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The 10 Weepiest Situation Comedy Episodes Ever

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under Seriously Random Lists | Comments (100)

badnewshowimetyourmother.jpg

How cruel was last night’s episode of “How I Met Your Mother”? “Scrubs” was always known for its whiplash poignancy — the way it would turn on you in the last 3 minutes of an episode. Not a lot of sitcoms do that. Not a lot even try. You watch a sitcom to laugh. Not to get a punch in the gut. It’s a brave thing for a sitcom to do, and it shouldn’t even be attempted until the characters are well established, and you’ve developed feelings for them. Otherwise, it feels cheap and manipulative.

I don’t think many people knew how deep their feelings for Marshall were until last night. For those of you who watched it, on a Scale from one to 10, how ugly was your cry-face? That episode may go down as the second saddest laugh-track episode of a sitcom ever. Brutal. Absolutely brutal.

But hey! After bawling your fool eyes out, what’s better than re-living some of the weepiest sitcom episodes in recent memory? Let’s do it.

10. “Scrubs” — “My Long Goodbye” (The Passing of Laverne)


9. “The Office” — Jim and Pam’s Wedding

jimandpam'swedding.jpg

8. “M*A*S*H” — Colonel Blake’s Death

7. “Futurama” — “Jurassic Bark”

6. “The UK Office” — “Christmas Episode”

5. “Scrubs” — “My Lunch”


4. “How I Met Your Mother” — “Bad News”

badnewshowimetyourmother.jpg

3. “Wonder Years” — “Independence Day”

2. “8 Simple Rules” — “Goodlbye” (the first post-John Ritter episode)

1. “Scrubs” — “My Screw Up” (Ben Sullivan’s Funeral Scene)










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Comments

"HIMYM giving everyone a case of the sads" high-five?

Anyone? Anyone?

Posted by: amenfro at January 4, 2011 9:59 AM

Missed HIMYM last night, so I'm blissfully unaware of any sadness, but that damned M*A*S*H* episode reduces me to the weepies every time I see it (my dad loved the show, and I grew up watching M*A*S*H* reruns and still have a lingering massive Alan Alda crush).

Posted by: Pea at January 4, 2011 10:01 AM

Yeah, I cried at the end of HIMYM last night. But wtf was with that countdown all through the episode? It took me out of it at times. If there's some dumb in-joke with the writers, I think maybe the dead father episode wasn't the time to do it.

Posted by: Dorothy Snarker at January 4, 2011 10:05 AM

Cheers was the king of this. They always ended on a bummer.

Posted by: MyJetSki at January 4, 2011 10:05 AM

I was seriously considering cutting a bitch when Jurassic Bark was number 7, but then the sads, they just kept coming.

I need a hug.

I will have to try that new Prozac David Tennant podcast I found.

Posted by: Patty O'Green at January 4, 2011 10:06 AM

Agh - I'm so scared. I won't watch this season of HIMYM until it's out on DVD, but I'm about to cry just thinking about Marshall crying.

Posted by: Natalia. at January 4, 2011 10:06 AM

Now I just want to go home and watch Scrubs. No show does the weepy quite like it.

And I was crying like a schoolgirl during the Office wedding episode. When Jim cut his tie, I was done for.

Posted by: Melissa at January 4, 2011 10:09 AM

Oh Seymour, you faithful pooch. You're too good for this world! ¦(

Posted by: MurderBot at January 4, 2011 10:10 AM

I've seen most of these, and I have to say, the only one that truly DESTROYS me every time is Jurassic Bark. That episode is cruel.

Posted by: dsbs at January 4, 2011 10:11 AM

I still die a little on the inside every time I watch that episode of Futurama, and I've seen it probably a dozen times now. The one with Fry's brother Yancy is a close second.

Posted by: Markus at January 4, 2011 10:11 AM

I don't care what retconning the Futurama creators did with the movies, nothing will make watching "Jurassic Bark" a pleasant experience. Nothing.

Posted by: Robert at January 4, 2011 10:13 AM

That Scrubs episode at #1? Perfect choice.

Posted by: Az at January 4, 2011 10:22 AM

John C. McGinley should have an Emmy (or two) on his mantle.

Posted by: elizabeth at January 4, 2011 10:24 AM

I am 27 years old and I have to admit I still to this day won't watch Jurassic Bark if I see it on. I wept like a baby the first time I saw it.

