Warning: This article mentions topics of suicide.
While clip show episodes on TV have a bad reputation to them, some titles switch up the format altogether and offer something new. A clip show episode is an installment of a show that takes scenes from previous episodes and edits them into a new story, often involving the characters reflecting on their lives. This trope is particularly prominent in sitcom shows, although programs from other genres also attempt these kinds of episodes, too.
Clip shows are often just filler and add nothing to the know. One of Friends’ worst-rated episodes is a clip show, for example. That said, other titles have managed to produce an episode that changes things up by veering away from the traditional format by airing scenes that are brand new, contributing new details to the overall story, or simply mocking themselves.
10 "The Gang Does A Clip Show"
It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia Season 13, Episode 7
"The Gang Does a Clip Show" is one of the best episodes of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s later seasons, and it stands out because of its format. While this episode uses clips from old episodes, "The Gang Does a Clip Show" also mixes in brand-new segments, too. As the gang waits for their phone systems to update, they start to reflect on their past escapades, but their senses of reality quickly become blurred.
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
- Release Date
- August 4, 2005
- Network
- FX
WHERE TO WATCH
- Showrunner
- Rob McElhenney
The past clips focus on memorable moments, but perhaps less prominent than scenes from episodes like “The Nightman Cometh.” For example, there is a montage of Dee’s many injuries throughout the show, which is hilarious.
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Each of the gang’s twisted take on the present is amazing, too, and it’s fascinating to see the inner workings of each character’s psyche. One of the best parts, however, is when the gang falsely re the events of the groundbreaking Seinfeld episode “The Contest” happening to them. Hopefully, the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia season 17 will include another episode like "The Gang Does a Clip Show."
9 "Paradigms Of Human Memory"
Community Season 2, Episode 21
Community’s "Paradigms of Human Memory" hilariously turns the clip show concept on its head. The episode not only parodies the trope, but it mocks Community itself, resulting in a brilliant installment overall. "Paradigms of Human Memory" stands as one of the best episodes of Community because it provides a bunch of never-before-seen moments, all of which are amazingly funny, even when they lack context. This episode contains an incredible 70 new scenes, which include moments like Jeff and Troy taking a barbering class and the group wearing straightjackets in an institution.
What works so well about this episode is that while it follows the standard format of a clip show, it isn’t a drag to watch. While some of these clips are connected to past stories and are more of an extension of the plot, others are simply fun tidbits that allow viewers to learn more about their favorite characters. Although it’s very unlikely the Community movie will feature any flashbacks, hopefully, it will at least delve into the study group’s past at Greendale and perhaps provide audiences with some new moments that haven’t been seen previously.
8 "Clip Show"
Supernatural Season 8, Episode 22
Supernatural’s “Clip Show” isn’t a typical clip show episode, despite the title. The penultimate episode of season 8 follows Sam, Dean, and Castiel trying to stop Crowley from needlessly murdering those that Supernatural’s Winchester brothers save over the years. While the past clips are only used as context so audiences can exactly who these characters are, they don’t overshadow the main story whatsoever.
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- Showrunner
- Eric Kripke
Even though there are loads of people the brothers rescue in every season of Supernatural, and “Clip Show” is only halfway through the show’s run, there are still plenty of people to be reminded of. This installment also still keeps the season arc at the forefront of things, which is great, seeing as most clip show episodes typically step away from the overarching story just to reminisce. Plus, audiences who rewatch Supernatural a lot are able to focus on the current plot, but they also don’t have to revisit a bunch of old scenes that they’re already familiar with.
7 "Class Picture"
That '70s Show Season 4, Episode 20
“Class Picture” from That '70s Show is another clip show episode that uses new scenes, but it also provides a good amount of new backstory and character details, too. As the group prepares for their yearbook photograph, they look back at how they all met. It’s great to finally discover how Fez becomes friends with everyone else, for example, and this scene also explains how his name comes about. It’s also brilliant to see more interactions between the younger versions of the characters. From the beginning, it’s established that the others have been friends since childhood.
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- Showrunner
- Gregg Mettler
“Class Picture” sets up the very early days of Donna and Eric’s relationship in That ‘70s Show and also properly confirms Jackie’s involvement with the group before she dates Kelso, which is something the show tends to skirt around in the earlier seasons. What’s particularly funny about Donna and Eric’s first meeting is not that Donna’s toughness is apparent from a young age; it’s that, for a brief time, Eric is taller than his future wife. This episode touches on Hyde’s tough childhood, but it demonstrates that his mother-son relationship with Kitty starts long before he moves into the basement.
6 "The Clip Show Wherein Dante And Randal Are Locked In The Freezer And Some Of The Great Moments In Their Lives"
Clerks: The Animated Series Season 1, Episode 2
Clerks: The Animated Series, an animated show based on the first of the Clerks movies, mixes things up by throwing in a clip show in episode 2, which is a strange time to do so, considering it only has the pilot to work with. However, this is actually a fantastic idea, as the rather long titled "The Clip Show Wherein Dante and Randal are Locked in the Freezer and Some of the Great Moments in Their Lives" reuses clips from the same episode and the one before it.
