13 Feel Good Thanksgiving TV Episodes
Thanksgiving is often overlooked these days as everyone skips ahead to Christmas. But there was a time - particularly in the 80s and 90s - when Thanksgiving got a lot more love. It had its own special place in the holiday season. Especially on tv. Every year, I try to revisit classic Thanksgiving episodes (as well as some new ones when I can) to keep the spirit of the day alive.
There are many great episodes. And I highly recommend much of them. But here ere 13 of my favorites, or ones that I think capture the spirit of the season the best.
I will be excluding tv specials, as those are in a league all their own (A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving... Garfield’s Thanksgiving, anyone?)
13 As Told By Ginger “Ten Chairs”
Last year I revisited this episode. It’s become a personal favorite. It is particularly special to me as it touches up on Thanksgiving with divorced parents. Ginger spends the episode worrying whether her father will show up for the holiday. It’s a scenario I myself experienced around her age. Ginger remarks that there’s "no such thing as the perfect Thanksgiving, family, or gravy." That we should embrace the imperfections of the holiday because that’s what really makes the memories we cherish. It’s a super sweet episode.
12 Boy Meets World "Turkey Day"
Mismatched chairs, plastic forks, Cheez Whiz hors d'oeuvres. The Hunter- Mathews Thanksgiving at Shawn’s comes with lessons on social class and being grateful. Mr. Feeny starts off the episode with a lesson on the Hutu and Tutsi conflict, which later parallels the boys’ own Thanksgiving. Shawn pens a very poignant paper on his own experience of class prejudices.
11 Gossip Girl "Blair Waldorf Must Pie!
Blair is the QUEEN of Thanksgiving. After a fight, she un-invites Serena for dinner. So Dan invites Serena's family over to spend the holiday with his family. We learn of the history between Rufus & lIly - much to their children’s surprise. Meanwhile, Blair struggles with the news that her father isn’t coming home for Thanksgiving, and struggles with her eating disorder.
10 Bob’s Burgers - Any Episode
If Blair Waldorf is the queen of Thanksgiving, Bob Belcher is the king! Bob’s Burgers does a Thanksgiving special most seasons. It’s probably the highlight of each season, honestly. At least to me. Bob always tries to make the best turkey ever, and to have dinner go off without a hitch. It is his favorite holiday, after all. There’s always some kind of mishap or silly scenario the Belcher’s get into on the holiday. These are always fun, whimsical watches for me.
9 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air "Talking Turkey"
Fed up with the kids - particularly Will- acting lazy, Will’s mom tells Aunt Viv that she has spoiled the kids. To prove a point, Viv makes the kids cook Thanksgiving dinner. Which of course, goes exactly as you expect. Lots of laughs are to be had with this one.
8 Buffy The Vampire Slayer “Pangs”
By far one of my favorite episodes in the whole show! I’ll forever think of Spike tied up at the dinner table, throwing out all of the snarky comments and one-liners. Buffy & the Scoobys deal with the spirit of an indigenous man back to seek revenge on the ancestors of those who wiped his tribe out. All the while, Buffy is preparing the meal for her first Thanksgiving on her own, as she's off to college & her mom is out of town. This is, of course, before the addition of Dawn as well. The episode ends with a beautiful dinner scene with the gang (and Spike) that just feels so wholesome.
7 Hey Arnold! "Arnold's Thanksgiving"
Every year, Arnold’s family celebrates The 4th of July in lieu of Thanksgiving because his grandmother confuses the dates. So he’s never had a traditional Thanksgiving. While Helga also hates the holiday because hers is always so predictable - chaos, complaining, and tons of chores to prepare the meal. You know, not unlike most of our Thanksgivings. Tired of things at home, Helga and Arnold search for the perfect Thanksgiving, only to find that in the end, they are grateful for the traditions that they have. And that no Thanksgiving is truly perfect.
6 How I Met Your Mother "Slapsgiving"
It’s Lily and Marshall’s first Thanksgiving as a married couple. So Lily tries to make it perfect (notice a trend here?) Ted and Robin are trying to navigate life after their breakup, only to realize how awkward it is. They begin to wonder if they can even be friends after this. Of course things work out in the end and Ted tells his children that this is why he takes them to Marshall and Lily’s every year to celebrate the holiday. But by far the highlight of the episode is the slap bet! You see, back in season 2 Barney & Marshall made a bet (It’s a whole thing and worth the watch). Barney lost. That means that Marshall can slap him either 10 slaps immediately or 5 at any time. Of course Barney chooses the lesser amount.. only to have it backfire on him. This episode is filled with impending doom & high anxiety as Barney waits to be slapped. And boy does he get it! And a lovely rendition of 'You Just Got Slapped' to boot!
5 Gilmore Girls "A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving"
A Korean Thanksgiving with the Kims, a deep fried turkey at Sookies, dinner at the diner with Luke & Jess, and a particularly icy dinner at Richard & Emily's. That’s right, four Thanksgiving dinners for the Gilmore girls! This is the ultimate Fall comfort food show! Of course they have a great Thanksgiving episode! It’s filled with the typical Stars Hollow chaos we all love and all the family drama you’d expect. Definitely worth the watch!
4 Full House "The Miracle of Thanksgiving"
It’s the girl’s first Thanksgiving without their mother, so the guys band together - with the help of the girls- to make Thanksgiving dinner. Of course in typical sitcom fashion, things go awry. The turkey is still frozen inside. Then it’s burnt. Danny tries to buy a fully cooked, hot turkey from the ladies that mistook the Tanner house for their uncles. Joey gets a bottle stuck on his tongue. The Tanner’s sit down to the less than perfect meal and make the best of their time together. It’s all so heart-felt. There’s also a beautiful moment between Jesse & Danny as they discuss how hard it is to spend the holiday without Pam. It perfectly captures how we all feel dealing with grief this time of year.
3 The Simpsons “Bart vs. Thanksgiving”
One of the most heartfelt Thanksgiving episodes of all time, I'd say. And certainly so for animated specials. Bart learns the very hard lesson that life isn't so bad at home, after spending the day on the wrong side of town.
2 Cheers "Thanksgiving Orphans"
Realizing no one has plans for the holiday, Carla agrees to host dinner at her house. Diane shows up, wearing a pilgrim costume and gives a speech about history. The turkey is under-cooked and the trimmings are cold. Everyone is dealing with their own frustrations of the disastrous day. The episode ends with the best Thanksgiving day food fight in television history!
1 Friends - Literally all of them.
You should have seen this one coming. Friends is still to this day the reigning champion of Thanksgiving episodes! From memorable moments like the Thanksgiving football game, Monica sticking a turkey on her head - much to Joey’s chagrin, Joey’s Thanksgiving pants. To Rachel’s trifle, Chandler in a box, and the infamous “My sandwich!” exclamation from Ross! These episodes are endlessly quotable and so much fun! Definitely comfort for me every year. You seriously can’t choose one singular episode. They’re all so good!
