it's the same old rigmarole

What is about to be or has just been mentioned is nothing new; this is a situation that happens repeatedly and predictably. A: "The CEO was found guilty of fraud." B: "It's the same old rigmarole—these billionaire con artists thinking they can get away with anything." Whenever I bring up the idea of renovating the house to her, it's the same old rigmarole, with her telling me there's no way we can afford it right now.