The Best Thanksgiving Episodes to Watch When You're Too Full to Move
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Thanksgiving is around the corner, which means it's time for too much turkey, naps facedown on the floor while everyone begs you to help with the dishes, at least one relative saying something problematic, and texting your hometown ex to "see how they are." In other words, it's the coziest time of year! And if you're looking to amp up said cozy vibes by a factor of ten, we highly recommend crawling into bed (and/or some sort of wearable blanket situation) and firing up anywhere from 1-10 (or 40) iconic Thanksgiving episodes of television.
There's truly something for everyone on this list—whether you want to watch every single Friends Thanksgiving episode, enjoy the Thanksgiving misadventures of Bob Belcher, or kick back with a classic Thanksgiving episode of Gossip Girl. Because yes, there are multiple.
Oh, and if you like your Thanksgiving episodes dripping with wealth, there's also The Sopranos and Succession. No matter which ep(s) you press play on, we highly recommend enjoying them with a vodka cranberry in hand (counts as cranberry sauce, fight me), as well as a full pumpkin pie. What happens between you and said pumpkin pie is your business! Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!
Seinfeld: The Mom and Pop Store (Season 6, Episode 8)
If your family makes a point of watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade every year, you'll appreciate the suitably wacky plotline in this classic Seinfeld episode. In the days leading up to Turkey Day, Kramer gives away all of Jerry's shoes, George attempts to purchase a car once owned by Jon Voight, and Elaine gets her boss a ticket to pilot the Woody the Woodpecker balloon at NYC's famous parade.
Bob's Burgers: Turkey in a Can (Season 4, Episode 5)
No Thanksgiving is complete without an episode of Bob's Burgers, and this one takes the cake for its hilarious depiction of meal prep gone wrong (read: Bob's turkey finds its way—mysteriously—to the toilet).
Fresh Off the Boat: Huangsgiving (Season 2, Episode 8)
In this hilarious episode of Fresh Off the Boat, Jessica finally gets the chance to prove to her mother that she can handle the Thanksgiving meal. Of course, nothing's ever that easy in a sitcom, and getting something on the table proves nearly impossible.
The Mindy Project: Thanksgiving (Season 1, Episode 6)
Mindy attends Thanksgiving dinner at her friend Gwen's, where she encounters her worst nightmare in the form of her former blind date, Dennis, and his new Indian girlfriend. Thankfully, Mindy always knows what to say—and she never holds back.
Cheers: Thanksgiving Orphans (Season 5, Episode 9)
It wouldn't be a rerun binge without a dose of Cheers, right? In this Thanksgiving classic, most of the crew have no place to go for the holiday, so they throw a potluck at Carla's. But an uncooked turkey, a frustrated Frasier, and last min changes to the guest list throw the day into disarray.
Friday Night Lights: Thanksgiving (Season 4, Episode 13)
Thanksgiving is practically synonymous with football, and Friday Night Lights, naturally, leans all the way in. The gang gets together for a feast ahead of the big Friday night game, and it's up to Landry to make the game-winning field goal.
Pretty Little Liars: Taking This One To The Grave (Season 5, Episode 12)
PLL is not necessarily the cheery holiday fare you're used to on Thanksgiving Day, but if you need a captivating tale to distract you while the pies bake, this episode is perfect. There's holiday decorating, pumpkin pie-making...and, oh, murder!
Parks and Recreation: Harvest Festival (Season 3, Episode 7)
So this isn't technically a Thanksgiving episode, but the Harvest Festival is the closest the Parks and Rec crew gets to celebrating Turkey Day onscreen. Plus, a "curse" is involved.
Boy Meets World: Turkey Day (Season 4, Episode 10)
After learning about class divisions in Rwanda at school, Cory and Shawn decide to be progressive and bridge the gap between their own socioeconomic statuses by...uh, having Thanksgiving at the Hunters' trailer park? Sure!
