The Drew Carey Show : Mimi's Day Parade (1996)

Released on ABC, airing November 27th in the US.

Season 2. Episode 9.

The story: This year, Drew has got all his holiday hiring done and over with, so he is looking forward to a stress-free Thanksgiving.

Mr. Wick has come up with a business idea that he believes is brilliant: a Winfred-Louder Thanksgiving Day parade, and he wants Drew to organize it.

Drew thinks its a great idea because Cleveland hasn't had a Thanksgiving Day parade in years, plus it's an opportunity to help from firing people.

He sits down to get right to work for next year, but quickly learns Mr. Wick means this year.

Drew has only two weeks to get things organized, meaning the pressure is on.

When Oswald and Kate try to help by making a Buzz Beer float, they wish they had at least had a flatbed truck.

Just when Drew believes he's in big trouble, Mimi shows up.

She has heard things with the parade aren't going so well, and she's come by with claims to be able to get flatbed trucks and permits.

But there's just one thing she wants in return for her help. She wants to be the Snow Queen at the head of the parade.

Stars Drew Carey , Kathy Kinney , Lisa Darr  , Craig Ferguson , Christa Miller , Diedrich Bader , Ryan Stiles , David L Lander , Ian Gomez , Tom Bosley , Tammy Faye Bakker , Lynn Wanlass , Don Perry

Directed by Gerry Cohen

Rated TVPG
COMEDY/THANKSGIVING/SERIES/TV

"Gotta keep my spirits up. Gotta stay positive. I hope. I hope. I hope...this is death."

Flo : A Castleberry Thanksgiving parts 1 & 2 (1980)

 

Released on CBS, airing November 24th in the US.

Season 2. Episode 4.

The story: Mama, Flo, and Fran are all up way too early preparing Thanksgiving dinner.

Flo is really excited because she has invited the whole family home for dinner, and it's been 25 years since they've all been together.

The one thing no one knows about yet, though, is that Flo invited Daddy, who the family hasn't seen since he walked out on everyone over 25 years ago.

Flo's way of thinking about it is that everyone is getting old, and it's been a long time, so everyone should just be together and happy.

But even before Daddy arrives, feelings about him around the room aren't very happy ones.

Stars Polly Holliday , Sudie Bond , Lucy Lee Flippin , Joyce Bulifant , Jim Baker , Robert Ayers , Geoffrey Lewis , Leo Burmester , GW Bailey , Burton Gilliam , Jerry Hardin , David Hollander , Sharon Spelman , Kaela Dobkin , Kristy Dobkin , Forrest Tucker 

Directed by Dick Martin 

Rated TV G
COMEDY/FAMILY/THANKSGIVING/SERIES/TV

A Different World : If You Like Pilgrim Coladas (1988)

Released on NBC, airing November 24th in the US.

Season 2. Episode 6.

The story: Everyone is going home or at least to someone's home this Thanksgiving, except for Whitley and Kim.

Whitley is used to it, but Kim gets upset after getting off the telephone with her mother.

Kim would much rather be home for Thanksgiving.

Whitley tries to cheer her up, but Kim decides they need to go out somewhere and have some fun.

Kim breaks out her fake ID, and the two decide to go to a local bar where there is a band playing.

After they have a couple Pilgrim Coladas, the girls are ready to party.

Just when things are going great, Kim sees a professor from their school and tries to get Whitley to leave before he recognizes them.

Stars Lou Myers , Sinbad , Dawnn Lewis , Kadeem Hardison , Cree Summer , Jasmine Guy , Charnele Brown , Ryan Phillippe , Carlos Lacamara , Lewis Dix Jr , Michael DeLorenzo , Darryl M Bell , Vincent Craid Dupree

Directed by Debbie Allen

Rated TVPG
COMEDY/THANKSGIVING/SERIES/TV

The Bernie Mac Show : Thanksgiving (2004)

Released on Fox, airing June 29th in the US...
Season 3. Episode 22.
The story: Bernie has been pressuring Vanessa to study hard for her English test, so when she brings home an A, he is more than proud, and it's just in time for parent/teacher conference.

When Bernie and Wanda meet Vanessa's teacher, Mr. Diggs, he explains how well she's been doing and says he's looking forward to her next paper.

A biographical essay on someone each student is thankful for.

