The Top Ten {No Way, José!} moments from the 1990s

Honorable Mention #1:

The author took some liberties with this honorable mention, this scene from The Office doesn’t quite fit the 90’s mold – but the instant classic was hard to pass up, and it serves as a great icebreaker.
DELIVERY: A+
CONTEXT: B-
ORIGINALITY: C
HUMOR: A+
CLASSIC: B+

NO WAY, JOSE RELEVANCE: A

Honorable Mention #2:

On the other wrong end of the 90s decade requirement, Terminator, started off a slew of “No way, Jose” quotes before they were cool with, “Talk to the hand!”
DELIVERY: A
CONTEXT: A
ORIGINALITY: A+
HUMOR: C
CLASSIC: A+

NO WAY, JOSE RELEVANCE: A+

#10 TLC- No Scrubs

Squeaking into this list in 1999; my go-to-karaoke jam, featured in my Prompt author bio, and kills on my Bumble profile.

DELIVERY: A+

CONTEXT: C

ORIGINALITY: B+
HUMOR: D
CLASSIC: A
NO WAY, JOSE RELEVANCE: A-

#9 The Simpsons

I had a pretty good relationship with my high school principal. But I ALWAYS wanted to tell the Vice Principal to, “Eat my shorts!” Bold move, Bart!
DELIVERY: A+

CONTEXT: A
ORIGINALITY: A
HUMOR: A
CLASSIC: B+

NO WAY, JOSE RELEVANCE: B-

#8 Full House

This should maybe be ranked a little lower, but Michelle does actually say the three magic words “No way, Jose,” to Uncle Joey.
DELIVERY: B

CONTEXT: A
ORIGINALITY: C+
HUMOR: C-
CLASSIC: C+

NO WAY, JOSE RELEVANCE: A

#7 Married, With Children

Bonus points for having scored four touchdowns in one game, Al let’s his competition have it after he realize he is getting roasted, “Now you’re in ‘No Ma’am’s Land”
DELIVERY: A

CONTEXT: B-
ORIGINALITY: A+
HUMOR: A
CLASSIC: D-

NO WAY, JOSE RELEVANCE: C

#6 Forrest Gump

Hey, if you’ve got hard deal-breakers, like Forrest clearly does, you’ve got to honor them. Genuine, heartfelt, honest, thanks for keeping it real, Gump! “She tasted like cigarettes!”
DELIVERY: A+

CONTEXT: A
ORIGINALITY: A
HUMOR: C+
CLASSIC: A-

NO WAY, JOSE RELEVANCE: A

#5 Rush Hour 2

A bit of a catch twenty-two here. Can this clip exist in anything other than the outtakes? Would it be funny if it weren’t? Either way, this subtly one kicks off the top five. “He ain’t gonna be in Rush Hour 3” also takes a jab at sequels becoming more of a fad.

DELIVERY: A+

CONTEXT: A
ORIGINALITY: B+

HUMOR: A
CLASSIC: C-

NO WAY, JOSE RELEVANCE: C-

#4 Friday

Bonus points for later getting made into a meme whose origin most people don’t know. If the top three weren’t so classic, this would be higher. Cool, emotionless, effective. “Bye, Felicia.”
DELIVERY: A+

CONTEXT: A
ORIGINALITY: A+
HUMOR: A+
POPULARITY: A+
CLASSIC: A+

NO WAY, JOSE RELEVANCE: A+

#3 Austin Powers

What a roast. From dramatic pause, to delivery, to insult afterwards. Everyone knows how it feels to just have a shitty idea and get it told straight to your face, “How about NOOOO!!”
DELIVERY: A+

CONTEXT: A+
ORIGINALITY: B-
HUMOR: A-
POPULARITY: A+
CLASSIC: A+

NO WAY, JOSE RELEVANCE: A+

#2 Seinfeld

Hard to have a list like this without a Seinfeld reference. Forceful, unforgiving, demoralizing. “No soup for you!”
DELIVERY: A+
CONTEXT: A+
ORIGINALITY: A+

HUMOR: A
CLASSIC: A+

NO WAY, JOSE RELEVANCE: A++

#1 Billy Madison

More liberties were taken as the author here. This shpiel is unrelenting. Not only does it get the point across, drive it home, and completely embarasses the subject, but it leaves no room for a rebuttal. It is long but efficient; simple, and very direct. “…and may God have mercy on your soul”
DELIVERY: A+
CONTEXT: A+
ORIGINALITY: A
HUMOR: A+
CLASSIC: A

NO WAY, JOSE RELEVANCE: A++