Line #30 PlayingWith/ViewersAreMorons


1	'''Basic Trope''': The idea commonly held by show creators and network executives that viewers don't know what's going on unless you tell them in the simplest terms possible.
2	* '''Straight''': Characters in ''AdjectiveNounFred'' are always explaining their motivations and actions, despite said information having being well explained repeatedly in previous occasions. For example, in [[OncePerEpisode every single episode]], the BigBad will exclaim that his goal is {{take over the world}}.
3	* '''Exaggerated''': Even everyday, mundane actions need an explanation and the explanation involves a very long-winded CharacterFilibuster or a WallOfText.
4	* '''Downplayed''':
5	** AliceAndBob get StrangledByTheRedString, mainly due to RelationshipWritingFumble.
6	** Information is repeated a couple times before the show seems to trust that the viewers have got it. For example, the BigBad says that his goal is to take over the world the first time he tries to do it and repeats it the next time, but it's pretty much taken as read from then on.
7	* '''Justified''':
8	** The show is a CookingShow, ScienceShow, or other How To; [[{{Edutainment}} viewers are there to learn something]], so each step must be shown and sometimes they even tell you ''why'' a step is required or recommended.
9	** It's a broadcast of a sporting event; the audience doesn't want to miss a thing, but sometimes it's hard to tell what's going on in such a fast-paced setting. (And some audience members may not be familiar with moves or plays, particularly if they're seldom used for some reason.)
10	** Sometimes, it's [[RelationshipWritingFumble hard to express feelings]] or other abstract concepts without [[ThatMakesMeFeelAngry discussing them explicitly]].
11	** The MindScrewdriver
12	** OurLawyersAdvisedThisTrope.
13	* '''Inverted''': ViewersAreGeniuses, helping to prevent or fix {{Mind Screw}}s or Authors Are Morons.
14	* '''Subverted''':
15	** Most of the time, the series follows the LawOfConservationOfDetail and the principle of "ShowDontTell."
16	** There's an element of FridgeLogic at times, or even an outright PlotHole.
17	** There is mention of a NoodleIncident.
18	* '''Double Subverted''':
19	** But sometimes, an explanation is needed to prevent things from becoming too hard to follow.
20	** Characters regularly have ThatMakesMeFeelAngry conversations
21	** The audience is regularly [[ViewersAreGoldfish given a recap]]: "Last week on ''AdjectiveNounFred''..." It's becomes a RecapEpisode.
22	* '''Parodied''':
23	** The characters are [[CallingYourBathroomBreaks calling their bathroom breaks.]]
24	** Every single character is a CaptainObvious and they even have to explain the opening and ending credits of the show.
25	* '''Zig Zagged''': Sometimes things are explained, sometimes they're not.
26	* '''Averted''':
27	** See "Inverted" and "Subverted"
28	** ''AdjectiveNounFred'' is ''supposed'' to be a MindScrew.
29	* '''Enforced''':
30	** "We want to prevent ''AdjectiveNounFred'' from becoming a MindScrew."
31	** The writer has trouble with expressing abstract things like feelings and relationships.
32	** "This is {{Edutainment}}; the audience needs to learn, and we need to teach them."
33	* '''Lampshaded''':
34	** A TV-exec mantra goes like this: "Never treat the viewers like they're stupid but don't forget that they are."
35	** "Just in case you forgot, I'm trying to take over the world! Okay, are we clear? You got that? Just checking."
36	* '''Invoked''': ''AdjectiveNounFred'' has a KudzuPlot, with lots of dynamic battles and relationships.
37	* '''Exploited''': Somebody writes a How To book or program, especially one for beginners.
38	* '''Defied''': The author assumes that the audience has at least some idea what's going on, and adheres to the LawOfConservationOfDetail.
39	* '''Discussed''': ???
40	* '''Conversed''': "Christ, what does this show think I am, a fool!?"
41	----
42	Back to ViewersAreMorons
43	----
44	%% Optional items, added after Conversed, at your discretion:
45	%%
46	%%* '''Implied''': ???
47	%%* '''Deconstructed''': ???
48	%%* '''Reconstructed''': ???
49	%%* '''Plotted A Good Waste''': ???
50	%%* '''Played For Laughs''': ???

Context PlayingWith / ViewersAreMorons