Austin Price, Editor in Chief
With Spooky Season in full swing, I have taken the liberty to re-watch, review, and report 5 of the best sitcom Halloween episodes ever created. While I know everyone’s TV preferences vary, I have listed the following episodes based on the plot, characters, Halloween spirit, and overall spooky sense that the episode provides. I have also listed places to watch each of these episodes, so you can all fully indulge in these sitcom specials.
5. "Costume Contest” from The Office
Season 7, Episode 6
First aired on October 28th, 2010
At the bottom of our Top 5 is the episode, “Costume Content” from the American sitcom, The Office. While The Office has several notable Halloween episodes, this is my personal favorite because of the sheer irony of Halloween celebrations and the corporate view of this overly styled holiday. This episode features each character in costumes that match their personalities, some even making fun of the employee’s flaws and quirks in a fun, good-natured way with the goal of winning a costume contest with a book of coupons as the unassuming prize.
Click here to watch “Costume Contest” from The Office
4. “Halloween III” from Brooklyn 99
Season 3, Episode 5
First aired on October 25th, 2015
Next in line is “Halloween III” from Brooklyn 99, a sitcom based around detectives in New York City. Obviously, prior to this episode are “Halloween I” and “Halloween II” but I chose “Halloween III” for this list because of the major plot twist at the end. After a night of Halloween haunts and silly shenanigans, an unlikely suspect is revealed to be the brilliance behind the mayhem of the night, resulting in an unexpected loss, and a magnificent victory for one of the precinct's top detectives.
Click here to watch “Halloween III” from Brooklyn 99
3. “Halloween” from Modern Family
Season 2, Episode 6
First aired on October 27th, 2010
Smack in the middle of our Top 5 Halloween episodes is the simply named earlier Modern Family episode, “Halloween”. As a personal lover of all things spooky season, I can safely say that I strive to be as successful as a decorator and Halloween hostess as the matriarch of the family, Claire Dunphy. This episode is filled with family fun, and signature style. Phil tries to keep up with his ever-enthusiastic wife, Claire, as she prepares the Dunphy home for epic Halloween experiences, transforming a suburban house into an iconic haunted mansion.
Click here to watch “Halloween” from Modern Family
2. “The One with the Halloween Party” from Friends
Season 8, Episode 6
First aired on: November 1st, 2001
As a diehard Friends fan, it’s obvious that this episode would make the list. Set in Monica’s apartment, the group comes together to celebrate Halloween with a costume party. While several of the characters have well thought out costumes and clear intentions for the evening, others attend with a less prepared option, showcasing the differing personalities, and the inner workings of the group. The characters are also presented with a plethora of typical Halloween challenges including being guilted into giving too much candy to Trick or Treaters, and finding a costume that’s both culturally relevant and physically flattering.
Click here to watch “The One with the Halloween Party” from Friends
1. “Epidemiology” from Community
Season 2, Episode 6
First aired on October 28th, 2010
It’s time for the top sitcom Halloween episode ever made. An episode I have watched repeatedly, and one that is nothing short of haunted perfection. I give you, “Epidemiology” from Community as the number one choice. Centered around a ragtag group of 7 students at a community college, “Epidemiology” is the ultimate homage to various zombie and horror movies. Set to legendary hits from ABBA, the “Greendale Seven” must face their very own “Walking Dead” scenario. Students ingest a biohazardous substance at the college’s Halloween party that turns them into zombies. This leaves the group to save themselves and the school, when they are locked in with infected students,
Click here to watch “Epidemiology” from Community
That’s a wrap for our Top 5 Halloween Sitcom episodes. Even if you haven’t watched the full extent of these shows, I personally recommend you dedicate a night to solely watching Halloween episodes. Each episode has its own plot, independent from other scenarios in the series, making them easy to follow and popular to rewatch.