Top 10 Most Clever Callbacks in TV Shows
#10: The Same Conversation
“Seinfeld” (1989-98)
For a show about nothing, “Seinfeld” sure likes its callbacks. While its finale may be considered a letdown by some, there’s no denying that so many of its references to moments throughout the show are a lot of fun. All the testimony from characters from the show’s past are great, but it’s a moment from the end that’s the deepest cut. After going to jail, Jerry and George have a conversation about George’s second button which seems eerily familiar to them. That’s because they have the same discussion in the very first episode in the very first lines - bringing everything full circle.
#9: Handprint
“Supernatural” (2005-20)
When you’re on the air as long as “Supernatural” was, you’re bound to have a ton of in-jokes and self-referential moments. But one of the cleverest occurs during one of the most heartbreaking moments in the show. When Castiel and Dean are pursued by Death herself, Cas uses blood from his hand to protect Dean. After making his goodbye to Dean and touching his shoulder, Cas is pulled with Death into “the Empty” - leaving Dean distraught, with a bloody handprint on his arm. Dean’s farewell with his angel bestie actually mirrors his first meeting with him. When Cas pulls him out of hell, he leaves a handprint burned on his arm. It’s great symmetry, and a nice brightside to a tear-jerking scene.
#8: Kitty’s Outfit
“That ‘70s Show” (1998-2006)
While “That ‘90s Show” also has some “fire” callbacks to its parent show, we’re going with the original for this entry. The finale of “That ‘70s Show” takes many looks back at the series, mostly through the form of flashbacks. But one of the callbacks that is easiest to overlook happens to be a character’s wardrobe. During the New Year’s Eve party, Kitty Forman wears the same red blouse and floral skirt she wears during the party in the pilot episode. And even with a new hairdo, Kitty still pulls it off well years later.
#7: The Beginning & the End
“Lost” (2004-10)
“Lost” has one of the most dramatic openings to any TV show. Jack Shepard awakens in a bamboo forest, dazed and confused. He spots a dog, and stumbles onto a beach where the plane he was aboard, Oceanic 815, has crashed. Six seasons later, and it’s the finale. Although the show’s ending was controversial, most people will agree that it did at least one thing right. Its final moments are a perfect mirror of its opening moments. Jack is now dying, stumbling through the same bamboo forest. The same dog, Vincent, comes up to him, and as he passes away, he spots his friends flying away on a plane. The show closes just like it opened - with Jack’s eyes. The perfect bookends - bravo.
#6: Kevin Costner
“Breaking Bad” (2008-13) & “Better Call Saul” (2015-22)
Given that it’s a sequel/prequel, “Better Call Saul” has lots of opportunities for clever callbacks and call-forwards to “Breaking Bad.” Although it was tempting to discuss Saul predicting his eventual career path at Cinnabon post-“Breaking Bad,” our favorite callback/forward is more comedic. When talking with Walter White about making a story convincing, Saul mentions offhand that he once convinced a woman that he was actor Kevin Costner. In “Better Call Saul,” we see the aftermath of his date with said woman. Naturally, she’s none too pleased, but the in-joke certainly has us amused!
#5: Mal Cosplay
“Castle” (2009-16)
On “Castle,” Nathan Fillion plays the eponymous writer, Richard Castle. Castle’s irreverent literary proclivities lead to a lot of great references throughout the series. But easily the best call backs are to Fillion’s last famous TV role as Captain Malcolm Reynolds on the cult hit “Firefly.” There are many sprinkled throughout “Castle,” and the most blatant of these occurs when Castle dresses up as a “space cowboy” for Halloween. It’s exactly Mal’s outfit from “Firefly,” and Fillion wears it well even a few years on. Our fingers remain forever crossed, hoping for a revival.
#4: Beetlejuice
“Community” (2009-15)
“Community” loves pop culture references like most people love breathing, so there are a lot to choose from. But for our money, the cleverest has to do with the supernatural comedy film “Beetlejuice.” As anyone who’s seen it can tell you, the titular ghost played by Michael Keaton is summoned whenever you say his name three times. During the first 3 seasons of “Community,” a character says the name once. And by the third time, a character dressed like Beetlejuice walks by in the background! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go call an exorcist…
#3: The Ending
“Newhart” (1982-90)
Bob Newhart was a TV star for decades. When his '80s show “Newhart” comes to a close, his character, Dick Loudon is hit with a golf ball. Smash cut to a darkened bedroom where Newhart’s previous character, Bob Hartley, from “The Bob Newhart Show” awakens next to Suzanne Pleshette, who played his wife Emily on the same show. Bob describes the events of “Newhart” to Emily like they were all a dream, which is itself a parody of a similar “it was all a dream” twist on “Dallas.” The tongue-in-cheek nature of the callback has made it the subject of similar tributes in the years since, but “Newhart” did it first.
#2: All the Cameos
“Crisis on Infinite Earths” (2019)
When your story’s set in a multiverse, you can make callbacks to nearly anything! And in this epic crossover event for the DC comics-set Arrowverse, they make callbacks to nearly EVERYTHING! There are cameos from contemporary series too, but the sheer volume of deep pulls here is incredible. There are cameos from “Smallville,” the 1989 “Batman” movie, “Superman Returns,” “Super Friends,” and Burt “1960s Robin” Ward even shows up! The list goes on and on! Some are quick, while others are integral to the crossover’s plot. But they’re always creative, and are sure to tug on any DC fan’s heartstrings - or at least make you go, “I know that reference!”
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Jumping the Shark, “Arrested Development” (2003-06; 2016-19)
Henry Winkler, a.k.a. the Fonz, Does It Again!
Douchebag Jar, “New Girl” (2011-18)
Good Thing He Wasn’t Wearing His Driving Moccasins When He Broke It
Tom Hanks, “Veep” (2012-19)
Just as the Prophecy Foretold!
“I Don’t Wanna’ Wait”, “Dawson’s Creek” (1998-2003)
They Really Said the Lyrics to the Theme Song in the Show!
Alpha Centauri, “Doctor Who” (1963-89; 2005-)
A Character Last Seen in 1974, & a Cameo 43 Years in the Making!
#1: A Schrute Wedding
“The Office” (2005-13)
Weddings are a joyous time in sitcoms. And while Phyllis’ wedding to Bob Vance (of Vance Refrigeration fame) paid off a fun reference to Stanley, weddings, and toasters, it also set the stage for a fantastic callback in the show’s finale. At Phyllis’ wedding, Dwight Schrute explains that his family has peculiar wedding customs that involve the bride and groom standing in their own graves. In the finale, we see Dwight get married to Angela - and true enough, they’re both standing in shallow graves. It’s surprisingly sweet - in a Dwight kind of way.