- Kingfish: [explaining atomic energy to Andy] "Now you see Andy, first, the atom splits into what they call the MONOCLE. And then the monocle BUSTS... and breaks down into what they call neutrons, protons, fig newtons and morons!"
- Marla Gibbs: [reflecting on the show's somewhat controversial legacy and objections from the NAACP] "I enjoyed it immensely. I especially enjoyed Kingfish. He represented a lot of people that we knew. Of course, it was a little exaggerated because of the writing. But I thought he was a very natural character, and very hilarious. As a matter of fact, most of the people on the show were. It was a very good cast, and very well orchestrated, and very believable. I don't think that it reflected the wrong image of black people; I think it was the fact that it was the ONLY image of black people. And in that context, the only image of any people, no show can represent that. So it would come up erring, if you took it to task, to say this really represents the Italian community, or the black community, or the Oriental community. No, it couldn't do that. Because that's all we had, I think the NAACP was really trying to say we needed a balance. Instead of saying that, what they said was this show reflected our people in a negative image because other people see us and think that this is the only way we are."
- Ernestine Wade: [defending the show, as a cast member] "I don't think people tune in to a comedy show for an education. If it had been a documentary, it would have been a different thing. All people will scream about things they don't enjoy. You take "The Grapes of Wrath" and "Tobacco Road", there was a lot of static about those. But those people really exist. Their names might not be the same, but their prototypes exist. There's no need to deny the existence of something just because you don't like it."