Simpson’s Treehouse of Horror
The real title of this episode was The Simpsons Halloween Special and remained that title for the other Halloween episodes up until the 13th Halloween episode the title was changed to Treehouse of Horror. I hope this show never gets canceled just so I can get a new Treehouse of Horror every year. These combine some really weird and often classic stories, while presenting it in the usual whip smart Simpsons way. The first few Treehouse episodes were the best, for they at least had a central “Halloween” theme in them. They had Homer trick-or-treating and overhearing Bart and Lisa telling scary stories (the mini-episodes) or Homer, Bart, and Lisa eating too much Halloween candy that it gave them nightmares (the mini-episodes). So that much, I miss. The Simpsons have released one DVD of Treehouse of Horror episodes, but there are only 5 on the DVD. Of course, you can also see these on the Simpsons Season DVD sets.
Roseanne
Most TV shows celebrated the holiday season with warm & fuzzy Christmas specials. But for the Roseanne, the year’s best celebrations always belonged to Halloween. Roseanne and her family always had fun on Halloween…to them it was a time for family.
This finally came out on DVD in 2006! The Connor family celebrates Halloween in wicked style with elaborate pranks, gross costumes, parties and haunts, and lots of unexpected surprises. As an adult, if you’ve ever lost your Halloween spirit, Roseanne will rekindle it for you. Trust me!
The Adventures of Pete & Pete: Halloweenie
I was always a big fan of Pete and Pete, and always felt as though it was a bit ahead of its time. In a way, I consider it my generation’s version of The Wonder years. It shows the two main emotions felt around the holiday: excitement (little Pete's quest for glory) and fear (older Pete's fear of being unmasked). You see, Big Pete is growing up, and just doesn’t look at Halloween the way he used to. Little Pete can’t understand why.
The brothers Pete are trying to reconcile their ages and interests. I’m years past the struggle, and never gave up hope as Big Pete did, but I strongly sympathize with the disillusionment he feels, and the abandonment Little Pete feels in response. You might, too.
Garfield’s Halloween Adventure
Garfield fashions himself a pirate costume then pursueds Odie to go out trick-or-treating to ensure extra candy. But when attempting to cross a river on a boat, Garfield and Odie end up at a house haunted by Pirate ghosts!For an 80’s child, this special is gold. I watched this so frequently as a child that even now I can repeat it almost line for line, sound for sound. I got a copy a few years ago on DVD, and enjoy the nostalgia it evokes and the Garfield humor of days gone by.
Released in 1985, it is probably my all-time favorite Halloween Special. The humor, the music, the setting, everything is spot on and it is just magic. Oh, this special also marks the first appearance of Binky The Clown…a piece of trivia you might not have known.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Its initial broadcast took place on October 27, 1966, on the CBS network; CBS re-aired the special annually through 2000, with ABC picking up the rights beginning in 2001. As Linus and Charlie Brown's little sister, Sally Brown, sit in the pumpkin patch, the gang of Charlie Brown, Lucy, Schroeder, Pig-Pen, Patty and Violet go trick-or-treating. Everyone gets candy (except for Charlie Brown, who for some reason always gets a rock in his bag). At the pumpkin patch, Linus faints when he thinks he finally sees his mysterious hero, which turns out to be nothing but a silhouette of Snoopy in his World War I Flying Ace outfit. Sally comes to the realization that she’s wasted her Halloween, while Linus keeps hope.Behind Garfield, this may be the greatest Halloween special of all time. Except, of course, for the far-too-long scene involving Snoopy (aka the Red Baron) shooting down WWII planes. Thank goodness for fast forwarding! Aside from that, truly a classic and a must see every Halloween.
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