Some shows are famously notable for annual Halloween episodes. The Simpsons and the “Treehouse of Horror” series is of course the most well-known of these by far. (And since it’s been running since season two, that means there are over one hundred Treehouse of Horror segments.) Depending on your perspective, you may be thinking of Bob’s Burgers‘ annual Halloween episodes or the annual Brooklyn Nine-Nine Halloween heist, an excuse for office capers. Present-day watchers of popular sitcoms may count Abbott Elementary‘s Halloween episodes among their rewatches. The Community Halloween episodes probably come to mind if you are a big nerd for TV and on the internet, which means if you are reading this, more likely than usual.
Maybe you’re one of the people who likes watching Halloween sitcoms during the spooky season. And why not? Halloween is a great excuse to put your characters in costumes that tell us something about their personalities and allow them to cut loose. And maybe you don’t like horror as much as most people. All of that describes me, so if you’re like me, here’s a few Halloween episodes from you should add to your rotation, great and largely underseen shows. (And, at least in America, where you can watch them. I can’t research every country— or if I was going to put in that level of work, I might as well write a more substantive column this week.) I ran it this week so you’d have nine full days to check them out before October ends.
A bunch of episodes from 2011-2013
It wasn’t my plan to include this specific timeframe in the column, but a good number of my favorite underseen / underrated sitcoms happened to run in this exact window.
Happy Endings, “Spooky Endings”
Arguably the best of the show’s entire run, the show that was always jam-packed with gags, rapid-fire wordplay, and absurd plot escalations turned out a killer episode when most of the gang goes to an annual warehouse Halloween party. From Dave finally being single again and getting to wear his dream costume (almost 15 years out of date, or at least 10), to Penny and Max’s weird mom/baby dual costume (and their dueling interests at the party), to Alex deciding to attend the party despite being sick and what happens because of that… to the B-plot, where Brad and Jane housesit in the suburbs and hand out candy, which goes awry quickly because they run out before the big kids show up. And maybe a little because Brad doesn’t know who Ray Manzarek is. Just some real madcap fun all in all and emblematic of the show’s humor and style. Also sneaks in one of the most slyly filthy double entendres I’ve heard on television, one that almost nobody picked up on at the time.
Where to watch: The Hulu / Disney+ streaming conglomerate, or it’s free on Tubi!
Ben and Kate, “Scaredy Kate”
I’ve talked up what a fun show this is, primarily driven by Dakota Johnson’s charmingly awkward performance as Kate and Lucy Punch’s self-centered best friend verging on sociopathy. This isn’t an especially amazing episode of the show, but it is solid. Kate tries to impress the hot guy in her neighborhood at his Halloween party, which is the sort of thing that “charmingly awkward” might suggest to you has ways of going awry. And Ben (Nat Faxon) has to talk Tommy (Echo Kellum) through an accidental high. Kate is also a fan of dorky mashup costumes, so if you are too, you might enjoy that as well.
Where to watch: Alas, it’s not free anywhere. You can purchase episodes or the entire single season on Prime Video or Fandango, though.
Don’t Trust the B—- in Apt. 23, “Love and Monsters”
In a classic of this too-short-lived series, June finds herself wrapped up in Chloe’s shenanigans— which could describe any episode, so let’s get specific. Every Halloween at James’ party, Chloe (Krysten Ritter) finds someone she loathes and makes plans to ruin their life over the next year. This year, she targets the director of James’ new film, Benjamin, only to find he might be turning the tables on her. June ends up ignoring her own romantic prospects at the party to help Chloe pursue her real feelings for Benjamin. This goes in the sort of batshit direction only this show could go.
Meanwhile, the party itself is a “positivity party” James (Van Der Beek, of course) throws every year, because he doesn’t like being scared. Mark (Eric André) is determined to challenge him on what’s really lying underneath that desire to avoid fear… only to discover he might have his own underlying issues that are driving him to this. And while he only gets a relatively minor part in this one, I must as always mention Ray Ford as Luther, James’ devoted assistant.
Where to watch: It has periodically been on both Hulu and Netflix, but it seems Tubi is currently the only way to watch this.
Suburgatory, “Halloween” and “the Witch of East Chatswin”
While Suburgatory never really got its due at the time, it did get three seasons in a run roughly similar in length to Happy Endings. The cast was strong, anchored by Jane Levy as Tessa Altman, the New York City kid dragged to the suburbs by her father George (Jeremy Sisto). There’s an exaggerated artificiality to the suburb that makes it fun, and a supporting cast great on both adults (Cheryl Hines, Ana Gasteyer, Chris Parnell, Alan Tudyk) and kids (Allie Grant, Carly Chaikin, Parker Young, Maestro Harrell). Also, if you watch The Lowdown, Abbie Cobb (the Realtor with the on-again, off-again thing with Lee) is here as a member of the KKK! Uh, that’s Dalia’s (Chaikin) hangers-on, Kaitlin, Kenzie, and Kimantha. (She’s Kimantha.)
