Brooklyn Nine-Nine stands out for its brilliant writing and exceptionally talented cast, creating memorable comedic moments. Set in the fictional 99th precinct in Brooklyn, the show follows the amusing escapades of the detective squad as they navigate the flaws and challenges of the New York police department. While the series receives acclaim for addressing serious political issues and handling drama with sensitivity, it truly shines as a comedy gem. Thanks to the exceptional performances of the central cast and the expert editing, Brooklyn Nine-Nine is undoubtedly one of the most outstanding sitcoms of the 2010s.
In its first season, the series cautiously but boldly combines elements of a cop show and a sitcom, quickly captivating the audience with its fast-paced narrative, relaxed ambiance, and the clever writing of Dan Goor and Michael Schur, renowned writers of Parks and Recreation. However, as the show progresses, it gains confidence by discovering the unique charms of its main cast and embracing an increasingly audacious and outrageous sense of humor. The funniest moments of Brooklyn Nine-Nine are often derived from the dynamic interactions between its diverse characters and the show's growing self-assurance in delivering comedic brilliance.
10 Pimento’s Ground Rules
9 My Hunch
Adrian Pimento, a character from Brooklyn Nine-Nine, stands out as one of the most hilarious individuals in the series. Although his appearances are limited, each time he graces the screen brings immense delight. Around the fourth season's episode titled "The Bank Job", the show recognizes the freedom it has with Pimento. An excellent demonstration of this is Pimento's rule regarding not harming children, unless they exhibit unpleasant behavior. This rule showcases the show's ability to venture into darker territories as long as Jason Mantzoukas' unpredictably zany delivery is there to sell the line.
In the episode "Boyle's Hunch" from season 3, there's an amazing interaction between Jake and Charles that beautifully captures their friendship. This moment emphasizes the show's love for nostalgic '90s and 2000s pop songs and highlights the incredible chemistry between Brooklyn Nine-Nine stars Andy Samberg and Joe Lo Truglio. Jake and Charles' relationship is at its most endearing when Jake embraces Charles' sillier side, so it's incredibly satisfying to witness Jake's initial hesitation quickly turn into an unexpected duet.
8 Wuntch Is Dead!
7 Latvian Beatdown
: The animosity between Captain Holt and Madeline Wuntch is a standout element of the show, leading to some of Holt's most memorable insults in Brooklyn Nine-Nine and revealing his more petty side. One particular scene in the seventh season's episode "Ding Dong" perfectly captures the comical extremes of their relationship. In this episode, Holt receives news of Wuntch's passing, which would typically prompt introspection on their tumultuous connection. However, what makes it even more amusing is that Holt chooses to worsen his disdain, reveling in pure joy and even distributing bagels.
In season 4, Brooklyn Nine-Nine showcases the confidence it has in its characters by skillfully exploring their deviations from their usual traits to generate substantial comedy. The episode "Captain Latvia" serves as a prime example of the series' adept understanding of its characters as Boyle unexpectedly displays his competence in action out of his love for his son. As Boyle effortlessly defeats a Latvian mobster while showering him with affectionate words in Latvian, it creates a delightful moment of comedic contrast that remains deeply rooted in the character's identity as a devoted father.
6 This B Needs A C In Her A
Brooklyn Nine-Nine garners a major burst of laughter with a surprisingly risqué remark in season 6, episode "Honeymoon". When Amy clarifies that the innuendo-laden statement "this B needs a C in her A" is actually innocuous, Jake's profanity-laced explanation of his interpretation comes as a shock to both Amy and the audience. According to the cast (via The Wrap), their former network, Fox, had always censored similar risqué lines in the past. However, the more lenient censorship standards at their new network, NBC, permitted Brooklyn Nine-Nine to feature its first ever bleep.
5 Holt's "Hot Damn"
Captain Holt, portrayed by Andre Braugher, adds a captivating element to Brooklyn Nine-Nine. His normally composed and reserved demeanor contrasting with rare outbursts of exuberance is a defining characteristic of the character, enhanced by Braugher's commanding voice and passionate expressions. A notable instance showcasing this dynamic occurs in the opening scene of season 2's "Jake and Sophia", where Holt's accurate deduction about Santiago's tardiness prompts an exclamation of "HOT DAMN!" Remarkably, this comedic gem in Brooklyn Nine-Nine was entirely improvised by Braugher, eliciting uncontrollable laughter from the crew shortly after the scene concluded.
4 Boyle's Dianne Wiest Joke
Another remarkable moment in Brooklyn Nine-Nine that showcases the outstanding chemistry between Jake (played by Andy Samberg) and Charles (portrayed by Joe Lo Truglio) occurs during the cold open in season 4 episode "The Overmining". Charles amusingly claims to have contracted a "Dianne Wiest infection", which leads to one of the show's most prolonged and hilarious pauses. The intense and opposing glares exchanged between these characters intensify the comedic effect during this unusually slow-paced segment. Consequently, Charles' exuberant follow-up, "LIKE YEAST", delivers an even more powerful punch.
3 What Are You Gonna Do, Annoy Him Into Talking?
One of the standout moments in Brooklyn Nine-Nine occurs during the first season's episode titled "Interrogation". In this episode, Jake impulsively apprehends a suspect and resorts to various tactics in order to extract information, which includes passionately playing the guitar while fervently shouting at the suspect. This particular scene not only showcases the exceptional editing of the show, but also demonstrates Andy Samberg's comedic prowess. Without his ability to effectively portray the absurdity of the situation, and without the precise timing of the editing, the humor of the scene would not have landed as successfully.
2 Captain Holt Shouting "BONE!"
The "Skyfire Cycle" episode of season 4 brilliantly showcases Andre Braugher's Holt as the master of delivering explosive outbursts. During a conversation where Rosa suggests that he and his husband should "bone", Holt launches into a memorable tirade that features one of the best quotes from Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Holt. The meticulously edited scene juxtaposes Holt's measured diatribes with his disgusted and emphatic outbursts of "BONE!" This expertly written scene once again highlights Brooklyn Nine-Nine as a series that relies on the comedic prowess of its cast to deliver hilarious moments.
1 The “I Want It That Way” Cold Opening
The opening scene of the fifth season's "DFW" episode undoubtedly holds the distinction of being the most iconic moment in the entire series. The clever twist of Jake transforming a police lineup into an unexpected Backstreet Boys tribute perfectly captures his youthful enthusiasm, making it a standout among all other scenes. Remarkably, this clip holds the record for the highest number of views on the Brooklyn Nine-Nine YouTube page, surpassing even the show's own popularity by tenfold at its peak.
Source: The Wrap