”Heeere’s Johnny!” — the introduction for United States talk-show host Johnny Carson for 30 years — has been ranked the most memorable TV catchphrase in a top 100 list covering 60 years of US television shows, cartoons, commercials and quotes from news programmes.
Neil Armstrong’s famous ”One small step for man … ” comment when stepping on the moon on July 20 1969, took second place in the list compiled by network TV Land, while millionaire businessman-turned-TV star Donald Trump came in third with his curt ”You’re fired!” ousting of contestants from the TV show The Apprentice.
The list, which features catchphrases and one-liners from 10 commercials and 28 comedies ranging from Alka Seltzer to Star Trek and The Simpsons will be presented in a five-night TV Land special starting on Monday.
It also includes moments from televised events such as the 1969 moon landing and President John F Kennedy’s 1961 inaugural address. Kennedy’s line ”Ask not what your country can do for you …” came in fifth place.
”We have found that television is such a huge part of baby boomers’ DNA that it makes sense that so much of America’s pop culture jargon comes from TV,” said Larry Jones, president of TV Land. The list was complied by TV Land producers and editors. – Reuters