In the first episode, Tessa’s Halloween costume of “suburban girl” reminds the other kids of their “recently departed” classmate who used to live in the Altman house; and George, after frustration with the HOA and Dallas (Hines) about his decorations being too scary, tries to show Dallas how to appreciate the frights and jump-scares of Halloween. The second episode is a little fuzzier in my memory, but I do remember the titular “witch” just being an older woman who is another suburban misfit like Tessa, and George and Noah (Tudyk) dressing as each other for Halloween.
Where to watch: Netflix if you subscribe, or Roku’s Howdy service. Also free on Tubi.
Episodes that aired at some other time
NewsRadio, “Halloween”
While it’s not one of my all-time favorites, Mr. James’ Halloween party is responsible for some extremely memorable Halloween plots— Bill’s awareness of his own morality leading him to date an elderly woman he meets at the party, and perhaps most notably, Dave returning to Dave Foley’s Kids in the Hall days and dressing as a woman— which causes minor existential crises for both Lisa and himself.
Where to watch: You can buy the show on Prime Video or YouTube TV; it is, as so many of these shows are, also free on Tubi.
Superstore, four episodes
They’re all fun, but the first one, “Halloween Theft,” may be my favorite. Dina is determined to investigate a theft of some produce from storage, but everyone is too distracted and flustered by her costume (especially Garrett). We also get the introduction of Jonah’s NPR-liberal Raising Awareness Halloween costumes. Other episodes include “Sal’s Dead,” where an employee is found dead trapped in the walls and the customers mistake him for a Halloween decoration; “Costume Competition,” where Amy and Mateo feud to get other employees disqualified so they can win the paid day off; and “Trick-or-Treat,” where Amy and Jonah’s unionizing efforts lead into farcical attempts to hide those efforts from the district manager.
Where to watch: Hulu / Disney+ or Peacock.
Tacoma FD, “To Nightmare Manor”
The Broken Lizard troupe made four seasons of Tacoma FD, their best work since Super Troopers. The firefighters of Station 24 spend a lot of time idle in such a rainy city, but about once a year they have to fight an actual fire. The penultimate episode of season 2 takes them to a fire at a haunted house, where they’re trying to navigate the house while both finding the source of the fire and convincing the patrons that they are not part of the spookiness. For each of them, though, the fire also presents an opportunity for them to face their greatest fears— and maybe for Lucy to convince Terry to let the station keep a Dalmatian.
Where to watch: It doesn’t appear to be free anywhere, although you can purchase episodes online at a few places, or get it through a YouTube TV or Sling Blue subscription.
Freaks and Geeks, “Tricks and Treats”
I’m veering away from the pure sitcom into this dramedy, an all-time classic show that only aired one season. On the geek side of things, Sam and friends go trick-or-treating and find it’s not the same; as high school freshmen, most of the adults in town find them a little too old for this, and it turns awkward, even before their bully Alan gets involved. Lindsay finds herself torn between staying home with her mom and handing out homemade cookies, or cruising with the freaks and getting into shenanigans and mischief. Not necessarily my favorite episode of the show, but there are no bad episodes among its eighteen; few if any shows have captured the growing pains, frustrations, and humiliations of adolescence alongside the good times and the friendships so well.
Where to watch: Paramount+ or Prime Video with a subscription; free on Pluto TV.
Other sitcoms you might consider that I didn’t want to write more about
- Cougar Town, “You Don’t Know How It Feels”
- Great News, “Night of the Living Screen”
- The Mick, “The Haunted House”
Animated shows that aren’t The Simpsons or Bob’s Burgers
Beavis and Butt-Head, “Bungholio: Lord of the Harvest”
A fun one where Beavis and Butt-Head go trick-or-treating. They’re not having much success with it, being 15-year-olds without costumes, until Mr. Anderson takes a phone call and neglects to watch his candy or get them out of the house. So of course Cornholio makes an appearance, as does Todd. Butt-Head’s idolization of Todd and Beavis’ sugar-fueled mania both lead them to the same place out of town… and, well, how much of the plot do you want to know, exactly?
Where to watch: Well, while Paramount+ doesn’t have the entire series, only selected episodes, this is one of the episodes it does have. And it appears to be intact with the music videos!
American Dad!, four episodes
I’ve written enough about the show recently, so I’m not gonna re-sell you on it. But if you want to give it a Halloween-themed shot, here are the four episodes and where Hulu lists them:
- “Best Little Horror House in Langley Falls” (Season 6, Episode 3)
- “Poltergasm” (Season 9, Episode 2)
- “Steve’s Franken Out” (Season 16, Episode 22)
- “Z.O.I.N.C.S.” (Season 18, Episode 15)
And this doesn’t include more horror-themed episodes like “Rabbit Ears” or “Echoes.”
