Terry Tate - Office Linebacker: The Funniest Commercials Ever Made

Mia Nightshade

Updated Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 12:00 AM CDT

Terry Tate - Office Linebacker is still celebrated as one of the funniest and most memorable commercial series of all time. This classic ad campaign, featuring Lester Speight as the titular character, has left an indelible mark on pop culture and office banter alike.

In the iconic commercials, Terry Tate enforces office rules with the intensity of a professional linebacker, delivering lines like, "You kill the Joe, you make some mo!" and "That's a long distance call… Doug." These phrases have been quoted by fans for years, bringing laughter and nostalgia to those who remember the ads.

One of the standout moments is when Terry greets a colleague with, "Hey Terry," to which he responds, "Hey Janice... MOTHERFU~." This whimsical interaction showcases the over-the-top humor that made the series so beloved. Another memorable line is, "Roger, may I have permission to initiate physical contact upon your person?" followed by the stern reply, "Let's see. No you may NOT."

Fans of the series often confuse Lester Speight for Terry Crews, another NFL player turned actor. Both have had successful acting careers, but it's Speight who brought Terry Tate to life. The commercials' references to office culture, such as the infamous "cover sheets on your TPS reports" from Office Space, resonate with viewers who have experienced similar workplace situations.

The character of Terry Tate remains relevant today, with fans expressing a desire to see a remote work, post-COVID version of the linebacker. The ad campaign is often compared to other top-tier marketing efforts like the “This is ESPN” series, highlighting its impact and staying power.

From the animated greetings to the unforgettable catchphrases, Terry Tate - Office Linebacker continues to entertain and inspire. Whether it's the overhead projector memories or the relatable office antics, these commercials are a testament to the power of humor in advertising.

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View source: Reddit

Top Comments from Reddit

JectorDelan

These were truly great commercials. "Hey Terry." "Hey Janice... MOTHERFU~"

soiledperception

Best commercial ever.....this is a classic.

TheThirdStrike

In my mind... This guy was Terry Crews

Black_Otter

“You kill the Joe, you make some mo!”

cycoivan

The one with HR is the best one. "Roger, may I have permission to initiate physical contact upon your person?" "Let's see. No you may NOT"

LittleG0d

I still quote this character today, when I gotta say UP IN THIS B*****TCH!!!!

threlkis

Love the office space reference: ‘cover sheets on your TPS reports’

trucorsair

I have known people in the office who needed a little Terry Tate to get their mind right

D4RK_P4SSENGER

COLE TRAIN BABY! OOOOO!

Julia_Yoshine

I think the actors that were there before were much funnier than the ones now, or at least I find this kind of movies much funnier than other newer ones

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