News: Oh, Behave! The Top Five Good Comedies Ruined by Over-Quoting.

It's not funny anymore!

By Levi Harris, GotchaMovies
posted on Monday, February 8, 2010 - 12:00:00 AM

Now I'll admit that when a movie/tv show/comedy album possesses a line or a quote that's just too good to ignore, I'll be the first to employ its use in a social setting. Quoting movies is a great way to connect with a group of people you haven't met before, and it sure beats discussing the local weather and or sports team -- but there is such a thing as over-saturation. There are myriad examples of movies that are hysterical, but lose their comical luster after repeated use of their most famous lines. I'm talking, of course, about the over-quote. You know what I mean. Say you're in a public place and you hear some guy shout, "that's so money, baby." Then You cringe because a) You really enjoy Swingers and b) realize how un-funny the lines are coming from the mouth of some dude wearing Ed Hardy and enough Axe body spray to kill an ant farm. Your palms begin to sweat when you try to pinpoint how many times you've used that line in public and if you were loud enough to be heard AND if you sounded as inane as the guy you just heard say it.

Thus I present to you the top five comedies that were once good, but ruined by rampant over quotation:

#5: Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.

Let me get set this straight: I love Borat. Sacsha Baron Cohen's iconic character showed, through comedy, just how demented and biggoted our nation can be. However, the profound message and underlying tones of the movie are now lost to millions who quote it only to be a part of something. We've all been at a party when a guy in the corner yells out "Very niiice" in a horrible Kazakhstani accent. I'd love to be able to use said line in a social setting were I not afraid of the mental embarrassment associated with quoting Borat. Sigh.

#4: Swingers

Again, Swingers is one of my all-time favorite coming of age tales. Sure, it's sock-hopping tone is a little silly by today's standards, but the themes and presentation of the film scream early 90's perfection. It launched the careers of two of Hollywood's biggest names, Vince Vaughn, going on to star in multi-million dollar grossing hits, and Jon Favreau, becoming one of the hottest directors since Sam Raimi.  It's difficult to keep those facts in mind when you're discussing a possible vegas road trip and your buddy who you don't have the guts to tell you don't really care for screams, "VEGAS BABY!" or "you're so money and you don't even know it" for the twentieth time...that discussion.

#3: Napoleon Dynamite

We all saw the trailer for this little gem and knew that we were in for something new. Sure, this movie doesn't stand the test of time, but that may be becasue we've heard every Jager-shooting, muscle-bound freak uttering "Gosh!" a hundred times in regular conversation enough to make us never want to enjoy the subtlely paced mormon movie again.

#2 Austin Powers (Series)

"Shagadelic, baby." "Groovy, baby." "Oh, behave." "Why must I be surrounded by frickin' idiots?!" "Shall we shag now or shag later?" "Yeah baby, yeah!" "Throw me a fricken bone here."" Do I make you horny, baby?" "Get in ma belly!" "I've got a turtle head poking out." "I ate a baby!" "I love goooold!" "His fahza!" "You look toight like a toiger, yesh, yesh." "Would you like a shmoke and a pancake?" If you didn't cringe while reading those quotes, you're probably the guy who ruined it for everyone else. Thanks.

#1 Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy

Here it is. The king offender. Yes, Anchorman broke new ground and paved the way for the successes of all things Apatow-related, but my God, it's been quoted more than the bible by bros and jocks alike. This movie literally created a whole tone of speaking for a generation of men. The "Burgundy voice" can still be heard today by guys in puka shell necklaces whenever they're attempting their hand at humor. Just go to a college party and ask if they have any scotch. I almost guarantee that you'll be bombarded by "I love scotch. Scotch, scotch, scotch, here it goes down. Down into my belly." If you aren't, then that particular frat house may still have some saving grace. It's such a shame, really, because Anchorman is still one of the best silly comedies to be released in the past decade, however, I don't recommend watching it for another decade if you want to truly enjoy it without having your friends quote the hell out of it whilst you're trying to bask in nostalgia.