Posted by: TheWacoKid at January 4, 2011 10:29 AM

Reminds me of a webcomic called Ctrl-Alt-Del. It's based around gamer humor and other such youthful hijinks, not really known for its drama. Then one fateful day, when one of the characters was pregnant, the author decided it would be a great creative brainstorm to have her miscarry.
Well, the abrupt change was not taken well. People thought it was in bad taste and handled poorly. Parody strips were made and circulated around the internet faster than the author could throw out threats of infringement and lawsuit.
So, seriously -- an on-screen countdown to a charcter's death? In a sitcom? Congrats, HIMYM, you've had a creative miscarriage.

Posted by: Jim Doggie at January 4, 2011 10:32 AM

Wait? There was on onscreen countdown? I absolutely did not notice that.

Posted by: Dustin Rowles at January 4, 2011 10:35 AM

SPOILER-


I thought it was extra cruel last night because the countdown was going to be Lilly being pregnant, or something equally, well good. Being stomach punched by spending the entire episode counting down the remaining time in Marshall's dad's life was just mean. Did I need the whole "You never know the timing of life altering events" lesson? Also if I missed a number would he still be alive?

AHHH, I'm the Grim Reaper! Now for the HIMYM/Supernatural crossover. I hope Ted bites it. Vampire, ghoul whatever, just make his death painful and gory. Jensen Eckles can take his place. The gang can sing "Eye of the Tiger" on Canadian TV.

Posted by: Mrcreosote at January 4, 2011 10:39 AM

The countdown was probably the most cruel part. The boy and I picked up on it from the get go in the first scene and were having way too much fun finding the numbers. It wasn't until the ominous number 4 when we were like "Oh, this fun is not going to end well...."

Posted by: Kate at June at January 4, 2011 10:43 AM

Dustin:
For reference, because the internet works just this fast: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0sPQkKMo5s

Huh! I'm glad now that I didn't pick up on that. I'm not sure how it would've affected my viewing of the show, but probably not for the best. -- DR

Posted by: Jim Doggie at January 4, 2011 10:44 AM

I guess I don't watch too many weepy sitcoms and if there are 7 weepier than that M*A*S*H* episode I don't want to start. There were people crying about Colonel Blake the next day at school.

Posted by: ed newman at January 4, 2011 10:45 AM

Yup. If anybody needs me, I'll be wandering in traffic on an icy road.

Posted by: branded at January 4, 2011 10:52 AM

Dr. Cox slays me every single time.

Posted by: coryo at January 4, 2011 10:54 AM

It's a bit hard to concentrate on tear-jerkers when the page keeps playing fucking interactive ads. The number one is my personal favourite though; very well done.

Posted by: Goldie at January 4, 2011 10:54 AM

Can't remember if it was "All in the Family" or "Archie Bunker's Place" that had the episode after Edith died, but iirc it opened with Archie sleeping on the couch because he couldn't bear to be in their bed without her. That one hit hard. It was also the beginning of the pussification of Archie Bunker, which was perhaps a sadder thing.

Posted by: , at January 4, 2011 10:58 AM

...ok, someone please explain to me where I can see this countdown.

Posted by: dsbs at January 4, 2011 11:02 AM

Oh John Ritter.....*SOB*

Posted by: Nadine at January 4, 2011 11:06 AM

Um...where the hell is the episode of Fresh Prince in which Will's dad comes back, makes all kinds of promises then leaves Will crying angrily in Uncle Phil's arms? Find a man in his early thirties who doesn't admit to crying at the end of that episode and you've found yourself a dirty rotten liar.

Posted by: sloanbuller at January 4, 2011 11:07 AM

Dustin, if I ever meet you I'm kicking you in the shins for this post. Then I'm going on a shin kicking rampage and hitting every motherfucking writer on this list. Especially the HIMYM team. Stupid sad TV. No, especially the Futurama team. In spite of years of lurking on this site, I'd never seen it before today, now I WILL NEVER BE THE SAME.
What the hell are you trying to do to us Rowles? Between this and telling me I just had to fucking watch Dear Zachary, Pajiba is clearly on some sort of heart ripping, soul sandpapering, salt in the wounds mission to turn our insides to black stuff.
*kicks everyone in the thread in the shins on the way out the door.*

Posted by: ophelia at January 4, 2011 11:08 AM

I trust you people, so I'm just going to share.

A couple of years ago we learned that my dad had prostate cancer. Actually we learned that he'd had prostate cancer for a little over a year. Which isn't good (the prostate gland is nestled comfortably next to a lymph node and it is common for prostate cancer that has gone unchecked to spread to the lymphatic system, routinely killing men).

