Buffy's 10 Funniest Episodes

[David]

https://screenrant.com/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-funniest-episodes-reddit/

Buffy The Vampire Slayer: 10 Funniest Episodes

CONNOR SHELTON

Across seven glorious seasons of television, these are the episodes of Buffy
the Vampire Slayer that Redditors have deemed the funniest.

Sarah Michelle Gellar was only one part of a greater whole that subverted
expectations for what speculative fiction had to say. Buffy the Vampire
Slayer wasn't just a scary show full of demons and ghosts, but a legitimate
drama and a consistently humorous program. Nearly every episode was littered
with smart, witty dialogue and clever sight gags, all of which added to the
series' charm. The following are just a few of Buffy the Vampire Slayer's
funniest episodes, according to Reddit.


10
Tabula Rasa (Season 6, Episode 8)

From Buffy the Vampire Slayer's most depressing season comes one of its
lightest moments. In this case, "Tabula Rasa" offers up a scenario where the
Scoobies have lost their memories due to a spell gone wrong, forcing them to
piece together their identities based on what little information is
available.

According to Redditor 3raserE, what makes "Tabula Rasa" especially funny is
"because there's pain underneath the humor." There's a joy to be had in
these characters breaking away from their sad-sack lives for a moment and
forgetting about all their troubles, and the episode's humor is made more
potent by the fact that the characters eventually return to the status quo.


9
The Zeppo (Season 3, Episode 13)

When arguing for why "The Zeppo" is one of the funniest episodes of Buffy
the Vampire Slayer, Redditor BronsonAlcott noted that "If someone is going
to parody Joss Whedon, who better than Joss Whedon himself?" While Whedon
didn't actually write "The Zeppo," the comment does point to the episode's
strengths.

"The Zeppo" is Buffy the Vampire Slayer through the eyes of Xander. As a
result, audiences are treated to a story where the B-plot is given full
focus - Xander dealing with some undead classmates - while the apocalypse
plays out in the background for laughs. Not only does this self-awareness
make the episode a laugh-riot, but it also allows Xander to grow past his
origins as a Buffy character who hasn't aged well.


8
Him (Season 7, Episode 6)

A later season romp, "Him" sees all the show's main female characters fall
for a high school boy who possesses an enchanted letterman jacket. To win
the boy's love, they all get into trouble and fight with each other.

While "Him" is a relatively lightweight episode that few people talk about,
its cheeky premise is in line with the show's earlier seasons and gives the
episode a refreshing charm. Redditor Mutant Enemy in particular singled out
the scene of "Spike tackling Buffy and her rocket launcher" as "a weirdly
funny and refreshing palate cleanser amid a super heavy season arc."


7
Superstar (Season 4, Episode 17)

"Superstar" is one of Buffy's best filler episodes, and sees the Scoobies
living in a world where Jonathan is the hero. It's a simple premise and
contains a fairly obvious reveal, yet that doesn't detract from the light
tone and joy of seeing everyone swoon over the pitiable Jonathan.

Beyond the reversal of roles in "Superstar," Reddit user theevilgiraffe
found the episode funny because of "the detail that went into inserting
Jonathan into the series." It's a relatively minor thing, but the commitment
to putting Jonathan in the show's credits and having his image in the
background of nearly every scene aids in bringing "Superstar's" delightful
fantasy to life.


6
Real Me (Season 5, Episode 2)

The introduction to one of Buffy's more controversial characters, "Real Me,"
gives viewers a glimpse of Dawn's life as the younger sister of the Slayer.
She sees herself as an outsider, and her desperation to live up to her
sister leads her to get kidnapped by a small group of vampires.

While Dawn is a largely annoying presence in her second episode, "Real Me"
is still "a laugh riot" in the eyes of Redditor speashasha. Indeed, the
episode is a fun romp, benefiting from Harmony's ever-joyful presence as an
airheaded cheerleader who thinks of herself as a serious threat to Buffy.


5
Bewitched, Bothered, & Bewildered (Season 2, Episode 16)

One of several Xander-centric episodes, "Bewitched, Bothered, & Bewildered"
sees the recently dumped heart of the Scooby Gang attempt a love potion to
win back Cordelia. The spell backfires and results in every girl but
Cordelia falling for the show's resident geek.

"An overlooked episode," as pointed out by a deleted Reddit user, the
"Bewitched, Bothered, & Bewildered" works due to Xander's reaction to his
predicament. He is slightly turned on by Buffy's newfound attraction to him,
but soon finds himself scared for his life as every girl in Sunnydale chases
after him in what might be considered a very subtle homage to the Beatles.


4
Something Blue (Season 4, Episode 8)

In the eyes of a deleted Reddit user, "Something Blue" is "a lot like Tabula
Rasa in terms of plot, minus the montage of sad things played under a
Michelle Branch song." It's an accurate assessment considering the episode's
plot hinders Willow accidentally casting spells that alter reality.

While not as laugh-out-loud funny as gags found in other Buffy the Vampire
Slayer episodes, "Something Blue" features a consistent level of humor
throughout. Whether it Xander becoming a demon magnet, Giles going blind, or
Spike and Buffy falling in love, the episode is full of delightful gags and
iconic Buffy quotes that play off of Willow's frustrations with being
ostracized from the group.


3
Once More, With Feeling (Season 6, Episode 7)

Frequently cited as one of Buffy's greatest episodes, "Once More, With
Feeling" is the show's lone foray into the genre of musical theater. This is
all due to the machinations of a demon named Sweet, who puts a curse on
Sunnydale which forces the citizens to let out their emotions through song
and dance.

What makes "Once More, With Feeling" such a delightful episode (despite the
somewhat depressing ending) is full on commitment to the trappings of the
musical. In the words of Redditor Inoland, "it's got it all" thanks to the
"very amusing songs, dancing demons, [and] fire hydrants which appear from
nowhere."


2
Fear Itself (Season 4, Episode 4)

One of Buffy's best introductory episodes, "Fear Itself" finds Buffy,
Willow, Xander, and Oz locked in a haunted frat house by a demon. In order
to escape, they must all confront their deepest fears. Though much of "Fear
Itself" focuses on some serious character moments and attempts at horror,
the episode still is still a laugh riot thanks to Giles.

Redditor Inoland in particular noted that "Giles whipping out a chainsaw on
cue always cracks me up . . . and who doesn't love Giles in a sombrero?"


1
Band Candy (Season 3, Episode 6)

The episode which saw the debut of season three's big bad, "Band Candy"
focuses on the Scoobies' attempts to save Sunnydale from its adult citizens
who have started to act like wild teenagers. What results is "campy beyond
campy" according to Redditor louley.

Much of "Band Candy" humor comes from the respectable adult characters
acting like juvenile delinquents. The gang reacts to horror at the
situation, especially when confronted with a version of Giles and Joyce who
are hungry for each other.


David