Tom Cruise's Couch-Jumping on 'Oprah'
Even Oprah looks terrified! The world shuddered in horror when they realized that cool guy from 'Top Gun' was indeed crazy. His ranting, yelling, jumping, and awkward showing-off of new girlfriend Katie Holmes permanently altered his public image. He still hasn't recovered - and it's doubtful he'll ever be a sex symbol again.
CBS
'The X-Files' Episode: Home
Absolutely horrific. Taking a cue from inbreeding-country-bumpkin movies everywhere, this episode focused on a group of inbred genetic mutants that Scully and Mulder stumble upon. It was the highest-rating 'X-Files' episode, and only one of two that required a parental advisory. Why, you ask? The woman in the picture has no arms and legs, and is brought out from under the bed whenever the colony wants to reproduce. We'll leave it at that.
20th Century Fox
Battlestar Galactica Getting Pummelled by Cylon Ships
After watching four seasons of this sci-fi gem, we got attached to the old girl (the ship itself). So in the finale, when hundreds, maybe thousands, of enemy ships are shooting at her with all of their combined ammo, we literally cringed on the couch and felt every bullet piercing her, almost as if they were penetrating our own skin.
Space
'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' Episode: Hush
Imagine if you wanted to scream, but couldn't. Well, that happens to Buffy and the gang after a mysterious group called The Gentlemen roll into town and steal all the humans' voices. This episode is scary for what isn't said. It's a lot of silence and creepy full-toothed grins, enough to make you jump at any sound at all.
20th Century Fox
The 'Doctor Who' Theme Song
No, we're not scared of Tom Baker per se, though that scarf is awfully long, and would make a wonderful murder weapon. It's the music that terrifies us - a combination of sirens mixed with a wailing cat. When we were kids, we'd have to rush to switch the channel after 'Today's Special', since 'Doctor Who' came on right after. Nice programming for children! Not scarring at all!
BBC
The Aliens From 'V'
This 1983 TV miniseries (which is now being recreated as a TV series in 2009) was enough to scar people - especially children - for life. The series was based on a species of reptilian aliens who suddenly appear in ships around the Earth's cities, insisting they come in peace. They have technology that makes them appear human, but underneath they're like iguanas. Vicious, mean, animalistic iguanas.
NBC
Kimberly's Psychotic Turn on 'Melrose Place'
We all knew Kimberly was a bit off, but we didn't anticipate that she had a split personality and her alter-ego was known as Henry. She proceeds to blow up Melrose Place (on the advice of one of her personalities) and then spontaneously develops a brain tumour. In one horrifying scene, Kimberly removes a wig to reveal an unexplained scar. When the lightning flashed through the window as she was examining her head, we all jumped.
20th Century Fox
David Letterman Hosting the 1995 Oscars
The famous talk show host made some gaffes before the whole sleeping-with-a-staffer business. Remember the unforgettable 'Uma, Oprah' joke? We still feel awkward just thinking about it. More uncomfortable than scary, sure, but we bet that Letterman still has nightmares about it.
Getty
Pennywise the Clown From Stephen King's 'It'
OK, a clown living in the sewer who says creepy things like 'They all float down here' certainly makes the list. Stephen King knows scary, and Pennywise the murderous clown has undoubtedly nurtured/spurred clown fear across the globe. Not to mention this clown can take the shape of any fear you have. He's played so expertly by Tim Curry we haven't been able to look at him the same since.
Warner Bros.
Tricky Dicky's Murder Spree on 'Coronation Street'
Ranked as one of the best soap opera villains of all time, Richard Hillman, aka Tricky Dicky, went on a murdering spree and became daytime TV's first serial killer. He murdered long-time character Maxine Peacock, and so many people in the UK tuned in it caused a power surge. His reign of terror was so terrifying that there were even reports of people being afraid to leave their homes.
BBC
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