The last Thursday of November is a special time for many families. It’s Thanksgiving! It’s the day where we take stock of our lives and show gratitude for the people and the things that we’re thankful for. It’s also a time for good food, interesting discussions, football, and an annual parade that’s brought smiles and joy to many for decades at this point. This makes it no surprise that our favorite TV shows want in on the family fun. From found family, to Friendsgiving, and family drama, here are some Thanksgiving episodes we’re definitely thankful for.
“Slapsgiving”: How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother has such an interesting trajectory when it comes to fan reception and its legacy. Yes, the finale left a lot to be desired and it essentially undid a great deal of character progression that took place over the nine seasons leading up to it. But the one thing the finale couldn’t take away from was the hilarious and long standing Slap Bet between Marshall and Barney.
It starts as a bet on what Robin’s secret is and eventually balloons into one of the most loved and entertaining recurring gags on the show. In “Slapsgiving,” the usual HIMYM hijinks occur, including Marshall’s countdown to an impending slap that he’s going to give Barney. It’s the perfect mix of anticipation, mind games, and playful threatening. It also ends with a beautiful piano performance that punctuates the throughline perfectly.
You can watch How I Met Your Mother on Netflix.
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
Is it really a holiday celebration if you don’t watch a Charlie Brown special? This one centers on the Charlie Brown torn between his upcoming Thanksgiving dinner with his grandmother at her house and between Peppermint Patty who invited herself to Thanksgiving dinner with Charlie Brown as her father is currently out of town.
The special has that comforting and familiar Peanuts charm to it, with the calming music and the animation that so many are familiar with, ultimately giving the most important message: Thanksgiving isn’t just a holiday for blood relatives; family encompasses all of the people we care about and who cares about us.
You can watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving on Apple TV and Amazon Prime.
Succession: “I Went to Market”
If there’s one thing HBO’s Succession is known for, it’s the contentious, yet often times hilarious, way that the Roys get along as a family. This Thanksgiving episode encapsulates that perfectly. There’s the usual sniping and plotting that this family gets up to and a guest appearance by the very talented James Cromwell as Logan’s estranged brother. Though there aren’t the usual warm and fuzzy feelings in this Thanksgiving special, there’s still entertainment to be found. So whether you’re from the outside looking in or someone who can relate to the dysfunction of the Roy family, give it a watch.
You can watch Succession on MAX.
Bob’s Burgers: “Turkey in a Can”
There’s always some fun to be had when it comes to the Belcher family, so it’s no surprise that they can really make a meal out of a Thanksgiving special. This episode sees patriarch Bob trying to make the perfect roast turkey, something that has eluded him due to his turkey always mysteriously ending up in the toilet. He’s also struggling as a father who doesn’t want his daughter to grow up. It’s not surprising to think that a holiday all about family and thankfulness would bring out these feelings, but the way this manifests is both hilarious and heartwarming.
You can watch Bob’s Burgers on Hulu and Disney+.
Modern Family: “Three Turkeys”
Modern Family is a show about a multi-generational extended family that switches between three households. This means a lot of different relationship dynamics and all of the drama, tension, and laughs that come along with them. For instance, in the episode “Three Turkeys,” Phil and Luke are left in charge of cooking the most important part of the Thanksgiving meal while Glora and Jay look for some time away from the family, and Claire attempts to make a backup turkey in case Phil and Luke fail in their mission. It’s an episode about how easy it is to forget the most important part of Thanksgiving, being with the people you love. By the end, everyone remembers to not get lost in the details and appreciate spending time together. Though, the multiple turkey mishaps is also an important part of this episode, never forget that.
You can watch Modern Family on Peacock.
Hey Arnold!: “Arnold’s Thanksgiving”
Hey Arnold! is one of the first Nicktoons as well as one of the most beloved of its time. It’s a show about an elementary student, the titular Arnold, who lives in a boarding house with his grandparents and often finds himself being the confidant and voice of reason to the people around him. However, in the Thanksgiving episode Arnold doesn’t have a whole lot of optimism to go around. He’s frustrated with the chaos in his home with his eccentric grandmother celebrating the wrong holiday, though who wouldn’t want fireworks after a nice Thanksgiving meal? His classmate and secret admirer Helga is struggling to be thankful herself after being disregarded by her family all day in favor of heaping praise upon her older sister Olga. The two leave their houses and run into each other while going for walks to clear their heads. Deciding to find the perfect Thanksgiving elsewhere, they set off to their teacher Mr. Simmons’ house, only to discover he’s not having a very positive holiday either.
Though things end of a nice note, it’s also a realistic look at how families are not perfect and sometimes you have to find the “perfect Thanksgiving” for you.
You can watch Hey Arnold! on Paramount Plus.
