The 20 Greatest Final Lines in TV History

The television world has been no stranger to legendary shows and iconic characters, yet only a select few programs have truly packed an epic emotional punch in their concluding moments. These final lines remain outstanding staples in pop culture history, and continue to incite nostalgia within viewers decades later.

From trailblazing sitcoms like The Golden Girls and Friends to acclaimed dramas such as Six Feet Under and Better Call Saul, the small screen has featured a colorful array of unforgettable last lines that brilliantly capture the heart and soul of the shows. Here are 20 of the greatest final lines in TV history.

20 “Just wanted one last look. Driver, we’re ready.” – Schitt’s Creek

Season 6, Episode 14 – “Happy Ending”

For six beloved seasons, fans all across the world fell in love with the kooky Rose clan, who went from riches-to-rags and were forced to relocate to the titular town in the sitcom Schitt’s Creek. Featuring the talents of Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Dan Levy, and Annie Murphy, the wholesome series focuses on the Roses as they attempt to acclimate to their new life in the remote Canadian community, where they meet a slew of hilarious and colorful characters.

Schitt’s Creek made the decision to leave their devoted viewers wanting more as opposed to overstaying its welcome (as so many shows tend to do), and in the final episode, both Johnny and Moira bid adieu to the town and head to sunny California. Despite initially resenting their predicament and Schitt’s Creek itself, the Rose family grew immensely during their stay and the couple had to soak in everything (including the town’s unforgettably hilarious billboard) one last time before departing. Stream on Hulu.

Related: 20 TV Shows with Feel-Good Finales

19 “It’s a long way to Tipperary; it’s a long way to go.” – The Mary Tyler Moore Show

Season 7, Episode 24 – “The Last Show”

Trailblazing television and film star Mary Tyler Moore first rose to prominence in the acclaimed ’60s series The Dick Van Dyke Show, before taking over the small screen in the following decade and landing her very own sitcom, The Mary Tyler Moore Show. In the smash hit program, Moore portrays ambitious career-woman Mary Richards, who takes a job at a Minneapolis news station as a producer and develops life-long friendships both at and outside of her work.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show was a groundbreaking series that tackled then-taboo subjects for TV such as workplace discrimination, premarital sex, and homosexuality, and became one of the leading faces of second-wave feminism.

The empowering sitcom concludes with Moore and her co-stars like Ed Asner, Betty White, and Gavin MacLeod coming together for one final broadcast, emotionally joining in song with one another and belting out “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary”. Stream on Hulu.

18 “Hello, brother.” – The Vampire Diaries

Season 8, Episode 16 – “I Was Feeling Epic”

After spending eight seasons battling it out for the love and affection of Elena Gilbert, brothers Damon and Stefan Salvatore were finally able to make peace with one another by the time the curtains closed on the drama The Vampire Diaries. Set in the mysterious town of Mystic Falls, Virginia, the fan-favorite show chronicled the many supernatural beings Elena, the Salvatores, and its inhabitants faced off against, like werewolves, witches, and everything in between.

Despite sharing a contentious relationship, Damon and Stefan are ultimately given the happy ending they had long been waiting for in “I Was Feeling Epic.” The last scene of the series centers on the brothers as they are reunited in the afterlife at the boarding house, as Stefan opens the door and sees Damon standing there, with the elder sibling warmly saying, “Hello, brother.”

The touching exchange mirrors the first words said between the two in the series premiere, and is a full-circle moment for the pair as they lovingly embrace. Stream on Max.

17 “I’ll say this to you, my friend, with all the love in my heart and all the wisdom of the universe: Take it sleazy.” – The Good Place

Season 4, Episode 14 – “Whenever You’re Ready”

Touting a star-studded cast led by Kristen Stewart, Ted Danson, and William Jackson Harper, the fantasy comedy The Good Place dazzled audiences with its heartfelt humor, unique premise, and quirky characters, and famously follows Eleanor Shellstrop as she is seemingly welcomed into heaven by mistake, and must change her selfish ways to earn her spot in the afterlife.

