Stepping out of one’s comfort zone is always a risky choice, but doing so allows for new experiences. The same idea can be applied to television.
At some point in their production, a number of TV shows have mixed things up and veered off course. A common destination in these instances is horror. Family sitcoms like Family Matters have brushed up against horror from time to time. The Simpsons even forged a new Halloween tradition that showcases its affection for all things scary.
They’re not alone either, as the following shows have dabbled with the genre despite not being consistently or even remotely horror.
The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961): The Ghost of A. Chantz
Rob, his wife and co-workers all spend the night at a supposedly haunted cabin in the woods. Rob doesn’t believe in ghosts, but, soon enough, he changes his tune when he sees it himself.
Some genuine, timeless laughs are had at everyone’s expense in this episode. Although it sounds like the series was jumping the shark, there’s more to the story than meets the eye.
Knight Rider (1982): Halloween Knight
Before pulling on the orange swim trunks he’s known for, David Hasselhoff went around solving public injustices with an artificially intelligent Pontiac Trans-Am called KITT. Most cases had Michael Knight sticking his nose in large-scale crimes, but in this Halloween episode, he’s entrusted to help a friend who thinks she witnessed a murder. While sick at home, Bonnie sees someone in a gorilla suit kill a woman. Or did she?
“Halloween Knight” pays homage to Psycho in several ways: the soundtrack incorporates Bernard Herrmann’s theme from the 1960 film; a potential suspect is named Norman Baines; Michael visits what looks to be the infamous Bates house.
Regular Show (2009): Terror Tales of the Park V
In the vein of The Simpsons‘ “Treehouse of Horror” specials, J. G. Quintel’s animated comedy started its own series of annual Halloween-themed episodes. Beginning in the third season, Regular Show introduced “Terror Tales of the Park.” In the fifth offering, uptight park manager Benson rents a wish-making machine for the Halloween party. The mechanical genie grants every character’s wish and shows them how they will play out.
Regular Show was known for venturing into strange scenarios so these “Terror Tales” aren’t so out of place. Even so, they’re quite fun as they often have nods to horror movies. For instance, in the segment “Werepops,” a werewolf flees to London because that’s “where they treat [his kind] with respect.”
Dawson’s Creek (1998): Four Scary Stories
Seminal coming-of-age drama Dawson’s Creek was created by Kevin Williamson, the screenwriter behind Scream. So, it makes sense his debut television show would occasionally serve up some spookiness. Over the span of the entire series, there were several horror-themed episodes. This includes “The Scare,” “Escape from Witch Island,” and “Four Scary Stories.”
The last episode of those three finds Joey, Pacey, and Jack sharing creepy tales on a cold winter night: Joey is stalked while studying at the library, Jack is visited by a past pledge at his fraternity, Pacey is pursued by a spectral car, and Jen is scared witless as she works the graveyard shift at the radio station.
Salute Your Shorts (1991): The Ghost Story
This early ’90s Nickelodeon sitcom, based on the book Salute Your Shorts: Life at Summer Camp, scared young viewers with “The Ghost Story.” In it, the adolescent campers are told about Zeke, a nose-less plumber who wanders the grounds in search of his lost plunger. Those frightened by the campfire tale decide to get back at the storyteller.
With his bloodied, bandaged nose (or what’s left of it) and a face that looks more like he’s wearing someone else’s skin, Zeke rightfully stirs up nightmares.
Doctor Who (2005): Midnight
The Doctor has had a fair share of creepy run-ins while traveling across time and space, but “Midnight” is top-tier in suspense. As Companion Donna sits this one out for some R&R, the Doctor boards a scenic tour of the planet Midnight. Technical difficulties soon bring their vehicle to a stop, and a dangerous entity outside works its way inside. The paranoid passengers, believing one of them has been possessed by the unseen evil, turn on each other.
Popular (1999): I Know What You Did Last Spring Break!
