Football isn’t the only thing to watch on TV on Thanksgiving. Many sitcoms and dramas over the years have delivered classic episodes centered around Turkey Day. From chaotic encounters and disastrous meals to romantic endeavors and unconventional traditions, Thanksgiving is a holiday ripe with drama, making it the perfect setting for a TV episode.
While movies dominate Christmas, television is the medium for Thanksgiving. With so many shows to watch, we narrowed this list down to our seven favorites. So sit back, grab some turkey and enjoy these Thanksgiving classics.
‘The One with All the Thanksgivings’ (‘Friends’ season 5, episode 8)
It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without the coffee connoisseurs of Central Perk. “Friends” might be the sitcom that best depicted the love, chaos and craziness of Thanksgiving. In season 5, series creators David Crane and Marta Kauffman celebrated Thanksgiving through a series of flashbacks, with each character recalling their worst holiday memories.
Chandler learned about his parents’ divorce, Phoebe played a French nurse, and Joey got a turkey stuck on his head. Speaking of turkey, the bird ended up having an iconic moment at the end of the episode. As Monica shimmied with a turkey on her head, Chandler said “I love you” for the first time — a hall-of-fame moment for the show’s best couple.
Watch on HBO Max
‘Slapsgiving’ (‘How I Met Your Mother’ season 3, episode 9)
Long before “How I Met Your Mother” botched the ending, the show had one of the best recurring bits on television: a slap bet. In season 2, Marshall won the right to slap Barney five times without warning. As a true mastermind, Marshall played the long game, spreading his slaps out over the course of the show’s nine-season run.
In season 3, the slap bet was put on hold to celebrate Thanksgiving, with Marshall and Lily hosting for the first time as a married couple. A Lily feels the pressure to deliver a successful meal, and Ted and Robin contemplate their friendship as the latter invites her new man to dinner. But this episode will always be remembered for Marshall’s slap. Without it, there would be no “Slapsgiving.”
Watch on Hulu
‘Arnold's Thanksgiving’ (‘Hey Arnold! season 3, episode 14)
For a children’s show on Nickelodeon, “Hey Arnold!” constantly provided life lessons for all people, especially adults. Whether it be locating Mr. Hyunh’s long-lost daughter or tutoring Torvald, Arnold might be the most caring and thoughtful pre-teen to ever exist. Arnold showed audiences that no matter how unconventional things get, Thanksgiving is still a holiday to spend with family.
Arnold celebrates the Fourth of July on Thanksgiving because his grandmother mixes up the holidays. Meanwhile, Helga is having trouble with her family, as she’s stuck with all of the chores. Leave it to the kind-hearted Mr. Simmons to show Arnold and Helga that no matter how dysfunctional families get, they’re still worth fighting for.
Watch on Paramount Plus
‘The Homecoming’ (‘The O.C.’ season 1, episode 11)
Before winning the hearts of many in “Nobody Wants This,” Adam Brody proved that nerds can be cool in “The O.C.” The show’s first season laid the groundwork for several teen dramas and reality shows that followed, including “Laguna Beach” and “The Hills.” The Thanksgiving episode, “The Homecoming,” is the perfect encapsulation of an “O.C.” episode — romantic problems, family drama, and a brooding Ryan back in Chino.
As Ryan and Marissa visit Trey in prison, Seth struggles to pick between Summer and Anna. Seth invites both over to dinner and, despite sneaking in a few kisses from the girls, fails miserably. Don’t worry, Seth. You and Captain Oats will eventually win someone over later that season.
Watch on HBO Max
‘Pilgrim Rick’ (‘This Is Us’ season 1, episode 8)
Jack Pearson is on the shortlist of the best television dads of the 21st century. When Jack received the sourest lemon life had to offer, he turned it into something resembling lemon. From adopting Randall and selling his car for money to giving Kevin his Vietnam pendant and Kate his magic shirt, Jack Pearson earned his “Father of the Year” trophy.
Jack even knew how to save Thanksgiving after a car accident left the Pearsons stranded in a cheap motel. With some convenience store hot dogs, a special hat, and “Police Academy 3,” the “Pilgrim Rick” Thanksgiving was born, a tradition the Pearsons implemented every year.
Watch on Hulu
‘The Miracle of Thanksgiving’ (‘Full House’ season 1, episode 9)
The Tanners always tried to show that no matter what problems come their way, the best way forward is to do it as a family. The biggest theme of season 1 is grief and how the Tanners struggle to cope with the loss of Pam, Danny’s wife and the girls’ mother. Being that it’s the first Thanksgiving without Pam, Danny enlists Joey and Jesse to prepare a traditional dinner for the girls.
When Danny’s mother can’t make it, the men must cook the turkey instead. What could go wrong? I bet Danny thought that, too, before he tried to buy one from random strangers in his living room. In typical “Full House” fashion, everyone comes together at the end to show that everyone makes mistakes. Well, everyone except Michelle Tanner.
Watch on Disney Plus
‘Thanksgiving’ (‘New Girl’ season 1, episode 6)
If you thought your Thanksgiving was disastrous, “New Girl” would say, “Hold my beer.” Nothing ever seemed to go right for Jess and her crew. Jess trying to get her parents (Jamie Lee Curtis and Rob Reiner) back together or “Bangsgiving” are satisfying Thanksgiving episodes. If I had to pick one “New Girl” episode to watch this holiday, I’d start with “Thanksgiving” from season 1.
This episode is full of hijinks, including a turkey catching fire in the dryer and Schmidt’s obsessive cooking. However, Paul (Justin Long), Jess’s crush who she invited to dinner, finding a dead body in the bathroom remains one of the show’s funniest and most shocking moments.
Watch on Hulu
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