6 Cold Opens That Changed Their Sitcoms’ Stories Massively

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Cold opens – those short scenes before the opening credits – have become a defining feature of many sitcoms. While not always essential to the main plot, they’ve significantly impacted how these shows are made. Sitcoms, especially classic NBC shows like The Office and Parks and Recreation, were famous for their memorable cold opens, both when they originally aired and even today.

Most episode introductions didn’t really affect the main storyline. They usually just set the scene or provided a chance to include a quick joke that didn’t fit elsewhere. But occasionally, a cold open would dramatically shift things, either with a sudden, intense moment or by hinting at a future event that significantly impacted the characters and the show’s direction. These memorable openings truly left their mark.

6
Rosa Leaves the Force

‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ – Season 8, Episode 1 ‘The Good Ones’


NBC

Brooklyn Nine-Nine was known for its memorable cold opens, like the “I Want It That Way” sing-along and the “Diane Wiest” joke. However, the moment that truly shifted the show’s direction came in the Season 8 premiere when Rosa announced she was leaving the police force. She decided to become a private investigator for a number of reasons, but a major one was the death of George Floyd, and her desire to help people who hadn’t received justice from the police.

This unexpected turn of events was a powerful way to show how much Rosa had grown since the beginning of Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Beyond that, this opening scene fundamentally changed the show, and it thoughtfully addressed the important message surrounding the real-world tragedy of George Floyd’s death.

5
DeDe’s Death

‘Modern Family’ – Season 10, Episode 5 ‘Good Grief’


ABC

Though Modern Family was generally a lighthearted show, the beginning of the Season 10 episode “Good Grief” was surprisingly emotional. DeDe, a memorable character known for her complicated relationships with her kids, had shown moments of kindness, which made her sudden death all the more impactful. The episode revealed Claire receiving the news of her mother’s passing – she died peacefully in her sleep while on vacation – during Halloween festivities.

Usually, Claire had a strange habit of smiling when talking about death, but she didn’t this time—at least, not immediately. The change was so sudden, though, that it took viewers as long to understand it as it did for Claire herself. It was a truly impactful way to start the show.

4
Preparing for the Beach

‘Friends’ – Season 3, Episode 25 ‘The One at the Beach’


NBC

The beginning of the Friends episode “The One at the Beach” wasn’t filled with big events, but it was important because it hinted at major storylines to come. It subtly suggested the future romance between Monica and Chandler, hinted that Ross and Rachel might get back together (though that didn’t last), and started the chain of events that eventually revealed Phoebe’s true parentage.

These three plot points were crucial to the direction of Friends moving forward. Joey was the only character not directly affected by the opening scene or the episode’s events. However, even this short, simple beginning set off a chain of surprising moments that dramatically changed Friends – for better or worse.

3
Ron & Diane’s Wedding

‘Parks and Recreation’ – Season 6, Episode 1 ‘London (Part 1)’


NBC

As a fan, I always thought Ron Swanson was a man of few words and quick decisions, and his wedding to Diane proved it! Right after finding out she was pregnant at the end of Season 5, he proposed immediately. It was a total whirlwind – they raced up to the fourth floor of City Hall to get married, with April and a super enthusiastic Leslie tagging along. Of course, Leslie tried to give a big, heartfelt speech, but Ron – and the situation – wouldn’t allow it to last very long!

Ron’s quick wedding to Diane on Parks and Recreation felt perfectly right for his character. Diane had expressed wanting a small ceremony, and given Ron’s history – this was his fourth marriage, including two to Tammy – a simple, efficient wedding made sense. This marriage actually helped Ron grow as a person, a change that Donna and others frequently noted throughout the rest of the series. It was a genuinely funny and fitting moment for him.

2
Barbara Reynolds’ Death

‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ – Season 3, Episode 3 ‘Dennis and Dee’s Mom is Dead’


FX

As a huge fan of It’s Always Sunny, I think their cold opens are legendary, and the one from “Dennis and Dee’s Mom is Dead” is a perfect example. It starts with Frank casually walking into Paddy’s and dropping the news that his ex-wife, Barbara, has passed away. The funny thing is, nobody buys it at first! Remember back in Season 2 when he claimed she was dead, but it turned out they were just getting divorced? It’s a great callback and just sets the tone for the whole episode.

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The writers made a bold choice when they killed off a recurring character on It’s Always Sunny, and they’ve since admitted they almost regretted it. Barbara’s death had a big impact on multiple characters – Dee and Dennis lost their mother, while Frank no longer had to pay alimony. The episode also introduced the Lawyer, who later wished he hadn’t handled Barbara’s will. Plus, it launched storylines about Barbara’s mansion and Dee and Dennis’s father, which continued throughout the show’s later seasons.

1
Dwight’s Pepper Spray

‘The Office’ – Season 3, Episode 19 ‘The Negotiation’

The episode of The Office called “The Negotiation” begins with a surprising moment: Dwight Schrute uses his unusual fighting skills to help Jim. After learning that Jim and Pam kissed, an enraged Roy storms into the office, intending to confront Jim. But Dwight quickly intervenes, using pepper spray to stop Roy before he can reach Jim.

A significant turning point in Jim and Pam’s blossoming relationship occurred on The Office. Jim was currently dating Karen, who was shocked by the unfolding events, and Pam was mortified that everyone at work now knew about it. True to form, Dwight wasn’t interested in praise, but he did enjoy the attention he got from Angela after she found out what he’d done.

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2025-12-23 17:07