```html Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Channel Streisand and Garland with 'Happy' Duet on 'Wicked' TV Special

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo paid homage to two iconic performers, Barbra Streisand and Judy Garland, during NBC's "Wicked: One Wonderful Night" special on Wednesday. The duo's rendition of the "Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again" medley, a pairing popularized by Streisand and Garland in 1963, served as the climax of the two-hour broadcast dedicated primarily to Stephen Schwartz's "Wicked" scores.

A Nod to Showbiz History

While younger viewers may have been unfamiliar with the mashup, seasoned fans immediately recognized the tribute to the historic performance. The medley combines "Get Happy," originally made famous by Judy Garland in the 1950 musical "Summer Stock," with "Happy Days Are Here Again," a signature tune for Barbra Streisand dating back to 1929. The pairing became legendary when Garland and Streisand performed it on "The Judy Garland Show" on October 6, 1963.

The Original Performance: A Generational Hand-Off

The 1963 performance held particular significance as it captured two legends at pivotal stages in their careers. Streisand, then 21, was on the cusp of stardom, having released her debut album earlier that year but predating her breakthrough role in "Funny Girl." Garland, at 41, was a seasoned performer navigating the challenges of a career in decline. Garland reportedly conceived the duet as a way to inject energy into her variety show, inviting the young Streisand to share the stage with her.

Enduring Appeal

The "Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again" medley has maintained its appeal over the decades, particularly among musical theater performers. Grande and Erivo join a long list of artists who have revived the duet, including Ben Platt (with whom Erivo performed it in 2024), Lea Michele and Chris Colfer on "Glee" (2011), Rufus Wainwright and Kristin Chenoweth, Billy Porter and Cyndi Lauper, and Audra McDonald and Patti LuPone.

Expert Analysis: The Enduring Power of Nostalgia

“The enduring appeal of this medley lies in its ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia and pay tribute to a golden age of entertainment,” says Dr. Emily Carter, a professor of Music History at UCLA. “It's a way for contemporary artists to connect with the legacy of Garland and Streisand while putting their own spin on a classic.” Dr. Carter further notes that the medley's structure, juxtaposing an upbeat gospel-infused number with a hopeful ballad, creates a dynamic and emotionally resonant experience for the audience.

Behind the Scenes of the Garland-Streisand Duet

Mel Tormé, who worked on musical arrangements for "The Judy Garland Show," recounted in his book, "The Other Side of the Rainbow; With Judy Garland on the Dawn Patrol," that Garland conceived the idea of combining "Get Happy" with Streisand's rendition of "Happy Days Are Here Again." The result, according to Tormé, was "electrifying." CBS executives were so impressed that they expedited the airing of the episode, which was broadcast just two days after its recording.

Streisand's Reflections on Garland

In a 2016 profile in the New York Times, theater critic Ben Brantley described the Garland-Streisand duet as a performance that sent shivers down the spine, noting the undercurrent of melancholy beneath the upbeat facade. Streisand herself recalled Garland's advice to her: "Don't let them do to you what they did to me." In a 2005 interview with Diane Sawyer, Streisand described Garland as "wonderful" but also observed her vulnerability. "I thought, what was this about? As one grows older, what is this fear? And I understand it now," Streisand said.

A New Generation Takes on a Classic

Grande and Erivo's performance on the "Wicked" TV special demonstrates the enduring legacy of Garland and Streisand and the continued relevance of their iconic duet. Their rendition is likely to introduce the medley to a new generation of viewers, further solidifying its place in entertainment history. As film critic Leonard Maltin observes, “The fact that Grande and Erivo, both formidable talents in their own right, chose to tackle this piece speaks volumes about its enduring power and the respect these artists have for the legends who came before them.” He adds that the “Wicked” connection only amplifies the performance’s impact, given the musical’s own themes of friendship, ambition, and challenging societal norms.

The "Wicked: One Wonderful Night" special was taped at the Dolby Theatre in September. The second and final part of the filmic "Wicked" franchise is eagerly anticipated. ```