10 Underrated TV Show Quotes That Deserve More Attention

The best TV shows are filled with fantastic quotes, but these are the lines that everyone seems to forget about. Quoting lines from TV shows between people should be studied as another form of communication, somewhere between having a friendly, intimate conversation and straight-up embracing.

Some quotes are so ubiquitous that you can identify their speaker and the show immediately. “Newman“, “I’ve made a huge mistake“, “Say my name“, and other such lines are just a part of everyday conversation. However, some quotes are just as great, but don’t get the attention they deserve.

“Read The Blocks, Hit The Gaps!”

Eric Taylor, Friday Night Lights

Friday Night Lights is filled with inspirational quotes and the kind of talk you may have heard yourself while playing out under the lights. Truth be told, it can get a little eye-rolling at times, but that is part of the charm of Friday Night Lights. Take this line from Coach Taylor (Kyle Chandler) in season 1.

In the scene, Smash Williams (Gaius Charles) has been thrown off his game by the presence of a college scout. Coach Taylor won’t hear it, and instead reminds Smash of his job on the field. It’s literal direction, but it’s also a succinct mantra that can apply to any situation where you need to get out of your own head.

“Look, Full Disclosure. I Am, Um, Currently Having A Panic Attack.”

Karl Muller, Succession

Succession is filled with incredible quotes. Almost everything that comes out of the mouths of the large ensemble feels simultaneously expertly crafted and structured, but also totally human, with all the pauses and nonsensical turns of phrase that come with trying to fire off a snappy retort.

One sneaky, hilarious line comes from Karl Muller, played by comedy veteran David Rasche, during Roman’s (Kieran Culkin) bid to secure money from Turkish investors. The appearance of anti-corruption militia causes everything to go belly-up, leading to a seemingly calm Karl to explain that he may be having some health issues.

“Everywhere In The World They Hurt Little Girls.”

Cersei Lannister, Game Of Thrones

Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) may be one of the most evil characters in Game of Thrones, a show that includes an undead Ice King and a patricidal sociopath with a penchant for skinning. She does have one redeeming quality, as Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) admits, she loves her children.

So when Myrcella is shipped to Dorne, you do feel for this undeniably awful person. In season 4, when Oberyn Martell (Pedro Pascal) promises Cersei they don’t hurt little girls in Dorne, Cersei fires back with this. It’s a reminder of the Queen’s deep wound that comes from knowing she will never be accepted by a world ruled by men.

“I’ll Do It! I’ll Rob The Kwik-E-Mart!”

Homer Simpson, The Simpsons

If you want to have some fun, google “underrated lines from The Simpsons” and check out the Reddit threads. It should keep you laughing at least until your lunch break. The series is so packed full of jokes, you’ll probably miss one while you’re giggling at another.

In season 9, episode 6, Homer gets a gun. Afraid of the gun-toting man, Apu tells Homer to take the money and leave. After an extended dream sequence, Homer decides that he will rob the Kwik-E-Mart, only for the scene to zoom out and show that not only has he left the store, he’s eating a sandwich he ordered.

“People Will Do Anything To Alleviate Their Anxiety.”

Arnold Rosen, Made Men

Mad Men is filled with memorable quotes. Some are winking and hilarious nods at the time period, some offer key insight into Don (Jon Hamm), and some are philosophical comments on humanity. That last segment can come at the most unexpected times, like with this line from the season 6 premiere.

Don and Dr. Arnold Rosen (Brian Markinson) have struck up a friendship on New Year’s Eve, though an emergency call drags Arnold away from the party. As he prepares to leave, he says this to Don. It doesn’t just hit close to home for Don, it explains why everyone in Mad Men does what they do: they need a reprieve.

“They Say Ambition Is An Unattractive Trait In A Woman. Maybe. But You Know What’s Really Unattractive? Waiting Around For Something To Happen.”

Miriam Maisel, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

This quote is everything that The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel has tried to say in its five seasons, wrapped up in a final, gutsy speech by Miriam Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan). Towards the end of “Four Minutes”, Midge is brought on to The Gordon Ford Show, more as a prop than anything else.

Instead of going along with the retrospective aspect that was intended for the show, Midge grabs the microphone and delivers an impromptu stand-up performance that kills. She finishes with the above line, pleading with those in the audience (and the viewers) to never hide themselves for fear of what others might think.

“Tracy, You Are Going To Die… When I Tell You Who I’m Dating. Squeaky Fromme. She Is… Difficult.”

Dr. Leo Spaceman, 30 Rock

Dr. Leo Spaceman (Chris Parnell), pronounced Spuh-chee-men, is one of the funniest and weirdest characters on 30 Rock. He has a treasure trove of incredible quotes. He has so many great lines that it’s easy to forget some of the true gems, like this one, which he says to Tracy (Tracy Morgan).

It’s a brilliant line, first because it’s a hilarious turn of phrase, making Tracy think he’s dying, and second, his new lady-friend is just an incredible pull from history. This line ranks high for me, in part, because until I watched Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, I just assumed “Squeaky Fromme” was a funny-sounding name.

“No Arms Or Legs Is Basically How You Exist Right Now, Kevin, You Don’t Do Anything.”

Michael Scott, The Office

A list about the best quotes from The Office would be endlessley long and endlessly debated. Even if you ignore the most popular lines, there are literally hundreds of jokes and moments that stick in your mind. A fantastic, under-the-radar line comes from season 5, episodes 14 and 15, while Michael (Steve Carell) is learning CPR.

Of course, the CPR lesson goes terribly and Michael seems more interested in the philosophy of life-saving rescue than actually listening to the instructor. This quote is just so funny because it comes out of nowhere, and is said with such disdain. Michael isn’t usually this mean, and it surprises a laugh out of me every time. ​​​​​​​

“I Want To Take Clean Cups Out Of The Dishwasher And Put Them In The Cupboard, At Home. And The Next Day, I Want To Watch My Wife Drink From Them.”

The Bank Manager, Fleabag

Phoebe Waller-Bridge is a generational talent as a writer. Her comedy-drama series Fleabag has some of the best lines you’re going to find on television. One of her most underrated comes in season 1, episode 4, where Fleabag (Waller-Bridge) sits down with a bank manager (Hugh Dennis) while at a retreat.

The bank manager, whose life has fallen apart after he cheated on his wife with a subordinate at work, admits what it is he lost with his infidelity. He realizes it’s those tiny things about relationships that he misses dearly, which is the kind of love that takes years to form but only moments to destroy.

“Good. Because I Forgave Myself A Long Time Ago.”

Helen Fahey, Mare Of Easttown

Helen Fahey (Jean Smart) is an incredible creation. Mare’s (Kate Winslet) mother is a no-nonsense, sarcastic, tough, hard-drinking, quietly-loving Pennsylvania woman that you can’t help but be charmed by. She is a solid rock and though she has made mistakes, she has also forgiven herself for them, and learned from them.

This line is a powerful moment in the Mare of Easttown season finale and the one time Helen breaks down, though for only a moment. She’s not crying because of regret, she’s crying because her daughter can’t forgive herself the same way she has learned to. It’s as empathetic a TV show quote as I can imagine.