Top 20 Greatest TV Scenes of All Time

TV doesn't get much better than this! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most memorable or iconic scenes from live-action scripted television series. So that means no moments from shows like “The Simpsons” and “Saturday Night Live.” Our countdown includes The Carousel Pitch from "Mad Men," The Red Wedding from "Game of Thrones", Kendall's Press Conference from "Succession", Dinner Party Meltdown from "The Office", and more! Did your favorite TV scene make the list? Let us know in the comments!
Watch more iconic TV-centric videos here:
Top 20 BEST TV Episodes of All Time: • Top 20 BEST TV Episode...
Top 30 Best TV Shows of the Century (So Far): • Top 30 Best TV Shows o...
Top 21 Most Badass TV Scenes of Each Year (2000 - 2020): • Top 21 Most Badass TV ...
Become a channel member to get access to special perks:
/ @watchmojo
Don't forget to play our Live Trivia games at 3pm EST for a chance to win cash! The faster you answer, the more points you get!: www.watchmojo.com/play
Have your idea become a video!
wmojo.com/suggest
Subscribe for more great content!
wmojo.com/watchmojo-subscribe
Visit our shop for awesome merch!
shop.watchmojo.com/
Your trusted authority for Top 10 lists, reviews, tips and tricks, biographies, origins, and entertainment news
#tvshow #succession #theoffice #madmen #friends #breakingbad #seinfeld #got #sitcom #drama

[@WatchMojo]

Did your favorite TV scene make the list? Let us know in the comments! For more content like this, click here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmrYo5dnf8aIh5o Don't forget to play our Live Trivia (www.watchmojo.com/play) games at 3pm EST for a chance to win cash! The faster you answer, the more points you get!

[@marcusyates3044]

Top 20 Best Animated DC Shows of All Time!

[@Funny.Man101]

What’s an avocado’s favorite kind of music? Guac and roll!

[@Reaperguy67]

​@@Funny.Man101 get lost already..you are not funny

[@adamhoward1408]

Jesse calling everyone a bitch in breaking bad

[@sussie7460]

My favorite scene is in Everybody Loves Raymond when Robert proposes to Amy.

[@andrewgarfield9898]

My favorite scene in Breaking Bad is when Jesse asks Kim if he should hire Saul Goodman as his lawyer and she responds with “only if you’re breaking bad” it was amazing. Just brilliant Vince

[@popjibbletz]

Except that is not in Breaking Bad.......

[@andrewdevore4799]

That was in Better Call Saul

[@tamic8190]

Lots of awesome choices, but I would have included the WKRP in Cincinnati turkey drop.

[@glennstarkey7087]

For a pure comedy list i agree its def worth consideration...id still go with chuckles bites the dust

[@markthompson7503]

"Gawd as my witness I thought turkeys could fly"

[@TopCat2021]

The revel of the "chicken" on the bus scene in MASH was a very memorable one.

[@markthompson7503]

Agreed.

[@lp-xl9ld]

The NEWHART finale...still the only moment from a scripted show that made me totally lose it

[@mikememine1423]

Thanks for mentioning that...shocker

[@markthompson7503]

Good choice and I agree. Even as a young teen it was powerful to me.

[@scottieman2]

Anything from Breaking Bad is gold.

[@kinGsaL1515]

That Sopranos ending scene is so good, it's the best ending scene to any movie or show I've ever seen. Don't even care about all the theories about wether he lived or died, just seeing a wholesome regular dinner between the family you've been watching for so long, and thinking back to that seen when Tony told his young kids to remember the good times.. so good

[@shadysorkin9214]

I think the idea is that you don't know if that is their last meal or not. The camera pans over multiple strangers throughout the scene. Because Tony has chosen to stay in that life, he will be looking over his shoulder forever, and it gives you that same feeling. I think it's great too.

[@thegoldenorder1240]

Its terrible. Imagine watching a show for 10 years only for someone to just pull the plug. Its lazy as hell and offers 0 creativity.

[@timdatanuki2375]

David Chase has confirmed that Tony died

[@boogaloo4481]

​@@thegoldenorder1240that's like one of the most creative and audacious ending in tv history, theres no way an uninspiring ending could be a global phenomenon that's still widely discussed today.

