Reflecting on Terry Crews’ Favorite Cold Open from Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Brooklyn Nine-Nine, a beloved comedy series that aired on NBC, is renowned for its clever writing and unforgettable characters. One of its standout features is the cold open—an opening scene that sets the tone for the episode and delivers laughs before the credits roll. Recently, Terry Crews, who plays Sergeant Terry Jeffords, shared his personal favorite cold open from the show, highlighting its unique blend of humor and nostalgia.
Terry Crews’ Top Pick: “The Night Shift”
Crews identifies the cold open from Season 4’s episode titled “The Night Shift” as his favorite. This episode follows detectives Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg) and Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero) after they rescue Captain Raymond Holt (Andre Braugher) and Peralta from witness protection. As a consequence for ignoring orders, the whole squad is assigned night shifts. The humor ensues as Jake and his colleague Charles Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio) react to their frosted tips hairstyles—a style so prevalent in the ‘90s.
“Charles’s undying and disturbing affection for Jake is one of the funniest running gags I’ve ever seen. This cold open never ceases to make me laugh, no matter how many times I see it,” Crews remarked when discussing his favorite scene with Variety. The shared moment of realization that they need to remove their frosted tips instantly becomes a comedic highlight.
A Nostalgic Nod to the ’90s
The cold open cleverly references a cultural trend from the ‘90s, where frosted tips were a hallmark of the boy band aesthetic, epitomized by groups like NSYNC. This nostalgic element contributes to the humor, as it plays on the absurdity of Jake’s belief that this style is still fashionable in 2016. Crews elaborates, “[Charles and Jake] scream, ‘Nooooooo!’ together when they realize once Jake gets his tips cut, they’ll be ‘Tip Buds’ no longer.” This running gag resonates with audiences, particularly those who experienced the era firsthand.
The Cultural Impact of Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Cold Opens
Brooklyn Nine-Nine is distinguished not just for its characters and narrative, but for its exceptional cold opens, which serve to captivate viewers and deliver laughs even before the main storyline begins. Such openings have become a hallmark of sitcoms, and the show is recognized as a trailblazer in this format. Alongside memorable moments like Jake’s karaoke rendition of “I Want It That Way,” the show has left an indelible mark on the landscape of television comedy.
The series’ ability to blend humor with poignant cultural references demonstrates its sophistication. For instance, its final season addresses significant social issues, including racial injustice, while still retaining the comedic essence that the show is known for.
Audiences have differing opinions on what makes the best cold open; however, Crews’ favorite stands out for its humor and nostalgia, encapsulating the show’s spirit perfectly.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Laughter
In reflection, Brooklyn Nine-Nine has effectively used its cold opens to not only introduce episodes but also to create cultural touchstones that resonate with viewers. Terry Crews’ admiration for “The Night Shift” cold open underscores the show’s ability to evoke laughter while paying homage to a defining era of pop culture. As the series continues to find new life in streaming services, its cold opens—and the show as a whole—remain a testament to the power of comedy in tackling both the absurd and the profound in our lives.
