# The one line that sold you... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 2, 2006, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-one-line-that-sold-you/359125 "2006-06-02T08:52:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lobstermobster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobstermobster/32/10033_2.png) [@lobstermobster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobstermobster)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-one-line-that-sold-you/359125/1 "2006-06-02T08:52:50Z")
When you fall in love with a band, a movie, a book, or a television series…if youre like me, there is one single moment when you realize that whatever it is…is amazing. here is an example. The extended pilot of Arrested Development. When Lucille says, “Look what the homosexuals have done to me now…Everything has to be so dramatic…it makes me want to SET MYSELF ON FIRE” (i didn’t see it on tv but on a friends dvd…now ive seen every episode) after that I knew I would be obsessed with the show. Does anyone else have one line moments like this? share! ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-one-line-that-sold-you/359125/2 "2006-06-02T11:06:09Z")
The first episode of Buffy I ever saw was What’s My Line Part 1, wherein Principal Snyder tells Xander that _“Whatever comes out of your mouth is a meaningless waste of breath. An airborne toxic event.”_ I went out and rented the first season later that day, figuring that any alleged teen show that assumed a familiarity with \*White Noise \* was worth checking out. ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-one-line-that-sold-you/359125/3 "2006-06-02T12:39:29Z")
For me, one line sold me on a twenty-one book series. In 1970, when I was sixteen, I started working as a lifeguard at a neighborhood pool. One slow day, I rummaged through the drawers of a desk in the office hoping to find a magazine. There were some books, one of which was Darker Than Amber, by John D. MacDonald. At the time, I knew nothing about the author. The first line in the book made me choose it from among several, and introduced me to Travis McGee. Here’s the line: > [@](#): > > We were about to give up and call it a night when somebody dropped the girl off the bridge. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-one-line-that-sold-you/359125/4 "2006-06-02T12:45:02Z")
It was actually the whole episode, but one line that just slayed me from _Welcome To The Hellmouth:_ **Buffy:** “Now, we can do this the hard way, or…well, actually, there’s just the hard way.” ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-one-line-that-sold-you/359125/5 "2006-06-02T12:48:01Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > The first episode of Buffy I ever saw was What’s My Line Part 1, wherein Principal Snyder tells Xander that _“Whatever comes out of your mouth is a meaningless waste of breath. An airborne toxic event.”_ I went out and rented the first season later that day, figuring that any alleged teen show that assumed a familiarity with \*White Noise \* was worth checking out. You’re kidding. I guess if I’d actually seen the first episode I’d have become a fan a long time ago, and not be playing catch up now. On the other hand I watched The Simpson since before they were their own show. But I didn’t completly connect till the Austraila episode…it wasn’t a line…it was Vishnu at the center of the world running things. Ok, the Rand Mcnally bit warmed me up and the fact that the rest of the show was really good helped, but that was the moment that something clicked for me. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-one-line-that-sold-you/359125/6 "2006-06-02T13:03:57Z")
Kirk: “Let’s get the hell out of here.” ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-one-line-that-sold-you/359125/7 "2006-06-02T13:23:21Z")
**MST3K** [Deathstalker (about his wizard pal, paraphrased)] “… visiting one village one day, another the next.” [Mike] “So, _two_ villages then.” ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-one-line-that-sold-you/359125/8 "2006-06-02T14:27:33Z")
> [@James Joyce](#): > > Most of all he liked grilled mutton kidneys which gave to his palate a fine tang of faintly-scented urine. > [@Polly Jane Harvey](#): > > I’ll make you lick my injuries > [@Philip K. Dick](#): > > Once a guy stood all day shaking bugs from his hair. > [@Damian Marley](#): > > She said “Junior, you’re a genius; you think with your mind and not your penis.” This text is only here to placate VBB. ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-one-line-that-sold-you/359125/9 "2006-06-02T14:28:31Z")
“This demonstrates the value of not being seen.” From the opening sketch to Monty Python’s “Now for something completely different”, called [How Not to be Seen](http://orangecow.org/pythonet/sketches/hownot.htm) - it was my first ever exposure, on my 16th birthday party, at the insistance of my father (God bless him), and I literally fell off my chair I was laughing so hard. I fell off my chair on the second viewing as well and have been a hardcore Python fan ever since. Grim ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-one-line-that-sold-you/359125/10 "2006-06-02T14:46:03Z")
