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Signage and graphics have occasionally played such memorable roles in both TV shows and movies that millions of people recognize the signs instantly. From the familiar pictogram for The Office to the simple vehicle lettering on Squad 51 in TV’s Emergency to the giant NASA floor graphic in the 2016 movie Hidden Figures, we present a score more unforgettable signs from the past six decades of television and film.

Photos and captions by Marie Adamick and Mark Kissling

Sometimes you want to go where everyone knows your name… to remove the Cheers sign for maintenance and repair. “Norm!”

We bring you the motel sign from recent streaming hit Schitt’s Creek because decorum prevents us from showing the town’s “welcome” sign — even if she is his sister. Maybe especially.

Of course, Central Perk was the cleverly named hangout for Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Monica, Joey and Phoebe from Friends… when they got bored being in their “tiny” New York apartments.

Speaking of sitcom hangouts, here’s the sign for the diner from Seinfeld, where so many memorable lines were delivered. “We’ll do a show about nothing!” “The sea was angry that day, my friends…” And many more.

“Woke up this morning, got myself a…” tasty gabagool sandwich with fresh mozzarell’ at Satriale’s, the meat market frequented by Tony’s crew in the landmark series The Sopranos. Just don’t wake up Paulie!

Shermer High School provides the setting of the 1985 film, The Breakfast Club. “Well, Brian, this is a very nutritious lunch,” John Bender says. “All the food groups are represented. Did your mom marry Mr. Rogers?”

Got an Elm Street in your city or town? Yep, thought so, which is one of the things that made A Nightmare on Elm Street so scary.

Decidedly less scary: “Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?” goes the timeless theme song to the seminal children’s show. What, did no one think to look for the sign?

SOT Intern Marie Adamick snapped this pic during a visit to the location of cable favorite Pawn Stars. Send our regards to the Harrisons and Chumlee.

Who you gonna call? Better yet, where you gonna put that sign for Ghostbusters? Answer: Chicago Fire Department’s Hook & Ladder No. 8’s firehouse.

Not quite as McDreamy or McSteamy as a couple of cast members, the sign for the setting of TV’s long-running nighttime drama Grey’s Anatomy conveys an understated dignity.

A giant NASA floor graphic provides the foreground in this scene from the 2016 film Hidden Figures. I wonder what kind of vinyl and laminate they used in the era the movie is set.

“Stark Towers is about to become a beacon of self-sustaining clean energy,” says Tony Stark (aka Iron Man) in The Avengers. Pretty mod sign, too.

“Look deep inside yourself, Clarice,” suggests Hannibal Lecter in 1990’s thriller The Silence of the Lambs. She did and found Hester Mofet, though not through introspection. “Your anagrams are showing, Doctor…”

You have to be “of a certain age” to appreciate the simple graphics on Squad 51 from TV’s Emergency (1972-77). This show inspired tens of thousands to join the fire service.

Another familiar favorite from ’70s and early ’80s television: The signpost showing destinations home and elsewhere from the 4077th on M*A*S*H. What’s that, Radar? Choppers!

More understated period graphics adorn two vehicles representing the title characters of Ford v Ferrari, the 2019 film. Nice cobra graphic on the wall behind, too!

Yet another throwback, the roof sign for TV’s 1965-71 series Green Acres: “The place to be” as the theme song went, though you’d be hard pressed to convince Eva Gabor’s character of that. In fact, that was the plot of essentially every episode.

Iconic logo and sign for The Office, the first sitcom to use a documentary format, one copied from Parks and Rec to Modern Family to Abbott Elementary — and dozens in between.

Probably our most familiar sign of the bunch, the well-known Hollywood sign figures prominently in 2016’s musical romance La La Land. For 14 more famous signs from the silver screen, click here.

20 More Signs from the Silver Screen

20 More Signs from the Silver Screen

Signage and graphics have occasionally played such memorable roles in both TV shows and movies that millions of people recognize the signs instantly. From the familiar pictogram for The Office to the simple vehicle lettering on Squad 51 in TV’s Emergency to the giant NASA floor graphic in the 2016 movie Hidden Figures, we present a score more unforgettable signs from the past six decades of television and film.

Photos and captions by Marie Adamick and Mark Kissling