# Greatest episodes of television ever **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 19, 2019, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764 "2019-06-19T18:37:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2019, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/141 "2019-06-22T06:19:29Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > The Young Ones: Bambi. > (I’ll link to it later when I’m home if no one else does.) Biggest Bottom Burp: Bobot. ---
**Author:** ![HyacinthBucket](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hyacinthbucket/32/3063_2.png) [@HyacinthBucket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HyacinthBucket)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2019, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/142 "2019-06-22T13:02:10Z")
My picks would be the episodes of Frasier where David Hyde-Pierce had a chance to show his absolute genuis for physical comedy. Sorry that it’s a busy morning and I don’t have time to look up the episode names, but “the one where…” will just have to do. The one where Niles finds out that Maris is cheating on him with her Bavarian fencing instructor The one with the iron, especially since there’s no dialogue at all since the only other cast member in the scene is Eddie And my favorite, where the entire cast just knocks it out of the ballpark, “Ham Radio” ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2019, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/143 "2019-06-22T13:06:01Z")
> [@HyacinthBucket](#): > > My picks would be the episodes of Frasier where David Hyde-Pierce had a chance to show his absolute genuis for physical comedy. Sorry that it’s a busy morning and I don’t have time to look up the episode names, but “the one where…” will just have to do. > > The one where Niles finds out that Maris is cheating on him with her Bavarian fencing instructor > > The one with the iron, especially since there’s no dialogue at all since the only other cast member in the scene is Eddie > > And my favorite, where the entire cast just knocks it out of the ballpark, “Ham Radio” The one with the iron is “Three Valentines” ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2019, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/144 "2019-06-22T13:23:31Z")
I think the episode I laughed at hardest was the one where the new station manager thought Frasier was coming on to him. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2019, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/145 "2019-06-22T14:03:04Z")
As long as we’re throwing out Frasier episodes, my vote would be “The Ski Lodge”. It’s like a “Three’s Company” episode for smart people. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2019, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/146 "2019-06-22T14:04:24Z")
There’s a lot of good episodes mentioned so far. Some overrated ones, too (like the Very Special Episodes of a comedy series that aren’t particularly funny). Some of my favourites: “Bums: Making a Mess All Over the City” from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” – fake cops, fake Guardian Angels, and best of all is Charlie’s fake Serpico (which never fails to make me laugh!) “The Concert” from “Corporate” – Matt tries to prove he’s still young and hip by making plans to see a band at 1 a.m. on a work night “Dog Mayor”, “Jon He Does It”, “Mole”, “Kim’s Krafts”, “Coma” from “Delocated” – Season 2 of Delocated is one of the funniest seasons of a TV show that I have ever seen, it’s too hard to pick just one or two ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2019, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/147 "2019-06-22T14:21:56Z")
Roseanne - [Crime & Punishment](https://roseanne.fandom.com/wiki/Crime_and_Punishment) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2019, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/148 "2019-06-22T14:27:17Z")
The Halloween episode of _ **CSI: Las Vegas** _ where the dwarf comes on to Catherine: “Ever have a man kiss you on the navel?” Or the episode set at the brothel, where they can’t decide on the CoD because the victim had received a half dozen different insults before he died. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2019, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/149 "2019-06-22T14:35:59Z")
I haven’t watched _ **Criminal Minds** _ in ages, but the episode I remember best is the one where everyone at a picnic was served honest-to-God cannibal chili. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2019, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/150 "2019-06-22T14:48:36Z")
> [@dorvann](#): > > CARTOONS > > Looney Tunes “One Froggy Evening”; “What’s Opera, Doc?”; “Duck Amuck” > > The Simpsons “Bart Gets an “F”” ; “The War of the Simpsons”; “Marge vs. the Monorail”; “The Joy of Sect” ; really two many to count > > South Park “Scott Tenorman Must Die”; “The Imaginationland” Trilogy; “Cartman Joins NAMBLA”; “Grounded Vindaloop” > > Futurama “Meanwhile” -the series finale; "“Overclockwise”; “Jurassic Bark”; “The Why of Fry”; “Benderama” No mention of _ **Rocky and Bullwinkle** _?!? :eek: “Upsidaisium,” “The Oogle Bird,” “The Ruby Yacht of Omar Khayyam,” “The Kerwood Derby,” “Rue Britannia,” _inter alia_. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2019, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/151 "2019-06-22T15:04:51Z")
