It's impossible to pinpoint when it happened, but a one-off musical episode has become a rite of passage for TV series.
There's no shortage of creativity in the writer's room: singing demons, stage adaptations of '80s blockbusters, and medical hallucinations have all been incorporated into songs. Whether it's an inventive idea to explain the sudden outbursts of singing or a plot twist worthy of a season finale, these episodes always manage to hit the right note. Plus, some of the songs are composed by Tony-winning Broadway alums.
Check out our list of 9 musical TV episodes to watch below. And be sure to check out during this time of self-isolation!
Big Mouth (S3, E10: 鈥淒isclosure: The Musical鈥�)
The 鈥�90s movie starring Michael Douglas and Demi Moore takes center stage as a musical in this episode of the Netflix animated series. Featuring music by Mark Rivers and lyrics by the writing staff, Disclosure explores sexual harassment and workplace culture in the 鈥�90s, baffling the teens of Bridgeton Middle School in 2019. As Nick and Missy tackle the leads, Jessi fights against the sexism found in the musical, and Andrew hides backstage.
Cast: Nick Kroll, Kenny Slate, Jessi Klein, John Mulaney, Jason Mantzoukas, and Andrew Rannells
Available to watch: Netflix
Bob鈥檚 Burgers (S5, E1: 鈥淲ork Hard or Die Trying, Girl鈥�)
鈥淚 smell a Tony!鈥� says Gene during the curtain call of Wagstaff's school musical, the critically acclaimed (by parents) Work Hard or Die Trying, Girl. The episode follows Gene as he tries to put on his musical adaptation of Die Hard as the school production, but finds himself up against another beloved 鈥�80s adaptation: Working Girl. The only way to solve their issues? Combining the two into an extravagant spectacular.
Cast: Eugene Mirman, David Wain, H. Jon Benjamin, Kristen Schaal, John Roberts, Dan Mintz, and a special non-appearance by Carly Simon.
Available to watch: ,
Note: Bob鈥檚 Burgers frequently features original music, including 鈥淓lectric Love鈥� sung by Megan Mullally and Kevin Kline in Season 3, Episode 16; and 鈥淩ight Number of Boys,鈥� sung by Josh Gad, Andrew Rannells, Rory O鈥橫alley, and Daveed Diggs in Season 9, Episode 1.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (S6, E7: 鈥淥nce More With Feeling鈥�)
Joss Whedon's first attempt at writing music resulted in one of the most beloved musical episodes of TV. When a new demon arrives in Sunnyvale (what else is new?), the gang are forced to sing their true feelings about each other and the events unfolding. In addition, the demon tries to steal Dawn as his bride. The episode features 14 original songs, with an assist from composer Christopher Beck, in a variety of styles, including 鈥淚鈥檒l Never Tell,鈥� 鈥淯nder Your Spell,鈥� and 鈥淲hat You Feel.鈥�
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Alyson Hannigan, Emma Caulfield, Michelle Trachtenberg, Anthony Stewart Head, Nicholas Brendan, Amber Benson, and James Marsters.
Available to Watch: , ,
Daria (S3, E1: 鈥淒aria!鈥�)
What do the residents of Lawndale High School do in the face of a hurricane warning? Sing, of course! While one might not expect Daria to be the musical loving sort, the episode features seven original songs with lyrics by Peter Elwell and Daria co-creator Glen Eichler and music by Elias Associates. Numbers include 鈥淢orning in the Burbs,鈥� 鈥淚f The Town Blew Away,鈥� and 鈥淕ah, Gah, Damnit!鈥�
Cast: Tracy Grandstaff, Wendy Hoopes, Lisa Kathleen Collins, Marc Thompson, and Dean Julian.
