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From Raising Hope to Good Times 10 Supermarket Episodes That Always Remind Us of Family
Rue McClanahan as Blanche Devereaux and Betty White as Rose Nylund  in The Golden Girls The Way We Met (Image courtesy of NBCUniversal)
Credit to the cast and crew who create those hilarious sitcom moments that have loved ones turning to me laughing to say, "You see? That's you. That's how you act."
Our favorite characters often reflect our own lives, turning everyday hiccups into something we can laugh about. And when it comes to a sitcom episode about a trip to the supermarket, I'm sure we all have a memorable moment that has played out on a favorite TV show. Maybe you made a friend standing in the ten items or less line.
Where would we be if Blanche hadn't met Rose in the grocery store? Like that iconic moment in The Golden Girls, here are ten funny episodes where a simple trip to the grocery store turned into pure, relatable comedy gold.
Nick Offerman as Ron Swanson and Aubrey Plaza as April Ludgate in Parks and Recreation (Courtesy of NBCUniversal)
First on this list are the quirky employees of Parks and Recreation. Remember how much avocados cost before they went mainstream? This episode always reminds me of when things started to get pricey. While this trip to the grocery store isn't the main focus of the episode, you can't deny its place on this list.
Leslie joins a dating website and is shocked to find out her perfect match is Tom. Meanwhile, Chris' effort to get everyone to eat healthier leads to a cook-off and a trip to a health supermarket for him and Ron. Catch this episode titled 'Soulmates' (S3 Ep10) on Peacock. Ron's reaction at the health market should get a family member called out.
Peter Boyle as Frank Barone and Madylin Sweeten as Ally Barone in Everybody Loves Raymond (Courtesy of NBCUniversal)
Grocery prices and healthy eating aren't the only stories happening at the supermarket. Sometimes, while shopping, mistakes happen, making supermarkets the perfect place to help families to grow closer. In this episode of Everybody Loves Raymond, Frank tries to regain his granddaughter's trust after Ally witnesses him arguing with a supermarket employee.
Frank isn't afraid of much, except maybe losing his granddaughter's love. It's a heartfelt episode of Everybody Loves Raymond's 'Grandpa Steals' (S7 Ep12) you can see on Peacock.
Jerry Stiller as Arthur Spooner and Leah Remini in The King Of Queens (Courtesy of NBCUniversal)
The King of Queens probably has the most characters that match up with every quirky family member you can think of. What was supposed to be a quick in-and-out turns into an eventful day that includes catching up with strangers, stealing dinner recipes, and dealing with Arthur, who convinces Carrie to cook a traditional Thanksgiving meal.
While Carrie chases down a recipe, Doug runs into an old friend he can't remember. Watch the Heffernan family go holiday shopping in The King of Queens, episode 'Supermarket Story' (S1 Ep10). Available on Peacock, Paramount+, and free on Pluto TV.
MASH Spotlight
From humor to wisdom, I captured a few lines that made me both laugh and think. Read quotes and fun facts filled with wit and wisdom from the characters of the 4077.
Jaime Pressly as Joy Turner and Eddie Steeples as Darnell Crab-Man Turner in My Name Is Earl (Image courtesy of NBCUniversal)
If you've seen George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, you might think, 'I'd rather be trapped in a mall than a tiny house.' But the cast of My Name Is Earl proves it's not where you are but who you're with that counts.
In the episode 'Y2K' (S1 Ep19), Earl's attempt to return a take-a-number machine sparks memories of the gang relocating to a department store on January 1, 2000, thinking they survived Y2K. Watch what feels like a funny case study of what not to do, available on Disney+ and Hulu.
Image (L to R) of Lucas Neff as Jimmy Chance, Martha Plimpton as Virginia Chance, and Garret Dillahunt as Burt Chance in Raising Hope (Courtesy of NBCUniversal)
Greg Garcia, creator of My Name Is Earl, did a great job capturing shopping shenanigans in the Y2K episode, so it's worth mentioning another of his shows. In Raising Hope, there's nothing new about seeing Howdy's Supermarket on the show except maybe when you're doing an origin story.
In this episode, thievery is taken to a hilariously new level when Jimmy and Maw Maw's upcoming birthday triggers a flashback to Maw Maw kicking the family out of the house. It quickly becomes a survival episode when the trio are forced to live in a van. Hungry and broke, the Chance family learns to adapt and heads to the market to show viewers how to eat for free. Watch 'Don't Vote for This Episode' (S1, Ep22) on Hulu.
Image (L to R) of Ed O'Neill as Al Bundy, Katey Sagal as Peggy Bundy Amanda Bearse as Marcy D'Arcy, and Ted McGinley as Jefferson D'Arcy in Married with Children (Courtesy of Sony Pictures Television/NBCUniversal)
What starts out as a cheap way to beat the summer heat turns into a no-holds-barred supermarket street fight in this two-part episode of Married with Children titled 'You Better Shop Around.'
On the hottest day of the year, the Bundys' newly purchased war-era air conditioner breaks down, causing a neighborhood-wide blackout. Al's backup plan to stay cool is to move the family into the local supermarket. However, living in the cool grocery aisle ends with the manager threatening the family with jail time if they don't make a purchase.