The final line in that episode of How I Met Your Mother is...I want to use the word perfect, but it's not fitting...it is exactly correct. "I'm not ready for this." I must've said that million times. That is exactly the sensation a man is confronted with when he faces the prospect of loosing his father.

My dad's fine and that fictional person's fictional father isn't really dead, so I'm not going to waste any tears on this. I just wanted to add some insight.

Posted by: superasente at January 4, 2011 11:09 AM

Gah. Just thinking about Jim and Pam's wedding completely slays me. Everyone is just so outrageously *happy*, and if you've been watching the show from the beginning,well...dammit, got something in my eye. I'll be right back.

Posted by: Figgy in Honduras at January 4, 2011 11:10 AM

And because you bastards now have me youtubing for Scrubs instead of working, I'll toss out Scrubs' "My Princess." Brilliantly adorable episode, 30 minutes of whimsical buildup, then utterly wrecks you with the last two spoken lines.

It's on youtube in three parts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRwQGtyjrtY

Posted by: Markus at January 4, 2011 11:13 AM

It's the "I'm not ready for this" that destroyed me. DESTROYED. Marshall Erikson is the most huggable, lovable character on TV. I just wanted to hug him hard. Segel rocked that. And NO ONE cries like Aly Hannigan.

I would like to thank them for giving me a good dose of Robin Sparkles prior to the crushing blow.

Posted by: Courtney at January 4, 2011 11:15 AM

The first time I saw the Jurassic Bark episode, I screamed out loud and turned to my boyfriend yelling "But whyyyyyyyy????". Then I sobbed for about 20 minutes.
I had a cat wait for me in the woods outside my dad's house for nearly three years. I dumped him off there when I was 20, thinking it was just a stupid cat and he would find a new home. Three years later, he was still in those woods, skinny as skinny could be, lurking behind a tree. When I called his name, he ran right over to me, purring and meowing. In that moment, I realized what I had done to this poor creature and I swore I'd never abandon another living thing again. That cat is presently curled up on my bed, 12 years old, fat and happy.
The Jurassic Bark episode always brings me back to that.

Posted by: bacchic.frenzy at January 4, 2011 11:18 AM

Between this and telling me I just had to fucking watch Dear Zachary

Noooooooooooooooooo... I seriously feel for you, ophelia. Where did you read that you had to? Dustin's first sentence in his review is "Dear Zachary is one messed-up motherfucking documentary, people." Now I've got a lump in my chest.

Posted by: branded at January 4, 2011 11:18 AM

MyJetSki - Was Cheers really the king of this? What I loved about the show was that it kept away from the sentimental stuff. The only two exceptions I can think of (and they were totally justifiable) were the passing of Coach and the final episode.

Posted by: Simon at January 4, 2011 11:25 AM

I had to watch Dear Zachary in 15 minute intervals. That's all I could handle at one time. Just thinking about it is messing me up.

Posted by: elizabeth at January 4, 2011 11:30 AM

Lots of Scrubs just like there should be. You could make a list of just 10 weepy Scrubs episodes, although I do completely agree with the rankings. My Screw Up kills me each time.

Bill Lawrence hasn't really made a weepy episode of Cougar Town yet, besides maybe the Halloween episode or the episode where Big Joe dies, but I look forward to one appearing at some point.

Posted by: Petrie at January 4, 2011 11:37 AM

I really think the #5 Scrubs should be the #1. Watching Cox completely give up in that episode always hits me a lot harder than the other one.

Oh, and DAMN you people. I don't watch How I Met Your Mother but now I want to watch it and you're going to get me started on it on apparently one the most depressing episodes ever. Thanks, sadistic bastards.

Posted by: Paultera at January 4, 2011 11:40 AM

The Wonder Years ending was especially cheap and lazy and not tear-jerking whatsoever. Mainly because none of it was actually shown in any capacity. It was all just slapped in there in post-production. The Adult Kevin narrator just TOLD you. I mean seriously, he could have said ANYTHING. The killing off of Kevin's Dad was mentioned as an afterthought like "Yeah Dad died of a heart attack...yeah...real fuckin' tragedy... *burp Pass the mashed potatoes." He could have just as easily have said, "Dad accidentally ate Wayne's acid he stashed in a box of Sugar Smacks. Mom still dutiful changes his diaper and wipes the drool away at every Sunday brunch." and it wouldn't have required any new footage.

