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TWoP 10: Shows That Need Musical Episodes

by Angel Cohn March 26, 2010 6:00 AM
TWoP 10: Shows That Need Musical Episodes

With Fringe planning a musical-themed scene in an upcoming episode (we're mostly excited because Michael Cerveris is an awesome Broadway performer), the recent addition of musical numbers to shows like How I Met Your Mother, the cover tunes performed by Jeffster! on Chuck and, naturally, all things Glee, we started thinking about how other scripted series could get their characters singing. While there are some shows that could never pull characters breaking into song (24, for instance), here's who we think could carry a tune.

10. Life Unexpected
Since this hasn't turned out to be the charming show we were hoping for based on its pilot, throwing in some songs could only make us like it better. Have Lux scream out Bon Jovi's "It's My Life" to her hairbrush when Baze screws up. Ryan can croon Old Blue Eyes' "That's Life" the next time things get rocky with Cate. And since this show is obsessed with using "un" words, Cate can belt "Unbreak My Heart" after their next squabble.

9. The Big Bang Theory
After seeing Sheldon doing stand-up recently, we're convinced he can do anything, so next time he drinks a box of wine, we fully expect to hear his rendition of STP's "Big Bang Baby." Koothrappali can sing Teddy Geiger's "Confidence (For You I Will)" when he finally meets a girl he wants to talk to. And if they have time to flash back to more of Leonard and Penny pre-hookup, they should have him sing "My Freeze Ray" and have her do "Penny's Song" from the Dr. Horrible soundtrack.

8. Caprica
If they need to boost ratings, add more singing. Zoe can belt out a touching "Mr. Roboto", Bear McCreary can craft an even dreamier score out of of the Flaming Lips' "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots" and the Soldiers of the One can use Rage Against the Machine's "Calm Like a Bomb" as their new rally song.

7. Castle
A musical crime scene? That's an episode waiting to happen. The entire team can perform "Castles Made of Sand" by Jimi Hendrix, Nathan Fillion (who can actually sing) can do "Darling Nikki" by Prince (it's dirty!) and maybe a group of adoring partygoers can do "Paperback Writer" by the Beatles.

6. Smallville
They've already had Remy Zero on the show to play "Somebody Save Me", but for Clark's 20-year high school reunion (since we just know this show will be on for that long), the band can return to perform. And if Clark could be obligated to sing with the band at this event, we'd want to hear either "I Am Superman" by R.E.M, or "Kryptonite" by Three Doors Down. The show will probably have run out of other plots by that point, so they might actually consider this.

5. FlashForward
Let's see, Demetri's gotta do Coldplays "Clocks" ("Lights go out and I can't be saved"), the entire population of Earth will sing "Gimme More" (from Britney Spears' Blackout album, naturally) about the answers they desperately want and Mark will just run around looking for clues while singing "Fly Like an Eagle (Time Keeps on Slipping)" by the Steve Miller Band. It could be just like Viva Laughlin, but, you know, better.

4. 30 Rock
30 Rock as a rock opera? We're not saying all of the songs would have to be from the same rock opera, or that the show's producers would have to compose original material, which would be challenging, but Kenneth can at least do Green Day's "American Idiot," Jenna can belt out "I Don't Know How to Love Him" from Jesus Christ Superstar Tracy can star in the film version of Ziggy Stardust (alternate title: Astronaut Jones) and perform tunes from that.

3. Community
If nothing else, this musical episode needs to happen so we can see Pierce (Chevy Chase) do "Hot for Teacher." Jeff Winger would be required to sing the Winger classic "Seventeen" when some hot, smartypants high school student starts taking extra-credit classes at the college. And, naturally, the entire study group could sing the Grease 2 tune "Back to School Again" when the fall semester starts up (Pink Lady jackets would be optional). Actually, we wouldn't be adverse to the entire cast redoing Grease 2: Britta could want a cool rider, Senor Chang could try to keep the peace while Abed sings about reproduction and Annie could almost get manipulated into having sex in a bunker for the good of her country. It might give audiences a whole new appreciation for that cult film.

2. Private Practice
Tony Award winner Audra McDonald's vocal talents have gone to waste on this show for far too long. They should center an entire episode around her and have her sing New Order's "Bizarre Love Triangle," since she seems to always be embroiled in one. Taye Diggs (who also has plenty of Broadway cred) could sing "This Woman's Work" as Addison delivers a baby, which would mercifully get the Michael Lynche version from American Idol out of our heads, while Taye and Audra could duet on Air Supply's "I'm All Out of Love".

