And now, after our detour
last week into the bizarre world of the Paul Lynde Halloween Special, here are five more traditional Halloween shows to
enhance your holiday celebration.
“Halloween”
The Facts of Life
Was Edna’s Edibles inspired
by Sweeney Todd? The Eastland
girls begin to wonder if the ghost of the murderous Grisly Gertie has possessed
Mrs. Garrett, especially after a kindly old man disappears from her kitchen.
Did he become the secret ingredient in her famous Halloween bratwurst? Oh, if
only they actually went there, and then used Edna’s hidden lust for homicide to
explain the season one departures of Nancy, Sue Ann, Molly and Cindy.
One of the
trick-or-treating kids in this episode (the little girl dressed like Gretel
from Hansel and Gretel) was played by Stefanie Ridel, who grew up to become a
rock star in the band Wild Orchid, and later a television writer who penned
three episodes of Hannah Montana.
“The One With the
Halloween Party”
Friends
So much to like here –
Monica as Catwoman confronting Phoebe, dressed as Supergirl; Lisa Kudrow
reprising Phoebe’s vacuous sister, Ursula, and Ursula’s fiancé being played by
Sean Penn, a reminder of just how prominent this series was in its heyday. And
as with The Facts of Life we
have yet another unexpected Hannah Montana connection – one of the trick-or-treaters here is played by Emily
Osment.
A mid-episode discussion
about which friends could beat up which other friends ends in an arm-wrestling
match between Ross and Chandler, that will be familiar to anyone who has ever
watched the series’ blooper reels. Note the very quick close-up of Chandler’s
face – that’s the most they could salvage after several blown takes.
“Twitch or Treat”
Bewitched
Halloween was a natural
inspiration for Bewitched, which
featured several holiday- themed episodes. This season 3 effort was my favorite
thanks to the appearance of Uncle Arthur, who always brings out Samantha’s
mischievous side. Watch how gleefully she participates in bamboozling her
Councilman (summoned by Mrs. Kravitz, of course) before he can crash Endora’s
Halloween party.
Best moments: Arthur
heckling Endora’s recitation of “Twas the Night Before Halloween,” and a cameo
from baseball legend Willie Mays, who was outed as a warlock but still made the
Hall of Fame.
“Halloween With the Addams Family”
The Addams Family
Every day is Halloween at
the Addams residence, but the actual holiday always brings special surprises –
in this case, two escaped bank robbers who take refuge in the Addams’ home
until the coast is clear. After dodging the family lion and bobbing for live
crabs, they realize they’d be safer in jail. Don Rickles plays one of the
crooks.
What I love about the
Addams family is how gracefully they treat every guest, regardless of the
often-horrified reactions to their hospitality. Despite their eccentricities
they remain one of the kindest and most open-minded families ever depicted on
television.
“The Gift of Life”
Wings
Wings remained consistently entertaining right through in
its eighth and final season, and “The Gift of Life” is an underrated
episode from an underrated series. When a medical courier leaves a cooler in the Nantucket airport, brothers Joe
and Brian believe it contains a heart scheduled for transplant into a prominent
politician. Actually, it contains an entirely different substance, to be used
in the insemination of a horse. Best moment: The Hackett
boys burst into a Boston hospital and announce, “Out of our way – what we have
here belongs in a United States Senator!”
That is really good and interesting post, thoroughly enjoyed it while reading. Going to pass on the same with my friends, thanks for sharing it here
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