Bernie assumes that Vanessa will write about him, and is bummed when he learns, Vanessa has decided she is now a vegetarian after learning about Mr. Diggs' childhood, that she will be writing about Mr. Diggs.

When Bernie gives her a hard time about eating meat, she asks Mr. Diggs if she can have Thanksgiving dinner at his house.

Mr. Diggs then invites all the Macs to his house for a vegetarian dinner.

Stars Kellita Smith, Bernie Mac, Camille Winbush, Jeremy Suarez, Dee Dee Davis, Don Franklin, Tembi Locke, Ryan Napier, Steve Abbott

Directed by Reginald Hudlin

Not Rated

COMEDY/THANKSGIVING/SERIES/TV

"What about Thanksgiving? Everything on the table will have meat in it.
The stuffing is gonna have meat in it. The sweet potato...? This year I've been thinking about meat potato....
I'll put meat in the water! ...Meat!"

Mama's Family : An Ill Wind (1986)

Released on NBC, airing November 22nd in the US.

Season 3. Episode 9.

The story: It's Thanksgiving morning, and Mama has been busy in the kitchen since daybreak.

She wakes Vinton and Naomi because he has to pick up Aunt Effie.

When Naomi finally makes her way up to the kitchen, Mama sets her to work, drying dishes.

While doing so, she and Iola notice how dark it is outside, but Mama insists it's always sunny in Raytown on Thanksgiving.

After Aunt Effie and Vinton arrive, it begins raining.

Soon, a wild storm rolls in, sending a tree through the dining room window and cutting the power off.

They all take cover in the basement, trapped there with only chips and rum balls to eat.

Stars Vicki Lawrence, Ken Berry, Dorothy Lyman, Beverly Archer, Allan Kayser, Dorothy Van

Directed by Dave Powers

Rated TVPG

COMEDY/THANKSGIVING/SERIES/TV

Perfect Strangers : Wild Turkey (1991)

 

Released on  ABC, airing November 22nd in the US.

Season 7. Episode 9.

The story: Jennifer, Mary Ann, and Balki have all bought turkeys this year.

Jennifer's plan was to cook because it is the first Thanksgiving she and Larry are a married couple.

Balki wants to cook because he has been cooking Thanksgiving dinner since he came to the United States, and Mary Ann wants to cook to show Balki that she is wife material, only he won't notice anyway.

When Larry arrives home, his surprise is the biggest.

He had gotten a great deal on 58 wild turkeys, which he intends to resell.

Thanksgiving day, Jennifer and Mary Ann are in the kitchen when there's a knock at the door.

Mary Ann opens it to find three turkeys, which make their way into the kitchen.

Closely behind them are Larry and Balki, scurrying to get the turkeys back outside.

When Larry and Balki make their way back inside the house, Jennifer explains that she cannot find her diamond...

She always takes it off and puts it on the counter next to the salt and pepper, but it's not there, and the only ones who were in the room were the turkeys.

After checking all the turkeys with a metal detector, Larry learns that there is just one left that they did not check.

The one that Balki sold to the Johnsons next door.

Stars Melanie Wilson , Rebecca Arthur , Bronson Pinchot , Mark Linn Baker , Julie Payne , James Staley , Glen Vernon , Adam Hendershott , Brandi Chrisman

Directed by Judy Pioli

Rated TVPG
COMEDY/THANKSGIVING/SERIES/TV

Married...with Children : A Bundy Thanksgiving (1996)

Released on Fox, airing November 24th in the US.

Season 11. Episode 6.
The story: This year, all Al wants for Thanksgiving is an original Aunt Maddie's sweet potato pie.

It is the one tradition from his childhood that is very important to him.

While he is out with his friend Griff to get a pie, Kelly shows up at home with a turkey, which she claims followed her home.

She befriends the turkey, even naming it, while Peg, Bud, and Jefferson try to convince her to cook it.

Stars Katey Sagal  , Ed O'Neill, David Faustino , Amanda Bearse , Harold Sylvester , Ted McGinley , Christina Applegate , Nick LaTour , Beau Billingslea , Ann Weldon , Patricia Belcher 

Directed by Amanda Bearse

Rated TVPG

COMEDY/THANKSGIVING/SERIES/TV

"Do you mind!? I'm overwhelmed with grief!"

"Well, how'd you like to be overwhelmed by Griff?"

Kevin Can Wait : Cooking Up a Storm (2017)

Released on CBS, airing November 20th in the US.

