By Tom Rose
Fancast.com
When we ran our recent Top 10 TV Catchphrases we had no idea it would strike such an enthusiastic chord with our readers, who opened the floodgates of memory by posting their own unforgettable examples.
So we've decided to expand the list to include the Top 100 TV Catchphrases Of All Time. As a congratulatory nod to our extremely savvy subscriber base, the first entry in the series is this Top 10 TV Catchphrases as suggested by you, our faithful readers. Check back regularly as the countdown continues through the coming weeks. In the meantime "Engage."
100. "There are eight million stories in the naked city. This has been one of them.": Narrator, Naked City. The phrase was always ominously intoned at the close of each episode of this unusually raw and realistic (for its time) drama about NYPD Blues that was strong on character development and renowned for its early use of location filming in and around the gritty streets of Manhattan. Thanks to Shirley Snead.
99. "Missed it by that much.": Maxwell Smart, Get Smart. Agent 86 (Don Adams) the bumbling CONTROL agent and secret paramour of the lovely Agent 99 (Barbara Feldon) never quite managed the knack of perfect execution effortlessly achieved by so many other suavely smooth undercover spies of the time. Thanks to lochnez.
98. "Well Excuuuuse Me!": Steve Martin, Saturday Night Live. Although Steve Martin encouraged America to get over itself when he exploded on the comedy scene in the Mid-70s, he was always irked when fans forgot their manners and demanded he do some of his classic bits at every show, including SNL. Thanks to TheCannyScot.
97. "Morticia, you spoke French!": Gomez Addams, The Addams Family. There was a touch of madness in the Addams household, where every day is Halloween. Bear rugs growl, a disembodied hand delivers the mail, and the children enjoy such hobbies as playing autopsy or exploding model trains. Gomez (John Astin) and Morticia (Carolyn Jones) were one of television's most passionate couples, with Gomez being driven to arm-kissing ecstasy anytime Morticia spoke French. Cara Mia! Thanks to dt2101.
96. "Stifle, Edith!": Archie Bunker, All In The Family. Based on the British television series "Till Death Us Do Part" the show broke ground in its depiction of issues previously considered unsuitable for U.S. network television comedy, including racism, homosexuality, women's liberation, rape, miscarriage, breast cancer and impotence. And, of course, Archie's (Carroll O'Connor) neanderthalic treatment of long suffering "dingbat" Edith (Jean Stapleton) the real heart (and brains) of the family. Thanks to pianolady.