It was like the last episode of "Quantum Leap" where the last title card just casually states Sam never got home. Again the card could have said anything- it was just another post production "Fuck You" to any loyal followers. Were these ending possible? Sure. Were they something people really needed? Nope. People wanted the happy ending. They wanted Kevin and Winnie to end up together, the wanted Kevin's sister to finally grow the fuck up, the wanted Wayne to get his proper comeuppance from Kevin in a way that showed him humbled at least from Kevin's POV. And really would it have killed them to show his parents growing old? And if Daniel Stern kept his claptrap quiet people could have inferred all of that and have been happy. We could have assumed the kid calling out to Adult Kevin was his and Winnie's. I mean, what's the payoff for watching them for six friggin' years?

I assume the producers were trying to come up with epilogue for all the characters, but the fact is it came off as being forced and ham-fisted. I'd have been just as happy if we were not told what became of them if that's the best they could come up with. It didn't evoke tears, it just pissed a lot of people off. The whole parade homecoming scene would have worked just fine without any narration at all. I feel it would have been better to just have him pick up after Kevin and his father share a drink.

Now if you needed to kill someone off, they could have said Wayne was the one who died in a "tragic" wood chipper accident at the factory in much the way he threatened the hamster with the garbage disposal. Okay...the only tears there would be from the pearls of laughter. But it would still be better than the bullshit Stern read off.

Posted by: bleujayone at January 4, 2011 11:48 AM

NO ONE cries like Aly Hannigan.

Oh My Gawd, that girl could make a rock cry.
It just tears your heart out.


Posted by: Rykker at January 4, 2011 11:48 AM

I mean, seriously. I wanted to punch Oz right in his brain.

I still get choked-up every time I see that episode of M*A*S*H. And those episodes of "Scrubs."
And now, "Jurassic Bark," which I had successfully avoided until it was right in front of me.

Posted by: Rykker at January 4, 2011 11:56 AM

I didn't notice the countdown, but I guess I could see how if I did notice it, I would've found it a little cheap. But, at the same time, a countdown signifies something big, important, and life changing is about to happen. It doesn't necessarily mean "good", just noteworthy. What happened to Marshall at the end of the episode is the most important thing that's ever happened to him, at this point in his life.

superasente & Courtney: It was the "I'm not ready for this" that got me, too. I was literally thinking that moments before he said it. I wouldn't be ready for it, either. Maybe the rest of this season will help get some of us there. At the very least, I'm fully recomitted to this show now. It's been much better all season, but I'm excited for what happens next instead of just anticipating.

Oh, and my cry-face wasn't much different than my normal face. So, yeah, pretty frightening.

Posted by: RobP at January 4, 2011 12:04 PM

I've watched maybe a total of 6 episodes of HIMYM, but managed to catch last night's episode, despite having only a small connection to the characters, I was wrecked. The phone shots and a course in cinematography tipped me off that something would be happening, but it still hit me like a ton of bricks when the cab pulled up. The characters are very relatable, but my issue stems from any "sad Dad" story. As an admitted daddy's girl, I turn into a teary-eyed mess when I watch/read/hear anything with a touching dad/kid relationship.

Fun fact, My dad's name is Jim and he calls me Katie. He and I could barely get through the first few minutes of Mystic River because of that fact.

Posted by: Kayanne at January 4, 2011 12:25 PM

Come on man how could you miss the weepiest scene of all time? The finale of Six Feet Under. I cried like a little girl who just had her cat crushed by her grandmothers coffin. I don't care if you haven't even watched Six Feet Under. I dare you to watch this scene and not shed at least a few tears

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNwARV9tPUw&feature=related

Posted by: Alex at January 4, 2011 12:33 PM

NO ONE cries like Aly Hannigan.
Oh My Gawd, that girl could make a rock cry.
It just tears your heart out.

So true. Did me in every time on Buffy. I could hold it together through their tragedies until Willow started to cry. Then I was a goner.

And DAMNIT but Jurassic Bark is the saddest thing on this list. Dog's sadness somehow equals absolute tragedy.

Posted by: Parker at January 4, 2011 12:38 PM

*clears throat*

The 10 Weepiest Situation Comedy Episodes Ever.

Posted by: JakesAlterEgo at January 4, 2011 12:48 PM

STOP TALKING ABOUT JURASSIC BARK!

Ahem.

And someone clean this office, for Christ's sake. It's dusty as a motherfucker in here.

Posted by: The Other Agent Johnson at January 4, 2011 12:54 PM

I was loving last night's HIMYM episode until that last scene. Fuck that. This is a fun show, we don't need this sad shit! And a little Dauber every now and again is a good thing...keep him around!

Posted by: Riles at January 4, 2011 1:00 PM

Not to harp, but SERIOUSLY, I haven't been this punched in the face by unexpected sadness since Buffy walked in the house and said, "Mom? Mom? Mommy?"

