The FX series Atlanta is one of the most unique and acclaimed shows on television with plenty of fans eagerly awaiting its upcoming third season. The show can be very thought-provoking at times and finds new ways to tell fresh stories on television. However, it is also one of the funniest shows around.
There are endlessly quotable moments in the series thanks to the colorful characters and wild situations. The show can find humor in the most relatable moments but is also not afraid to get surreal with its comedy, resulting in so many hilarious quotes fans can't get over.
Taste In Music
Darius: "I Like Flo Rida. Mom's Need Rap Too."
As a show set in the world of rap music, Atlanta has a lot to say about the industry and its artists. It highlights a lot of great talent but is also willing to poke fun at some of them as well. But one joke in the show's first episode serves as both a compliment and a bit of a put-down.
After listening to someone describe an awful DJ at a party who kept playing chart-topping rapper Flo Rida, Darius defends the artist by saying he likes his music. But adding that "Mom's need rap too" makes it hilariously clear his view of that kind of music.
Alfred's Making A Point
Alfred: "Manage? You Know Where The Word 'Manage' Come From?" Earn: "Manus. Latin For 'Hand.'" Alfred: "Probably, But I'm Gonna Say No For The Purpose Of My Argument."
The relationship between cousins Earn and Alfred is one of the best aspects of the show. They often find themselves at odds as Earn is a more money-minded person struggling to prove his worth to Alfred while Alfred is very much about staying grounded as his fame rises.
This dynamic is immediately obvious when Earn first asks to be Alfred's manager. Alfred questions if Earn knows where the word "manager" comes from, and despite Earn giving an intelligent answer, Alfred is willing to ignore it in order to get his point across.
Bibby's Excuses
Bibby: "And His Carbonator Had Jaundice."
While the main characters on the show are hilarious, Atlanta is also not afraid to give a random character the spotlight for a little while. In one episode, fans are introduced to Bibby, the ambitious yet disorganized barber.
When Alfred comes for a haircut, he ends up being dragged around on Bibby's various errands and jobs. When confronted by his angry girlfriend, Bibby blames his lateness on Alfred, claiming he's a stranded motorist who needed help. His outlandish attempts at an excuse make this original character all the more memorable.
Questionable Father Figures
Teddy: "I Want This Wing Of The Museum To Be Dedicated To Great Fathers. My Father, Joe Jackson, Marvin Gaye Sr., Tiger Woods's Father, Serena Williams's Father, The Father Who Dropped Off Emilio Estevez In The Breakfast Club."
Perhaps the most memorable episode in the entire series is "Teddy Perkins," an unsettling thriller-like episode that still has big laughs. It follows Darius's mission to acquire a piano from an eccentric and reclusive man named Teddy Perkins.
As the episode goes on, Teddy shares with Darius stories about his past including his overbearing father who Teddy looks back on lovingly. He muses about building a museum dedicated to him and other intense father figures, but the father of Andrew Clark from The Breakfast Club is a hilariously outlandish inclusion.
Darius's Views On Time
Darius: "I Would Say It's Nice To Meet You But I Don't Believe In Time As A Concept So I'm Just Going To Say We Always Met."
Many of the funniest moments in the show come from Darius and his outrageous quotes. The character clearly has a different view of the world and how he views things which he is not shy about sharing with people.
Even when meeting Earn's unpredictable uncle, Darius still manages to be the weirdest person in the room. Instead of offering a normal greeting to the man, Darius decides his unique view on the concept of time means they "always met."
The Wolf Wants Crunch-O's
Wolf: "I Could Be Eating These Kids But I'm Out Here Eating Cereal."
Though the show can feel very grounded at times, it is fun to see how surreal Atlanta can get with some of its episodes. In one particularly brilliant one, the entire episode focuses on Alfred's appearance on a local interview show. But the strangest moments come from the commercials that are shown.
One commercial features a cartoon wolf trying to steal cereal from some kids with a police officer taking the "only for kids" rule far too seriously. As the wolf gets roughed up, he points out that eating cereal instead of the kids is a pretty reasonable thing.
Clark County Gets Angry
Clark: "I Would Never Put A Hand On You. Just Don't F*** Up Cause I'm Not The Only One With Hands In This World."
As Alfred's stock in the music industry rises, he finds himself collaborating with a hot new rapper named Clark County. He is a friendly and positive artist who seems to take the business very seriously. But he also has an intense and unsettling side.
When his engineer's equipment crashes during a recording session, Clark lets his anger show while still trying to maintain a happy persona. As his intimidating entourage hovers over the engineer, Clark hilariously puts the man at ease while simultaneously threatening him.
Darius Educates Earn
Darius: "Everything's Made Up. Stay Woke."
While Darius seems to have such a strange perception of things, he is actively be trying to open people's eyes to how he sees the world. And while a lot of what he says initially seems ridiculous, it is hard not to find a little sense in it.
When Darius remarks that his breakfast in a cup is appropriately called "breakfast cup," Earn dismisses it as something he just made up, Darius shoots back that "Everything's made up. Stay woke." At first, it sounds like typical conspiracy talk, but he actually has a point.
Tracy's Shopping Spree
Tracy: "They Got A No Chase Policy."
Season 2 of Atlanta introduces the character of Tracy who immediately becomes one of the stand-out characters on the show. He is Alfred's friend who was just released from prison and quickly works his way into the gang as he constantly makes trouble.
When out shopping with Earn, Tracy reveals a little-known policy in the sneaker store that the employees are not allowed to chase shoplifters out of the store. He explains this openly as a salesperson stands right beside him and casually walks out of the store with several boxes of shoes.
Odd Request
Darius: "Could I Measure Your Tree?"
As unusual as he may be, it is sometimes hard for viewers not to wish they had some of Darius's natural curiosity. He seems to have such big and strange ideas which he approaches with the wonder of a child.
When visiting Earn's parents' house, Darius quickly introduces himself to his father then immediately asks to measure a tree in their yard. Earn's confused father tells him not right now to which Darius sulks that basically means no. What makes it funnier is that his reasons for the request are never given.