Blogs&News

Insider/Outsider

Catch A Phrase... Both Endearing and Annoying

November 28, 2006

Page 1 | Page 2

TV Land released its list of the top one hundred TV catchphrases. Reading through the list, (that the AP so carefully alphabetized for us; see below) – I found myself slipping back into those heady days when my goony junior high friends tried to do impressions of all those bozos they saw on television. It’s a set of memories just as endearing as they are irritating.

A catchphrase is not the same thing as the TV-in-joke. My sister and I once shared a laugh over Lily Tomlin’s cheerleader on “Laugh-In.” We still say it to each other, do the little dance, and laugh hilariously, “Touch-a-touch, touch the floor. Touch-a-touch. Touch the sky, touch-a-touch- that’s enough…”

The catchphrase is something that you find funny until the jerk behind you in line at the bank says it into his cellphone. It’s the line repeated either over and over by a character (“Whatchu talkin’ bout willis?” from “Different Strokes”) to the one-liner that sums up an entire series, (“Kid, you’ve got spunk!” from “Mary Tyler Moore.”) to famous advertisements or political speeches replayed endlessly on television.

According to TV Land, the greatest number of moments, 26, come from the 1970s. TV Land identified nine moments from this decade. Ten are from commercials, and 28 from comedies, including six from ''Saturday Night Live.''

Comments

robert wrote:

what about Mork's "Na-noo, na-noo" and Sorry Charlie

posted at November 28, 2006 03:38 PM

jo wrote:

they forgot a lot...
"this one time at band camp..."
"but I didn't inhale..."
"and thats the REST of the story..."
just to name a few

posted at November 28, 2006 07:44 PM

Omi wrote:

Where's "Kiss my grits!" I remember hearing that one more than many of the listed.

posted at November 30, 2006 06:57 PM

Elizabeth wrote:

In response to Jo, I have to say that "this one time at band camp . . . " is from a movie, which is a whole other list (and much longer). That said, I love American Pie myself and that bit always cracks me up (though I can't help thinking it's really Willow speaking).

And how about, "He's dead, Jim!" which always makes me think of the song about Star Trek, which features a set of catchphrases: "Klingons off the starboard bow"; "We come in peace! Shoot to kill!" and other gems.

posted at December 4, 2006 04:21 PM

Lindsey wrote:

So may Simpsons not listed.
Don't have a cow man.
Hi-didly ho neighborinos
I didn't do it
Eat my shorts
Exellent
and many more I can't think of off hand

posted at December 5, 2006 12:45 PM

lizzy wrote:

well about this gem "i did not have sexual intercourse with that woman." president bill clinton about his affair with monica l.
and these 2 from seinfeld...."master of domian" and "theres nothing wrong with that."

posted at December 6, 2006 01:50 AM

divatv wrote:

you forgot about "Hi there" from Freddie Boom-Boom Washington; Welcome Back Kotter

posted at December 10, 2006 05:14 PM

TVLandMG wrote:

...or even "Ooh Ooh Ooh!" by Horshak... And how about "We need more Calgon! Ancient Chinese secret, huh?"

posted at December 18, 2006 08:37 AM

Weejy wrote:

"One ringy-dingy, two ringy-dingy" (snort)
"Have I reached the party to whom I am speaking?"
-Ernestine the Operator (Lily Tomlin)

and for the other old-timers, Lily's portrayal of the little girl in the big rocking chair, Edith-Ann: "And that's the truth -(raspberry)"

posted at April 2, 2007 07:54 PM

Send to a Friend

TV Lover Archive

NewsWire

Emmy in a Box

The Creative Arts Emmy Awards were held over the weekend, and while many technical...

Anonymous Critic

The Sopranos Blackout

What we thought when the lights went out in...

Television Reviews - TV Shows & TV Reviews - TV Series Recaps & Reviews | TWoP

Recaps, Weecaps, Recaplets and More

Mondo Extras

Making Beautiful Music Together

{ Mondo Extra }

Joss Whedon, Neil Patrick Harris and Nathan Fillion in a musical superhero mini-series created just for the web? We're so there. We've got to do something until Dollhouse starts.

Suck It, Jesus, Red-Faced Kathy Is Scaring Las Niñas!

{ Weecap }

Kathy goes to Mexico to build a Leadership Academy and stick it to Oprah. If some kids end up with new books and computers in the process, so be it.

Take Kherington

{ Weecap }

Comfort's up for elimination again, but dances all over Kherington's back.

It's Getting Hottish In Here

{ Recaplet }

A blackout gives one fella cause to open up his marriage... to bad he didn't discuss it with his wife first.

Private Eyes (Clap Clap) are Watching You

{ Recaplet }

Cold Comfort

{ Weecap }

Jessica bravely deals with broken ribs, and Comfort’s back in the competition.

The Red Menace

{ Weecap }

Meredith gets a double dose of copper hair this week, which ends up doing her in. Charlie regresses to reality-TV caricature, and Glenn proposes a boob-for-victory exchange

I Thought Tablecloths Were For Magicians

{ Recaplet }

This doesn't look good. These people look exactly half as talented as the group from last year.

Dead Last

{ Weecap }

Brian forgot the first rule of running the Big Brother house: Don't tell everyone you're running the Big Brother house.

Express Your (Most Authentic) Self

{ Recap }

Surprise! Janet does better with the ladies who lunch than Susan does. Also, Trina meets up with an old boyfriend.

ZooperturnerPaisleyilistic!

{ Weecap }

Atlanta coughs up a few amazing acts, a few clunkers and The Hoff dancing on a man’s bare chest, but Dallas is where the sob story lies this week. Yes, I’m talking about the man who spent his childhood practicing barnyard noises in the closet.

Don't Believe the Hype

{ Weecap }

Brian's master plan comes crashing down, and all it took was a burgeoning flirtation, some smart-ish women, and a few tons of honey and feathers.

Whine Colored Roses

{ Weecap }

With just one roll of the eyes, Laura & Sophie's reign of terror -- and, most likely, their friendship -- is over. That's good news for us, and for Shawn Mayer, who lives to see another week and sticks it to her cheating exes.

Sweet Like Candy

{ Weecap }

Nancy pistol whips Celia while Andy rides a pudding truck back from Mexico. In too-many-M&Ms-induced-nightmare land, Nancy gets Till off their backs and Guillermo gives her a new job.