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Community is literally about the special episodes. If you don't like them you're missing out.
I can't stand the special episodes that turn a normal TV show into a musical. I don't mind tv shows and movies designed to be a musical so I don't really understand why. >

I cant stand those. I don't even dislike musicals really. But anytime a TV show makes a musical episode, the songs are just awful. >

Im with you for the most part. Holiday episodes, new temporary settings, and the ‘part 1, part 2’ episodes don’t usually appeal to me. The only exception for me that comes to mind is the example you mentioned though. Loved the paintball episodes of community >

I think the only special episodes of anything I really liked was Saved by the Bell - the Hawaii episodes and when Zack and Kelly got married but apparently those are technically TV films and not episodes. >

The 90's we're chok full of special episodes. >

I don't think this is unpopular... Most people watch a show for its normal formula and find comfort in that. Special episodes remove that formulaic comfort and make the show feel different and thus don't appeal as much unless you've got another connection, or it's close enough to the original idea of the show. The reason people like Community paintball or Brooklyn 99 Halloween heists is because they are still close enough to the normal show that it has that comfort level somewhat. Most specials ditch the show formula entirely though and just make some sad trash that only has relevance to one holiday/event