This is not for what necessarily are the most “Halloweeny” episodes out there.
We’re not here to honor what scared us the most when we were younger, that is another list for another day. Some are just good episodes that just happen to be set on Halloween and they should be acknowledged so here we go.
4.) “Legend of Sleepy Hollow” (“Wishbone”)
“Wishbone” was a show on PBS and is one of those I’m always shocked to learn how many other people my age watched it. I’m not sure why it surprises me so much it just does. For those who don’t know it was about a family with a Jack Russel Terrier named Wishbone. He was the family dog and could actually read. Typically something was going on with his owners and Wishbone would either read or just remember a story that paralleled it as the family story would just kinda work itself out. The adaptations of the stories were the highlight of each episode. They’d normally try to be quite faithful except the main character was played by the dog. Not in animation or anything, just real actors who have to act against a cute little dog in costumes. I always like to imagine what’s going on in these actors’ heads, getting their big break playing (in some episodes) roles in Shakespeare and they have to play second banana to a dog in the lead role whose voice was added in later. I joke about it but it honestly was a smart idea for a kids show. Teaching them about literary classics but you don’t have to worry about it losing the kids attention because at all times, DOG! And who doesn’t like dogs?
This particular episode was the first of the second season. We have a fairly accurate adaptation of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” in that it’s about as accurate as most other versions in that they make Ichabod Crane much nicer than he is in the book. It’s one of those weird things to think about how we as a culture have completely changed the point of that character. The “real world” of the episode is about the kids participating in a scavenger hunt and I had forgotten how much I never really cared about the owner’s stories, but once “Wishbone” would go back to the story (like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) then my interest would return. And upon re-watching the episode after all these years I was reminded of what was probably my favorite part or at least the most influential. At the end of each episode they would take a few minutes to explain some of the filmmaking and how they did it. As it’s a kids show, it’s of course not going to get really deep into it, but I think between this and the end of the Eyewitness videos, it’s probably what planted the idea of making movies in my head. And for that I really have to thank it for setting me on that path. Now if you’ll excuse me, I best move on to the next entry before I can’t get the theme song out of my head… what’s the story Wishbone… dammit!
3.) “Night Ghoulery” (“Tiny Toon Adventures”)
It’s one of the hardest specials to find nowadays. It’s technically the last episode of “Tiny Toon Adventures,” but has never been released on home video other than a VHS tape that is now extremely rare. You may call this cheating since it actually didn’t air until May but it was intended for October and is Halloween-centric through and through. For those who don’t remember, “Tiny Toons” was a cartoon show produced by Steven Spielberg about a new generation of Looney Tunes being taught by the originals (Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, etc.) in school. Despite different names, colors, and the occasional cameo by the teachers, many people saw this as a prequel series back in the day. It probably didn’t help that the characters were all analogs to the original Looney Tunes characters and after the show ended they’ve sort of faded away. But as many others before me have noted, when I went back and re-watched the show as an adult I was shocked how well it (and the similar “Animaniacs”) held up over time.
This special is very good. Not the greatest thing, but it is a very good special. ESPECIALLY the animation. I briefly mentioned it in my TMS article, but it bares repeating here. TMS does AMAZING work in this special. Honestly it’s better than some actual films that make it to theaters. There are a number of good jokes throughout, but honestly I would have been just as satisfied watching it on mute. The backgrounds look as good as anything Disney ever produced and the angles, camera/character movements, and transitions are so unique and add a ton of visual flair. As is typical with “Tiny Toons” it’s all built around parodies of famous movies and TV shows. And good lord do they put an insane amount of detail into each parody. Cars are difficult to draw in general, especially from different angles. In the “Duel” parody segment “Fuel,” they not only completely recreate the famous truck down to every little detail, but then also do stuff like having it sit at the bar drinking a soda. It’s jaw-dropping. I particularly loved the Abbott and Costello spoof, “Hold That Duck” which goes the extra mile by actually having an opening credits sequence that perfectly copies the type of opening credits from those films before. “The Devil Dog on the Moors” is probably the best in terms of writing as it builds tension of a creature trying to break into the house while still being quite silly. They even manage to throw in some cameos from lesser known classic Looney Tunes characters like Witch Hazel, Gossamer, and the gremlins from “Falling Hare.” It is a joy to see the professionals at TMS animate them.