I never got the chance to see many episodes of _ **Night Gallery** _, but I do remember “Big Surprise” with John Carradine. The moment when the kid pisses his pants in abject terror is priceless! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2019, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/152 "2019-06-22T16:55:51Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > I haven’t watched _ **Criminal Minds** _ in ages, but the episode I remember best is the one where everyone at a picnic was served honest-to-God cannibal chili. :eek: The story was rather mundane, but the ending was fantastic. The episode with Jason Alexander was marvelous, particularly how Rossi fooled him. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2019, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/153 "2019-06-22T17:25:16Z")
The Married With Children where they were going to have the dog fixed and he was given a voice to comment on the proceedings was literally the hardest I have ever laughed in front of a tv. ---
**Author:** ![Cumberdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@Cumberdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cumberdale)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2019, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/154 "2019-06-22T21:06:57Z")
Star Trek: The Corbomite Maneuver. For me this has become my favorite episode. Good story where the ending perfectly fits with the ideals of Starfleet and the Federation. Also, Clint Howard! ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2019, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/155 "2019-06-22T21:39:10Z")
> [@Dale\_Sams](#): > > Biggest Bottom Burp: Bobot. Taken as a compliment! 🙂 (Who’s Mary?..Who’s getting married?) ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2019, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/156 "2019-06-23T00:55:16Z")
Most Barnaby Jones episodes. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2019, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/157 "2019-06-23T01:05:32Z")
From the third season of Babylon 5, is\* Passing Through Gethsemane\*. Religion often played a part in B5, but this one was the best depiction of Christian belief I ever saw on TV. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2019, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/158 "2019-06-23T02:00:03Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > 1. [Atlanta](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4288182/?ref_=ttep_ep_tt) S2E06: [Teddy Perkins](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7629358/?ref_=ttep_ep6) > > 2. [Forever](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7720790/?ref_=ttep_ep_tt) S1E06: [Andre and Sarah](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8037072/?ref_=ttep_ep6) > > 3. [Barry](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5348176/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1) S2E05: [ronny/lily](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8956332/?ref_=ttep_ep5) I watch my fair share of TV and I have, quite literally, never heard of any of these shows. I am not arguing they are not great. I am just really surprised at myself that I missed such (presumably) excellent shows to the point I did not even know they existed. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2019, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/159 "2019-06-23T02:24:31Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > I watch my fair share of TV and I have, quite literally, never heard of any of these shows. > > I am not arguing they are not great. I am just really surprised at myself that I missed such (presumably) excellent shows to the point I did not even know they existed. The (my) [thread=804004]Atlanta thread[/thread] here on the dope is a quick read (only 13 short posts) with no meaningful spoilers if you want to get a feel for it. ---
**Author:** ![wanderer2575](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/2acd7d/32.png) [@wanderer2575](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wanderer2575)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2019, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764/160 "2019-06-23T23:05:57Z")
> [@Dropo](#): > > Do you have a favorite episode of _Hogan’s Heroes_ you would also like to mention? Since you ask, mine is “The Collector General” (Gavin MacLeod plays a German general stealing and hiding art pieces to insure his comfort after the war) because it has the Heroes’ most elaborate ruse by far just to distract a guard so they can view the contents of a truck. I’m currently re-watching all of _Barney Miller_ on DVD, and a favorite episode is “Community Relations” because it’s got some of everything to highlight all the characters’ personalities: Yemana bets he can quite gambling easier than Harris can quit smoking, Wojo has trouble giving testimony in court and exasperates the deputy district attorney because he’s so nervous he’s afraid he’ll vomit (Yemana: “That won’t impress a jury!”), Fish helps an elderly resident of a slum and levels his deadpan wit at the slumlord (“Can’t you type any faster?” “Sorry, but I’m old!”), and at the end Barney deftly maneuvers two people in need of help to help each other. Fantastic episode. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-episodes-of-television-ever/835764.md?page=9)