Halloween is upon us, which means it is the season for the best television specials we'll see all year. In no particular order, here's my list of the must-see specials, complete with episode number for easy finding.
1. It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
"There are three things I have learned to never discuss with people: religion, politics and the Great Pumpkin."
Not only is this perhaps the most well-known TV special of Halloween, it's probably the first we ever watched. Year after year, adults still tune in for the showing to relive those Halloweens of years past.
2. Halloween — The Office
(Season 2: Episode 5)
Okay, let's be honest. Isn't everything a little better with Michael Scott and the gang? As usual, Jim and Pam develop a plan to meddle with Dwight, this time posting his resume online and giving Dwight a glowing reference to Cumberland Mills. Of course, Michael is also forced to fire someone by the end of the day. Sorry, Devon.
3. Halloween — Modern Family
(Season 2: Episode 6)
Without a doubt, my favorite Modern Family episode EVER. And not only because I see myself becoming Claire Dunphy in my adult life. Claire plans an epic haunted house for the community's trick-or-treaters, and she needs her family's help to do so.
4. The One with the Halloween Party — Friends
(Season 8: Episode 6)
Where else can you find an Easter Bunny, Spudnik, Supergirl and Catwoman all at the same place? When Monica and Chandler decide to host a Halloween party, costumes leave a lot to be expected. Chandler wants to be the Velveteen Rabbit from his favorite children's book, but Monica brings home a pink rabbit costume that resembles the Easter Bunny. Phoebe's twin sister Ursula also stops by.
5. The Slutty Pumpkin / The Slutty Pumpkin Returns — How I Met Your Mother
(Season 1: Episode 6 / Season 7: Episode 8)
Poor Ted. In "The Slutty Pumpkin," we learn that Ted Mosby returns to the same rooftop Halloween party every year hoping to find a girl he met several years before, dressed as a slutty pumpkin. Years later, Ted ends up finally seeing her again, played by Katie Holmes, only to find that there's no chemistry. Again, poor Ted.
6. Halloween — Buffy the Vampire Slayer
(Season 2: Episode 6)
Every episode could fit the season, but when Buffy does Halloween, she goes all out. Principal Snyder requires the group to chaperone trick-or-treat, when spell causes the slayer and her friends to take on the persona of their costumes. That turns out great for Willow, who becomes a real ghost who is able to walk through walls, and Xander, who becomes a soldier. Unfortunately for Buffy, she loses her slayer abilities as an 18th-century noble woman.
7. This is a Dark Ride — Pretty Little Liars
(Season 3: Episode 13)
8. Last Halloween Standing — Last Man Standing
(Season 1: Episode 4)
Father Mike Baxter experiences his first Halloween with children too old to go trick-or-treating with him. Instead, Mike dresses up his grandson Boyd for his first trick-or-treat instructions, despite his daughter's instructions not to. All is great until he brings home the wrong child.
9. Good Will Haunting — Sabrina the Teenage Witch
(Season 3: Episode 6)
After getting out of an Other Realm Halloween party with relatives, Sabrina receives a Molly Dolly that erupts chaos for the family. Suddenly Sabrina and her guests are locked inside the Spellman home, while Aunt Hilda and Aunt Zelda find that the Other Realm party is an insane asylum they cannot escape from.
10. Mystery Weekend — Saved by the Bell
(Season 4: Episode 26)
The infamous Bayside crew ends up at a Murder Mystery Mansion after Lisa wins tickets from the radio. As the guests continue through the scripted mystery, they discover that a real killer is on the loose.
11. And Then There was Shawn - Boy Meets World
(Season 5: Episode 17)
"Welcome to John Adams High, Where you are gonna die, That's right, fall right this way, Here's a knife, here's a gun, There'll be fun for everyone, Death is on the menu tonight."
