Thanksgiving Moments From TV Shows: Relive the Holiday Magic
- Andria Pasco
- Nov 29, 2024
- 6 min read
Nothing says Thanksgiving like eating our hearts out at the family dining table and passing out in front of the couch watching our favorite TV shows. Whether it’s nostalgia, laughter, or relatable family moments we’re in the mood for, some series have definitely given us the most unforgettable Thanksgiving episodes.
This year, we’ve rounded up the best Thanksgiving episodes from some of our favorite TV shows. Sit back and relax—and maybe have some of that turkey—as we revisit these iconic moments we’ve all seen before from our TV screens.
Friends
In all honesty—if we’re being real here—no one did Thanksgiving episodes like Friends. The show consistently delivered hilarious and heartwarming holiday episodes. "The One with All the Thanksgivings" is a fan favorite, featuring flashbacks to some of the gang’s most embarrassing Thanksgiving memories. From Monica donning a turkey on her head to Chandler’s infamous insult that led Monica to lose weight, this episode combines nostalgia, humor, and touching moments—like Chandler accidentally telling Monica he loves her. It’s quintessential Friends and a perfect watch for Thanksgiving.
Fast forward to the show’s last season and last Thanksgiving episode, “The One with the Late Thanksgiving,” which may have also been called the one with the floating heads, Friends delivers a fitting farewell to the show’s Thanksgiving tradition. The episode begins frustratingly with Ross, Rachel, Phoebe, and Joey arriving late to Monica and Chandler’s carefully planned dinner but ends heart-warmingly when the couple receives a life-changing adoption news. It’s a mix of humor, chaos, and heartfelt emotion—a true Friends Thanksgiving classic.
Modern Family
Who can ever forget Modern Family’s iconic Thanksgiving episode “Three Turkeys”? In this episode, the cast turns every bit of family chaos during Thanksgiving into comedy gold. Jay and Gloria try to escape the family by having a pretend private holiday getaway, Phil decides to be in charge of the turkey while Claire prepares a backup right by the garage, all while Cam and Mitch deal with Lily’s mean attitude and snarky remarks. Relatable, right?
The episode perfectly captures the hilarity of family dynamics during the holidays. It culminates in a heartwarming moment, reminding us all that even the most chaotic Thanksgivings can still be filled with love and laughter. It’s a must-watch for fans of the show and anyone who appreciates the humor and warmth of holiday traditions gone awry.
The Big Bang Theory
Another fun Thanksgiving episode is The Big Bang Theory’s “The Platonic Permutation.” The gang decides to volunteer at a soup kitchen for Thanksgiving, which sets the stage for plenty of laughs and awkward situations. Plus, this episode has Elon Musk as a guest star in it, which brings even more excitement and comedic chaos as Howard attempts to connect with Musk, resulting in some of the episode’s funniest interactions.
Meanwhile, Amy and Sheldon go on a not-a-date trip to an aquarium, post breakup. Despite their strained dynamic, Sheldon’s attempts to rekindle their friendship lead to some endearing and funny moments as he awkwardly navigates how to interact with Amy. His unique brand of logic and lack of social awareness create tension but also set the stage for meaningful reflection about their relationship.
The episode also highlights Penny and Leonard’s attempts to navigate married life as they have a fierce competition on who knows best in their relationship. They quiz each other on birthdays, passwords, and names of childhood pets—because what else do you do when friends and family decide to skip the Thanksgiving dinner, right?
Nonetheless, it’s ultimately a standout episode blending comedy, heartwarming moments, and an unexpected brush with celebrity. It’s a reminder of what makes The Big Bang Theory so special—the perfect mix of nerdy humor, endearing relationships, and plenty of laughs (and awkwardness) to go around.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
In the series’ sixth ever episode, “My First Thanksgiving with Josh!” Rebecca finally gets the chance to spend more time with Josh after Paula works her magic and gets Rebecca an invite to the Chan family Thanksgiving. In an attempt to impress his Filipino family and hopefully get in Josh’s good graces, Rebecca learns to make the traditional dish of dinuguan and picks up some Tagalog phrases along the way.
Meanwhile, after finally saving up enough money to return to business school, Greg quits his job at Home Base, with the support of his boss, Kevin. On the same day though, Greg’s father Marco is rushed to the hospital, and after seeing the expenses, Greg makes the decision to ask for his job back. As the Thanksgiving holiday comes to a close, Greg laments about his circumstances in the Billy Joel-inspired ballad “What’ll it Be.”
In the rap track “I Give Good Parent,” Rebecca brags about being the kind of girl every parent wishes their son would bring home. She successfully gains approval from the Chan family with not only her cooking but also her intelligence, her interests, and her career, even managing to make Josh’s father smile a little (something Josh says he never does). Naturally, this infuriates Josh’s girlfriend Valencia, who has never been able to bond with Josh’s family despite being with him for years. The tension causes an argument to break out between the two, but they end up deciding to move in together. To make matters worse, Rebecca’s stomach also doesn’t agree with her own cooking and she ends the night alone at home . . . but not before Greg shows up with a bag of tacos after having his dream to leave West Covina taken from him once more.
The episode is a brilliant look into how a holiday so notorious for bringing people together can actually feel isolating. It’s also a bit of a peek behind the curtain, something that Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is quite known for doing, this time about how the holiday season isn’t always as picture-perfect as everybody makes it out to be.
Peanuts
If there’s anything more daunting than such a big holiday as Thanksgiving . . . it’s all the dinner prep before the guests arrive! In the Peanuts Thanksgiving TV special A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973), no one feels this sort of anxiety more acutely than our beloved Charlie Brown, who finds himself in a bind when Peppermint Patty invites herself and a couple of friends over to his house for a traditional Thanksgiving feast—the same day he, little sister Sally, and their parents are heading over to his grandmother’s for the holiday.
When Linus, ever wise, suggests that Charlie Brown cook an early meal for his friends before the family dinner at his grandmother’s, he takes on the mammoth task with the help of Snoopy and Woodstock. Hilarity ensues as they prepare a spread of what they know how to cook best: stacks of buttered toast, large bowls of popcorn, and sides of jelly beans and pretzel sticks. Needless to say, this isn’t quite the “turkey” dinner that Peppermint Patty expects when she, Marcie, and Franklin see what’s being served at the table, and she makes her frustration known to her old pal “Chuck.”
After a defeated Charlie Brown walks away from the table, Marcie encourages Peppermint Patty to apologize for her self-invitation and outburst as well as tells Charlie Brown what we all need to hear: that Thanksgiving isn’t about the elaborate dinner but about coming together and being grateful for the company of our loved ones. The good news is that in the end, Charlie Brown’s grandmother invites all of his friends over to the family dinner, so everyone does get to have their favorite traditional feast, including the turkey and trimmings, after all.
Throughout the decades, the Peanuts characters have always managed to charm their way into so many hearts, even more so in this Emmy-winning Thanksgiving special. One can’t help but relate to Charlie Brown’s overthinking nature and eagerness to please his friends, and it all comes home in a heartwarming way when, despite his failed attempts at making a fancy dinner for them, he still manages to give them the Thanksgiving that they (and he) deserve.
Final Thoughts
Thanksgiving episodes from all the shows we love remind us of the joy (and chaos) of gathering with loved ones. So what about you? What’s your favorite Thanksgiving TV moment? Let us know in the comments!
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