5 best celebrity Zoom reunions of quarantine so far

Celebrity Zoom reunions are currently the no. 1 form of entertainment being produced during quarantine, so let’s take a look at the best of a new art form.

This spring, a number of things happened. (An understatement if there ever was one!) As a result of the global novel coronavirus pandemic, stay-at-home orders were enacted across the country and production was shut down across the entertainment industry. Additionally, because it was a global pandemic at the heart of these changes, there was simultaneously a growing need to support both those on the front lines of the fight and those in most need in our communities.

So once everyone got a handle on Zoom, celebrity reunions for a good cause started popping up every week. It started rough, with the now-infamous “Imagine” song, but has since evolved into more entertaining and less tone-deaf forms.

Here are 5 of the best.

5 best celebrity Zoom specials of quarantine so far

5. Disney Family Singalong

The Disney Family Singalong graciously kept to its tight hour runtime and straight to point: Celebrities and pop stars in the Disney family performing Disney covers. From Ariana Grande giving us her Hercules audition tape to Christina Aguilera singing a ballad with/to her dog, it was a solid entry into the quarantine collective content collection with a bona fide Zoom reunion in the form of the High School Musical closing number.

Also, Beyonce sang “When You Wish Upon a Star”!

RELATED: 5 more pop star Disney covers we want to see next

4. Lady Gaga’s Together at Home Concert

Gaga’s Together at Home concert was lovely for a number of reasons. First, right off the cuff hosts Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert told viewers they weren’t here to solicit donations. A whole bunch of corporations were donating, but the purpose of the benefit concert was solely to entertain fans at home and offer appreciation for the healthcare workers fighting the good fight through segments highlighting their work.

The other delightful thing about Together at Home was the truly next-level voyeurism it offered into the homes of these stars. Sometimes with Zoom conference calls, there are so many squares and the squares are so small, you can’t really see the outrageousness of their home situation or how many candles they have placed dramatically on their piano.

3. Sondheim’s 90th Birthday Concert

Perhaps this should have been obvious, but putting together this list really drove home how niche the best of these reunions are. Go too big and it begins to feel random and contrived and a little tedious. But tap into the heart of the fandom — say, Broadway fans but specifically Stephen Sondheim fans — and the results are gold.

From technical difficulties to the instantly viral combination of Meryl Streep, Christine Baranksi and Audra McDonald Ladies Who Lunch” and throwing back drinks, it was all utterly charming and a true gift to fans of the Sondheim, musicals and all the assorted celebrities who took part.

Sidebar Honorary Mention: Table reads, generally, but for example, Big Mouth

On the subject of niche excellence, Zoom table reads have also represented the best of the form for the same reason the Sondheim special resonated: They bring together beloved faces to perform beloved material while also adding that fun element of home production and pals bantering about.

2. John Krasinski presents Hamilton

John Krasinski’s Some Good News YouTube show has been a surprisingly consistent delight. All the late-night shows have gone remote, but Krasinski’s has a certain charm. More to the point, Krasinski has leveraged his considerable Rolodex for . Most recently, that was recruiting Guy Fieri, Martha Stewart, David Chang and Stanley Tucci for a virtual potlock in which they created user-submitted home recipes and video-chatted with the fans.

But the more impressive celebrity reunion Krasinski orchestrated on his show came with an assist from Lin-Manuel Miranda who brought the complete original Broadway cast of Hamilton together to sing “Alexander Hamilton” for a fan.

1. Katie Nolan’s Celebrity Phone Tree

This is an oldie — it may even predate “Imagine” but time is a meaningless concept and I can’t be bothered to fact-check — but a true gem that needs to be recreated ASAP across industries.

It begins with a relatively simple premise: Katie Nolan assembles a crew of ESPN personalities and challenges them to get the biggest celebrity they know to join the Zoom call. First you see fellow sports personalities, but the phone tree goes from zero to 60 when the recruited celebrities start getting in on the action.

I won’t spoil who shows up — part of what makes this the best celebrity Zoom reunion is the suspense of not knowing who will show up (and who invited them) — but it is charming, entertaining and star-studded. Everything a celebrity Zoom reunion should be!

For more, explore the Entertainment section at FanSided.com.