Best Thanksgiving TV Episodes
Best Friends Thanksgiving Episode
“The One With the Rumor” Jennifer Aniston’s then-husband Brad Pitt guest stars in this memorable Friends Thanksgiving episode as co-founder of the “I Hate Rachel Green Club.” The irony, of course, is part of what makes this great—as well as Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) developing a crush on such a jerk. HBO
Best This Is Us Thanksgiving Episode
“Six Thanksgivings” In This Is Us Thanksgiving episode “Six Thanksgivings,” we see the Pearsons over the course of six different Thanksgiving celebrations throughout their lives. The episode reveals the origin of Jack’s necklace as well, making it an even bigger tearjerker than it would be otherwise. NBC
Best WKRP In Cincinnati Thanksgiving Episode
“Turkeys Away” In a publicity stunt gone majorly wrong, the station decides—for some bizarre reason—to drop live turkeys from a helicopter, not realizing that these birds don’t fly. CBS
Best Seinfeld Thanksgiving Episode
“The Mom and Pop Store” Elaine gets her boss an opportunity to hold the reins of the Woody Woodpecker balloon in the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Meanwhile, Jerry causes a scene at a pre-Thanksgiving party and Kramer … well, he’s gonna Kramer. Netflix
Best Gilmore Girls Thanksgiving Episode
“A Deep Fried Korean Thanksgiving” An often-overlooked part of Thanksgiving: Traveling and traffic. Lorelei and Rory juggle their turkey day between four celebrations, each with their own take on food (tofurkey, anyone?) and festivity. CW
Best Big Bang Theory Thanksgiving Episode
“The Thanksgiving Decoupling” Howard’s mother invites the gang over for Thanksgiving dinner. When everyone agrees to go, Sheldon worries that his traditional Thanksgiving of forcing Leonard to cook and then complaining about the meal will be ruined. CBS Productions
Best The Simpsons Thanksgiving Episode
“Bart vs. Thanksgiving” Lisa creates a centerpiece for Thanksgiving dinner, but Bart accidentally destroys it. After being sent to his room, he runs away from home. FOX
Best Frasier Thanksgiving Episode
“A Lilith Thanksgiving” Frasier heads to Boston on Thanksgiving to help get his son into a prestigious school. Meanwhile, Niles and Martin attempt to prepare dinner and bond with Frasier’s son. Paramount
Best Roseanne Thanksgiving Episode
“We Gather Together” In case the Conners didn’t bicker enough to begin with, add in the stress of Thanksgiving prep and both sets of in-laws. It makes for a hellish holiday, but some seriously great TV. ABC
Best Will & Grace Thanksgiving Episode
“Moveable Feast” Will & Grace Thanksgiving episodes are always a treat, but this two-part episode is particularly beloved by fans. “Moveable Feast” gives a glimpse at the family life of each of the main characters, giving more context to each of their quirks—and a deeper understanding of why they stick together. NBC
Best Superstore Thanksgiving Episode
“Black Friday”
The day after Thanksgiving is a nightmare for retail workers, including the employees of Cloud 9. As shoppers start lining up around 3 am, the store’s workers brace for a horror-movie-like experience. NBC
Best American Dad! Thanksgiving Episodes
“There Will Be Bad Blood” The Smith family finds out that Stan’s half-brother is actually much richer than they are. Instead of being gracious guests, however, the Smiths instead try to steal Stan’s brother’s house and riches. FOX “Kung Pao Turkey” Francine’s parents visit for Thanksgiving, much to Stan’s chagrin. When they attempt to serve a non-traditional dinner, Stan plots to scare them away. FOX
Best Aqua Teen Hunger Force Thanksgiving Episode
“The Dressing” When a robot turkey claims to be from the future, the Aqua Teen Hunger Force’s late Thanksgiving feast is ruined. Is the turkey actually from the year 9595, or is it just a malfunctioning toy? Adult Swim
Best Bewitched Thanksgiving Episode
“Samantha’s Thanksgiving to Remember” Aunt Clara magically transports Darrin, Samantha and Gladys to colonial New England. Darrin, who cannot stop complaining for the entire episode, lights a match and is the subject of a literal witch hunt, giving him a taste of what his wife goes through every single day.
