Holiday episodes have always been a part of network sitcoms, and some episodes featuring Thanksgiving or its themes have truly shone bright through the years. Whether taking place over Thanksgiving, other holidays or simply featuring their characters in unusual settings,some episodes of network TV shows do a better job of bringing the themes of unity, appreciation and kinshipthat the holiday is associated with to the small screen. Plenty of popular network sitcoms likeFriends,How I Met Your MotherorBrooklyn Nine-Ninehad multiple iconic Thanksgiving episodes, but more recent network sitcoms can also dazzle in that category.
The very nature of network sitcoms having new episodes weekly instead of all episodes of a season available together like with several shows on streaming platforms make holiday episodes more likely to work, following a channel’s schedule and making thematic episodes happen on the date closest to the holiday in question or even in another moment completely.This made some episodes airing the closest to Thanksgiving bask in the holiday themes even without having the show openly featuring the festivity, making them all the more exciting because unexpected, with the usual themes taking audiences by surprise.
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10The Conners Season 2, Episode 7
“Slappy Holidays”
The Connersseason 2, episode 7 sees the titular family reunited for Thanksgiving at last, and the spirits running high make the stakes even higher.The disagreements over what to do with Bev’s inheritanceafter she gave Darlene power of attorneyboiled over at a party nobody wanted to attend, but which Dan organized precisely so that they could patch things upand discuss the matter together instead of just spewing hostilities from afar, poisoning the whole family as a result.
Their being all in the same house brings out some of the best drama and comedy altogether, especially in howThe Connersseason 2’s Thanksgiving episodecounterposes Dan, D.J., Mark and Mary’s wish for everyone to get along to Jackie, Becky and Darlene’s animosity toward one another. While the episode includes terrible insults from Jackie to Darlene and vice versa that prompt Jackie to slap Darlene,the Conners’ major conflict is at last resolved, because they decide what to do with Bev’s future inheritance as a family. This makes the episode end happily even with Harris and Darlene’s conflict erupting.
9Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage Season 1, Episode 5
“Thanksgiving”
WhileYoung Sheldoncelebrated Thanksgiving only once in its seven-season run,Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriagedid so as soon as possible with season 1, episode 5. AfterYoung Sheldonseason 7 had to wrap up really quickly bothGeorge Sr.’s sudden deathand Sheldon going to college,Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriagehad the chance to truly focus on how the Coopers were handling George’s death, andGeorgie and Mandy’s First Marriage’s Thanksgiving episode does just that in the most heartbreaking and heartwarming way possible.
By centering on Georgie and Mandy,First Marriagecould focus on Georgie’s perspective, and he really wants to keep the Coopers together during George Sr.’s favorite holiday. However, between Missy’s detachment and Mary’s refusal to participate in the holiday altogether, Georgie’s goals seem impossible.Thanksgiving ending with Mary’s heartbreaking confession about how much she missed fighting with George Sr.like the McAllisters didcould have let the episode end on a low note,but Georgie saves the dayby bringing Missy and Mary to George’s gravestone, honoring his father and keeping the Coopers together keeping alive the best Thanksgiving themes.
8The Big Bang Theory Season 7, Episode 9
“The Thanksgiving Decoupling”
Episodes devoted to various holidays often featured inThe Big Bang Theory, butthe gang only celebrated Thanksgiving inThe Big Bang Theoryseason 7, episode 9. Everyone in the group is invited to Howard’s childhood home, and Bernadette’s father Mike also is, in the hope he would finally form a bond with his son-in-law Howard. Sheldon’s opposition to the change of plan of having Thanksgiving at Howard’s is as much the episode’s conflictual center as Penny’s shocking realization she had been married to Zach for three years is, setting up the stage for an explosive episode full of twists.
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“The Thanksgiving Decoupling” works perfectly because it takes story arcs that had been part of the entire season– Mike not warming up to Howard, Penny refusing Leonard’s marriage proposals –and makes them implode as they celebrate Thanksgiving, letting the gang take part in the unsavory tradition that fights during holiday reunions can be.The Big Bang Theoryseason 7, episode 9 thus successfully lets spirits run high till the conflicts explode right in the open, only for the episode to end with all its protagonists closer together, truly celebrating family and community.
7Young Sheldon Season 2, Episode 9
“Family Dynamics and a Red Fiero”
LikeThe Big Bang Theory,Young Sheldononly had one Thanksgiving episode over the years, in season 2, episode 9.The celebration gets sidetracked after Mary and George Sr. disagree over his job opportunity in Oklahoma, with the first entirely opposing even entertaining the idea and the second wanting to try because of what the promotion could mean for his career. However, things only get worse when Mary enlists Meemaw’s help to guilt George into not considering the job, and George broaches the possibility of moving away with all his children.
Mary and George’s vicious fight over George’s job opportunityout of state brings out their worst behaviors, including Mary’s authoritarian tendencies and George’s impulsive and excessive reactions.This inevitably affects Georgie, Missy and Sheldon, who end up spending the night at Meemaw, and especially Sheldon, who cannot separate his feelings from his scientific research, leading to his outburst in school as he presented his psychological findings.Young Sheldonseason 2, episode 9 lets the Cooper family feel welcomed because of George sacrificing his career to make them happy, having the Thanksgiving conflict quickly be defused.
6Ghosts Season 1, Episode 8
“D&D”
Due toGhosts’ whole premise of Samantha being able to see ghosts, it makes sense for the show to have recurring holiday episodes for Halloween instead of any other holidays. However, one episode fromGhostsseason 1 is a perfect Thanksgiving episode despite not mentioning the festivity at all.Ghostsseason 1, episode 8, “D&D” overturns a pattern from the sitcom’s previous episodes, when the ghosts told on Jay’s lies, telling on Samantha’s lie that they did enjoy playing Dungeons & Dragons when it was Samantha who didn’t wish to play.