1. True Blood
A musical demon could come to town and make the cast sing. Wait, that's already been done by a vampire show. How about having Sam turn Merlotte's into a karaoke bar on Thursdays? Sookie could do "Bleeding Love," Sam would do "Hungry Like the Wolf," Bill would be roped into doing "And When I Die" by Blood, Sweat and Tears (because the '70s were probably the time he listened to popular music), Pam could rock out on Evanescence's "Bring Me to Life" and Eric could just sing "I Want Your Sex." Oh, and the new were-tribe next season? One of them has to perform "She Wolf."

Look back at the greatest TV musical moments to date and then list your new ideas below.

33 Comments

March 26, 2010 6:48 AM
Veruca
Reply

Love the idea of True Blood. Though they have had Stephen Moyer (Bill) sing already (Hard Hearted Hannah). Eric could sing ABBA's "Take a Chance on Me" To Sookie, which is especially fun because Alex Skarsgard's dad sang that in Mamma Mia. And the whole cast could sing "If You Want Blood (You've Got It)" by AC/DC. Oh, and Sookie could sing "Mr. Big Stuff" by Jean Knight to Eric (that song totally works for him). And maybe a "Thriller" or "Monster Mash" to close things up.

March 26, 2010 8:31 AM
Lauren
Reply

I would love the Private Practice one! Except....with different songs. I hate(!!!) This Woman's Work, in any form. But I would love to see Taye and Audra sing. Maybe Petes ex Idina Menzel could return with a problem with her kid...then Taye and Idina could do a duet...somehow...

March 26, 2010 8:56 AM
Elizabeth
Reply

I've always wanted Sara Ramirez to guest on Private Practice (she and Addison were friends!) and duet with Taye Diggs at a karaoke bar or something.

March 26, 2010 12:40 PM
zerico
Reply

If you're going for Syfy musicals, Caprica might be a less likely choice then something like Eureka (a sonic emitter forcing everyone but Jack Carter to sing maybe?) or Warehouse 13 (the first ever karaoke microphone shows up and any one who touches it can't stop singing).

Modern Family doing a musical episode would be hysterical I think. There could be a school musical that would get the kids singing, Cam would ham it up, and everyone else would try to help all the kids learn their wildly inappropriate songs.

March 26, 2010 12:45 PM
Klaus
Reply

I'm a bit annoyed at all the musical stuff that's been popping up lately. While it worked well on Chuck, it'll be difficult to get it to work as well on a show like Fringe. And I don't understand why everyone's so in love with Glee. I've never watched it and probably never will. But if anyone can give me a solid reason to give it a try, then maybe I will.

March 26, 2010 1:15 PM
obvious
Reply

Supernatural, Season 6 sweeps; a curse converts an entire town and everyone in it into a musical. Or several musicals. What the heck. When the boys roll into town, Dean is affected, but oddly not Sam (mainly because Padalecki does a great Howler Monkey impersonation but can't sing worth beans), and this becomes the key to resolving the problem.

You know you want it.

March 26, 2010 1:52 PM
Sarah
Reply

Not exactly a musical episode, but 30 Rock has already done a big musical number with "Midnight Train to Georgia" where everyone broke into song.

March 26, 2010 1:54 PM
Sarah
Reply

I kind of love the idea of Community doing a musical episode. And while it wasn't a musical episode, 30 Rock has already done a big musical number- when everyone broke into "Midnight Train to Georgia."

March 26, 2010 1:57 PM
Gretchen
Reply

I love the Castle idea. I don't watch Community but if they did Grease 2, I would. (I used to have that movie's soundtrack on vinyl)

March 26, 2010 1:57 PM
esme27
Reply

How in the world has True Blood not yet taken advantage of Belle & Sebastian's "Sukie in the Graveyard"?

March 26, 2010 1:59 PM
esme27
Reply

How in the world has True Blood not yet taken advantage of Belle & Sebastian's "Sukie in the Graveyard"?

March 26, 2010 2:32 PM
anon
Reply

In relation to #10, I remember Shiri Appleby actually having a role in the music video for "It's My Life"

March 26, 2010 2:53 PM
wbbuff
Reply

Actually, Shiri Appleby was in "Misunderstood", but it was still Bon Jovi.

March 26, 2010 2:54 PM
wbbuff
Reply
replied to comment from wbbuff

Oops, no, you were right. Should've checked my info before submitting.

