Last night, NBC aired an hour-and-a-half special devoted to Unforgettable Moments in Television Entertainment.

Hosted by Scrubs actor John C. McGinley, the show featured classic TV memories, such as Dynasty?s agonizing ?Who shot J.R.?? debacle and Seinfeld?s hilarious “master of your own domain” episode. While I appreciated the list for its historical significance, I couldn?t help but think that I didn?t personally appreciate these so-called unforgettable moments.

Many of these television treasures occurred way before my time, and the implication was lost on me.

My inability to relate to these small-screen gems got me thinking about what my own list of unforgettable television moments would look like, and before I knew it, it had arrived:

Lauren MacLaren?s Unforgettable Moments in Television Entertainment

Saved by the Bell ? Zack and Kelly Break Up

When Kelly left Zack for her older, sexier boss, Jeff, I thought I lost my ability to love. I spent two solid weeks in my sweatpants, eating pint after pint of Double Fudge Brownie ice cream and listening to mix tapes I made to remind myself of the good times; times like when Zack used to keep a slightly creepy cardboard cutout of Kelly underneath his bed, or when Kelly used the acne cream Zack invented and it dyed her face maroon but he said she was beautiful anyway, or when Kelly finally agreed to go steady with Zack. And who could blame her? The guy had a cell phone the size of a cinderblock, for crying out loud.

Of course, after being so tragically ripped apart they would inevitably reunite a season or two later to attend one of a thousand Bayside proms together, and eventually they?d marry in Vegas, in a romantic made-for-TV setting, but I didn?t know that then. After Zack uttered those heartbreaking words ? ?I thought we?d always be together? ? I no longer ran home so fast to make sure I was in front of the T.V. at 4pm. This TV moment was unforgettable because Zack and Kelly were through, and my twelve-year-old heart was shattered.

Family Guy ? Fox Brings Back Family Guy

I originally assumed the idea that Fox could be resuscitating Family Guy after a three year hiatus was merely a hopeful rumor being spread by desperate fans. I mean, yes, the show was absolutely hilarious, but it had also managed to offend half the planet in its three seasons on the air. Hell, you had to buy the DVDs just to see an episode that most networks refused to play due to what some viewers considered to be anti-Semitic jokes and plot lines.

Aside from any racial issues, it was Family Guy?s willingness to perform edgy, pushing-the-envelope comedy that made it so fun to watch ? it was almost a spectator sport, tuning in every week to see what they would try to get away with. So when Fox decided to take a risk (though after explosive DVD sales, you can hardly call it a risk) and put the controversial comedy back on the air, I was one of millions of fans who were thrilled to have the Griffins back. I found Fox?s explanation for the family?s return during the first episode of the fourth season particularly unforgettable:

Peter: Everybody I’ve got bad news. We’ve been cancelled.

Lois: Oh no Peter! How could they do that?

Peter: Well unfortunately Lois, there’s just no more room on the schedule. We just gotta accept the fact that FOX has to make room for terrific shows like Dark Angel, Titus, Undeclared, Action, That 80’s Show, Wonder Falls, Fast Lane, Andy Richter Controls The Universe, Skin, Girl’s Club, Cracking Up, The Pitts, Firefly, Get Real, Freaky Links, Wanda At Large, Costello, The Lone Gunman, A Minute with Stan Hooper, Normal Ohio, Pasadena, Harsh Realm, Keen Eddy, The Street, American Embassy, Cedric The Entertainer, The Tick, Louie, And Greg The Bunny….

Lois: Is there no hope?

Peter: Well I suppose if ALL those shows go down the tubes we might have a shot.

Sex and the City ? The Series Finale

There wasn?t a dry eye in the house when my girlfriends and I got together to watch the four city girls say goodbye. Each finale development was a shocking blow ? the news that Charlotte was going to receive an adopted baby girl, Samantha was going to stay committed to a man, Miranda was going to open her home to her lunatic mother-in-law, Carrie was going to come home to New York with Big, and Big?s name was actually?John?!?

Although I don?t think anyone was ever really supposed to be able to relate to the lifestyles portrayed on Sex and the City ? come on, Carrie says it herself, she dropped forty grand on shoes in a year ? every foursome of female friends has tried to distinguish who between them is the Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha, and ladies everywhere (myself included) claim the show reminds them so much of their own friends.

The show brought groups of women together and, as many critics and analysts have since stated, made it ?ok? to be single and to talk so openly about sex and relationship with one?s girlfriends. For viewers, it mirrored back to us the importance of our own friendships and how much we need the women in our lives. Maybe that?s why the end of Sex and the City felt like the end of something so much bigger than a television show.

Friends ? The One With The Game

This episode is actually called The One with the Embryos and primarily features Phoebe going to have her uterus implanted with her brothers? children, but forget all that. The real reason this episode is truly unforgettable is the trivia game the rest of the friends play in order to decide who knows each other best.

That game exposed some insignificant yet hilarious back stories ? from Chandler?s father?s burlesque revue (Viva Las Gay-gas) to Monica?s pet peeve (animal?s dressed as people). It also perfectly displayed Monica?s competitive obsession, complete with unnecessary screaming, and revealed Joey?s uncharacteristic knowledge of all things Friends ? it was Joey who knew that Monica separated her towels into eleven categories and that Rachel?s real favorite movie was Weekend at Bernie?s even though she often claimed it was Dangerous Liasons. Most importantly, this game just looks like a hell of a lot of fun.

Perhaps most unforgettable about this episode is the fact that Monica and Rachel end up losing and are forced to switch apartments with Joey and Chandler. Of course, the switch only lasts another season, but we true Friends fans remember that the whole catastrophe could have been avoided if, during the game, the girls had remembered that Chandler?s T.V. Guide is addressed not to Mr. Chandler Bing, but to Ms. Chanandler Bong.

Other unforgettable TV moments that would appear on my list:

* The O.C. ? Marissa Cooper drinks her feelings
* 24 ? Jack Bauer kills Nina Meyers (finally!)
* Scrubs ? Brendan Fraser guest stars?twice
* E.R. ? Dr. Mark Greene dies
* Veronica Mars ? Lilly?s killer is revealed

Feedback is always welcomed and encouraged. What are some of your all time unforgettable television moments? Send in your comments and stay tuned next week for updates!






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