[@ExecutorAndree]

Court scene from Better Call Saul is awesome, but my personal #1 is when Lalo comes to Jimmy and Kim's apartment to hear the story of how Jimmy survived through the desert. Its like the most tense scene I've ever seen on TV, and the acting is world class from all involved parties.

[@cadillacdeville5828]

" If you don't know who I am, tread lightly" Walter White when Hank finds out who he is.

[@endorphinzz]

More specifically, that's when Hank tells Walter he DOESN'T know who he is...

[@johngallagher4280]

The most iconic scene in All In the Family is when Sammy Davis Jr. KISSED Archie. That was the longest audience laugh in sitcom history. Also should include the hugging (finale) scene in the Mary Tyler Moore Show.

[@glennstarkey7087]

Final scene was good if I was gonna go MTM tho id do her cracking up at the funeral in Chuckles bites the dust great show on grief and for its time very unheard of But the group hug is up there

[@henryqu19]

No matter how many times i watch , The Red Wedding still surprises me each time

[@crimsonclover9871]

Same here....no matter how many times I see it play out I always hope that Rob and Cat's men catch onto that something is wrong when they hear the opening notes of The Rains of Castamere. Sadly, only Cat feels the unease and, by then, it's already far too late.

[@VickiTakacs.]

I am so angry at the writers of GOT I refuse to rrwatch the last season again. They are the ones who destroy our country and they trashed those characters and that last season on purpose.

[@positivelysimful1283]

All in the Family best scene between Archie & Mike is when they get locked in the storage room & get drunk, Archie talks about his childhood-- revealing his childhood being bullied and his father being racist and abusive (as he defends his father with tears in his eyes)-- and the realization coming over Mike as he gains a new understanding of Archie... it starts you off laughing and gets real serious. I think that is probably the best Archie/Mike scene.

[@Nora_I_am_nice]

“Cut! Gimme a Tylenol, stop rhyming y’ll! You got no style dog,I’m the king of dialogue!” Quentin Tarantino.

[@sgtnubbings6501]

ERB

[@CreationsLab]

‘Picture a child sitting next to a projector’

[@LukeTheNotSoFunnyCheetoMan]

Hanks death from Breaking Bad was probably the most sad yet most memed moment on the show

[@ehh622]

I literally don't gwt why the most sad scenes get turned into a meme, like people turn a turning point of a show into a meme.

[@Frieowksf1293]

​@@ehh622I don't get it either, I think they're just trying to ruin it

[@ehh622]

@@Frieowksf1293 Probably.

[@JeffersonSilva-ce1ry]

I missed the scene when Buffy found out Joyce's death in Buffy the Vampire Slayer

[@dawnsacks5161]

I just said the same thing.

[@markthompson7503]

Yes

[@TK0_23_]

When Penny gave Sheldon the Napkin. They were at the heart if that show. Maybe good for an honorable mention.

[@michaelorsley2981]

So many great Breaking Bad scenes but the best in my opinion is the "I am the one who knocks" scene

[@jjkoij]

indeed, what about when skyler tells she gave the money to Beneke and he starts laughing?

[@Kr0N05]

That was a let down for me because it didn't ring true; he had shown himself as someone bumbling through the whole process of becoming a drug dealer, and so I didn't view him as being badass after some of the real goofy shite he did.

[@chestnut1279]

my fav is when he shows up to save Jesse, shoots the two dudes and says RUN but even greater is when Jesse kills the other cook for Walter.

[@Omega_X_Factor]

The opening to LOST. Right away you knew that this wouldn’t be a dramatic Gilligan’s Island. That show changed the game.

[@hitmandre2056]

No Miami Vice is crazy. Crockett and Tubbs riding in the car while Phil Collins is playing in the background still gives me chills to this day

[@AnthonyVenutolo]

Utter insanity..I left a similar comment. These kids just don’t know …

[@jaywright1413]

Logan Roy's death is one of the most powerful scenes I can remember. Everyone finding out in real time. Each of their individual and unique responses to the news. It was so authentic. Succession was a masterpiece but that had to be the most unforgettable moment to me.

[@jeremywilliams5141]

I have two scenes in mind that should be given a mention. One is the scene from "Good Times" where Florida Evans finally breaks down and is overcome with grief due to the death of her husband James. She sums it up with three words: "Damn, damn, DAMN!". The other is from "The Cosby Show" where the Huxtable family lip-syncs to "Night Time Is the Right Time" by Ray Charles in the season two episode "Happy Anniversary".