Posted by: Courtney at January 4, 2011 1:02 PM

Alex,

I've never seen Six Feet Under. I didn't even know Michael C. Hall was in that.

I'm sure it was a moving episode but I think you need to have watched the show for that to have any effect. It was just a bunch of characters I have no investment in dying in what appeared to be a very cheesy manner.

Posted by: Paultera at January 4, 2011 1:02 PM

Dammit I've only seen a few episodes of Futurama here and there and I saw a dog and stupidly decided to play that video. So, so stupid. I just bawled like a little baby. Also my HIMYM cry face was easily an 8 on the ugly scale. Having seen 2 of those videos up there (and I've seen the Scrubs episodes) I think I'm just gonna go on my merry way to happier posts.

Posted by: Even Stevens at January 4, 2011 1:05 PM

Scrubs did the weepy ones so well *goes off to sob quietly in the corner*

The Wonder Years had me blubbing too but The Office (UK) doesn't make me feel teary. I love that episode but it makes me smile rather than weep.

Posted by: TS at January 4, 2011 1:12 PM

What about News Radio after Phil Hartman was killed?

Posted by: Squirt at January 4, 2011 1:20 PM

All in the Family "The Draft Dodger"

Posted by: LwoodPDowd at January 4, 2011 1:20 PM

When I saw this my first thought was "My Screw Up" BETTER BE #1. I sob my eyes out every time I see that episode. Though I do also think "My Philosophy" deserves to be pretty high up on this list. I think people tend to forget about it because it was so early on in the show, season two, but I think it is one of the saddest episodes.

Posted by: DominaNefret at January 4, 2011 1:21 PM

Posted by: DominaNefret at January 4, 2011 1:22 PM

Any episode of "Dharma & Greg" would leave me sobbing on the couch: "Why? Why? Why was I born into this miserable cruel world?"

Posted by: ButIWannaTellYa at January 4, 2011 1:42 PM

I agree about Six Feet Under but I wouldn't classify it as a comedy.

Posted by: Wednesday at January 4, 2011 1:55 PM

Maybe it's only me (probably) but I've only watched two shows on the list with any sort of regularity (M*A*S*H & Futurama) and I don't think I can really get into any of the others. But that don't mean I can't (or won't) try. I think I've seen MAYBE 15 minutes combined of the remaining shows. It really just all depends on what other things I have going on.

Posted by: Kargoyle at January 4, 2011 2:10 PM

blurjayone, I get how you may want a happy ending for Winnie and Kevin, but it'd totally go against the nature of that show. Kevin narrates his entire childhood with nostalgia; that wouldn't make much sense if those years weren't, in fact, the good years for his family, the way he wanted to remember them. It's entirely in character for him to end on a "and then shit got worse, and I don't want to talk about it anymore" sort of note.

Posted by: Brook at January 4, 2011 2:35 PM

As I didn't notice the countdown either (I do remember wondering why there was a number on the doctor's folder), it didn't take away anything from the episode. The moment Marshall got up to make the call instead of doing it in the bar, and they started cutting back and forth, I knew something wasn't right, and then boom.

It is a Scrub's "whiplash poignancy" moment (stealing that when I rant to people about Scrubs), and I find that if you can handle those moments, even if they make you cry, that is the dividing line for Scrubs love or hate.

Posted by: e at January 4, 2011 2:42 PM

I'm so in love with Alyson Hannigan that it made the moment a bit more easy to bare for me. Even when she is crying she is so adorable. If I just found out that news I'd want her to be the one to console me. And it was just so random that I was a little too shocked to completely lose it.

Posted by: Dave at January 4, 2011 3:04 PM

Here's the thing, except for very rare occasions (see: Futurama) "very special episodes" are jump the shark moments for any comedy series. Wanna do drama take it to Lifetime. It's cheap, it breaks the the whole suspension of disbelief in the absurd that comedy needs.
That's beside the fact that HYMYM needs to die already, like, two seasons ago.

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at January 4, 2011 3:44 PM

Cheers - the greatest sitcom ever - wasn't really "weepy," but it had a strong ability to sneak in something heartwarming or poignant every other episode that made you realize how much those characters meant to you, particularly in the early seasons. That to me is as good as if not better than "weepy." Those moments were probably best represented by Coach and Norm, but Sam and Diane had several as well.

Posted by: DarthCorleone at January 4, 2011 3:51 PM

Is "My Philosophy" the one with the lady who needs a new heart and dies? She sings "Waiting for my real life to begin"? If so, hell yes that is a sad episode. "My Lunch" didn't really make me that sad. "My Screw-Up" has me crying like a kid every time.

