Let's Play Dress Ups

Halloween made me realise something odd; my favourite dress up television episodes aren't the ones celebrating Samhain. The best onscreen costuming comes straight out of left field, and has nothing at all to do with October 31st celebrations.

Maybe it's a girl thing, but there's nothing more fun than seeing the usual kind of storyline played out in, dare I say, unusual fashions? Here's a sample of standout moments when television writers managed to work in reasons for the wardrobe department to get excited:

Any (Homicidal) Excuse Award Goes To...

CASTLE

Personally, I think the creative team behind Castle love dress ups almost as much as I do. Storylines often seem to wander toward subcultures that call for extravagant costuming. Recent example? A murder victim who belonged to a New York-based 1892 Victorian England steampunk private society (as you do). Cue Castle in another crazy ensemble.

Too Cool For School Award Goes To...

VERONICA MARS

Nothing makes you feel older than realising cool kids in teen movies you grew up with are now considered fabulous retro costume opportunities for today's youth. Take the Valentine's Day dance in Veronica Mars. The mood turned hell eighties when Meg donned Molly Ringwald's ugleee triangle prom dress from Pretty In Pink and Veronica opted for Madonna-inspired Like A Virgin styling, complete with black tutu and lace.

Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do Award Goes To...

WILL & GRACE

The Von Trapped episode? Just golden. With more Sound of Music in-jokes than you could throw a nun at, this was a fast paced, extremely clever referential episode celebrating Julie Andrews' finest mountain moments.

Over-Achievers Award Goes To...

GILMORE GIRLS

Noone could costume like this crew. Every time the writers imagined an-y reason for dressing up, they made sure the town was wholeheartedly in on it. When Rory went to college, eccentric townsfolk were replaced with bored rich kids who oh-so-conveniently liked to dress up as much as the citizens of Stars Hollow. Over the years, Rory has costumed it as a pilgrim, manga character, sixties Mod, fifties housewife and forties swing dancer, to name a few. Oh, and she also participated in a Living Art Festival (yes, that's her in the frame).

Subculture Procedural Award Goes To...

NCIS & NCIS LOS ANGELES

Police procedurals are inherently obsessed with Goth episodes. I have no idea why, but for every serious cop show, somewhere in the series' vault you'll stumble across a few whacked out kids in black lippie somehow linked to a murder. At least NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles have a valid tie-in, thanks to the character of Abby. The others are really stretching. (I'm aware this image isn't from a Goth-themed episode, but I was impressed by Abby's on-the-job parasol).

Flashback (Really Far Back) Award Goes To...

CHARMED

Who doesn't love a good flashback? Charmed took it to the next level, focusing on Phoebe's past life in the roaring twenties. The writers cleverly wrangled it so the rest of the cast also appeared back in the day. The sell? Human souls travel in the same circles across various lifetimes, thanks to unfinished business; hence, Phoebe's soul recognised souls familiar to her. Very smooth.

Pointless Yet Fantastic Dress Up Award Goes To...

FRIENDS

Forget margaritas- when consoling a friend, donning bridal gowns together is where it's at. Like Monica, this episode made me want to put on a wedding dress, slip on some rubber gloves and do the dishes. Or sit in a cloud of tulle on the couch, eating popcorn and watching a movie, a la Rachel. Then again, maybe I'd enjoy throwing a bunch of flowers over my head, Phoebe-style!

Costumes, Metaphors & Masks Award Goes To...

ROSWELL

The pilot for this teen show about teen aliens hiding out in Roswell concluded with an enormous dress up party celebrating the original extra-terrestial (supposed) crash landing in '47. Human kids dressed as aliens, alien kids dressed as Men In Black, and Colin Hanks dressed like a character from one of his dad's films. Too cute.

Played For Laughs/Visual Gag Award Goes To...

THE BIG BANG THEORY

All I can say is, losing a bet can be very, VERY bad when you're a comic book geek, that's for sure...

Best of the Guests... Say Cheese!

Watching cultural icons wander through onscreen environs is the ultimate in cheap (tv) thrills. Whether you call it a cameo or a lazy bid for ratings, numbers do soar when a famous face drops by. Producers are currently scrambling to secure visitation rights for upcoming seasons; word has it Gossip Girl's offering Ivanka Trump, while Glee's boasting Britney Spears.

Good guest appearances are a dying artform. It's not about plonking a celebrity somewhere on the sound stage, it's about using their presence to exhibit kick ass writing skills, or at the very least, an acute understanding of your target audience.

Before we're bombarded with new (cameo) blood, here's a dozen I-went-to-get-a-glass-of-water-and-missed-it guest gems of the past to mull over:

1. Brad Pitt, Friends.

While every Thanksgiving episode of Friends was clever, I gave thanks for the one with Brad Pitt on the guest list. He played Will, Monica's obese high school friend turned hottie who scandalously reveals the existence of the We Hate Rachel Club.

2. Aaron Sorkin, West Wing.

This was more of a walk-on cameo, which is fitting because 'walking' was the uncredited star of this show. (Fictitious WW memo: If your mouth is moving, your legs should be too). It seems appropriate show creator Aaron Sorkin's cameo was as subtle as his writing.

3. Summer Glau, The Big Bang Theory.

Watching lovable nerds attempting to pick up Terminator/Firefly hottie Summer Glau? Priceless.

Raj: It's hot in here. It must be summer.

The Big Bang Theory, Season 2, Episode 17.

4. Elton John, Will & Grace.

Jack spends the episode ranting dramatically and hysterically about the existence of the Gay Mafia, which Will scoffs at, right up until Elton's appearance as the sparkly Godfather.

5. Joe Torre, Castle.

Okay, I don't really know anything about baseball, but this cameo made the list because Detective Beckett flips out so convincingly when confronted with her icon.

6. Christiane Amanpour, Gilmore Girls.

Repeatedly referenced as Rory's icon for seven years, having Amanpour drop by for the series finale was a lovely touch.

Rory: Oh my God- that’s Christiane Amanpour!

Lorelai: That’s what I told you.

Rory: I can’t meet Christiane Amanpour in my pyjamas!

Gilmore Girls, Season 7, Episode 22.

7. The Pussycat Dolls, Las Vegas.

Great fusion of a real world pop culture phenomena and a fictional location; nothing seems more appropriate than the Dolls strutting it up at the Montecito.

8. Paris Hilton, Supernatural.

The recognisable socialist plays a wax figure of herself, possessed by a demon and beheaded during a violent meltdown (I couldn't resist).

9. Jonathan Frakes, Roswell.

Frakes, the actor who portrayed Commander Riker on Star Trek The Next Generation, is jealous of the VIP treatment Patrick Stuart (Captain Picard) and William Shatner (Captain Kirk) receive at a UFO convention.

Jonathan: Milton said that you were in charge of celebrity relations?

Max: Well, yeah. Yes, I am.

Jonathan: Then maybe you can explain to me why Shatner and Stuart got suites, and I didn't?

Max: Well, I think the Tumbleweed only has two suites.

Jonathan: So, why wouldn't I get one of them?

Roswell, Season 1, Episode 13.

10. 'N Sync, The Simpsons.

For some reason, this particular guest appearance stuck in my mind. I think it might have been the animated dance moves and pumping soundtrack every time a member of 'N Sync spoke. Too epic.

11. Joss Whedon, Veronica Mars.

What's cooler than a pop culture icon like Joss Whedon, creator of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, publicly declaring his love for your show? Following up said declaration with an onscreen cameo.

12. Betty White in... anything. There can never enough Betty White in this world.