Thanksgiving episodes are a tv staple. Whether or not it’s a drama utilizing the vacation to show deep-seated household trauma or a sitcom utilizing a turkey to inform somebody they love them, these episodes usually find yourself being probably the most memorable hours of a collection’ run.
However that are one of the best of all time? We determined to rank them to see.
Let’s dive in.
10. It is At all times Sunny in Philadelphia
Episode: “The Gang Squashes Their Beefs” (Season 9, Episode 10) Solid: Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney, Kaitlin Olson, Danny DeVito, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Jimmi Simpson.
Most sitcoms attempt to do a heartwarming vacation particular; Sunny went the other way, which is why we love them. In an try to wipe the slate clear, the Gang invitations each enemy they’ve revamped 9 seasons to a single Thanksgiving dinner to get every thing off their chests. It is a wild experience.
9. The West Wing
Episode: “Shibboleth” (Season 2, Episode 8) Solid: Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe, Allison Janney, Bradley Whitford, Richard Schiff, Dulé Hill, Janel Moloney.
This episode is the right of Sorkin-esque wit with real coronary heart and the Thanksgiving season. Whereas President Bartlet navigates a fancy diplomatic concern concerning Chinese language asylum seekers, all whereas C.J. Cregg has to decide on between two turkeys—Troy and Eric—for the presidential pardon. The scene the place Bartlet drafts the “runner-up” turkey into army service to reserve it from the oven is without doubt one of the present’s most charming moments.
8. Bob’s Burgers
Episode: “Turkey in a Can” (Season 4, Episode 5) Solid: H. Jon Benjamin, Dan Mintz, Eugene Mirman, Larry Murphy, John Roberts, Kristen Schaal.
Bob Belcher cares about nothing greater than his Thanksgiving turkey, so when somebody retains dumping the chicken in the bathroom, he loses it. Bob’s descent into insanity as he interrogates his household (and the deli man) is comedy gold.
7. Cheers
Episode: “Thanksgiving Orphans” (Season 5, Episode 9) Solid: Ted Danson, Shelley Lengthy, Rhea Perlman, John Ratzenberger, Woody Harrelson, Kelsey Grammer, George Wendt.
I’m an enormous fan of Cheers, which I feel is the gold commonplace for all sitcoms. This episode has the principle forged with nowhere else to go on Thanksgiving, so that they collect at Carla’s home for a disastrous dinner of frozen peas and an undercooked chicken. The strain simmers till it explodes into probably the most well-known meals combat in TV historical past. It can’t be beat.
6. The Sopranos
Episode: “He Is Risen” (Season 3, Episode 8) Solid: James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco, Edie Falco, Michael Imperioli, Dominic Chianese, Joe Pantoliano.
Go away it to The Sopranos to make Thanksgiving about palpable dread. The feud between Tony and Ralphie Cifaretto spills over into the vacation, and the dinner scene is a masterclass in awkwardness, fueled by Janice’s new romance with Ralphie and Tony’s simmering rage.
5. WKRP in Cincinnati
Episode: “Turkeys Away” (Season 1, Episode 7) Solid: Gary Sandy, Gordon Leap, Loni Anderson, Richard Sanders, Frank Bonner.
When Station Supervisor Arthur Carlson decides to execute a publicity stunt by dropping dwell turkeys out of a helicopter over a shopping mall, the result’s a catastrophe described in horrified element by newsman Les Nessman. It’s a second of pure absurdity that has by no means been topped and makes me snort so freaking arduous.
4. Associates
Episode: “The One The place Ross Received Excessive” (Season 6, Episode 9) Solid: Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer, Elliott Gould, Christina Pickles.
Associates owned Thanksgiving, however this episode is the crown jewel. It options Rachel making a trifle that comprises beef sautéed with peas and onions, and Ross and Monica ratting one another out to their mother and father in a rapid-fire shouting match. It is an all-time good episode of TV and exhibits what made Associates among the finest sitcoms of all time.
3. Succession
Episode: “I Went to Market” (Season 1, Episode 5) Solid: Brian Cox, Jeremy Sturdy, Sarah Snook, Kieran Culkin, Alan Ruck, Nicholas Braun, Matthew Macfadyen, Hiam Abbass, James Cromwell.
The Roy household Thanksgiving is precisely as poisonous as you’d count on. Logan Roy is recovering from a stroke, the youngsters are plotting a vote of no confidence, and Greg is attempting to navigate the minefield between his grandfather Ewan and Logan. It culminates in Logan hitting his grandson with a can of cranberry sauce. Yeah, that is about what we count on from them.
2. Grasp of None
Episode: “Thanksgiving” (Season 2, Episode 8) Solid: Aziz Ansari, Lena Waithe, Angela Bassett, Kym Whitley.
This present doesn’t get sufficient credit score for being so superb. This Emmy-winning episode breaks the mould by chronicling a collection of Thanksgivings over 30 years. We watch Denise (Lena Waithe) develop up, uncover her sexuality, and finally come out to her mom (performed powerfully by Angela Bassett). It is so stunning and actually makes you’re keen on the vacation, too.
1. Mad Males
Episode: “The Wheel” (Season 1, Episode 13) Solid: Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser, January Jones, Christina Hendricks, John Slattery.
Whereas technically a season finale that solely has a snippet of Thanksgiving, I feel this may be one of the best Mad Males episode of all time. The emotional anchor of “The Wheel” is the Thanksgiving Don Draper skips. As an alternative, he delivers the “Kodak Carousel” pitch—utilizing photographs of his family to promote a slide projector—making a second of pure, nostalgic longing. The episode ends with Don coming residence to an empty, chilly home, realizing the fantasy he simply bought to the consumer is one which solely exists in promoting.
Summing It All Up
These are my picks for one of the best Thanksgiving episodes of TV, however I guess you could have some you assume should be on right here.
Let me know what you assume within the feedback.
