The Simpsons is a goldmine for this kind of stuff.
My favorite example: in late period Simpsons episodes, the writers seem to take pride in crafting a "first act" (basically everything before the first commercial break) that has absolutely nothing to do with the main plot. They'll start off on one track, then switch gears entirely-- seizing on a small detail or sudden twist to propel them into the actual story. They called this out in the tennis episode ("Tennis the Menace") where the major thrust of the first act was finding casket and burial plot for grandpa. I quote:
Director: Sir, if I may, think of it as an investment in extravagance. The Mauso-Palooza can be seen from space. It will consume as much space as a regulation-size tennis court.
Homer: Tennis court, eh?
[Smash cut to the Simpsons' back yard, where workers are installing a regulation-size tennis court.]
Abe: Aw, I can't believe we went through all that just to wind up with a tennis court.
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My favorite example: in late period Simpsons episodes, the writers seem to take pride in crafting a "first act" (basically everything before the first commercial break) that has absolutely nothing to do with the main plot. They'll start off on one track, then switch gears entirely-- seizing on a small detail or sudden twist to propel them into the actual story. They called this out in the tennis episode ("Tennis the Menace") where the major thrust of the first act was finding casket and burial plot for grandpa. I quote:
Director: Sir, if I may, think of it as an investment in extravagance. The Mauso-Palooza can be seen from space. It will consume as much space as a regulation-size tennis court.
Homer: Tennis court, eh?
[Smash cut to the Simpsons' back yard, where workers are installing a regulation-size tennis court.]
Abe: Aw, I can't believe we went through all that just to wind up with a tennis court.
Homer: I'll bet you didn't see that coming.