Best TV factual errors of all time

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The Borgias picture

The Poisoned Chalice - S1-E1

Factual error: In the Pope's coronation procession they play the anthem Zadok the Priest. It was composed by Handel for the coronation of George II in 1727, 235 years after this coronation took place.

Necrothesp

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Lost in Space picture

Impact - S1-E1

Factual error: At the start the Robinsons are playing a game of fish, in weightless or free fall conditions. At about 1:30 the computer announces "Completing De-Orbit Burn." De-Orbit Burn involves deceleration. This is not free fall, they should be experiencing the deceleration and hence a sense of gravity. The cards should not float. (00:01:30)

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Away picture

Negative Return - S1-E2

Factual error: The communication delay for earth-moon communications is around 2.6 seconds. Yet Emma's daughter simply dials a cell phone and is connected to her Mom in space past the moon in less than that. The communication has no time lag. (00:18:45)

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Taboo picture

Episode #1.7 - S1-E7

Factual error: Lorna uses the word 'okay'. The first recorded usage of this word in America was not until 1839 and in Britain not until the 20th century. The series is set in 1814 and generally uses language contemporary to its setting.

Necrothesp

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Agents of SHIELD picture

Purpose in the Machine - S3-E2

Factual error: When examining the sand, Bobbi states "According to carbon dating..." Fitz finishes by saying "It's a billion years older than the earth." However, carbon dating is only good at determining the age of something to about 60,000 years old. The only thing carbon dating could tell about the sand is that it is 60,000 years old or older. It certainly couldn't determine that the sand was 5 billion years old.

Guy

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Stargate SG-1 picture

Children of the Gods (1) - S1-E1

Factual error: The escort for Colonel O'Neill is wearing both Major and Staff Sergeant rank insignia. Probably what the writers thought was a "Sergeant Major", which does not exist in the Air Force. Major is a commissioned officer, sergeants are non-commissioned officers.

wickeddoll

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The Beverly Hillbillies picture

The Grun Incident - S9-E15

Factual error: In the opening scene, the Clampetts are driving home from Malibu. From Malibu to Beverly Hills is east. But as they head home, the ocean is on their left, which means they are driving west.

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Knight Rider picture

The Topaz Connection - S1-E16

Factual error: A secret file is password-protected on a computer, requiring a six-digit numerical access code. KITT states that the possibilities "are virtually unlimited." In truth, if each digit can be 0 through 9 (numerical meaning no letters or symbols), the possibility is 1 in 10^6, or 1 in a million. A supercomputer like KITT should have no problem running each number systematically until a correct code is found.

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Wagon Train picture

The Mark Miner Story - S5-E8

Factual error: At an 1868 church service, Mark sings "How Great Thou Art." While the tune of this hymn is 19th Century, the English lyrics he's singing weren't composed until the 1920s.

Jean G

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The A-Team picture

A Nice Place to Visit - S1-E14

Factual error: When the team is in uniform for their friend's funeral, Smith and Peck (both commissioned officers) have their Special Forces insignias on their berets when they should have their rank insignia.

Mister Ed

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Two and a Half Men picture

A Sympathetic Crotch to Cry On - S2-E21

Factual error: Three times during the episode, when Jake is playing his DS, one of the characters plugs in the headphones. However, the cable is inserted into the socket for the charger on the top of the DS, instead of the headphone socket, which is located on the bottom.

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I'm Alan Partridge picture

Alan Attraction - S1-E2

Factual error: Alan takes out a member of his staff on a Valentine's Day trip. When he is in the car with her, there are some outside shots of them driving along. The problem is, on or around the 14th of February, there would be no leaves on the trees. (00:17:30)

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The Andy Griffith Show picture

Goober Goes to an Auto Show - S8-E22

Factual error: Goober and the Taylors stop and get gas in Raleigh before heading back to Mayberry. As they are waiting, a Coors Brewing Company truck is seen driving past the service station. Coors Beer was not sold east of the Mississippi River until the mid-1980s.

Mozzie-6

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Heroes picture

Kindred - S2-E3

Factual error: In Season 2, Episode 3, Peter and the Irish family rob the bookmakers and the security guards shoot at them. In Ireland, even the police don't carry weapons. Let alone security guards.

SexyIrishLeprechaun

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The Courtroom picture

Show generally

Factual error: Despite the several episodes containing serious offences like murder, you never see two barristers on any side. It is usual with serious offences for each party to have one Queen's Counsel and a junior, and although there are exceptions, we never ever see this very common practice in any episode.

David Mercier

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Law & Order: Special Victims Unit picture

Pique - S2-E20

Factual error: In the final scene where Grace Mayberry's house is raided in Trenton, NJ. a New Jersey State Trooper is wearing a badge on his chest. The NJSP has always worn a triangular shaped badge on their hats.

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