Do You Recognize These Iconic Sayings?
Television creates a cozy atmosphere for so many through the function of familiarity. The catchphrase is a key realization of this idea and these are evidence of that.
“Here’s Johnny!”
Johnny Carson was introduced on The Tonight Show every night by announcer Ed McMahon with this iconic catchphrase, which was further immortalized by Jack Nicholson in The Shining.
NBC, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962–1992)
“Doh!”
Homer Simpson’s catchphrase was only written down as “annoyed grunt” on the page. Voice actor Dan Castellaneta improvised in the recording booth and history was made.
Gracie Films, The Simpsons (1989-)
“Yada, Yada, Yada”
Perhaps the reason why many people cite Elaine as their favorite Seinfeld character was this trademark catchphrase, which summed up the show’s 90s ethos perfectly.
Castle Rock, Seinfeld (1989–1998)
“Whatchoo Talkin’ Bout, Willis?”
Gary Coleman was television’s favorite cute kid, and his catchphrase on the 80s sitcom Diff’rent Strokes helped him become so.
Tandem Productions, Diff'rent Strokes (1978–1986)
“The Tribe Has Spoken”
There was a point in time when Survivor was the hottest program on television and nothing captivated people more than when Jeff Probst told a cast member they were eliminated from the show.
“And That's The Way It Is”
Before televised news became such a force of polarization, a nation turned to CBS Evening News host Walter Cronkite for a simple, down-the-middle take on the day’s happenings. His catchphrase was a source of reassurance.
CBS, CBS Evening News (1962–1981)
“Who Are You Wearing?”
Joan Rivers became the go-to for red-carpet fashion due to her quick wit and natural interest in the form which included forming an instant classic catchphrase on the spot.
ExpressingYourself, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
“Yabba Dabba Doo!”
Before Homer Simpson ever existed, Fred Flintstone captured the imaginations of children and adults alike everywhere with his likable working man charm. You were happy for him every time he blurted out his favorite catchphrase.
Screen Gems, The Flintstones (1960–1966)
“Ruh Roh!”
People make the mistake of ascribing this catchphrase to one animated cartoon dog, Scooby-Doo, when it really belonged to the family mutt from The Jetsons.
Taft Broadcasting, Scooby Doo, Where Are You! (1969–1978)
“Danger, Will Robinson!”
The science-fiction of the 1950s and 60s was partly defined by its lovable robot characters, like in the film Forbidden Planet for example. The other was the robot from Lost In Space who endeared himself whenever bellowing his trademark catchphrase.
Loew's, Forbidden Planet (1956)
“Sock It To Me!”
Perhaps Rowan And Martin’s Laugh-In hasn’t necessarily endured in the decades since, but what did was when Richard Nixon bellowed the catchphrase “sock it to me” on air.
Romart Inc., Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1967–1973)
“Who Loves Ya, Baby?”
While a character actor in film, Telly Savalas was a leading man on television with his popular cop drama Kojak. “Who loves ya, baby?” was something millions of people were happy to hear every week.
“Dy No Mite!”
Good Times made history by being the first sitcom on television to be led by an African-American family. Part of what made the show so popular amongst all audiences was the iconic catchphrase.
Tandem Productions, Good Times (1974–1979)
“Well, Isn't That Special?”
The barometer of a character on Saturday Night Live “making it” was if they had an enduring catchphrase that the audience would erupt at. For Dana Carvey’s Church Lady, that was very apparent.
NBC, Saturday Night Live (1975-)
“Make It So”
People were initially skeptical of another Star Trek show when The Next Generation premiered, but part of what made it work was the enduring popularity of Captain Jean-Luc Picard. A catchphrase helped.
Paramount, Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994)
“Eat My Shorts”
Bart Simpson’s bad boy antics gave The Simpsons a lot of its initial attention. “Eat my shorts” evidenced his defiant attitude.
Gracie Films, The Simpsons (1989-)
“Did I Do That?”
It’s easy to forget that Family Matters was actually about, well, a family. So popular was the nerdy side character of Urkel that he sucked up all the attention.
Miller/Boyett Productions, Family Matters (1989–1998)
“No Soup For You!”
Probably Seinfeld’s most enduring side character was the Soup Nazi, in part due to his ever-iconic catchphrase “No soup for you!”.
Castle Rock, Seinfeld (1989–1998)
“Oh, My God! They Killed Kenny!”
The first few seasons of South Park had the gimmick of killing off Kenny every episode, which was always accompanied by a certain catchphrase.
MTV Entertainment Studios, South Park (1997-)
“Bam!”
Emeril Lagasse became a celebrity chef in part thanks to having a catchphrase, which was featured on his cooking TV show Emeril Live.