Posted by: Melody at January 4, 2011 4:02 PM

Jurassic Bark was the saddest thing to ever air on television. I watched it when it aired, then one more time. I won't ever watch it again.

And what's with the excessive Scrubs love? If you love it so much, why don't you marry it?

Posted by: John G. at January 4, 2011 4:32 PM

Oh my _ing God, HIMYM did me in last night. My father died almost 2 years ago, and when Marshall said he wasn't ready, the floodgates opened and it all came back. I bawed for 20 minutes. I didnt notice the countdown, and I'm glad. It's just too winky for something so powerful otherwise.

Posted by: McSquish at January 4, 2011 4:33 PM

You know what's uglier than cry-face? Laugh-and-cry face. Few things make me feel squirmier than seeing a face shining with mucus and tears, screwed into a hideous rictus of furrowed brow and bared teeth.

There's an old Korean saying that if you laugh and cry at the same time, hair will grow on your butt. Well, I guess I'd better buy a butt-razor because that's what the combination of "Jurassic Bark" and ButIWannaTellYa's comment made me do.

I cannot ever even talk about "Jurassic Bark" with friends without melting down into a quavering pool of tears and snot.

And I've never watched "Dharma and Greg," but something about Jenna Elfman makes me feel quite stabby. And I never was a huge fan of "free spirit" characters. You say "free spirit," I hear "irresponsible, selfish, and lacking self-control."

On a serious note, I hope your dad's okay now, superasente.

Posted by: Jelinas at January 4, 2011 5:18 PM

Dammit, bacchic.frenzy! Why'd you say that!?

*sob, sob, sob*

Posted by: Candee at January 4, 2011 5:23 PM

Good lord. I've never seen Futurama (don't ban me from the site! It was on my "to do list") but I clicked on the Jurassic Bark link and seriously, it broke me down. If I ever hear that song again it will probably make me cry and now I may have to avoid that show forever. Maybe it was because I watched the real life news story about it not that long ago:

http://www.bestweekever.tv/2010-11-12/friday-afternoon-cry-dog-waits-for-dead-owner-every-day/

Posted by: brdkelli at January 4, 2011 5:33 PM

Just like all Darren Aronofsky's films, I will never watch the end to Jurrasic Bark again, even my heart makes a cry face :-(

Posted by: Rico at January 4, 2011 6:44 PM

Melody - yup, that's the one. It's one of my favorite Scrubs episodes.

Posted by: DominaNefret at January 4, 2011 6:52 PM

Some episodes of Golden Girls are just so sad that I cry my eyes out, i.e. Mrs. George Devereaux when Blanche's husband comes back alive, but turns out that he really is dead (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SakeYPKr4H0), Old Friends when Sophia's new friend turns out to have Alzheimer's (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_UO7V8QmAo), Not Another Monday when Sophia's friend wants to commit suicide, ("We're not in this live for peace"; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJBtHeeqp3E), and then the second part of One Flew Out of the Cuckoo's Nest (the series finale) when Dorothy leaves to live in Atlanta with her new husband: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeIdHHfBsK0

Posted by: Ellie at January 4, 2011 6:54 PM

brdkelli, no true faithful dog story beats Hachikō.

Great, now I'm crying again. DARN YOU, ROWLES!!!

Posted by: Jelinas at January 4, 2011 7:27 PM

"The wonder years" was a comedy??
No mamma Simpson??
F U

Posted by: james at January 4, 2011 7:53 PM

brdkelli, no true faithful dog story beats Hachikō.

Posted by: Jelinas at January 4, 2011 7:27 PM

So true, Jelinas. I don't care that much for Richard Gere, but if you love dogs (especially gorgeous Akitas), Hachiko: A Dog's Story will absolutely WASTE you. It's the live acton version of Jurassic Bark and is based on a true story from Japan. Uplifting and devastating at the same time.

Posted by: Uriah Creep at January 4, 2011 9:10 PM

As someone with aged parents, HIMYM really got to me last night; completely was not expecting it and the way it was handled just felt so real. I know I will get shit for this (and keep in mind I am a major BtVS fan) but this episode had a much greater impact on me than "The Body", which I never really thought was all that great.

And I don't want to know anything more about the damn "Futurama" episode about the dog. A sad episode about a pet? No thanks.

"It was like the last episode of "Quantum Leap" where the last title card just casually states Sam never got home."

This remains, along with the last "Forever Knight", the biggest downer/'fuck you, fans' episode of all time.

