, distracted by his work, he basically just gives her simple answers like "yeah," "ah ha," or "oh, yeah," until finally in frustration she pretends that there's someone after her...

* ''Series/TheFortyFourHundred'' has "So I took my pistol and I shot her in the forehead." Tom immediately looks up and says "Shot who?" The other character laughs at how he was clearly not listening.
* In ''Series/PowerRangersSPD'', while Cruger is distracted during her report, Kat tells him that the Rangers have requested clown suits while on patrol, and that she approved them. Cruger just replies with "Uh huh."
* In an episode of ''Series/MurderSheWrote'', Jessica is worrying about her new book while the sheriff tries to discuss the case with her. Eventually he says they found lion tracks around the body, and she nods absently. Subverted when [[NeverOneMurder the next body]] shows up and she asks "No lion tracks this time?"

* ''Series/OnceUponATime'': In the Season 1 episode "Skin Deep", [[Disney/BeautyAndTheBeast Belle]] agrees to be the maid for Literature/{{Rumpelstiltskin}}. When he assigns her a list of tasks, she agrees to each one automatically, without really listening. He catches on and adds "You must skin the children I hunt for their pelts", causing her to drop the teacup she is polishing in shock, at which point he assures her that he was only kidding.
* In one episode of ''The Donna Reed Show,'' Mary complains that her father doesn't actually pay attention when she tells him about her day. To demonstrate:
-->'''Alex:''' "How was school, Mary?"\\
'''Mary:''' "Not bad. I got expelled."\\
'''Alex:''' "Good."
* PlayedForDrama in ''Series/BandOfBrothers''. Lieutenant Dike starts asking First Sergeant Lipton about his life before joining the military. But rather than being AFatherToHisMen, it quickly becomes obvious that [[CloudCuckoolander Dike isn't paying much attention to the answers]]. Lieutenant Compton plays into the trope to troll Dike later on.

* ''Series/{{Lucifer}}''. Unusually for her, Maze offers a sympathetic ear to Chloe's problems, but we keep cutting to loud rock music from Maze's point-of-view. Turns out Maze has earphones hidden under her hair, while pretending to nod her head in agreement to what Chloe is saying. Chloe eventually realises what is happening and tells Maze that she intends to adopt a dozen puppies and let them sleep in Maze's bedroom.
* ''Series/TheDoctorBlakeMysteries'': In "Family Portrait", Jean and Rose are discussing Jean's wedding suit when Rose notices that Lucien isn't listening and remarks that "vivid purple was a bold choice". Jean replies "It will match the shade of violet I'm planning to dye my hair". This gets Lucien's attention with a "Did you say you're dying your hair v...?" before realising he is being pranked.
* ''Series/TheBill'': When DCI Meadows is distracted by the promotion he's applied for, DI Deakin snaps him out of it by telling him that Jim Carver loves wearing women's clothing.
* In ''Series/{{CSINY}}'' “Comes Around”, Mac is preoccupied thinking about being railroaded in a case where a suspect jumped from a roof to make Mac look like a killer. Peyton is trying to tell him autopsy results and when she realizes he isn’t listening, she says she made a patê with the victim’s liver. Mac finally pays attention again.