Lauded for its epic plot twist, sensational performances, and exploration of moral philosophy, The Good Place won numerous accolades during its run, including a Peabody and a NAACP Image Award, and while fans were hoping for more seasons, the show said goodbye after four. Known for its playful approach to wordplay and swearing, the series finale is spoken by Danson’s character Michael, who has returned to Earth and still possesses his mischievous spirit. Stream on Netflix.

16 “How’s Annie?” – Twin Peaks

Season 2, Episode 22 – “Beyond Life and Death”

From the mind of surrealist master David Lynch comes the sensational ’90s cult classic Twin Peaks, a revered mystery drama that starred Kyle MacLachlan as FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper, who heads to the eponymous Washington town to investigate the shocking murder of beauty queen and high school student Laura Palmer. Cooper quickly discovers something sinister lurks deep within the community and must keep his wits throughout the troubling investigation.

Devoted viewers of the eerie series were left devastated when it was canceled after just two seasons, and the episode “Beyond Life and Death” subsequently became the series finale and ended on a cliffhanger.

In the closing scene of the drama, Cooper is in the bathroom and gazes in the mirror, and it is revealed that the nefarious BOB is looking back at him and that Cooper’s demented doppelgänger was actually the one who emerged from the Black Lodge. He maniacally asks, “How’s Annie?” as he bashes his head against the mirror. Stream on Paramount+.

15 “It’s such a good feeling to know we’re lifelong friends.” – Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood

Season 31, Episode 5 – “Celebrate the Arts”

Hallowed TV host Fred Rogers helped change the face of children’s programming when he created and presented the beloved educational series Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, an enduring and celebrated show that tackled issues and concerns young viewers were experiencing that affected their physical and emotional well-being. It ran for a whopping 31 seasons from 1968 to 2001 and tugged on the heartstrings of audiences everywhere, becoming a must-see for children and their parents.

Mister Rogers presented the half-hour episodes in an engaging and natural manner, soothing viewers with his calming demeanor as he completed tasks, demonstrated experiments, and discussed various subjects pertinent to young watchers. After decades on air, Rogers gave a touching goodbye and even sang a song about how proud he was of his audience, lovingly declaring in his final moments on-screen, “It’s such a good feeling to know we’re lifelong friends.” Stream on Apple TV+.

14 “We’ve been waiting for you.” – Lost

Season 6, Episode 18 – “The End”

By the time the series finale rolled around for the breakout disaster drama Lost, viewers had been put through quite the emotional ringer as they tuned in each week to see what would happen to the survivors of Flight 815. What started out as a series focused on the aftermath of a plane crash and the diverse group of people trying to stay alive, eventually adopted a sci-fi flair that got progressively more wild season after season, as the survivors were plagued by supernatural phenomena.

After six head-scratching but nonetheless engrossing seasons, Lost concluded with Jack, Sawyer, Kate, and the rest of the Flight 815 survivors being reunited at a church, as Jack is greeted by John Locke in the heaven-esque setting and tells the younger man, “We’ve been waiting for you.”

The polarizing grand finale chronicled how the group’s destinies and fates were interconnected, as they were forever bound by their shared trauma; the episode is also open to interpretation and has been widely analyzed in the ensuing years. Stream on Hulu.

13 “You can’t take a picture of this. It’s already gone.” – Six Feet Under

Season 5, Episode 12 – “Everyone’s Waiting”

Widely regarded as one of the greatest TV shows of all time, the smash-hit HBO dramedySix Feet Under centers on the Fisher family as sons Nate and David inherit their late father’s Los Angeles funeral home, contending with their own personal feelings and baggage in the process. The poignant series focused on heavy themes like life and death, grief, human mortality, and familial dynamics, and ran for five critically acclaimed seasons.

In the final episode “Everyone’s Waiting”, Nate (Peter Krause) visits his sister Claire (Lauren Ambrose) one last time in a vision before she relocates to New York City. The younger sibling starts to take a picture as she prepares to depart, and Nate ambiguously tells her, “You can’t take a picture of this. It’s already gone”, implying that the life she knew is done, and a photo can’t make it last. It is a profound and fitting conclusion to a series that so expertly explored life and mortality. Stream on Max.

