Best TV character mistakes of 2007

Please vote as you browse around to help the best rise to the top.

The Big Bang Theory picture

The Pork Chop Indeterminacy - S1-E15

Character mistake: In his conversation with Missy Sheldon makes it clear that his superior intelligence is a result of a random, mutated gene. Since Missy isn't similarly intelligent she obviously isn't carrying this mutated gene (which would be a billion to one shot anyway) so her offspring wouldn't inherit it. Sheldon would know this - his offspring would carry the mutated gene for superior intelligence, Missy's would not. Anyone knowing enough about genetics to use the term 'randomly mutated gene' understands enough to know that the mutated gene would only be expressed in a direct line from the carrier - Sheldon. Also bear in mind he has a model of the DNA molecule in his living room - it is obviously an interest.

Upvote valid corrections to help move entries into the corrections section.

Suggested correction: Genes can be dormant. Which allows them to skip generations. Therefor Missy's children could actually get the "mutated" gene. This is especially true since Sheldon and Missy are twins. Also, since the episode is about who out of Leonard, Howard or Raj, Sheldon would allow to "mate" with his sister, there is the added "insurance" of getting any smart genes from any of the 3 Lothario's mentioned above.

If you are going to try to argue with a geneticist about genetics, please use the correct terms. Sheldon is not referring to a recessive gene - there is no such thing as a dormant gene - he is speaking of a randomly mutated gene. Those are the words he used. If he had inherited a homozygous recessive karotype - one recessive gene from each of his parents - then somewhere in his family tree there would similarly gifted people, in which case he would use the correct term - a recessive gene. If Missy is a heterozygotic dominant karotype possessing the recessive gene for super-genius and the dominant for ordinary intelligence then mating her with Howard, Raj or Leonard would be a waste of time as their dominant genius gene would prevent the recessive super-genius gene from being expressed in the phenotype of the resulting child. The child would be highly intelligent but not on Sheldon's standards. It doesn't matter if Sheldon does not know any of this as he refers several times to a randomly mutated gene, not a recessive one. Missy does not carry the super-genius gene. The posting is correct.

Sheldon is prone to magical thinking when necessary to preserve his obsessive need to control his environment. He may have simply ignored the flaw in his reasoning, as even the most intelligent humans do when venturing outside their ares of expertise. He may be interested in the science of genetics, but his Ph.D. in physics doesn't qualify him as an expert in that field.

More The Big Bang Theory character mistakes
More Primeval character mistakes
More iCarly character mistakes
Inspector George Gently picture

Gently with the Women - S7-E1

Character mistake: The registration number of Alan Salt's car is HUA222B, but when Rachel is on the phone asking an officer to look up the car's registered owner she gives the registration number as B222HUA.

More Inspector George Gently character mistakes
Burn Notice picture

End Run - S3-E3

Character mistake: Near the end, when Michael reveals to Brennen he knows everything about him, he says, "I know everything about Tyler Brennen." Michael emphasizes "Tyler" as if it's a big deal that he knows Brennen's first name. Michael already knew Brennen's first name from the first time he met him, in Season 2, Episode 15 "Sins of Omission."

More Burn Notice character mistakes
More Benidorm character mistakes
More Nostalgia Critic character mistakes
Phineas and Ferb picture

Invasion of the Ferb Snatcher/Ain't No Kiddie Ride - S2-E28

Character mistake: In 'Ain't No Kiddie Ride' Carl reminds Major Monogram that he has no sense of smell and that he was born without nostrils noting it on his resume. But in 'Brain Dead' when Major Monogram sees Perry wearing a face mask he points out that Carl is also a germaphobe. Carl corrects him saying "It's not the germs sir, it's the garlic smell." He wouldn't be able to smell anything since he has no nostrils. (01:10:00 - 01:35:00)

More Phineas and Ferb character mistakes
Gossip Girl picture

The Undergraduates - S4-E3

Character mistake: Rufus says "That was before I found out you raped my 14 year old daughter." referring to Jenny. Jenny, in previous seasons is 15. Jenny was born in 1993, and season 4 was filmed in 2010, making Jenny 16 at least. (00:25:35)

Upvote valid corrections to help move entries into the corrections section.

Suggested correction: In this scene, Rufus saying, "my 14 year old daughter..." was referring to Jenny's age at the time Chuck tired to force himself onto her (beginning of the first season), not her current age in season 4. Jenny was 14 in the beginning of season 1.

HappyAccidents

More Gossip Girl character mistakes
More Bionic Woman character mistakes
Upvote valid corrections to help move entries into the corrections section.

Suggested correction: The tray had more than 6, even if it was drawn to look like just 6, they could have been stacked on top of each other. Later when they're dumped in the fire, you can see more than 6 go in. Plus at that point we don't know how much Chowder was selling them for since it was after Mung Daal (while in disguise) paid more than 5 dollops for one.

Bishop73

More Chowder character mistakes

Join the mailing list

Separate from membership, this is to get updates about mistakes in recent releases. Addresses are not passed on to any third party, and are used solely for direct communication from this site. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Check out the mistake & trivia books, on Kindle and in paperback.