We've all seen one too many predictable scenarios unfold in sitcoms and movies, and personally, I'm sick of it. They're old and tired, and for once, I'd like to be surprised by what I'm watching. Here are just a few of the most annoying set-ups you've undoubtedly seen at some point in every show you watch.

1. Pronoun Game Causes Mix-Up

A favorite among sitcoms, this device relies on the completely unrealistic event that two characters will have a discussion about a person, place or thing, without actually ever using the name of said person, place or thing. We, the viewers, know that these two characters are actually talking about two completely different subjects and that the result will be some sort of chaotic mix-up.

This is a lazy, overused plot device that writers use to cheat their way to conflict. Not only is it cheap, but it’s not even believable. What kind of maniac runs up to someone and starts going on and on about “it,” “he” and “they” and expects the other person to just know what they’re talking about? And what equally inept person never asks for clarification?

Example: Three’s Company -- Jack believes that Mr. Roper is going to leave Mrs. Roper on their anniversary when he refers to his surprise for her as “it” and other oddly worded, vague phrases.

2. Letting People Walk Away

OK, something dramatic happens and two of our titular characters are on the fritz (oh no!), but fortunately for all of us, it’s just one big misunderstanding and all that needs to happen to get our faves back to good is a little explanation.

But wait. What if the offended party doesn’t wanna hear it? What if, during the offending party’s explanation, they just….walk away?

Apparently, in the world of television, once somebody walks away from a conversation it’s a totally done deal -- you can’t, y'know, stop them...or simply shout, “I wasn’t on a date with your sister, we were planning your surprise party! It’s tomorrow!” while they’re still within earshot?

There’s just no reason why you should let someone step away from a conversation without giving them the whole truth, especially if it’s going to end helping both parties involved. And no one in their right mind would stall the truth in such a situation.

Example: Faking It -- nearly every episode of Season 2 where Amy and Liam try to explain/apologize for their rendezvous to Karma.

2. Confession Stalled By Compliment

This trope is used as a fail-safe in even the most serious of series. The biggest issue with this device may be that it’s totally predictable. Just as Character A is about to break some hard news, Character B breaks in with a “Wait, let me go first.” And proceeds to give some raving compliment or even a gift, which causes Character B to totally back out on telling the truth.

Example: Degrassi: The Next Generation -- Craig is about to tell Ashley he cheated on her with Manny and break up with her, but Ashley interrupts him with a Christmas gift, an antique guitar that belonged to her grandfather, his confession turns from “I cheated” to “I love you.”

3. Assumption Goes Awry

We try not to, but every once in a while we jump the gun -- we see a guy in a red t-shirt at Target and we automatically assume that he knows where the store keeps their glycerin (pharmacy? beauty? grocery?), instead of thinking “hey, that guy must like the color red.” It happens. But even after we embarrass ourselves, Red T-Shirt Guy has no problem saying “Oh, hi, no. I’m just wearing red today.”

Red T-Shirt Guy doesn’t exist in the world of Television and Film though; in that land, when someone mistakes your identity, you kind of just go with it until, inevitably, things fall apart.

Example: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt -- Kimmy meets a guy who assumes that she’s an army vet because of “the look in her eyes” and, seeing as how he’s particularly yummy, she’s just like “OK, sure."

4. Confession While Sleeping

Simple enough, character works up the courage to (finally) reveal something pivotal to their relationship with another character. But just as they let their truth flag fly and turn to face their acquaintance, they realize that they’ve fallen asleep. But weren’t they just awake? And speaking? And alert? They fell asleep in .0076 seconds? Asleep enough to not hear someone say “I’m the one who killed your dog?”

The worst part is the character usually doesn’t attempt to confess again for quite some time. I don’t know, I guess there’s something about a sleeping person that just sets you back emotionally.

Example: The Killers -- Spencer is ready to tell Jen that he’s a super secret spy guy, but realizes that she’s too exhausted from the rigorous activities of a first date to stay awake for it. Apparently, there were zero opportunities to approach the topic for the next three years, either.

5. Premature Confession

Lots of confessing happens in Television and Film, it seems.

Weird.

But this confession plot device is as old as time itself. A guilty person explodes under pressure -- spilling the beans after being elicited with a phrase like “I know what’s going on here” or something to that effect….but in actuality, the other person doesn’t really know what’s going on here, because they’re never talking about what the confessor is talking about. Sometimes the confession comes with no prodding at all.

Please, let's get a little more creative with our entertainment. And, if any of these scenarios actually do happen in real life, make sure there aren't cameras around.