Everyone has certain things that they are known for saying. My own particular “catchphrase,” has to do with a little song I like to sing about Radishes being Savages (Pocahantas) while chopping veggies, or dancing with my butt pointed towards people until they are freaked out and uncomfortable (it’s a gift).
On television, however, catchphrases tend to be stupid, sort of meaningless things that a character says at least once per episode, which the shows marketers dream and dream will become soundbites or trends in popular culture. These catchphrases can start out funny, but often morph into obnoxious excuses to stop doing intelligent writing and instead rely on the slow build up to the inevitable same joke episode after episode. The catchphrase, in television, is almost exclusive to the sit-com, for obvious reasons. Here are some that are burned into my brain, for better or for worse:
“How you doin?” Joey, the “lothario” of the friends cast. While this show was on the air, I thought Joey was funny. Looking back, Joey is a loser. Watching him use this line makes my face hurt. The only other Friends catchphrase that came close was, “WE WERE ON A BREAK.”
“Wwwhoa” Joey, again, (Lawrence. I’m sorry, Joseph…) but this time from Blossom. I guess in TV if your name is Joey you are an airhead. Lesson learned.
“Did I do that??” Urkel from Family Matters. Actually kind of funny, still.
“I’ve made a huge mistake…” Gob on Arrested Development. Everything Will Arnett does makes me happy, I think.
“Arr arr arr MORE POWER.” Tim “the D-bag tool man” Taylor from Home Improvement.
“Lucy, you’ve got some ‘SPLAININ to do..” Desi/ Ricky from I Love Lucy. This one I actually like, because it means the impending disaster is about to be revealed… the shizz hitteth the fan…and I heart this.
“Yadda yadda yadda” Everyone, on Seinfeld. I’m pretty sure everyone on earth said this one for awhile, as well as, “NO SOUP FOR YOU”
“Doh!” Homer Simpson
“Let’s Hug it out, B&*%#” Ari from Entourage. I still find this character entertaining.
and finally…
“You got it dude,” “Haaaave Mercy.” “WATCH the HAIR,” “How Rude,” “Is a woodchuck made of…wood?” Michelle Tanner, Uncle Jesse, Uncle Jesse, Stephanie Tanner, Uncle Joey, all from Full House, apparently the catchphrase motherload. That and the big hug at the end practically constructed this show.
So there you have it! Do you have any catchphrases or expressions you say a lot? Did I miss any on my TV list?
Good night, and Good luck.
Meri
hahahha this is a cute post. i say ‘oh dear’ alot – i don’t know where i got that from :). i love “how rude” and “how you doing”! those are classics!
I definitely have phases of things that I say too, and sometimes don’t realize it until I hear someone else say it.
All of these!! Definitely. I love the one from Arrested Development. I can’t think of any others. . . But me and my grandma used to quote How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (the movie) like allll the time. “You killed our lovefern!!!”
“Benny benny boo boo…” haha, I love that movie too
I just started watching Arrested Development again, since I have it on DVD. It is still hilarious!
I used to love Full House, gah, and thinking back my poor parents would watch that show with me because it was on in the evenings. I owe them a huge thank you!
My catch phrase it’s “That’s Disgusting!” according to my hubs I say that all.the.time.
haha- well tell your husband maybe he’s doing disgusting things! No, I”m just kidding haha
I’m sure I’ve used my share of them and of course Dad has his classics which I can’t seem to bring up out of the cobwebs of my brain right now. I bet you could though! I’m also thinking Cheers probably had a few. How about “Norm” the cheer that went up whenever he entered the bar. Coach always said something too–oh what was it?
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a full episode of cheers. I might have to get on that!
Ayyyyy, the fonz
Oh my god they killed kenny– south park
Lucy I’m home– desi
Bill Cosby–need I say more??
I know it was only one or two episodes, but smelly cat? -Phoebe Boefe
It was like fashion road kill– satc
What up pop tart, where you been and whatcha been doing? – so disgusting it only lasted 1 episode. Turns out miracles do exist.
A guy died today at the gym….Miranda
This is why I don’t workout….Carrie
Alright now I’m spewing off quotes. 🙂
oh my god they killed kenny is a classic one, nice memory! and of course the fonz.. he had not only a catchphrase, but a whole action with it too (the hands in the air “AYyyyyy…”
One more for kicks…
Hello Jerry. (Newman)
Hello Newman. (Jerry)
Oh yes.. I use some saying over and over again!
1/ Shit Happens, deal with it.
2/ There better be blood… otherwise you are in trouble for all that screaming!
3/ What goes around comes around…
They are my favourites.
haha- sounds like a mom to me 🙂 I especially like number 2!
I always say doh like Homer, I got it due to my daughter being addicted to Simpsons
It is amazing how addicting some of those phrases can be even if you just hear them while they are on somewhere in the house… after enough repetition, you find yourself saying it!
