Of late, we've had "Bam!" (Emeril) and "No soup for you" (Seinfeld), but there's been precious few catch phrases compared to the 1970's - the Golden Era of TV catch phrases. Anyone growing up in that decade at some point exclaimed "Kiss my grits!" - it was just a part of the day to day lexicon. What was it about the seventies that made audiences erupt into laughter and applause every time J.J. said "Dy-no-mite"? Sounds like a good idea for a sociology term paper. What were the top TV catch phrases of the seventies? Sounds like a good idea for a post, so here goes.
- Dy-No-Mite! (Good Times)
- Up your nose with a rubber hose (Welcome Back, Kotter)
- Whachu-talkin'-bout, Willis? (Diff'rent Strokes)
- Hey, hey, hey (What's Happening?)
- Stifle! (All in the Family)
- Sit on it! (Happy Days)
- Ayyyyyy. (Happy Days)
- You big dummy (Sanford & Son)
- Book 'em Danno (Hawaii 5-0)
- De plane! De plane! (Fantasy Island)
- Nanu, Nanu (Mork & Mindy)
- Shazbot! (Mork & Mindy)
- Good night, John Boy (The Waltons)
- Jane, you ignorant slut (Saturday Night Live)
- Who loves you, baby (Kojak)
- Kiss my grits! (Alice)
- Lookin' good (Chico and the Man)
- Hello... how are ya? (Welcome Back, Kotter)
- Elizabeth, I'm comin' to join you (Sanford & Son)
- Don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry (The Incredible Hulk)
Note 2: This list is in no particular order - ranking them would just be silly.
Note 3: Please submit any glaring omissions, I'd love to read them. Before you comment, know that "God'll get you for that, Walter" would've made the list if this was the top 21 catch phrases.