While “Friday” has given us endless quotable lines that have stood the test of time, Ice Cube says fans have gravitated toward a chosen few.
The film’s creator and star sat down with “The Pat Bev Podcast,” where he recounted which moments were most memorable. Cube says when he’s out in public, supporters regularly yell out his celebrated lines, “Bye Felicia” and “You ain’t got to lie, Craig,” which was famously delivered by Paula Jai Parker, who played Joi.
The original “Friday” was released in 1995 and set in South Central Los Angeles. Directed by F. Gary Gray, the flick hilariously follows the unfortunate events of a single day, with Cube’s character, Craig Jones, and his friend Smokey, portrayed by Chris Tucker, trying to come up with the money to pay back a local drug dealer, Big Worm. The pair must dodge Worm and neighborhood antagonist Deebo while interacting with a litany of other wild, vital characters.
This cult classic spawned two follow-ups, “Next Friday” and “Friday After Next.” Though all equally popular, the first production in the franchise has become a staple within Black film, with its multiple well-known phrases being used regularly online and in day-to-day conversations.
Smokey: “You got knocked the f**k out!”
Joi: “You ain’t got to lie Craig!”
Craig: “Bye Felicia!”
Smokey: “It’s Friday, you ain’t got no job and you ain’t got s**t to do!”
Ezel: “My neck! My back! My neck and my back!”
Smokey & Craig: “Hi Mrs Parker!”
Big Worm: “Playing with my money is like playing with my emotions, Smokey!”
