History Main / TropesHiddenFromAudience

* {{Kayfabe}}: In the earlier days of UsefulNotes/ProfessionalWrestling, the fact that the performance was "fake", and that the characters were merely performers, was kept an industry secret from the "marks" in the audience. "Smart marks", by contrast, were fans who ''knew'' that the sport was fake but enjoyed it regardless, and over time, "smart marks" greatly outnumbered normal ones. Thus, while most pro wrestling promotions will continue kayfabe as part of its performance, it is now acceptable to reveal to the audience some parts that are fake.

* TransgenderFetishization: A transgender character is used for fanservice or explicit sexual situations more than other characters. If she's transfemale, it's often claimed to not be sexist because the story's not objectifying a ''"real"'' woman.

* OpeningACanOfClones: A story introduces [[CloningBlues doppelgangers]], {{shapeshifter}}s, [[MasterOfIllusion illusionists]], {{telepath|y}}s, TimeTravel, or other plot devices to trick an audience into reacting to a major plot point, but later renders it meaningless. And the moment that a writer does this ''once'', audiences no longer know which consequences they should take seriously and which ones they shouldn't.

* ButNotTooBlack: A character is a dark-skinned minority, but their complexion is either more light than is typical or has been artificially lightened.

* GenderIncompetence: Competence is dependent on gender.

* DaintyCombat: An effeminate character has to be both tough but not too macho, so their fighting style is much more cute, beautiful or effeminate than is plausible for combat.

* FakeBalance: The game takes shortcuts and corners to giving the illusion of balance, but its flaws are quickly exposed from rigorous play.

* OpeningACanOfClones: A story introduces [[CloningBlues doppelgangers]], {{shapeshifter}}s, [[MasterOfIllusion illusionists]], {{telepath|y}}s, TimeTravel, or other plot devices to trick an audience into reacting to a major plot point, but later renders it meaningless. And the moment that a writer does this ''once'', audiences no longer know which consequences they should take seriously and which ones they shouldn't..

* FemalesAreMoreInnocent: The female villains are all sympathetic because a man happened to drove them to do the bad things they did. The audience isn't supposed to notice the lack of diversity among truly evil villains because of this.