98...99...100. Whew! All done!

January 2, 2014 11:51 AM

Looking for movie scenes like the following:

1. Person is supposed to be doing a task but isn't.
2. Authority figure enters.
3. Person acts like they're just finishing the task.

Video links would be great, or I could search for one if you remember a specific quote. I am most interested in examples where the task is doing something a certain number of times (pushups, etc.), but any good/funny examples in the above style would do.

posted by klausman to Media & Arts (15 answers total)

Not a movie, but this happens in the first season of Mad Men in the Draper bedroom. Whether or not Betty Draper is an authority figure is up to personal interpretation...
posted by sweetkid at 11:53 AM on January 2, 2014 [1 favorite]

Again not a movie, but the "I Love Lucy" episode where Lucy and Ethel work at the candy factory is a classic.
posted by Melismata at 11:59 AM on January 2, 2014

In the kids' movie Sky High, Will Stronghold is "bench pressing" and throws out an absurd number when his father enters.

Will Stronghold: [pretending to have super strength by bench pressing an extremely heavy weight] 200... Hi, Dad, just trying to get some sets in before school.
Steve: Yeah, low weight, high reps, that's the key. You don't wanna bulk up...
Will Stronghold: Yeah, I'm going more for definition.
posted by Sassyfras at 12:00 PM on January 2, 2014

At the end of Back to the Future, Biff acts like he is finishing a coat of car wax, rather than just starting.
posted by mikepop at 12:00 PM on January 2, 2014 [1 favorite]

(Which now that I clicked your link I see is the example, ha)
posted by mikepop at 12:02 PM on January 2, 2014

from Anchorman:

Ron Burgundy: [Ron is shirtless in his office and is doing arm curls with dumbbells] 1001... 1002... 1003...
Veronica Corningstone: Uh, Mr. Burgundy? Helen said that you needed to see me.
Ron Burgundy: Oh, Miss Corningstone. I wasn't expecting company. Just doing my workout. Tuesday's arms and back.
Veronica Corningstone: Well, you asked me to come by, sir.
Ron Burgundy: Oh, did I?
Veronica Corningstone: Yes.
Ron Burgundy: Ohh, it's the deep burn. Oh, it's so deep. Oh, I can barely lift my right arm 'cause I did so many. I don't know if you heard me counting. I did over a thousand.
posted by UncleBoomee at 12:26 PM on January 2, 2014 [9 favorites]

In episode 1 of Mr Selfridge, two of the shopgirls are in a panic over a dress on a mannequin that has to be sewn up in the back as they're frantically getting ready for opening day. Mr Selfridge walks by and says something like "All set?" and the lady blocks the view of the back and assures him everything is ready.
posted by HotToddy at 12:29 PM on January 2, 2014

Speaking of 98, 99, 100... in season 1, episode 6 of Arrested Development, "In God We Trust," George Michael is wearing a fake muscle suit, and "finishes" his 100th push-up as Maeby walks in.

Is that what your post title is referring to?
posted by Old Man McKay at 12:29 PM on January 2, 2014 [6 favorites]

I'm pretty sure something like this happens in the 1991 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Secret of the Ooze movie. The turtles are in April O'Neil's apartment and Splinter tells a couple of them to do some kind of flip kicks or something as punishment. Scene continues, then cut back to the turtles who are just counting and jumping/clapping to make the sounds of the flip kicks, Splinter catches them, and makes them start over.
posted by kochenta at 12:40 PM on January 2, 2014 [1 favorite]

I believe there was a scene in Brazil where everyone is watching television at their work stations and when the boss enters the entire floor immediately goes back to work. No dialogue, just a visual gag.
posted by cazoo at 1:28 PM on January 2, 2014 [3 favorites]

I believe there was a scene in Brazil where everyone is watching television at their work stations and when the boss enters the entire floor immediately goes back to work. No dialogue, just a visual gag.

wait for it...
posted by jammy at 3:13 PM on January 2, 2014 [3 favorites]

There's that scene near the beginning of The Devil Wears Prada where all the employees frantically change shoes and put on lipstick and organize files and stuff, so that Miranda thinks they've all been relaxed organized competent glamazons in her abscence.
posted by Kololo at 11:18 PM on January 2, 2014 [1 favorite]

Sounds like something for TV Tropes.
posted by devnull at 2:12 AM on January 3, 2014

Family Guy. "Lot's of Empire Stuff"
posted by Gungho at 8:44 AM on January 3, 2014 [2 favorites]

Season 3, episode 27 of Melrose Place, Kimberly is doing sit-ups, and when her boot camp group (including the sergeant, whose arm she's recently broken) approach her she loudly counts out 198, 199 , 200.
posted by payoto at 6:14 PM on January 5, 2014