Musical episodes on television exploded after the overwhelming and, in retrospect, shocking popularity of Fox’s musical comedyGlee. At one point during the early 2010s, it seemed like every television show needed to have a musical episode at some point during its run, so writers kept coming up with bizarre explanations as to why characters on a medical drama were abruptly bursting out into song.
Some of these episodes have aged remarkably well; others were and remain puzzling,especially when the actors doing the singing are very obviously trying with all their might to sound good, though they never fail to be strangely entertaining. Still, there’s a lot to applaud about these episodes, from the songs to the plot to the singing… in some cases, anyway.
12"Duet" – ‘The Flash’ (2017)
Season 3, Episode 17
At one point or another, the Arrowverse was bound to address that two of its leading faces,Grant GustinandMelissa Benoist, wereGleealums. On top of that, some of its supporting players, fromJeremy JordantoVictor Garber, were Tony nominees. What better way to take advantage of this and show it off than to bring in anotherGleeveteran,Darren Criss, and make aThe Flashmusical out of it?
“Duet,” one ofthe most rewatchable episodes of the Arrowverse, sees the Music Meister send Flash and Supergirl to a musical world, where they must work together to escape before they become trapped forever. The episode excels because everyone who sings is a professional, from Gustin and Benoist toJesse L. MartinandCarlos Valdes. Featuring several great covers (that “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” rendition is spectacular) and a few charming original songs,“Duet” is everything a musical episode should be and more.
Watch on Netflix
11"Song Beneath the Song" – ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ (2011)
Season 7, Episode 18
Grey’s Anatomyis perhaps the most confusing show to opt for a musical episode. The hard-hitting medical drama has for years been famous for its intense, often life-or-death storylines that made its early seasons staples in the Emmy Drama categories. As it progressed, though, it started going in different directions and taking a few risks. There’s not a more surprising example of this than the season seven episode “Song Beneath the Song,” a gimmicky yet fascinating episode.
One ofGrey’s Anatomy’s best episodes,“Song Beneath the Song” is centered around the powerhouse vocals of making cast member and Tony winnerSara Ramirez. The story happens in Callie’s head as she struggles between life and death following a car accident. The episode doesn’t exactly work wonders, and many of the show’s actors can’t sing, but pleasant surprises likeChyler LeighandKevin McKiddelevate the otherwise puzzling episode and make it one ofGrey’smost daring.
Grey’s Anatomy
10"Daria!" – ‘Daria’ (1999)
Season 3, Episode 1
A famous adult animated sitcom that’s a spin-off ofBeavis and Butt-Head,Dariais one of thoseshows that are dying to make a comeback. Everyone’s favorite awkward and rebellious teenager got to star in a musical of her own, and it was as funny as any fan would’ve thought. “Daria!” is the season three premiere and sees the titular character trapped at school during a hurricane along with Jane, Brittany, and Kevin.
In many ways, “Daria!” is as out-of-place as its titular character.There’s never an explanation for theDariacharacters' singing, they simply burst out into song, voice strains and all.Whether seen as a brilliant satire or a show having fun with itself, “Daria!” is a clever and often hilarious episode featuring catchy songs, vibrant animation, and the joy of seeing one of television’s driest shows letting loose.
Watch on Paramount+
9"The Song in Your Heart" – ‘Once Upon a Time’ (2017)
Season 6, Episode 20
Once Upon a Timewas a show where a musical episode made sense. Based on numerous fairy tales and Disney movies, it thrived on the magical elements that built the Mouse House and the fantasy tropes that fans loved. Music was a perfect and logical companion, and frankly, it’s surprising it took the show six seasons to feature it.
Like many other shows, theOnce Upon a Timecast are not professional singers, so their songs have a karaoke-night-at-the-local-bar quality. However, their earnestness and commitment are so obvious that no fan can resist;theOnce Upon a Timecast is game, jumping head-first and emerging mostly unscathed. And everyone sings; eveniconic television villain of the new millenniumGiancarlo Espositogets in on the musical action. Let no one sayOnce Upon a Timedidn’t know how to laugh at itself.
Once Upon A Time
Watch on Disney+
8"Psych: The Musical" – ‘Psych’ (2013)
Season 7, Episode 15
In the buddy comedyPsych, a novice sleuth convinces the police that he has psychic powers, setting out with his reluctant best friend to help solve complicated cases. WithPsych’s great guest appearances, clever sense of humor, and amusing twist on traditional detective genre tropes, the show was an instant hit, with the guarantee that each new episode felt fresh and exciting.
