Top 5 Hilarious Brooklyn 99 Tarantula Cold Open Moments
Brooklyn Nine-Nine, the beloved comedy series, is renowned for its hilarious cold opens that set the tone for each episode. Among the many memorable moments, the tarantula-themed cold opens stand out, providing a perfect blend of suspense, character-driven humor, and slapstick comedy. These scenes, often featuring unexpected twists and the characters’ over-the-top reactions, have become fan favorites. This article dives into the top 5 most hilarious tarantula cold open moments, analyzing what makes them so funny and why they resonate so well with audiences. Get ready to relive the chaos and the laughs!
The Tarantula Introduction
Every great tarantula cold open begins with a bang — or in this case, a creepy crawly reveal. The initial introduction of the tarantula is a masterclass in building tension and setting the stage for the ensuing comedy. Whether it’s a sudden appearance, an accidental discovery, or a seemingly innocent situation turned upside down, the way the tarantula enters the scene is crucial. The use of suspenseful music, close-up shots, and the characters’ initial reactions work together to create a sense of impending doom, immediately followed by comedic relief. Picture the squad, unsuspecting, then BAM, the eight-legged surprise!
The chaos usually unfolds quickly after the tarantula’s appearance, with the characters’ personalities immediately coming to the forefront. You can almost predict what is going to happen next, but somehow still get surprised by it. This is where the writers show their true colours and put the characters in some wild situations.
Initial Reaction and Chaos

The immediate reactions of the characters are key to the humor. Different personalities bring different responses. The initial shock, fear, and confusion create a chaotic and hilarious environment. These reactions are the foundation of the comedy, setting the stage for everything that follows. The varying responses from each character often highlight their individual quirks and how they deal with stressful situations, be it with a sense of calm or sheer panic. This diversity is what truly makes the cold opens stand out.
Jake Peralta’s Antics
Jake Peralta, with his immature and often reckless behavior, is a central figure in these moments. His attempts to handle the situation, often fueled by a desire for attention or a misunderstanding of the situation, provide some of the best comedic moments. His antics range from over-the-top bravado to moments of genuine, albeit misguided, attempts at heroism. These scenes frequently involve physical comedy, exaggerated expressions, and some of his most memorable one-liners. The audience is on the edge of their seats, while also bursting with laughter.
Amy Santiago’s Reaction
Amy Santiago’s meticulous and sometimes overly-prepared approach to situations contrasts perfectly with Jake’s antics, creating a dynamic duo of comedy. Her reactions, often involving a carefully planned strategy or a frantic attempt to maintain order, are always entertaining. The juxtaposition of her composed exterior with the chaos around her, and her reactions to Jake’s impulsive actions, generate some of the most memorable moments in the cold opens. We as viewers are always trying to guess what will happen with the two of them, and we are never disappointed.
The Unexpected Twist

The best tarantula cold opens always include an unexpected twist that elevates the humor and keeps the audience guessing. This could be a misunderstanding, a reveal, or a completely unforeseen event that changes the direction of the scene. These twists are carefully crafted to surprise the audience, often involving a humorous reveal or a sudden change in the characters’ perceptions. The unexpected nature of these events is what makes them so memorable. You never know what is going to happen, and that is why we love this show so much!
The Reveal
The reveal, whether of the tarantula’s true nature or the source of the chaos, is a critical moment. This is where the writers often incorporate a punchline or a twist that brings the comedic elements together. The reveal can involve the tarantula itself, or it might be a realization about the characters or the situation they are in. This could be the reveal of an unexpected plot, the cause of the panic, or a simple misunderstanding. Either way, it is the climax of the comedic setup. The build up is always followed by a great punchline!
Moment 1 The Initial Encounter
The initial encounter with the tarantula sets the tone for the whole episode, showcasing the characters’ immediate reactions and laying the groundwork for the ensuing comedy. This opening scene is crucial, featuring the first glimpse of the tarantula and the characters’ initial responses, often setting the tone for the entire episode. The humor comes from the contrast between the characters’ personalities and the shared experience of encountering a potentially dangerous situation.
Character Reactions

The reactions of each character are carefully designed to highlight their individual quirks. Jake’s often impulsive and sometimes reckless reactions contrast beautifully with Amy’s more measured and strategic responses. The rest of the squad adds to the mix, with their own unique perspectives and behaviors. The comedic effect lies in these differences, as each character brings their own distinct style to the situation, creating a vibrant and entertaining ensemble.
Humorous Dialogue
The dialogue is a major source of humor in these scenes. The writers incorporate clever lines and witty banter to highlight the tension and panic of the situation. The use of one-liners, sarcasm, and humorous exchanges between characters create an unforgettable experience. Each line is crafted to build up the comedic timing.
The Physical Comedy
Physical comedy plays a significant role, with the actors employing slapstick, exaggerated movements, and humorous expressions to amplify the humor. These moments often involve characters stumbling, falling, or making absurd attempts to deal with the tarantula. The physical humor is often in sync with the script.
Moment 2 The Misunderstanding

