Top 10 Best TV Dance Scenes Ever
#10: “Anti-Depressants Are So Not a Big Deal”
“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” (2015-19)
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This show is often championed for creating a candid conversation about mental health. In this jazzy “La La Land” style number, Rebecca and Dr. Akopian join a colorful ensemble as they tackle the stigma surrounding antidepressants. As Rebecca learns to navigate life with her new diagnosis, the subject of medication arises. She processes the idea through this energetic and fun-looking routine, complete with a show-stopping tap dance break. Not only does this Emmy award-winning performance make us want to get up and dance but it also serves as a reminder that no matter what you’re going through, you’re never alone.
#9: Jess’ Slow Mo Chicken Dance
“New Girl” (2011-18)
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The Chicken Dance is usually a cringey wedding cliche that we would rather sit out. And although it may lack the same production value as Schmidt’s Bollywood routine, we still found Jess’ take on the dance rather endearing. After a series of events at a wedding leave Jess feeling rather deflated, Nick tries to cheer her up by inviting her to the dance floor. Sure, “Groovy Kind of Love” doesn’t have the uptempo beat normally associated with this dance but they make it work. This moment exemplifies the gang’s friendship and hints at the first sparks between Jess and Nick.
#8: Gina Linetti’s Love of Dance
“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (2013-)
While Gina’s dance style is more erm, contemporary than we are used to she certainly knows how to sell it and, what she lacks in skill, she more than makes up for with passion. We loved her confidence when she danced with “Floorgasms” and later “Dance-y Raegan”. We could also never forget the times she used her “talents” while campaigning for Captain Holt, inspiring at-risk teens, announcing her grand farewell or dancing with Terry. In fact, we couldn’t help but notice Terry dances to the same song with Captain Holt in season seven. Could he have been channelling his inner Gina?
#7: The Tap Dance-Off
“Will & Grace” (1998-2020)
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Whether he’s performing an iconic Britney routine or dancing backup for JLo, Jack’s love of dance brings us so many joyous moments. One occasion that stands out though is Jack’s dance off with Will’s boss and Grace’s boyfriend, Ben, played by world-renowned tap dancer, Gregory Hines. When Jack is fed up with getting overshadowed by Ben’s talents, he challenges him to a tap dance-off. While Jack hilariously overestimates his abilities, Ben humors him and declares him the winner. It’s only after Jack leaves that Hines finally wows us with his remarkable skills.
#6: “Fight Song” Using American Sign Language
“Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” (2020-)
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If you aren’t familiar with this show, it follows Zoey Clarke, who has the power to hear people’s innermost thoughts through song. In this episode, she meets Abigail, a young woman who’s deaf and who has a tricky relationship with her father. When Zoey meets Abigail, she delivers a stunning performance of “Fight Song”. Choreographer Mandy Moore joined forces with the “Deaf West Theatre Company” to blend sign language with choreography and create a powerful yet emotional performance. Even if you can’t read sign language, it is impossible to escape the emotion behind every move in this touching musical number.
#5: “Britney/Brittany”
“Glee” (2009-15)
Britney fans rejoiced when “Glee” brought us not one, but two Britney-centric episodes, with the pop princess herself even making a cameo. The first of the pair became Glee’s highest rated episode at the time and with good reason. We’re treated to hit after hit including performances of “Stronger”, “... Baby One More Time” and “Toxic”. However it’s Brittany’s anesthesia induced fantasies that leave us in complete awe. She performs a great homage to the music video for “Me Against The Music'' with Santana as Madonna. But it’s her performance of “Slave 4 U'' that we would gladly watch on repeat.
#4: Barney & Robin Get Their Groove On
“How I Met Your Mother” (2005-14)
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We know not everyone loved Barney and Robin’s relationship but there is no denying their chemistry in this scene. As Robin gears up to address her feelings for Barney, he pulls her onto the dance floor and the pair groove it out to Dee-Lite’s “Groove Is In The Heart.” They move in perfect synchronization as Barney releases his inner Swazye and Robin gets lost in the moment. It looks like a lot of fun and we’re totally caught up in the excitement too until Barney’s phone rings, bringing this moment to an end but leaving us wanting more.
#3: Mac’s Coming Out Dance
“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (2005-)
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Fans were astounded when the show put the brakes on the comedy for a moment to give Mac a truly emotional and heart wrenching moment to come out to his dad, who’s in prison. Dancing an interpretative number with professional ballerina, Kylie Shea, Mac tries to communicate his inner anguish to his father. You can tell a lot of thought was put into creating a powerful and emotional scene and the payoff is evident. Sadly his dad walks out mid performance but fans everywhere sat glued to their screens stunned by this out-of-character but intensely moving routine.
#2: The Routine
“Friends” (1994-2004)
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If you want to party like it’s 1999, we have just the dance for you. Monica and Ross use “The Routine” in a last desperate bid for some screen time at the televised New Year’s Eve event and it certainly gets them noticed. The dance contains a sequence of classic old school moves with an epic finale. Like many fans, we’ve thought about learning “The Routine” but we might start with something a little easier like this other memorable number [broll: Joey’s audition]. But if you do perform “The Routine”, just make sure you know who is catching who.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Paper or Plastic”, “Bunheads” (2012-13)
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“The 20th Century Fox Mambo”, “Smash” (2012-13)
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“The Bone Dance”, “Hannah Montana” (2006-11)
Where Was This Routine When We Were at School?
“Stick to the Status Quo”, “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” (2019-)
This Gives Us Nostalgia to Dancing to the Movie!
Troy & Britta’s Interpretive Dance, “Community” (2009-15)
Sometimes Dance Says What Words Can’t
#1: The Elaine Dance
“Seinfeld” (1989-98)
We bet you’re rather surprised to find Elaine’s awkward dancing in our top spot but... “It’s Not Unusual” to find out that we are totally kidding!
#1: The Carlton
“The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” (1990-96)
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As if our top spot could go to anyone else. He wowed us during “Soul Train” with a jaw dropping performance, but nothing will get a “Fresh Prince” fan to their feet faster than hearing “Jump On It” … except maybe Tom Jones’ “It’s Not Unusual”! With his script simply reading, “Carlton Dances”, Alfonso Riberio created this signature move by taking influence from Courtney Cox in “Dancing in the Dark” and Eddie Murphy’s impression of white people dancing. There is perhaps no TV dance more iconic so we’ll let this one speak for itself. Take it away Carlton!