Oh, Full House. I loved that show! I wish it was still on … but not with Michelle being a crazy, drugged up 21 year old :/
x Jasmine
It was definitely a quintessential 90s show. When I was in San Francisco the most recent time we went to go see the “full house” houses haha.
i have two that i say right now. “WORD” and “you gotta be fking kidding me?!!!”
i have one friend who gets and tolerates my humor, lol, and we can totally have conversations in which my answer to everything he says is, WORD!
[oomph.]
I especially like the ones that are like inside jokes with friends 🙂
“How ya doin’!” Me and my kid friends say that to eachother like idiots and then we crack up at it.
If were ever walking into a room, the other person is waiting for us and when we walk in they BREAK OUT in a huge HOW YA DOIN! and scare the living crap out of us.
Try it!
haha- are you suggesting I try to scare kids at work? well, sounds like fun haha
Haha I remember that Pocahontas savages song! Except as a kid I used to think they were saying, “Sandwiches” so i’d sing it as “Sandwiches” instead!
oooh I like that! I might have to make it my sandwich song too…Recently I’ve also done, “cabbages, cabbages, barely even human…”
It’s addicting, I have to say.
Haha, super funny and creative. I think you’re right, Full House takes it for the number of crappy catchphrases that were “burned into the minds” of the viewers… If you can believe it I still find myself saying some of the ones you mentioned like… How Rude? Couple more-
Cut… it… out… – Dave Coulier ( with lame hand motions)
Ouce cream – Mary Kate or Ashley
Arrested Development had some good ones-
C’MON! – Gob
Caw-ca-Caw-ca-Caw-ca (Chicken dances) Gob and the rest of them eventually
Anyang – Hello in Korean
Hey Brother! – Buster
Hello…Mother – Buster
Also nice work remembering one of the lamest shows of all time… Home Improvement! In the 90’s I think most our age were imprisoned by network TV and the 4 channels you could watch. We watched some crap man! Which reminds me of one more-
How-dee-hoe neighbor? – Wilson behind the fence to Tim the Tool.
Good stuff-
Eric
The absolute best might be, “ca CAW ca CAW” haha oh why can arrested development do no wrong? Tobias is the best I think.
Few more. This is so addicting! I cheated by looking up a few. : )
“Eat my Shorts” Bart Simpson
“Whazzzzz up?” Budweiser commercial
“Marcia, Marcia, Marcia” Brady Bunch
“Hey, Hey Hey, what is going on here?” Mr Belding, Saved By the Bell
oh and how could we forgot Janice from Friends, “Oh my God!”
“you rang” Addams Family
“it’s going to be legend…wait for it…dary!”- barney stinson, how i met your mother
“That’s what she said,” The Office
“what you talking bout Willis? Diff’rnt Strokes
Also, related to tv shows. Do you remember when there used to be a tv announcer that said things like, ” We now return to the Smurfs… God, I feel so old!
“Oh… My… GOD.” haha “Joey and Janices’ DAY OF FUN”
But you’re right, the best is, “that’s what she said.” Oh how I love the office.
omg. Full House sooo reminds me of my childhood. Aaah. 😉
I have a random one that I always say (but it’s from a movie, My Best Friend’s Wedding): “Pier Fishing? French Kissing?”
I don’t remember that line- but I love My Best Friend’s Wedding- who says it? My favorite character is her gay friend (rupert everett)
Did anyone mention “That was a freebie” from Arrested Development? I do love that show.
Laughed a lot reading this one Mers! Oh Full House!
Full house is so incredibly easy to make fun of… we randomly rewatch episodes streaming of Arrested Development when we need a laugh. I love that show too.
i LOVE Full House. it’s kind of disturbing. if there were a Full House and Golden Girls channel, i’d die a happy girl.
<3 mode.
http://modestylist.blogspot.com
Its ridiculous, but I’ve not once ever seen Golden Girls- I need to get some DVDs and check it out!
GASP! it’s the best show ever!!
I know, I know… I’m so ashamed! I’ll watch it some day I promise!
Pretty much any foul word, I say those a lot 🙂
me too 🙂 I try to keep it sort of clean on the blog though
I don’t think it’s really a catchphrase, but I say “dude” a lot. Like, “duuuuuuude.” lol
Gotta love Full House. That show was a classic!
dude is a good one. It’s a really weird word if you look up the origin!
The most annoying catch phrase is from South Park: Oh my god, they killed Kenny!
I don’t have any catch phrases. But I like to say really inappropriate things to see if I can get a reaction. Does that count?
It does in my book- does it work?
OMG…. so I’m emailing a friend back and as I’m replying with a story for her, it hit me- the phrase I absolutely cannot stand is when people say “true story” like they’re agreeing with you on something. “That was the best movie ever!” “Oh TRUE STORY!!!!!!!” omg. It’s like nails on a chalkboard.
you’re right- I agree and find that expression super obnoxious. I hear ya sister! TRUE STORY!
You just took me way back with these phrases! LOL thanks for that…and yes now looking back most are really annoying ha ha!
The early 90s were such an exceptionally cheesy time that no one seemed to notice some of these things when they were on I think