Season 2. Episode 9.
The story: This year, Kevin insists he will cook Thanksgiving dinner for everyone, although he has never done it before.

Kendra wants him to just go out to dinner because it will be much easier, and she's so busy with school work, she cannot help.

Vanessa also offers to help, but Kevin resists all offers.

When Kevin's neighbor Wendy, who has the hots for him, drops off a pie while Kevin is trying to tackle the turkey and sees he is having a hard time, she offers to help.

Kevin explains how his whole family expects him to cook because he insisted, so he has to cook.

Wendy comes up with a plan that she will prepare the dinner and drop it off before anyone notices it wasn't him cooking, and he agrees.

The day of Thanksgiving, and there's a blizzard going on.

Vanessa catches Wendy coming by, and before she realizes that Wendy cooked dinner,  Vanessa sends her back home.

Stars Kevin James , Leah Remini , Florencia Lozano , Taylor Spreitler , Mary Charles Jones , James DiGiacomo , Ryan Cartwright , Gary Valentine

Directed by Andy Fickman

PGTV

COMEDY/DRAMA/THANKSGIVING/SERIES/TV

Bewitched : Samantha's Thanksgiving to Remember (1967)

Released on ABC, airing November 23rd in the US.

Season 4. Episode 12.
The story: It's Thanksgiving day, and Samantha is busy in the kitchen tending to the turkey when she hears a commotion in the living room.

She finds Aunt Claire has arrived unexpectedly, but just in time for dinner.

Darrin is upset because he was looking forward to a peaceful dinner with just the three members of the Stevens family.

Aunt Claire begins reminiscing over the very first Thanksgiving, and while doing so, feels homesick for Plymouth.

As she begins explaining, she would like to go back and visit her friends at that very first Thanksgiving and not stay with them as expected for dinner, she accidentally takes Samantha, Darrin, and Tabitha, along with their neighbor Gladys Kravitz, with her to the 17th Century, where they don't take kindly to witches.

Stars Elizabeth Montgomery , Marion Lorne , Dick York , Erin Murphy , Diane Murphy , Sandra Gould , Richard Bull , Jacques Aubuchon , Peter Canon , Laurie Main , Norman Stevans , Herbert Winters

Directed by Richard Kinon

Rated TVG

COMEDY/FAMILY/FANTASY/THANKSGIVING/SERIES/TV

"I didn't know you spoke pilgrim..."

Barney Miller : Thanksgiving Story (1977)

Made for ABC, airing November 24th in the US.

Season 4. Episode 9.

The story: It's Thanksgiving.

Nick gets a call about three psychiatric patients escaping from a private hospital.

Barney sends Dan to check it out and Rob decides he's bored, so he will go too.

Dan returns with the doctor and nurse from the hospital and while they explain the situation a call comes in about a disturbance at the local automat, which happens to be close to the hospital.

Dan returns once more with the patients who made their escape and Barney wants to solve their problems by hearing them out.

Stars Jack Soo, Max Gail, Hal Linden, Ron Glass, Steve Landesberg, Tom Lacy, Ron Carey, James Gregory, Susan Davis, George Skaff, Charles Lucia, Kip King, Ted Schwartz, Ian Wolfe, Anita Dangler

Directed by David Swift

Not Rated

COMEDY/SERIES/THANKSGIVING

Grown Ups : Why Can't We Not Be Friends (1999)

Made for UPN, airing November 22nd in the US.

Season 1. Episode 10.

The story: Now that Shari and Gordon are married, Shari thinks it's time to start some traditions.

She wants to start by planning Thanksgiving dinner, although no one seems to think she's a great cook.

Melissa has been away for a while and when Shari mentions that J should be super excited to see her, he mentions he really isn't.

Shari and Gordon make an appearance to see Melissa.

J tells Gordon he wants to end his relationship with and Melissa.

Melissa already saw that coming and feels the same way, but she's certain they can still be friends.

J disagrees.

When J shows up for Thanksgiving dinner at Shari and Gordon's he learns they invited Melissa, which makes him uncomfortable.

Stars Marissa Ribisi, Dave Ruby, Jaleel White, Tammy Townsend, Bumper Robinson, Jeff Wood

Directed by Matthew Diamond

Not Rated

COMEDY/SERIES/THANKSGIVING

Dr. Ken : Allison's Thanksgiving Meltdown (2016)

Made for ABC, airing November 18th in the US.

