Although the show aired in the 70s, it was set in the 50s and focused on Richie Cunningham and his friend Potsie as they come of age in high school. The show ran for ten years, but not without some bumps along the way. Ratings began to drop during its second season. The show was then rebranded to focus on broad comedy and began to spotlight the once minor character Fonzie, who was a stereotypical greaser and high school dropout. These changes proved to be just what the show needed. Happy Days became the number- one TV program in 1976-77. Fonzie went on to become one of the most merchandised characters from the show and is known for his catchphrase, “Aaayy."
(image via Facebook)
Before he was famous, Robin Williams starred in the sitcom Mork & Mindy. He played Mork, an alien from the planet Ork who had been tasked with observing human behavior while his friend and roommate, Mindy, tries to help him adjust to life on Earth. The show aired on ABC from 1978 to 1982. The famous catch phrase Nanu-Nanu is the Orkan greeting. Mork uses it in his weekly reports to Orson.
(image via Pinterest)
The iconic Boston sitcom, starring Ted Danson, is arguably one of the greatest shows of all time. The familiar phrase “Norm!” is proof that Cheers really is a place where everyone knows your name.
(image via Pinterest)
The Brady Bunch featured a large, blended family that appeared perfect, but with 6 kids there was definitely some sibling rivalry. Jan felt stuck in the middle living in her sister's shadow, we remember her for her famous frustrated, whine: "Marcia, Marcia,Marcia!" All siblings of golden children can relate.
(image via Youtube)
Kenny is one of the main characters in the long-running adult animated show South Park. The famous running gag of the series is having Kenny die in every episode, which leads to one of his friends exclaiming, “Oh my God, they killed Kenny!" Up to season 6, Kenny died in almost every episode, making his recurring deaths one of the main things associated with the show.
(image via Facebook)
Your favorite 90s nerd Steve Urkel, from Family Matters, wasn’t originally supposed to be a part of the recurring cast. He became so popular, however, that not only was he a series regular, but he eventually became the show’s protagonist. Urkel is known for his catchphrase, “Did I do that?”
(image via Pinterest)
Set during the Stone Age, this cartoon is considered one of the greatest TV cartoons of all time. The show first aired in the 60s and became the most popular cartoon for the next three decades until The Simpsons took over. Fred Flintsone, the accident-prone main character, is famous for his catchphrase, “Yabba Dabba Doo!”
(image via Pinterest)
Well into its eleventh season and still going strong, this show has been a fan favorite since 2007. The plot is simple: an attractive woman moves in next door to two socially awkward geeks. The character who perhaps has the most catchphrases on the show is the lovable, but at times frustrating, Dr. Sheldon Cooper, who coined the phrase, “Bazinga!” to indicated that he had just told a joke. The phrase is used when writers can’t think of a punchline for a joke.
(image via Facebook)
In Diff'rent Strokes, a widowed Manhattan millionaire promises his dying housekeeper he will take of her two children, Willis and Arnold Jackson. The popular show ran from 1978 to 1986, with a total of 189 episodes and made Gary Coleman a star. He played the younger, adopted child, Arnold, and was always able to get a laugh with his hilarious catchphrase, “What’chu talkin’ bout, Willis?”
(image via Facebook)
You don’t have to be a Trekie fan to recognize this catchphrase. The phrase is uttered by our favorite Vulcan, Mr. Spock, played by Leonard Nimoy. Just as famous as the phrase is the hand gesture that goes along with it. The Vulcan salute was created by Nimroy himself.
(image via Pinterest)
Arguably the most iconic show of the 90s, Friends gave us ten seasons of laughs. Starring Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Mathew Perry, and David Schwimmer, the show spotlights the lives of these six 20-something friends living in the city. LeBlanc’s lovable character, Joey, may not have been the brightest member of the group, but he is known for his pick up line, “How you doin’?” During its run, Friends became one of the most popular shows of all time and is still watched regularly today.
(image via Pinterest)
This classic catchphrase is from the beloved 50s sitcom I Love Lucy. The show starred real-life couple Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz as the married couple Lucy and Ricky Ricardo. Ricky says, “Lucy, I’m home!” when entering their apartment. The show was the first scripted TV show to be shot on 35 mm film in front of a studio audience. It is still popular today and is watched all over the world.
(image via Facebook)
The long-running animated show The Simpsons was created by Matt Groening. The first episode aired in 1989 and they are now in their 29th season. The Simpsons are ingrained in pop culture and has won several awards over the years. Though many characters have a familiar trademark or catchphrase, the one that sticks with us most is Homer saying, “D’oh!”
(image via Facebook)
Good Times was the first African American family sitcom. The show centers around the Evans family and their life in a poor neighborhood in inner-city Chicago. James Evans, the oldest son in the family, is best known for the catchphrase, “Dyn-o-mite!"
(image via Facebook)
Sergeant Hans Georg Schutz, played be John Banner, was a dimwitted and lovable character in the show Hogan’s Heroes, a popular sitcom set in a German POW camp during WWII. Sergeant Schultz is often seen taking small bribes from the prisoners. When Schutz is confronted with evidence of the prisoners activities, he turns the other way and says, “I know nothing!” The statement eventually became one of the main catchphrases of the show.
