[C] Siskel & Ebert, 'Siskel & Ebert' | Their competing thumbs verdict simplified film criticism, making movie reviews accessible to mainstream audiences.
2/25
"If it weren't for meddling kids"?
[B] The bad guy, 'Scooby Doo, Where Are You?' | The villain's exasperated confession closed each mystery, establishing the franchise's predictable comedic formula.
3/25
"It keeps going and going forever"?
[A] Energizer Batteries ad | The pink bunny interrupted fake commercials unexpectedly, creating advertising's most memorable brand character.
4/25
"Good night, and good luck always"?
[B] Edward R. Murrow, 'See It Now' | Murrow's signoff became journalism's gold standard, embodying integrity during McCarthy-era broadcasting fear.
5/25
"You've got spunk, I hate spunk"?
[D] Lou Grant, 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' | Ed Asner's gruff hiring scene subverted expectations, establishing their mentor-protégé dynamic from episode one.
6/25
"Well, isn't that special now?"?
[C] Dana Carvey, 'Saturday Night Live' | Carvey's pious character judgmentally interrogated celebrities, making sanctimony hilariously unbearable weekly.
7/25
"Tastes great! Less filling than others!"?
[B] Miller Lite beer ad | Retired athletes debating the slogan created advertising's longest-running campaign, spanning 20 years successfully.
8/25
"You look mahvelous tonight, darling!"?
[A] Billy Crystal, 'Saturday Night Live' | Crystal's flamboyant Hollywood insider prioritized appearance over substance, skewering '80s vanity culture.
9/25
"No soup for you today!"?
[B] The Soup Nazi, 'Seinfeld' | Larry Thomas's authoritarian chef became the show's breakout guest character after one memorable episode.
10/25
"Is that your final answer now?"?
[B] Regis Philbin, 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' | Philbin's dramatic confirmation heightened tension artificially, making game shows appointment television again.
11/25
"Oh my God! They killed Kenny!"?
[A] Stan and Kyle, 'South Park' | The boys' horrified reaction became a running gag, promising gruesome deaths for 98 episodes.
12/25
"Stifle yourself right now!"?
[C] Archie Bunker, 'All in the Family' | Carroll O'Connor's command silenced Edith, revealing the working-class patriarch's casual domestic authoritarianism.
13/25
"Danger, Will Robinson, danger approaching!"?
[A] Robot, 'Lost in Space' | The robot's warning became science fiction television's first iconic catchphrase during the '60s.
14/25
"I want my MTV right now!"?
[D] MTV ad | Rock stars demanding the channel convinced cable providers to carry MTV, birthing music video culture.
15/25
"Homey don't play that game!"?
[C] Homey the Clown, 'In Living Color' | Damon Wayans's rebellious clown rejected entertainment requests, satirizing commercialized childhood expectations perfectly.
16/25
"Read my lips: No new taxes!"?
[A] George H. W. Bush | Bush's 1988 convention promise became his most memorable line, then his most regretted broken pledge.
17/25
"The thrill of victory, agony defeat"?
[A] Jim McKay, 'ABC's Wide World of Sports' | McKay's poetic narration paired with the ski jumper's crash became sports television's defining imagery.
18/25
"It takes a licking, keeps ticking"?
[C] Timex ad | John Cameron Swayze's torture tests proved durability claims, revolutionizing product demonstration advertising forever.
19/25
"You rang for me, sir?"?
[C] Lurch, 'Addams Family' | Ted Cassidy's sepulchral response delighted audiences, making the butler horror-comedy's breakout character.
20/25
"How sweet it is tonight!"?
[B] Jackie Gleason, 'The Jackie Gleason Show' | Gleason's signature closer celebrated variety show success while maintaining his everyman charm throughout.
21/25
"Would you believe I have backup?"?
[A] Maxwell Smart, 'Get Smart' | Don Adams's bumbling spy constantly negotiated down ridiculous claims, satirizing espionage thriller conventions.
22/25
"Smile, you're on Candid Camera!"?
[D] 'Candid Camera' | Allen Funt's reveal line pioneered reality television, turning ordinary pranks into watercooler entertainment.
23/25
"How YOU doin' tonight, beautiful?"?
[D] Joey Tribbiani, 'Friends' | Matt LeBlanc's pickup line epitomized Joey's clueless charm, becoming the show's most quoted phrase.
24/25
"Norm! What's going on?"?
[D] 'Cheers' | The bar patrons' enthusiastic greeting became the show's most reliable laugh, repeated 115 times.
25/25
"Sock it to me right now!"?
[D] 'Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In' | The phrase triggered pratfalls and water gags, making '60s variety television embrace absurdist chaos.