MY FAVORITE EPISODES part ten

It's been nearly two years since we updated this series, but holidays usually seem like the best excuse to dust it off -- particularly now that we're in the midst of a literal boob tube binge. And I'm sure I've said it before many times in many ways but when a TV show celebrates the same time of year that I'm currently celebrating it creates a sorta cerebral role-play that makes me feel the season in in my heart and my pants; there's magically no more walls between my harsh reality and TV Land. And depending on the age of the program, they can often times transport me back to my own seasons past; fake cobwebs and plastic fangs feel generic on their own, but when they're on Home Improvement they have much more context. 

- Paul 

ALF

"Some Enchanted Evening" (season 2)

Much to the dismay of Willie and Kate, ALF throws a Halloween party in the Tanner home, which he himself attends in the guise of... himself (but with a zipper down his front to give the impression of an "ALF" costume). The point of the party was so Willie could get in good with his boss to secure a promotion at work, but really it's because ALF was desperate to experience Halloween in any possible capacity (he was denied trick-or-treating with Brian). It's prophetic that ALF's likeness actually did become a very popular Halloween costume throughout this era. 

Hey Dude

"Ghost Stories" (season 2)

During a dark and stormy night on the Bar None Ranch, the gang is confined to the boys' bunk, playing Pictionary - which soon turns to ghost stories. Ted legitimately freaks everyone out with a story about his great grandfather, visually aided by some hokey props. The remainder of the episode is everyone trying to get back at Ted with attempts to scare him as much as he did them. Nothing about this bright and sunny series ever hints at anything in the neighborhood of Halloween, but no one ever said that all macabre material is chained to a holiday. 

Night Court

"Come Back to the Five and Dime, Stephen King, Stephen King" (season 7)

Harry finds a 50 year old case file for a defendant who dropped dead during his own trial. This starts up angry poltergeist-type activity and everyone assumes they need to commence with the trial for the angry ghost. I like Halloween episodes (and also Christmas episodes) where actual supernatural stuff is part of the plot (even if it ends up being a misunderstanding). Night Court had a ton of Halloween episodes and they were always great - specifically because of Harry's infectious enthusiasm for the festivities. 

Friends

"The One With the Halloween Party" (season 8)

Monica and Chandler throw a Halloween party in the apartment -- cue funny costumes. "Mistaken identity" is a familiar trope with a setup like this, but this one is more layered as Phoebe's twin sister's fiancé (Sean Penn) mistakes her for Ursula (the crossover character that Lisa Kudrow played on Mad About You). Get all that? Obviously a show like this wasn't gonna lean into the anything spooky but at least there's a trick-or-treating subplot (which involves Rachel writing checks to kids). 

Hunter

"City of Passion" (season 4)

This epic 3 part(!) episode plays like an Altmanesque Crime Thriller with a hundred speaking parts in several intricate plot threads that all meet up eventually. In perhaps the most integral storyline we learn of a secret society of lawyers and judges and powerful people who wear masks and robes and sacrifice prostitutes to Satan. So, there's that. But during the investigation Hunter visits an occult store owned by Carel Struycken (of Twin Peaks and Addams Family fame) and I swear to you I wish we coulda spent all three episodes in this establishment; it's like Mario's Magic Shop from Pee Wee's Big Adventure combined with The Magic Mansion from Are You Afraid of the Dark? combined with some abstract third element that makes it cooler than all the others. Maybe it's because Lurch works there(?). 

DON'T EAT THE GUM unboxing

17 Unsung Sidekicks

Second banana. Right hand man. Mini boss. Crony. Aide-de-camp. These are the synonyms for the Watsons and the Igors and the Barney Rubbles and R2-D2s of our collective pop culture pantheon and many of the best and brightest have found their way to the center of the spotlight. This list honors the folks who never got that chance, and so their contributions are that much more precious to me. Join me in thanking them for their service. 

- Paul

Willie Tanner

ALF

Let's face it: ALF ain't nothin' without a competent straight man to not laugh at his sarcastic, antiquated humor - and Willie deflected the bad puns and carefree callousness with a cutting sense of indifference. He openly loved & protected the alien, and rarely hid his hatred for him.

