Summary
Some of the greatest TV episodes ever are ones that aren’t actually a part of the show’s canon. Non-canon episodes allow for all manner of wacky situations for a show’s characters, such as what-if situations,“it was all a dream”scenarios or even anthologies. Some ofthe best TV shows of all timeare remembered for their non-canon episodes, which give audiences a refreshing break and enjoy their favorite characters in a brand-new context or setting.
These episodes are notably different because they change the usual format. Couple pairings can differ, new children can be born, and careers are thrown away, for example. While these stories don’t make any significant alterations to a show’s overall lore and continuity, they still have the potential to be crucially important or just simply an enjoyable watch.
9 Non-Canon TV Ships That Everyone Loves
Not every TV couple goes the distance or even gets a shot, here are some of the most popular couples that were never endgame but should have been.
10It’s A Wonderful Life
That ‘70s Show - Season 4, Episode 1
Donna and Eric’s relationship inThat ‘70s Showis a rather complicated one. However, in the episode “It’s a Wonderful Life,” Eric realizes that life without Donna is far more complex than he could ever understand. After the pair break up, he believes that the only thing that his romance with her has brought him is pain, but Wayne Knight’s guardian angel proves this otherwise. This episode brilliantly outlines how the lives of thecharacters inThat ’70s Showhave panned out in many other ways.
While all the events happen inside Eric’s mind, it’s still interesting to see how everyone’s futures change because he and Donna never get together.Donna marries Hyde and ends up a single mother, Red finally gets his perfect son, and Kelso becomes a news anchor. Even though they don’t get back together for a while after this episode, it stillallows Eric to appreciate what he is lucky enough to have experienced by being with Donnain the first place.
that 70s show
Cast
That ‘70s Show was one of Fox’s most popular sitcoms upon its release in 1998. Starring Topher Grace (Eric Forman), Laura Prepon (Donna Pinciotti), Mila Kunis (Jackie Burkhart), Danny Masterson (Steven Hyde), Wilmer Valderrama (Fez), and Ashton Kutcher (Michael Kelso), That ‘70s Show revolves around the teens’ mishaps as they grow up in Point Place Wisconsin in the 1970s.
9The Cooper Extraction
The Big Bang Theory - Season 7, Episode 11
“The Cooper Extraction” is one ofthe best episodes ofThe Big Bang Theorybecause it asks the question: what if the gang never met Sheldon? When Sheldon visits Texas to be by Missy’s side as she gives birth, the rest of the gang starts to dwell on what life would be like without their resident genius. Initially, they all think that things would be better, but upon deeper reflection, they realize that is far from the truth. The possible scenarios that they discuss are absolutely hilarious, but they ultimately demonstrate how Sheldon brings structure to their lives.
There are some very obvious alternative timelines in this episode, like Penny and Leonard never becoming a couple. However, some are more unusual and ridiculously absurd, such as Howard mimicking conversations with a long-dead Mrs. Wolowitz and Penny making a move on Sheldon. This episode is so powerful because the gang properly acknowledges thatwhile Sheldon is a huge pain and often an inconvenience, his presence has impacted themmore than they ever realized.
The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory: This sitcom follows a group of socially awkward scientists and their interactions with each other and the people around them. Centered on physicists Sheldon and Leonard, the series humorously explores friendship, romance, and the quirks of life among an eclectic group of academics.
8Turn Left
Doctor Who - Season 4, Episode 11
“Turn Left” is one ofthe greatestDoctor Whostoriesof the modern era and truly reemphasizes that Donna Noble is the most important woman in the universe. After Donna doesn’t marry Lance in the events of “The Runaway Bride,” the world around her changes drastically. However, it’s not just Donna whose life changes; it’s all the Doctor’s friends.The story arcs ofDoctor Whoseasons 3 and 4 are sent down a completely different trajectory,from Martha Jones dying in “Smith and Jones” to the Torchwood team sacrificing themselves in “The Poison Sky.”
“Turn Left” shows just how important Donna is as a character and highlights how her first meeting with the Time Lord would save countless lives across the universe. While the events of the episode happen to Donna because a beetle from the Tricksters Brigade creates a parallel world around her, they technically never occur. However, her vague memory of it allows her to pass on the message “Bad Wolf” to the Doctor, possibly the most important two words she would ever share with him.
Doctor Who
Doctor Who: Released on July 05, 2025, this series follows the Doctor and their companion as they journey across time and space, encountering a range of extraordinary friends and adversaries, expanding the universe of the long-running British science fiction series.
Doctor Who: Every Alternate Event In ‘Turn Left’
Viewers get a glimpse of what the world would be if Donna had never met the Doctor. That includes alternate versions of multiple Doctor Who episodes.
