As Scream on TV: 7 Halloween TV Episodes!

Halloween is admittedly all about movies. (Well, movies and candy.) With scary and/or fun films like Poltergeist, Hocus Pocus, Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween (duh), It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, and I could go on for days, it’s easy to forget about TV shows. You know, the things you watch at home when you’re putting off doing your work. Like I am right now! There are as many great Halloween TV episodes as there are TV shows, some more popular than others. But since we all know about The Simpsons “Treehouse of Horror” and How I Met Your Mother’s Slutty Pumpkin, I put together a list of 7 of my–maybe–lesser known Halloween TV episode favourites. Welcome to AS SCREAM ON TV! MUAHAHA! (It took me a long time to come up with that, okay?)

1. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – “The Maureen Ponderosa Wedding Massacre” (8×03)

In the 9 seasons that the gang has been horrifying us with their antics, they’ve actually only had two real Halloween episodes. (Although I think learning about the D.E.N.N.I.S. System qualifies as horrifying enough for Halloween. Also that time Dee cried blood at her fake baby’s funeral…) Anyway, between the gang trying to figure out who got her pregnant (6×07) and this one, I went with the wedding massacre. You know, because of the nature and fresh air and milk drinking of course.

Charlie knows what’s what.

2. Bob’s Burgers – “Fort Night” (4×02)

Bob’s Burgers ran in the late spring for the first few seasons so we haven’t been treated to as many glorious Halloween episodes as we should have been. It’s an injustice but what are you gonna do, right? “Fort Night” is incredibly delightful as it takes place mostly inside the most glorious cardboard box fort in ever and we’ve got the kids all together, plus the twins, plus Darryl! Magic. Also Molly Shannon guest-voices as someone crazier than Louise, who either wants to be Louise’s friend, be her, or be in a rap-duo with her.

Never change, Tina. Never change.

3. Gravity Falls – “Summerween” (1×12)

Gravity Falls takes place when Dipper and Mabel are visiting their Great Uncle for the summer. Sooooooooo, how can there be a Halloween episode, you ask? Enter: Summerween! Complete with jack-o-melons! Yeah! Summerween is exactly like Halloween and normally the twins would dress in matching costumes but this year Dipper isn’t feeling it (womp, womp). And then somehow the Summerween Trickster is offended and tries to kill the kids, no big deal.

4. Community “Epidemiology” (2×6)

Community is really great at doing themed episodes and this one is not only one of my fave Halloween-y ones, but also just one of my favourites all together. (The Dean’s voice memos just kill me. Every damn time.) There’s a Halloween party at Greendale except something is turning everyone into…zombies?! Nah, can’t be. Remember: nobody is special. Especially not the banana. CUE THE ABBA MUSIC!

5. Parks and Recreation – “Meet N Greet” (4×5)

While I do love me some Tom dressed up as T-Pain for Ann’s Halloween party (remember his wife Wendy?!?! Aw, memories) this episode wins for me because April and Andy throw a party and Ben hates it. And also I love me some Ron Swanson busying himself with household fix-it tasks. Sigh. (There’s also the great side story of Leslie’s meet and greet being dominated by Entertainment 720 but despite the fact that it seemed like a party for Tom’s face, I think it went alright.)

Yup, this right here.

6.  Don’t Trust The B—- in Apartment 23 – “Love and Monsters…” (2×2)

This is one of those shows that I love and most people haven’t heard of. Naturally it got cancelled but that’s just because it was wayyyyyy too good for the general public. In the Halloween episode, Chloe tries to do what she does every Halloween: ruin someone’s life. And hilarity ensues! Also, James Van Der Beek as James Van Der Beek. Halloween TV magic.

Ahhh, roommate love.

7. Pysch – “This Episode Sucks” (6×3)

Psych is another show that was uhhhhhhh-mazing at doing themed episodes (the Twin Peaks one is particularly inspired) so it was really hard to choose which of their Halloween episodes I loved the most. The Stanley Kubrick inspired episode (“Heeeeere’s Lassie”) is a visual treat, and their riff on Friday the 13th (“Tuesday the 17th”) is hilarious buttttttt I think the vampire episode has to win. Because vampires. And Blacula. And Corey Feldman. And Kristy Swanson.

Well, that’s all I got for you crazy kids. Yes, I could go on. But also it’s late and I’m getting tired. And maybe I want to do a Halloween TV blog again next year. Did you think about that? Of course you didn’t. Because you’re selfish. I mean I love you. Anyway, what are some of your favourite Halloween TV episodes?

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