Watching awesome TV shows gives you a chance to take breaks from the stresses of the world. Good TV shows should float your mind away from the worries of your reality for 30 minutes to an hour. Some of the most iconic TV shows in history premiered in the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. They inspired modern-day TV shows that are still being produced today. Old-school actors like Richard Harris, Adam West and Paul Newman paved the way for new actors like Kit Harington, Jeremy Strong and Brian Cox.
A slew of Iconic TV lines have been delivered by talented actors like the ones we just mentioned. For a TV line to be labeled as wholeheartedly iconic, it needs to be undeniably memorable, witty or heavy-hitting. The TV line should be mentioned often as a full-fledged pop-culture reference. It should be something people can recognize as soon as they hear someone say it or play it out.
To compile this list of the most iconic TV lines ever delivered, 24/7 Wall Street consulted several entertainment sources. These include ScreenRant, IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, TV Time and Entertainment Weekly. (On the topic of TV shows, click the link to uncover the 25 Most Popular TV Shows from the 1960s.)
“How you doin’?”
Show: “Friends”
Who said it: Joey Tribbiani
Played by: Matt LeBlanc
Time on air: 1994-2004
Out of the six main characters from “Friends,” Joey Tribbiani was arguably one of the most lovable. Matt LeBlanc is the actor who brought Joey’s character to life with a nonchalant, easygoing and carefree attitude. Joey would often say, “How you doin’?” to his friends whenever he’d enter the room. His words were always accompanied by his winning smile and allure. Other characters from “Friends” delivered memorable lines while filming the show, but none of their lines matched the same level of charm.
“Winter is coming.”
Show: “Game of Thrones”
Who said it: Multiple characters, starting with Ned Stark
Played by: Multiple actors, starting with Sean Bean
Time on air: 2011-2019
Throughout all eight seasons of “Game of Thrones,” multiple characters delivered the memorable line, “Winter is coming.” The first character to say it, though, was Ned Stark. Sean Bean is the actor who played Ned in Season 1. In the very first episode, he said, “Winter is coming” as a way of preparing his family for the cold weather that was on its way.
In the “Game of Thrones” universe, winters never just lasted for three short months. Their winters lasted for years. The winters of “Game of Thrones” were ruthless and unforgiving, which is why Ned and almost every other character from the show continually repeated the iconic phrase until the weather actually started cooling down.
“You got it, dude!”
Show: “Full House”
Who said it: Michelle Tanner
Played by: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen
Time on air: 1987-1995
When Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were infants, they were hired to take on the role of Michelle Tanner on “Full House.” It was a fabulous opportunity for the young twins to split one role. Sharing the part meant they wouldn’t get overwhelmed by spending too much time in front of the cameras. As the character of Michelle grew older, she started communicating with her cast mates better. By the time she was around three or four years old, she began delivering the line, “You got it, dude!” The line will always be cherished among fans of “Full House.”
“That’s what she said.”
Show: “The Office”
Who said it: Michael Scott
Played by: Steve Carell
Time on air: 2005-2013
Steve Carell did an astounding job taking on the role of Michael Scott on “The Office” from 2005 until 2013. Michael was written to be the type of boss who always made his employees uncomfortable. The jokes Michael told were far from appropriate, which is why one particular line from the show stands out more than the rest. Michael would often say, “That’s what she said” to get laughs from his subordinates. Most of the time, the people working for him didn’t react well. Audiences certainly did, though.
“I am the danger.”
Show: “Breaking Bad”
Who said it: Walter White
Played by: Bryan Cranston
Time on air: 2008-2013
The world of television was in a great place from 2008 to 2013 thanks to “Breaking Bad.” Plenty of people have labeled “Breaking Bad” as one of the greatest TV programs of all time. Bryan Cranston handled the role of Walter White with the perfect combination of aggression and grace. Walter was a high school teacher who transitioned into a lifestyle of drug manufacturing and dealing. At one point (after Walter has already completely lost his humanity) he delivers an unforgettable line. He boldly said, “I am the danger” as a way of expressing how fearless he was.
“You can’t make people love you, but you can make them fear you.”
Show: “Gossip Girl”
Who said it: Blair Waldorf
Played by: Leighton Meester
Time on air: 2007-2012
“Gossip Girl” made waves among young adult audiences from 2007 until 2012. One of the most interesting characters to follow was Blair Waldorf, played by Leighton Meester. At one point, she delivered the line, “You can’t make people love you, but you can make them fear you.”
The line perfectly embodied who Blair was as a character. She bullied female students on campus, acted like a princess in all of her romantic relationships and showcased purely bratty behavior with both of her parents. From her perspective, fear was a far more powerful emotion to evoke than love.
“Friends don’t lie.”
Show: “Stranger Things”
Who said it: Eleven
Played by: Millie Bobby Brown
Time on air: 2016-
The first season of “Stranger Things: premiered on Netflix in 2016. So far, there have been four successful seasons for people to binge-watch. The fifth season is on its way now. It’s set to land on Netflix sometime in 2025. For now, fans of “Stranger Things” can reflect on some of the most iconic moments from the show that have already taken place. Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown, once said, “Friends don’t lie.” It was an unforgettable moment. The show is heavily focused on the topics of friendship and loyalty in a supernatural environment, which is why the line stands out so much.