(image via Facebook)
The Andy Griffith Show starred Andy Griffith as Andy Taylor, a widowed sheriff of the fictional town Mayberry, North Carolina. He is also a father to his son Opie, played by Ron Howard. Taylor’s deputy, and cousin, Barney Fife, played by Don Knotts, is known for his catchphrase, “Nip it in the bud!"
(image via Facebook)
This catchphrase was used as the introduction for Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. If you’re a horror fan, you may also recognize the phrase from the movie adaptation of Stephen King’s The Shining. Jack Nicholson ad-libbed the phrase and provided one of the most memorable scenes from the film.
(image via Facebook)
Before he was president, Donald Trump was a reality TV star. His show, The Apprentice, which also starred his three oldest children, first aired in 2004. The show centers around a group of people who compete in business-related activities throughout the season. Trump was the host for fourteen seasons and is known for saying, ’You’re fired!” at the end of the episode when someone is eliminated from the competition.
(image via Pinterest)
“A show about nothing” went on to become one of the greatest shows of all time. Seinfeld, created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, ruled the 90s. One of its most popular episodes was the "Yada, yada, yada" one, which has become part of pop culture and is considered one of the funniest lines on the show.
(image via Facebook)
The animated TV series Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids was based on creator Bill Cosby’s childhood group of friends. Even if you haven’t seen the original show, you’re probably able to recognize Fat Albert’s catchphrase, “Hey, hey, heyyy”. In 2004, a live-action Fat Albert was made into a movie, starring Kenan Thompson.
(image via Pinterest)
Everyone’s favorite sick day game show is The Price is Right. The game show was hosted by Bob Barker until 2007. He reminded us at the end of each episode to spay and neuter our pets, but more memorable is the games catchphrase “Come on down!” said to contestants after being selected.
(image via Facebook)
This catchphrase comes from the 70s sitcom All in the Family. It is said by family patriarch Archie Bunker. The show centered on Archie, a working-class man, and his family. The groundbreaking show confronted controversial issues and became one of TV’s most influential programs. It is still regarded today as one of the greatest shows of all time.
(image via Pinterest)
One of the first American TV shows to showcase working-class married couples in a less than perfect way was The Honeymooners. The show was created by and starred Jackie Gleason. It also has international success. There are rumors of a reboot where we will hopefully get to hear the shows catchphrase, “Baby, you’re the greatest.”
Survivor, a competition show hosted by Jeff Probst, is a long-time favorite reality show among viewers. The show remains popular today and will begin its 36th season in February, 2018. The competition on Survivor is between a group of strangers who are placed in an isolated location where they must survive by providing for themselves. At the end of every three days the group faces judgement at tribal council where they are questioned by Probst. One contestant is then eliminated by vote, and as Probst extinguishes the flame on their torch he says, “The tribe has spoken.”
(image via Pinterest)
Legendary anchorman Walter Cronkite was considered “the most trusted man in America”. He was the anchorman for the CBS Evening News for 19 years, starting in 1962. Though he passed away in 2009, he is remembered for his signature way of wrapping up the news and signing off with, “And that’s the way it is.”
(image via Pinterest)
Before it was a feature film, Lost in Space was a science fiction TV series that ran for 3 seasons in the 60s. The show revolves around the space adventures of the Robinson family. “Danger, Will Robinson!” is its well-known catchphrase, even though it was said only once in the entire series. The phrase was also used as a slogan for the movie.
(image via Pinterest)
This catchphrase originates from the TV show Fantasy Island, a show about Mr. Roarke, played by Ricardo Montalban, a mysterious man who grants the fantasies of the island visitors for a price. Tattoo, a sidekick to Roarke, shouts “Ze plane! Ze plane!” when new visitors arrive at the start of each episode. The show ran from 1977-84 and was briefly revived in 1998.
(image via Facebook)
The Lone Ranger began as a radio show in 1933 and was so popular it grew to become a franchise, producing books, comic books, movies, and a TV show. The main character the Lone Ranger who is a masked former Texas ranger, is considered an American icon. He fights outlaws in the Old West with the help of his friend, Tonto. At the end of an episode, Tonto says to his eagle and horse, “Fly, Taka! On Scout!”. This is followed by the Lone Ranger then saying his famous catchphrase to his horse, “Hi-ho, Silver! Away!”
(image via Facebook)
When you think of childhood cartoons, Looney Tunes probably springs to mind. The animated series first aired in 1930. Although the original cartoon ended in 1969, it is still very much alive today. It has grown to become an international media franchise. The most popular character and culture icon from the cartoon is the trickster, Bugs Bunny. He is known for his phrase, “What’s up doc?”
(image via Pinterest)
The TV adaptation of George R.R Martin’s fantasy novel series doesn’t just give us drama—it also gave us one of the most heard catchphrases of modern day. “Winter is coming," is the motto of House Stark. More than one Stark character is heard saying these words throughout the series, making it one of the most memorable quotes from the show.
(image via Pinterest)