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Indeed, Pete’s wish to play D&D makes multiple ghosts use their special powers to send Jay messages, making him feel for the first time part of the group Samantha inevitably was from the moment she realized she could see the ghosts in Woodstone Mansion.Ghostsseason 1, episode 8 made Samantha and Jay’s bond with the ghosts stronger as a resultand even introduced Nigel, whose argument with Isaac made the use of D&D the perfect solution after the game had already been a bone of contention between Samantha and Jay.
5Abbott Elementary Season 1, Episode 8
“Work Family”
Another show with fewer holiday celebrations in its earlier seasons,Abbott Elementaryseason 1, episode 8 nonetheless included the perfect Thanksgiving episode by giving Janine a purpose after Jacob had described their relationship as that of work friends. Between Tariq’s FADE performance and Janine’s stubbornness in wanting to promote true connection between herself and her coworkers, “Work Family” has a unique setup despite never leaving the school.
Abbott Elementaryseason 1, episode 8 plays both on Janine’s perception of not fully fitting in the teachers group and her wish to have a closer relationship with them, refusing to accept such a clear-cut boundary of her and Jacob just being work friends. With her idea to know each other better initially turning against her,Janine nonetheless succeeds in forging stronger bonds with her coworkers inAbbott Elementaryseason 1, episode 8. Moreover, Jacob admitting their being real friends and sharing his thoughts on Janine and Tariq makes Janine realize something she had long known, eventually kickstarting their breakup.
4Young Sheldon Season 1, Episode 21
“Summer Sausage, a Pocket Poncho, and Tony Danza”
Young Sheldonseason 1 didn’t have any Thanksgiving episodes, but one episode is nonetheless the perfect one to watch on the holiday in question, including one ofGeorge Sr.’s best moments.Young Sheldonseason 1 focused greatly on George Sr. trying to form a bond with Sheldon when he was at the center of the story, not understanding the socially inept genius. However,Young Sheldonseason 1, episode 21 overturns this expectation by having Mary and George spend time with Georgie and Missy respectively, after Sheldon expressed joy at having Dr. Sturgis as a suitable male role model.
While Mary and Georgie’s chance to reconnect highlights how different they are from one another, George and Missy’s dinner together goes extraordinarily well. Going together at the Red Lobster, which Missy proposed, makes her feel heard, creating a closer bond with her father.George Sr. succeeds in setting himself up as Missy’s role model afterYoung Sheldonseason 1, episode 21, and their closer relationship eventually encourages other key developments for Missy, like her love for baseball and her promise not to act out inYoung Sheldonseason 6’s finale.
3Abbott Elementary Season 2, Episode 10
“Holiday Hookah”
While technically a winter holiday episode,Abbott Elementaryseason 2, episode 10 can work just as well during another festivity.Abbott Elementaryestablished very early how much Janine loved her role as a teacher and her students, making absences from school often painful for her. However,Abbott Elementaryseason 2, episode 10, “Holiday Hookah” sees Janine leave a work function earlier to prepare for a night out with her friend Erika, set on as she was to get back to dating after breaking up with Tariq several episodes before.
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Abbott Elementaryseason 2, episode 10 lets Gregory and Janine’s relationship make monumental steps forward, but that’s not what makes it one of the best sitcom episodes to watch on Thanksgiving. Instead,it’s Barbara and Melissa’s decision to include Jacob and Mr. Johnson in their holiday dinner that truly matches the holiday spirit, along with Ava being surprisingly nice to Janine, suggesting she could go with her and her boyfriend to their next party. Both moments build the bond among teachers and staff at Abbott Elementary, making it anAbbott Elementaryepisode to remember.
2Night Court Season 2, Episode 1
“A Night Court Before Christmas”
Another holiday special,Night Courtseason 2’s premiere works during any winter holiday because of the intertwined stories at its center. Between Dan embodying the Grinch and Abby feeling the Christmas spirit, the usual chaos of the arraignment court takes a holiday flavor. The crises of Gurgs’ present for Dan not having arrived yet and of the mother trying to unveil what her daughter wanted for Christmas set in motion an unpredictable series of events that is also enjoyable and full of holiday cheer.
Dealing with the Santas, a witness believing to be the Ghost of Christmas Present and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar appearing as himself to meet Dan as part of his present all contribute to a holiday-fueled episode. Eventually, Dan learning the truth about what Virginia wanted by impersonating Santa Claus lets him save Christmas at the court, even bringing his despise for the holiday full circle after feeling grateful for Gurgs not giving him presents.This forces the group of coworkers to be closer at the end ofNight Courtseason 2, episode 1’s ending than they were before.
1Happy’s Place Episode 1
“Pilot”
Happy’s Place’s series premiere deserves a spot among the best episodes to watch on Thanksgiving despite not being even remotely holiday-themed. Setting upHappy’s Place’s cast of charactersand their roles within the sitcom, the series premiere introduces enough key storylines to make the show compelling. However,it’s Bobbie and Isabella’s unlikely bond and the consequences of their being related that make for an interesting Thanksgiving episode.
If dealing with the death of her father wasn’t enough, discovering a secret half-sister much younger than her with whom her father wished she could work lets Bobbie find herself in a pickle. Bobbie and Isabella’s dynamic is heartwarming despite all the issues stemming from how they found each other. Their conflict over minor changes on how to manage Happy’s Place blows up the flimsy truce they had crafted, but discovering how Bobbie’s father kept Isabella’s drawing makes them more like a family, makingHappy’s Place’s series premiere work as a Thanksgiving episode.
