I don't know about you, but I miss Glee. I miss Rachel (Lea Michele) and Kurt (Chris Colfer) and Mr. Shu (Matthew Morrison) and Sue (Jane Lynch). I miss the Slushees. I miss the drama. But most of all, I miss the glorious musical numbers—and I don't think I'm alone.
So to cope with Glee's temporary TV absence (the show returns in April), I've assembled this list of TV's most memorable musical numbers. Some of stars who've performed them—like Kristin Chenoweth—are even Gleeks themselves. Others—like Zach Braff—can barely carry a tune. But who cares? It's all about the warm fuzzies, guys, and these little ditties totally bring 'em.
Note: We didn't forget Ally McBeal or Buffy the Vampire Slayer! There just aren't any videos out there on the interwebs.
10. Will and Grace
Jack McFarland (Sean Hayes) is a force to be reckoned with. Why? Because he can perform a duet with himself.
9. Family Guy
Peter (Seth MacFarlane) really belts out this heartfelt, Pro-Semite ballad—and we feel for him. (Apologies for the poor video quality.)
8. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Frank Reynolds (Danny DeVito) as a troll! Charlie (Charlie Day) as the Dayman! Karate and friendship for everyone! The Sunny cast delivered a winner with "The Nightman Cometh"—and they even toured the country to perform it live.
7. 30 Rock
From Tracy Jordan's (Tracy Morgan) smooth baritone and Grizz and Dot-Com's choreographed shuffles to Kenneth's Southern charm and Jenna's (Jane Krakowski) legitimate singing voice, 30 Rock proved that even a bunch of silly comedians could do justice to a classic Gladys Knight song—even if she didn't think so herself.
6. Pushing Daisies
When Kristin Chenoweth (or anyone else from this terribly-missed show) sings, I think about puppies, flowers, and other cute and pretty things.
5. The Drew Carey Show
Drew Carey was probably the weakest part of his self-titled show, but even he got into the awesome choreography that was the "Cleveland Rocks" title sequence. (The "Five O'Clock World" intro wasn't bad, either!)
4. The Simpsons
Mr. Burns' may have the creepiest wardrobe known to man—but all those turtle's necks and gorilla-hair vests make for one hell of a musical number.
3. Six Feet Under
It's hard not to love David Fisher's (Michael C. Hall) cha-cha moves in this daydream sequence. It's also hard not to love his jazz hands as he sings backup for Claire (Lauren Ambrose), either. Basically, it's not hard to love Michael C. Hall.
2. Scrubs
Most people cite "Guy Love" as the go-to Scrubs musical number, but we're pretty partial to the clever lyrics of "Everything Comes Down to Poo."
1. How I Met Your Mother
Yeah, yeah, we know Robin Scherbatsky's (Cobie Smulders) "Robin Sparkles" days on the sand and at the mall were pretty unforgettable—but Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) really outdid himself when he crooned about suits.
Follow TV.com writer Stefanie Lee on Twitter: @StefAtTVDotCom
Comments (91)
how could you not place buffy's "one more time with feeling" episode here? that was amazing!
Are you from Cleveland? LOL Because the "Five O'Clock World" and even the "What Is Hip?" clips were much better than the "Cleveland Rocks" opening.
I'd have found room for Andy singing in 'The Office' with his friends as his backup singers on the phone....
I didn't like Once More with Feeling, but I admit this list is worthless without Giles' and Tara's duet.
On the other hand, hurray Pushing Daisies!
Finally a list on TV.com that doesn't entirely piss me off. Buffs not on the list, while im' not a fan i saw the episode and it was very good (hate to say that) and a agree with another member above that i need a jew is not the best family guy song. But you did your research and choose some great tunes.... but does HIMYM really deserve the top spot????
How hard can it be to locate the Buffy Once more with feeling clip? Is like the classic! Without it, this list is just sad
I liked Kristin Chenoweth singing that classic song on "Pushing Daisies" and I loved "Midnight Train to Georgia" from "30 Rock".
Yes Xena definitely should have been mentioned since it had two musical episodes, as well as songs included.
Okay. You mentioned Buffy but you failed to give it the number two spot. The number one spot should have gone to anything from Xena's Bitter Suite. The number three spot should have gone to Always Something There to Remind Me from Xena's Lyre Lyre Hearts on Fire. As someone has already mentioned this list is too modern and mainly comedy.
Buffy - Once More With Feeling !!!
I'm just glad they at least noted BTVS-OMWF as being worthy. I couldn't pick one musical number from that episode.
I would vote the Skins cast doing Wild World but then, that's me. I've watched the video like a million times.
To echo everyone else below, don't forget about Buffy!
Batman The Brave and the Bold: Mayhem of the Music Meister! with Neil Patrick Harris as the Music Meister.
Buffy indeed, but do not forget the musical episode in That 70's show! Hell to the yeah!