Best Big Mouth Thanksgiving Episode
“Thanksgiving” The Big Mouth kids begin processing the drama and stress of the holiday season for the first time and the growing pains are both relatable and hilarious—but the real star is Jordan Peele as Jay’s pitbull named Featuring Ludacris and Missy getting stoned to prove she isn’t a nerd. Netflix
Best Black-ish Thanksgiving Episode
“Auntsgiving” In Black-ish’s Thanksgiving episode “Auntsgiving,” Pops’ sister, Almaviligerais Johnson, unexpectedly comes to celebrate the holiday and showcases the role of the fictional and real-life quintessential “auntie.” The kids use the opportunity to try to figure out the mystery of why Ruby loathes “AV” so much. ABC
Best Bob’s Burgers Thanksgiving Episodes
“An Indecent Thanksgiving Proposal” Bob’s landlord, Mr. Fischoeder, pays the Belchers to pretend to be his family on Thanksgiving to make another woman jealous. Unfortunately, this gets in the way of Bob’s plans for a family meal together. FOX “Turkey in a Can” Bob takes Thanksgiving very seriously and starts preparing the turkey a week early. Unfortunately, somebody keeps dunking the turkey in the toilet at night. It’s as much a Thanksgiving episode as it is a whodunit, and one of the best Bob’s Burgers episodes overall. FOX “Dawn of the Peck” A group of wild turkeys invades Seymour’s Bay. Linda has to organize a rescue while Bob gets drunk in the apartment, oblivious to the chaos. FOX “Gayle Makin’ Bob Sled” In this fan-favorite Bob’s Burgers Thanksgiving episode, Bob gets stuck in a freak snowstorm when he picks up Gayle (Megan Mullally) for Thanksgiving dinner. This leaves Linda and the kids at home to prepare dinner on their own for the first time ever—and let’s just say there’s a reason Bob is usually in the kitchen. FOX “The Quirk-ducers” Louise puts on a school play that she hopes will get everyone a half day before the Thanksgiving holiday. Meanwhile, Linda finds a potato that looks like her grandfather—and how can you mash a thing like that? FOX “Now We’re Not Cooking With Gas” When Bob finally gets his chance at a Riverbook Lake Farms heritage turkey after being waitlisted for years, the foodie in him is ecstatic. However, his plans get a lot more complicated when the gas goes out in the Belcher’s neighborhood, forcing him to cook Thanksgiving dinner over a small fire in an alley. FOX “Thanks-hoarding” The Belchers agree to help out Teddy when his family decides to visit for the holiday at the last minute. Unfortunately, it turns out that Teddy has a hoarding problem, so the undertaking is much bigger than the Belchers anticipated. FOX
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Thanksgiving Episode
“Pangs” One of the earliest mainstream pop culture criticisms of colonialism, “Pangs” sees spirits of fictionalized members of the Chumash tribe return to Earth to avenge their deaths at the hands of white settlers. When Buffy tries to stop them—while wearing a black hat, symbolic of colonists—it raises questions as to who’s the evil one. Mutant Enemy
Best Cheers Thanksgiving Episode
“Thanksgiving Orphans” The Cheers gang gathers at Carla’s house to celebrate the holiday. Not surprisingly, things don’t go well and a food fight breaks out.