[@bdbear10]

I was skeptical what the first would be, but when you chose the M*A*S*H scene, I was pleasantly surprised!

[@darthstarkiller1912]

Where's Carol Burnett's curtain dress?

[@batgurrl]

I remember very little specific things from that show but DEFINITELY remember that. Great call

[@TK0_23_]

That was a variety show. It doesn't qualify.

[@cestall1]

"As God as my witness....I thought turkeys could fly."

[@davidnewell3232]

Oh the humanity.

[@scotchgaming.5438]

Seriously no The walking dead negan line up ???? Say what you want about the walking dead but the episode is still to this day, the greatest moment I’ve ever seen in television. I remember nearly taking the day off after because I was so shaken after watching it & I remember pretty much every costumer & staff member talking about it

[@markthompson7503]

Good one.

[@user-em6ie2be7x]

"I just Blue Myself" Tobias Fünke Arrested Development all these years later that's one of The Most Memorable, & Funniest Lines in a TV show.

[@Jeremiah_Rivers76]

For all the second-hand embarrassment “Dinner Party” delivers, The Hunted’s “That One Night” and the table fight are part of what makes that episode of _The Office_ so magnificent.

[@jukeboxjunkie1000]

I understand that this is US centric, but the final shot of Blackadder Goes Forth is truly poignant and deserves to be in the top 3 of this list.

[@HarryWessex]

Seriously though why can't they just call "in US" is it really that hard?

[@MrPaulpops2003]

2 of those are from rip offs of our Series Archie Bunker (Alf Garnett ] and their shit version of the Office

[@gregorymeyer1798]

Wow, awesome list... You guys really dug deep with this one, ranging 60+ years you took from every era and every genre. It's astounding and truly wonderful. Took me back in a big way. Thank you for the hard work.

[@HarryWessex]

Didn't dig that deep... all from the same country

[@hayeonkim7838]

Thanks for meaningful and valuable video as always ❤❤❤

[@Bell2323]

"Is anyone here a marine biologist??" 😂😂😂😂

[@RipCityJB]

I get misty eyed at the Cheers final scene when Sam adjusts the picture of Geronimo....that was a tribute to Coach (Nick Colasanto), who had the picture in his dressing room.

[@jennifer_m.8613]

Dallas, when we finally found out who shot JR ❤

[@mbrow]

I was a child when I saw that episode of the Twilight Zone. I still remember it to this day. The Cheers and MASH finales also are very poignant. Breaking Bad - what can you say? My most memorable scene in that series was when his wife said that he's in danger and he tells her that HE is the danger. EPIC.

[@veronicaferguson8548]

Yep.MASH is and always will be my favorite show.

[@rozacrain5784]

Every scene in “Better call Saul” is iconic. Probably the best show I’ve ever watched

[@user-em6ie2be7x]

Monk - Monk finally finds the man who planted the car bomb that killed Trudy, & discovers he has a stepdaughter.

[@bscats1]

Trudy’s daughter.

[@marieangels6]

step-DAUGHTER

[@ARIXANDRE]

These were great. I love the opening of House MD Season 6, with the Doctor being in rehab to the sound of No Surprises by Radiohead.

[@JBentham1523]

We will never forget LOST. There have been excellent TV shows, there are excellent TV shows and there will be more. But there is nothing like LOST.

[@johnjones3813]

But the show itself got lost. The first two seasons were great, and then it just got more and more erratic and ultimately pointless.

[@thugpassion480able]

I'm right there with you

[@collegebro85]

The show should have ended after season 5: the bomb went off destroying the island and both timelines converged giving us an actual ending. At the very least, pull a plot twist that Jacob was actually evil and the Man in Black was really trying to get everyone off the island and destroy it….but no…they all were dead and met up in a church 🤦🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️

[@daniellewis2133]

My favorite Breaking Bad scene was when Walt blew up Tuco's office.

[@jazziered142]

Even though the gremlin looked bad, the thought process behind a gremlin is horrifying. It will always be so.

[@andrewdevore4799]

I broke into laughter after I saw the thumbnail

[@catholicactionbibleonlyist1813]

Hm :Star Trek: The Next Generation: the ending of The Best of Both Worlds Part I

[@astra004]

I miss: Six feet under, last episode, the view into the future. The longest moment ever, in a tv show. Emergency Room: the death of Marc Green. More heartbreak is only delivered by the separation of Heidi from her Großvater.

