Following up on last week's Top 10 Halloween/Haunted Episodes from before 1995, this week is my Top 10 Halloween/Haunted Episodes (1995-Present)
Close Calls:
Superstore "Sal's Dead"
That 70s Show "Too Old to Trick or Treat, Too Young to Die"
This is Us "The 20s"
The only Friends Halloween episode features Chandler as a giant pink bunny so that has to count for something. It's not a standout for a Friends episode but just fun to see them celebrating a holiday other than Thanksgiving. It also features a strong guest appearance from Sean Penn.
9. Brooklyn Nine-Nine "Halloween" (October 22, 2013)
The first season of Brooklyn Nine-Nine kicked off an annual episode that continues each season to the present - the Halloween Heist. There are many great heist episodes (and I'm a sucker for them) but the one that establishes the bet and the ground rules is the most original of them.
8. The Office "Halloween" (October 18, 2005)
The first Halloween episode of The Office is so funny thanks to the episode-long story of Michael needing to fire someone by the end of the day. It allows for many Office characters in hilarious costumes a chance to shine in individual scenes with Michael.
7. 8 Simple Rules "Trick or Treehouse" (October 29, 2002)
Similar to an episode still to come, this first season episode of 8 Simple Rules has to do with the ending of traditions. Paul wants all his kids to be excited about sleeping in the treehouse on Halloween but his kids are now teens and not that interested. Of course it's a family sitcom so it ends in a very sweet and satisfying way.
6. That 70s Show "Halloween" (October 26, 1999)
The first Halloween episode of That 70s Show has a unique setting with the friends revisiting their old grammar school. It's both a little bit spooky and a little bit sentimental and a show that is well known for fantasy and flashback sequences completely nails it in this one.
This fifth Halloween episode of The Middle features a great take-off on "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" with perpetual optimist Sue trying to host a gathering at the pumpkin patch. There's equally good stories with the other two kids: a slightly eerie story about Axl stuck in a library and perhaps the strangest one of all - Brick with a potential girlfriend! The Middle did tons of Halloween episodes (and holiday episodes in general) but this was the best one.
4. How I Met Your Mother "Slutty Pumpkin" (October 24, 2005)
The first season of How I Met Your Mother has so much charm as Ted is looking for his soulmate and each episode seems to hint like he might be closer than he actually was. The "Slutty Pumpkin" episode was all a big tease but in the best kind of way with a very funny costume for Ted and other funny Halloween antics.
3. Modern Family "Halloween" (October 27, 2010)
The first of many Modern Family Halloween episodes is easily the best one. Claire, like Roseanne and others is a sitcom character who absolutely loves Halloween and this episode really plays that up. There's also a very funny story with Mitchell dressed as Spiderman in an office where no one dresses up as well as Gloria's "Ho Ho Ho, welcome to your nightmare" line delivery.
2. Parks and Recreation "Halloween Surprise" (October 25, 2012)
Parks and Recreation was always interesting with how they handled holiday episodes. They rarely were full fledged themed episodes but instead incorporated it into their stories to large or small degrees. So this may not be the most Halloweenie episode, but it's an amazing episode that IS a Halloween episode. That is of course because it ends with the beautiful engagement of Leslie and Ben that comes by surprise (hence the title).
A heartbreaking and yet very real episode from one of TV's best one season shows ever, "Tricks and Treats" focuses mainly on growing up and growing out of traditions. That manifests in two ways: Lindsay not being excited about handing out candy with her mom and the "geeks" still trying to trick or treat. The latter is something every kid experiences at some point. The former was a beautifully told story from both parent and child perspective.
Tomorrow: A One Season Wonder look at 1980s flop Maggie!
Next Tuesday: Top 10 TV Elected Officials!
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