7Da Boom
Family Guy - Season 2, Episode 3
The incredibly funnyFamily Guyepisode “Da Boom” sends the Griffins into a post-apocalyptic world following Y2K. This is a relatively wild way for the show to throw off audiences, but thankfully, it’s not canon. Several things that happen throughout the episode are stupidly comical and would be absolutely nonsensical if real,likeStewie’s mutant octopus body or Quagmire and Cleveland melding into one. However, there is one key moment that stands out and reassures audiences that “Da Boom” is definitely not part of theFamily Guycanon.
It also loves to throw in events that aren’t permanent or even real, which this episode proves
At the end of the episode,Family Guyhilariously parodies the dramaDallasand its famous Bobby Ewing storyline.Dallasfamously kills off Bobby in season 8, only for the character to mysteriously step out of the shower in season 9, alive and well. In a great and comical moment, Pam Ewing tells Bobby about her dream, only for him to question whatFamily Guyis.Family Guyis known for being one ofthe most meta TV shows of all time, but it also loves to throw in events that aren’t permanent or even real, which this episode proves.
Family Guy
Family Guy is an animated series following the eccentric Griffin family. Led by bumbling patriarch Peter and long-suffering Lois, the family includes the sadistic baby Stewie, unpopular teenager Meg, dim-witted Chris, and Brian, their talking dog. The show explores their outlandish adventures in the fictional town of Quahog.
The 10 Funniest Family Guy Spoof Episodes
Family Guy is known to spoof pretty much everything and everyone. But according to IMDb, these 10 spoof episodes are the funniest in the series.
6Behind The Laughter
The Simpsons - Season 11, Episode 22
While there are severalnon-canonical episodes ofThe Simpsons, like the Treehouse of Horror specials, one of the very best is “Behind the Laughter.” The episode has received critical acclaim because of its amazing parody of VH1’sBehind the Music,and Jim Forbes himself even narrates it. “Behind the Laughter” delves into a fictionalized Simpson family and the behind-the-scenes drama of their abrupt rise to fame, which creates some hysterical subplots about the characters that would otherwise never happen.
Bart’s stint in rehab is a particularly notable change from his usual childish antics, and while it’s clearly not part of his character arc, it’s still fun to imagine. What’s so great about this story is that many Springfield residents are involved in different ways,and the detail the writers put into this episode is astounding. For example,Apu reports the Simpsons for tax evasion, which causes them to go on hiatus and pursue individual projects. While this never sticks inThe Simpsons’canon, it’s still enjoyable to pretend that the animated characters are other people outside the show.
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an animated series set in the fictional town of Springfield, following the daily lives of the Simpson family—Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. Premiering in 1989, the show is renowned for its satirical commentary on politics, media, and American culture, featuring numerous celebrity guest appearances.
5Anthology Of Interest I
Futurama - Season 2, Episode 16
“Anthology Of Interest I” is the first ofFuturama’s non-canon anthology episodesand sets up a fantastic standard that the show attempts to replicate multiple times. Farnsworth’s What-If machine is a fascinating invention and creates bizarre and imaginary scenarios with the Planet Express crew at the center. Throughout the episode, Farnsworth forms all manner of wild sci-fi hypotheticals, each as nonsensical and funny as the last. Most of these sequences are simply bonkers and are for comedic effect, like Zoidberg and Bender’s battle after growing to over 500 feet.
At one point, Bender pushes Zoidberg into the local stadium filled with boiling water, which brilliantly compares the incompetent doctor to a crab being cooked. However,some of these setups are also related toFuturama’s canon but don’t impact it, such as the alternative history where Fry is never frozen in the pilot and so never makes it to the year 3000. Fry’s morbid fate leaves him playing Dungeons & Dragons for an endless amount of time rather than ending up with Leela. Considering this isFuturama’s first attempt at leaving the canon, it successfully provides an all-around amusing watch.
Futurama
Futurama is an animated science fiction series that follows Philip J. Fry, a pizza delivery boy from late-20th-century New York City. He is accidentally cryogenically frozen for a thousand years and becomes an employee at Planet Express, a delivery service in the retro-futuristic 31st century.
4The One That Could Have Been (Parts 1 &2)
Friends - Season 6, Episodes 15 & 16
Parts 1 and 2 of “The One That Could Have Been” inFriendsexamine each member of the gang’s potential and the paths they choose to lead them to the present day. What’s so hilarious about this story is how different each ofthe bestFriendscharactersare. Ross and Carol’s marriage, which is the subject of many jokes in the earlier seasons of the show, is somehow still standing despite it being apparent that Carol is gay. Phoebe is the complete opposite of her true self; she is motivated by money and is a corporate heavyweight.