Best Community Thanksgiving Episode
“Cooperative Escapism in Familial Relations” Jeff meets his estranged father (guest star James Brolin) for an awkward Thanksgiving dinner, bringing Britta along for the ride and meeting his half-brother (played by Adam Devine) for the first time. Meanwhile, the rest of the study group hides from Shirley’s mean in-laws in her garage. NBC
Best Family Guy Thanksgiving Episodes
“Thanksgiving” The Griffins host friends and family for Thanksgiving. Joe’s son, who was believed to have died in Iraq, makes a surprise return. FOX “In Harmony’s Way” Peter and Quagmire become musical stars and head out on tour. Unfortunately, this means that Peter won’t be home for Thanksgiving, much to Lois’ dismay. FOX “Turkey Guys” Peter and Brian get drunk and eat the entire turkey the night before Thanksgiving. Desperate for a replacement, they hit the road hoping that they can find a new bird. FOX “Shanksgiving” Peter and his friends purposely get arrested to avoid spending Thanksgiving with their families. Due to overcrowding, however, they end up spending the weekend in the state penitentiary. FOX
Best Felicity Thanksgiving Episode
“Thanksgiving” Felicity celebrates a Friendsgiving with other freshmen who are desperate to avoid their variously awkward and estranged families for the holiday. It’s a very sweet reminder that sometimes your chosen family is the best one you can ever have. Buena Vista
Best Fresh Off the Boat Thanksgiving Episodes
“Huangsgiving” Jessica and Louis try to host a nicer Thanksgiving than their relatives usually do. When they get drunk, however, they have to scramble to cook the entire meal in just one day. ABC “The Day After Thanksgiving” The Huangs decide to skip Thanksgiving, but it doesn’t take: Louis attempts to play matchmaker for Grandma, who decides to cook Thanksgiving dinner. Meanwhile, Emery and Eddie sneak Evan into an R-rated movie … or try to, at least. ABC
Best The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Thanksgiving Episode
“Talking Turkey” Will’s mom, Violet, accuses Vivian and Phil of spoiling their kids. In response, Aunt Viv forces the kids (Carlton, Hillary, Ashley and Will) to work in the kitchen for the holiday dinner. Hulu
Glee Thanksgiving Episode
“Thanksgiving” Glee didn’t have the best track record after Season 3, but guest star Sarah Jessica Parker and returning alums Lea Michele and Chris Colfer brought some serious absurdity—in a good way—for “Thanksgiving.” The medley of Scissor Sisters’ “Let’s Have a Kiki” and “Turkey Lurkey Time” was the over the top in the most perfect way. FOX
Best The Goldbergs Thanksgiving Episode
“Stop Arguing and Start Thanking” Murray’s brother Marvin visits for Thanksgiving. When Marvin brings a surprise with him, the holiday becomes more stressful than usual—if you can imagine.
Best Gossip Girl Thanksgiving Episode
“Blair Waldorf Must Pie” When Dan Humphrey invites the Upper East Side Van Der Woodsens to his Brooklyn apartment for Thanksgiving, there’s a class-clash. Meanwhile, Blair is miserable without her own family around to celebrate and no friends to dine with because she’s beefing with Serena. CW
Best How I Met Your Mother Thanksgiving Episode
“Slapsgiving” Instead of helping with dinner, Marshall torments Barney with a promise of a Thanksgiving slap. Meanwhile, Ted and Robin reveal that they’ve slept together even though they aren’t in a relationship, which just adds to the awkwardness and drama of the day.
Best It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Thanksgiving Episode
“The Gang Squashes Their Beefs” The gang has a very literal dinner of beef and squash after their Thanksgiving is ruined due to the various beefs they have with people around the city. Instead of squashing their beefs, however, they just make things worse. Like, a lot worse. FX
Best The League Thanksgiving Episode
“Thanksgiving” Jeff Goldblum guest stars as Ruxin’s dad and Sarah Silverman guest stars as Andre’s sister. Everyone gets into fights and spends the episode insulting each other and completely forget the meaning of Thanksgiving.
Best Living Single Thanksgiving Episode
“Love Takes a Holiday” In this moving and funny early episode of Living Single, we see the aftermath of more than one heartbreak—and that the love of your friends and family can make living single at the holidays a lot less painful. Warner Bros.