Before American Horror Story and Scream Queens, Ryan Murphy broke new ground with Popular. This pleasurably bizarre teen dramedy tested the waters for his future projects. For instance, the episode “I Know What You Did Last Spring Break!” has the main characters being stalked by a masked assailant. Why? Sam, Brooke, and their friends were up to no good during Spring Break, and now someone is out to expose them.
Torchwood (2006): Countrycide
As with Doctor Who, spin-off Torchwood regularly tackled genre stories. “Countrycide” is largely horror, not to mention plausible and disturbing. Captain Jack Harkness and his team investigate a string of unsolved disappearances in the Brecon Beacons. After they get stranded there, they make the most shocking discovery.
Miami Vice (1984): Shadow in the Dark
The influence of Manhunter was felt on the small screen in various police dramas. One of Miami Vice‘s most individual episodes is “Shadow in a Dark,” written by cop turned screenwriter Chuck Adamson. Don Johnson’s Crockett becomes uncharacteristically obsessed with a deranged and violent home invader. This well-directed episode sports a very effective jump scare.
Daria (1997): Legends of the Mall
Daria has always erred on the side of dark comedy, but “Legends of the Mall” allows for an even more morbid tone. This anthology-style episode has Daria’s friends sharing local urban legends: A high school student goes to extremes to lose weight, a toothless shop teacher goes mad after creating steel dentures for himself, and, finally, a teen gets trapped inside a bomb shelter.
Quantum Leap (1989): The Boogieman
A scientist named Sam gets caught in his own experiment when he’s thrown into spacetime. Now, until he can return home, he “leaps” into the bodies of other people throughout time so that he can correct grave mistakes. On Halloween in 1964, Sam leaps into the body of a horror novelist. As people around him start to die, Sam has to identify the real murderer before he can move on.
The episode, which has some amusing Stephen King references, is notorious among the show’s superstitious fans.
Magnum, P.I. (1980): Death and Taxes
As Magnum worries about a tax audit interfering with his tradition of spending the Fourth of July alone, he receives worrying phone calls from a twisted stranger. It’s no coincidence one of Magnum’s former clients is murdered around the same time. Who is this Jack the Ripper-esque murderer, and how is he privy to things only Magnum would know?
“Death and Taxes” is a dark episode that puts Genesis’ song “Mama” to great use.
Ultraman Tiga (1996): Halloween Night
There’s a fine line between fantasy and horror, but tokusatsu shows like Ultraman Tiga lean strongly towards the former. Yet, the series incorporated some Western horror elements in “Halloween Night.”
The task force GUTS detects a magnetic field that may be the work of a monster; they suspect someone dressed as a witch on Halloween is the culprit. As it turns out, the witch is nothing more than a disguise for a monster who feeds on children’s dreams.
American Dad! (2005): The Talented Mr. Dingleberry
Long-running animated series American Dad! has crossed paths with horror before (“Best Little Horror House in Langley Falls”). The show does it again with “The Talented Mr. Dingleberry,” another example of why Roger is one of the funniest characters on television. When Steve uses Roger as a ventriloquist doll for the school talent show, everyone’s favorite alien disposes of the competition.
Workaholics (2011): A TelAmerican Horror Story
Robert Englund has a comical role here as the supposed spirit haunting Adam, Blake, and Ders’ job. When the trio unearths a portrait of a former employee during the office’s renovations, they assume the subject is now a vengeful ghost. Adam, who is sleep deprived and fueled by stimulants, thinks he’s directly communicating with the dead. Meanwhile, Blake and Ders perform a ritual to cast out the evil.
Fantasy Island (1977): Elizabeth
Horror regularly found its way into Fantasy Island. Memorable examples are the episodes “Nightmare” and “Possessed.” Another instance is “Elizabeth”—a guest wants to understand a recurring bad dream where she is haunted by a ghost. This one is notable for including Mr. Roarke in the story. Tina Louise of Gilligan’s Island fame also gives a rousing performance as the titular damsel.
