Cliche Comedy Phrases That Can And Should Be Retired

Writing comedy trying to be funny in general should be an ever-growing and evolving experience, but it’s easy to fall back on lazy premises and cliches. Since Season 2, the writers of “Workaholics” have been keeping a running tab of overused comedy phrases that should be retired their seventh and final season airs next year. 

Executive Producer John Quaintance  posted a photo of the offending phrases listed on white boards in the show’s writer’s room. I’ve transcribed the full list below, because I’m in love with you and that’s what love does to people.

• Sorry (Not sorry).
• ____? More like ____.
• Can you not?
• Sharkweek
• ...I can explain!
• Shhhush! (finger to mouth)
• Let’s not and say we did.
• I didn’t NOT ____.
• Va-jay-jay
• You assclown.
• Ridonkulous
• Wait for it...
• Just threw up in my mouth.
• Really?
• Good talk.
• Bag of dicks
• And by ____ I mean ____.
• Check please!
• Gonna leave a mark
• Awkward!
• Soooooo, that just happened.
• Shut the front door!
• What now?
• ____ on steroids/crack.
• Lady boner
• Ruh-roh!
• Note to self:
• What the what!
• Debbie Downer
• I think that came out wrong.
• Swipe right.
• Uh... define ____.
• White people problems
• No? Just me.
• He’s standing right behind me, isn’t he?
• Why are we whispering?
• That went well...
• Stay classy.
• I’m kind of a big deal.
• I’m a hot mess.
• Who are you and what have you done with ____?
• That’s not a thing.
• It’s science.
• And... scene.
• Cool beans
• Bacon anything
• Cray-cray
• I can’t unsee that.
• Real talk
• #Nailed it
• Random!
• Here’s the line. Here’s you.
• Awesome sauce
• Thanks... I guess.
• Little help?
• That. Just. Happened.
• Laughy McLaugherson.
• ____ dot com.
• I could tell you but I’d have to kill you.
• I love lamp.
• Oh hell naw!
• Epic fail
• See what I did there?
• Did I just say that out loud?
• I’ll show myself out.
• Food baby
• Douche (nozzle)
• Squad goals
• I just peed a little
• Too soon?
• Spoiler alert
• Um... in English please.
• Life hack
• Best/Worst. ____. Ever.
• It’s giving me all the feels.
• Garbage people
• That happened one time!
• Tou ché.
• Well played.
• I’m right here!
• Dumpster fire
• Hard pass
• Are you having a stroke?
• We have fun
• Who hurt you?
• I absorbed my twin in the womb.
• I’ll take ____ for $500, Alex.
• Thanks, Obama.
• This is why we can’t have nice things.
• I think we’re done here.
• Wait, what?
• Shots fired.

Good luck to you all.

H/t Splitsider for posting this wonderful gem.