Bob

Batman

Even steady employer Jonathan Demme referred to the great Tracey Walter as "Bob from Batman." He may've been a Second Banana, but he was The Number One Guy; even Robin was never this faithful. 

Judas

The Last Temptation of Christ

I'll be honest: most of what I learned about the story of Jesus I learned from Last Temptation. So, naive me understood that Judas was only ever a loyal, protective disciple who was only fulfilling the Messiah's wishes. Original Scripture aside, Harvey Keitel's Judas proves to be the real hero of this fable. 

Nikki

Who's Harry Crumb?

The younger, inexperienced character who's eager to help is usually met with a lotta finger-waggling resistance. Not only is Nikki encouraged to participate, we're mercifully spared from a climax where a villain uses her as a human shield. 

Zeus

Die Hard With A Vengeance

On the long list of established heroes who absolutely did not need a partner, John McClane woulda placed somewhere near the top. Having Sam Jackson helps, but the reason Zeus is great is because he's even more of a reluctant everyman than our lead.

Artie

The Adventures of Pete & Pete

At its core, this series was more mysterious than Twin Peaks - due mostly to its impenetrable supporting cast. Artie may be the least subtle thing in the whole show, but that's why his unfaltering goodness is so supernatural. 

Birdie The Early Bird

McDonald's

The McDonaldland crew presents plenty of options, but Birdie's always been kinda my jam. I'm not sure if there was some Howard the Duck/DuckTales vibe that was reaching me, but I know it gives me a great deal of a weird brand of comfort knowing that she's the mascot for the breakfast menu. Not even Mac Tonight has that much responsibility. 

Eduardo

The Limey

You know how difficult it was to settle on one Luis supporting role? But that doesn't diminish my choice; Eduardo sets the whole story in motion, providing valuable exposition along the way, and even mans the getaway car when necessary. 

Meg White

The White Stripes

Maybe I'm just sentimental or nostalgic, or maybe because I relate to drummers, or maybe because I have an undying crush, but I remain casually apathetic to anything Jack White has done since the band split up. It's never gonna be the same without her.

Chuck & Bobby

Hey Vern, It's Ernest/Ernest Saves Christmas/Ernest Goes to Jail

It's a pretty equal partnership (and brotherhood), which makes them both sidekicks to the Numero Uno, Head Honcho, Big Enchilada, E. P. Worrell. I don't know how particularly helpful they are to our hero, but they're always there, trying their best. 

The Gimp

Pulp Fiction

It's blissfully unsettling to wonder about the sinister intentions of the man in the box. Putting aside how he got there, how long he's been in there, what his days consist of etc., who knows how dedicated he is to his lifestyle once he's left to his own devices. 

Josie

Beakman's World

Beakman had a rotating cast of "female assistants," and they all tried to emulate the wit and style of the first and best apprentice, Josie (Alana Ubach). There's nothing too vague going on here: a perky scientist with comedic chops and an excellent fashion sense? I've been under her spell since I was 9. 

Reed

Boogie Nights

Every character in this movie comes from a dark place and follows a dark path. Reed Rothchild is here for a good time - his only blunder is living vicariously through Dirk's victories and defeats, though still remaining the coked-out voice of reason. 

Billy

The Man Who Would Be King

Throughout this whole movie, it's impossible to know who to trust. Billy Fish remains a rock for the duration, but his allegiance remains questionable... until the end, when all doubt is washed away in one heartbreakingly selfless act. 

Torgo

Manos: The Hands of Fate

Not to be condescending, but Torgo does a lot in spite of his many shortcomings. And in the end, he's only human (I think), and basic compassion (and urges) simply don't gel with the rigid dogma of your basic polygamist cult.

Agent 99

Get Smart

Yeah, it's definitely more exciting when it's Barbara Feldon, but if you can find anyone who's smarter and braver than you while never attempting to make you feel inferior for it, you'll be blessed with all the blind courage you'll need to fight your own brand of KAOS.