Top TV Musicals

I rewatched one of the things on the list below and it got me thinking [again] about how much can be done on a TV budget. Its also amazing to note how talented writers and directors/producers are, that these pools of talent end up forming, and its a credit to the medium of television, that most fans are so hooked that they fully embrace the idea of a musical episode. So here are a few choice musical episodes of TV shows

8. Oz - Variety

Darkly comic prison drama...doesn't really go with a musical does it? Does Oz prove me wrong...honestly, not really. Its still a pretty good show though, from what I remember anyhow

7. 7th Heaven- Red Sox

When a show pulls out a musical in season nine, chances are its in trouble, trying too little too late. Unfortunately this is the case here, with a cheesy episode of valentines songs. Even if my beloved Jessica Biel was in it, it wouldn't help.

6. Xena - The Bitter Suite

There's something weirdly enjoyable about this monstrosity. The singing is given no explanation, and everything is camp and cheesy, and maybe its for that very reason, that it works. The cast are clearly having a ball, and Renee O'Conner has a decent set of pipes , even if everyone else's singing is kind of ropey

5. Greys Anatomy - Song Beneath the Song

 
This one is just plain weird. It was apparently in the works since day one, but it took till season seven to convince the network. Whilst out of the show's normal context, the singing is pretty good, especially from Ramirez. The lack of original songs is something of a let down though

4. Scrubs - My Musical

 
Scrubs has always had a strong vein in absurdism, which lends it the perfect legs to support a musical. Unfortunately its let down by the casts inadequate singing ability, especially, Sarah Clarke. A 22-minute episode also seems quite short to fit in a variety of songs and a decent plot, so I'm cutting it some slack...mind you, another entry on the list manages it just fine

3. Ally McBeal - Ally McBeal: The Musical, Almost

Before Scrubs, the show to go to if you wanted absurdist asides, was Ally McBeal. Its has had several songs during its run, so it makes sense that there's a musical episode. The tone fits in perfectly, and a decent plot makes for a fitting series finale

2. Even Stevens - Influenza the Musical

The wacky kids show that launched Shia La Boeuf, also produced this musical oddity. A bout of flu starts causing musical hallucinations and hilarity does indeed ensue. The songs are catchy and sweet and the comedic tone is perfect

1. Buffy - Once More with Feeling

To this day, its still the gold standard; the yardstick to which all other TV musicals are held. The episode featured original, catchy tunes in a variety of styles, and at least half the cast had professional voices, but none of this is the reason its at number one. What makes it so good is the way the random singing is perfectly explained in the plot, and the songs all serve a purpose in progressing that plot, as well as the characters. A demon is brought forth which makes people burst into song, causing all the main characters to profess the secrets they've been harbouring. The human drama it creates is fantastic

I have to give special credit to Popular, which had a musical number during the season one finale, and to Glee, which does it day in, day out.