contrived

While "Backtrack" may be somewhat contrived in its plotting, the jump scares and Brody’s moody performance remain effective.

Bryant didn’t like anything phony, anything contrived, anything that interfered with the serious business of winning a championship.

What is astonishing is that we manage to get invested in her career, despite plotting that goes from cheekily contrived to absurd.

However, the world number 10 will head away from the tournament wondering just how he contrived to lose against Wilson.

"No amount of contrived and absurd legal arguments... can mask the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear."