Top 10 Musical TV Shows That Belong on Broadway

#10: Girls5eva (2021-24)

A Broadway musical based around early-aughts style girl-band pop? Wed definitely be down for that. Girls5eva was a short-lived musical comedy series about a fictional early 2000s girl-group who get a second chance at the spotlight when a rapper samples their song. The show follows the bands attempts to make themselves, and their music, relevant again, twenty years after their one-hit wonder made them stars. Girls5eva is a lot of fun with some real earworms (including some from Sara Bareilles of Waitress fame) that reek of noughties nostalgia. A stage adaptation could ramp up the comedy while also hitting those emotional beats - but mostly it would be a fabulous girls night out.

#9: We Are Lady Parts (2021-)

Sticking with the girl power theme, how about a punk-rock musical about an all-female, British Muslim band? In Nida Manzoors sitcom, the leading lady is a biochemical engineering student and practising Muslim whos unlucky in love but gifted at the guitar. Local girl band Lady Parts happen to be looking for a frontwoman, which sets the stage for a story of friendship and culture clash, backed by a rocking soundtrack. Its silly but subversive, warm and funny with a fourth-wall breaking heroine whod be great value on stage. The series celebrates difference and its definitely different from anything Broadways got right now.

#8: Empire (2015-20)

This musical drama about a fictional hip hop music company and the family dynasty that drives it dominated ratings back in the 2010s. Maybe its time that the Lyon family extended their empire to Broadway? The series, starring Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard, saw patriarchal music mogul Lucius pit his sons against each other in a bid to take over as CEO of Empire Entertainment. Meanwhile, his wife, Cookie, had her own ideas. With their separate musical styles and clashing personalities, this fractious family brings all the drama needed to make the next great hip hop and r&b musical.

#7: Cop Rock (1990)

First broadcast in 1990, the infamous Cop Rock was a flop both critically and commercially. Its a shame, because the songs - from writers including Randy Newman - arent all bad. Were starting to wonder whether it was just ahead of its time The show was set around the Los Angeles Police Department, and followed the cops as they solved crimes and risked their lives in the line of duty. They also burst into song at regular intervals, as did the criminals and even the judge and jury. The musical style ranged from country-rock to gospel to sentimental ballads. It definitely had its issues, but its still perfect fodder for a stage musical - after all, everyone loves a man in a uniform.

#6: Daisy Jones & The Six (2023)

Back to the fictional bands now with Daisy Jones and The Six, based on the Taylor Jenkins-Reid novel, which is loosely based on seventies stars Fleetwood Mac. The story covers the bands rise and fall and the romance between lead singers Daisy and Billy. Both book and series use the framing device of talking heads in a music documentary to narrate and it would be interesting to see how that could be done on stage. The music feels authentic, but the songs also help tell the story and give us a glimpse into the characters inner worlds. For those of us with a yearning to hear them live, a Broadway musical might be the way to go!

#5: Julie and the Phantoms (2020)

Despite having Kenny Ortega at the helm and a strong fan following, this musical comedy drama was cancelled after one season. Based on a Brazilian show, it centers on the eponymous Julie, who joins forces with a former teen boy band and discovers a passion for music. The only problem is, the boys are all dead - and they have been for twenty-five years. The concept is a little weird but we think it works. It might work even better for a stage musical. Despite being a comedy there is plenty of room for emotional moments, and the songs really draw them out. We may never get a season two, but we still havent ruled out Broadway.

#4: Nashville (2012-18)

Surely there has to be a spot on Broadway for a modern Country musical? Especially one based on a show with such a wealth of great songs -songs enough to fill six seasons and more than a dozen original soundtrack albums. Nashvilles premise sets rising young starlet, Juliette Barnes, against country music legend, Rayna James, whose star is on the wane. Meanwhile, Raynas longtime guitarist and one-time true love, Deacon Claybourne, continues to pine for her, and Deacons talented niece, Scarlett, is making her first steps in the music industry. Creator Callie Khouris characters are so engaging that wed love to spend more time with them - and what better place than on Broadway?

#3: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015-19)

Running for four seasons, the critically acclaimed Crazy-Ex Girlfriend was written, directed and created by Rachel Bloom and Aline Brosh McKenna. It also stars Bloom as Rebecca, the girlfriend of the title, who relocates to a small town after a chance meeting with her ex-boyfriend from summer camp. The tongue-in-cheek musical numbers exist mostly in Rebeccas imagination, but the talent on display is all real. With its exploration of rom-com tropes, mental health and female sexuality, Crazy-Ex Girlfriend could be the fun, feminist dark-comedy that Broadway needs. Bloom has also discussed the possibility and seems keen to get Rebecca on the stage, so it could happen.

#2: Galavant (2015-16)

Alan Menken wrote the soundtrack to many of our childhoods, and has already been a Broadway success story with shows such as Beauty and the Beast and Little Shop of Horrors. In the 2010s, he provided the music for Galavant, a comedy-fantasy series, described by one cast member as the bastard child of Monty Python and The Princess Bride. As a Princess Bride musical is yet to see the bright lights of Broadway, Galavant could be the next best thing. Whimsical, irreverent and very camp, with fun songs and lots of silliness, it seems destined for the stage. We wouldnt say no to a feel-good night at the theatre with Galavant and the gang.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Flight of the Conchords (2007-09)

We Dont Know How Theyd Do This On Broadway, But Wed Love To See It!

Eli Stone (2008-09)

A Jukebox Musical About a Lawyer with Musical Hallucinations? It Could Work.

#1: Zoeys Extraordinary Playlist (2020-21)

However you feel about the genre, Zoeys Extraordinary Playlist is a great concept for a jukebox musical. Jane Levy is leading lady Zoey, who exits an unusual MRI scan to discover she can now hear the secret thoughts of everyone around her. Those thoughts take the form of large scale song and dance numbers to well-known songs that fit each situation seamlessly. We enjoyed how Zoeys journey panned out in the series. However, a Broadway show could take the premise and characters and go anyway it liked with them, featuring any popular songs that fit the bill. Just take our money already.

Which of these shows would you love to see on stage? Share your favourite musical series in the comments!