Author Topic: Top game show catchphrases? (Read 25937 times)

JenKennings · « **on:** October 01, 2006, 05:32:29 PM »

I've been assigned to write something that hinges, in part, on producing a list of TV's 32 most memorable "game show catchphrases." I'm interpreting that to mean any oft-repeated line which would be instantly recognizable to fans of the show--or, even better, to society in general.

Here's the list I came up with, in no particular order, after some brainstorming with others. (I also decided not to repeat any shows.)

Survey says...! (FF)
Come on down! (TPIR)
Is that your final answer? (WWTBAM)
No whammies no whammies no whammies, stop! (PYL)
Circle gets the square. (HS)
I'd like to buy a vowel. (WoF)
We'll take the physical challenge. (DD)
You are the weakest link. Goodbye. (TWL)
Here is your first subject. Go. ($25,000P)
Is it bigger than a breadbox? (WML?)
Will the real ____ please stand up? (TTtT)
Deal, or no deal? (DoND)
Not a match; the board goes back. ©
I can name that tune in ____ notes. (NTT)
Joker! Joker! Joker! (TJW)
(The password is...) (P)
Say the secret woid and win a hundred dollars, (YBYL)
Get Tic and Tac, and you automatically get the dough. (TTD)
Let's see what's behind Door Number Two! (LMaD)
We stop the clock, you beat the clock. (BtC)
Let's make it a true Daily Double. (J!)
Get ready to match the stars! (TMG)
My name is _____, and I've got a secret! (IGaS)
I'm putting $5,000 of MY money on the line. (WBSM)
Aces are high, deuces are low, call them right and win the dough! (CS)
Do you feel the need for greed? (G)
Would you like to be queen for a day? (QfaD)
Bachelor Number One? (TDG)
Back in two and two. (LC, etc.)
Aren't we devils? (ToC)
Going once...going twice...and no sale! ($otC)
No, five-point penalty. (GECB)

I'm looking for feedback from you experts. Most importantly, are any of these misquoted from the shows in question? (I have my doubts about a couple, though they're idiomatic by now.) But also: which of these are iffy and should be replaced by better catchphrases that I've missed? Ideas?

Kevin Prather · « **Reply #1 on:** October 01, 2006, 05:39:26 PM »

The only thing I noticed is your PYL quote. If you wanted to take it one step further, it could be "Big bucks, no whammies, stop!"

BrandonFG · « **Reply #2 on:** October 01, 2006, 05:41:50 PM »

From your own show, "I'll take (insert topic) for $200, Alex."

Steve Gavazzi · « **Reply #3 on:** October 01, 2006, 05:57:31 PM »

[quote name=\'JenKennings\' post=\'133096\' date=\'Oct 1 2006, 05:32 PM\']
Most importantly, are any of these misquoted from the shows in question?[/quote]

The first one -- it's, "Survey said!" It's not the version of the phrase in the public's consciousness, but it is the one Dawson actually used.

cweaver · « **Reply #4 on:** October 01, 2006, 06:08:08 PM »

"Ladies, we have your husbands safely secluded backstage..." (The Newlywed Game)
"It's not what you say that counts, it's what you don't say." (You Don't Say)
"Now you see it, now you don't." (Now You See It)

From WML? I would also heavily consider...
"Mystery guest, will you enter and sign in, please?"

JenKennings · « **Reply #5 on:** October 01, 2006, 06:17:42 PM »

[quote name=\'cweaver\' post=\'133102\' date=\'Oct 1 2006, 06:08 PM\']
"Ladies, we have your husbands safely secluded backstage..." (The Newlywed Game)
"It's not what you say that counts, it's what you don't say." (You Don't Say)
"Now you see it, now you don't." (Now You See It)

From WML? I would also heavily consider...
"Mystery guest, will you enter and sign in, please?"
[/quote]

Yep, limiting myself to one a show really hurt for WML? (and WoF, and TPiR, and...) But that "bigger than a breadbox" thing has entered popular idiom in a way that almost no other game show quote had. Plus it's shorter, which is good for the format I'm stuck in.

I was racking my brains for a good Newlywed Game quote. Do others agree that the one given above is the way to go?

Mea culpa on "Survey said." Thanks for catching that.