[[folder: Newspaper Comics]]
* One ''ComicStrip/FoxTrot'' strip had Peter make all sorts of strange statements, which Roger basically ignores giving the "yeah", "uh-huh", and "that's nice" responses because he's reading the paper... right up until he says he's staying an hour past curfew, and he promptly shoots down his request. He comments that one day he's going to get past his filter. Meanwhile, Jason is telling him his intent to change his name to a semicolon, with the same initial responses.
* Calvin of ''ComicStrip/CalvinAndHobbes'' tried a similar trick on his mother by announcing that he planned to become a radical terrorist when he grew up and that he was going to inhale a pesticide, to both of which his mother responded with a distracted "Mm hmm". But when he declared that he was going to stay up all night and watch television, she shot him down, leading him to observe "You can never tell if they're listening or not".
** Another has him pester her while she's reading a book.
--->'''Calvin:''' What time is it?\\
'''Mom:''' Go look at the clock and see.\\
'''Calvin:''' What's the weather outside like today?\\
'''Mom:''' Go step outside and see.\\
'''Calvin:''' How fast can our car go?\\
'''Mom:''' Go... ...nice try.
* Played with in a ''ComicStrip/{{Peanuts}}'' comic when Lucy pretends to fall asleep on Schroeder's piano. Schroeder doesn't buy it and flirts with her to see if she's awake.
* ''ComicStrip/{{Zits}}'' subverted this one: Walt's driving Jeremy to school, asks Jeremy a question, no response. Then he gets more outlandish, promising Jeremy more "gigawhatevers" in his computer, a raise in his allowance... oh, and Martians have landed. As Jeremy leaves, he agrees with Walt's plans for more memory and allowance and the like, but notes that the Martian thing seems unlikely.
* A ''ComicStrip/BabyBlues'' strip has Darryl and Wanda dining out with another couple, but they're too distracted by [[CutenessProximity a little boy at another table]] to listen to them. The strip is titled "The Trouble with Dining Out with New Parents".
-->'''Man''': ...And after Cindy and I stopped off to pick up our Pulitzer prizes, we were abducted by aliens who made us their king and queen.\\
'''Darryl:''' Uh-huh. That's great. ''I think Zoe was bigger at that age...I wonder what she's doing right now?''\\
'''Cindy:''' It's true. Every word.\\
'''Wanda:''' Really? How interesting. ''What a cutie! His eyes are so big! I wish I could hold him.''

[[folder: Professional Wrestling]]
* On Wrestling/{{SHIMMER}} volume 26, [=LuFisto=] earned herself a title shot by asking the inattentive champion Wrestling/{{MsChif}} a long series of inane questions - ending in a request for a title match.
[[/folder]]

[[folder: Video Games]]

[[folder: Web Comics]]
* ''Webcomic/AMiracleOfScience'':
-->[[http://www.project-apollo.net/mos/mos209.html "...Burmese tiger traps are fun and recommended for ages six and up."]]\\
"Uh-huh."
* [[https://www.fowllanguagecomics.com/comic/good/ This]] ''Fowl Language'' comic:
-->'''Dad:''' How was school?\\
'''Kid:''' Good.\\
'''Dad:''' Did anything crazy or fun happen today?!\\
'''Kid:''' Good.\\
'''Dad:''' You're not even listening to me, are you?\\
'''Kid:''' Good.

* ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'':
** In a variation, [[spoiler:Roy's ghost]] isn't sure whether the Oracle is capable of hearing him, and tries to prompt a reaction through a series of "Yo Mama" jokes. Also subverted in that the Oracle can hear him but doesn't want him to know until it's too late for him to make much use of it.
** Similarly (in a more broad application of the trope), after [[spoiler:the group splits up]], Vaarsuvius spends every waking moment (and s/he has plenty, seeing as how s/he refuses to sleep) [[spoiler:trying to devise a spell to look for Haley]]. Sure, s/he listens to the things the other members are saying, but actively dismisses them as unimportant in the grand scheme of things.
* Subverted in ''Webcomic/{{Starslip}}'':
-->'''Quine''': I guess the moral of the story is even a finely-tuned machine like the protocol system can't always '''THE BACK OF MY HEAD IS ON FIRE'''. ...See? You're not even listening.
-->'''Cutter''': I am, Quine. You know where the extinguishers are.
* Can't remember which comic, but someone did a visual version of this: A woman and her boyfriend were going clothes-shopping and he responds to every time that she asks "How do I look in this?" with "Fine." ... Including when she comes out wearing nothing.
* This happens to Amy in one issue of ''Webcomic/SonicTheComicOnline''. Her friend says, to see whether she's listening or not, "I'm really Don Long-Legs in a wig" (which is funny since she has no hair, being an anthropomorphic bug), and Amy just replies "Mm".

* From ''Webcomic/EightBitTheater'':
-->'''Sarda''': ...And that's your mission.\\
'''Red Mage''': Sarda? Just a suggestion. We could strap dynamite to our heads and roll around in fire. It would increase our chances of survival.\\
'''Sarda''': Yeah, sure, why not?\\
'''Red Mage''': I have doubts that he's listening to us.
** On the other hand, [[spoiler:given that his entire purpose for helping them was to watch them suffer it's likely that he would have enjoyed said alternative plan anyways.]]
* In ''Webcomic/GunnerkriggCourt'', someone doing this is abused against them: When Alistair's parents ask him if he'd like to be permanently transformed into a bird this way, and accept this as an answer and go ahead with it. It's not clear if this was invoked, or if they're just negligent.
-->'''Parent:''' Hey, Aly. You want to be a bird?\\
''[Aly is playing a video game and paying no attention]''\\
'''Alistair:''' 'kay.
** In Chapter 74, Kat asks how Annie's meeting went, but clearly isn't paying any attention to the answer, as she's too busy working on her project to figure out [[spoiler:how Annie was split into two]].

