No one wants to watch their friend’s vacation video, but everyone seems to love a good trip memoir from their favorite TV family!  Often billed as event episodes, sitcoms especially love putting their characters in unfamiliar environments to generate new laughs.  Here are my Top 5 sitcom getaways!

5. The Facts of Life goes to Atlantic City

In the season 7 episode “Atlantic City,” the girls take a break with a road trip to the the east coast’s Las Vegas where Jo runs into recurring character/flame Flyman, played by Michael Damian, performing at a casino.  Of particular note is that Paul Haggis penned this episode 17 years prior to watching Million Dollar Baby and Crash come home with Oscars.

Who knew Tootie was the key to Hollywood success?

4. The Office escapes to Jamaica

One of the most memorable holidays in TV history happened entirely off screen!  When buffoonish boss Michael Scott first appears in “Back From Vacation,” he is waving a less than impressive braid in his hair and has a steel drum under his arm.  The rest of the show peels back a sordid adventure at the Club Med involving his boss Jan, an improperly emailed photo, and his misguided attempt at living an island lifestyle.

3. Family Guy visits Hollywood

“Brian Does Hollywood” is the second half of a two-parter and a double entendre to boot!  After leaving Quahog to pursue his dreams, Brian ends up directing (rather successfully) adult films.  The Griffins visit him in SoCal and Brian desperately tries to hide the truth until he wins a “Woody” for his directing of such films as “Add Momma to the Train” and “You’ve Got Male Genitalia.”  It features guest voices from Jenna Jameson, Ron Jeremy, and Ray Liotta.

2. The Brady Bunch in Hawaii

Two words: Vincent Price!  I’ve always been a big fan of the Brady’s descending the Grand Canyon, but their tiki terror trip to the islands is way more memorable and hilarious.  This 3 part season 4 opener was filmed on location in Hawaii and featured surfing, Don Ho, spiders, Mr. Hanalei, and a big luau to celebrate everyone’s problems being resolved.  Plus, wasn’t it nice for Mike’s firm to pay for his whole family to go out there, including Alice?  The last company I worked for didn’t even give me a high five on my birthday!

1.  The Simpsons invade Japan

While seeing Homer attend fantasy rock camp in “How I Spent My Summer Vacation” is a high water mark, nothing compares to the comedy brilliance of “Thirty Minutes Over Tokyo.”  The moment they steal the last minute seats from the Flanders, the Simpsons embark on a journey through the Land of the Rising Sun that will make you squirt milk through your nose.  From the square watermelon gag to “Battle Seizure Robots” to the subtle Rashomon joke, no aspect of Japanese culture is left unharmed.  Not to mention every time I fly I think of the final scene where the plane experiences some  ”Godzilla related turbulence.”  Memorable is an understatement.