[@Animeguy300]

I love your top 10 list videos

[@EvaGrammer]

This is an awesome list. I have so many TV series I need to watch!

[@GamerFunOriginallyAarush]

Great TV scenes!

[@chestnut1279]

Several to add here: First Walking Dead when Rick's Group takes on the Saviors and Sheeba saves Carl. That whole fight was absolutely spine-tingling. From Battlestar Galactica remake when Pegasus helmed by Lee saves Galactica. There were many great scenes in BSG and also in TWD.

[@pagangodx6890]

Buffy the vampire slayer. When spike reveals he fought and won back his soul, not only should have made this list. It should be near the top. “Can we rest now buffy? Can we rest?” While burning on a cross…. Ffs what’s better than that?

[@user-dt8vy2yb3d]

Remember the X Files motto "The Truth is Out There!"

[@MatthewReimel]

the moment where Hank died was Bryan Cranston at his best dramatic acting. That episode was one of the most powerful things I’ve seen.👏👏

[@gfear24]

That Fresh Prince scene, when Uncle Phil hugs Will after asking "Why don't he want me, man?", James Avery whispered in Will's ear "Now THAT is acting."

[@pedromicaelgama2275]

I came to watch the video hoping that the rocket launcher scene from "Buffy" would appear here. "What's that do?" followed by a disturbed Drusilla: Hilarious 😂😂😂

[@MaCabaret]

Hank’s death was really the one consequence that Walt couldn’t buy, beg, barter, bluff, or bomb his way out of.

[@vulture27fm]

I definitely would have gone with Omar's testimony for a scene from the wire. A man has got to have a code.

[@Fatinum]

The scene on Sopranos with Paulie & Christopher with the Russian should definitely make the list

[@kpanyc]

What about Janice and Richie?!

[@jeffreysoble5369]

Not the end of Newhart? The final scene of the finale has to be among the greatest tv scenes ever!

[@jerodeverly3357]

This was an excellent list honestly. Can't imagine taking a single scene off the list.

[@MCMNasty2]

These are great. That scene from West Wing was woowwww.

[@alyzu4755]

Theres an episode of "Sesame Street" in which they do "Game of Chairs". Basically all the GoT characters, in Muppet form, play musical chairs in order to win the Iron Throne. At one point the Robb Stark Muppet says "Can we get a move on? I have a wedding to get to". 😏 P.S, Thank you for throwing in the scene from "Doctor Who". 🥰

[@jeffm9770]

My favorite part of the socks and shoes scene is where Mike says "Yeah but I can hop on one foot and stay dry"

[@3110hello]

Great list! Muller and Scully are in my heart forever in my heart.

[@koenclijsen8874]

Can't really disagree with anything on this list. I would have some additions though: The death of Reverend Smith/ Doc Cochran's prayer from Deadwood season 1, the final scene from Blackadder Goes Fourth, University Challenge from The Young Ones, the German scene from Fawlty Towers, Viserys' arrival in the throne room from House of the Dragon S1, the sad goodbye between the O' Reilly brothers from Oz, 'Hello, Dexter Morgan' from Dexter season 4, and Master of Puppets from Stranger Things.

[@Kr0N05]

For shear runaway, ever-increasing comedic insanity, I would also have to include the German episode of Faulty Towers. My father was a German soldier in WWII, and I remember him crying with laughter and not able to catch his breath at the end of it. :)

[@hrajathmadhyastha7359]

That Kendall press scene still gives me goosebumps.

[@BasketballJones48021]

Good list for the most part… A blatant omission is the In the Air Tonight scene from Miami Vice; one of the best and most influential scenes ever! Plus, I can also think of a few scenes from Hill Street Blues, and the “damn, damn, damn” scene from Good Times…

[@markthompson7503]

MASH when Hawkeye admits it was a baby....not a chicken than was killed. Oof. Love seeing the airplane scene and the gremlin on the wing here. That was a great one.

[@DaddyOfTheSugarVariety]

I vote for Sesame Street, Good bye Mr. Hooper & the adults meet Mr. Snuffleupagus. I also vote for Queer As Folk when Uncle Vic dies.

