5 Favorite Thanksgiving TV Episodes
This year I thought it would be cool to list some of my five favorite Thanksgiving TV episodes that I've enjoyed watching over the years. There's something here for everybody. Last year we did a list of the limited Thanksgiving movies that have been made which you can check out as well.
Check out the favorites list below and then tell us what your favorite Thanksgiving TV episode was!
Friends - The One Where Ross Got High
I never really was that into Friends but Thanksgiving episodes were a annual tradition for them episodes such as, the Underdog balloon, Chandler in a box, Monica’s worst Thanksgiving, and Brad Pitt’s guest spot as a co-founder of the “I Hate Rachel Club,” to name a few. But The One Where Ross Got High was my favorite. Ross and Monica’s parents, who never liked Chandler because Ross told them Chandler smoked pot in college, didn’t know Monica was dating and living with Chandler. The truth was Ross was the real pot smoker. Meanwhile, Rachel baked a traditional English trifle with ground beef.
Cheers Episode - Thanksgiving Orphans
This one is my all-time favorite Thanksgiving TV episode. In it, the gang gathers at Carla's for Thanksgiving, most of them hoping and praying Diane doesn't show up She's celebrating the holiday on her own, dressed up as a pilgrim. Norm brings a huge turkey that takes forever to cook, and it's eventually given the nickname "Birdzilla". Chaos ensues as the gang imbibes and waits through the night for Birdzilla to finally finish cooking. Diane shows up in her pilgrim outfit and tries to bring some etiquette to the proceedings, but just gets food thrown in her face. A food fight starts, and a big bowl of mashed potatoes is thrown... and hits Norm's never-seen wife, Vera in the face! This is the only time Vera is shown throughout the show's eleven year run, and her face is obscured by mashed potatoes.
South Park - Starvin’ Marvin
One of the best moments in South Park’s debut season involved an attack on the town by a flock of mutant, genetically engineered turkeys, and the arrival of a starving Ethernopian named Marvin. Dr. Mephisto, the crazy geneticist, hoped to feed the hungry with his turkey clones, but they grew out of control and threatened to take over the town, if not the world. In the end, it took a Braveheart-inspired battle for the town to save itself and eventually get Marvin back home, where he received a hero’s welcome after he brought the thousands of turkeys with him.
WKRP in Cincinnati - Turkeys Away
Probably the best-known episode of this classic series, it involves bored station manager Mr. Carlson, and an ill-conceived promotion involving the dropping of 20 live turkeys from a helicopter. Carlson figured the turkeys would gently float down to the ground and give Cincinatti a pleasant Thanksgiving surprise. You know what happens next; turkeys plunging to their deaths like little feathered bombs. Les Nessman's radio description of the scene is hilarious, he even throws in a "Oh, the humanity!" for good measure, as is Carlson's classic last line: "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly."
The Simpsons - Bart vs. Thanksgiving
In the long, long history of The Simpsons, this second-season episode is the only one that has a Thanksgiving theme. In it, Bart accidentally destroys Lisa's carefully-constructed Thanksgiving centerpiece, celebrating women throughout history. Sent to his room without dinner, he escapes and runs to the bad part of Springfield, where he sells his blood and gets food from a shelter. He's shown on TV, homeless and shivering, where the family sees him. He eventually makes his way back home and apologizes to Lisa, who is crying on the roof. A nice, touching story with all the funny Simpsons touches. People forget how slow-paced and story-oriented the first couple of seasons of The Simpsons was. This episode shows the series' gentle side brilliantly.
Honorable Mention
Dexter - Hungry Man
The most intense and insane Thanksgiving EVER! For most people, Thanksgiving is a time for traditions and family. But for Dexter, it’s an opportunity to get closer to his most dangerous adversary yet. As Dexter gains insight into Arthur’s psychology by studying those closest to him, he finds himself drawn into a bizarre and twisted world. Meanwhile, Rita has her hands full preparing dinner for a packed house, including a few unexpected guests. Batista gets closure on an old case, while Debra uses the holiday to continue her investigation of the Trinity Killer, a pursuit which threatens her brother’s safety and brings to light surprising revelations about someone else close to her.