The dinner party is a classic, if overused, plot point in TV programming. Dating back to at least the 1950s in programs like the "Leave it to Beaver" episode "Teacher Comes to Dinner," the dinner party has also been a focal point in episodes of "Seinfeld," "The Vampire Diaries," "Family Guy," and "Married with Children." Most often, the dinner party is high stakes for the main characters because a boss, teacher, or other authority figure will be present. The trope has become so entrenched in pop culture that there is even a reality game show called "The Boss is Coming to Dinner" that forces job applicants to impress a potential boss in order to move up the corporate ladder.
