Here are five steps to birthing a list: 1) Find something current (Breaking Bad). 2) Isolate something within it. (“I Am the One Who Knocks.”) 3) Categorize it. (Bad-Ass Brag Lines). 4) Find as many other examples as possible. 5) Rank.
This one, I admit, was more fun than most, although you’d think that Bad-Ass Brag Lines were far more common in decent television shows than they are. But, it takes chutzpah to pull it off. To do it well, you have to be able to note your achievements or make a threat without sounding arrogant. Therefore, the best brag-lines typically come from mythical type characters, those who can brag of their prowess, ability, or achievements without alienating the viewers by sounding conceited. The best brag-lines typically elicit the following response: F**k. Yes.
The concept is easier to show than to tell. Therefore, without further ado, here are Television’s 12 Most Bad-Ass Brag Lines.
