Valentine’s Day is not for the weak of heart. Even for people deep in the throes of love, there’s something a bit cloying about overpaying for roses and a prix fixe menu with flourless chocolate cake. Most of us are just trying to muddle through the night — actually, muddle through the entire brutal month of February — with a smile. Watching our favorite TV comedy characters over the past three decades see red too helps big time.
Perhaps it’s no surprise that classic February 14-centered comedy episodes aren’t exactly flush with fairy tale-like romance. (That’s what all those Hallmark Channel Christmas movies are for, no?) Many plotlines include some sort of hilarious disaster or chaotic mix-up, while others culminate in a realization that platonic pals and family members are just as important as any significant other. (Thanks again, Amy Poehler!) But all of these installments do remind us why love in any form can be both meaningful and serve as priceless entertainment. Here’s a round-up of 11 very funny Valentines.
The Simpsons: “I Love Lisa” (Season 4, Episode 15)
Airdate: 02/11/93
Where to Watch: Disney+
Awww, this is a sweet one. After Lisa notices that pal Ralph Wiggum wasn’t struck by Cupid’s bow, she decides to give him a card out of the goodness of her little eight-year-old heart. He mistakenly takes it as a sign of something more and begins to actively court her. (Never declare premature marriage plans on live national TV, kid!). A fed-up Lisa ultimately — and tenderly — sets things straight via a brand-new card to him that reads “Let’s bee friends.” The episode ends just as it begins: With Marty accidentally playing “Monster Mash.”
Frasier: “Three Valentines” (Season 6, Episode 14)
Airdate: 02/11/99
Where to Watch: Hulu/Disney+
Instead of one through-line narrative, we get three inspired vignettes that each depict a Valentine’s Day gone awry. First up: Poor Niles (David Hyde Pierce, Emmy-nominated for this episode) struggles to even make it to his date because of a hysterical mishap involving a clothing iron and Eddie the dog. Next, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) summons the advice of Roz (Peri Gilpin) while out with a woman from his radio station’s PR department. Finally, Daphne (Jane Leeves) laments during dinner with Martin (John Mahoney) that she’s single on the romantic night of the year. Gotta love it.
Friends: “The One with Unagi” (Season 6, Episode 17)
Airdate: 02/24/00
Where to Watch: HBO Max
The Friends Valentine’s Day-themed episodes don’t get the same love as the Thanksgiving classics, but they’re still worth a watch. Especially while you’re, um, on a break. In this installment, Monica (Courteney Cox) and Chandler (Matthew Perry) make a pact to exchange homemade gifts. She gives him an old sock puppet crafted by Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow), and he rustles up a mix tape (!) that ex Janice once compiled for him — and, oops, she also recorded a lovey-dovey message on it. At least they’re recycling?
Arrested Development: “Marta Complex” (Season 1, Episode 12)
Airdate: 02/08/04
Where to Watch: Netflix
Nobody put the “fun” in dysfunctional quite like the Bluths. Following a rousing speech from Michael (Jason Bateman) about love, various members of the family get inspired to shake up their personal lives. Most notably? The girlfriend of Job (Will Arnett) finally realizes her feelings for Michael — but her message gets jumbled in the brothers’ misinterpretation of the word “Hermano.” Meanwhile, Lindsay (Portia de Rossi) wants a divorce, and Buster (Tony Hale) decides to move out of the penthouse once and for all. Featuring a cameo from the great Carl Weathers.
Will & Grace: “Dance Cards and Greeting Cards” (Season 7, Episode 16)
Airdate: 02/10/05
Where to Watch: Hulu/Disney+
Zippy one-liners and game guest stars, coming right up. Newly single Grace (Debra Messing) wants out of this artificial holiday, and lets her feelings known to an “exceedingly handsome” writer (Ed Burns) who makes greeting cards. Witty banter ensues . . . until they bond over their recent divorces. Meanwhile, Karen (Megan Mullally) realizes that the man she met online is her former nemesis (Jeff Goldblum). Best moment? Will (Eric McCormack) and Jack (Sean Hayes) learn that gay couples are banned from dancing at Karen’s fancy country club and groove in protest.
