The 90s were a great time for popular culture. Much of that culture, however, came from the dominant medium of the time which was television. Be it a snappy retort or a standard response that was repeated enough that it became canon, many of the hit shows from the time period featured catchphrases that still stick in the heads of 90s kids. As such, let’s learn the top 10 lines from TV that kids from the 90s still remember. (Here is a list of the 40 best kids shows of all time.)
To compile a list of TV lines kids from the 90s still remember, 24/7 consulted a range of celebrity and pop culture-centered websites including E! Online. From there, we selected a range of shows and associated catchphrases that had the most enduring mark on culture. From there, we used websites like IMBD to confirm the famous TV lines in question.
“Is that your final answer?”
- Show: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
“Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” debuted on August 16, 1999, as part of a special two-week event. Like other game shows, this program allowed contestants to win increasingly larger amounts of money for each question answered correctly. The difference between “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” and other game shows is this one featured a top prize of $1,000,000.
The show’s trademark line, “Is that your final answer?” was asked to the contestant after each question was posited. What seems like a simple, concrete question elevated the stakes of each answer, until the nail-biting million-dollar final question. Due to this and other aspects, “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” has become one of the longest-running game shows ever.
“Hello, Newman”
- Show: Seinfeld
While “Seinfeld” debuted on July 5, 1989, audiences took a couple of years to get hip to its absurdist, plotless rhythm. Once they did, however, it became a massive hit. This catapulted the fictionalized lives of stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his eccentric friends into television sets across the globe.
One of the most memorable lines in the show is “Hello, Newman.” This comes from Jerry himself, in greeting his downstairs neighbor and nemesis, the postman Newman. The line, uttered with scorn and malice, quickly became a catchphrase on the show, and always clued audiences into what new scheme Newman might be hatching. Considering “Seinfeld” became one of the biggest and most influential shows of all time, it’s no surprise this is a TV line that kids from the 90s still remember. (Learn about the most popular TV episodes from the 90s.)
“Eat my shorts!”
- Show: The Simpsons
Since it debuted on December 17, 1989, The Simpsons have grown into something of a herald of popular culture, effortlessly synthesizing old and new, and even spelling out cultural prophecy for later generations. The down-to-earth Simpsons family and the motley crew of characters that make up Springfield have put forth quite a few catchphrases over the years.
One such catchphrase, “Eat my shorts,” comes from the rebellious son, Bart Simpson. Usually said after Bart pulled off some mischief or caused the ire of some person, the line became synonymous with childhood rebellion and indignation. No doubt, even the youngest of kids born in the 90s still remember it well.
“Did I do that?”
- Show: Family Matters
Another line from TV shows that 90s kids are sure to know is “Did I do that?” This line came from Steven Urkel on the show “Family Matters.” Often said after the bumbling but lovable next-door neighbor Urkel broke something or caused havoc, the line was said in a sarcastic, mannered way that was sure to be memorable.
It worked, too, as “Family Matters” grew into a historically successful show. Running for nine seasons, the show became one of the longest-running television sitcoms of all time. Though Steven Urkel started out as a side character, choice lines like “Did I do that?” help cement the character’s status and bring him into the main cast as the show went on.
“Oh my god, they killed Kenny!”
- Show: South Park
“South Park” debuted on television in the summer of 1997 and quickly shocked audiences with its garish humor and merciless satire of popular culture. Comprised of crude paper-cutout animation, the show quickly grew into a huge hit. Plus, “South Park” helped keep itself in the spotlight with recurring gags or bits.
One such gag was the often violent death of Kenny by the end of each episode. In response, his friend Stan would exclaim, “Oh my god, they killed Kenny!” Though the show has slowly phased out this gag over the years, its early mainstay in “South Park” helped it become one of the most memorable lines for kids born in the 90s.
“You got it, dude”
- Show: Full House
“Full House,” which debuted in 1987, depicts a young widowed father who enlists the help of his brother-in-law and childhood friend to raise his three daughters. Two of those daughters, played by the young twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, would become the rising stars of the show. They were also responsible for the most memorable line from “Full House.”
The line, “You got it, dude,” was uttered by either of the Olsen twins playing the singular part of Michelle Tanner. Said in a precocious and adorable way, it no doubt helped rocket the young Olsen twins into the breakout role on the show. It also helped cement the status of “Full House,” which ran for eight seasons and stayed consistently at the top of the Nielsen ratings. (Learn about the most popular educational kid’s shows of all time.)
“The truth is out there”
- Show: The X-Files
Another show kids from the 90s are sure to remember is “The X-Files.” Debuting in September 1993, the show follows FBI agents Scully and Mulder as they try to solve strange, inexplicable, and often supernatural cases. Though Scully plays the scientifically-minded, rationalist foil to the more esoteric Mulder, it’s Mulder who delivers the most memorable line from the series.
“The truth is out there,” comes from Mulder’s longer quote “Much as you try to bury it, the truth is out there. Greater than your lies, the truth wants to be known. You will know it.” Always bedeviled by this case or that, Mulder often comes to a breaking point when trying to get to the truth of the matter while constantly red-taped by shadowy government forces.
“How you doin’?”
- Show: Friends
“Friends” debuted on September 22, 1994, and quickly grew into a mainstay of modern sitcom television. Featuring a quirky group of friends as they pursue their dreams in New York City, the show became one of the most popular ones on television. What’s more, its series finale was the fifth most-watched series finale in television history.
The show also spawned a series of catchphrases, with “How You Doin,” uttered by aspiring actor Joey, surely remembered by kids born in the 90s. Though something of a lothario, Joey is a dim but good-natured character, and this line acts as both a testament to his promiscuity as well as a tongue-in-cheek joke at his expense.
“Resistance is futile”
- Show: Star Trek: The Next Generation
Though Star Trek has spawned a litany of adaptations and supplemental stories, none is as iconic as “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” Featuring Captain Picard as the leader of a skilled group of space military officers, this show captured the hearts and minds of many a kid during its lengthy run.
One of the main antagonists throughout the series was the Borg, a hive-mind group of alien slaves that were always at the heels of the Star Trek Crew. The evil collective’s most famous line was “Resistance is futile,” a show of force for any would-be competitor. It’s also the most famous line from the show and a TV line kids from the 90s are sure to remember.
“D’oh!”
- Show: The Simpsons
Leave it to “The Simpsons” to make this list twice. No doubt, one of the longest-running animated sitcoms of all time, the show has also cemented itself in popular culture. This is due to both its prescient cultural commentary as well as its endearing recurring bits.
One such bit is provided by the patriarch of the family, the ever-bumbling but well-meaning Homer Simpson when he exclaims “D’oh!” Said usually in response to a mistake, mishap, or just plain foolishness, this line from Homer is arguably the most memorable line from any TV show that kids from the 90s will remember. Right now, the phrase adorns probably thousands of coffee mugs and t-shirts across the globe. (Discover famous TV lines that have become widely popular.)