6 Thanksgiving episodes you didn’t see coming

Forget perfect turkey dinners and heartfelt hugs—Thanksgiving on TV is so much better when things get weird. From magical mishaps to vampire hauntings, these episodes take everything you thought you knew about Thanksgiving and toss it out the window (along with the cranberry sauce). These aren’t just holiday episodes; they’re a celebration of breaking traditions in the quirkiest ways possible. Ready for a feast of chaos, humor, and maybe even fried chicken? Let’s dig in.

1. Buffy the Vampire Slayer – "Pangs" (season 4, episode 8)

Thanksgiving in Sunnydale was never going to be a Hallmark affair. Buffy just wants a nice, peaceful dinner, but a vengeful Chumash spirit has other ideas. What starts as a holiday celebration quickly turns into a supernatural showdown, complete with Spike tied to a chair and sarcastically pointing out everyone’s moral dilemmas. The episode isn’t just action-packed—it’s a biting (pun intended) critique of colonialism wrapped in classic Buffy humor. Even in the chaos, it reminds us to question the sanitized stories we’ve been told about holidays.

And let’s not forget Giles, ever the reluctant host, trying to juggle turkey preparation with the apocalypse looming. Because who needs peace when you have a Chumash spirit to spice things up? It’s a perfect reminder that even the best-laid holiday plans can descend into hilarity when the unexpected hits.

2. Gilmore Girls – "A deep-fried Korean Thanksgiving" (season 3, episode 9)

Lorelai and Rory take multitasking to a new level, juggling four Thanksgiving dinners in a single day. Between deep-fried turkey at Luke’s and Emily’s passive-aggressive jabs at family dinner, this episode is a chaotic delight. And, of course, the unexpected touch of Korean cuisine at Lane’s house gives it that quirky Gilmore Girls twist. Who says Thanksgiving has to be traditional? It’s a reminder that sometimes, a little cultural mix is exactly what makes the holiday special.

The highlight? Lorelai’s commentary on deep-frying a turkey—equal parts horrified and fascinated. It’s these small, sharp observations that make the episode so endearing. And, honestly, isn’t juggling family drama and good food the real Thanksgiving tradition? Lorelai and Rory show us that sometimes, surviving the chaos is the real victory.

3. The Simpsons – "Bart vs. Thanksgiving" (season 2, episode 7)

Leave it to The Simpsons to turn Thanksgiving into a family feud. When Bart destroys Lisa’s centerpiece during the holiday dinner, it sets off a chain reaction of drama and humor. Running away from home, Bart finds himself on a journey that forces him to reflect on family, gratitude, and what Thanksgiving really means. It’s heartfelt, hilarious, and undeniably Simpsons.

The cherry on top? Homer’s clueless attempts to restore peace while inadvertently making everything worse. And let’s not forget Bart’s signature chaos, proving that if Thanksgiving is about giving thanks, the Simpson household might just need a little extra practice. This episode is a love letter to the beautifully messy reality of family gatherings.

4. Scream Queens – "Thanksgiving" (season 1, episode 10)

The highlight? A macabre whodunit unfolding over cranberry sauce and side-eye glances, with Chanel Oberlin delivering razor-sharp insults alongside equally sharp cutlery. It’s a Thanksgiving feast where the tension is thicker than gravy, and the only thing more dangerous than the carving knife is the drama at the table. Who needs pumpkin pie when you’ve got a slice of murder mystery?

Thanksgiving gets a killer twist in Scream Queens, where the turkey isn’t the only thing being carved. As the Chanel clique gathers for a "festive" holiday dinner, secrets, accusations, and a healthy dose of chaos take center stage. True to the show’s campy, over-the-top vibe, the episode serves up more slashes than stuffing, leaving viewers wondering who’s about to be the next course.

5. Brooklyn Nine-Nine – "Two turkeys" (season 5, episode 7)

Jake and Amy’s attempt to unite their families for Thanksgiving descends into pure chaos as cultural differences and family quirks clash. From awkward toasts to overly competitive dads, this episode captures the uncomfortable hilarity of forcing everyone to "get along." It’s proof that sometimes, disaster makes for the best holiday memories—and that embracing imperfection is the real win.

A standout moment? Terry’s attempts to mediate the madness, only to have his own Thanksgiving plans derailed. Because, let’s face it, no Thanksgiving is complete without someone accidentally ruining everything. The episode reminds us that when turkeys (literal and figurative) start flying, laughter is the best way to survive the holiday storm.

6. The Big Bang Theory – "The Thanksgiving Decoupling" (season 7, episode 9)

Thanksgiving takes a turn for the unexpected when Penny reveals a drunken Vegas wedding from her past, and Sheldon gets roped into cooking. With Howard hosting, the dinner quickly becomes a comedic battlefield, complete with cringeworthy moments and laugh-out-loud surprises. It’s an unconventional spin on the holiday that’s as quirky as the gang itself, showing us that Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be picture-perfect to be fun.

Sheldon’s hilariously rigid approach to turkey preparation steals the show, proving that even holiday dinners can benefit from a little eccentricity. Nothing says "family holiday" like awkward secrets and overcooked turkey, after all, the most delicious dish on this table is the comedy.

Bonus section—A bit of trivia

Holiday traditions: from turkey to fried chicken

Throughout these episodes, one theme becomes clear: holiday traditions are anything but universal. Whether it’s Lane’s Korean spin on Thanksgiving in Gilmore Girls or the magical chaos of Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, these stories remind us that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to celebrating.

And speaking of unique traditions, did you know that Christmas in Japan revolves around fried chicken—specifically, KFC? This modern custom began in 1974 with a brilliant marketing campaign called “Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii” (Kentucky for Christmas). With turkey and roast dinners being uncommon in Japan, KFC presented fried chicken as the perfect alternative for a festive meal inspired by Western traditions. The campaign was an instant success, and today, it’s so popular that families pre-order buckets weeks in advance to ensure their Christmas feast.

It’s a delicious reminder that holiday meals can take on wildly different forms around the world—and that sometimes, breaking tradition is the best tradition of all.

A feast for the unexpected

Thanksgiving is all about gratitude—but who says gratitude can’t come with a side of chaos and creativity? These episodes prove that stepping away from tradition doesn’t just make for better stories; it makes for unforgettable ones. Whether it’s cultural mashups or epic family feuds, these Thanksgiving tales embrace the unexpected and remind us that imperfections are what make holidays truly memorable.

So, grab some pie (or fried chicken), queue up these episodes, and let TV remind you: the best Thanksgivings aren’t about the perfect turkey—they’re about the messy, magical moments that stay with you long after the credits roll.