Author Spotlight
Lily Billingsley
As we reach the end of November, it might be tempting to pull out the Christmas lights and start rewatching the holiday classics. But if you’re stuck at home this Thanksgiving Break, it’s the perfect time to binge the often overlooked turkey-filled TV episodes before you start hanging ornaments on your Christmas tree. Here are some of my favorite Thanksgiving episodes to watch while you’re taking a break from leftovers.
One of the most well known Thanksgiving episodes, “The One With All the Thanksgivings” is the perfect watch when you’re feeling down about this COVID-filled holiday season. The episode is filled with flashbacks as the characters try to remember Monica’s worst Thanksgiving. Each holiday horror story gets worse than the last, and it features not one but two turkeys getting stuck on character’s heads. No matter how bad you think this year is, “Friends” is here to remind you it could be worse.
Don’t get me wrong, this is definitely not the best episode of TV out there. But as you’re fighting off your post-meal nap, there’s no better time for a guilty pleasure episode. Glee’s Thanksgiving special features songs from PSY’s “Gangnam Style” to Phillip Phillips’ “Home” that instantly make you cringe, but it’s worth watching just to hear Sarah Jessica Parker sing a mashup of “Let’s Have a Kiki” and “Turkey Lurkey Time”. Although it’s not winning any awards, this episode filled with 2013 music nostalgia and maybe too many turkey references is sure to put me in the holiday spirit.
Even though it’s from the 70’s, this iconic Thanksgiving episode stands the test of time. This is the only episode of “WKRP” I’ve ever seen, and it works completely on its own. The radio station plans their Thanksgiving promotion, which ends with turkeys being dropped from a plane as the horrified audience watches. It’s a 20-minute long joke that’s sure to start a conversation with any of your family members. Bonus points for reminding me that turkeys can’t fly.
This episode finds every character from the classic 80’s sitcom in the same room when they all end up without Thanksgiving plans. It has all the staples of the holiday — football, fighting and a turkey that won’t cook fast enough. Their meal is a perfect reminder that friends can turn into family, and with that comes complaining about cold food and cooking times. The episode ends in a massive food fight all while Diane wears a pilgrim costume — the perfect way to spend the holiday.
Blair Waldorf is the queen of Thanksgiving, and “Blair Waldorf Must Pie!” serves as the perfect reminder. It’s filled with all of Gossip Girl’s classic drama, from secret past relationships to hospital visits — all while surrounded by turkey and pumpkin pie. There’s flashbacks, Thanksgiving day benders and countless holiday headbands. Not to mention scandal-filled dinners that will make any political disputes at your dinner table feel like nothing — my only complaint is the lack of Chuck Bass.
I wouldn’t recommend watching this episode on an empty stomach. Rory and Lorelai take on four different Thanksgiving dinners on the same day, eating tofurkey, deep fried-turkey and an ungodly amount of dinner rolls. It features just about every classic Thanksgiving situation, from drunk relatives to uncomfortable conversations — all with plenty of “Gilmore Girls” banter.
Leave a Reply