Season 2. Episode 9.

The story:  Allison and Ken are planning on doing nothing for Thanksgiving this year.

But Allison's parents are set on them coming there for dinner.

No one in the family is excited about going but Allison thinks it will be a fun family road trip.

Although, once they are on the road, Allison has anything but fun.

Clark is volunteering at the homeless shelter and has invited Connor, Pat, Damona, and Eric to join him.

But the whole situation just stresses him out, making him control hungry.

Stars Ken Jeong, Suzy Nakamura, Dave Foley, Tisha Campbell, Jonathan Slavin, Stephen Guarino, 

Directed by Anthony Rich, Albert Tsai, Krista Marie Yu, Dana Lee, Jerry Minor, LynNita Ellis, 

Rated TVPG
COMEDY/SERIES/THANKSGIVING

Dr. Ken : Thanksgiving Culture Clash (2015)

Made for ABC, airing November 20th in the US.

Season 1. Episode 8.

The story: It is 2 days before Thanksgiving.

Dave is supposed to do a report for school on what his family's holiday traditions are but they don't seem to have any.

This will be the first Thanksgiving that their whole family will be at Ken and Allison's for dinner.

Ken and Allison find out from Dave that Molly got a tattoo and it happens to be a word in Japanese.

This bothers Ken because Molly is also part Korean. But Allison insists that Ken does not embrace his Korean heritage.

Ken tries proving Allison wrong but it makes dinner awkward for everyone.

Meanwhile, Julie throws a party but the only guests who show up are Clark and Damona.

Stars Ken Jeong, Suzy Nakamura, Albert Tsai, Krista Marie Yu,  Tisha Campbell, Jonathan Slavin, Dave Foley, Kate Simses, Dana Lee, Jeanne Sakata, Clyde Kusatsu, Alexis Rhee

Directed by Ken Whittingham

Rated TVPG

COMEDY/SERIES/THANKSGIVING

"Greetings! From under the bus..."

Newhart : Don't Rain on My Parade (1983)

Made for CBS, airing November 21st in the US.

Season 2. Episode 6.

The story: Jim and Chester have come to ask Dick to be the director of their Thanksgiving parade.

When he declines because he is busy working, George gets to be the director instead.

On their way out the door, Jim and Chester mention that the parade is great but the part no one likes is anyone involved doesn't get a chance to have Thanksgiving dinner, because they are all so busy plus they have no place for all the people involved in the parade to have dinner together.

Dick thinks that stinks so he suggests that they all have dinner at the inn, a potluck, and Dick and Joanna will cook the turkey.

As if the situation isn't bad enough on Thanksgiving day the parade gets rained out.

Stars Bob Newhart, Tom Poston, Thomas Hill, William Lanteau , Mary Frann, Julia Duffy, Steven Kampmann, George Wallace, Peggy McCay, Iron Eyes Cody

Directed by Will Mackenzie

Rated TVG
COMEDY/SERIES/THANKSGIVING

B.C. : The First Thanksgiving (1973)

Made for NBC, airing November 19th in the US.

The story: B.C. discovers fire and the Fat Broad is the first person he sees.

Before he can brag about his discovery, she rushes him to get the fire on the sticks so the rock soup can start cooking.

A turkey notices the rock soup and makes the observation that "the only thing that can flavor rock soup, is a dead turkey"....!

With that, the turkey is out of there.

Now the Fat Broad insists that the men go out and get a turkey for the rock soup but none of them know what a turkey is exactly.

Stars (voices by) Daws Butler, Joanie Sommers, Bob Holt, Don Messick, Mel Blanc

Directed by Abe Levitow

Not Rated

ANIMATION/COMEDY/SERIES/THANKSGIVING

Family Guy : Thanksgiving (2011)

Made for Fox, airing November 20th in the US.

Season 10. Episode 6.

The story: This year for Thanksgiving the Griffins are hosting, inviting all their friends and family.

Just as they are all sitting down to eat, there's a knock at the door.

Peter answers the door to find Joe and Bonnie's assumed to be dead son Kevin...

Kevin's parents explain they were told he was killed at war so he tells them all a story of how he was in a coma due to a stupid accident.

Everyone is just happy to see Kevin once again, but the more time they spend with him the more everyone becomes suspicious of his story.