[@collegebro85]

3 scenes far better than any of these: Here’s Negan or Rick bites out the throat of another human to save his life from Walking Dead, and Mr. Feeny’s farewell in the Boy Meets World finale!

[@kinGsaL1515]

For The Wire you picked a really good scene but I think the best scene in the entire show is actually earlier on in that episode when Avon shuts Stringer down infront of Slim Charles about killing Clay Davis. It's when you finally see their relationship implode and Stringer was phenomenal in that scene

[@sarahm8695]

I was expecting truth of the "Bent-Neck Lady" from The Haunting of Hill House to be on here

[@buuubble_gum]

Jed Bartlet's rant at God is a masterpiece of writing and acting.

[@BritneyLuby]

Missing the scene, when Dr Carter reads Dr Mark Greene's letter (and Corday's) on ER, when Mark passes away... And so many scenes from Buffy could've made it on here (like when she wins class protector, or any of her many awesome speeches)

[@Cacuofa]

The office scene should be Dwight’s fire drill gone wrong

[@williamsummerson1204]

Who thinks that this should have been a top 30 list?

[@IPete.WhichS2MuchN4]

Should've included: Twin Peaks - "You're going back... to Missoula.... MONTANA!" (I remember watching this scene when it first aired, and how disturbed I felt afterwards) Walking Dead - "Back to it!" Community - The Darkest Timeline Always Sunny - When "Dayman" is first thought up (this, or Dennis's Wind Beneath My Wings speech)

[@johngarrett7699]

The death of Hodor always gets me little choked up. 😥

[@lyndscar7693]

No matter how many times I watch that scene from Fresh Prince, I sob. Every time.

[@lisamarie_1987]

in Frasier should've been here. a great hilarious scene is when niles gets stuck with 4 accents in an old timey radio mystery redux. and get smart - my favorite is the garden when all teh statues are undercover chaos/control agents.

[@timcasey8314]

“How come he don’t want me man” will fore ever trigger tears

[@patriciagrandjean8205]

Two of my favorite moments are Sherlock's jump in "Reichenbach Fall" and Mary Tyler Moore's breakdown at Chuckles the Clown's funeral.

[@charleshyde6461]

Vikings, Ragnars who wants to be king rant!

[@itslouiemoo8018]

The scene between Patty and Kevin in the well from The Leftovers when Patty is telling Kevin about the time she was on Jeopardy and planning to leave her husband was just perfect. Ann Dowd knocked it out of the park in that scene.

[@josemaceira8780]

Jon Snow blocking the White Walkers blade with his Valerian steel sword 🗡️... HOW IS THAT NOT ON HERE?

[@donaldmacarthur]

I absolutely LOVE the scene of Will and Phil after Will runs his father out. So powerful, so beautiful ❤️

[@lancemorrison45]

I got the shotgun, you got the brief case. Best scene in all the shows.

[@randyrogers8568]

It only happened three days ago but the announced death of George Cooper Sr. was as heartfelt as they come.

[@kathleencummings8081]

The funeral scene on the final episode of House...where Wilson finally learns the truth.

[@endorphinzz]

That X-Files scene was too weak to be in the top 20...the All In The Family scene that should have been on the list was Archie getting kissed on the cheek by Sammy Davis Jr--THAT scene is beyond iconic...

[@cowetascore8476]

J.R. shot on Dallas ring a bell?

[@gorettiish]

What about Chuckles The Clown scene at the Funeral. Mary Tyler Moore

[@lorenrice9543]

No 24??? End of Season 1 where Jack's wife gets killed. A must.

[@Fatinum]

Shows like Breaking Bad and The Office deserves more than one

[@markthompson7503]

I still cry when Radar makes the statement that Lt Col Henry Blake has died....

[@gordon1873]

That's some list 👏. No Money Heist though?!

[@allen604]

"Mr. Worf... fire."

[@dalestark3343]

Good list, some from Gray's Anatomy should be in here as honorable mentions.

[@user-ih1bm9me5u]

This Moments Memories the Series 😊

[@JenThePirate]

#19 that scene from the West Wing, will never not give me chills

[@NickCC23]

Three series final scenes in this Top 20.

[@MrToronto44]

What about the final scene of the final episode of Six Feet Under with Sia's Breathe Me playing. Still haunts me.

[@mlsaulnier]

Correct!