Kevin Prather · « **Reply #6 on:** October 01, 2006, 06:21:40 PM »

Agree 99.9% on the above TNG quote. The only other one I might consider is "25 point bonus question," but that seems almost universal.

The title "The $64(,000) Question" seems to be in the popular idiom on its own. "That's the answer to the $64 question!"

JenKennings · « **Reply #7 on:** October 01, 2006, 06:49:11 PM »

[quote name=\'whoserman\' post=\'133104\' date=\'Oct 1 2006, 06:21 PM\']
The title "The $64(,000) Question" seems to be in the popular idiom on its own. "That's the answer to the $64 question!"
[/quote]

But did they use it that way on the show? I wasn't sure.

aaron sica · « **Reply #8 on:** October 01, 2006, 07:07:26 PM »

"This is Bob Barker reminding you to help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered. Good bye, everybody!"

Kevin Prather · « **Reply #9 on:** October 01, 2006, 07:45:30 PM »

[quote name=\'JenKennings\' post=\'133105\' date=\'Oct 1 2006, 03:49 PM\']
[quote name=\'whoserman\' post=\'133104\' date=\'Oct 1 2006, 06:21 PM\']
The title "The $64(,000) Question" seems to be in the popular idiom on its own. "That's the answer to the $64 question!"
[/quote]

But did they use it that way on the show? I wasn't sure.
[/quote]
I doubt it. I'm just pointing out the significance of the title on its own. Just a little sidebar.

chris319 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 01, 2006, 07:46:40 PM »

Are you a mind reader, yes or no? (The short-lived Mindreaders)

Is it X, Y or Z? (Play Your Hunch)

Not exactly a game show: (NAME), this is your life!

Neumms · « **Reply #11 on:** October 01, 2006, 08:15:35 PM »

For the Squares, I'd be tempted to switch over to "I'll take ___________ to block."

And maybe you'd want to include "Dumb Dora was sooooo dumb. . . "

CJBojangles · « **Reply #12 on:** October 01, 2006, 08:16:23 PM »

[quote name=\'JenKennings\' post=\'133103\' date=\'Oct 1 2006, 06:17 PM\']
I was racking my brains for a good Newlywed Game quote. Do others agree that the one given above is the way to go?[/quote]

"Here's your prize chosen especially for you..." seems to come to mind when referring to the early Newlywed Game.

I actually know of a high school science teacher who would always announce a student's name and say "It's fabulous prizes chosen especially for you!" whenever an aide would come to the door with a slip calling a student to the office. I'm pretty sure I was the only one who got the joke.

TimK2003 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 01, 2006, 08:21:36 PM »

[quote name=\'whoserman\' post=\'133104\' date=\'Oct 1 2006, 05:21 PM\']
Agree 99.9% on the above TNG quote. The only other one I might consider is "25 point bonus question," but that seems almost universal.
[/quote]

Well, put me on the .1% list. The first things that came to mind for Newlywed Game were..

• Making the word "Whoopee" a common everyday word (prior to TNG, the only time you usually heard that word was in the song "Makin' Whoopee"

and...

• "Here's A Special Prize, chosen *just* for you!!!"
EDIT:<Bojangles had me by 5 minutes on this one> :-(

And a catch phrase to represent the early days of "Wheel"...

• "Look at this studio, filled with glamourous prizes".

Also...

LONGSHOT!!! -- Whew!

You may not want to include "2 and 2" as that is a catch phrase moreso for a host (Chuck Woolery) than for a specific show (Much like the Dennis James-ism "Okay?...Okay!") as Chuck pretty much used that phrase for every show from Love Connection on.

davemackey · « **Reply #14 on:** October 01, 2006, 08:23:05 PM »

[quote name=\'JenKennings\' post=\'133103\' date=\'Oct 1 2006, 06:17 PM\']
[quote name=\'cweaver\' post=\'133102\' date=\'Oct 1 2006, 06:08 PM\']
"Ladies, we have your husbands safely secluded backstage..." (The Newlywed Game)
[/quote]
I was racking my brains for a good Newlywed Game quote. Do others agree that the one given above is the way to go?
[/quote]
"Ladies, the last time you and your husband made whoopee...."