Where to watch: Hulu / Disney+.
Home Movies, “Coffins and Cradles”
The season 3 finale involves Brendon’s stepmother Linda going into labor, interrupting his plans as he and Paula have to take her to the hospital (as Andrew, Brendon’s father, is out of town). Jason’s candy addiction rears its ugly head thanks to Mr. Lynch. And McGuirk reacquaints himself with Stephanie, Paula’s college friend he met at Andrew and Linda’s wedding. A classic from a classic show.
Where to watch: Hulu / Disney+.
King of the Hill, “Hilloween” and “Pigmalion”
Not as underwatched a show as anything else on this list, but hey, it’s good and worth mentioning, even if these aren’t necessary highlights of the series. Funnily enough, Luanne plays a key part in both episodes. Season 2’s “Hilloween” focuses on Hank’s feud with a dogmatic evangelical Christian woman who is trying to ban Halloween in the town and indoctrinate the children— Luanne, being easily influenced, buys into her preaching. Season 7’s “Pigmalion” sees Luanne dating the owner of a pork processing plant (Michael Keaton guesting!) who turns out to be insane and have insane plans for her.
Where to watch: Another show now in the Hulu / Disney+ library.
F Is For Family, “F Is For Halloween”
This show is a bit more serialized than most of the others on this list, so I’m not sure how well it works as an episodic show. But it’s a great show, the very first thing I wrote about in my amateur critical career, and the first season is terrific throughout. A slice of 1973 life: Bill is reluctant to trick-or-treat because of the neighborhood bully, while Sue is considering her satisfaction with being a stay-at-home wife and mother and whether she wants to join the workforce— and how Frank feels about that.
Where to watch: Netflix.
Other options
If you want to find more on your own, Wikipedia has a handy list to peruse.
Elsewhere in television
Even though that seems like enough, I’ll update you with some recent news. The Lowdown is back, which is good news, and Betty Gilpin already makes a great guest star for the season. And the rest of the schedule more or less keeps chugging along. I particularly enjoyed how last week’s Elsbeth mixed up the show formula. Cupertino is good if you want to be reminded weekly what loathsome douchebag lizard people our tech overlords are.
Nothing else coming back until November, but thanks to Dave Shutton for putting up that The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins trailer. I wasn’t expecting more of the show until 2027, so learning it’s back November 2 was quite a lovely surprise. (St. Denis Medical is returning then as well.)
What did we watch?
M*A*S*H, Season Five, Episode Two, “Bug Out, Part Two”
“Kitchen’s down.”
“Well, that’s good news.”
“There’s a lady under my table.”
“Oh miss? This probably isn’t your table, but could you scratch the back of my leg.”
“Sir, we can’t find the medical equipment!”
“Look in the box marked ‘kitchen utensils’.”
“The ninnies!”
“Where the hell did he get that whistle, anyway?”
“Same place he got his diploma: box of cracker jacks.”
For my money, this is funnier than the first half – it has two separate iconic gags, with both the “Stand by for the blessing!” gag (classic befuddled reaction from Father Mulcahey) and the brothel workers who are bought off with Klinger’s dresses. There are two ideas here I find interesting; the first is Margaret worrying about being raped, and this is something I feel would be handled differently in the past fifteen years. Shows older than about 2010 would treat rape so matter-of-factly, and I think there are good and bad aspects of this; I feel like they very rarely engaged with the concept of rape in a meaningful way, but you also had moments like this, where that matter-of-factness is part of the horror. (Shows post-2010 would often go really far in the other, much more visceral direction, and granted that was more often bad than good, but it also meant emotionally engaging with it).
The other idea is that this ends with a typical M*A*S*H reversion-of-the-status-quo; obviously part of the landscape of TV at the time, but also a genuine expression of the show’s sense of humour and morality. At its best, this is a work-a-day morality where things will continue to be bad and you have to live without; at its worst, a weird hopelessness that creates a deeply depressing effect. This lands somewhere in the middle, where Klinger lost all his dresses and a lot of work was done for nothing. Actually, that does speak to how the show is so good at conveying how much work is done by so many people to get the events of the show moving; we end on Hawkeye and BJ watching some guys dig a latrine, and that’s just an obvious example of watching extras Doing The Work.
