What is the single greatest line in television history? {Please include context & Episode of the Series}

I do that all the time. :slightly_smiling_face:

Not an excuse, but his famous line in “The Prisoner” series was “Be seeing you”.

Although another recent show that is a contender is Derry Girls…

My auntie went to England years ago to get the abortion, never came back. Never got the abortion either. Look at you James!

Michelle
Derry Girls
Series 1
Episode 1

Though again actually longer than 5 years ago, which is crazy talk :wink:

In Season 3 of The IT Crowd, Moss and Roy play a joke on Jen, the clueless IT manager. They give her a small box with a flashing light and tell her it’s The Internet. They tell her she has been given special permission by the Elders of the Internet to show it off at a shareholder meeting after she wins Employee of the Month.

Jen: Wait a minute! The Elders of the Internet? (beat) The Elders of the Internet KNOW WHO I AM?!?

I say something similar all the time when I’m told something that is blatantly ridiculous.

“This Jen, is the internet” could also be a contender for greatest line.

True. Great scene overall.

Since other people mentioned Simpsons quotes: “I used to be with it, but then they changed what it was. Now what I’m with isn’t it, and what’s it seems weird and scary to me, and it’ll happen to you, too.”

That’s probably not the greatest l line in TV history, but it may be the wisest thing Abe Simpson ever said. And I can attest that now that I’m middle aged, it did happen to me.

There was an Australian series called The Games; it was a mockumentary about the organizing of the Sydney Olympics. In one scene, the the heads of the organizing committee are meeting with a creative consultant who is suggesting a few changes to the ceremonial aspects of the Games. Things like the shape of the medals (round medals being “cliche”), and the order that the teams enter the stadium during the opening ceremony.

Jasmine (looking at her notes): “…there’s this one, yes, this one. The traditional release of the doves on their flight of peace. Frankly, I was hoping for something a bit more Australian.”

John:" Australian?"

Jasmine: “Emus, perhaps?”

John: “Emus?”

Jasmine: “Yeah!”

Bryan: “Emus don’t fly, Jasmine.”

John: “A walk for peace.”

Jasmine: “Exactly.”

John: “A long-necked waddle for peace.”

I do recommend watching the whole clip.

IMHO, the clip ends before the punchline.

John: “Just how long is the 100m track, Mr Wilson?”
Jim: “94m”

I have to add on the funniest line from that, " You know me, Marge. I like my beer cold, my TV loud.. and my homosexuals FA-LAMING!"

The whole scene is great. The part about the 100 meters track is brilliant, but doesn’t really reduce to a single line. “A long-necked waddle for peace” makes me laugh every time I watch it.

Taxi, “Love is the end of happiness”

Oh another strong also ran…

Jesus Christ, see you, you are a fucking omnishambles, that’s what you are. You’re like that coffee machine, you know: from bean to cup, you fuck up.

Malcom Tucker
Thick of It
Season 3
Episode 1

I thought of one that could send tingles down your spine.

Rod Serling, The Twilight Zone

Good one.

“Tell him I’m going to the back seat of my car with the woman I love and I won’t be back for 10 minutes!”

–Homer Simpson, in The Simpson’s parody of “An Officer and a Gentleman”

I could get behind this one.

Also from the John Wick saga.

Yup I’d consider this as a definite contender. I was going to quote it in the Mr Beast thread the other day.

“In the criminal justice system, there are two separate, yet equally important groups…”

So great I don’t even have to finish the line, you all know it. Opening every episode over 20+ seasons.