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'''Type 1b:''' There's a variation of this where it's the audience that's [[Take Our Word for It|left in the dark]], but in-universe everyone is clued in. The ''[[Planet Terror]]'' example below is this type. (Similar to [[Relax-O-Vision]], but where that is obviously intentional, this is made to look purely accidental.)
 
'''Type 2:''' You have [[Apocalyptic Log|some kind of communication]] or [[Great Big Book of Everything|tome of information]], part of which is missing or has been either intentionally or unintentionally redacted, leaving something much more mysterious, suggestive and/or humorous than the original could possibly have been. What you're left with is an accidental list of [[Noodle Implements]] with no instructions. Or a non-sequitur without the information that would have naturally linked Point A to Point Z and you are left wondering just exactly ''how the heck'' Point A and Point Z could ''possibly'' be connected. The [[SCP Foundation (Wiki)|SCP Foundation]] example below is this type.
 
There is no reason not to mix the two in the same instance, as with the article intro.
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== [[Comic Books]] ==
* In the tie-in comic for ''[[Terminator (Filmfranchise)|Terminator]] 3: Rise of the Machines'', a resistance member attempts to radio in to HQ explaining that their operation is a failure as he's being attacked by a Terminator. The transmission then ends in static in the final panel, implying that the Terminator killed the resistance member.
 
== [[Film]] ==
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* In ''[[Planet Terror]]'', we get a "Missing Reel" screen. During the missing reel, it's implied, we'd have gotten to see [[Rose McGowan]] totally naked, plus the entire plot surrounding Ray's mysterious origins would have been explained.
** [[Crowning Moment of Funny|Hilariously]], when the film comes back, ''everything is on fire'', and [[Noodle Incident|we'll never know why]].
* This exchange from ''[[OceansOcean's Eleven]]'', where Rusty is instructing Linus:
{{quote| '''Rusty:''' ...Don't use three words when one will do, don't shift your eyes, look always at your mark, but don't stare; be specific, but not memorable; be funny, but don't make him laugh. He's got to like you, and then forget you the moment you've left his sight. And for God's sake, whatever you do, don't, under any circumstances --<br />
'''Livingston:''' (off screen) Rust, can you come here a sec?<br />
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'''Linus:''' ... }}
* ''[[Superhero Movie]]'' plays with this trope when Rick Riker receives a message from Professor X and it keeps buffering so the important info is lost and it sounds like something else.
* Type 1b is used (in the form of [[Plot -Based Voice Cancellation]]) in ''[[Kill Bill]]'' volume 1 to delay the audience finding out The Bride's real name, {{spoiler|Beatrix Kiddo}}. Slightly funny and disturbing when you realize {{spoiler|Bill had been calling her Kiddo all along, which until the reveal seemed like a term of endearment}}.
* ''[[Star Trek VI]]: The Undiscovered Country''. One of the villains' allies decides to tell Kirk and McCoy the master plan, but they are beamed to safety by Spock before they get to hear a word of it.
{{quote| '''Kirk:''' No! No! Of all the - son of a - Couldn't you have waited two seconds? They were just about to tell us the whole thing!<br />
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* Jarringly subverted in ''The Spanish Prisoner'', where several points of fact, detail, or exposition are obscured by environmental noise or bad camera angles as a deliberate signal to the audience ''of the movie'' that they are Macguffins.
* Shown in ''[[Revenge of the Sith]]''. One of the clone troopers trying to support Anakin and Obi Wan in saving Chancellor Palpatine ends up getting into an ambush with Droid fighters. The clone troopers shout for them to get the fighters off their tails, but then static emerges, implying that he was shot down.
* A rather tragic example is shown in ''[[Captain America: theThe First Avenger]]''. {{spoiler|When Captain America is preparing to forcibly crash land the Valkyrie into water/the Arctic, he is talking to Peggy Carter via radio. His final words were "I don't want to step on your..." (referring to their planned dance should he come back alive) before the transmission is cut due to the plane crashing into the ice and presumably smashing the communications equipment onboard the plane.}}
 