[[folder: Web Original ]]

[[folder: Western Animation ]]

--> "Guy's nervous too, if it makes you feel better." (beat) "I slept with him last night to calm him down."
--> "[[SubvertedTrope That's okay, I poisoned your champagne.]]"

---> '''Gumball:''' ''[Sighs]'' Darwin, we need to talk.\\

--->'''Jake''': Hey, kiddo! How was your day?
--->'''Daria''': Fine. I heard a new voice inside my head and Kevin stole a test, so everyone's getting an F.
--->'''Jake''': That's great!
--->'''Helen''': Daria, you were just kidding about the voice, right?
--->'''Daria''': Relax...we don't have to answer that.

--->'''David''': Steinbeck was perhaps best known for his poignant novel about the "Okies"...
--->'''Tiffany''': (Applying makeup) Uh-huh...
--->'''David''': A heavy metal band famous for having a baboon on bass.
--->'''Tiffany''': (Still applying makeup) Uh-huh...

---> '''Daria''': How about I read you some Byron instead?.
---> '''Mrs. Blaine''': (Nods)
---> '''Daria''': Or some really graphic smut?
---> '''Mrs. Blaine''': (Nods)
---> '''Daria''': You're deaf aren't you?.

-->'''Bill:''' ...But then the rash went away, and I could wear pants again.
-->'''Hank:''' Yup.
-->'''{{Beat}}'''
-->'''Bill:''' Dale, Hank says he's going to become a...tugboat captain.
-->'''Dale:''' Yup.
-->'''Bill:''' ...Kabu, icksnack, bungo!
-->'''Boomhauer:''' Mmhmm.

--> "You're from the planet ''Krypton?"''

--> "Wow! You're amazing! You're incredible! You're... not even listening to me..."

...\\

...\\

...\\

'''Mrs. Krabappel:'''\ [spluttering] Well, that was a lucky guess!

-->'''Maguro''': As co-leader of the Sushi Pack, do you think you should spend so much time sitting here playing that game?
-->'''Tako''': Yeah.
-->'''Maguro''': You do?!
-->'''Tako''': Yeah, sure.
-->'''Maguro''': Or should you take a break and come eat dinner?
-->'''Tako''': Yeah.
-->'''Maguro''': Yeah, ''what''?
-->'''Tako''': Yeah, whatever. Maguro, I'm ''playing'' here!

--> '''Clancy''': You're up bright and early, sir.
--> '''Dick''': Gotta fly, Clance. Interview with the cops.
--> '''Clancy''': I'm startin' premed this morning.
--> '''Dick''': That's great!
--> '''Clancy''': And this afternoon I'm flyin' to Stockholm to accept the Nobel Prize.
--> '''Dick''': Great!
--> '''Clancy''': In the nude.
--> '''Dick''': Great!
--> '''Clancy''': Didn't hear a bloody word. *sigh*.

-->'''Wammy''': What is it, Namikawa?
-->'''Namikawa''': Just some reports that I wanted to give you in person. Apparently there's a health concern about one of the employees that we don't want the media to know about.
-->'''Wammy''': ''[No response.]''
-->'''Namikawa''': One of our employees is in what might be a temporary coma.... There have never been any problems severing a connection with the game before so it's a cause for concern.
-->'''Wammy''': ...hmm, the media?
-->'''Namikawa''': The man concerned is Teru Mikami.... He's in the infirmary now, and we're moving him to the hospital if nothing improves. We didn't want a media storm from this, which is why…
-->'''Wammy''': ''[No response.]''
-->'''Namikawa''': [[BreadEggsMilkSquick Actually, Mikami and I were thinking of getting married, and we want L to be the godfather of our adoptive children.]]
-->'''Wammy''': ''[Looks up from his paperwork and blinks.]'' What about my son?

