While there are great movie and TV quotes that are funny even with no context, there are also lines that are so overused that it becomes unbearable to hear them altogether. Clichés aren’t always a bad thing — they can be beneficial as long as they are applied with caution and in a context they give a new meaning to or highlight something inherently amusing about it. Unfortunately, that is rarely the case. More often than not, clichéd lines are a result of lazy writing, bringing nothing new to the table in a particular film or TV series.
Even the most iconic movies and shows are guilty of using a few predictable lines here and there, so it is really hard to blame the more mediocre pieces of artwork. Often a line sounds amazing coming from the character who originally said it, no matter how many times they have said it, but comes off as cheesy or borderline unimpressive from anyone else. For instance, one of the best James Bond quotes, “Bond, James Bond,” still gives chills if said by Agent 007 himself, but if some other character borrows a variation of it, the phrase instantly becomes unusable.
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10 TV Show Quotes That Are Instantly Recognizable
TV series are a rich source of lines that have become so popular that they have gained a life of their own — Joey’s “How you doin’?” is one example.
10 “That’s Gonna Leave A Mark.”
Stating the obvious isn’t cutting it anymore
“That’s gonna leave a mark” has been used either to point out the obvious, usually downplaying or exaggerating the situation, or to add a bit of on-the-nose humor to the undertone of what is happening. Whatever might be the case, the line has gotten old, and it hasn’t been funny for a long time. More sophisticated jokes are in, and hopefully, this trend will continue, putting an end to this quote once and for all. It’s not a disaster when a character says the line once, but for many, it can quickly become an ill-advised catchphrase.
9 “There’s Only One Way To Find Out.”
That usually isn’t true in reality
A character tends to state, “There’s only one way to find out,” when discussing a dangerous plan that is about to be put into action, right after another character asks them if the plan is going to work. The line doesn’t add anything to the plot or to the drama of the moment, so it needs to be retired. What is more infuriating about it is that it doesn’t even ring true in most cases. Whatever the character believes to be “the only way” is almost always the most stupid and dangerous way to proceed in a situation.
8 “He’s Right Behind Me, Isn’t He?”
It is used to cover up insults
“He’s right behind me, isn’t he?” is supposed to be the ultimate comedic relief after a character is finished berating whoever they are playfully angry with, and before they turn around to face that very person who heard every word. Not only is the line tiresome to no end, but it is also often used to make offending someone behind their back funny, which it never is. In rare cases, the quote can be utilized for non-insulting purposes, but even then, it doesn’t land as smoothly as expected, and it doesn’t stir up a laugh.
7 “Bond, James Bond.”
No one else is cool enough to pull it off
James Bond has uttered quite a few legendary lines, and it is his innate charisma that makes Agent 007’s delivery unique. That is also the reason why Bond’s signature introduction suits him, but no one else stands a chance. The greeting that starts with the character’s last name and ends with their full name just doesn’t feel right — instead, it sounds forced and tacky, as if the person is arrogant enough to compare themselves to the best Secret Service agent in the world. Hopefully, whoever plays Bond 26 will be able to make the line their own once more.
6 “Let’s Finish What We Started.”
It is not the greatest way to end a pep talk
Under no circumstances should a good pep talk end with “Let’s finish what we started,” as this line is a recipe for disaster. Whenever two or more characters are getting ready for an epic battle that will surely result in someone’s death, one of them always says this line, as if to sum up the current danger that they are facing. To add insult to injury, the quote isn’t even true on half the occasions because it is not always the characters in question who “started” anything — it is the villains of the story.
5 “It’s Not What It Looks Like.”
It is almost always exactly what it looks like
The situations where “It’s not what it looks like” is the truth are few and far between since the line is commonly used by a character found in a compromising position by someone they are close to. It usually refers to being caught in the act by a partner. However, the quote can also stay faithful to its meaning, but in this case, it denotes a situation that is meant to be both compromising — or at least look like it — and funny because of the chain of events that led to that point. Either way, the overused line sounds fake.
4 “I’ll Be Back.”
It doesn’t carry the same weight if not said by the Terminator
Unlike the James Bond film series, The Terminator saga doesn’t know where and when to stop with the Easter eggs and references to its roots. While T-800’s signature line in the original movie is rightfully celebrated for the gem that it is, The Terminator franchise has ruined “I’ll be back” in its subsequent installments by having it appear too often. The movies aren’t alone in this mess, as the line doesn’t sound impressive from anyone but the Terminator. In The Terminator, it is jaw-dropping because of what comes next, but without that effect, it is nothing but empty words.
3 “Don’t Do Anything Stupid.”
Whoever it is said to proceeds to do the opposite
“Don’t do anything stupid” is essentially the plot device to introduce the “stupid” character who is about to ignore the warning. The character who utters the line comes across as a pretentious know-it-all, and the person who it is being said to is usually the immature bonehead archetype. As for the phrase itself, it is blatantly overused with no creative spin offered, and the only exception is Steve and Bucky’s tear-jerking exchange in the MCU. In that context, the line becomes a lot more meaningful than it could’ve been.
2 “You Just Don’t Get It, Do You?”
It is meant to be dramatic, but comes off as corny
If there is an even more tasteless line than the last one, it is “You just don’t get it, do you?” The context for the phrase can vary, but there is always a person who is offended, but isn’t willing to explain themselves properly, and there is also the character who simply doesn’t “get it.” Another important detail is to say the line in the most dramatic tone of voice possible, but the catch is that it never sounds dramatic. At the end of the day, the quote is about poor communication skills and people wanting to fight for no reason.
1 “We’re Not So Different, You And I.”
The people in question could not be more different
This disaster of a line always comes from a villain who is trying to convince the hero to join the dark side, and it never works. It is not surprising since very few people enjoy being told that they are just as horrible as the person they hate with all their soul. “We’re not so different, you and I” is the antagonist’s last resort — it is their final attempt to appeal to the good character’s evil within. It is meant to be relatable and pump up the drama, but it is mostly annoying.