Best MAS*H Thanksgiving Episode
“The Yalu Brick Road” In case you thought your mother-in-law’s cooking was bad, be glad you weren’t on base for Klinger’s Thanksgiving dinner, which infects most of the celebrants with salmonella. Two of the only ones to escape the food-borne fate are Hawkeye and BJ, who got lost and miss the meal. 20th Century Fox
Best Mad Men Thanksgiving Episode
“Public Relations” Don Draper (Jon Hamm) struggles to get along with ex-wife Betty (January Jones), who is unkind to their children and makes co-parenting more than a little difficult. He also faces trouble at work, where he tries to get a swimwear client to understand that bikinis are more than a passing fad. AMC
Best Master of None Thanksgiving Episode
“Thanksgiving” Denise (Lena Waithe) comes out as a lesbian to her family at Thanksgiving dinner. Waithe made history with her Emmy win for writing the episode, and it’s both moving, awkward and hilarious. And, of course, Angela Bassett’s presence is always appreciated in any and everything. Netflix
Best Modern Family Thanksgiving Episodes
“Punkin Chunkin” Mitchell doesn’t believe Cameron’s story about launching a pumpkin in a catapult. This leads half the family to feud with the other half over whether they should be dreamers or realists. ABC “Three Turkeys” Phil and Luke attempt to cook dinner for the first time, but Type A-extreme Claire secretly prepares a backup turkey. Throughout all this, Jay and Gloria try to avoid getting caught in a lie about going a vacation during the holidays. ABC “Thanksgiving Jamboree” Cameron and Mitchell host Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, Hayley wants to spend the holiday with her boyfriend instead of her family. ABC “Winner Winner Turkey Dinner” The family takes advantage of the holiday to brag about recent accomplishments. Unfortunately, almost everyone cheated to achieve their goals. ABC
Best New Girl Thanksgiving Episodes
“Thanksgiving” Jess invites Paul, guest star Justin Long, over for a last-minute Thanksgiving dinner. While Schmidt struggles to make dinner for the loft crew, Nick and Paul fail to bond … because, well, we knew why. FOX “Parents” Jess tries to pull a Parent Trap on her divorced parents (glorious guest stars Rob Reiner and Jamie Lee Curtis). Unfortunately, Nick ends up falling in love with Jess’ mom … which, you know, complicates things. FOX “Thanksgiving III” Nick tries to prove that he’s still a real man by holding a Thanksgiving feast in the woods. Not surprisingly, catching and preparing an entire Thanksgiving feast in the woods is much harder than he realized. FOX “Thanksgiving IV (Bangsgiving)” Since everyone in the loft is single, Schmidt hosts “bangs-giving.” It’s like Thanksgiving, except everyone invites a date for someone else and tries to hook up. Perhaps unsurprisingly, hijinks ensue. FOX “Last Thanksgiving” Jess wants the roomies’ last Thanksgiving with everyone still living in the loft to be one of the best yet. Unfortunately, Schmidt’s dad shows up drunk, along with several other unexpected surprises. FOX
Best The Real Ghostbusters Thanksgiving Episode
“The Revenge of Murray the Mantis” The Ghostbusters have to work on a holiday when a balloon in the Thanksgiving Day parade becomes possessed. When the balloon proves to be too troublesome, the team looks up an old frenemy for help.
Best Rick & Morty Thanksgiving Episode
“Bethic Twinstinct” Beth’s clone returns from space for Thanksgiving, only to end up making love to Earth-Beth. The family each finds out one by one, eventually resulting in Jerry curling up in a pillbug shell that Rick built for him. Adult Swim
Best South Park Thanksgiving Episodes
“Starvin’ Marvin” The kids adopt a starving child named Marvin. Due to a mix-up, however, Marvin gets to spend the holiday in South Park while Cartman gets shipped to the other side of the world. “Helen Keller! The Musical” When Butters finds out that the kindergarteners are putting on an impressive show for the Thanksgiving showcase, Stan and the gang attempt to spice up their presentation of Helen Keller by turning it into a musical—which is as distasteful and ridiculous as it sounds. When Timmy gets attached to an unimpressive turkey, however, Cartman tries to step in. Comedy Central “A History Channel Thanksgiving” After appearing on the History Channel to say that aliens could have been involved in the first Thanksgiving, the boys find out that there’s a stuffing shortage. This leads them to discover that, yes, aliens actually are involved in Thanksgiving.
Best The West Wing Thanksgiving Episode
“Shibboleth” C.J. struggles to choose the right turkey for the president to pardon. Meanwhile, the rest of the president’s staff attempt to watch football together for the holiday. NBC Next, tune in to the best Thanksgiving movies ever.