-->"-so I think that would be best. What is your opinion on the matter, England?"
-->"Hm? Oh, yes very good."
-->"...And then I also think that we should form an alliance with France and you two can be the best of friends."
-->"Sounds good."
-->"I knew it! You've not been listening to a single thing I've been saying!"

-->'''Customer:''' I just held up the same two movies. You're not even paying attention.
-->'''Randal:''' ''(not looking up)'' No, I wasn't.
-->'''Customer:''' I don't think your manager would appreciate--
-->'''Randal:''' ''(still not looking up)'' I don't appreciate your ruse, ma'am.
-->'''Customer:''' I beg your pardon?
-->'''Randal:''' Your ruse. Your cunning attempt to trick me.

--> '''Q:''' You're not listening to a word I said."\\

--> "Hey," I said casually. "Bendomolena's on fire."
--> "Cool. So yeah, Jon wants to do a drum solo and we were like, 'Dude, ''no''!'"

-->'''Percy''': Hey, how's it going?
-->'''Annabeth''': Uh, no thanks.
-->'''Percy''': Okay...have you eaten anything today?
-->'''Annabeth''': I think Leo is on duty. Ask him.
-->'''Percy''': So, my hair is on fire.
-->'''Annabeth''': Okay. In a while.

(Scully watches as Mulder throws the ball into the air some more)\\

---> '''Mulder''': And I'm not wearing any pants right now.

** The above is a CallBack to what happened in the second episode when Penny found the guys over-thinking the process of furnishing her apartment with their complex and wholly necessary ideas. Penny, losing patience and a little pissed at Howard making a rude chauvinistic remark, joking said, "Guys, it’s hot in here, I think I’ll just take off all my clothes." The group didn't notice at all. In fact, they were so caught up in their own plans, they also [[ComicallyMissingThePoint didn't notice Penny thought her room was nice as is]] and ran off to start the own huge collaborative building project.

-->'''Giles''': Buffy, a word in your ear. Um, if you, uh, think of the store as a, as a library, (''cleaning glasses'') it'll help you to, to, uh, concentrate on, on ... service rather than selling.\\

'''Giles''': (''not listening'') Yes, uh, quite, quite, yes.

--->'''Xander:''' How's it going over there, Buff?
--->'''Buffy:''' ''(ThousandYardStare)'' Fine.
--->'''Xander:''' Well, I just wanted to say that your impersonation of an inanimate object is really coming along.
--->'''Buffy:''' Thanks.

--->'''Giles:''' (''looking through a book'') Morgala's exact nature eludes us but we've narrowed it down to (''looks up'') not listening to a word I'm saying.

-->'''Lilith''': Frasier? Frasier? Doctor, are you listening to me?
-->'''Frasier''' (''drowsily''): Yes, please continue. (''fully wakes up'') I hate it when you do that.

--> '''Elaine:''' What're you looking at?
--> '''Jerry:''' There's a naked woman across the street.
--> '''Elaine:''' [''chuckling''] This is gonna be the easiest money I've ever made in my life. So, my friend, Joyce, is teaching an aerobics class. I'm gonna go tonight.
--> '''Jerry:''' Yeah...the - the waitress should've taken it back.
--> '''Elaine:''' So then, I got a call this morning. You know, I was, uh, chosen to go on the space shuttle. We're goin' to Mars.
--> '''Jerry:''' Uh-huh.
--> '''George:''' Have a good time.

-->'''Dr Kelso''': Perry, are you familiar with Sacred Heart's community service program?
-->'''Dr Cox''': Bobby, lately I've noticed you don't listen to a single word people say, so my reply to your question is "I think you're the world's biggest jackass and I look forward to your death."
-->'''Dr. Kelso''': ''{not looking up)'' Well, you must not be familiar with it because you're the only staff member not to have completed his 24-hour mandatory community service. Consider yourself suspended until you do. [[SubvertedTrope Oh, and I'm never dying.]]

--> '''Jill:''' So anyway, the lessons are on Tuesday nights. And it doesn't really cost very much. And I've been having an affair with a space alien. Yep, I'm having his baby.

--> '''Sheppard''': ''(Trying to get Rodney's attention)'' Pluto should never have been a planet... Zelenka's smarter than you are...
--> '''Rodney''': ''(Indicates that he's finally paying attention)''
--> '''Sheppard''': Whatever, ''[[EmbarrassingFirstName Meredith]]''.