Riverdale: Chapter Sixty-Four: The Ice Storm (Season 4, Episode 7)
Danger's always lurking around the corner in Riverdale, even on Thanksgiving Day. An ice storm forces the community into lockdown, and when Archie decides to throw a feast for underprivileged kids, some unexpected guests arrive.
Full House: The Miracle of Thanksgiving (Season 1, Episode 9)
There's really only one reason to watch this, and it's Uncle Jesse (in all his first-season, borderline-mullet glory) cooking a turkey in a leather vest. Enjoy!
Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Lockdown (Season 2, Episode 7)
If you're looking for a very untraditional Thanksgiving episode, this episode serves up what Brooklyn Nine-Nine does best: chaos.
Master of None: Thanksgiving (Season 2, Episode 8)
This episode has been critically acclaimed, as it veers from Dez's story to the story of his best friend coming out to her mom—and it follows 30 years' worth of Thanksgivings. Also, Angela Bassett is in it. Pull out the tissues; this one is emotional.
The West Wing: Shibboleth (Season 2, Episode 8)
This fan fave follows Thanksgiving in the political world after a group of Chinese immigrants comes to the U.S. It's funny, it’s political (maybe don't watch it with your family?), and it's good.
Glee: Thanksgiving (Season 4, Episode 8)
Ah, yes, Glee. I’d like to say this season was great, but honestly, the show did go very downhill. Nonetheless, Thanksgiving and the Glee cast singing makes for an episode we can all enjoy!
Parenthood: Happy Thanksgiving (Season 2, Episode 10)
If your Thanksgiving involves the typical family drama, this is the one to watch, because that's all it is. It’s so relatable, it hurts.
Frasier: A Lilith Thanksgiving (Season 4, Episode 7)
Come for Frasier and Lilith trying/spectacularly failing to charm their kid's way into private school, and stay for Niles hilariously attempting to cook a turkey.
Bob's Burgers: An Indecent Thanksgiving Proposal (Season 3, Episode 5)
A.K.A. the one where Mr. Fischoeder convinces Bob to let him pretend that Linda and the kids are his family, while poor sweet Bob's stuck being their chef. On his favorite holiday, no less. The indignity!
Insecure: Lowkey Thankful (Season 4, Episode 3)
Behold one of the best episodes of Insecure, which in part explores Molly and Issa's friendship breakup...and also includes Issa texting her ex, which is truly THE most accurate Thanksgiving vibe.
Succession: I Went to Market (Season 1, Episode 5)
Free idea: press play on the Succession theme song the minute your family sits down for dinner this year. You will not regret it.
Hey Arnold!: Arnold's Thanksgiving (Season 3, Episode 14)
Arnold and Helga join forces (side note: ship them so hard) and search for the perfect Thanksgiving, only to realize it was at their own homes the entire time. *weeps in '90s kid*
The Sopranos: He Is Risen (Season 3, Episode 8)
Just your normal everyday drama over Thanksgiving dinner invites, only this time with mob bosses and acute inter-family tension. You know, regular stuff we're all used to on Turkey Day.
Happy Endings: More Like Stanksgiving (Season 3, Episode 4)
An iconic episode where everyone watches footage from their appearance on The Real World and we learn the origin story of their friendship. Cozy! Hilarious! SOMEONE REBOOT THIS SHOW.
The Vampire Diaries: Fade Into You (Season 6, Episode 8)
Look, if spending our formative years watching Twilight has taught us anything, it's that vampires enjoy eating animals *as well* as human blood, okay? A rule that apparently applies to the Vampire Diaries-verse.
Dexter: Hungry Man (Season 4, Episode 9)
One of the best episodes of Dexter ever, and honestly any attempt to summarize it would pretty much spoil the entire season. Sooooo lemme just say: Dexter carving up a turkey is a lot.
Bernie Mac: Tryptophan-tasy (Season 2, Episode 7)
A premise we can all relate to: Bernie eats an entire undercooked turkey, immediately gets sick, and descends into nightmares. In other words, my annual Thanksgiving tradition.
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