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1[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/paullyndehalloween_8780.jpg]]
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3''The Paul Lynde Halloween Special'' is a HalloweenSpecial [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin starring]] Creator/PaulLynde.
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5Aired only once on Creator/{{ABC}} in 1976, the musical comedy special is notable for a number of its highlights, including [[Film/TheWizardOfOz Margaret Hamilton]] reprising her role as the Wicked Witch of the West for the first time in nearly 40 years, as well as the first primetime television appearance of the then relatively unknown band Music/{{KISS}}.
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7The basic plot of the special has Paul going away for a rest period, so as to avoid all of those pesky trick-or-treaters on Halloween night. His housekeeper (Margaret Hamilton) takes him to the home of her sister (Billie Hayes reprising her role of [[Series/HRPufnstuf Witchiepoo]]); and it's there that Paul learns the two are, in fact, witches, and their real reasons for bringing him was to have a well-known and loved TV personality help soften the image of witches, and show that they're not really so bad after all. In exchange for his help, the pair grant Paul ThreeWishes; after they grant his first two wishes (to be a rhinestone trucker, and a romantic sheik), Paul is convinced that witches are good, and decides to use his last wish for them, granting their wish to go to a disco rave.
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9In additional to Margaret Hamilton and Billie Hayes, the special also includes appearances by Creator/BillyBarty, Creator/TimConway, Roz Kelly, Creator/FlorenceHenderson, Creator/BettyWhite, and Donny and Marie Osmond. Due to the presence of a number of actors who'd previously appeared in Creator/SidAndMartyKrofftProductions works (a number of Krofft crewmembers also worked on it), there has been a common misconception that this special is a Krofft production; however, the Kroffts had absolutely nothing to do with it.
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11For many years, it was believed that no master copy – or ''any'' copy, for that matter – of this special existed, until thirty years later, when a copy was found, and the special was given a DVD release in 2006.
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13----
14!!This special contains examples of:
15* ActorRoleConfusion: In-universe, apparently Margaret Hamilton really is ''the'' actual Wicked Witch of the West.
16* CelebrityParadox: A subtle example, regarding Miss Halloween of 1976.
17-->'''Paul:''' She has a striking resemblance to Creator/BettyWhite... then again, all you witches do.
18* [[CharacterAsHimself Character as Herself]]: Somewhat; Roz Kelly is billed and refered to as "Pinky Tuscadero," her character from ''Series/HappyDays''.
19* DancePartyEnding: Disco Baby.
20* FluffyTheTerrible: Witchiepoo's pet vulture, Rover, who growls and snarls like an angry dog.
21* GenderFlip: Not so much a flip, but for the finale, a gender-neutral version of Johnnie Taylor's "Disco Lady" is performed (to wit, "Disco Baby").
22* GoodWitchVersusBadWitch: Witchiepoo and Margaret want Paul to use his notoriety to help raise awareness that witches aren't as bad as people make them out to be.
23-->'''Paul:''' After all you did to Snow White?
24-->'''Margaret:''' Distortion.
25-->'''Paul:''' What about Hansel and Gretel?
26-->'''Witchiepoo:''' We were framed.
27-->'''Paul:''' What about Dorothy and her little dog, Toto? From ''Film/TheWizardOfOz''?
28-->'''Margaret:''' She asked for it. (Beat) [[ShoutOut And her little dog, too!]]
29* GratuitousDiscoSequence: Paul uses his final wish to wish something for Witchiepoo and Margaret, who both wish to go to a disco; the wish is granted, and Witchiepoo's mansion is transformed into a disco rave, complete with dancers, Florence Henderson belting out a disco version of Music/FrankSinatra's, "That Old Black Magic," and a closing number with, "Disco Baby."
30* HalloweenSpecial
31* HeavyMeta: When KISS is introduced, their first number is "Detroit Rock City".
32* HurricaneOfPuns: Not just from Paul, but almost everybody in this special riffs one pun after another.
33* IWantYouToMeetAnOldFriendOfMine: Donny & Marie Osmond appear during Paul's opening number (his signature song, "Kids"); Paul was also a frequent guest star on Donny & Marie's variety show (which, coincidentally, premiered the same year).
34* IncrediblyLamePun:
35-->'''Florence Henderson/Lady Sessly Wesslinghouse:''' Why are you wearing that earring?
36-->'''Paul/Florence of Arabia:''' Because I'm a very chic sheik.
37* InstantSeduction: Subverted, at first. In the Florence of Arabia segment, Paul is a sheik, trying to seduce his kidnapped victim (Florence Henderson as a Proper English woman), though his attempts to woo her fail... until he bribes her with a parrot that was once kissed by Series/{{Baretta}}, ''then'' she falls for him.
38* LaughTrack: And an applause track too.
39* LiteralMinded: At one point, Paul is hungry, so Witchiepoo informs Gallows that, "Mr. Lynde would like a bite." Guess what Gallows tries to do?
40* OneSteveLimit:
41** Billie Hayes and Billy Barty.
42** Also invoked by Betty White as Miss Halloween of 1976: Apparently, Witchiepoo and Margaret promised her a date with a famous Paul, but she was hoping for Creator/PaulNewman, Music/PaulMcCartney, Music/PaulWilliams, Les Paul, or even Saint Paul – certainly not Paul Lynde.
43*** Not to mention KISS member Paul Stanley.
44* ThreeWishes: Pretty much the plot device of the special, in that Witchiepoo and Margaret will grant Paul three wishes in exchange for his helping improve witches' image.
45* TwoGuysAndAGirl: The Rhinestone Trucker segment has Paul Lynde and Tim Conway as two truckers, both set on marrying a waitress at a diner (Roz Kelly); because both of their impending marriages are at the same time, to the same woman, a battle of strength, wits, and riches ensue. Ultimately, Long Haul (Conway) may be the smartest (and the short-order cook the strongest), but Paul is the richest, so Paul wins Pinky over.
46* VarietyShow: Of the one-off variety.
47* WorldOfHam: Very much so, and of course, Paul Lynde is King of Ham.

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