12 “I love you all. Class dismissed” – Boy Meets World

Season 7, Episode 23 – “Brave New World (Part 2)”

Lovable misfits Cory, Shawn, Topanga, and Eric were mentored and watched over by their compassionate teacher and neighbor Mr. Feeny (William Daniels) for seven seasons, with the coming-of-age sitcom Boy Meets World depicting the progression of Cory Matthews as he evolves from a mischievous boy to a responsible young man over the course of the endearing ’90s series.

Throughout the cozy sitcom, Cory and the gang were taught countless life lessons by Mr. Feeny as they experienced the many highs-and-lows of growing up.

Over the years, fans were constantly comforted by the wise teacher and his sage advice, and it was only fitting that the show concludes with the friends back in Mr. Feeny’s classroom as they prepare to go their respective ways, with their mentor emotionally telling them he will always be with them and dismissing the class for the final time. Stream on Disney+.

11 “And if you find someone to love the you you love, well, that’s just fabulous.” – Sex and the City

Season 6, Episode 20 – “An American Girl In Paris (Part Deux)”

Gal pals Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte entertained and amused the masses for six sensational seasons in the romantic dramedy series Sex and the City, following the lives of the close-knit best friends as they attempt to find love and success in New York City. Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon, and Kristin Davis rounded out the cast of the Darren Star creation, which took home eight Golden Globes and seven Primetime Emmys during its run.

The beauty of Sex and the City and its dramatically different four leads is that viewers saw themselves in the attitude and behaviors of the leading ladies and became heavily invested in their love lives. Carrie endured a tumultuous relationship with on-again/off-again love Mr. Big, but she finally got her happily ever after in the finale after the two finally commit to one another with their whole hearts. Her honest last line brilliantly captures the love she was looking for, as she is finally accepted (flaws and all) for who she truly is. Stream on Max.

10 “But with good behavior, who knows?” – Better Call Saul

Season 6, Episode 13 – “Saul Gone”

The spin-off and sequel to Vince Gilligan’s cultural phenomenon Breaking Bad, the legal crime drama Better Call Saul revolves around former con artist-turned-aspiring lawyer Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk) as he transforms himself from a wannabe public defender into Walter White’s flamboyant and savvy attorney Saul Goodman. The lauded, award-winning show began six years before the events of the original series and has been deemed as good, if not better, than its predecessor.

After years of sketchy and downright criminal behavior, Jimmy’s shady past finally catches up with him, and he is initially given a seven-and-a-half year prison sentence that gets upgraded to a whopping 86 years after he confesses to his crimes after seeing Kim.

His surprising confession earned him the respect of his ex-wife despite landing him in prison for decades, and though he faced an uncertain future behind bars, Jimmy kept his signature wit and humor until the very end. Stream on Netflix.

9 “I’m definitely gonna miss you C.” – The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Season 6, Episode 24 – “I, Done”

Audiences couldn’t help but fall in love with the wise-cracking Will Smith and the colorful Banks family in the ’90s juggernaut sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, a fish-out-of-water comedy that centers on the street-wise Smith as he swaps his life in Philadelphia for one is sunny California, after he is sent to live with his Uncle Phil and Aunt Viv in the upper-class Bel-Air. As he attempts to acclimate to his new reality, Will becomes swept up in an array of misadventures and hijinks with his wealthy family.

Despite not wanting to uproot his life and leave behind his mom and friends in Philadelphia, Will eventually got used to being with the Banks clan and his zany cousins: the spoiled Hilary, pretentious Carlton, and precocious Ashley.

He developed a brotherly bond with Carlton over the duration of the show, as the two characters (and family as a whole) underwent massive growth, and in the final scene Will and the rest of the kids prepared to leave home. Will’s last line sweetly sums up what the Banks’ and his cousin truly meant to him. Stream on Max.

8 “I’m ready.” – Parks and Recreation

Season 7, Episode 13 – “One Last Ride”

Saturday Night Live alum Amy Poehler brilliantly portrayed the eternally optimistic, admirably ambitious Leslie Knope in the mockumentary sitcom Parks and Recreation, appearing opposite famous faces like Nick Offerman, Chris Pratt, and Aubrey Plaza in the fan-favorite comedy. The series focused on the Pawnee bureaucrat as she makes it her mission to help the fictional Indiana town become the best it can be, while also contending with her quirky colleagues in her department.