By the time the show’s seventh season rolled around, fans were excited to see which new directions the writers might take the characters in. Perhaps no one expected “Psych: The Musical” to be said direction. A delightful 90 minutes long,thePsychepisode features great songs and even better performances. Sure, it’s silly, but that’s precisely the kind of charm that makes it one ofPsych’s most memorable episodes.- Diego Pineda Pacheco
Watch on Amazon Prime
7"The Operetta" – ‘I Love Lucy’ (1952)
Season 2, Episode 5
Musical episodes in non-musical shows may have become a staple of 21st century television, but the classics have been doing it for quite some time.I Love Lucyraised the bar for comedysince the very infancy of the sitcom TV genre, which has earned it a shining spot in the pantheon of television’s greatest classics. It achieved its fame through episodes as brilliant and hilarious as “The Operetta,” one of its earliest chapters.
In “The Operetta,” the Ricardos and the Mertzes perform in an operetta written by Lucy for a club benefit. The episode gives Lucy plenty of chances to show off her caring and mischievous personality, having to correct her mistakes as the women’s club terribly lackluster treasurer.Seeing the cast in a vastly different setting and listening to them sing (not badly at all, to be frank) is something that allI Love Lucyfansshould very much appreciate.- Diego Pineda Pacheco
I Love Lucy
6"Regional Holiday Music" – ‘Community’ (2011)
Season 3, Episode 10
WhenCommunitycame out in 2009, audiences had never really seen a comedy quite like it. Endlessly inventive, packed with pop culture references and satirical humor, and with some of the best story and character development in the genre, it remains one of the most beloved sitcoms that have ever aired on television. It’s about a suspended lawyer who’s forced to enroll in a community college with an eccentric staff and student body. Hilarity ensues.
The show was known for doing lots of episodes that can only be described as special. These distinct episodes are whereCommunity’s creativity and humor always shined brightest,and “Regional Holiday Music” is definitely one ofCommunity’s funniest and most original episodes. A hilarious parody ofGleewith a festive Holiday twist, “Regional Holiday Music” is an incredible episode even for those who don’t typically enjoy musicals.
5"Mayhem of the Music Meister" – ‘Batman: The Brave and the Bold’ (2009)
Season 1, Episode 24
He’s the Music Meister!Batman: The Brave and the Boldis among the most underrated Batman adventures, but its loyal fans know full-well that it’s a handsomely animated and subversive take on the Caped Crusader. “Mayhem of the Music Meister” is among the show’s most famous and beloved episodes, a genuinely creative adventure that feels out-of-place in the best sense.
Voiced bythe ridiculously talented triple-threatNeil Patrick Harris, the Music Meister is one of Batman’s most entertaining villains. Gifted with the power to make everyone around him burst into song,the Music Meister brings some much-needed musical chaos into Batman’s noir-ish world. With snappy songs complemented by a great cast, “Mayhem of the Music Meister” is a stellar Batman episode and further proof that there’s more to World’s Greatest Detective than perpetual brooding.
Watch on Max
4"My Musical" – ‘Scrubs’ (2007)
Season 6, Episode 6
Scrubswas a consistent performer throughout its nine-season run. On top of that, the show has aged like a fine wine and is now often considereda modern classic in the sitcom canon. The show, a delightful hybrid between a medical drama and an offbeat comedy, often featured fantasy premises to match its kooky sense of humor, including a musical episode in season six.
Framed as the fantasies of a new patient at the hospital, the aptly titled “My Musical” is a fantasia that benefits from a committed cast and a show that always embraced its craziest antics.“My Musical” is silly, fun, and funny, another example of howScrubs' event episodes workedthrough an enviable combination of skill, ambition, and the cast’s ridiculously contagious energy. Plus, the songs are pretty catchy, and the choreography is top-notch.
Watch on Hulu
3"Dude, We’re Getting the Band Back Together" – ‘Phineas and Ferb’ (2008)
Season 1, Episode 14
Phineas and Ferbis among the Disney Channel’s best shows of the new millennium—Of its entire history, even. Focusing on two extraordinarily creative brothers making the best of their seemingly endless summer vacation, the show was full of episodes with unforgettable songs that cemented its place as a cultural juggernaut. However, the season one chapter, “Dude, We’re Getting the Band Back Together,” featured more songs than your typicalPhineas and Ferbepisode, undeniably making it a full-on musical.
This stands as one ofPhineas and Ferb’s greatest episodes. The storyline follows the boys reunitingLove Händel, their parents' favorite band, to celebrate their anniversary.“Dude, We’re Getting the Band Back Together” features some of the show’s best songs, especially the incredible and wildly creative “Ain’t Got Rhythm,” which even got an Emmy nomination.