Posted by: kimk at January 4, 2011 9:39 PM

I don't think 8 Simple Rules (or Newsradio) should be on this list. Those plotlines were not creative decisions by the showrunners, but dictated by real life circumstances.

And I cried waaaaay more at the proposal episode of The Office than the wedding episode.

Posted by: Three-nineteen at January 4, 2011 10:12 PM

If you cried at HIMYM, you've never seen any "it's not me then it must be you" pregnancy shows.

I mean, seriously, who DIDN'T see that coming? Terrible showmanship, Pajiba, terrible.

Posted by: NY not NYC at January 4, 2011 10:29 PM

I hated the HIMYM writers for doing that. I can't see Marshall cry, I just can't, especially when he was so happy after finding out that he can have children. I'm starting to bawl right now.


I don't think 8 Simple Rules should be on this list. Those plotlines were not creative decisions by the showrunners, but dictated by real life circumstances.
That's true, but I still can't watch that episode because it makes me weep like a baby. Whenever I watch it, all I can think of is my best friend whose dad died and how he'll never know how great his daughter was.

I forgot about the Futurama episode. That made me cry... I'm such a softie.


I don't like this post. It's making me tear up. I mean... there's something in my eye.

Posted by: Maggi at January 4, 2011 10:40 PM

::walks in, looks around, turns around, leaves::

Posted by: aidan at January 4, 2011 10:57 PM

*calls out after aidan*
Face your fear, young stripling!

Posted by: Jim Doggie at January 4, 2011 11:22 PM

Nope, uh-uh, not going to do it Rowles. I don't care how many fucking times you reference Jurassic Bark I will NEVER watch it again.

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER! Do you hear me you damn, sadistic bastard?

Posted by: Kelly at January 5, 2011 12:27 AM

Well, I'm a bit late to this party but the one that always gets me is the last episode of Blackadder Goes Forth. Seeing the slow-mo bayonet charge, which then morphs to a field of poppies gets me every time. Maybe it's just a brit thing.

Posted by: JTL at January 5, 2011 2:33 AM

HIMYM was heartbreaking. I just hope we get an explanation for the 50 to 1 countdown that was littered throughout the episode.

On Futurama, "Jurassic Bark" is a classic episode but the one that's the biggest tearjerker for me is "Luck of the Fryrish" (though that's more happy tears than sad tears).

Posted by: csb at January 5, 2011 9:23 AM

Soo...I went and watched the episode. It is really sad. Every time Hannigan cries, I can't help myself. It doesn't help that I'm always thinking about what I'm gonna do if something like that happens. My parents are only in their 40's, but I can't help it.

And I like the idea of the numbers, I really do, but they could have done it so much better. It was distracting. The last few ones, were well done. And I love the 0001 on the cab that Hannigan comes out of. Shows should do that more. Foreshadowing, hidden meanings and double talk. I love that.

On a different side...

I had always wondered why I didn't watch this show. I've been a fan of Jason Segal since SLC Punk! and I like NPH and AH, but this show is just kinda...boring. Any of the parts that I know where supposed to be funny, I didn't find funny. I found them more annoying.

Of course, that was the first time I'd watch that show at all, and didn't feel connected to the characters. But death...that's much, much different.

Posted by: Candee at January 5, 2011 9:34 AM

@ Kimk

Forever Knight had fans?!

Posted by: MurderBot at January 5, 2011 10:24 AM

Anything sad with animals just crushes me. CRUSHES me. I will never watch that episode of Futurama, I cry just hearing the description.

I always bawl during the Firefly episode "Objects in Space" when River is giving herself up to the bounty hunter so everyone can have a less complicated life without her in it. Sure, she was faking, but it still broke my heart because there was so much truth in it.

I've been catching reruns of HIMYM and frankly, I don't get the love for this show. At all. Laugh tracks annoy me, the jokes are obvious and unfunny, Barney's character is so goddamn boring with the constant emphasis on his whorish lifestyle, and the situations they find themselves in are so ridiculous as to be completely unbelievable. I'm not knocking the "sad" episode up there; I haven't seen it, and probably never will, because the show just has no appeal for me, and I've tried like hell to like it because usually I share the same taste as the majority of Pajibans.

For instance, a number of Pajibans reccommended the movie "Ink", and thank you for that, because I sobbed continuously for the second half of that movie. I got a migraine from having my face scrunched up for 45 minutes while I tried not to cry so loud that I couldn't hear what was going on. What a beautifully done, touching, lovely movie.