'''Peter''': I think that's great. ''(notices her expression)'' I don't think that's great. What did you ask me?\\

-->'''Gunn:''' They've made arrangements to transport his body back to... the North Pole. Turns out he had a close personal relationship with Santa. Angel?
-->'''Angel:''' What? I'm with you. Turning over to... ''(mentally catches up)'' Santa?

--> '''Rikki:''' Me and the girls were going to have a pillow fight in our jim-jams if you wanted to join us.
--> '''Lewis:''' Sure, no problem.

--> '''Andrea:''' And then I hope he rips my clothes off and has his way with me on the table.
--> ''Melinda looks up''.
--> '''Andrea:''' Oh, you ''were'' listening.

-->'''Michael:''' I lost a sock and a pair of shorts, but the fuck if I'm going back down there with the crypt master!
-->'''Ben:''' ''*doesn't answer*''
-->'''Michael:''' Ben?
-->'''Ben:''' Uh... yeah?
-->'''Michael:''' I said there was this guy down there... this incredibly hot guy, and I was bending over to get my laundry out of the dryer, and, and he ripped off my pants and he fucked the shit out of me!
-->'''Ben:''' ''(still not listening)'' Uh-huh?

---> '''[=McGee=]:''' I've been thinking about getting some tight leather pants. You know, something that really cradles my butt.\\

'''Tom:''' ''(engrossed in a cartoon)'' Uh-huh...\\

'''Tom:''' ''(changes the channel)'' Oh! Hockey!\\

'''Tom:''': ''(yells at the TV)'' Oh! Look at that!\\

--->'''Dax:''' Rom! Are you here?
--->'''Rom:''' Cloak, small, dozens. I heard every word.

--->'''Voice''': She's gone.
--->'''Bashir''': Who is this? What have you done?
--->'''Voice''': I have eaten her.
--->'''Bashir''': What?!
--->'''Voice''': I've eaten her! What difference does it make to you? You weren't even listening to her!

'''[=McNulty=]''': ''(stares at his ex-wife and her male friend)''\\

'''[=McNulty=]''': ''(continues to stare)''

-->'''Alex:''' "How was school, Mary?"
-->'''Mary:''' "Not bad. I got expelled."
-->'''Alex:''' "Good."

-->'''Johnny:''' Anyway Les, Laurie and I have built a nuclear device.
-->'''Les:''' Uh-huh...
-->'''Johnny:''' And uh... we're going to murder all the newsmen in Cincinnati before we use it.
-->'''Les:''' Well, you two have a good time.
-->'''Johnny:''' Knew we could count on you, Les.

-->What time is it?\\
Go look at the clock and see.\\
What's the weather outside like today?\\
Go step outside and see.\\
How fast can our car go?\\
Go... ...nice try.

--> '''Man''': ...And after Cindy and I stopped off to pick up our Pulitzer prizes, we were abducted by aliens who made us their king and queen.
--> '''Darryl:''' Uh-huh. That's great. ''I think Zoe was bigger at that age...I wonder what she's doing right now?''
--> '''Cindy:''' It's true. Every word.
--> '''Wanda:''' Really? How interesting. ''What a cutie! His eyes are so big! I wish I could hold him.''
-->

-->'''Woman''': Do I have to slaughter that thing to get your attention?
-->'''Man''': ''(bored)'' No, dear.
-->'''Woman''': Are you lying to me?
-->'''Man''': ''(bored)'' No, dear.
-->'''Woman''': Are you listening to me?
-->'''Man''': ''(bored)'' [[RuleOfThree No, dear.]]
-->''(offscreen)'' ''(smack!)''

-->'''Hau''': Hey, (player), did you know?
-->'''Player''': Of course
-->'''[[PerpetualSmiler Hau]]''': ''(visually annoyed)'' I haven't finished the question yet.

* ''Webcomic/AMiracleOfScience''.

-->'''Dad:''' How was school?
-->'''Kid:''' Good.
-->'''Dad:''' Did anything crazy or fun happen today?!
-->'''Kid:''' Good.
-->'''Dad:''' You're not even listening to me, are you?
-->'''Kid:''' Good.

** In a variation, [[spoiler: Roy's ghost]] isn't sure whether the Oracle is capable of hearing him, and tries to prompt a reaction through a series of "Yo Mama" jokes. Also subverted in that the Oracle can hear him but doesn't want him to know until it's too late for him to make much use of it.