Leslie always had lofty ambitions and set out to make sure the government actually served the people, and she dreamed of becoming the first female President of the United States. In the last episode of the sitcom, through a series of time jumps, it is hinted that Leslie likely achieves her lifelong goal of becoming President and achieving all her dreams.

Ben asks Leslie if she is ready after they and the rest of the Parks and Rec crew pose for a final picture, as they prepare to go their separate ways, and she warmly declares, “I’m ready”, with her awe-inspiring future awaiting her. Stream on Peacock.

7 “There’s a lot of beauty in ordinary things. Isn’t that kind of the point?” – The Office

Season 9, Episode 25 – “Finale”

A remake of the Ricky Gervais-led British mockumentary sitcom, The Office swiftly became one of NBC’s greatest hits, with the sidesplitting series chronicling the hilarious chaos and hijinks that take place at Dunder Mifflin Paper Company where the kind-yet-incompetent Michael Scott (Steve Carell) oversees the paper company’s zany workers. The groundbreaking show ran from nine successful seasons and since its enduring tenure, has gone on to be considered one of the greatest television shows of all time.

After garnering countless awards like a Peabody and four Primetime Emmys, the Dunder Mifflin gang said goodbye to audiences, with the series finale attracting around 5.7 million viewers. Pam (Jenna Fischer) delivers the heartfelt, last line of the beloved sitcom, as the cast and crew return one year later to appear in the documentary for their retrospective interviews.

She takes a moment to appreciate the hard work of the camera crew and, for them, finding the beauty in the ordinary, which is exactly what the hit series was about. Stream on Peacock.

6 “What are we gonna do now?” – Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Season 7, Episode 22 – “Chosen”

Sarah Michelle Gellar became a household name when she took on the iconic role as the spirited titular heroine in Joss Whedon’s sensational supernatural series Buffy the Vampire Slayer in 1997. The supernatural drama famously followed the strong and sassy blonde as she and the Scooby Gang helped fight against nefarious foes and protect their California town from unfathomable evils. The exciting program caused a worldwide phenomenon and established a passionate fan base, and is considered one of the best shows of all time.

After saving the residents of Sunnydale from countless terrifying creatures that go bump in the night, the fierce, butt-kicking slayer and her loyal pals rallied to protect the town in a final epic showdown. As the Hellmouth begins to collapse (swallowing all of Sunnydale with it), the Scooby Gang say goodbye to their former home and the supernatural hotspot, as the survivors look on and realize the fight is finally over.

Buffy’s younger sister Dawn asked the slayer, “What are we going to do now?”, which incites an optimistic smile from the hallowed hero. Stream on Hulu.

5 “Thank you all for being part of our family. To happy days.” – Happy Days

Season 11, Episode 17 – “Passages”

For a decade, audiences everywhere found comfort, laughter, and joy from the juggernaut sitcom Happy Days, with the influential series taking place in 1950s America where Howard and Marion Cunningham raised their diverse children Richie and Joanie in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Henry Winkler undeniably stole the show as the suave, smooth-talking greaser Fonzie, capturing the hearts of viewers with his cool demeanor and becoming a bona fide sex symbol in the process.

The touching finale of Happy Days centered on Joanie and Chachi’s wedding, as Cunningham patriarch Howard breaks the fourth wall and delivers a stirring speech addressing viewers and thanking them for “being part of our family.” The tender moment is followed up by a toast to “happy days” and a feel-good montage of past clips of the sitcom plays out, as the cast and crew celebrate the young duo’s nuptials and fans get one last look at the unforgettable group. Stream on Prime Video.