Posted by: DeadBessie at January 5, 2011 10:49 AM

@Murderbot

Yeah, I certainly would not make the argument that it was in any way a quality show, but it was some cheesy good (Canadian) fun.

Posted by: kimk at January 5, 2011 2:47 PM

Fuck me, fuck me.

Just watched the How I Met Your Mother episode.
End of comments, but to be sure..

- Spoilers etc -


I didn't see it coming. But my dad died because of his heart about a year and a half ago. And it's like the biggest hole I've ever met.

Marshal says
I'm not ready for this.
My first thought was
Nobody is.

I'm having a little cry now.

Why do I post this? I'm not an eloquent. But I made some lists (that made me strangly proud) so I'm not a lurker anymore. And the first thing I thought of during the little cry and the end of the episode was this place of worship. The rough diamonds that make Pajibans.

Like Heinlein said in 'Friday':
To belong.

That's why I'm here.
I wish you all, and me, the best fucking year of your life.

And now I'm going to finish my cry.
En of Line

Posted by: Magiel at January 5, 2011 3:16 PM

I agree with whoever said that "Bill Moves On" from NewsRadio should be on here. I'm tearing up just a little thinking of it. I can tell myself that the others are fiction (with the exception of 8 Simple Rules), but man, when the cast of NewsRadio started to actually cry during the letter-reading, I cried so hard I thought I would burst.

Posted by: Lewis at January 5, 2011 3:29 PM

I didn't notice the countdown, though I did notice random number popping up. When I did find out about it, I thought it was kind of morbid. It was just counting down to someone dying, it made me so much sadder than I already was.

Posted by: Maggi at January 5, 2011 3:47 PM

I noticed the countdown at 48, and it was indeed morbid.

Posted by: Magiel at January 5, 2011 4:05 PM

Um...where the hell is the episode of Fresh Prince in which Will's dad comes back, makes all kinds of promises then leaves Will crying angrily in Uncle Phil's arms?

sloanbuller, that episode right there? It makes this 29-year-old gal right here cry every time. And, of course, as soon as I saw that you'd mentioned it I had to go youtube it and watch it and make myself all sad and mopey.

Even though I haven't watched any episodes of HIMYM since season 2, I think, I went back and watched last night's ep and was brought to tears by the ending. superasente got it right with how poignant it was in depicting how no one is every prepared to lose a parent. As old as I am, mom and dad are always going to be mami and papi to me and I am always going to feel all of 10 around them. That's the very same reason that "The Body" and Buffy's "Mom? Mom? Mommy?" will also never fail to rip my heart out of my chest.

Shit, this is a depressing as heck thread. Especially because y'all reminded me that I was a huge NewsRadio fan and I recall just how gut-wretching the "Bill Moves On" episode was. It was too damn meta, though what with the characters saying goodbye to Bill but also the actors saying farewell to Phil Hartman. Kind of threw me off for a second but it made the episode it no less powerful.

So, a big thanks and a Cee-Lo "F*ck You" to Rowles for this list.

Posted by: Slappysquirrel at January 5, 2011 4:44 PM

Much love for Marshall, but it was Lily crying that made me cry.

Posted by: Sage at January 5, 2011 7:43 PM

Seriously was waiting for that Fresh Prince episode on the list, and it was sad enough that I thought it might be #1. Not that I have a problem with the #1 choice at all, but Fresh Prince was such a lightweight show that the unexpected emotion really destroyed you. Even though it made logical sense for it to turn out that way, you just didn't believe the writers would actually go there.

Posted by: S.K. at January 6, 2011 9:34 AM

@ Kimk

Yeah, maybe I shouldn't really speak on it as basically all I can remember of it is a guy who looked like an early prototype of Simon Baker, hissing at people with plastic fangs on. :p

Posted by: Murderbot at January 6, 2011 12:05 PM

I knew that this list was going to be full of Scrubs episodes b/c they knew how to make a dramatic episode. I love that show and it's made me cry so many times, they really know how to cut you to the core. Jurassic Bark was also so freakin sad and How I Met Your Mother also does sad episodes very well.

Posted by: apsutter at January 10, 2011 7:45 PM

Oh, and also this episode of The Wonder Years just rips my heart into pieces!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9VZna8YJe0

Kevin coming back and telling Winnie that he loves her while that damn Bob Seger song plays gets me everytime!

Posted by: apsutter at January 10, 2011 8:24 PM

A helpful discussion may be worth provide feedback. I think that you should publish more on it topic, it'd not really become a taboo question but normally people are not enough to speak on this type of subjects. To the next. Cheers

Posted by: Linken at January 23, 2011 1:29 PM