The 1980s produced many iconic and enduring quotes from television that became part of mainstream American culture. With its big hair, bold fashions, and obsession with MTV, the 80s era was unforgettable. The decade also gave us quotable lines from sitcoms, dramas, and commercials that people still remember today.
To identify the most memorable TV quotes of the 80s, 24/7 Tempo consulted various pop culture and media sites. These included ClickAmericana, Best Classic Bands, Reader’s Digest, and the Internet Movie Database.
Ever since the rise of television post-WWII, fans have been quoting favorite shows. But the advent of home video recorders in the late 70s enabled viewers to replay and recite treasured lines again and again.
Many enduring 80s TV quotes originated from sitcoms. There was Norm’s familiar barroom greeting “Norm!” on Cheers. Gary Coleman’s sarcastic catchphrase “What you talkin’ ’bout, Willis?” became iconic on “Diff’rent Strokes.” And little Michelle Tanner’s defiant “No way, Jose!” is forever linked to “Full House.” (Also See The Funniest Comedies of the 1980s.)
Scroll below to see tv lines kids from the 80s still remember:
“Norm”
Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
- Who Said It: Cast of Cheers
- Show/Commercial: Cheers
- When It Ran: 1982-1993
“I Want My MTV”
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
- Who Said It: Slogan said by 80s rock performers
- Show/Commercial: MTV channel
- When It Ran: 1980s
“I pity the fool”
Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
- Who Said It: Mr. T
- Show/Commercial: The A-Team
- When It Ran: 1983-1987
“No problem”
Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
- Who Said It: ALF
- Show/Commercial: ALF
- When It Ran: 1986-1990
“Who shot J.R.?”
Source: Courtesy of CBS
Source: Courtesy of CBS
- Who Said It: Promotion for show
- Show: Dallas
- When It Ran: 1978-1991
“What you talkin’ ’bout, Willis?”
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
- Who Said It: Arnold Jackson
- Show/Commercial: Diff’rent Strokes
- When It Ran: 1978-1986
“Let’s be careful out there”
Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
- Who Said It: Sgt. Phil Esterhaus
- Show/Commercial: Hill Street Blues
- When It Ran: 1981-1987
“The balcony is closed”
Source: Courtesy of Syndication
N/A
Source: Courtesy of Syndication
- Who Said It: Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel
- Show/Commercial: At the Movies
- When It Ran: 1982-1999
“Just do it”
Source: iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Source: iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- Who Said It: Slogan
- Show/Commercial: Nike commercial
- When It Ran: 1988
“Make it so”
Source: Courtesy of Syndicated
Source: Courtesy of Syndicated
- Who Said It: Jean Luc Picard
- Show/Commercial: Star Trek: The Next Generation
- When It Ran: 1987-1994
“Where’s the beef?”
Source: jeepersmedia / Flickr
Source: jeepersmedia / Flickr
- Who Said It: Clara Peller
- Show/Commercial: Wendy’s commercial
- When It Ran: 1984
“Mary!”
Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
- Who Said It: Sandra Clark
- Show/Commercial: 227
- When It Ran: 1985-1990
“I’ve fallen and I can’t get up”
Source: wavebreakmedia / Shutterstock.com
Source: wavebreakmedia / Shutterstock.com
- Who Said It: Mrs. Fletcher
- Show/Commercial: Life Alert commercial
- When It Ran: 1980s
“This is your brain on drugs”
Source: pnm-stock / Shutterstock.com
Source: pnm-stock / Shutterstock.com
- Who Said It: Narrator
- Show/Commercial: PSA for Partnership for a Drug-Free America
- When It Ran: 1980s
“There’s gonna be trouuuuble!”
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures Television
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures Television
- Who Said It: Tootie Ramsey
- Show/Commercial: The Facts of Life
- When It Ran: 1979-1988
“You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry”
Source: Courtesy of CBS
Source: Courtesy of CBS
- Who Said It: David Banner
- Show/Commercial: The Incredible Hulk
- When It Ran: 1977-1982
“Pump you up!”
Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
- Who Said It: Hans and Franz
- Show/Commercial: Saturday Night Live
- When It Ran: 1980s
“Holy Macanoli!”
Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
- Who Said It: Punky Brewster
- Show/Commercial: Punky Brewster
- When It Ran: 1984-1988
“We will sell no wine before its time”
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Who Said It: Orson Welles
- Show/Commercial: Commercial for Paul Masson wine
- When It Ran: 1978-1981
“So, you want fame? Well, fame costs … and right here is where you start paying”
Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
- Who Said It: Debbie Allen
- Show/Commercial: Fame
- When It Ran: 1982-1987
“Benson, Benson, Benson!”
Source: Courtesy of American Broadcasting Company
Source: Courtesy of American Broadcasting Company
- Who Said It: Governor Gatling
- Show/Commercial: Benson
- When It Ran: 1979-1986
“Cowabunga!”
Source: Courtesy of Group W Productions
Source: Courtesy of Group W Productions
- Who Said It: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- Show/Commercial: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- When It Ran: 1987-1996
“Eat my shorts”
Source: Courtesy of Fox Network
Source: Courtesy of Fox Network
- Who Said It: Bart Simpson
- Show/Commercial: The Simpsons
- When It Ran: 1989-
“Take off, eh!”
Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company
- Who Said It: Bob and Doug McKenzie
- Show/Commercial: SCTV
- When It Ran: 1976-1981
“No way, Jose”
Source:
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution
- Who Said It: Michelle Tanner
- Show/Commercial: Full House
- When It Ran: 1997-1995
“Party on!”
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
- Who Said It: Wayne and Garth
- Show/Commercial: Saturday Night Live
- When It Ran: 1989