Fellow Ozians, rejoicify! We’re only days away from Wicked: For Good playing in movie theatres! Since the first part of the Wicked film adaptation was released in November 2024, fans have been celebrating their love through TikTok choreography, baked goods, fashion, and even a tarot card deck.
Wicked has been beloved by fans since the musical premiered on Broadway in 2003, so there have been plenty of send-ups through the years. While you’re counting down the days until November 21, we’ve compiled a list of 13 parodies, sketches, and musical tributes for you to watch.
Musical Tributes
1. “Popular Song” by Mika and Ariana Grande
To kick things off, we’re starting with the film’s own G(a)linda: Ariana Grande! Back in 2013, Grande teamed up with pop singer Mika for “Popular Song,” which interpolates the melody from Wicked’s “Popular.” The song’s context is the opposite of the original, calling out the popular bullies for picking on others. The music video takes an even darker twist.
2. “#Wicked4Whitney”
The smooth R&B arrangements of Whitney Houston songs meet the beloved lyrics of Wicked in the mashup “#WICKED4WHITNEY” from director, producer, and actor Michael Korte. Houston faves like “It’s Not Right but It’s Okay” and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” are seamlessly intertwined with Wicked songs such as “What Is This Feeling?” and “Dancing Through Life.”
3. “A Chance to Fly”
This Wicked a cappella medley from VoicePlay, featuring Rachel Potter and Emoni Wilkins, immerses viewers into the world of Oz as it showcases snippets of songs, including “Defying Gravity,” “No One Mourns the Wicked,” and “The Wizard and I.”
4. “Wicked Medley”
Singers Nick Pitera and Peter Hollens perform a two-man medley of Wicked a cappella–style. They bring their showmanship and their vocal prowess to songs like “Dancing Through Life,” “Popular,” and “What Is This Feeling?”
5. “One Woman A Capella Wicked Medley”
Heather Traska performs 40 characters in 14 songs for her impressive one-woman a cappella Wicked medley!
Comedy Sketches
6. “Wicked Auditions” (Saturday Night Live)
This SNL spoof offers viewers some never-before-seen screen tests for Wicked’s film adaptation! See what Adele, Bad Bunny, Charli XCX, Fran Lebowitz, JoJo Siwa, and others would be like in the audition room.
7. “Airport Sushi” (Saturday Night Live)
In this SNL sketch, Pete Davidson buys sushi at LaGuardia Airport, and soon he is transported into a musical where he learns what a grave mistake he’s made and what other chaos takes place at the airport. Besides Jake Gyllenhaal singing “Defying Gravity,” several other famous musical theater songs receive parody treatments, including Annie’s “Tomorrow,” West Side Story’s “America,” and The Phantom of the Opera’s titular song.
8. “Ariana Grande Monologue” (Saturday Night Live)
When Grande hosted Saturday Night Live on October 13, 2024, she promised she would just be hosting, not performing. Of course, that’s when the band came in and she sang a musical number, complete with Bowen Yang showing up in Grande’s Glinda outfit.
Sitcom/TV Parodies
9. Betty’s Wicked Date Drama (Ugly Betty)
In “Something Wicked This Way Comes” (season 2, episode 6), Wicked is the backdrop for Betty’s dating drama. Betty, played by America Ferrera, attends the musical with Henry (Christopher Gorham) on a date, until she sees her boss Daniel (Eric Mabius) there and pretends to be on a date with Gio (Freddy Rodriguez) instead. You’ll spot Eden Espinosa and Megan Hilty as Elphaba and Glinda for the performance, with clips from “Defying Gravity,” “I’m Not That Girl,” and “Popular.”
10. Winston’s Wicked Car Karaoke (New Girl)
Winston, played by Lamorne Morris, has a solo car karaoke moment to “Defying Gravity” and “Popular” while driving off to Mexico with two unexpected passengers in the trunk. Watch the clip from “Fancyman Part 2” (season 1, episode 18).
11. Jay’s Best Friend Reunion (Modern Family)
When Jay (Ed O’Neill) reunites with his best friend Shorty (Chazz Palminteri) in “Sex, Lies & Kickball” (season 9, episode 4), they attend a performance of Wicked together. Watching “For Good” acts as a catalyst for the pair to share an emotional breakthrough.
12. Mateo Says Goodbye With “For Good” (Superstore)
In another America Ferrera show Superstore, Ferrara’s character Amy is preparing to move to California. When her Cloud 9 coworkers present her with a goodbye video in “California Part 2” (season 6, episode 2), Mateo (Nico Santos) sings “For Good” as a tribute to her impact.
13. Miranda Changes Mary’s Life “For Good” (And Just Like That)
Rosie O’Donnell guest-starred on Sex and the City’s reboot And Just Like That as Mary, a nun visiting New York City who hooks up with Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) in “Outlook Good” (season 3, episode 1). When Mary requests Miranda meet her in Times Square, Miranda ends their short-lived fling. As they part ways, Mary offers Miranda an impromptu performance of “For Good.”