Once More With Feeling > Everything on this sad, pathetic list.
where is my Buffy :(
Ok, AT LEAST one of the numbers from Buffy's "Once more with feeling" should be topping this list. Also, very good choice from The Simpsons, though I also love the "We put the Spring in Springfield" number. Also "I need a Jew" is good, but not sure it's the best from Family Guy.
Where's Buffy, "Once more with feeling"? And it looks like all of the show's on this list are comedies... so it seems that the author of this article only likes comedies...
Buffy?
She's the writer. She can make the rules.
I think the writer of this sad little article is not understanding something. Just because either she can't find, or the internet can't provide her with a suitable video example of Once More with Feeling, doesn't negate the fact that the episode still needs to be on the list. Since it's missing from the list, this person knows nothing about "Top musical numbers" and therefore her opinion means nothing to me.
Nothing from Buffy? That's insane. "I've Got A Theory?" or "Walk Through the Fire"?
For Pushing Daisies, my favourite is still the one where Kristin Chenoweth sings Eternal Flame, that was brilliant. And yeah, i do miss the musical numbers from Ally McBeal, they were always great. Everytime i hear Barry White, i remember John Cage so fondly.
Batman The Brave and The Bold Mayhem of The Music Meister! is another fun musical episode, also starring NPH.
Also bring up another point, I'm sure that there's a ton of afterschool cartoons riddled with great musical scenes. The State Capitals song, and Les Miseranimals from Anamaniacs come to mind.
So yeah, this list is chock full of fail.
I use a VPN to watch US videos
"The video you have requested is not available for your geographic region", "Were sorry, currently our video libray can only be streamed withing the United States", "This video contains content from Lifehoude entertainment Services who for copyright reasons is blocking this in your country" YAY! Three different ways to tell me I can't watch this video because I don't live in the US. Damn you Hulu, damn you to hell. But for the youtube vid I loved Kristin chenoweth's singing in Pushing Daisies and Digby is about the most adorable television dog to have ever existed
Jack 2000!
Just because you can't find any footage ISN"T an excuse as to why you can't include Buffy the Vampire Slayer's "Once More with Feeling" episode. Just mention it say "we can't find footage but here's an honorable mention" At least that keeps the list honest. As far as I'm concerned this list is pretty bogus without that episode.
EXCUSE ME? No videos of Buffy's "Once More with Feeling?" I found one doing a two second google search. It's the best and should definitely replace one of these! (http://www.videosift.com/video/Buffy-Once-More-With-Feeling-Bunnies)
Buffy The Vampire Slayer season 6 ??????????????
Its is the Best Musical Ever ! after HIMYM !
I thought the I need a jew song was the weakest of all the Family Guy numbers(next to Sh-poopy.. awful). My favorite probably being You've got a lot to see from the Brian Wallows, Peter's Swallows episodeOther good nominees for Simpsons would be the Monorail song, the Stonecutters song or the We put the spring in Springfield number.What about something from South Park too?
Buffy? Once more with feeling? C'mon it kicked scrubs' bum!
great choice of #1! I approve.
Sarah Silverman and her love of Matt Damon.
SNL--and their Digital Shorts...
Where the hell is Buffy, you nuggets, half of these are fillers anyway.
The Brady Bunch and the changing voice or the Monkeys were also good.
What about A Streetcar Named Marge. South Park had more songs than I even can list as well.
Ok Dr. Horrible aside, as it was made for the Web and never officially on TV, I think the best one I have ever seen was the musical number from the end of season one of Skins. Tony one of the lead characters is involved in a brutal accident and all of a sudden we cut to a live cast version of Cat Steven's "Wild World" with the cast singing all of the parts. The camera goes from character to character to show where they are at at the end of this season all the while holding the song in a beautiful version. If you have not seen it youtube it as Wild World skins version and you can see what I mean. It is great! And I know we all have a love of Neil Patrick Harris, but lets not forget Colby Smothers and her Robin Sparkles moments as well.moreless
You forgot the ultimate musical episode. Once more with Feeling from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Joss Whedon incorporated everystyle of musical and managed to blend such an outrageous concept into his story without having to make it a dream sequence. Also it had original songs not just pop music rehash.
EVERYTHING COMES DOWN TO POOP IS GR8 BUT SO DOES GUY LOVE FROM SCRUBS
Rest in Peace from Once More With Feeling!
NEIL PATRICK HARRIS rocked that suit song!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What about Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog?
Hey, I just remember...Eli Stone? =(
Note: We didn't forget Ally McBeal or Buffy the Vampire Slayer! There just aren't any videos out there on the interwebs
@ Stefanie, u could at least made a top10 with them included.
List seems kind of too modern, I think Cosby Show had a monumental musical moment where they lip synced to Ray Charles "Night Time Is the Right Time."
Buffy link: http://s63.photobucket.com/albums/h142/Efwas/?action=view¤t=BuffyTheVampireSlayer-OnceMoreWithF.flv