Thanksgiving is easily one of the best holidays, mostly because it revolves around a giant meal and usually includes plenty of time to lie around and watch television; what could be better? To ensure you’ve got ample binge-watching material ahead of this Turkey Day, we’ve rounded up some of the most festive episodes of the last six decades. Loosen up your belt a notch, and get to watching!
“Bewitched”: “Samantha’s Thanksgiving to Remember” Season 4, Episode 12 (1967)
“Bewitched” was an early pioneer of Thanksgivings on the small screen, and the episode in which Samantha and co. actually travel back to the first Thanksgiving to celebrate with the pilgrims is the zany show at its zaniest (read: delightful).
“The Brady Bunch”: “The Un-Underground Movie” Season 2, Episode 4 (1970)
Speaking of classics, does it get more All-American than America’s seminal first family creating a mock-documentary about Thanksgiving? Hint: It does not.
“Charlie Brown”: “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” (1973)
If there were one installment of Thanksgiving television that epitomized the genre, it’d be that of Charlie Brown and his Peanuts pals. It’s more than a classic, it’s an American staple.
“Seinfeld”: “The Mom and Pop Store” Season 6, Episode 8 (1994)
If anyone could find reasons not to be thankful on Thanksgiving, it’s the curmudgeons of “Seinfeld,” right? But also right: It’s exactly why we love them.
“Friends”: “The One Where Ross Got High” Season 9, Episode 6 (1998)
Every episode of “Friends” that brings the gang together for its entirety is the best. And though the show did a number of Thanksgiving episodes, this one gets a shoutout because it climaxes with an equal opportunity takedown of all six friends by Ross and Monica’s own mother that is so scorching it remains hot to the touch two decades later. (And yes, this is the episode where Rachel puts meat in the desert.)
“Will & Grace”: “Moveable Feast” Season 4, Episode 9 (2001)
The rare hour-long episode of “Will & Grace,” the core four (which includes Jack and Karen) all get to dive into their specifically screwed up families—ah, there’s nothing like the holidays.
“Gilmore Girls”: “A Deep Fried Korean Thanksgiving” Season 3, Episode 9 (2002)
The Thanksgiving meal comes with a side of familial drama in classic Gilmore fashion—and also in classic Gilmore fashion, you’ll still walk away from the episode feeling the warm and fuzzies, perfect for post-dinner digestion.
“Gossip Girl”: “Blair Waldorf Must Pie!” Season 1, Episode 9 (2007)
Of course, the most glamorous Thanksgivings to ever grace the small screen come courtesy of the Upper East Siders of “Gossip Girl,” and its first-ever Turkey Day installment set the precedent for every season to come.
“Fresh Off the Boat”: “Huangsgiving” Season 2, Episode 8 (2015)
It’s been so ingrained in American culture, but Thanksgiving is in many ways a bizarre holiday, and “Fresh Off the Boat” nails exactly why.
“This Is Us”: “Pilgrim Rick” Season 1, Episode 8 (2016)
As if the family drama of our time wouldn’t have a perfect Thanksgiving episode? Yeah right, and this one brings much of the ensemble together at once which is a nice guarantee to ensure the pumpkin pie is infused with a few tears.
“Master of None”: “Thanksgiving” Season 2, Episode 8 (2017)
A bottle episode that functions like a short film, this “Master of None” installment is a Thanksgiving masterpiece, traversing decades and ultimately serving as a coming out story. It is as universal as it is specific and you’ll laugh and cry a lot.
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