March 26, 2010 4:25 PM
Punstressak
Reply

And here I thought I was the only one who appreciated Grease 2! I can totally see the cast of Community doing that musical.
@Klaus: If you don't like musicals, you probably won't like Glee, and if you're also one of those adults who can't get into shows about high-schoolers (not that I can blame you, although I enjoy them), then I don't see that anyone will be able to persuade you to watch Glee. But don't worry about it; not every show is for every person. :)

March 26, 2010 5:22 PM
gudzilla
Reply

Spartacus, I'd like to see Spatacus and Crixus sing
"Guy Love" from Scrubs. Lucy Lawless can sing whatever she likes.

March 26, 2010 6:15 PM
Natalie
Reply
replied to comment from Klaus

I can't make you try it, Klaus, but I will say that my mother really doesn't like musicals - she can't deal with the ludicrousness of people just bursting into song about nothing. She's also never been one for high school shows and was pretty set against Glee. However, for some reason a couple of weeks ago she watched four episodes in a row with me, and now she really likes it (though she's not in love with it, she enjoys it and it makes her laugh).

What she said was that it was different from musicals because the songs fit with the story - it's not just people bursting into song about something silly for no reason. Also, whether you're fond of the singing or not, the writing is very, very funny. I get that it's not for everyone, but I think if my anti-musical mother can enjoy it then it'll probably be good for most. What made her like it was watching a few episodes in a row, so maybe if you genuinely want to try it watch more than one.

March 26, 2010 6:33 PM
lolo
Reply

A musical episode of Dexter. It would either be painfully bad or indescribably awesome, and I'd be pretty much down for watching either way.

March 26, 2010 6:44 PM
Klaus
Reply

@ Natalie & Punstressak : Thank you both for your kind help. I'm afraid you both had me figured out right. My biggest concern was the ludicrous singing by high schoolers. But if it's well written, funny and witty, then I will definitely try to watch the first few episodes in a row. Cheers guys :D

March 27, 2010 12:23 AM
Carol Seaver
Reply

Big Bang Theory already jumped the shark, they might as well do the musical

March 27, 2010 12:28 AM
Snark Shark
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re: Castle.

Apparently Stana Katic can sing too. REALLY well. Go to YouTube and search her name. In multiple languages too (there's a scene in that movie "The Librarian" where she sings in French).

March 27, 2010 3:18 AM
Satsuma
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@Klaus, I think Kurt counts as a solid reason. And Sue. And Shue.

@esme27, I giggle every time I hear that song just for that reason!

March 27, 2010 3:00 PM
Tom
Reply
replied to comment from zerico

@zerico - You know, the Eureka idea is a little bit brilliant. That would totally work for the show. As would Warehouse 13. And i could see both those shows doing it for kicks.

March 27, 2010 9:21 PM
Whisperia
Reply

I could get behind a musical episode of Community. They could set it up easily enough... Abed gets an assignment from film class to make a musical, or he dreams it, or we see an episode through his eyes and it looks like a Hollywood musical (like how the world looks like Sesame Street to Kenneth on 30 Rock).

March 28, 2010 10:56 AM
Veruca
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Just thinking, for True Blood, I'm guessing season 4 will have witches (since book 4 does) so they could cast a spell to cause those in Bon Temps (and a few in Shreveport) to belt out the tunes.

And I don't watch Community, but for my love of Grease 2 ('Reproduction', 'Score Tonight'!) I'd definitely tune in.

I was surprised there was never a musical episode of Alias. Jennifer Garner sang in one episode, but they had her, Victor Garber and David Anders who all sing, plus Greg Grunberg and Kevin Weisman who played instruments.

And thinking of shows that have done the musical thing - Eli Stone always did it pretty well... I loved that show!

March 28, 2010 12:20 PM
Mary
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How about Mad Men? Robert Morse has one heck of a voice...and I'd watch Jon Hamm do ANYTHING!

March 29, 2010 5:57 AM
Kitten
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I just have to point out that R.E.M. didn't write "I Am Superman" - it's a cover version.

September 27, 2010 2:34 AM
jenyabee
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Just watched Nathan Fillion singing on Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog and I think at Little Shop of Horrors remake would suit him just fine as Orin Scrivello DDS (made famous by Steve Martin)

October 13, 2010 11:33 PM
gleamingthecube
Reply

Watch the classics Buffy once more with feeling, Xena Warrior princess "the bitter suite"
Scrubs "My Musical" You'll see why musicals are fun, humorous and needed to break the monotony. Good List BTW!

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