Food Network, Emeril Live (1977-)
“Is That Your Final Answer?”
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? became a phenomenon in the year 2000 thanks to its inventive game show format, but also the eternal question of suspense of the question “Is that your final answer?”
Regis Philbin, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
“You're Fired!”
President Donald J Trump saw a revitalization of his image during the mid-2000s when his reality show The Apprentice became a huge hit. One of the key reasons was the catchphrase he delivered every week to cast off competitors.
MGM, The Apprentice (2004–2017)
“Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose”
Friday Night Lights became one of the most endearing television dramas of the 2000s thanks to its sincerity. This was evidenced in the clear-eyed catchphrase that served as the team on the show’s mantra.
Imagine Television, Friday Night Lights (2006–2011)
“We've Got A Situation”
Does the name Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino mean anything to you? The breakout star, alongside Snooki, of course, from MTV’s Jersey Shore was sure to bellow this catchphrase.
495 Productions, Jersey Shore (2009–2012)
“To The Batmobile!”
One of the most iconic television series of all time, the 60s Batman show flipped the comic book iconography on its head all while making it super cool for audiences of the time. A chief aspect of this was the Batmobile, which Adam West always made you excited about through this catchphrase.
Twentieth Century, Batman (1966–1968)
“Just One More Thing”
Columbo as an intellectual property lasted all the way from the late 1960s to the early 2000s. Peter Falk’s performance as the title character is a big reason why, and people got a kick out of him uttering this catchphrase.
NBC Universal, Columbo (1971–1978)
“Lucy, You Got Some ‘Splaining To Do”
I Love Lucy is considered to be the most influential television show of all time, and this was in part due to the domestic dynamic between its two leads. The husband Ricky’s catchphrase was a key feature of it.
Desilu Productions, I Love Lucy (1951–1957)
“I Love It When A Plan Comes Together”
The A-Team defined a certain kind of 1980s television show that tried to replicate the action movies of the time. This catchphrase helped make the show a cheesy delight.
Universal, The A-Team (1983–1987)
“Live Long And Prosper”
The most enduring character in the original series of Star Trek was the logical Vulcan, Mr Spock. His key line evidenced the show’s progressive ideology in many ways.
Paramount, Star Trek (1966–1969)
“Kiss My Grits!”
Do you remember Alice, the sitcom based on Martin Scorsese’s film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore? Maybe you don’t, but this catchphrase from it rings through the heads of millions.
Warner Bros., Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974)
“What The Deuce?”
Akin to Bart Simpson in the early seasons of his show, Stewie Griffin was positioned as animation’s newest bad boy, but with a fancy twist. Who else would use the word deuce?
Gracie Films, The Simpsons (1989-)
“Good Night, And Good Luck”
Like Walter Cronkite’s sign-off, newscaster Edward R Murrow reassured the nation with these five words, which George Clooney appropriately titled for his 2005 film about the man.
Warner Bros., Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005)
“Hey Hey Hey!”
While the creator of the character of Fat Albert is a verboten topic, the catchphrase uttered by the animated figure still resonates today.
Twentieth Century, Fat Albert (2004)
“I’m Listening”
As a successful reboot proved, the character of Frasier Crane is one of television’s most beloved creations. And you can picture Kelsey Grammer being stopped by countless fans on the street to deliver this line.
Grammnet Productions, Frasier (1993–2004)
“That’s Hot”
Nothing conjures up the feeling of what it was like to be alive in 2003 better than hearing Paris Hilton deliver her trademark phrase “That’s hot” on the reality show The Simple Life.
Twentieth Century, The Simple Life (2003–2007)
“You Idiot!”
The neurotic chihuahua always made his opinion known to the smiling housecat on the animated comedy Ren And Stimpy by bellowing this angry catchphrase.
Spümcø, The Ren & Stimpy Show (1991–1996)
“That’s What She Said”
Michael Scott on The Office was such a popular character because he seemed to so perfectly represent a certain kind of dumb, yet successful middle-class white American male. His catchphrase evidenced this perfectly.
3 Arts Entertainment, The Office (2005–2013)
“New Rule”
An episode of Real Time With Bill Maher always ends with the titular host uttering this catchphrase so that you know he’s about to deliver one of his usual smug, increasingly right-wing sermons on the state of America.
HBO, Real Time with Bill Maher (2003-)
“Bazinga!”
While out in public, it used to be pretty common to spot a t-shirt with this catchphrase from The Big Bang Theory emblazoned on it—but there’s a dark reason the show’s producers stopped using the popular phrase in later seasons. People's love for the catchphrase soon turned to annoyance and the producers realized a trend of folks saying it to mock the show. So, they abandoned it after a few seasons.
Chuck Lorre Productions, The Big Bang Theory (2007–2019)