== [[Literature]] ==
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* In ''[[The Westing Game]]'', this trope occurs when Sam Westing's will is revealed. One character makes a stupid joke during the reading, and none of the heirs realizes that they've missed a crucial clue as a result until much later. {{spoiler|Turns out the trope was ''deliberately'' invoked, as the joker has a hidden agenda and distracted everyone on purpose.}}
* German Writer Heinrich Heine (1797-1856), in his "Ideen", had a whole (single page) chapter where all text is blacked out, as by an official censor. The only text left are the three starting words "Die deutschen Zensoren" (the German censors) and somewhere halfway the word "Dummköpfe" (blockheads, idiots).
* The Book of Mazarbul in ''[[Lord of the Rings]]'' is read out with all the missing bits included as ellipses. Tolkien also [[Doing It for Thethe Art|inscribed the relevant pages]] to show the missing burned parts.
{{quote| "we have barred the gates but doubt if [...] can hold them long. If there is [...] no escape it will be a horrible fate to suffer [...] [[Apocalyptic Log|We cannot get out]]. We cannot get out... fell there bravely while the rest retr [...] Mazarbul. We still ho[...]g ... but hope u[...]n[...]Óin's party went five days ago but today only four returned.}}
* ''[[Monty Python and The Holy Grail]]'': 'Here may be found the last words of Joseph of Arimathea. He who is valiant and pure of spirit may find the Holy Grail in the Castle of [[His Name Is|aaarrrrggh]]'.
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Also: "In the event of an emergency, it is vitally important that you *static..........................* AS THE WARNING BUZZER SOUNDS! }}
* The Australian ''Late Show'', Tony Martin and Mick Molloy were discussing Thai porno movies, and the station kept having "transmission problems" just as they got to the "interesting" parts.
* Type 1a is milked for laughs in the ''[[HancocksHancock's Half Hour]]'' TV episode "The Radio Ham". Our hero is a [[wikipedia:Amateur Radio|ham radio operator]] who receives a Mayday call from a sinking yacht, but is unable to write down its position because events - a power failure, an angry neighbour and a blown circuit - keep preventing him. Eventually the yacht is saved by one of Hancock's regular correspondents, much to his disgust, and he gives up the hobby.
* Various types of this occur frequently on ''[[Lost]]''. The Swan Orientation film alone had multiple types: some information lost due to film problems, some due to Radzinsky snipping it out. In season 5, a time flash occurs just as Daniel is trying to get Desmond to help him: "You have to find my mother. Her name is --." Most times the subsequent episodes complete the info.
* Carl and Steve are stuck flying a plane ([[It Makes Sense in Context]]) with no pilot and they ask ground control what to do. They get a pretty good idea and manage to steady the plane until they hear "Now, you need to make sure you *static* or you will die. Is that clear?"
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== [[Video Games]] ==
* In GlaDOS' opening announcement from ''[[Portal (Video Gameseries)|Portal]]'':
{{quote| "For your own safety, and the safety of others, please refrain from ''*crackle* *static*'' Por favor de donde fallar muchos gracias de fallar gracias. ''*crackle*'' stand back. The portal will open in three... two... one..."}}
** She does it again when explaining the safety instructions for the Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device, and there is also this pearl:
{{quote| "[what we said before] was a complete fabrication. We will stop enhancing the truth in three... two... *[static]*"}}
** And under no circumstances should the portal device be ~BZZT~.
** ''[[Portal 2 (Video Game)|Portal 2]]'' gives us this gem. For added laughs, it's played over a graphical depiction of a giant leopard-patterned turret invading the UN, which becomes a [[Brick Joke]] later.
{{quote| '''Announcer:''' "In the event that the world has been taken over by a sentient cloud, animal king, or other advanced life form with which we are unable to reason or commuuuuu..." (recording slows to a stop)}}
* Also from the Orange Box, in ''[[Half-Life 2 (Video Game)|Half-Life 2]]: Episode 2'', when Alyx (with you alongside her) tries to transmit a warning about an approaching Combine armada to her Dr. Magnusson from the radio tower, transmission interference cuts her off before she's able to convey it properly.
** In the original ''[[Half-Life 2 (Video Game)|Half-Life 2]]'', after Black Mesa East comes under attack, Eli is giving Alyx instructions on how to escape!
{{quote| '''Eli:''' You've got to get out of here! Take Gordon! Head for the coast! Do NOT go through Rav-[transmission cuts out.]}}
* One more from the Orange Box, Valve's [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=han3AfjH210 "Meet the Demoman"] segment for [[Team Fortress 2 (Video Game)|Team Fortress 2]]:
{{quote| '''Demoman:''' "I got a manky eye. I'm a black, Scottish cyclops. They've got more f-[long beep]-than they've got the likes of me."}}
* Happens in the original ''[[Half Life]]'', in the level where you finally meet the black ops ninjas ("Apprehension").
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** Wedge Antilles, during the Assault on Kile II mission in the first ''[[Rogue Squadron]]'' game, ends up having his transmission cut as he ends up shot down by an ambush of TIE interceptors.
* Shows up in some of the [[Apocalyptic Log|Apocalyptic Logs]] of the second ''[[System Shock]]'' game; specifically, the logs about SHODAN and her plans.
* In ''[[Paper Mario the Thousand Year Door (Video Game)|Paper Mario the Thousand Year Door]]'', Princess Peach has found out what the villains plan to do with her ({{spoiler|have an [[Eldritch Abomination]] possess her}}) - just as she's typing a message to inform Mario of it, the [[Big Bad]] walks in to take her away, and the message is sent incomplete, leaving the [[The Reveal|Reveal]] to the climax of the game.
* ''[[Sonic Colors (Video Game)|Sonic Colors]]'':
{{quote| '''Dr. Eggman''': Remember, for your safety, please avoid ''(silence)'' as well as ''(silence)'' Never under any circumstances ''(silence)'' as it is actually a living being, and will bite your face off.}}
* ''[[Tron Two Point Oh (Video Game)|Tron 2.0]]'' is loaded with this. For about three-quarters of the game, Jet's receiving incomplete, cryptic, and static-filled transmissions from Ma3a or "Guest." In "Guest's" case {{spoiler|it turns out Alan is making do with an old arcade game and junk from the storage closet he's locked in}}. Unfortunately, the poor communication ''does'' kill {{spoiler|Alan doesn't realize it's his son that's trying to help Ma3a}} and Jet doesn't get the message {{spoiler|''not'' to compile the Tron Legacy ([[Tron: Legacy (Film)|no relation]]) code}} until it is ''way'' too late.
* One of the Marine logs in ''[[Metroid Prime]] 2 Echoes'' has it abruptly ending in static.
* This is how the events of [[Metal Gear (Video Game)|the first ''Metal Gear'']] started: Gray Fox was infiltrating Outer Heaven and scouting the various locations and the items inside, and reporting to FOXHOUND. He eventually stumbled on evidence that Metal Gear is being developed. However, he was caught, and he was about to say something regarding "Metal Gear", but the transmission was cut, with his last/only words before the cutting of transmission being "Metal Gear..."
* [[Dead Space 2 (Video Game)|Dead Space 2]]: "Isaac it very important that you..."
 
