10 MEMORABLE THANKSGIVING T.V. EPISODES
November 1st marks the beginning of the holiday season and the countdown to T-Day. For many people, Thanksgiving means extra helpings turkey, gravy, and tubular cranberry, and for some, it means preparing for a generous serving of stress and awkwardness. No matter how you feel about Turkey day, one thing is universally accepted: Thanksgiving has great T.V. Television’s Thanksgiving episodes never fail at becoming lodged in your memory bank, and I can’t wait to see what my favorite shows are up to this season. Before this year’s Thanksgiving episodes roll out, let’s reminisce over 10 of the greatest Thanksgiving T.V. episodes to date:
Seinfeld – “The Mom and Pop Store” (1994)
Jerry hunts down Mom and Pop to try and get his sneakers back, Kramer gets a nosebleed, and then someone winds up bringing down the Woody Woodpecker balloon in the Thanksgiving Day parade.
Will and Grace – “Moveable Feast: Part 1 & 2” (2001)
Jack and Grace follow Will’s plan to try and visit each Thanksgiving gathering, only spending an hour at each, but as you could have guessed, nothing goes as planned.
New Girl – “Thanksgiving” (2011)
When Jess invites the music teacher form her school that she has a crush on to Thanksgiving, the ensuing shenanigans are cringe-worthy. This episode is a testament to why you might want to think twice about inviting your crush to Thanksgiving.
The Simpsons – “Bart vs. Thanksgiving” (1990)
In this episode Bart’s usual delinquency causes him to run away from home and gain a new perspective after spending some time at a homeless shelter, only to return and have Thanksgiving with the family.
Friends – “The One Where Ross Got High” (1999)
One of Friends’ more heartwarming episodes, the past gets drug up, I mean dug up when Ross admits to his parents that he smoked pot which leads to an outing of everyone’s dirty secrets.
Full House – “The Miracle of Thanksgiving” (1987)
Danny and Joey try and make the first Thanksgiving without pam extra special for the girls, but restaurant reservations fail and food gets burned, but the family winds up closer than ever in the end.
Everybody Loves Raymond – “Turkey or Fish” (1996)
This year Debra want to try something new by having a fish dinner instead of turkey, but her mother-in-law, Marie, brings some spiteful turkey anyway.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air – “There’s the Rub: Part 1&2”(1995)
Phillip and Will get more than they bargained for at a massage parlor, winding up in jail. Meanwhile, Hilary and Carlton spend Thanksgiving volunteering at the homeless shelter.
Boy Meets World – “Turkey Day” (1996)
After learning about discrimination in Africa, Corey and Shawn chose to join their families for Thanksgiving.
Gilmore Girls – “A Deep Fried Korean Thanksgiving” (2002)
Lane gets her first kiss as Rory and Lorelai try and make it to four different Thanksgiving dinners.
Which one of these episodes are your favorites? If you can’t get enough of these shows be sure to check out our NYC TV & Movie Tour which visits the Friends apartment and other locations from the show, and our When Harry Met Seinfeld Tour which visits the famous Seinfeld diner and other locations from the show.