Editing RLMWiki:Standards (section)

=== Write Watsonian Where Possible ===

<blockquote>
'''Refrain from editorializing on in-character RLM content.''' If something happens in an episode or sketch, it is gospel with regards to that show. '''Treat the actions and characters on shows like ''Half in the Bag'' as seriously as possible.'''
</blockquote>

The terms "Watsonian" and "Doylist" were invented by fans of Sherlock Holmes and [https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/WatsonianVersusDoylist popularized by internet wiki TVTropes] to quickly refer to the two ways a story's actions can be explained.

The Watsonian explanation is the "diagetic" or "in-universe" explanation for the occurrence. It's the answer you would get if you asked Dr. Watson why Sherlock Holmes did something (were he real.)

The Doylist explanation is the "out-of-character" reason. It's the answer that explains, logically, why a book was written that way. It's the answer you would get if you asked Sir Arthur Conan Doyle why Sherlock Holmes did something (purely speculatively, of course. I believe Doyle was actually quite good about giving in-universe answers.)

Within the context of RLMWiki, please try to write any situation that occurs in RLM shows, especially scripted ones, as though you are documenting actions like Dr. Watson. If Mike says he can document the trip up Mount Everest by running a VHS camcorder with a power cable all the way from the VCR repair shop{{Which episode}}, then that statement is gospel and it goes in the wiki without comment. You're free to make remarks (e.g. "This suggests that technology in the ''Half in the Bag'' universe is more recent than that of our world") but don't be snarky or make jokes.

Besides, [[The COVID-19 pandemic|the joke is funnier when you take it completely serious]].