Misunderstandings are a common comedic device in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and the tarantula cold opens are no exception. A misunderstanding can lead to increased panic, funny assumptions, and a series of chaotic events. This often involves someone misinterpreting information or making incorrect assumptions about the situation. The ensuing chaos always creates hilarious situations.
Peralta’s Misinterpretation
Jake Peralta’s tendency to misinterpret situations adds another layer of humor. His often wrong assumptions or his tendency to jump to conclusions are a constant source of laughs. The way he overreacts or misunderstands the situation creates endless comedic possibilities. This type of humor can be seen throughout the series, and it is definitely one of the best.
The Build-up of Tension
Before the punchline, the scene builds up tension through suspenseful music, quick cuts, and the characters’ reactions. This anticipation heightens the comedic effect, making the punchline even more impactful. This creates a feeling of anxiety within the viewer.
The Punchline

The punchline is the culmination of the misunderstanding, usually revealing the truth in a surprising and funny way. This could be a simple explanation that the characters missed, a misidentification, or a bizarre twist that turns everything on its head. The punchline brings the scene to a satisfying and hilarious conclusion, often leaving the characters and the audience stunned, laughing, or both.
Moment 3 The Panic
Panic is a key element in the humor of these scenes, with the characters’ reactions to the tarantula often resulting in heightened emotions, exaggerated behaviors, and moments of pure comedic gold. The panic that arises is often due to some of the characters’ fear of spiders, and this adds to the humor. Their behavior becomes so absurd that it is funny to watch.
The Spread of Fear
The fear spreads quickly among the squad, creating a domino effect of increasingly frantic behaviors. This is where the collective hysteria leads to some of the most hilarious moments, as each character’s individual fears and quirks are amplified by the situation. This often highlights the characters’ different coping mechanisms. The spread of the fear is highly infectious and entertaining.
The Attempts at Control

In an attempt to regain control, characters make frantic and often misguided efforts to manage the situation. This can include trying to capture the tarantula, barricading themselves, or calling for help. These attempts, often resulting in hilarious mishaps, demonstrate the characters’ resourcefulness and panic. The attempts at control often end up being more chaotic than the tarantula itself, as we get a deeper understanding of each character’s personality.
The Failed Solutions
The characters’ solutions often fail spectacularly, resulting in more chaos and laughter. The solutions themselves can be based on misinterpretations, overconfidence, or a lack of understanding. The failures, however, are part of the humor, showing how the characters react under pressure. These failures often add to the comedic value.
Moment 4 The Unexpected Hero
The Unexpected Hero is a common trope in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and it often appears in the tarantula cold opens. The character that saves the day, is usually the most unlikely person. This person can show their ability to adapt to high-pressure situations and show their courage.
A Character’s Unexpected Bravery

A character, often someone not typically known for bravery, will step up to save the day. This moment of unexpected bravery not only provides a comedic payoff but also offers a touching moment of character development. Seeing a character overcome their fears or embrace a moment of heroism is always a highlight.
The Resolution
The resolution of the crisis, whether it involves capturing the tarantula or safely removing it, brings the comedic setup to a satisfying conclusion. This resolution may involve a simple solution, or it could come with a surprising twist. The success in resolving the situation often provides relief, further adding to the humor.
The Aftermath
The aftermath of the tarantula encounter often reveals the long-term effects on the characters. The characters’ reactions show their personality and how they react to a stressful situation. This highlights the characters’ resilience and the bonds within the squad.
Moment 5 The Reflection
The reflection stage offers a chance for the characters to look back on the events that transpired, making the whole scene even funnier. This often highlights the memorable moments, or a specific joke. The reflection moments serve as the perfect bookend.
The Characters’ Takeaways
In reflection, the characters may have different takeaways. This often depends on the specific events that unfolded. The characters can reflect on their actions and how they can improve, or they can make fun of each other. This is always an entertaining moment.
The Comedic Timing
Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s comedic timing is exceptional, with the writers and actors knowing when to deliver the perfect punchline. The pauses, expressions, and actions of the characters all contribute to a memorable experience. The timing is always perfect, and the jokes land every single time. This is why the show is still so popular to this day.
The Memorable Quotes
The tarantula cold opens are filled with memorable quotes that have become fan favorites, making these moments even more memorable. The writers always use their unique writing style, and each one is always unforgettable. These are always repeated and used in the daily life.
In conclusion, the Brooklyn Nine-Nine tarantula cold opens are a treasure trove of comedy. Through expertly crafted suspense, the varied reactions of the characters, and the clever use of physical and situational humor, these scenes have secured their place in television history. The combination of these elements has made the tarantula cold opens some of the funniest moments in the series. The show’s success stems from the brilliant writing, the exceptional performances by the cast, and the unique comedic elements that set it apart. If you have not watched this show, go and watch it!
