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Few sitcom characters are as hilariously lovable as Jake Peralta from Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Played by Andy Samberg, Jake is a fast-talking, pop-culture-fueled detective with an idiot savant's instincts, combined with teenage-level maturity. For eight seasons throughout the show, Jake gifted audiences with some of the snappiest comedic moments that always blended slapstick zaniness with cutting wit and honest-to-goodness character development.
Perfectly juxtaposed between buffoon-ish antics and genuine heroism, it is Jake on the overrun really stands out as the most entertaining-leading character among all of the sitcoms in the history of the genre. Whether he is making silly jokes, winning precinct bets, or pulling off elaborate Halloween heists, he undoubtedly remains one of the greatest treats in sitcom history.
Fans were treated to everything from his legendary Backstreet Boys lineup to his emotionally charged farewell to the Nine-Nine, and Jake has created a litany of unforgettable moments. The following are the top ten moments that will have people arguing why he is still considered one of the best TV characters. So grab a jar of marshmallow fluff and settle in to relive Jake Peralta at his finest!
Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer's opinion which might not align with the reader's perspective. Discretion is advised. Suggestions are welcome in the comments below.
1. The Backstreet Boys Lineup That Became Legendary
Jake makes a concert of a boy band out of a murder investigation by having the suspects sing Backstreet Boys' I Want It That Way in a lineup. The height of happiness comes as they sing in harmony until the witness points out the murderer very seriously. The brilliance of this scene is that Jake shifts seamlessly from fanboying to completely horrified, making this opening one of the most iconic ones in the show. To make the experience even better, Andy Samberg later admitted that this was among his favorite scenes to shoot, showing that Jake's chaotic energy was a blast behind the scenes, too.
2. Jake Exposes Captain Holt’s Gaming Addiction
Finding out about Captain Holt's penchant for Kwazy Cupcakes, Jake decides to use that knowledge secretly to forge a bond with his ordinarily stone-faced boss. Holt's crying "You fool, I had a booster!" makes for an iconic comic episode and shows that even the most resolve-oriented people can fall prey to a digital distraction. So popular was this moment that Kwazy Cupcakes became an actual playable game, indicating Brooklyn Nine-Nine's cultural impact beyond just the screen.
3. Jake’s Ridiculous Streak of Winning Precinct Bets
Jake's competitive spirit comes into play during the bullpen bets of the team; when he settles on dares as ridiculous as "who can keep their mouth open the longest" or hide something in the precinct without getting nailed." These bets don't only highlight Jake's childish spirit, from his childish bravado to laying tricks on his co-workers. One of the most amusing ones was when he tricked Terry into hollering at the top of his lungs, "I AM THE HUMAN FORM OF THE 100 EMOJI!" A true genius and idiot rolled into one!
4. When Jake’s "Cool, Cool, Cool" Became an Instant Classic
The single-used joke of Jake which always distances him from being cool, perfectly fits his personality. It becomes operational whether he's in a disaster, under a cover-up to protect himself from a fallout, or if he sees trouble ahead. One of the best instances of its use came during Jake's accident in telling Amy's parents somehow that they were trying for a baby, making a normal dinner turn into an interrogation. Andy Samberg later revealed that the saying wasn't supposed to be that way because it came out while the character was being performed.
5. Jake’s Die Hard Fanboy Moment Gone Wrong
Jake's love for Die Hard is legendary; he has gone so far as to recreate certain action sequences as well as to name his firstborn Mac, as that was the name of John McClane's son. Perhaps the funniest moment was when he and Boyle broke into an abandoned building to have their own Die Hard experience, only for Boyle to betray him by daring to call Die Hard only "fine." The look of heartbreak in Jake's eyes was funny, yet tragic. In a perfect full-circle moment, Samberg, a die-hard fan of himself, had a cameo by Bruce Willis in which he acknowledged Jake's obsession.
6. The Most Unexpected Proposal During a Halloween Heist
Jake shines (and, sadly, stumbles) during the annual Halloween Heists, where he becomes increasingly crafty in his schemes to win. Perhaps his most relatable moment was during the Season 5 heist when he secretly and brilliantly orchestrated his proposal to Amy right in the middle of a heist- it showed how even in his most competitive moments, he is always chivalrous at heart. This scene is a favorite for fans for its perfect combination of humor, romance, and classic Jake antics.
7. Jake’s Wild Prison Escape Plan
Undercover in a maximum-security prison, Jake gets trapped and has to be the mastermind of his escape. His struggle to remain calm in the danger zone while still cracking jokes (i.e., calling his prison shiv "Shivvy Wonder" classically Jake) speaks for itself. Teaming with Rosa, also imprisoned, adds one more level of tension and humor. The 100% true, totally real-life research Andy Samberg conducted on factual prison breaks adds authenticity to the ridiculousness of the situation.
8. The Bet That Kickstarted Jake and Amy’s Romance
The romantic journey of Jake and Amy starts with a plain bet: whoever made the most arrests would have to take the other on the worst date ever. When Jake loses, he takes Amy on a hilariously awful date, complete with a saxophone player following them around. But underneath the jokes, it's clear that Jake cares, marking the point where one of TV's best-ever love stories begins. Andy Samberg would later reveal this as one of his favorite early moments because it implies that Jake has deeper feelings for Amy.
9. Jake and Boyle’s Over-the-Top Bromance
Jake and Boyle's dynamic is one of the most relatable (and uproarious pairings) on-screen. Whether through Boyle's obsessive loyalty or Jake's squeamishness way of accepting Boyle's somewhat stern attitude, their bromance is pure gold. One of the funniest moments was when Boyle got too invested in the wedding planning for Jake-make-him-a-wedding-visionboard—and there's a Die Hard cake on the table. The chemistry from their friendship in real life cemented their on-screen chemistry.
10. Jake’s Emotional Farewell to the Nine-Nine
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After executing one last heist, Jake bids adieu to his favorite precinct for the last time. Rather than making a grand exit, he gets out just the way he should: executing a ridiculous heist to pull one last prank on his friends. The moment arrives as a bittersweet realization sinks into his mind that he has grown from a reckless detective into a responsible husband and father. It is something many fans took joyful heart in, that Jake held on until the end, leaving everybody to consider his farewell as one of the best in sitcom history.
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