The Rookie: 10 Funniest Tim Bradford Quotes

Tim Bradford isn’t the titular character of The Rookie, yet he still managed to become a fan favorite. There are several aspects of the show that are up for debate, but Tim is, objectively, the most three-dimensional character. He’s had significant emotional development, which has extended to both his job and his relationships.

Because he was painted as the rigorous training officer that most rookies try to avoid, Tim’s comedic potential came as a surprise. The funniest moments on The Rookie are the ones that happen naturally, and Tim sets himself up without even meaning to. His lack of pop culture knowledge mixed with his intense personality creates some of the funniest lines in the series.

10 “What’s That Saying? ‘Those Who Can’t Do, Teach.'”

The True Crime style episode isn’t the most popular among fans, but Tim and Lucy’s double interview was worth it. It’s a miracle that Tim even agreed to be in a documentary, and Lucy’s excitement was the perfect contrast to Tim’s stoic demeanor.

They spent the entire installment bickering like a married couple, which further convinced viewers that Tim and Lucy aren’t purely platonic in The Rookie. Tim put his foot in his mouth more than once, but the jab he took at teaching stood out in particular. When Lucy pointed out that he literally is a teacher, the arrogance on his face disappeared instantly.

9 “I Don’t Have Any [Sunblock], But I Can Bury You Up To Your Neck In The Sand And Put A Trashcan On Your Head.”

Tim Bradford is all about the essentials and doesn’t waste his time on things he deems as unnecessary. He focuses on the task at hand and doesn’t indulge in petty requests. Tim’s ability to keep himself trained on a singular goal makes him hyper-focused, which is a main reason he excels at his job.

He doesn’t have the same bedside manner as his co-workers, but his bluntness often keeps people alive. When someone is in imminent mortal danger, a sunburn is the last thing they should be worrying about.

8 “Not A Word.”

This quote remains comedic because of who it was said to. By The Rookie Season 2, it was clear that Tim had a soft side, but “Casualties” exemplified it particularly well. Given how strict he is with his rookies, it seemed safe to assume that he’d be just as strict in his home life.

Kujo is the last dog that Tim would be likely to adopt, especially after what he did to Lucy and Jackson’s apartment. Yet, Tim is full of surprises. He tears up after running into an old friend from the military and demands Kujo to keep what he saw to himself.

7 “What’s A BTS?”

“Teen Rebel” doesn’t have the kind of content that usually piques Tim’s interest, so there likely weren’t many reading options for him to choose from. Plenty of fans would still love to hear the results of his “Which BTS member is your soulmate?” quiz, but Tim knows embarrassingly little about pop culture.

Not only had he never heard of BTS, but he referred to them as a “what” instead of a “who.” Eric Winter’s delivery of this line is so on point, that Tim’s confusion radiated through the screen.

6 “You Owe Me Forever. I Mean, You Could Save My Life Like Three Times And We Still Wouldn’t Be Even.”

Tim and Angela were always assumed to be best friends, but there was never much of a focus on their relationship. Their scenes in The Rookie Season 3 were long overdue and they quickly became one of the most entertaining aspects of the show.

Tim shines most in situations viewers wouldn’t expect him to. He has a surprising knack for wedding planning and he put together a last-minute ceremony that blew Angela away. Since Angela was abducted before she had the chance to walk down the aisle, it looks like Tim might book a second gig as a wedding planner.

5 “Get Up, Boot! ‘Quit’ Is A Four-Letter Word! Do You Hear Me? Failure Is Not An Option!”

Because of the way it’s framed, this scene is one of Tim’s funniest moments. From what he was screaming, viewers could only assume that Tim was assigned a new rookie. His intensity resembled his first day riding with Lucy, and he even addressed the recipient as “Boot.”

When Kujo becomes visible in the shot, the scene switches from terrifying to hysterical. However, Tim holding his dog to the same standards as his rookies isn’t as surprising as it should be.

4 “What Are You Doing? Sit Back Down.”

There are plenty of things viewers want to see in Season 4 of The Rookie, and a continued emphasis on Tim and Angela’s friendship is one of them. Tim doesn’t have the same authority over Angela as the rest of the characters, and she doesn’t scare easily.

Without a power dynamic hovering over anyone’s head, Tim gets to be himself. He looked far more panicked when Angela got down on one knee with a macaroon than he ever had while out in the field. Tim might be able to stay calm at gunpoint, but he couldn’t hide his fear during Angela’s “man of honor” proposal.

3 “You Are Required To Provide A Chemical Sample If Suspected Of Driving While Impaled—Sorry—Impaired.”

It’s hard to believe that Tim’s slip-up wasn’t intentional. A bad car accident left the driver of the vehicle impaled, and while Lucy tried to show compassion, Tim refused to give the perpetrator special treatment. The man was heavily intoxicated, and they wouldn’t be able to prove it without taking a sample.

Because he caused the wreck and could’ve been responsible for a handful of deaths, Tim wasn’t feeling very sympathetic. He worked “impaled” into the conversation so nonchalantly, it would’ve been difficult to catch if Tim hadn’t corrected himself.

2 “What Do You Do? If You Say ‘Screenwriter’ You’re Going In A Cell.”

Tim’s dislike for screenwriting is obviously ironic due to the writers poking fun at themselves. The Rookie doesn’t have too many running jokes, but Tim has made fun of the career on more than one occasion.

While being a screenwriter isn’t a crime, a world of problems could’ve been prevented if Caleb was thrown into a cell before he could do any real damage. Tim’s threat wasn’t serious, but it was an amusing thing for him to say without knowing that Caleb was Rosalind’s protégé.

1 “First Of All, I Would Just Like—Thank You. Um, You’re—Lucy, I’m Flattered. I Am. You’re A Great Girl—Woman! Woman. And I…Um…Crap.”

Tim and Lucy have pulled countless pranks on each other, but none of them compare to what ensued during their last shift. To prove that she was capable of doing undercover work, Lucy delivered a love confession that left Tim speechless.

For the first time in the series, he had absolutely no idea what to do. Tim was so painfully awkward that he was almost unrecognizable. Eric Winter deserves a shoutout for pulling off such authentic stuttering, as Tim’s discomfort was felt by all. However, viewers still believe that Tim and Lucy are meant to be in The Rookie, and are hopeful that they’ll come to realize it too.

About The Author

Rachel Foertsch
(358 Articles Published)

Rachel Foertsch is a production intern and lover of all things television. Her TV reviews are featured on Rotten Tomatoes and she is currently a Staff Writer at ScreenRant. Additionally, Rachel has written for TV Fanatic, where she conducted onscreen celebrity interviews. You can follow her Twitter: @realrayrays for more content.

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