Thanksgiving episodes are a classic holiday tradition, often accompanied by turkey and football. It’s the time when our favorite TV shows get to show how they spend their Thanksgiving in their little fictional worlds. Yup, we’re talking about food fights and flashbacks. Today, we’re serving you the 9 best Thanksgiving TV episodes that deserve a spot on your holiday marathon.
9. Master of None – “Thanksgiving” (Season 2, Episode 8)
This Emmy Award-winning episode features multiple Thanksgivings to share Denise’s coming-out story. Aziz Ansari’s Netflix comedy utilizes Thanksgiving to tell the story of Lena Waithe’s Denise and her coming-out process through flashbacks. It actually elevated Thanksgiving episodes as they address real family dynamics through identity and acceptance.
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8. This Is Us – “Pilgrim Rick” (Season 1, Episode 8)
Leave it to this NBC series to hit us right where it should be! In this season one episode, audiences get to see the origin of the Pearson family’s Pilgrim Rick hat through a flashback when the family spent the holiday in a roadside motel. The Pilgrim Rick hat illustrates how traditions are born out of the difficult situations we face.
7. Gossip Girl – “The Treasure of Serena Madre” (Season 3, Episode 11)
When it comes to iconic Thanksgiving TV episodes, we could never forget the infamous “Watcha Say” dinner scene from Gossip Girl. It’s one of the most dramatic as everyone at the dinner table has their own drama, secrets, and resentments from one another. Imagine having issues with the people you’re with at Thanksgiving while Jason Derulo’s “Watcha Say” is playing in the background.
6. New Girl – “Parents” (Season 2, Episode 8)
New Girl also offered Thanksgiving episodes in their radar, but nothing’s quite like the Parents. The episode shows that not all families are in harmony during the holiday season. There are also guest appearances of Jess’s on-screen divorced parents, who are played by Jamie Lee Curtis and Rob Reiner. They showed up unexpectedly for Thanksgiving dinner, as Jess had come up with the plan to reunite them.
5. Gilmore Girls – “A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving” (Season 3, Episode 9)
Looking for a way to ease your food coma? Catch Lorelai and Rory going on a Thanksgiving dinner crawl through four feasts in one day. The mother-daughter duo found themselves on multiple guest lists (and drama) with every type of turkey you can imagine. We’ve got Mrs. Kim’s tofurkey to Sookie’s deep-fried bird and Luke’s traditional meal. Of course, you’ll never miss Emily and Richard’s side drama.
4. Cheers – “Thanksgiving Orphans” (Season 5, Episode 9)
One of Cheers’ highly regarded episodes would go to “Thanksgiving Orphans.” This is when Carla invites everyone to her home for a Thanksgiving meal. However, an unexpected guest arrives, turning their peaceful feast into a food fight. It shows one of the most memorable moments of a television show!
3. How I Met Your Mother – “Slapsgiving” (Season 3, Episode 9)
This is the perfect episode to play when you have your friends to accompany you this Thanksgiving, and maybe a little “Ya just got slapped” moment. Marshall was overjoyed when he slapped Bert during their Thanksgiving dinner as Barney’s swagger deflated. Yup, it balanced the slap tension between the two while showing Ted and Robin’s own tension as they remained friends after a breakup.
2. Modern Family – “Punkin Chunkin” (Season 3, Episode 9)
This episode is a tale of three cooked birds, where the handsome one that Phil insists on handling himself for the holiday ends up in someone else’s suitcase. Phil is determined to cook the perfect turkey as Claire prepares for backup while the dramas within the family unfold. Yup, it’s your typical chaotic family on your screens.
1. Friends – “The One with All the Thanksgivings” (Season 5, Episode 8)
Yup, it’s the iconic episode where someone gets a turkey stuck on their head while dancing. The show focused on the friend group’s best (and worst) Thanksgiving moments, which include the turkey head. It’s the episode where you’ll want to watch over and over again. If you haven’t watched Friends yet, then this is your sign.