You Can See Everything – Very much in conversation with F For Fake but much more of the 21st century, with a host/narrator partly unable to keep control of the narrative because of his own sympathies, and the extent to which lying and calculation (and Silicon Valley speak – notice how much Billy and Elizabeth use words like “facilitate” and “discourse”) has seeped further into everyday lives since the 1970s.* I got the impression that Holmes is insane in a distinct way, genuinely believing every lie, while Billy is a garden variety redpilled male monster, controlling and nowhere near as good at convincing as she is. (Elizabeth is best clearly at deceiving herself.) Other comparisons I made to myself were The Shining and May/December, also films about subjective events, tension in an isolated house, and unreliable narrators, but this is a pretty singular film, one of the best of the year.
*My friend had a very good analysis as well via text message that relied on Judith Butler’s gender prism arguments and I think she should turn it into an essay.
The Hot Rock – Career criminal John Dortmunder, newly out of prison, is recruited by his brother in law Andy Kelp to help on a heist: a diamond that an African diplomat wants to steal for his country’s benefit. Only fate intervenes and Dortmunder and his crew have to steal it four times. The first attempt to make a movie based on one of Donald Westlake’s 14 Dortmunder comic crime novels, and it has a lot going for it, and a lot going against it. In its favor are the actual book, Peter Yates directing, William Goldman writing the script, and a cast that includes George Segal as Andy Kelp, Dortmunder’s best friend (and worst co-conspirator), Rob Leibman as wheelman Stan Murch, and Moses Gunn as the African diplomat. Going against it are several changes to the story that don’t make a lot of sense, a feeling that Yates wasn’t the right man for the job, and above all else Robert Redford as Dortmunder. Maybe if you never read the book, you would find this likeable enough. But fans of the absurdist world of Dortmunder just cannot accept handsome, smiling, self assured Robert Redford as hangdog, run of the mill, sour John Archibald Dortmunder. Still, even if Redford is all wrong, even if there is no good reason Kelp is Dortmunder’s brother in law and owns a locksmith shop, even if the whole thing ending on a happy note is all wrong, there are things for fans to delight in. Such as the one moment Dortmunder vows to get that rock if it kills him, which is the one time Redford seems to get the assignment. Such as everyone gathering in Rollo’s Bar, which looks just right. Such as Murch rambled on about NYC traffic. And such as Murch and his taxi driving mom listening to the sounds of the Daytona 500. (Charlotte Rae as Murch’s Mom is on screen for two minutes, and the casting is perfect.)
I cannot remember William Goldman talking about The Hot Rock much in either screenwriting book of his, maybe because he didn’t enjoy the assignment?
Here is a great assessment of the movie that asserts that Westlake and Goldman were fans of each other’s work, and suggests that the screenplay as written was a lot better than the version we get to see on screen. So I can see how Goldman might disown this.
https://thewestlakereview.wordpress.com/2015/03/19/dortmunder-at-the-movies-part-1-in-a-one-part-series-the-hot-rock/
I mean, it makes sense that they’d enjoy each other’s work and Goldman seems like a good choice for a Westlake movie! Damn shame. (I really need to read some Dortmunder books.)
Live Music – my second gig of the year (I’m very hard-working), since it fell close to Halloween I figured I’d dig into my 20 years of songwriting for anything vaguely appropriate and did a bunch of songs about monsters, vampires, aliens, zombies, werewolves and so on. It was a lot of fun! The headliners were an old friend (MJ Hibbett) playing with a new duo lineup, familiar songs but now arranged for piano which was surprisingly effective, partly because the guy he’s enlisted as a pianist is absolutely superb and delivered a really impressive accompaniment. Opening the night was a local antifolk (?) songwriter who I think is absolutely brilliant, her lyrics are really witty and clever and she’s a really inventive guitarist.
Now I’m curious – what would you consider your number one “Treehouse Of Horror” entry? For my money: V, with “The Shinning” being my all-time favourite short.
That’s a good one.
Other faves for me: Homer Cubed; Citizen Kang, Time and Punishment (season six might have had the best three episode combination), Attack of the 50 Foot Eyesore, The Genesis Tub.
V and VI strike me as the strongest, with VIII as an outside contender. But it’s been a while since I’ve run through them…
“Pigmalion” is one of the weirdest sitcom episodes I’ve ever seen which is really saying something.
The Real Ghostbusters, as befitting the show, did two Halloween episodes with Samhain as the bad guy. While the show is very much of its time, I remember these being pretty good.
Cheers had a great one where Cliff, dressed as Ponce de Leon, meets a woman in costume and has a great time, and then is scared to death to have a date with her as himself. One of the rare times Cliff feels like a person and not just an intentionally annoying stick figure.
Year of the Month updates:
This November, you can write about anything from 1968 — here’s some lists of movies, albums, books, and TV to get you started.
Nov. 8th: Tristan Nankervis: Night of the Living Dead
Nov. 22nd: Tristan Nankervis: Slouching Towards Bethlehem
And there’s still time to write about any of these movies, albums, books from 1998 this October.
Oct. 30th: Gillian Nelson: Halloweentown