It’s common for TV shows to give their characters memorable catchphrases. These lines help viewers connect with the characters and keep them coming back each week. For example, Peter Griffin from Family Guy is known for saying “Shut up, Meg” and “Holy crap,” while Quagmire says “Giggity giggity goo!” and Stewie exclaims “What the deuce?” and “Victory is mine.” Archie Bunker on All in the Family famously called his son-in-law “Meathead,” and Fonzie on Happy Days always said “Aaay!” These are just a few examples, and the following lines are just as, if not more, iconic.
Some lines are so well-known that people would immediately recognize the source, even if they haven’t watched the show. While not always traditional catchphrases, these lines are undeniably memorable.
10) “D’oh!” from The Simpsons
Believe it or not, the famous exclamation “D’oh!” didn’t start with The Simpsons. It actually came from Jimmy Finlayson, a comedian who appeared in old Laurel and Hardy films. Dan Castellaneta, the voice of Homer Simpson, simply made the sound shorter by removing some of the ‘o’s.
It’s no surprise that The Simpsons has been a cultural fixture for almost four decades, and it likely won’t be disappearing anytime soon. Most people have probably seen at least an episode to understand what all the fuss is about, particularly during its peak in the 1990s. Even if they haven’t, the show has been referenced in popular culture – Melissa McCarthy mentioned it in Ghostbusters, a character in Toy Story (Mr. Potato Head) impersonated a character from the show, and it’s been featured multiple times in Family Guy and even an episode of South Park.
Stream The Simpsons on Disney+.
9) “I Am the One Who Knocks!” from Breaking Bad
The line “I am the one who knocks!” from Breaking Bad is the most debatable entry on this list. While the show was very popular, not everyone watched it, so it’s unclear if this iconic and chilling line is truly widely recognized.
I’ve noticed something really interesting! This one line from the show keeps popping up all over Instagram Reels and as memes – it’s everywhere! Even if someone’s never watched Breaking Bad, they might stumble across it. They’ll recognize Bryan Cranston, and they’ll know it’s not from his more family-friendly roles in Seinfeld or Malcolm in the Middle. Everyone remembers how surprising it was to see him take on such a different character in Breaking Bad. So, they’ll connect that line with the show, and they’d be absolutely right!
Stream Breaking Bad on Netflix.
8) “Make It Work” from Project Runway
A lot of people enjoy reality TV, but just as many recognize it’s often far from ‘real’ and actively choose not to watch it.
Even if you don’t follow fashion, you’ve probably heard Tim Gunn’s famous line, “Make it work,” from Project Runway. And honestly, he’s become so recognizable that he’s popped up in all sorts of shows! I’ve seen him play himself, or a version of himself, in things like Ugly Betty, How I Met Your Mother, Inside Amy Schumer, and even a Disney Junior show called Sofia the First. It’s fun seeing a familiar face in unexpected places, you know?
Stream Project Runway on Peacock.
7) “Whatchu Talkin’ ‘Bout Willis?” from Diff’rent Strokes
Even though Diff’rent Strokes is an older show, many people still remember and quote Gary Coleman’s famous line, “Whatchu talkin’ ’bout Willis?” Despite the fact that Coleman passed away almost 20 years ago, he remains well-known for this iconic phrase.
It’s unlikely someone would immediately connect that line to the TV show Diff’rent Strokes. However, it’s very possible they’d think of Gary Coleman, the beloved and memorable actor who starred in it.
6) “You Got Some ‘Splainin’ to Do” from I Love Lucy
While not the very first of its kind, I Love Lucy was a groundbreaking sitcom. It was the first to appeal to a broad audience, and it pioneered techniques still used today, like filming with multiple cameras and a live studio audience.
The show’s most famous line, “Lucy, you got some ‘splainin’ to do,” has become a well-known phrase for over 70 years. Even if you’re not familiar with the original I Love Lucy moment, you’ve probably heard a version of it in other shows and movies, like Stakeout, The Fairly OddParents, The Nanny, Veronica Mars, Kim Possible, and Rocko’s Modern Life. Another popular quote, “Lucy, I’m home!” has also been referenced in various media, including the 1997 film Hercules and the cartoon Ed, Edd n Eddy.
Stream I Love Lucy on Paramount+.
5) “No Soup for You!” from Seinfeld
The line “No soup for you!” is so memorable because it’s delivered by a character who is incredibly dedicated to his job – maybe a little too dedicated. When he says you can’t have soup, he really means it – for an entire year, you’re out of luck.
I think the reason that line is so famous is a combination of how seriously Larry Thomas delivers it, and just how ridiculous the whole situation is. But honestly, I’ve noticed it’s become something people – especially if you’re around other Seinfeld fans – will just blurt out while they’re cooking, not just when soup is involved! It’s like everyone knows “Serenity now!” and you can’t watch anything without someone yelling “Newman!”
Stream Seinfeld on Netflix.
4) “Oh My God, They Killed Kenny! You Ba***rds!” from South Park
South Park became a significant part of popular culture in the late 1990s. Many people instantly loved the show, and it quickly became a hit in its first season – something that doesn’t usually happen. However, just as many people hadn’t seen it but still believed it was terrible.
A common criticism of the show was the frequent, and often gruesome, deaths of the character Kenny. This upset some viewers, who voiced their concerns publicly. However, the show also gained notoriety for the catchphrase that followed Kenny’s deaths – “Oh my God! They killed Kenny! You bards!” – delivered by characters Kyle or Stan. Whether people loved or hated the show, this line became unavoidable and instantly recognizable.
Stream South Park on Paramount+.
3) “That’s What She Said” from The Office
Besides many memorable moments, The Office gave us the classic line, “Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica,” delivered by Jim to Dwight. However, the phrase “That’s what she said” is undoubtedly the show’s most famous catchphrase.
It’s funny that the joke “That’s what she said” was around long before the TV show The Office made it popular again. The reason it fit so well into the show is because of Michael Scott, a character who desperately wanted to be funny but only told incredibly simple and unfunny jokes. Even someone who’s never seen the show would realize Michael Scott is meant to be an awkward and inappropriate person. They might not know he has a good heart underneath it all, but the awkwardness is definitely obvious.
Stream The Office on Peacock.
2) “How You Doin’?” from Friends
Just like Ross’s famous yell of “pivot,” Joey’s line “How you doin’?” is instantly recognizable to anyone who came of age in the 1990s—even if they didn’t watch Friends. Most people could probably even name the character who said it, Joey.
Saying “How you doin’?” is a very New York greeting – it’s a casual and friendly way to say hello. And thanks to the character Joey, most people now associate it with a playful, flirty approach, usually delivered with a wide smile.
Stream Friends on HBO Max.
1) “Bazinga!”
The exclamation “Bazinga!” is incredibly well-known. Even if you’ve never watched The Big Bang Theory, you probably know it’s from that show and that the character Sheldon Cooper says it. Surprisingly, some people’s only exposure to the phrase is hearing the character Nandor say it while playing The Big Bang Theory arcade game in the show What We Do in the Shadows.
“Bazinga!” is a classic catchphrase. It’s easy to understand even if you just hear or read it, and it immediately communicates a feeling of excitement. While it seems simple, the excitement actually comes from a successful joke or prank. Of all the shows from the 2000s, this phrase is by far the most well-known.
Stream The Big Bang Theory on HBO Max.
What’s your most memorable line from a TV show? Share it in the comments and discuss with other fans on the ComicBook Forum!
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2026-02-16 23:17