You prob’ly can’t tell, but I’m singing right now.
You may want to know why, but the question is how?
Seems that singing in prose is just writin’ a poem,
So let’s cut straight to the chase and bring this sucker home.
Dating back to the earliest days of TV,
A number of tropes turn up repeatedly.
The musical episode concept repeats,
From Gilligan’s arias to Buffy’s backbeats.
Many of our TV friends show off hidden talent
(At the cost of our disbelief being suspen’t)
Even if that conceit makes the listeners leery.
Thus, in turn, we consider a lyrical query…
The MS-QOTD (pronounced, as always, “misquoted”) was going to be a singer, but was raised by an English teacher and couldn’t get past “ain’t no one for to give ya no pain,” asking: What’s your favorite musical episode of a not-normally musical property?
15 Comments
I have heard great things about the Buffy episode, but never saw it, but I absolutely loved the Music Meister episode of BATB.
It’s a big stretch, but South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut to the rest of the series. I know a movie, but it’s still part of the canon.
Not a stretch at all, it’s exactly what we’re talking about. :)
Since the criteria is a musical episode from something that isn’t normally a musical, the pickings are slim. Since the Music Meister episode has already been cited, I’ll vote for the Simpsons parody ‘The Music Man.’ You know. That one where they build a monorail.
2 Girls 1 Tounge (no, it’s not disgusting or sexual) from Season 2 of Todd and the Book of Pure Evil. It’s hilarious.
I really liked the musical episode of Scrubs
Musicmeister episode of Batman the Brave and the Bold.
I enjoyed not only the music, but the ability to change styles to fit the mood. Lastly, Manta and the rest dancing at the beginning is priceless.
Gotta be the music miester of BBAB. Not sure it counts but the devil’s hands are idle playthings from futurama. What’s Opera Doc and Rabbit of Seville Looney Tunes episodes.
i don’t think the looney tunes ones count, since the warner brothers cartoons were originally created in part to educate folks about classical music thru animation. hence the titles literally being “looney tunes” and “merry melodies.” that’s why so much classical music was featured in old, pre-60’s warner bros. cartoons.
honestly, i can’t think of one musical episode/iteration of a usually non-musical pop culture work that doesn’t get on my nerves a little. so i’m just going to outright troll and say Cop Rock.
I think they should count, if only because rules are made to be flipped over, lit on fire and rolled down the hill…
I’d have to go with the Buffy episode. Not only is it awesome but why do bunnies need such good eyesight for anyway?
Gotta agree with “Once More with Feeling”.
“Bunnies, bunnies, it must be bunnies!! Or maybe midgets.”
That Drew Carey episode from back in the day…
Daria! – The Musical is a personal favorite. In the third season premiere, a hurricane threatens Lawndale, Daria and Jane get stranded on the school roof, and songs are sung. Features the hilariously awesome ‘If The Town Blows Away’.
“Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas” from “Community.”