Available to watch: , , , MTV
The Flash (S3, E17: 鈥淒uet鈥�)
A handful of Broadway alums appeared on screen together in this crossover episode filled with DC comic book super heroes. When The Music Meister (Darren Criss) puts both The Flash and Supergirl into a coma to steal their powers, the pair meet in a dream world filled with music. Emmy winner Rachel Bloom (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) and Oscar winners Benj Pasek & Justin Paul (La La Land) contributed musical numbers for the episode, which also included some pre-existing songs like 鈥淢ore I Cannot Give You鈥� from Guys and Dolls.
Cast: Grant Gustin, Carlos Valdes, Jesse L. Martin, along with special guests Darren Criss, Melissa Benoist, Jeremy Jordan, John Barrowman, and Victor Garber
Available to Watch: CW TV app, Netflix,
It鈥檚 Always Sunny in Philadelphia (S4, E13: 鈥淭he Nightman Cometh鈥�)
The Season 4 finale of the ensemble comedy features a wildly inappropriate musical "The Nightman Cometh," written by Charlie to impress his crush. The episode, written by the show鈥檚 writers, follows the Gang as they squabble over casting, elocution, and lyrics (鈥淭iny Boy鈥� raises some questions due to its potential-but-metaphorical predatory nature). Finally, opening night arrives and all hell breaks loose. The Nightman Cometh was ultimately turned into a stage production with the cast going on the road for six special live performances.
Cast: Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney, Kaitlin Olson, Danny DeVito, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, and Artemis Pebdani
Available to watch: , ,
Once Upon a Time (S6, E20: 鈥淭he Song in Your Heart鈥�)
When Snow White and Prince Charming make a wish for help to defeat the Evil Queen, they wake up to find everyone in the Enchanted Forest speaks in song (because singing comes from love, and love is the strongest weapon of all). This episode features music and lyrics by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner, with songs like 鈥淧owerful Magic,鈥� 鈥淎 Happy Beginning,鈥� and 鈥淲icked Always Wins.鈥� The penultimate Season 6 episode also includes the series鈥� usual amount of drama spectacle, including a fairy tale wedding in Storybrook.
Cast: Jennifer Morrison, Ginnifer Goodwin, Josh Dallas, Lana Parrilla, Rebecca Mader, and Colin O'Donoghue.
Available to watch: Netflix, , , , Vudu
Scrubs (S6, E6: 鈥淢y Musical鈥�)
When a woman鈥攑layed by Tony nominee Stephanie D鈥橝bruzzo (Avenue Q)!鈥攃ollapses in the park, she begins hallucinating that everyone is singing, including the helpful staff of Sacred Heart Hospital. Original songs include 鈥淲hen The Truth Comes Out,鈥� 鈥淕onna Miss You Carla,鈥� and 鈥淕uy Love.鈥� The Emmy-winning episode鈥檚 music was composed by a handful of people, including Tony winners Jeff Marx and Robert Lopez, with lyrics by Debra Fordham. Another Broadway connection? Serving as director was Will Mackenzie, who played Cornelius Hackl opposite Carol Channing in the original production of Hello, Dolly!.
Cast: Donald Faison, Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, Judy Reyes, Ken Jenkins, and Neil Flynn.
Available to Watch: , , , , Vudu
Transparent (S5, E1: 鈥淭he Musicale Finale鈥�)
The groundbreaking Amazon series went out with a 100-minute musical spectacular in a way that embodied all things Pfefferman as the family deals with鈥擲POILER ALERT!鈥擬aura鈥檚 death. As Shelly and her kids try to move on, the matriarch puts on a musical about her family using 鈥渄oppelbangers,鈥� and sets opening night for the day of the funeral. All songs were written and composed by Faith Soloway (sister of series creator Jill Soloway) with standouts including 鈥淪it in It,鈥� 鈥淵our Shoes,鈥� and 鈥淛oyocaust.鈥�
Cast: Judith Light, Amy Landecker, Gaby Hoffman, Jay Duplass, Kathryn Hahn, and Alexandra Billings
Available to watch:
Looking for more to watch? Check out our lists of musicals and plays to enjoy from your couch.
