Here’s 18 Of The Best Thanksgiving TV Episodes
Halloween is over and, though stores may be trying to convince you it’s time for the winter holidays, we still have a very important holiday in between. Thanksgiving is often overlooked in terms of decor and a season of celebration, but some of your favorite shows has hilarious and heartwarming Thanksgiving specials. Pop Culture Planet contributor Jordan Bohan breaks down all the Thanksgiving episodes worth a watch this November.
Bob’s Burgers | “Now We’re Cooking With Gas” (Season 10, Episode 8)
Bob achieves his five-year dream of getting off the waitlist for a Riverbrook Lake Farms heritage turkey, popular for being fresh killed and raised in the best conditions. Everything takes a turn when the gas goes out in the Belchers’ neighborhood, leaving Bob to try cooking the turkey over a small fire in a dirty alley.
Bob’s Burgers is streaming on Hulu.
Fresh Off The Boat | “Huangsgiving” (Season 2, Episode 8)
The family celebrates Thanksgiving with one special tradition. That being a 5am phone call from mom deciding which sister will host this year’s holiday. It’s Jessica’s turn this year and the pressure is on.
Fresh Off The Boat is streaming on Hulu.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | “Talking Turkey” (Season 1, Episode 12)
Will’s mom Viola is in town for a Thanksgiving visit. She’s quickly disappointed when she learns that the kids have become lazy and are waited on hand and foot by Geoffrey. Meanwhile Aunt Viv tasks Carlton, Will, Hilary, and Ashley with preparing their Thanksgiving feast.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is streaming on Hulu, Max, and Paramount+.
Friday Night Lights | “Thanksgiving” (Season 4, Episode 13)
In the town that seems to be in perpetual fall, the East Dillon Lions are getting ready to take on the Dillon Panthers in this small town rivalry. As per usual, the Taylor’s are inviting everyone to their house for Thanksgiving, including the Riggins, Collettes, and Buddy Garrity, who volunteers to bring a deep-fried turkey.
Friday Night Lights is streaming on Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video.
Full House | “The Miracle of Thanksgiving” (Season 1, Episode 9)
Danny is determined to make Thanksgiving extra special for the girls since it’s the family’s first holiday without Pam. Danny, Jesse, and Joey must step up when Danny's mother gets stranded in Washington due to bad weather on Thanksgiving morning. Oh and John Stamos cooks a turkey in a leather vest!
Full House is streaming on Hulu and Max.
Glee | “Thanksgiving” (Season 4, Episode 8)
Finn, the newly appointed director of the glee club, gets help running the show when Quinn, Santana, Puck, Mercedes, and Mike come home for the holiday. The crew reunites with a cheesy medley of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Homeward Bound” and Phillip Phillips’ “Home” in the McKinley auditorium. Rachel and Kurt remain in New York for Thanksgiving and host an impromptu party headlined by Kurt’s boss, Vogue executive Isabelle Wright, played by Sarah Jessica Parker. This leads one of Glee’s best and most creative numbers ever — a medley of “Turkey Lurkey Time” from the musical Promises, Promises and Scissor Sisters’ “Let’s Have a Kiki.” Lock the doors tight!
Glee is streaming on Hulu.
Gilmore Girls | “A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving” (Season 3, Episode 9)
After watching seasons of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore regularly indulging in whatever junk food they can find, their appetites for overconsumption are finally put to the test when they say yes to four separate Thanksgiving dinner invitations. Each celebration is a little different than the last, kicking off with a tofurky. We also witness a drunk Sookie give us what might be our very first glimpse at the raucous comedy chops Melissa McCarthy has since become famous for.
Gilmore Girls is streaming on Netflix.
How I Met Your Mother | “Slapsgiving” (Season 3, Episode 9)
Barney remains on edge as Lily and Marshall host their first Thanksgiving as a married couple. He is anticipating the third slap in their “slap bet,” which is supposed to be coming that night. Meanwhile, Ted and Robin sleep together the night before Thanksgiving.
How I Met Your Mother is streaming on Hulu.
Living Single | “Thanks for Giving” (Season 2, Episode 12)
Darryl, one of the only love interests to make a lasting emotional impact on Regine, joins the holiday celebration and touches Khadijah when he gives a moving speech at the dinner table. This helps her to figure out how to move forward in her romance with her childhood friend Scooter.
Living Single is streaming on Hulu and Max.
Martin | “Feast or Famine” (Season 3, Episode 11)
Modern Family | “Three Turkeys” (Season 6, Episode 8)
Phil and Luke are in charge of prepping the turkey — the family’s first mistake. Claire, who is ready for disaster, supplies a secret backup turkey just in case. Jay and Gloria decide to host a cozy Thanksgiving of their own after their vacation gets canceled. None of these go according to plan and, as usual, chaos ensues.
Modern Family is streaming on Hulu and Peacock.
The Office | “WUPHF.com” (Season 7, Episode 9)
Dwight attempts to erase the childhood trauma caused by his family creating competing “hay festivals” each Thanksgiving where he never won. In order to right that wrong, he turns the Dunder Mifflin parking lot into his own festival. He does this all with the goal of finally taking the hay crown that he believes he deserves.
The Office is streaming on Peacock.
Riverdale | "Chapter Sixty-Four: The Ice Storm" (Season 4, Episode 7)
In honor of his late father, Archie spearheads a peaceful Thanksgiving dinner at the community center. This celebration quickly devolves into chaos when a few unexpected guests turn up. Cheryl and Toni concoct a plan to cover up a murder, while Jughead and Betty investigate a recent death.
Riverdale is streaming on Netflix.
Seinfeld | “The Mom & Pop Store” (Season 6, Episode 8)
Elaine helps her boss win a chance to pilot the Woody the Woodpecker balloon in the Thanksgiving Day Parade by correctly identifying a song on a radio contest. Jerry punctures the balloon when he drops an Empire State Building statue out the office window of frenemy Tim Whatley.
Seinfeld is streaming on Netflix.
Sister Sister | “Thanksgiving in Hawaii” (Season 3, Episode 9 and 10)
The whole family goes to Hawaii for a memorable Thanksgiving. Ray and Lisa attempt to settle their differences just as the twins are discovered drifting out to sea.
Sister Sister is streaming on Hulu and Paramount+.
Succession | “I Went to Market” (Season 1, Episode 5)
Kendall plots a vote of no confidence against his father Logan, which includes attempting to convince Logan’s estranged brother Ewan to vote against him. Tension runs high as Tom and Shiv wrestle with their prenuptial agreements. Meanwhile Connor brings his uninvited girlfriend, who also happens to be a former prostitute. This chaotic holiday celebration features more backstabbing than familial bonding.
Succession is streaming on Max.
This Is Us | “Pilgrim Rick” (Season 1, Episode 8)
Jack, Rebecca, and the three kids make their way to Rebecca's parents' house for their traditional Thanksgiving holiday in this flashback episode. When disaster occurs, the family begins a tradition of their own that involves a hat and convenience store hot dogs. In present day, the family gathers at Randall's house for the holiday.
This Is Us is streaming on Hulu.
Ugly Betty | “Four Thanksgivings and a Funeral” (Season 1, Episode 8)
Daniel must attend his family's Thanksgiving gathering at the Country Club, while Amanda and Marc create their own gathering at Mode. There is also a dinner at Betty's house where Santos, Justin's father, is in attendance. Wilhelmina hosts a Thanksgiving dinner as well, but her feast doesn't look as good as advertised in magazine photos.
Ugly Betty is streaming on Hulu and Netflix.