While everyone is generally unrecognizable compared to reality, Joey is relatively the same, which makes a lot of sense for his character. However,despite all the wild changes in these two timelines, some things are still destined to happen.Monica and Chandler still find their way to one another, for example, which proves that their love is fated in any timeline. Even though the gang is perfect the way they are, “The One That Could Have Been” is still a fun way of looking at how one decision impacts not just one person but everyone around them.
Friends
Friends is a television sitcom that debuted in 1994, revolving around six young New Yorkers navigating the complexities of adulthood. The series highlights their friendship as they support each other through personal and professional challenges, encapsulating the ups and downs of life in a comedic and relatable manner.
3The Janitor Always Mops Twice
It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia - Season 14, Episode 6
TheIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiastory “The Janitor Always Mops Twice” is a greatTV show episode that switches up its visual style. The noir-esque appearance is a part of Charlie Kelly’s mind and puts him into a world that is similar to that of a 1940s gangster movie, where the Waitress is his damsel in distress. Charlie’s attempts to solve the mystery of Frank’s “diarrhea poisoning” are so funny because he takes it so seriously. But it’s even more comical when it becomes apparent that this episode isn’t really his memories.
At the end of the episode, the Waitress is arrested by Dee, who is dressed up like a police officer. However, this detail isn’t mentioned again after “The Janitor Always Mops Twice.” Before the Waitress is taken away,Charlie announces he drank bleach to combat his own poisoning,which implies that the events of the episode are a result of his unhinged choice of refreshment. It’s hard to trust whether anything is actually real or not, granted, but it is still a fantastic episode because it allows audiences to get a better understanding of Charlie’s wacky thoughts.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is a television series that premiered in 2005, chronicling the chaotic lives of four self-involved friends running an Irish pub in Philadelphia. Their misguided decisions and skewed perspectives often result in amusing and uncomfortable situations, complicating their professional and personal relationships.
2Normal Again
Buffy The Vampire Slayer - Season 6, Episode 17
TheBuffy the Vampire Slayerepisode “Normal Again” is a sneaky non-canon episode because it is not clear until the very end that it is separate from the official continuity. After Buffy is injected with demon venom, she starts to hallucinate and believes that she is in an asylum. What’s so wild about this, however, is that she truly thinks that her greatest adventures andthe best episodes ofBuffy the Vampire Slayerare imaginary.
It’s heartbreaking to see Buffy delude herself into thinking Dawn isn’t real and that her destiny as the Slayer is a complete lie, but audiences feel safe knowing this is just the venom speaking. However, at the end of the episode, there is a brief scene that shows her back in the hospital, and a doctor confirms that “she’s gone.”This ambiguous ending is frustrating, but it’s also very eerie,and it’s hard to know what’s happening. The show never brings this up again, so it’s assumed that it’s non-canonical, but the fact it’s unclear makes this episode even better.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a television series created by Joss Whedon, focusing on Buffy Summers, portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar, a young woman chosen to battle against vampires, demons, and other supernatural forces while navigating the complexities of teenage life.
1Nick Starr
Big Mouth - Season 4, Episode 6
Big Mouth’s Nick Starr is a fabulous antagonist who strangely becomes semi-real in his later appearances. However, when Nick’s future alter ego is first introduced in “Nick Starr,” the arrogant and out-of-touch TV presenter is still fictional. TheBig Mouthepisode tackles the serious topic of anxiety, and the events all happen inside Nick’s mind aboard the bus back from summer camp, powered by Tito, the Anxiety Mosquito. However, this episode brilliantly delves into the mind of an anxious teen boy and shows the ridiculous narrative that his paranoia creates.
“Nick Starr” proves that his subconscious is more active than it appears
Nick’s perception of a futuristic world that has been drained of money, power, and resources is a creepy possibility. Even his comical idea of the uber-wealthy boarding a space ark in order to survive has unsettling potential. Of course, none of it is real, butit’s still fascinating to see how Nick’s perception of the present day can impact his fictional future as well.Nick Birch is undoubtedly a jerk at times, but “Nick Starr” proves that his subconscious is more active than it appears. While the episode isn’t canon forBig Mouth, Nick fears that it will be.
Big Mouth
Big Mouth is an animated comedy series created by Nick Kroll and Andrew Goldberg. Debuting in 2017, it explores the lives of teenage friends experiencing the challenges of puberty. The series humorously addresses the complexities of adolescence, focusing on the trials and transformations encountered during this formative stage.
Big Mouth Season 4 Ending Explained: What Nick Starr Really Means
The Big Mouth season 4 finale ended with an epic showdown between the kids and Nick Starr — a future version of Nick; here’s what he represents.