== [[Web Comics]] ==
* In the [http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/0001.htm very first strip] of ''[[Arthur, King of Time and Space]]'', when Merlin is explaining the premise.
* In an early ''[[Emergency Exit]]'' strip, Harvoc, the [[Hook Hand|hook-handed]] mailman, accidentally tears [http://eecomics.net/?strip_id=416 an important part] out of a letter from the villians to the heroes
* [http://xkcd.com/521/ This] [[Xkcd (Webcomic)|Xkcd]] strip has only the prime-numbered panels (the other 2/3 of the panels are blacked out).
* ''[[The Adventures of Dr. McNinja (Webcomic)|The Adventures of Dr. McNinja]]'' has the doc [[It Makes Sense in Context|riding a robot Dracula in outer space]], calling his brother (who is fighting a demonic spirit in a submarine at the time) for tips on how to control it. No surprise the connection (eventually) gets lost.
* Used in ''[[A Miracle of Science]]'' to make the already weird snippets of Martian conversation even more humorously out-of context:
** "...yellow stuff is lemon flavored, but it's really insulation flavored."
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== [[Web Original]] ==
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR68W56DCBU This] "Ask A Ninja" episode.
* The [[SCP Foundation (Wiki)|SCP Foundation]] uses this to a great extent to ensure that humanity isn't exposed to [DATA EXPUNGED] or [DATA EXPUNGED] with regards to the creators of █████ and ████████.
** SCP document [http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/reddawn "MTF-E5 'Reddawn' Agent Handbook"] - image of Chapter 5 is almost entirely covered by previous page except for endings paragraph which conclude "With that said, you should now have better [obscured] methods for taking care of baby in midst of battle. [...]" and annotated "I hadn't thought of it that way, but this makes sense."
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_W4kBlBH00 Previously on LOST], a parody [[WoW]] Machinima has this at the end.
* ''[[Look to Thethe West]]'' takes the form of transmissions from a scouting party in an [[Alternate Universe]] sent home, consisting mainly of excerpts from local history books. As the story goes on, more of these history books have parts censored. Part #100 of the story has constant breaks in transmission with static: this is not explained until the end of the chapter, in which we learn {{spoiler|the scouts were attacked by locals and their transmitter destroyed partway through transmission, corrupting parts of the file}}.
 
