Best Halloween Specials

For UK audiences. seasonal themed episodes of classic series are an odd experience. Due to programming issues they are inevitably broadcast at inappropriate points in the year – it feels somehow anachronistic watching the Scrubs nativity special in the middle of July. The idea is based on an irritating American need to persuade viewers that the fiction that they are so avidly comsuming is, in fact, happening somewhere in the world at that very moment. Having said that, occasionally a gem comes along that fully utilises the concept’s potential. Here are the Boar’s favourite Halloween specials:

1. The Simpsons – The ‘Treehouse of Horror’ series
The Simpsons are the undisputed kings of the seasonal episode and the reliable quality of the ‘Treehouse of Horror’ series is one of the few reasons for the show’s continued existence. The format allows the show to do what it does (read: used to do) best – ruthlessly satirize pop culture. And without them we wouldn’t have the most iconic aliens in history – Kang and Kudos. Sorry E.T.

2. Friends – ‘The One With The Halloween Party’
Chandler as a fluffy pink bunny, Joey as Chandler, Ross as a potato with an aerial (Russian satellite Sputnik) and Monica in a (very tight) Catwoman costume. Ross and Chandler face off in an arm-wrestle for the ages whilst Phoebe tries to steal her sister’s fiancé, Sean bloody Penn! It makes trick-or-treating look boring.

3. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
When researching this column, like any good journalist I went straight to Google, and this episode kept coming up. So, like any good journalist, I found a dodgy internet-streaming site and watched the show. It was phenomenal – endearing, classic and very, very funny at the same time. I highly recommend it to anybody who likes anything.

4. Community – ‘Epidemiology’
Community is leading the way for reference-based humour in television and in this 20 minute Halloween special they manage to trump anything Simon Pegg has ever dreamed up. Community does 28 Days Later as zombies take over Greendale and most scarily of all (SPOILER ALERT) Shirley and Chang make odd, undead love.

5. Every episode of Made In Chelsea
This is a joke about the frighteningly low standard of this accursed show. It’s a funny joke. You should laugh.