Top 10 Hilarious TV Body Swaps

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#10: The Planet Express Crew
“Futurama” (1999-2013)

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After creating a mind switching machine, Professor Farnsworth and Amy trade places to live out their fantasies. The body swapping doesn’t stop there: the entire Planet Express gang gets in on the action as each character jumps from one host to another. Fry and Leela’s romance particularly undergoes some hilarious development as they confront their feelings in the bodies of Farnsworth and Zoidberg. While those two overcome their relationship hurdles, the same sadly can’t be said about Scruffy and the wash bucket. Returning everyone to their original bodies proves especially complicated, but that’s part of what makes this “Futurama” episode so inventive and clever.  

While Dipper and Mabel Pines couldn’t be more different in many respects, that’s largely why they balance each other out so perfectly. The twins come to realize just how much they need one another in this “Gravity Falls” episode where an Electron Carpet causes them to swap bodies. Initially, the two take this opportunity to sabotage each other in order to win a contest. Meanwhile, Soos finds that being a pig isn’t as glamorous as it seems. While this scenario naturally amounts to plenty of laughs, it also encompasses a touching message about growing up too fast and the meaningful bond siblings can share. 

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#8: The Flash & Lex Luthor 
“Justice League Unlimited” (2004-06)

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Although this DC animated series was primarily praised for its action and drama, “Justice League” could also have a wonderful sense of humor about itself. When the Flash and the devious Lex Luthor switch bodies in “The Great Brain Robbery,” we’re treated to some of the show’s best comedic moments. As Luthor, the Flash plays the Legion of Doom for fools and neglects to wash his hands in the process. As the Flash, Luthor attempts to uncover the speedster’s secret identity, but fails to recognize Wally West’s face. With fun plot developments and great character interactions, it’s a classic farce that refreshingly shakes things up. 

When Daniel is tricked into exchanging minds with an aging man named Ma’chello, his expiration date is radically moved up. SG-1 sets off on a race against time to find Ma’chello, who’s absconded with Daniel’s body. Jack and Teal’c only run into more problems, however, when they accidentally swap bodies, too. While the episode is full of memorable character moments, the main focus is on Ma’chello, who actually emerges as a sympathetic soul that simply wants a second chance at happiness. Upon realizing the true value of life, though, he accepts the sad fact that all good things must come to an end. 

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#6: Dick & Sally 
“3rd Rock from the Sun” (1996-2001)

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Being aliens posing as humans, Dick and Sally already have a difficult time blending in. Their covers become even harder to conceal once they swap bodies, which allows both John Lithgow and Kristen Johnston to demonstrate their unparalleled comedic range. Mary and Don are also given a chance to shine, as they come to realize that their significant others are acting stranger than usual. Mixing sharply written humor with inspired physical comedy, our characters begin to question their genders and sexualities. We’d say everything eventually goes back to normal, but “normal” is one word that’ll never be used to describe the Solomons. 

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#5: Arnold Rimmer & Dave Lister
“Red Dwarf” (1988-)

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Hologram Arnold Rimmer and last man alive Dave Lister make for a classic odd couple with one being a proactive busybody and the other being a lazy slob. Through a bodyswap, Rimmer promises to help Lister get into shape. His true intentions aren’t so noble, though, as Rimmer seizes his chance to smoke cigars and pig out. In a humorous role reversal, Lister becomes the responsible one for a change while Rimmer takes matters to unhealthy extremes. Lister does get his body back in barely one piece, but he probably should have warned Cat to watch out for Rimmer

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#4: Buffy & Faith
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003)

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Although Buffy and Faith start off as friends, it soon becomes clear that there’s only room for one Chosen One. The two slayers are almost equally matched in terms of strength, but Buffy’s Scooby Gang gives her a competitive edge. Faith manages to turn everyone against Buffy, however, with a body swap. As despicable as Faith can be, she’s actually compelled to do the right thing in the end and has a moment of redemption. And ultimately, the rebellious slayer makes a tragic discovery about herself: she’s her own worst enemy. Heartbreaking, suspenseful, gripping, creative, and poignant, this storyline is five by five. 

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#3: James T. Kirk & Janice Lester
“Star Trek: The Original Series” (1966-69) 

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In the final episode of the original “Star Trek” series, James T. Kirk finds himself inside a woman… no, not like that. The starship captain is duped into switching bodies with Dr. Janice Lester, an old fling who wishes to take over the Enterprise. Playing an insane woman trapped inside a man’s body, William Shatner gives one of the goofiest performances of his career, which is saying a lot. As illogical as Shatner’s acting can get, this story does raise some intriguing commentary on feminism and gender roles. There’s no doubt that this is an out-of-body experience for the ages. 

Starfire and Raven are the only girls of their adolescent superhero team, but that’s pretty much all they have in common. One fights crime with cheer and optimism, while the other confronts evil with gloom and darkness. Upon switching bodies, however, the polar opposites must work together in order to save the boys from the Puppet King. Of course, this means we get some strong action, comedy, and animation as our heroines adjust to each other’s powers. At the episode’s heart, though, is an unlikely friendship. Once the day is saved, Starfire and Raven not only learn more about one another, but also learn something valuable about themselves. 

Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

Timmy & Doidle the Dog 
“The Fairly OddParents” (2001-)

Clark Kent & Lionel Luthor
Smallville” (2001-11)

Angel & Marcus
“Angel” (1999-2004)

 Phoebe & Paige / Piper & the Zen Master
“Charmed” (1998-2006)

Stan & Klaus
“American Dad!” (2005-)

Candace & Perry
“Phineas and Ferb” (2007-15)

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#1: Sam Beckett & Everyone
"Quantum Leap" (1989-93)

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The entire setup of this series revolves around Dr. Sam Beckett leaping into the bodies of other people throughout history, putting things right that once went wrong; so we’ve given the number one spot to the whole show. The body-swapping fun begins in the pilot episode, where Sam steps into the incomplete project accelerator, and wakes up in the year 1956 with no memory, in the body of an Air Force test pilot. Beckett realizes that for each leap, it’s his responsibility to take someone’s place to change a past event, and then make it to the next leap. Each “Quantum Leap” episode keeps us at the edge of our seats as we wait to see who Beckett will switch bodies with next, which is why it tops our list!


Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite body swap episode? For more entertaining Top 10s published everyday, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.