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Clerks: The Animated Series
- Release Date
- May 31, 2000
Cast
Brian O'HalloranDante Hicks-
Jeff AndersonRandall Graves
-
Jason MewesJay
Silent Bob
The episode focuses on the group getting locked in Quick Stop’s freezer and looking back on their lives. Although there’s a lack of content to use, the result is actually great, and it somehow doesn’t get old. The pair reflect on stopping Leonardo, their past experiences working in stores across the globe, and how they all first met. It’s absolutely hilarious when someone says “ when we…” only for a clip from just moments before to play, and it brilliantly flips the clip show trope upside down.
5 "Morty's Mind Blowers"
Rick And Morty Season 3, Episode 8
Rick and Morty’s “Morty's Mind Blowers” is a great example of a clip show episode done well. The season 3 anthology episode introduces the titular concept, in which the two lead characters revisit wiped memories from Morty’s mind using a device built by Rick. These memories are all new scenes, and Rick hilariously refers to the episode as "A clip show made of clips you never saw.” “Morty’s Mind Blowers” provides mostly harrowing moments that both Rick and Morty understandably want to forget, all of which are hysterically funny to watch play out.
Some of these memories include ridiculous instances like Morty unintentionally causing an innocent person to commit suicide, a parody of Schindler’s List with Beth choosing to save Summer’s life over her son’s, and Mr. Poopybutthole proposing to Morty. What’s also brilliant about “Morty’s Mind Blowers” is that the moments in clip shows are usually connected in some way, but these Rick and Morty scenes are unrelated to one another, which makes it even funnier.
4 "The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular"
The Simpsons Season 7, Episode 10
The Simpsons celebrated a major milestone in “The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular,” and while this doesn’t seem a particularly notable moment in the show’s timeline, it doesn’t really matter as the episode is still an enjoyable watch. In this retrospective installment, Troy McClure talks viewers through The Simpsons’ progression over the years, starting with its origins on The Tracey Ullman Show. While there is no overarching story to “The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular,” there is plenty of content to enjoy
The fictional celebrity personality also shows deleted scenes from The Simpsons’ best episodes, which adds further layers to some of the show’s most iconic stories, and even an alternate ending to the legendary “Who Shot Mr. Burns?” two-parter. The Simpsons breaks the fourth wall with this episode, but especially with the “Who Shot Mr. Burns?” segment, as it includes a hilarious clip that depicts Matt Groening as a gun-obsessed drunk, rather than the man viewers know him to be.
3 "City On The Edge Of Forever"
South Park Season 2, Episode 7
South Park’s “City on the Edge of Forever,” not to be confused with the Star Trek: The Original Series episode, sees the South Park Elementary school bus teetering on the edge of a cliff, which leaves the students to reflect. While this episode uses existing clips, they are altered and changed in various ways from the original cut. For example, Stan successfully kisses Wendy twice, rather than vomiting everywhere when she tries to speak to him. As time goes on, the kids even note that their stories aren’t accurate, but this just adds to the humor of it.
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- Showrunner
- Trey Parker
There are also new scenes that parody other TV shows, like Fonzie leaping over several buses, which is a joke on South Park celebrity voice cameo.
2 "Clip Show 2"
Malcolm In The Middle Season 4, Episode 17
Malcolm in the Middle has two clip show episodes, but the second, “Clip Show 2,” is a brilliant and funny watch. “Clip Show 2” focuses on Hal and Lois writing their will, but in the process, they end up reminiscing about all the extreme stress their sons put them through. Interestingly, this is the only episode that Frankie Muniz’s Malcolm doesn’t appear in, except for in the flashback clips. The reason why this episode stands out over the first, though, is that Lois’ pregnancy allows the couple to think even more about their past experiences and overall parenting skills.
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- Showrunner
- Linwood Boomer
However, not all the clips are related to their kids. “Clip Show 2” delves into the state of Hal and Lois’ marriage, too, and scenes like Hal’s roller skating hilariously shine a light on the mistakes they both make. Although this isn’t one of the best episodes of Malcolm in the Middle, it does provide more details to existing stories. Lois and Hal learn a lot more about the things they hide from one another, for example. Plus, “Clip Show 2” doesn’t rely on past scenes too much for the sake of laughs, and there’s a proper story to follow.
1 "Gary Meets Dave"
A.P. Bio Season 3, Episode 3
A.P. Bio’s take on a clip show episode, “Gary Meets Dave,” is rather inventive. Instead of using old clips, A.P. Bio makes this episode up of a series of “previously on” segments, none of which are actually preexisting. While some find it hard to follow, that’s part of the joke, as many sections of the episode make no sense in succession and it tricks viewers into thinking they’ve missed something. A.P. Bio takes a traditional sitcom format and creates something brand new, although the closest thing at the moment it can be compared to is a clip show.
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What’s really fun about “Gary Meets Dave” is that it never really explains the gag, so when it jumps between events and announces “Previously on A.P. Bio,” viewers simply have to work it out for themselves. However, these new clips remain canon, which is interesting. Dale continues to be married after this, and Stef’s pregnancy continues, rather than these random throwaway scenes becoming irrelevant. While this clip show episode is rather random and confusing at points, it switches up the trope brilliantly.
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