Context

This line is spoken by George Burns in the TV show The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (1950-1958).

Actors George Burns and Gracie Allen met in 1922 while they were both touring on the Vaudeville circuit. After falling in love and getting married, the two developed an act together—George would play the straight man and Gracie his silly and illogical wife. By the time they brought their act to TV in 1950, the two were a huge hit.

The end of every show became a catchphrase: George and Gracie would come out and do some jokes until it was time to close the show, when George would turn to his wife and tell her, "Say goodnight, Gracie," and she would simply reply, "Goodnight." Thanks to Gracie’s ditzy delivery and the hilarious chemistry she had with George, this line became totally iconic.

Where you've heard it

If it's time to wrap up for the night, this is a nice little saying… especially if your friend's name is Gracie.

Additional Notable References

• Loads of folks thought that Gracie Allen might have replied, "Goodnight, Gracie" to George's line, but she never did. Maybe because the same gag was used on The Beverley Hillbillies and Laugh-In in the 1960s.
• An episode of Gilmore Girls was called "Say Goodnight, Gracie."
• Say Goodnight, Gracie was the title of a one-man play about George Burns's life.
• Say Goodnight, Gracie is also the title of a young adult novel by Julie Reece Deaver.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Aww, this line is just sweet and simple. Not pretentious at all.