The TV sitcom idiom known as the catchphrase goes back to the beginning of the medium. In fact, it actually predates the medium.
Since many of the first television hit shows were adapted from popular radio programs, (which grew out of old vaudeville acts) the history of such phrases actually goes back to well before the dawn of electronic media.
Most baby boomers grew up with the echo of Ricky Ricardo admonishing his wife with the phrase “Lucy…you got some ‘splaining to do!” From the “I Love Lucy”show of the 1950’s. Or Laura Petrie plaintively exclaiming “Oh, Rob! from “The Dick Van Dyke Show” of the 1960’s.
This post features some of the most familiar catchphrases of the 1970’s. Check out this montage
