Best "Drop Dead Gorgeous" Quote

Upon its theatrical release in the summer of 1999, Drop Dead Gorgeous failed to make much of an impact. Audiences didn’t seem to know what to make of the mockumentary following a small-town beauty pageant, in which the contestants are mysteriously killed or maimed one by one. But it has since become a cult classic, as discerning audiences have come to embrace the film’s cast of unsung character actors and up-and-coming big-screen stars, its ruthless commentary on the beauty pageant industry, and especially its insanely quotable, jet-black dark comedy script. Now, as the film nears its 25th anniversary, the Great Pop Culture Debate wants to decide: what IS the best quote from Drop Dead Gorgeous?

Join host Eric Rezsnyak and panelists Amma Marfo, Bob Erlenback, and Jonny Minogue as they discuss and debate their favorite lines from the film.

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Round 1 Match-Ups:

Match-Up 1:

“Most smartest?”  Oh, that’s great, you’re real educated like. “Most smartest?” Make sure you get a picture of that.  “Most smartest.”  We’re cuttin you off and sendin’ you home.
— Annette

vs.

Oh, yah, Freda, sure.  She was the oldest livin’ Lutheran.  Now she’s dead as a doornail.  It’s them damn Shriners who won’t take down the Goddamn sign - those lazy sons-a-bitches...every year, every damn year, I tell ‘em, “Take down the Goddamn Freda sign, you lazy sons-a-bitches!”
— The Mayor

Match-Up 2:

Mommmm!  I’ll be right behind you in the hearse!”

”Don’t let that worry you, Annette!
— Amber & Loretta

vs.

You stop right there. You are a good person. Good things happen to good people.”
”Really?”
”No. It’s pure bullshit, sweetie. You’re lucky as hell, so you might as well enjoy it.  Let’s get you a root beer float.
— Loretta & Amber

Match-Up 3:

Thank you, thank you.  You know, I won the talent contest by sewing these culottes, Butterick pattern 7-4-3-2. And can you believe it?  They still fit!”

”She had a big ass then, she’s got a big ass now.
— Gladys & Loretta

vs.

Mmm-mmmm. Oh, I just love St. Paul Pork Products.  In fact, I love ‘em so much…I work here now!
— Connie

Match-Up 4:

It’s always hard to see the young ones called home, especially on an exploding thresher.  It’s just so odd, and gross.
— IRIS

vs.

Scary? Let me tell you “scary.”  Look here. Look at me.  Do you wanna look like you been rode hard and put away wet when you’re my age?  I’m a “lifer” here.  Best thing I got to forward to is to end up in some decent raisin ranch where they change me twice a day.
— ANNETTE

Match-Up 5:

Amber Atkins! That is not American Teen Princess language!”
”Good, ‘cause this isn’t an American Teen Princess Pageant - this, this is… this is Nazi Germany!
— IRIS & AMBER

vs.

And tendu, close.  Tendu, close. Tendu, close. Plie. And repeat. Suck in the belly, girls, and tuck in the tushes! Close those legs! You look like a bunch of bowlegged cows! Other side. 
— CHLORIS

Match-Up 6:

I’ll tell ya one thing: Peter never woulda pulled a shenanigan like that.”

”Well, y’know what, dad? Y’know what? Peter’s gay! GAY!!!!
— LISA'S DAD & LISA

vs.

Oh my God! My Baby! The swan ate my baby! Ow-ow-ow! Get up, Rebecca! Get outta there! We’ve gotta go to State! Oh hot! Oh, damn. I like this blouse. Rebecca! Get up, angel face. Time to go to State! Ow-ow-ow!
— GLADYS

Match-Up 7:

I-I’m quittin’ the pageant.”

”I heard you, I was just tryin’ to scare you into changin’ your mind. Oh for Christ’s sakes, Amber, the woman clung to your tap shoes while flyin’ through the air like a goddamn lawn dart!
— AMBER & LORETTA

vs.

You’d think they’d build the parking lot of America to go with the Mall of America.
— GLADYS

Match-Up 8:

Uh, this, uh, my Uncle Phil’s World’s Largest Ball of Twine, in Bundy Minnesota, makes me, um, it makes me proud I’m American. I… I kinda misunderstood the assignment.
— TESS

vs.

So has your mom kept your dad’s life a secret?”

”No. She never hid the fact that my dad picked his career over us. What’d she used to say?”

”Once a carnie, always a carnie.”

”Oh, yah. Mom still cries whenever she sees a Tilt-a-Whirl or a fat lady in a tube top.
— DOCUMENTARIAN, AMBER & LORETTA

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EPISODE CREDITS

Host: Eric Rezsnyak

Panel: Amma Marfo, Bob Erlenback, Jonny Minogue

Producer: Curtis Creekmore

Editor: Jeffery Perry

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