The Princess Bride > [@](#): > > Your strength, my brain, and his steel, against 60 men, and yo uthink a little head jiggle is going to make me happy?? Hmmmmm??? HHGttG (TV Series) > [@](#): > > It must be Thursday. I never could quite get the hang of Thursdays Star Trek IV > [@](#): > > Okay, now, everyone remember where we parked… ---
**Author:** ![Bobotheoptimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bobotheoptimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobotheoptimist)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-one-line-that-sold-you/359125/11 "2006-06-02T14:52:09Z")
After reading the first line (below) I’m ready to gag, these two little kids are going to be Best Friends Forever! “OMG! Remember when we were six and you beat me to a pulp and then gave me your hand and helped me stand, my brother? I love you man…” " Ender knew the unspoken rules of manly warfare, even though he was only six. It was forbidden to strike the opponent who lay helpless on the ground, only an animal would do that. So Ender walked to Stilson’s supine body and kicked him again, viciously, in the ribs." Enders Game, obviously. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-one-line-that-sold-you/359125/12 "2006-06-02T14:54:57Z")
_Firefly_ “Darn.” [kick] ---
**Author:** ![Rachael\_Rage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71c47a/32.png) [@Rachael\_Rage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachael_Rage)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-one-line-that-sold-you/359125/13 "2006-06-02T15:03:40Z")
**What kind of dining set defines me as a person?** It’s chock-full of them, but this one in particular stands out as the line which began my long love affair with _Fight Club_, the movie. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-one-line-that-sold-you/359125/14 "2006-06-02T15:08:54Z")
The line from Episode 1 of **LOST** that everyone is still searching for the answer to: “Guys, where the hell are we?” - Charlie ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-one-line-that-sold-you/359125/15 "2006-06-02T16:02:03Z")
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” Plus: “He expressed himself as well as a man violently in love can be expected to.” Jane Austen, **Pride and Prejudice**. “Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her.” Jane Austen, **Emma**. “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” John 1:1 ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-one-line-that-sold-you/359125/16 "2006-06-02T16:27:48Z")
> [@Damian Cunningham](#): > > The French have said au revoir to the franc, the Germans have said auf wiedersehen to the mark, and the Portuguese have said… whatever to their thing. This happens to be the first line _in_ **Millions** …but this _was_ when I fell in love with it. > [@Marge Gunderson](#): > > I’m not sure I agree with you a hundred percent on your police work, there, Lou. There’s more to that scene (it’s from **Fargo** for those that haven’t seen it). She basically nails what happened dead on and really it’s the whole scene i love but I couldnt’ find the whole scene on IMDb and I’m in a bit of a time crunch so I can’t get the movie out and watch it but I thought this would do. At this point I thought to myself, “man I have dearly underestimated Marge Gunderson.” ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Clam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3bc359/32.png) [@Happy\_Clam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Clam)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-one-line-that-sold-you/359125/17 "2006-06-02T16:51:51Z")
> [@Rorschach's Journal](#): > > Dog carcass in alleyway this morning, tire tread on burst stomach. Best. Comic. _Evar._ ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-one-line-that-sold-you/359125/18 "2006-06-02T16:59:58Z")
My Favorite Year > [@](#): > > Katherine, Jews know two things: Guilt, and where to find \*great \* Chinese food. ---
**Author:** ![postcards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e8cbc/32.png) [@postcards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postcards)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-one-line-that-sold-you/359125/19 "2006-06-02T17:16:41Z")
“It was a blonde. A blonde to make a bishop kick a hole in a stained-glass window.” I read that in a book of quotes (The 637 Best Things Anybody Ever Said, I think). Since then I’ve read everything by Raymond Chandler at least twice. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-one-line-that-sold-you/359125/20 "2006-06-02T17:37:15Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > _Firefly_ > > “Darn.” [kick] That’s what I came in to post. But also: Green Wing - the scene where the crazy Scottish woman masturbates the guy in the coma so she can impregnate herself with his child. It has to be seen to be fully appreciated. _Cryptonomicon_ - The bit with Randy and his girlfriend’s friend where Randy feels like a Tolkein dwarf surrounded by elves. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-one-line-that-sold-you/359125.md?page=2)