Some sitcom characters from the ’70s and ’80s became legendary for their over-the-top catchphrases—those unforgettable one-liners that got repeated in every episode and eventually took on a life of their own. Whether they were hilarious, endearing, or just plain absurd, these phrases became part of pop culture and were quoted by fans everywhere. But looking back, some of them were so overused or exaggerated that they now feel downright ridiculous. Let’s take a look at 15 sitcom characters from the ’70s and ’80s who had ridiculous catchphrases.
1. J.J. Evans – Good Times
Catchphrase: “Dyn-O-Mite!”
J.J. Evans (played by Jimmie Walker) turned this phrase into one of the most recognizable catchphrases of the ’70s. Every episode, no matter the situation, J.J. found a way to work in his over-the-top, exaggerated “Dyn-O-Mite!” The audience ate it up, but eventually, it became so overused that even Walker himself got tired of saying it. While Good Times tackled serious topics, J.J.’s cartoonish delivery often clashed with the show’s deeper themes, making his catchphrase feel extra ridiculous.
2. Fonzie – Happy Days
Catchphrase: “Ayyyy!”
Arthur Fonzarelli, better known as The Fonz (played by Henry Winkler), was the king of cool, and his signature “Ayyyy!”—delivered with a thumbs-up—was his stamp of approval for just about anything. Whether he was fixing a jukebox, impressing the ladies, or just walking into a room, Fonzie always had a reason to drop his signature line. As cool as it was at first, by the later seasons, it felt like the writers were just squeezing it in for audience applause. Still, it cemented him as one of TV’s most iconic characters.
3. Steve Urkel – Family Matters
Catchphrase: “Did I do that?”
While Family Matters technically started in the late ’80s, Steve Urkel (played by Jaleel White) became a sitcom sensation and carried his catchphrase well into the ’90s. His whiny, nasally “Did I do that?” followed every clumsy mishap, whether he knocked over a lamp, set something on fire, or caused total destruction. It was funny the first few times, but after years of repetition, it turned into one of the most overused phrases in TV history. Even Urkel himself probably got tired of hearing it.
4. Vinnie Barbarino – Welcome Back, Kotter
Catchphrase: “Up your nose with a rubber hose!”
Vinnie Barbarino (played by John Travolta) was the ultimate cocky class clown, and his go-to insult was as ridiculous as it was catchy. Anytime he needed a comeback, he’d throw out “Up your nose with a rubber hose!”—which somehow became a schoolyard phrase for real-life kids in the ’70s. It made no sense, but that was part of the charm. Travolta’s delivery made it a hit, but you can bet he didn’t take it with him into his Saturday Night Fever years.
5. Arnold Jackson – Diff’rent Strokes
Catchphrase: “Whatchu talkin’ ’bout, Willis?”
Gary Coleman’s Arnold Jackson made this phrase one of the most repeated lines of the ’80s. Any time he was confused, annoyed, or suspicious, he’d turn to his brother Willis and drop a “Whatchu talkin’ ’bout, Willis?” in his signature delivery. It was funny at first, but once every single episode had at least one variation—sometimes “Whatchu talkin’ ’bout, Mr. Drummond?”—it started to feel like the writers were just hitting the repeat button.
6. Ralph Malph – Happy Days
Catchphrase: “I still got it!”
Ralph Malph (played by Donny Most) was the lovable goofball of Happy Days, and he always thought he was charming. Every time he cracked a joke (usually a bad one), he followed it up with “I still got it!”—as if anyone actually believed he ever had it to begin with. It was meant to be funny, but after a while, it felt more like Ralph convincing himself than the audience.
7. George Jefferson – The Jeffersons
Catchphrase: “Weezy!”
George Jefferson (played by Sherman Hemsley) had no shortage of attitude, and his exaggerated way of calling out to his wife, Louise (“Weezy!”), became one of his most famous lines. The way he dragged it out with his signature delivery made it feel like a catchphrase—even though it was really just him yelling her name in every episode. Fans loved it, but looking back, it was almost too much at times.
8. Balki Bartokomous – Perfect Strangers
Catchphrase: “Don’t be ridiculous!”
Balki Bartokomous (played by Bronson Pinchot) brought his thick accent and Old World charm to Perfect Strangers, and his favorite thing to say was “Don’t be ridiculous!” He said it constantly, usually while laughing at cousin Larry’s worries or misunderstandings. It was funny at first, but after the hundredth time, it started to feel like Balki only had one response for everything.
9. Larry Dallas – Three’s Company
Catchphrase: “Hello, ladies!”
Larry Dallas (played by Richard Kline) was Jack Tripper’s smooth-talking best friend, and his go-to greeting—usually delivered with a grin and an open collar—was “Hello, ladies!” It was meant to make him seem like a charming ladies’ man, but more often than not, it just made him look ridiculous. By today’s standards, his constant flirting would have him trending on social media for all the wrong reasons.
10. Horshack – Welcome Back, Kotter
Catchphrase: “Ooh, ooh! Mr. Kotter!”
Arnold Horshack (played by Ron Palillo) was known for enthusiastically raising his hand and blurting out “Ooh, ooh! Mr. Kotter!” whenever he had something to say. It was one of the show’s most memorable running gags, but after hearing it in every episode, it started to feel like his only personality trait. The character was lovable, but the joke definitely wore thin.
11. Mork – Mork & Mindy
Catchphrase: “Nanu Nanu!”
Robin Williams made Mork from Ork one of the most iconic characters of the ’70s, and his signature “Nanu Nanu” salute was his alien version of “hello.” It was fun, quirky, and perfect for Williams’ brand of comedy, but let’s be honest—if someone actually said “Nanu Nanu” in real life, people would just stare. Still, it became a major pop culture phrase that fans of the show will never forget.
12. Al Bundy – Married… with Children
Catchphrase: “Let’s rock.”
Al Bundy (played by Ed O’Neill) had a few classic lines, but his go-to phrase before doing anything—usually something dumb—was “Let’s rock.” It was meant to be tough and confident, but considering Al’s life was a never-ending string of bad luck, it almost always felt ironic. By the late ’80s, fans expected it in nearly every episode, whether it made sense or not.
Sitcom catchphrases were a staple of ’70s and ’80s TV, but looking back, some of them were completely over-the-top. While they helped make these characters unforgettable, they also became so overused that they lost their original charm. Still, love them or cringe at them, these ridiculous catchphrases will always be part of classic TV history.
