Best comedy TV factual errors of all time

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M*A*S*H picture

George - S2-E22

Factual error: In surgery Trapper John is singing Frank Sinatra's version of "I got you under my skin". Although it was written in 1936, Sinatra did not release it until 1956, after the Korean War ended. The 1936 version sung by Al Bowlly sounds nothing like the version Trapper John was singing, which was mimicking Sinatra's version.

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

Suggested correction: While it hadn't been released on vinyl until 1956, Sinatra had sung the song as early as 1946 on his radio show and during live shows.

Greg Dwyer

The version Frank Sinatra sang on his radio show was similar to the original version used in the movie "Born to Dance" (a movie he references before singing his two songs). He didn't change it to the big band version that Trapper imitates until 1956.

Bishop73

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Pokemon picture

The Ninja Poke-Showdown - S1-E32

Factual error: When Venonat uses Stun Spore, Ash tells Bulbasaur to use Whirlwind. Bulbasaur just blows the powder away with his mouth, but he doesn't use the Whirlwind attack. He can't learn Whirlwind in any of the games, and what Whirlwind is supposed to do is to blow the opposing Pokemon away. Ash could have just as easily told Bulbasaur to blow it away, but he instead chose to tell him to use a move that he can't possibly learn. The only Pokemon that can learn Whirlwind are either Flying types or Bug types; i.e., Pokemon with wings (with the exception of Makuhita and Hariyama, which weren't introduced until generation III, and did not exist at the time this episode aired). In The School of Hard Knocks (Season 1, Episode 9), a character mentions information regarding a Pokemon's levels, attacks, and information which is taken straight out of the game, so it's very clear that Bulbasaur should not be able to use Whirlwind. [This is a result of mistranslation. In the original, Japanese version Ash orders Bulbasaur to "blow it away." He didn't say Whirlwind. Still a mistake in the English version.]

Knever

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Count Duckula picture

Show generally

Factual error: At the beginning of the intro, the narrator says that the only way to resurrect a vampire is with a sacred rite that can only be performed once a century when the moon is in the eighth house of Aquarius. In Astrology, the eighth house is Scorpio.

More Count Duckula factual errors
Upvote valid corrections to help move entries into the corrections section.

Suggested correction: I think that the tank in question is actually an M3 Lee.

It is an M-7 Priest, armed with a 105mm howitzer, not an M-3 Lee.

Scott215

More Hogan's Heroes factual errors
Seinfeld picture

The Little Kicks - S8-E4

Factual error: In the scene where Anna is standing with George beside his father's GTO, Elaine suddenly runs in and pries her away from George. Elaine and Anna get into the cab. As the cab pulls away, the side door is marked as an NYC cab with a taxi license number, etc., but the license plate in the back is a California plate.

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Dad's Army picture

Don't Forget the Diver - S4-E2

Factual error: While Capt. Square is looking through his binoculars at what he thinks is Mainwaring's platoon marching with their rifles, a 1960's Bedford lorry drives past on the road behind them.

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Alias Smith and Jones picture

The Man Who Broke the Bank at Red Gap - S2-E17

Factual error: An egotistical, prissy and dishonest lawyer like Mr. Fletcher wouldn't make the mistake of allowing his name to be misspelled on his office door. It reads "Winfred Fletcher." His first name, as it's pronounced throughout the episode, is "Winford." (00:26:50)

Jean G

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The Simpsons picture

The Bonfire Of The Manatees - S17-E1

Factual error: Alec Baldwin, as an expert on manatees, says that they are also called dugongs. Manatees are found in Atlantic coastal waters and in the Amazon and tributaries. The dugong is a distinct species found in the coastal waters of the Indian and southwest Pacific oceans.

CC

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Frasier picture

The Club - S2-E18

Factual error: When Frasier goes back to The Club to talk to the president about giving his membership to Niles, the butler comes over to offer him an 1896 port. But the bottle is actually a Baul Madeira, not a port. (00:19:40)

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Fresh Off the Boat picture

Gotta Be Me - S2-E22

Factual error: When Luis is in the video store, they pan out to show the video rack he was looking at. They show Disney's Tarzan on one of the racks. Being that this show is set between 1995-1998 for all 4 of the seasons, Tarzan should not be on the shelf as it was not out until 1999.

Blakely Cohen

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Green Acres picture

Wings Over Hooterville - S2-E1

Factual error: In a flashback scene, Oliver is hanging from a tree after getting shot down in WWII. They ask him where he is from, and he says the US Air Force. The US Air Force wasn't formed till 1947. During WWII, it was the Air Corps.

terry s

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Married... with Children picture

Poppy's By the Tree (1) - S2-E1

Factual error: At the end of the episode, the killer shoves a long machete up through the mattress. This isn't possible considering he's under a bed and there's not enough vertical space to shove a machete straight up.

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Glee picture

Season 2 generally

Factual error: In season two the show makes Dalton look like it's in a suburb of Lima. Dalton Academy is suppose to be located in Westerville, OH, which is two hours southeast of Lima. Kurt & Blaine would not be able to go to the "Lima Bean" coffee shop every day if this was the case.

edannat

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