They may have been evicted, but on the way out, Al becomes the one-millionth customer, winning a $1,000 shopping spree when he decides to cut in front of Marcy to pay for a pack of gum. Marcy is not about to let Al get away with free groceries without a fight. You can watch this battle royale of 'Married with Children' (S5, Ep21 & 22) play out on Hulu and it's also free on Pluto TV.
Image of Bronson Pinchot as Balki Bartokomous and Mark Linn-Baker and Larry Appleton in Perfect Strangers (Courtesy of ABC/Disney)
Extreme couponers might cringe at Larry Appleton's shopping tips but would probably give him an 'A' for effort in this episode of Perfect Strangers. When Larry tries to teach Balki how to shop and save at the supermarket, alarm bells go off and confetti falls as they check out. The guys discover they've won a chance to take home free groceries, but the excitement is short-lived when Larry tells Balki, "I have a plan."
This iconic duo can't help but get in their own way when they fail to stick to Cousin Larry's plan. On IMDb, the episode is listed as number 16, but on Pluto TV, there's a mix-up with the episode names and numbers. You can find it on Pluto TV as Season 3, Episode 16, although it's incorrectly named 'Just Desserts.' The correct episode title is 'Better Shop Around'
Image (L to R) of Danny Devito as Frank Reynolds, Kaitlin Olson as Dee Reynolds, and Charlie Day as Charlie Kelly in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Courtesy FX/Disney)
Lives are at stake when the Paddy's crew realizes the basement bunker lacks the supplies needed to survive an incoming hurricane, so they head to the All-American store to stock up. Let's be honest—the gang from It's Always Sunny is safest when they never leave the bar. Okay, maybe "safe" is the wrong word—because in this episode, nobody is safe, especially Cricket, whom Frank shoots while at the bar.
The plan is for Frank and Dee to board up the bar while Mac, Dennis, and Charlie go to the market to buy supplies. It sounds like a solid plan, but if the A-Team's Hannibal were in this episode, you could forget about hearing him say, "I love it when a plan comes together." This episode of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is titled 'The Storm of the Century' (S7, Ep6), and you can stream it on Disney+ and Hulu.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
The minute you hear the hooves clopping and see the Baker Street sign, you know "The game is afoot." Jeremy Brett & David Burke's 'A Scandal In Bohemia': Spotlight
Image of Penny Marshall as Lavern DeFazio and Cindy Williams as Shirley Feeney in Laverne & Shirley (Courtesy of Paramount Television)
After watching the Bundys, Larry, and Balki go all out for free groceries, you probably think you've seen it all. But I'm telling you, until you've watched Laverne and Shirley fill up a shopping cart in under three minutes, you haven't seen anything yet.
As Shirley goes back for a grocery item, Laverne is at the checkout line, winning a shopping spree. Shirley feels a twinge of jealousy, but soon Laverne realizes she's forgotten her friend. The two then team up for an all-out, grab-what-you-can shopping experience.
This has got to be the most acrobatic and chaotic attempt at a shopping spree that I have ever seen. Laverne & Shirley's 'Supermarket Sweep' (S4, Ep17) is available on Pluto TV, and it's a must-see!
Image (L to R) Ralph Carter, Ja'net DuBois, John Amos, and BernNadette Stanis in Good Times
It's nice when you save enough to treat yourself, especially when that means a home-cooked feast from Mom. But sometimes even the small wins can backfire. I said earlier that the Parks and Recreation episode reminded me of when things started to get pricey. Good Times is a show that makes you ask, 'When was it ever cheap?' What viewers will like about this episode is the message about coming together as a family to face challenges and, in the end, celebrating life's small wins.
In this episode of Good Times, Florida Evans splurges on groceries and buys a nice roast beef for dinner. Everyone is happy and enjoys the meal—until the next day when the family wakes up with food poisoning.
Florida decides to gather her women's group to protest the supermarket for its high-priced expired food. But when the protest doesn't work, Florida and James resort to some clever scheming that would make the Mission Impossible team proud. This Good Times episode is called 'Florida's Protest' (S3, Ep11), available on Peacock.
Image of Ethan Suplee as Randy Hickey in MY Name Is Earl (Courtesy of NBCUniversal)
That's it,10 funny supermarket episodes full of shenanigans that come with the TalkTeaV funny-to-the-bone seal of approval. But before you go, here are two honorable mentions that you can consider to be the cherry on top of this list.
Mike & Molly
The episode 'Molly's New Shoes' (S3, Ep16) is perfect for anyone who believes shopping can be therapeutic. Molly's quest to find her lost husband while shopping for the perfect pair of shoes brings both laughs and a bit of retail therapy. Watch this episode on Max.
Benson
For those who like a little danger with their shopping, watch how Benson and Kraus deal with being taken hostage in 'Thick as Thieves' (S2, Ep1). Catch this episode on Roku TV.
You made it this far! As always, thanks for reading! Whether you've seen these episodes for the first time or are rewatching them, or if you have any supermarket-related episodes to recommend please share by commenting below.
Keep It Interesting and Stay Channel SurfingÂ
– Damian
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