TV’s best Halloween treats

When it comes to Halloween-tinged media, movies get all the play.

But TV has always delivered its fair share of special spooky shows, too. Even though the number of “Halloween” episodes has diminished lately, years past have had some great ones. Here are the best in most of our lifetimes, in no particular order and excluding the obvious classic “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.”

“The Office: Halloween” (2005) – One of the best comedies on TV right now brought funny to the Halloween office party instead of focusing on any haunted gags. Sure, some of the costumes were a bit lame – like the similar animal costumes most of the ladies had – but that’s the point. Three-Hole Punch Jim and Dwight’s Darth Maul costumes put it over the top.

“South Park: Spookyfish” (1998) – “Spooky Vision” featuring Barbara Streisand’s head in all corners of the screen is still hilarious 10 years later. This episode was barely related to Halloween aside from a mention of a pumpkin-carving contest, but the evil-universe fish is legitimately creepy. Plus, Elseworld-Cartman’s “You guys are my best friends” song is a top-20 moment in the show’s history.

“Freaks and Geeks: Tricks and Treats” (1999) – This is probably the best episode in the history of a show that was canceled way too early. “Freaks” nailed the awkwardness of trick or treating in a middle-class neighborhood and the rebellious ways teenagers try to avoid it.

“Home Improvement: The Haunting of the Taylor House” (1992) – This was one of the old-school sitcoms that knew how to do the Halloween episode, and the first is the funniest. Tim’s “catacombs of terror” haunted house was superb, and the show was always at its best when Tim was tormenting kids.

“The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror V” (1994) – No show is known for its Halloween specials more than “The Simpsons,” and the fifth in the series is widely recognized as the best. Here the show riffs on the movie “The Shining,” tackles time travel and cannibalism and is genuinely scary at times. It’s also one of the most overtly violent “Simpsons” episodes because the writers were tired of Congress bitching at them to clean up the show’s imagery.

“Supernatural: Bedtime Stories” (2007) – One could say every episode of the demon-centric “Supernatural” is Halloween worthy, but the show has actually not had an official Halloween episode. However, last year’s “Bedtime Stories” is damn close. It features a twisted version of various children’s stories like “Sleeping Beauty” and “The Three Little Pigs.”

“How I Met Your Mother: Slutty Pumpkin” (2005) – This is the episode that put this show on the map – and for good reason. From Marshall’s “weirdly hot right?” to Barney’s boom box blaring Kenny Loggins’ “Danger Zone,” to Ted’s hanging chad costume, “Slutty Pumpkin” is the best Halloween attempt from any sitcom in the last 10 years.

“Roseanne: BOO!” (1989) – Like “Home Improvement,” this show was among the ’80s/’90s sitcoms that had spectacular Halloween episodes. The greatness here stemmed from the dysfunctional family constantly scaring the living hell out of one another – the episode never delved into unbelievable or supernatural territory. The Connors were a real family that everyone could relate to, and their Halloween programs were no different.

“Pushing Daisies: Girth” (2007) – Although this show has only been around for a year, its fifth episode tackled Halloween in a way only “Pushing Daisies” can. The plot might not completely center on the holiday, but Ned’s issues with his own personal ghosts make it one of the strongest ever. His hatred for Halloween due to a personal trauma was great to see in a show usually bright with emotion. Add a kooky story about jockeys and great Halloween décor all around, and you have a tremendous episode.

“The X-Files: Home” (1996) – This list wouldn’t be complete without a mention of one of the creepiest television shows ever. This episode featured a truly awful (in the good way) plot where a backwoods family had been inbreeding forever to keep the bloodline “pure.” Moreover, the episode was so harsh that FOX chose to re-air it only once, on Halloween in 1999. It ran with a mature rating, the only episode of the series to do so.

Usually, TV and Halloween mix together worse than apples and razor blades, but these episodes prove that sometimes the medium gets it right. If only more shows tackled the holiday – who doesn’t want to see a “House” or “Entourage” Halloween?