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2.) “Room Full of Heroes” (“Frasier”)
I finally get to talk about this series. It’s probably my favorite sitcom of all-time. As you’d imagine, “Frasier” wasn’t the kind of show to do a horror episode or especially dark Halloween type episode. It’s just one of those that happens to take place on Halloween, but boy is it a good one. Frasier is throwing a party (I know what a shock) for Halloween with the theme being everyone dressing as their heroes. Someone who inspires them, real-life figures. However, almost nobody shows up for his party as the game he has planned doesn’t sound terribly exciting. As your favorite hero, answer questions in character. So it’s just Frasier’s dad Martin as Joe DiMaggio, Daphne as Elton John, and Niles surprising everyone by coming dressed as Martin and Frasier as Sigmund Freud. Very soon the party devolves into everyone dismissing the game (partly due to how stringent Frasier is being on the rules) and Niles getting all the attention for dressing up as his hero, their dad. After throwing a temper tantrum, Frasier leaves the party and meets up with a kid. Now earlier in the episode we learn a rumor spread around the apartment that Frasier likes to eat kids’ brains but luckily he’s able to help this kid with his problem and realizes his own faults in the process.
He returns to the party with everyone willing to try to play the game more earnestly and working all around being more accepting of their costume choices. The real meat of the episode (and why it makes the list) comes at the end. Niles, trying to stay in character, drinks a bunch of beers (something he normally wouldn’t do) and ends up getting a little too real talking like how he secretly imagines his dad really feels about him. Saying stuff like he’s disappointed with his kids for not being into the same stuff he is like sports and stuff. Martin does not take this well at all and immediately sets him straight with, “You stop right there! You will not put these words in my mouth. I was always proud of you boys, and I will not be portrayed as some drunken, judgmental jackass!” It’s really a perfect example of why the show was so great. It could often hit the perfect balance of being a funny comedy and be a serious character study at the same time without losing the momentum of either. The transition from silly to serious is so natural that you don’t question it until it’s happening.
Like many great character moments this plays into what they’re all about. The boys are very different men than their father and the show is often about them coming to terms with that. In fact you could say above all else, that is what the story of the series was about at its core. And like in all sitcoms, everyone has the perfect witty response or comeback in an argument and/or fight. Despite the boys and Martin often getting into so many fights throughout the series, you never once doubt that Martin loves his sons. Though still you must imagine this is something that’s been building up for a long time. This is something I think all children with parents who are different in personality deal with at some point or another. Moments like this sometimes need to happen to be worked through and that’s what makes this particular episode really stand out for me. My only complaint is that we never actually get to see Niles and Martin make up, though we know they do before the next episode. But there simply wasn’t enough time and the episode still works together just fine without it. So any time your only complaint with an episode is you want to see more (which is the case with a lot of “Frasier” episodes) you know it’s working. Plus you get to see Roz in a Lynda Carter Wonder Woman costume, what’s not to like?
1.) “Treehouse of Horror” (“The Simpsons”)
Because what else could it be?! Also, what can be said about “The Simpsons” that hasn’t already been said at this point? How long has the series been going downhill? For me personally, around season 13 or 14 is where I call it quits. But they’re currently into season 28! Even if you don’t watch or even hate the current incarnation of the series, there’s no denying the cultural impact or just how amazing the golden years of the early seasons were (if you’re curious in my opinion seasons 7 and 8 when Oakley and Weinstein were running it were the best). Even a number of bad seasons that more than outnumbers the good ones can’t completely diminish the overall legacy of the show. This shows just how good the series was back in the day. With all that said to this day I still watch “The Simpsons” at least twice every year for their annual Sideshow Bob episodes and of course their “Treehouse of Horror” specials. It’s amazing how this began as just a random parody of the old EC Comics (Tales From the Crypt, etc.) in season 2 and became one of the most-loved of traditions.
Through the years they’ve spoofed classics, modern films, and even come up with their own original horror ideas. I think the reason we all love them so much is that even for a show as out there as “The Simpsons,” they still have a set of rules they follow. There’s never going to be a regular (non anthology) episode about Homer gaining superpowers or something in the series. However, a Halloween episode can end with the entire world blowing up just for a gag and there’s something really fun about seeing the writers and animators cut loose and do whatever they want. The characters are all so strong that just fitting them into these horror settings can be enough for a story. The jokes practically write themselves. Many of the best jokes of the entire series come from these specials. There’s not many episodes that I don’t recommend because they’re almost all interesting and funny at least on some level. However, if you’re still interested here’s a quick list of the top 13 you should see if you haven’t already.
13) The Island of Dr. Hibbert
12) Dial ‘Z’ for Zombies
11) Hungry are the Damned
10) The Devil and Homer Simpson
9) Nightmare Cafeteria
8) The Thing and I
7) Bart Simpson’ Dracula
6) Terror at 5½ Feet
5) The Shinning
4) Desperately Seeking Xena
3) King Homer
2) The Raven
1) Citizen Kang
View Comments (3)
Quantum Leap Halloween episode and the discovery that Al had not found Sam until the end of the episode. That one added an entire new dynamic to the series.
I've never seen Quantum Leap but it's one of those shows it seems like everyone I know has. Maybe I should give it a try.
It was a good show for its time. Many of the episodes don't hold up terribly well, but there's a few like the halloween one that glue you to the TV.