The Office: “Valentine’s Day” (Season 2, Episode 16)
Airdate: 02/09/06
Where to Watch: Peacock
Love is in the air at Dunder Mifflin. Ryan (BJ Novak) and Kelly (Mindy Kaling) start up their tumultuous on-and-off-again relationship; Phyllis (Phyllis Smith) gets showered with gifts; and Pam (Jenna Fischer) rightfully wallows that she didn’t receive a single token of affection from her fiancé, Roy. (She’ll be fine in the long run, promise.) But the big fun is in the Big Apple, where bumbling boss Michael (Steve Carell) hits up his favorite NYC pizza joint — Sbarro’s, obviously — and shows the infamous “Faces of Scranton” video to the new corporate CFO.
Parks and Recreation: “Galentine’s Day" (Season 2, Episode 16)
Airdate: 02/11/10
Where to Watch: Peacock
While The O.C. coined “Chrismukkah” and Seinfeld gave us Festivus, this series delivered the most heartwarming cultural faux-liday of all. “Galentine’s Day” was originally introduced when Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) throws her annual brunch for her female pals and mother (Pamela Reed). They chat, they raise each other’s spirits, they complain about men. Good times! The group also attempts to set up Leslie’s mom. The episode (and the Galentine’s Day eps that followed) serves as a nice reminder that some people don’t need a partner to feel fulfilled.
Modern Family: “My Funky Valentine” (Season 1, Episode 15)
Airdate: 02/10/10
Where to Watch: Peacock/Hulu
Though the Emmy-winning series set episodes around Valentine’s Day for a decade, the first one is the most sublime. Here, a planned hotel rendezvous between Phil (Ty Burrell) and Claire (Julie Bowen) ends in public embarrassment at a mall; comic David Brenner insults Jay (Ed O’Neill) in front of wife Gloria (Sofia Vergara) at a show; and Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) comes to the aid of young lovelorn Manny (Rico Rodriguez) at a restaurant, much to his embarrassment. Who needs sweet sentimentality, anyway?
How I Met Your Mother: “Desperation Day” (Season 6, Episode 16)
Airdate: 02/14/11
Where to Watch: Hulu/Disney+
Happy Desperation Day, everyone. Per Barney (Neil Patrick Harris), February 13 is when desperate single women hunt for a date for the big day — hello, easy targets! Robin (Colbie Smulders) is determined to round up some of those singles and prove him wrong. Meanwhile, Marshall (Jason Segel) spends the day in the loving arms of a PB&J sandwich at his childhood home in Minnesota and wife Lily (Alyson Hannigan) engages in some, ahem, pillow talk. But though all the show’s couples are struggling, they’ll all make it through February 14 intact.
New Girl: “Valentine’s Day” (Season 1, Episode 13)
Airdate: 02/14/12
Where to Watch: Hulu/Disney+
Our heroine Jess (Zooey Deschanel) finds herself unattached on the big day for the first time in six years. (“Ugh, couples. Boo, hiss!”) Bring on the one-night stand! Despite her meh flirting skills, she meets a potential fling in a dimwitted hottie named Oliver (Ryan Kwanten). And while Jess flails at the bar, her wingman Schmidt (Max Greenfield) and Cece (Hannah Simone) are the ones who end up kickstarting a secret romance. This episode features both solid lines and slapstick, too.
Abbott Elementary: “Valentine’s Day” (Season 2, Episode 14)
Airdate: 02/08/23
Where to Watch: Hulu/Disney+
With 2/14 rapidly approaching, the Abbott teachers are all-in on their relationships and plans for the holiday. For starters, Gregory (Tyler James Williams) tries to reconcile his feelings for Janine (Quinta Brunson). But she has her hands full after receiving an unexpected Valentine from a student. In asking a fellow teacher (Lisa Ann Walter) for advice about how to handle the crush, she inadvertently learns a secret. It’s all totally endearing and cringe-worthing in the most charming of ways.