Samurai Jack (2001): Jack and the Haunted House
In his travels, Jacks comes upon a house where evil dwells. He enters only to return a child’s toy, but then becomes involved in an inescapable haunting. For a demonic entity has seized control of the home and its residents.
“Jack and the Haunted House” is remarkably made with attention to its soundtrack and immersive art style.
Grimm’s Fairy Tale Classics (1987): The Old Woman in the Woods
Originally an anime called Grimm Masterpiece Theater, the English-dubbed version aired on Nickelodeon in the early nineties. Most episodes were cute and playful, but “The Old Woman in the Woods” is a sinister adaptation of a Brothers Grimm fable. A stranded servant girl is asked by a talking owl to retrieve a special ring from a witch’s house. The task is no easy feat as the place is loaded with deadly traps and gruesome goblins.
Clueless (1996): Scream Murray, Scream / Scream Again Murray, Scream Again!
The success of Scream led to many imitators; some of which came from television. This meta-humored two-parter from the original Clueless show has Cher helping Murray plan the senior class’ horror-themed charity fundraiser. In time for the party, a masked killer in red stalks the gang and vows to “kill all the rich kids.”
Psych (2006): Tuesday the 17th
Psych dipped its toes again and again in the horror pool. One of its most memorable episodes is “Tuesday the 17th,” a love letter to the Friday the 13th franchise. Pseudo-psychic Shawn is approached by an old friend looking to reopen the summer camp they all went to as kids. The only hitch is one of the counselors has mysteriously disappeared.
Six Feet Under (2001): That’s My Dog
Despite its overall theme of death, Six Feet Under was a drama. Yet the episode “That’s My Dog” puts the character of David in harm’s way. Initially, most of the cast is present, but, as time goes on, only David’s subplot remains. It all begins with David’s insecurities coming out in full force as his husband, Keith, leaves for a three-month job. This causes David to pick up a hitchhiker who seems harmless until he reveals his true colors.
One might argue this episode isn’t horror; people’s fears aren’t always identical. No matter how one classifies it, though, David’s ordeal is terrifying and hard to forget.
Boy Meets World (1993): And Then There Was Shawn
I Know What You Did Last Summer star Jennifer Love Hewitt pokes fun at herself in this iconic Boy Meets World episode. When Shawn and his friends all wind up in detention with Mr. Feeny, they get trapped in the school with a disguised killer.
The story’s outcome is an example of how people use horror to contextualize their emotions.
Married… with Children (1987): Poppy’s by the Tree
Psycho inspired the premiere of the second season of Married… with Children. In this pair of episodes, Al, being the cheapskate he is, books the family vacation at a run-down motel where more than the prices are slashed. The place has a tradition where someone is murdered by an unknown killer. Unfortunately for the Bundys, they’re the honored guests this year.
Adventure Time (2010): The Creeps
For a show originally aimed at children, Adventure Time eventually gained a wider audience. The surreal and often grotesque imagery may have been part of the show’s appeal to teenagers and adults. Horror fans can especially enjoy episodes like “The Creeps.”
The plot of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None has been the basis of so many movies and television episodes throughout the years. In Adventure Time‘s interpretation, Finn, Jake, and their friends are all invited by an unknown host to a private dinner party. Once there, the host murders the guests, one by one.
Atlanta (2016): Teddy Perkins
This standalone episode is a master stroke for Atlanta. “Teddy Perkins” has the show abandoning much of its comedic tone for something more akin to dramatic horror. Darius travels to a mansion to pick up a free piano; he meets an eccentric man whose unsettling behavior escalates with each passing minute.
The episode is an extraordinary character study where someone is haunted, but not by a ghost. Rather, they are plagued by the pressures of the entertainment industry and family. “Teddy Perkins” is an astonishing work of art that everyone should see.
