What are the best TV shows to watch this Thanksgiving?

Friends season 6 episode 9 — “The One Where Ross Got High”

Let’s get this one out of the way. Friends has given us a wealth of holiday episodes over the course of its 10 seasons, but none shine so bright as those it aired for Thanksgiving.

Choosing just one in fact was a hard task, given that a very nearly 90s Brad Pitt shows up in one and that should be reason alone to include him in this top five. However, I managed to restrain myself and a certain trifle moment ended up pipping that beautiful blonde dimpled angel to the post.

In this episode, Monica plays host to her parents, who don’t know that she and Chandler are dating. Chandler attempts to win them over and what ensues is pure and utter nonsense that somehow, in the Friends universe, absolutely works.

The episode ends with Monica and Ross yelling (deeply embarrassing) secrets about each other in front of their parents, in typical sibling fashion, whilst Phoebe admits to having a crush on, of all people, Jacques Cousteau. Rachel finds out she wasn’t supposed to put beef in the trifle (truly iconic) and topping it off, Joey loves the new recipe.  

But as with most Friends episodes, what it comes down to is pure heart. Mr and Mrs Geller, played as exquisitely as ever by Elliot Gould and Christina Pickles, end up not only liking Chandler but thanking him for putting up with their kids. It’s cute and it’s about family.

Simply put, it’s a classic.