“DNA doesn’t make a family. Love does.”
Show: “The Fosters”
Who said it: Lena Adams
Played by: Sherri Saum
Time on air: 2013-2018
From 2013 to 2018, people actively enjoyed tearjerker episodes of “The Fosters.” The show focused on storylines surrounding the foster care system and the adoption process. Lena Adams, played by Sherri Saum, was a foster mother on the show working to bring some peace of mind to her foster daughter. She delivered the line, “DNA doesn’t make a family. Love does.” The thoughtful words served as a reminder that you don’t have to be blood-related to someone to consider them a true family member.
“Hello, brother.”
Show: “The Vampire Diaries”
Who said it: Damon Salvatore
Played by: Ian Somerhalder
Time on air: 2009-2017
“The Vampire Diaries” was a beloved vampire-themed TV show that attracted the same fan base of folks who were obsessed with the Twilight franchise. The show focused on conflicting love stories between human beings, vampires, witches and other supernatural beings.
Damon Salvatore was played by Ian Somerhalder. He delivered the line, “Hello, brother” when crossing paths with his vampire brother, Stefan Salvatore. The moment was intense, to say the least. As a reminder, both vampire brothers were alive for centuries by the time the show premiered – and they spent tons of those years on bad terms.
“Gave me cookie, got you cookie.”
Show: “New Girl”
Who said it: Nick Miller
Played by: Jake Johnson
Time on air: 2011-2018
An unforgettable moment to take place in “New Girl” during its seven-season run happened between Nick Miller and his best friend, Schmidt. When Schmidt surprised him with a cookie, Nick didn’t know how to react. He went shopping to buy a cookie for Schmidt as a way of leveling the playing field.
From Schmidt’s perspective, he was simply doing a nice thing for a friend. Nick started reading into the thoughtful action way too heavily. He began overthinking every detail of their friendship at that point. The scene opened a dialogue about what male friendships are genuinely like in the real world.
“If you’re always telling yourself how lucky you are, it’s probably because you’re afraid to ask yourself how happy you are.”
Show: “Modern Family”
Who said it: Dylan Marshall
Played by: Reid Ewing
Time on air: 2009-2020
Dylan Marshall was never the type of character to say profound things or make thought-provoking remarks on “Modern Family.” Throughout the show’s 11-season run, Dylan was usually always making dimwitted comments about his relationship with Haley Dunphy. When he said, “If you’re always telling yourself how lucky you are, it’s probably because you’re afraid to ask yourself how happy you are,” it gave viewers a chance to see him as a more insightful character who was capable of being a deep thinker.
“Life’s short. Talk fast.”
Show: “Gilmore Girls”
Who said it: Lorelei Gilmore
Played by: Lauren Graham
Time on air: 2000-2007
You’ll have to do your best to keep up while watching a show like “Gilmore Girls.” The fast-paced dialogue exchanged between characters is hard to ignore. Lorelei Gilmore, played by Lauren Graham, handled the fast-talking role of a young, single mother from 2000 until 2007. In one of the scenes from the show, she delivered the line, “Life’s short. Talk fast.” Her words were perfectly timed for the overall pace of the entire show. The characters of “Gilmore Girls” never took their time in conversations.
“Maybe we could be each other’s soulmates.”
Show: “Sex and the City”
Who said it: Charlotte York
Played by: Kristin Davis
Time on air: 1998-2004
When people think of “Sex and the City,” they often think about Carrie Bradshaw as the show’s lead character. Charlotte Yorke was one of Carrie’s best friends in the show, and she was played by an actress named Kristen Davis. Charlotte’s perspective on love and relationships in the sparkling city of New York was a little different than Carrie’s. During one of the scenes from the show, Charlotte delivered the line, “Maybe we could each other’s soulmates come” to her group of girlfriends. She said in the middle of a conversation about the difficulties of finding love with men.
“Those who want respect, give respect.”
Show: “The Sopranos”
Who said it: Tony Soprano
Played by: James Gandolfini
Time on air: 1999-2007
The topic of respect was always a big deal on “The Sopranos.” The show aired from 1999 until 2007, starring James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano. It told the story of a multifaceted man who made time for his family whenever he was at home. He also lived a double life as a vicious mob lord whenever he was away. The duality of his character is what drew plenty of viewers in and created such a dedicated fan base over the years. During one memorable scene, Soprano says, “Those who want respect, give respect.”
“So pick me, choose me, love me.”
Show: “Grey’s Anatomy”
Who said it: Meredith Grey
Played by: Ellen Pompeo
Time on air: 2005-
These days, being considered a “pick me girl” is an insult. In the early 2000s, it was thought of as a little more romantic. Meredith Grey, played by Ellen Pompeo, delivered the line, “So pick me, choose me, love me.” It was her way of begging and pleading the love of her life to give her a chance. “Grey’s Anatomy” is still releasing new episodes in 2024. Some of these TV lines were delivered by super-talented actors and actresses. (Up next, find out more about 24 of the most famous black actresses ever.)