== [[Western Animation]] ==
* The ''[[Harvey Birdman, Attorney Atat Law|Harvey Birdman]]'' episode, "Sebben & Sebben New Employee Orientation / Juicer Instruction" video has a number of instances where the audio or filmstrip skips, skipping a piece of information that was about to be disclosed, or connecting two unrelated topics in the middle of the narration. As well as, of course, cutting away from the Employee Orientation into how to use your new juicer.
* An episode of kids' show ''[[Martha Speaks]]'' has the kids and Martha hiding a tape recorder to record the plans of what they think are a couple of criminals getting ready to rob a bank. They retrieve the recorder later and take it to the police. When they play the tape, just as the criminals are starting to discuss details, the tape has been recorded over with Martha singing pop tunes. (No explanation over how she managed to get time to record herself singing between the time they retrieved the tape and arrived at the police station... Even for a kids' show, that always bothered me about this episode.)
* In the first ''[[Futurama]]'' episode to feature the soap opera ''All My Circuits'', Calculon reveals his terrible secret at the exact moment that Bender walks in and his antenna disrupts the broadcast. He leaves the room intending to go and complain, and the picture comes back. Calculon says "To reiterate, my terrible secret is-" and then Bender returns and disrupts the transmission again.
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{{quote| '''Kent Brockman:''' ...which if true, means death to us all.}}
* In the ''[[Metalocalypse]]'' episode "Mordland", static interrupts band mascot Facebones during several important parts of the Fan Day safety briefing.
* In the ''[[Teen Titans (Animationanimation)|Teen Titans]]'' episode ''Stranded'' ([[Fridge Brilliance|in which the entire plot is about various miscommunications]]), The Titans are in their [[Combining Mecha]]-like ship and trying to shake off the [[Monster of the Week]] which was latched on to the hood. Robin orders them not to separate-- ''twice''-- but a radio malfunction misleads the team into separating.
 
== [[Real Life]] ==
* If you've ever seen copies of those documents concerning the military's UFO research, you'd wonder if someone didn't just block out 80% of the text just to screw with you. It's in weird places too. Half a paragraph will be blocked, only to pick up on stuff like "...to which, the witness responded, 'I don't know WHAT they would want with my cattle, that's why I called you.'"
** The [[SCP Foundation (Wiki)|SCP Foundation]]'s use of oddly placed [DATA EXPUNGED] probably owes something to these.
* Railway platform announcements, as immortalised by this Usenet signature:
{{quote| Bing-Bong. Brimish Rull regret that mumble maz bem dermumble a mir mumble mumble bimble late. Passengers mizzing to mumble rimble mumble are advised to momble mar at murmble. Thank you mor mumble mimbling Brimble mum. Bing-Bong. -- Gaz}}
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* This trope can be invoked if you are about to explain something about the [[Candle Jack]] trope, like how it's very important to nev
* This trope accidentally a [[Memetic Mutation]].
* In the radio adaptation of [[The HitchhikersHitchhiker's Guide to Thethe Galaxy]], a Grebulon ship (which is on an exceptionally long-haul flight across the galaxy and whose crewmembers are in stasis) suffers this with their orders after an asteroid ripped through their ship which destroyed the system which held their identites and their mission plan. The only instructions they end up with are to land a safe distance from something and monitor it.
* [http://i.imgur.com/XI2kp.jpg This] image.
 
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