17 Things Literally Every Sitcom Does

    Stop recycling.

    Hattie Soykan
    by Hattie Soykan

    BuzzFeed Staff

    1. "I ate my twin in the womb and that is why I am the superior being you see before you today."

    NBC

    It's not nearly a common enough medical phenomenon for it to be used so much.

    2. The character who used to be fat.

    20th Television

    This is their only defining characteristic and a redeeming quality if they're a bit of an ass. You’ll probably see this person in a fat suit at some point.

    3. Straight girls who for make out for a straight man's attention.

    Warner Bros Television

    Also see: the straight girl's one college "experiment" that happened only to fuel her future boyfriend's fantasies.

    4. "Oh no, they handcuffed us together!"

    NBC

    Perhaps this will lead to an inevitable understanding or truce between two rivals.

    5. "That door autolocks, you fool!"

    Nickelodeon
    Tandem Productions

    Like the handcuff but you get a little more physical distance. How will they leave without resolving their grievances?

    6. The sexist asshole who falls in love.

    20th Television

    Now we can forgive all his previous misdeeds, because who doesn't love a reformed playboy?

    7. The father who gets into all kinds of trouble babysitting his own kids.

    20th Television

    This do-nothing but lovable dad is left to look after the kids and everything is as expected, a disaster. But don't fret, the mother will be back before you know it and all will be restored!

    8. The crazy ex-girlfriend.

    NBC

    This wonderful cop-out is often explained to your bros in charts and graphs.

    9. The acceptable target.

    NBC

    Every workplace needs that one guy they can rip on, even your most righteous faves needs an outlet.

    10. The ~ethnic~ friend who never quite assimilated.

    Fox

    If the actor is fluent in English, they may do an exaggerated accent. You know, for authenticity's sake.

    11. "In English, please?"

    Warner Bros Television

    The natural, hilarious follow-up question when someone smart says anything.

    12. The accidental proposal.

    Warner Bros Television

    "It seems I have slipped, fallen onto one knee, with a ring in my hand and hearts in my eyes."

    13. The "bimbo".

    ABC
    Warner Bros Television

    Never not funny, apparently.

    14. The best friend minister.

    Warner Bros

    "By the power vested in me by getordainedonline.com just 10 minutes ago…” is the perfect last-minute laugh for every sitcom wedding ever.

    15. The temporarily fired employee.

    NBC

    *checks IMDb and sees the main character is still listed in every episode*

    16. The boring, unattractive man with the hot wife.

    Tony Esparza / CBS

    Meanwhile the audience snickers at zingers like "You slept with a girl last night? She was fat though, right?" Sure, Jan.

    17. Meaningless catchphrases.

    Warner Bros Television

    Please make it stop.