Its pretty obvious at this point that the rise of online streaming services have forever altered how we consume media. Gone are the days of gathering around the television for the weekly ritual of watching our favorite shows.
Forever lost are the days where being forced to wait to see your surrogate friends and family every week made each episode that much sweeter.
Back in the good old days, the passage of time between episodes created a sense that the events in the lives of our favorite characters echoed those in our own lives. The weeks before Christmas or Halloween were always filled with holiday specials that never let you forget what was right around the corner.
Personally, I miss those holiday specials. I want to return to the days where my television drowns me in slightly spookier versions of the shows that I’m used to dammit!
With the help of ECG’s best, I have compiled my solution: two weeks of some of the best cartoons, sitcoms, and anthologies ever conceived. Just what I need to summon those spooky feelings Netflix stole from me.
Halloween TV Weekly Lineup
Week of 10/15-10/21
Sunday: Over the Garden Wall Pt. 1
Monday: Over the Garden Wall Pt. 2
Tuesday: Pete and Pete “Halloweenie”
Wednesday: Roccos Modern Life “Sugar Frosted Fright”
Thursday: Hey Arnold! “Arnold’s Halloween”
Friday: Futurama “The Honking”
Saturday: Bob’s Burgers “Full Bars”
Week of 10/22-10/28
Sunday: Community “Epidemiology”
Monday: The Office “Halloween
Tuesday: Parks and Rec “Greg Pikitis
Wednesday: 30 Rock “Jack Gets in the Game”
Thursday: South Park “Korn’s Groovy Pirate Adventure”
Friday: Curb Your Enthusiasm “ Trick or Treat”
Saturday: Webster “Moving On”
Week of 10/29-10/31
Sunday: Simpsons “Treehouse of Horror IV” (Forbidden Donut)
Monday: Boy Meets World “And Then There Was Shawn”
Tuesday: Homestarrunner “The House That Gave Sucky Treats”
The Halloween TV Week 1 Super Spooky Set Up
The festivities begin with a full week of the best-animated spooktaculars. We open with a showing of Cartoon Network’s instant Fall classic “Over the Garden Wall,” and continue on to a medley of Nickelodeon’s best cartoons and one amazing Pete and Pete episode. Our second week focuses mainly on the titans of NBC primetime comedy before ceding to the more adult flavors of Southpark and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
We top the second week off with a suggestion from ECG’s Jason Marraccini. This very special episode of Webster has absolutely nothing to do with Halloween. However, it’s clear the creepy doll and hidden passageways affected a young Jase in a bad way. I don’t know why he asked that this episode make the list, but I do hope he finds the help he needs.
The Halloween TV Week 2 Super Spooky Set Up
In the final days leading up to Halloween, we finish with titan after titan when it comes to the shows that serve up some creepy crawlies. The Simpsons “Treehouse of Horror “episodes are classic. And it would be easy to create a whole list of just them. On this night, I implore you to watch as many as you can. But if you must watch just one, David Hixon recommends number four for the glorious “Forbidden Donut.”
The night before Halloween belongs to the most spine-tingling special that ever was. The night I first watched this episode of Boy Meets World, I refused to open my eyes for fear that the horrors on screen would become true. Watch at your own risk. Finally, on the night itself, I would like to offer up a personal tradition.
For years I have made a point to spend some Halloween time with Homestarrunner’s amazing “Decemberween” content. Despite their age, these flash animations hold up strong thanks to the lovable characters and good ol’ fashioned goofs. Really, you’d be hard-pressed to not find something to love.
So there you have it. Enough spooky shows to make you remember what it was like to not have millions of hours of content at your fingertips. By the time this article goes live, I imagine you will be at least a week behind. Have no fear! I promise I won’t tell anyone if you cram two days together. Although, that gypsy did say that was a surefire way to get cursed.
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