17 "Normalized" Things In TV And Movies That Are Actually Pretttty Strange

    "I saw a TikTok thing the other day that pointed out that many of the most popular rom-com movies from the last few decades all involve cheating."

    Kristen Harris
    by Kristen Harris

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Recently, I asked the BuzzFeed Community what, in their opinion, the weirdest things Hollywood has "normalized" are.

    Here are 17 of their top answers:

    1. "First Wives Club was about 30 years ago, but what Goldie Hawn said still holds up. 'There are three ages for women in Hollywood — babe, district attorney, and Driving Miss Daisy.'"

    a plastic surgeon asks Elise if she wants to be able to play parts her own age, and she tells him that there are only three ages for women in Hollywood — babe, district attorney, and Driving Miss Daist
    Paramount / Via Paramount+

    —dellarock

    2. "There is little diverity of women's bodies. A woman is either a size 2 or a size 20, and their bodies are still almost always hourglasses, unless the woman is playing in a comedy — then she can have a differently shaped body."

    Sasha says, "Okay, Barbie, let's do this. You've been making women feel bad about themselves since you were invented." Barbie replies, "I think you have that the wrong way around."
    Warner Bros. / Via Max

    —anewfan2018

    3. "Unreal beauty standards! OMG! The women who get cast to play 'Plain Janes' are so incredibly gorgeous!"

    Colin Firth says to Renée Zellweger, "No, I like you very much - just as you are," in a scene from Bridget Jones's Diary
    Miramax Films / Via youtube.com

    "If you were to put them into real-life scenarios, people would not overlook them!"

    —crafty_gm

    4. "Waking up in the morning and immediately getting it on. Every time I see this happen, all I can think of is the morning breath. 🤢"

    Kenan Thompson stands by a bed holding a bouquet of flowers for Ego Nwodim, who is lying in bed, in a scene from a TV show
    NBC / Via youtube.com

    —keepintabs

    "…And having to pee."

    —mustaaaaard

    5. "In mainstream teen movies, they always seem to cast actors in their 20s and 30s as teenagers. I know recently they began to slowly curb that trend, but it seems like they're still continuing to do that trend, even on television."

    Four friends from HBO's Euphoria walk down a school hallway.
    HBO / Via youtube.com

    "By the time Euphoria brings out its third season, most of the cast will be in their late 20s or early 30s."

    —realgenius88

    6. "I saw a TikTok thing the other day that pointed out that many of the most popular rom-com movies from the last few decades all involve cheating."

    in Sleepless in Seattle, Annie is engaged, and Sam is dating someone else
    Tristar Pictures / ©TriStar Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "I have enjoyed some of these and never thought of it... but yeah, this is normalized."

    —gmancan

    7. "Love triangles being romantic. 🤢"

    Bella with Conrad and Jeremiah in different scenes from The Summer I Turned Pretty
    Prime Video / Via youtube.com

    "Usually, there's also some kinda incestuous vibe, like brothers sleeping with the same woman."

    —whale_tail

    8. "Teenagers who are only into cool indie bands and indie movies. I’m not saying that younger people can’t enjoy those things, far from it, but when was the last time you saw a teenager in a movie with a poster on their wall from a modern mainstream band or movie?"

    Cara Delevingne looks off-camera in a scene from the film "Paper Towns." She wears a casual, light-colored top and has long hair gently draped over her shoulders
    20th Century Studios / Via youtube.com

    "Unless the plot of the film includes a fictional band or actor, it’s always some obscure indie thing or movie from the '50s."

    —garebehr

    9. "Making the affair partner out to be an innocent person who hasn't done anything wrong or even glamorizing being an affair partner."

    Cassie from Euphoria, wearing a dress and heels, is lying in a bathtub, appearing distressed
    HBO / Via MAX

    —justchillman

    10. "The helicopter/bulldozer mom who is overly involved in her kids' lives but then wonders why she's so stressed."

    Phil Dunphy and Claire Dunphy from Modern Family discussing parenting; Phil claims he can guide Luke without smothering him, and Claire questions if she smothers Luke
    ABC / Via youtube.com

    —justchillman

    11. "They went from 'over-eager male suitor wears down socially unavailable female lead over time' to 'manic pixie female lead wears down emotionally unavailable male lead over time.'"

    Carrie asks Mr. Big, "Why wasn't it me?" followed by "I really need to hear you say it." Mr. Big replies, "Carrie..." in a scene from TV's "Sex and the City."
    HBO / Via youtube.com

    "It’s a 'pick-me' trope that’s been beat way past recognition."

    —quizzyorca14

    12. "That everyone has flawless skin."

    Sydney Sweeney wearing hair curlers and using a facial roller on her collar bone. Shelves with personal items are visible in the background
    HBO / Via Max

    "I just want to see people with uneven skin tones and the odd blemish that concealer doesn't cover fully, where it's completely normal and not a talking point in the film, especially in a school setting."

    —squishy404

    13. "Even though I love enemies-to-lovers, I'm sick of them being played in movies because the plot is the same thing every time."

    Henry and Alex are talking in a kitchen. Henry: Have you thought of what you might say to convince the world that we're actually friends? In a later scene, Alex: We can figure out a way to love each other on our own terms
    Prime Video / Via youtube.com

    —kemim088

    14. "'Teenagers' look over 30 and have zero parental involvement in their lives, as well as designer wardrobes, perfect skin, and unlimited free time."

    Camila Mendes stands indoors wearing a long-sleeved top with a collar and a patterned skirt
    The CW / Via youtube.com

    —savana221

    15. "OH. Cats being a sign of a villain, or the sign of a loser."

    Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory sits on a couch with four cats, in a cozy, cluttered living room
    CBS / Via Max

    "You only see someone love a cat when that cat is about to get killed horribly. Otherwise, it’s used as shorthand for 'evil/pathetic.'"

    —garebehr

    16. "The incompetent dad/neglectful husband who hates their family and life and doesn't know how to do the most basic of household tasks."

    Homer Simpson stands in his kitchen adjusting his shirt,
    Fox / courtesy Everett Collection

    —justchillman

    17. And finally: "Nobody ending a call with goodbye or a natural end."

    Karen and Regina talking on phones in scenes from Mean Girls. Text: "Karen: I can't go out. I'm sick." "Regina: Boo, you whore."
    Paramount Pictures / Via Paramount+

    "They finish the sentence and just hang up. In real life, that’s incredibly rude."

    —jarrodrolheiser

    What do you think are the weirdest things Hollywood has normalized? Share your thoughts in the comments!

    Note: Some responses have been edited for length/clarity.

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