-->'''Arcturus''': Came back for my books, mom. Leaving again.
-->'''Mom''': Mm-hmm.
-->'''Arcturus''': Gonna be gone all day.
-->'''Mom''': Mm-hmm.
-->'''Arcturus''': I set the bathroom on fire and cut open the couch to hide my secret heroin stash.
-->'''Mom''': Mm-hmm.
-->'''Arcturus''': *Sigh* So good to know I'm cared about...

-->'''Sarda''': ...And that's your mission.
-->'''Red Mage''': Sarda? Just a suggestion. We could strap dynamite to our heads and roll around in fire. It would increase our chances of survival.
-->'''Sarda''': Yeah, sure, why not?
-->'''Red Mage''': I have doubts that he's listening to us.

* In ''Webcomic/GunnerkriggCourt'' someone doing this is abused against them, when Alistair's parents ask him if he'd like to be permanently transformed into a bird this way, and accept this as an answer and go ahead with it. It's not clear if this was invoked, or if they're just negligent.
--> '''Parent:''' Hey, Aly. You want to be a bird?
--> ''Playing a video game and paying no attention''
--> '''Alistair:''' 'kay

--> '''[=McGee=]:''' I've been thinking about getting some tight leather pants. You know, something that really cradles my butt.\\

-->Dax: Rom! Are you here?
-->Rom: Cloak, small, dozens. I heard every word.

-->'''Voice''': She's gone.
-->'''Bashir''': Who is this? What have you done?
-->'''Voice''': I have eaten her.
-->'''Bashir''': What?!
-->'''Voice''': I've eaten her! What difference does it make to you? You weren't even listening to her!

--->'''Sun:'''You thold them '''''what!?''''' Been a while since I gave you a thrashing...but I'm sure your father will ''approve.''\\

-->'''Jake''': Hey, kiddo! How was your day?
-->'''Daria''': Fine. I heard a new voice inside my head and Kevin stole a test, so everyone's getting an F.
-->'''Jake''': That's great!
-->'''Helen''': Daria, you were just kidding about the voice, right?
-->'''Daria''': Relax...we don't have to answer that.

-->'''David''': Steinbeck was perhaps best known for his poignant novel about the "Okies"...
-->'''Tiffany''': (Applying makeup) Uh-huh...
-->'''David''': A heavy metal band famous for having a baboon on bass.
-->'''Tiffany''': (Still applying makeup) Uh-huh...

--> '''Daria''': How about I read you some Byron instead?.
--> '''Mrs. Blaine''': (Nods)
--> '''Daria''': Or some really graphic smut?
--> '''Mrs. Blaine''': (Nods)
--> '''Daria''': You're deaf aren't you?.

-->'''Mrs. Krabappel:''' Bart! You haven't been listening to a word I've said, have you?\\

-->'''Xander:''' How's it going over there, Buff?
-->'''Buffy:''' ''(ThousandYardStare)'' Fine.
-->'''Xander:''' Well, I just wanted to say that your impersonation of an inanimate object is really coming along.
-->'''Buffy:''' Thanks.

--> '''Gumball''': [Sighs] Darwin, we need to talk.\\
'''Darwin''': Uhh yeah.\\
'''Gumball''': You know, I love you man.\\
'''Darwin''': Uh huh.\\
'''Gumball''': But... I think you have a problem with that phone!\\
'''Darwin''': Yeah.\\
'''Gumball''': [[{{Squick}} So I've arranged for your butt to be surgically grafted onto your face.]]\\
'''Darwin''': Yeah, yeah sure great.\\
'''Gumball''': YOU'RE NOT EVEN LISTENING!

* ''ComicStrip/DonaldDuck'' had a strip where he completely agrees to everything Daisy is saying on the phone, but when she (finally) finishes talking she notices he's still agreeing. She goes to confront him... and sees him napping in his hammock while a gramophone continues to spout "Yes", "Uh-huh", and "Go on" into the phone.

* In a season three episode of ''Series/{{NCIS}}'', [=McGee=] isn't listening to Abby, prompting her to say: "I'm pregnant, [=McGee=]. Twins. Haven't told the father yet. It's Gibbs. I know it's wrong, but something about his silver hair just gets me all tingly inside."
** Sends it straight into SugarWiki/FunnyMoments when Tony comes in just in time to hear her.