Stars (voices by) Adam West, Seth MacFarlane, Alex Borstein, Seth Green, Mila Kunis, Mike Desilets, Julie Hagerty, Christine Lakin , Patrick Warburton, Jennifer Tilly , Scott Grimes, John Viener

Directed by Jerry Langford

Rated TV14

ANIMATION/COMEDY/THANKSGIVING

"Oh, this looks fantastic. I can't wait to poop this out."

Cosby : Turkey Day (1998)

Made for CBS, airing November 23rd in the US.

Season 3. Episode 10.

The story: Jurnee is scheduled to be in the Thanksgiving Day parade, dressed as a turkey.

But when Hilton sees her self-made costume he believes he can do better.

First, he calls every place in town to get a turkey costume but that's not going to happen.

So he attempts to make a costume himself, but that doesn't work out either.

In a dilemma now with only a day to spare, he asks Erica to help but she's busy making pies for the cafe.

While in the cafe, Martha Stewart shows up for a cappuccino and accidentally leaves her bag behind, which coincidentally has a turkey costume in it.

Just when Hilton thinks he's got it made she returns to get her bag and he has no choice but to give it back to her.

Barney happens to be in the cafe as well and offers some much-needed help from a local sewing workshop.

Stars Bill Cosby, Phylicia Rashad, TKeyah Crystal Keymah, Doug E Doug, Jurnee Smollett, Madeline Kahn, Darien Sills Evans, Martha Stewart, Fred Applegate, Lynne Thigpen

Directed by Don Scardino 

Rated TVPG
COMEDY/SERIES/THANKSGIVING

Bob's Burgers : The Quirk-ducers (2016)

Made for Adult Swim, airing November 20th in the US.

Season 7. Episode 6.

The story: Over dinner, the Belchers talk about Thanksgiving.

Bob is looking for recipes, Tina is writing a Thanksgiving story and Louise complains about the Thanksgiving play at school last year.

It was scheduled as a half-day of school but because of the play, the half-day didn't happen.

So Louise comes up with an idea.

How about they put on the Thanksgiving play, using Tina's story "The Quirky Turkey".

That way they can plan to mess it up, it will get shut down and they will have their scheduled half day before Thanksgiving day.

Stars (voices by ) H Jon Benjamin, Dan Mintz, John Roberts, Eugene Mirman, Kristen Schaal, David Herman, Jenny Slate, Bobby Tisdale, Larry Murphy

Directed by Mauricio Pardo & Bernard Derriman

Rated TVPG

ANIMATION/COMEDY/SERIES/THANKSGIVING

Dawson's Creek : Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1999)

Made for The WB Network, airing November 24th in the US.

Season 3. Episode 5.

The story: This year Jen's granny is hosting Thanksgiving dinner for everyone.

At the last minute, Jen is surprised to find that her estranged mom has made it for the holiday.

This isn't settling well with Jen, as she hasn't spoken to her mom in over a year, on top of all the issues she has with their relationship.

But everyone who knows and loves Jen does their best to give her words of encouragement and wisdom...

Because after all, Thanksgiving is a time for acceptance.

Stars Michelle Williams, Joshua Jackson, Mary Beth Peil, James Van Der Beek, Mary Margaret Humes, John Wesley Shipp, Katie Holmes, Nina Repeta, Kerr Smith, Meredith Monroe, Mel Harris

Directed by Jim Chareston

Rated TVPG
DRAMA/SERIES/THANKSGIVING

Man with a Plan : Thanksgiving (2016)

Made for CBS, airing November 21st in the US.

Season 1. Episode 5.

The story: Adam and Andi are the house parents for Emme's class but since Andi has gone back to work, Adam has been handling things.

When Adam goes to the school to bring Emme's lunch that she forgot, he finds Andi's there talking to Mrs. Rodriquez.

He learns that it is his duty, as a class parent to help organize the Thanksgiving dinner for the class.

Andi is there because she figured Mrs. Rodriquez needed help and Adam couldn't handle it.

At first, Adam is happy that Andi is gonna handle it.

That is until he thinks she believes he cannot organize it without her.

Stars Matt LeBlanc, Liza Snyder, Grace Kaufman, Matthew McCann, Hala Finley, Jessica Chaffin, Matt Cook, Diana Maria Riva, Kevin Nealon, Kali Rocha 

Directed by James Burrows

Rated TVPG
COMEDY/SERIES/THANKSGIVING