St. Patrick’s Day is coming up, and for those who don’t wish to get their livers destroyed, there are other, much safer ways you can be a part of the celebration. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be huddled up under a blanket watching St. Paddy’s Day specials with clover painted on your face. Binge watching goes without saying. I mean, read my tagline.
But if you wish to ring in the luck of the Irish a week early and can’t wait for your current favorite shows to air their St. Paddy’s day specials, you can revisit the ones from past TV shows that have become famous for their drunken debauchery and overall jolly themes.

The Office: “St. Patrick’s Day”
Season 6, Episode 17
Never would there be a day that I don’t include “The Office” in the top holiday-themed TV shows. While this show really hits it out of the park with its Christmas episodes, this particular St. Paddy’s Day episode was special in its own way. *Spoilers ahead* We hear Michael’s horrendous attempts at an Irish accent, but the highlight is Meredith in her drunken glory. You can’t go wrong with “The Office.”

How I Met Your Mother: “No Tomorrow”
Season 3, Episode 12

I know a lot of people have mixed feelings about this show, but we can’t deny the fact that it was hilarious. The St. Paddy’s Day special was even more so, because on top of giving us Barney looking like a suave, promiscuous lady’s man, it also gave us a very crucial moment in the story’s arch. That moment being when Ted finds the yellow umbrella that belongs to his future wife. Also, it’s always funny seeing the gang party like there’s no tomorrow. You just know something is about to go wrong.

The Crazy Ones: “March Madness”
Season 1, Episode 18

This one has more of a sentimental reason for why I suggest you watch it. I love Robin Williams, and frankly speaking, who doesn’t? So many of us grew up watching him take on various iconic roles and this show, especially this episode, is a reminder of that. Sure, the show tanked, but this episode won’t let you down. There’s Williams’ intelligent comedy, drunken chaos solved with more drinking and an ultimate resolution with an emotional touch — the whole Robin Williams experience. Keep a box of tissues with you because this will make you want to watch more of Williams’ work — a.k.a. “Dead Poet’s Society” — and that will make you cry.

30 Rock: “St. Patrick’s Day”
Season 6, Episode 12

Every comedy series likes to stretch its comedic limits around St. Patrick’s Day. This results in the magnificence of the “30 Rock” special. Dennis Duffy, the human definition of a headache, rules the day with his overly Irish antics and Liz Lemon tackles luck. Tina Fey often tends to overshadow the talents of her co-stars, but this episode is just as important in establish how funny the characters of Jack, Tracy and Jenna are. Don’t watch it because I told you to. Watch it because you know you want to.

Futurama: “The Luck of the Fryrish”
Season 3, Episode 10

If you’re sick of the overly idiotic jokes in “The Simpsons” or “Family Guy”, and can’t take the underlying politics of “South Park,” “Futurama” is the perfect animated show to watch. And if you want to be edgier and not follow norms of starting with season 1 episode 1, you can start watching this series with the St. Patrick’s Day episode. Fry is the perfect protagonist to keep the St. Paddy’s Day atmosphere light, and this includes a seven-clover leaf and a little bit about Fry’s family’s history. “Futurama” might soon become your new favorite show, but you won’t know if you don’t try it.

And if you do decide to venture out of your houses/dorms/caves, into the throngs of revelers, do remember that these shows and their themed episodes are also going to be there to nurse you back to your anti-social self after a day of letting loose. May the luck of Irish be with you.
Malvika Randive is a freshman writing and rhetoric major. Her column appears weekly in Pulp. You can reach her at mnrandiv@syr.edu.

Published on March 8, 2017 at 9:22 pm