It has been said that television has had a greater influence on American culture than parents, schools, churches, and government. Television debuted in the United States in 1928 with the launch of WGY Television, a joint venture of WGY in Schenectady, New York and WMAK in Lockport, New York. Development was halted during World War II but quickly picked up when peace was restored. Soon more than half of American households had a set and the 1950s became known as the Golden Age of Television. Today, these are the states where people watch the most TV.
Even if television’s primacy has been challenged in the last two decades by the internet and social media, it has certainly made its mark on our language. 24/7 Tempo has compiled a list of classic TV quotes that are now part of everyday vocabulary.
Some of them are so ingrained that you may be quoting a TV show without realizing it. The truth is out there, whether you’re aware of it or not. By the way, that’s a quote from the “X-Files.” And if you didn’t recognize it, you might say, “D’oh!” That’s from “The Simpsons.” (Click here for the most binge-worthy series you can stream now.)
Our list includes such classic lines as “That’s what she said,” from “The Office” and “I am the danger,” from “Breaking Bad.” If you’re impressed by something or someone, you might say, “Smarter than your average bear.” If you’re not so impressed, you might say, “Yada, yada, yada.” And if you’ve heard enough already, you can say, “Just the facts, ma’am.”
Click here for 50 classic TV quotes that are now part of everyday vocabulary
How do you do, fellow kids?
> Show: 30 Rock
[in-text-ad]
Phrasing!
> Show: Archer
I’ve made a huge mistake
> Show: Arrested Development
I am the danger.
> Show: Breaking Bad
[in-text-ad-2]
I’d like your $8-est bottle of wine, please
> Show: Brooklyn 99
Norm!
> Show: Cheers
[in-text-ad]
Cool cool cool
> Show: Community
What’chu talkin’ ’bout, Willis?
> Show: Different Strokes
Just the facts, ma’am
> Show: Dragnet
[in-text-ad-2]
I tried nice once. Didn’t care for it
> Show: Everybody Loves Raymond
I’m listening
> Show: Frasier
[in-text-ad]
How come he don’t want me man?
> Show: Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.
> Show: Friday Night Lights
How you doin’?
> Show: Friends
[in-text-ad-2]
Shut up and take my money
> Show: Futurama
Winter is Coming
> Show: Game of Thrones
[in-text-ad]
So pick me, choose me, love me.
> Show: Grey’s Anatomy
True story
> Show: How I Met Your Mother
Lucy I’m Home!
> Show: I Love Lucy
[in-text-ad-2]
What is…
> Show: Jeopardy!
What’s up doc?
> Show: Looney Tunes
[in-text-ad]
We have to go back
> Show: Lost
What do you want me to say?
> Show: Mad Men
Treat yoself
> Show: Parks & Rec
[in-text-ad-2]
By order of the Peaky Blinders
> Show: Peaky Blinders
Make it work
> Show: Project Runway
[in-text-ad]
Sashay away
> Show: RuPaul’s Drag Race
More cowbell
> Show: Saturday Night Live
It’s handled.
> Show: Scandal
[in-text-ad-2]
Eww!
> Show: Schitt’s Creek
Zoinks
> Show: Scooby Doo
[in-text-ad]
Yada yada yada
> Show: Seinfeld
24/7 Wall St.
I couldn’t help but wonder…
> Show: Sex and the City
I thought this was America
> Show: South Park
[in-text-ad-2]
I’m ready!
> Show: SpongeBob SquarePants
The tribe has spoken
> Show: Survivor
[in-text-ad]
I believe in Believe
> Show: Ted Lasso
> Show: Ted Lasso
Bazinga
> Show: The Big Bang Theory
Marcia, Marcia, Marcia
> Show: The Brady Bunch
[in-text-ad-2]
Hey now!
> Show: The Larry Sanders Show
That’s what she said
> Show: The Office
[in-text-ad]
Come on Down!
> Show: The Price is Right
D’oh
> Show: The Simpsons
Madone
> Show: The Sopranos
[in-text-ad-2]
Heeeeere’s Johnny!
> Show: The Tonight Show
You come at the king, you best not miss
> Show: The Wire
[in-text-ad]
The truth is out there
> Show: The X-Files
Is that your final answer?
> Show: Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
Just Jack
> Show: Will & Grace
[in-text-ad-2]
Smarter than your average bear.
> Show: Yogi Bear
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