Sixteen Candles

Everyone pretends they forgot a character's birthday, but they're secretly planning a surprise party for them. Usually results in the character getting upset and sabotaging the surprise in some way.

The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis

Appearances

• The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis: Season 1, episode 11, "Dobie's Birthday Party" (1959). Dobie's parents pretend they forgot his birthday so he won't know they're planning a surprise party. He gets pissed and refuses to go home, missing the party completely.
• The Bob Newhart Show: Season 1, episode 17, "The Man with the Golden Wrist" (1973). Everyone at the office is pretending they don't know it's Bob's birthday, but Emily has been secretly planning a surprise party for him, and they're all in on it.