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”
- Who Said It: Cast of Cheers
- Show/Commercial: Cheers
- When It Ran: 1982-1993
“I Want My MTV”
- Who Said It: Slogan said by 80s rock performers
- Show/Commercial: MTV channel
- When It Ran: 1980s
“I pity the fool”
- Who Said It: Mr. T
- Show/Commercial: The A-Team
- When It Ran: 1983-1987
“No problem”
- Who Said It: ALF
- Show/Commercial: ALF
- When It Ran: 1986-1990
“Who shot J.R.?”
- Who Said It: Promotion for show
- Show: Dallas
- When It Ran: 1978-1991
“What you talkin’ ’bout, Willis?”
- Who Said It: Arnold Jackson
- Show/Commercial: Diff’rent Strokes
- When It Ran: 1978-1986
“Let’s be careful out there”
- Who Said It: Sgt. Phil Esterhaus
- Show/Commercial: Hill Street Blues
- When It Ran: 1981-1987
“The balcony is closed”
- Who Said It: Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel
- Show/Commercial: At the Movies
- When It Ran: 1982-1999
“Just do it”
- Who Said It: Slogan
- Show/Commercial: Nike commercial
- When It Ran: 1988
“Make it so”
- Who Said It: Jean Luc Picard
- Show/Commercial: Star Trek: The Next Generation
- When It Ran: 1987-1994
“Where’s the beef?”
- Who Said It: Clara Peller
- Show/Commercial: Wendy’s commercial
- When It Ran: 1984
“Mary!”
- Who Said It: Sandra Clark
- Show/Commercial: 227
- When It Ran: 1985-1990
“I’ve fallen and I can’t get up”
- Who Said It: Mrs. Fletcher
- Show/Commercial: Life Alert commercial
- When It Ran: 1980s
“This is your brain on drugs”
- Who Said It: Narrator
- Show/Commercial: PSA for Partnership for a Drug-Free America
- When It Ran: 1980s
“There’s gonna be trouuuuble!”
- 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”
- Who Said It: David Banner
- Show/Commercial: The Incredible Hulk
- When It Ran: 1977-1982
“Pump you up!”
- Who Said It: Hans and Franz
- Show/Commercial: Saturday Night Live
- When It Ran: 1980s
“Holy Macanoli!”
- Who Said It: Punky Brewster
- Show/Commercial: Punky Brewster
- When It Ran: 1984-1988
“We will sell no wine before its time”
- 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”
- Who Said It: Debbie Allen
- Show/Commercial: Fame
- When It Ran: 1982-1987
“Benson, Benson, Benson!”
- Who Said It: Governor Gatling
- Show/Commercial: Benson
- When It Ran: 1979-1986
“Cowabunga!”
- Who Said It: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- Show/Commercial: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- When It Ran: 1987-1996
“Eat my shorts”
- Who Said It: Bart Simpson
- Show/Commercial: The Simpsons
- When It Ran: 1989-
“Take off, eh!”
- Who Said It: Bob and Doug McKenzie
- Show/Commercial: SCTV
- When It Ran: 1976-1981
“No way, Jose”
- Who Said It: Michelle Tanner
- Show/Commercial: Full House
- When It Ran: 1997-1995
“Party on!”
- Who Said It: Wayne and Garth
- Show/Commercial: Saturday Night Live
- When It Ran: 1989