From steamy kisses to plot-changing lines, here are 26 iconic TV moments that weren't planned

Jessica BoothNov 7, 2020, 21:56 IST

Some iconic TV show moments were improvised by the cast.AMC/Netflix

Not all actors stick to the script, and some of the funniest, most heartfelt TV moments were improvised by the cast.
In some cases, actors chose to ab-lib genuine reactions, like when Marshall found out his father died on "How I Met Your Mother."
Other times, like on the Snake Juice episode of "Parks and Recreation," the whole cast improvised a scene.

Although many TV shows are completely scripted, some of the most talked-about TV moments were actually improvised.

In some instances, the stars were given creative license to do what they wanted in a specific scene, and other times, the improvised moment happened totally by accident, and the cast just rolled with it.

Whatever the case, these improvised moments that made the cut often end up being some of the most memorable. Read on for 26 iconic TV scenes that were never supposed to happen.

On "Game of Thrones," Tormund's smile toward Brienne was unscripted.

Kristofer Hivju and Gwendoline Christie on "Game of Thrones." HBO

On "How I Met Your Mother," Jason Segel's reaction to Marshall's dad dying was very real.

Jason Segel and Alyson Hannigan on "How I Met Your Mother." CBS

The moment on "Stranger Things" when Eleven collapsed into Mike's arms after battling Billy was unscripted.

Millie Bobby Brown collapsed into Finn Wolfhard's arms out of exhaustion while filming "Stranger Things." Netflix

Captain Holt's iconic "hot damn" moment on "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" was improved by Andre Braugher.

Andre Braugher on "Brooklyn Nine-Nine." Fox

The awkward kissing scene between Michael and Oscar on "The Office" was not scripted.

Steve Carell and Oscar Nuñez on "The Office." NBC

David Schwimmer accidentally swapped Rachel and Emily's names during the wedding episode of "Friends," and it stuck.

Helen Baxendale and David Schwimmer on "Friends." Warner Bros. Television Distribution

One of Zendaya's most emotional scenes on "Euphoria" was completely improvised.

Zendaya on "Euphoria." HBO

The way Schmidt says "chutney" on "New Girl" was never scripted.

Max Greenfield on "New Girl." FOX

On "Parks and Recreation," the actors all improvised their drunk Snake Juice reactions.

On "Parks and Recreation," all of the drunk Snake Juice reactions were improvised. NBC

Catherine O'Hara improvised her iconic pronunciation of "bebe" on "Schitt's Creek."

Catherine O'Hara came up with Moira's accent on "Schitt's Creek." PopTV

On "Dead to Me," Linda Cardellini came up with Judy's devastating line about Abe's death.

Linda Cardellini on "Dead to Me." Netflix

On "The Walking Dead," Norman Reedus ad-libbed the line, "You look ridiculous."

Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride on "The Walking Dead." Gene Page / AMC

Jo kissing Arizona on an episode of "Grey's Anatomy" wasn't part of the original script.

Camilla Luddington revealed in a tweet that she ad-libbed her "Grey's Anatomy" character's friendly greeting. ABC

On "Game of Thrones," the kiss between Ellaria and Yara was totally improvised.

Gemma Whelan and Indira Varma on "Game of Thrones." HBO

During the series finale of "One Tree Hill," Brooke's speech about high school being special was not part of the script.

Sophia Bush on "One Tree Hill." The CW

Stefon's habit of covering his mouth is actually Bill Hader trying to stay in character.

Bill Hader as Stefon on "Saturday Night Live." NBC

One of Andy's best lines in "Parks and Recreation" is one that Chris Pratt improvised.

Chris Pratt on "Parks and Recreation." NBC Universal Television

The emotional junkyard talk between Zeek and Amber on "Parenthood" was improvised by the actors.

"Parenthood" has several heartfelt moments. Colleen Hayes/NBC

On "This Is Us," the scene in the barbershop between Randall and William was unscripted.

Ron Cephas Jones as William on "This Is Us." Paul Drinkwater/NBC/Getty Images

Tatiana Maslany and Kristian Bruun came up with the scene in which Alison and Donnie bury a body in their garage on "Orphan Black."

Tatiana Maslany on "Orphan Black." BBC America

On "The Haunting of Hill House," Theo and Shirley's reactions to Nell's ghost in the car were genuine.

Victoria Pedretti genuinely scared "The Haunting of Hill House" actors Kate Siegel and Elizabeth Reaser. Netflix

On "Breaking Bad," baby Holly said "Mama" all on her own.

Bryan Cranston on "Breaking Bad." AMC

Gary and Mike actually did break an expensive tea set while filming in London on "Veep."

Matt Walsh on "Veep." Paul Schiraldi/HBO/"Veep"

On "Stranger Things," most of Murray's conversation with Jonathan and Nancy at breakfast was unscripted.

Natalia Dyer, Brett Gelman, and Charlie Heaton on "Stranger Things." Netflix

On "The Walking Dead," Reedus improvised a scene where he hugged Lydia and ended up making her cry.

Norman Reedus on "The Walking Dead." Gene Page/AMC

On "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series," Joshua Bassett came up with Ricky's monologue about loving Nini on the spot.

Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett on "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series." Disney Plus

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