‘Heeere’s Johnny!’ is top TV catchphrase

LOS ANGELES — “Heeere’s Johnny!” -- the introduction for talk-show host Johnny Carson for 30 years --has been ranked the most memorable TV catch phrase in a Top 100 list covering 60 years of American television shows, cartoons, commercials and quotes from news programs.

Neil Armstrong’s famous “One small step for man ... “ comment when stepping onto the lunar surface on July 20, 1969, took second place in the list compiled by TV Land, while millionaire businessman-turned-TV star Donald Trump came in third with his curt “You’re fired!” dismissal of contestants from NBC’s corporate reality show “The Apprentice.”

The list, which features catch phrases 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 Monday.

It also includes moments from televised events such as the 1969 moon landing and President Kennedy’s 1961 inaugural address. Kennedy’s line “Ask not what your country can do for you ...” came in fifth place.

1. More Entertainment stories
   1. Will Smith shines in 'Men in Black III'
      

      REVIEW: If you're not a fan of Will Smith's smooth-talking Agent J in the "Men in Black" franchise, don't see the third mo...

   2. Can WWII film hidden by Army help veterans?
   3. Happy 35th anniversary, 'Star Wars'!
   4. Tim McGraw giving homes, hope to veterans
   5. Phillip Phillips has a double double name name

“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 W. Jones, president of TV Land. The list was complied by TV Land producers and editors.

Carson became a household name as host of NBC’s “The Tonight Show” from 1962 to 1992 and was introduced by sidekick Ed McMahon to the studio audience and the nation with the rallying call “Heeere’s Johnny!”

The Top 10 greatest TV quotes and catch phrases chosen by TV Land are;

1. Heeere’s Johnny! (Ed McMahon, The Tonight Show)

2. One small step for man ... (Neil Armstrong)

3. You’re fired! (Donald Trump, The Apprentice)

4. Baby, you’re the greatest. (Ralph Kramden, The Honeymooners)

5. Ask not what your country can do for you ... (John F. Kennedy)

6. D’oh! (Homer Simpson, The Simpsons)

7. Where’s the beef? (Wendy’s)

8. Whatchoo talkin’ ’bout, Willis? (Arnold Drummond, Diff’rent Strokes)

9. Yabba dabba do! (Fred Flintstone, The Flintstones)

10. I’m not a crook (Richard Nixon)