4 “You’ll always be my sisters. Always.” – The Golden Girls

Season 7, Episode 26 – “One Flew Out of the Cuckoo’s Nest”

Featuring the talents of the unforgettable Betty White, Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty, the acclaimed ’80s sitcom The Golden Girls focused on the four eccentric leading ladies as they attempted to cohabitate in their Miami, Florida home, with the characters becoming swept up in hilarious hijinks in the process. Each roommate possesses unique and distinct temperaments, yet despite their differences, they develop an unbreakable bond throughout the course of the series.

After countless laughs and memorable misadventures, the lovable gals find themselves at a crossroads, as the practical and sarcastic Dorothy prepares to leave Miami and relocate to Atlanta after getting married. Naturally, her friends are devastated at the prospect of their pal moving, and the goodbye proves to be quite emotional. The finale was watched by a whopping 27.2 million viewers, and Dorothy passionately tells the ladies, “You’ll always be my sisters. Always,” as they share a heartfelt embrace. Stream on Hulu.

3 “Goodbye.” – M*A*S*H

Season 11, Episode 16 – “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen”

Based on the feature film of the same name, the trailblazing 1970s war dramedy M*A*S*H depicted the personal and professional lives of the devoted doctors and personnel of the “4077th MASH” during the Korean War, as quirky characters like Hawkeye, Trapper, and Radar attempt to handle the many stresses and hurdles that came with being in the surgical unit. Alan Alda headlined the series, which expertly tackled the humorous and heartbreaking realities that came with serving in the war.

Though not a spoken final line, the profound series finale chronicles the last days of the Korean War as the unit’s crew prepare to go home, while poignantly depicting the war’s effects on its personnel. As the members of the 4077th share their respective and emotional goodbyes, Hawkeye takes a ride in the chopper as his close friend B.J. lets him know he left a little note for him.

When up in the air, Hawkeye sees the word “GOODBYE” spelled out in rocks, as not only he, but also audiences are given the wistful goodbye; it remains the most-watched TV finale and episode of all time, with 121.6 million viewers. Stream on Hulu.

Related: 20 TV Shows That Broke All the Rules

2 “Should we get some coffee? Sure, where?” – Friends

Season 10, Episode 18 – “The Last One”

The celebrated, lightning in a bottle sitcom Friends remains one of the most cherished television staples of all time, revolving around the colorful lives of a group of six 20-somethings as they attempt to navigate the many ups-and-downs of romance and their diverse careers. The groundbreaking series helped launch the stellar careers of its phenomenal cast, with Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, and Matt LeBlanc becoming worldwide sensations.

From wedding blunders to fertility struggles, relentless romantic debates (were they on a break?) and shocking Las Vegas nuptials, devoted fans of Friends went on a wild rollercoaster ride throughout its epic ten seasons. In “The Last One”, audiences tuned in to witness whether or not Ross and Rachel would finally end up together and if she actually got off the plane.

The closing scene perfectly captures the heart of the series, as the gang leaves the gang’s empty apartment with Rachel asking if they want to go for coffee, and Chandler hilariously asking, “Sure, where?“, remaining his sarcastic self to the very end. Stream on Max.

1 “Sorry, we’re closed.” – Cheers

Season 11, Episode 28 – “One for the Road”

Ted Danson starred as former relief pitcher-turned-bar owner Sam Malone in the widely successful and incredibly enduring sitcom Cheers, an uproarious series that ran from 11 seasons and yielded 275 episodes. In the lively comedy, Sam runs the eponymous Boston bar, where an eclectic group of misfit locals meet up to grab a drink and get away from the hardships of everyday life. Danson was joined by stars like Shelley Long, Kelsey Grammer, and Woody Harrelson, becoming a massive ratings hit during its tenure.

In “One for the Road”, Sam’s on-again/off-again lady love Diane Chambers returns to Boston, causing the notorious lothario to ponder the direction his life has taken. When he is reunited with his loyal friends after realizing he and Diane shouldn’t be together romantically, Sam returns to the iconic bar and his home away from home, visiting with his pals one last time.

As he stares around the empty bar at the end of the night in gratitude, someone knocks at its door and Sam famously declares, “Sorry, we’re closed.” The moment symbolized not only that the establishment wasn’t open for business anymore that evening, but also that audiences would not return to the legendary tavern that they came to know and love. Stream on Prime Video.