Giving Thanks
Since there aren't a lot of Thanksgiving movies, I re-watch some of my favorite turkey day-themed episodes of TV in anticipation for tomorrow. I've included a rundown of some of the best below, so you can get in the mood for the holiday!
Knowing how much the Gilmore Girls eat, it only makes sense season three's Thanksgiving episode, titled A Deep-Fried, Korean Thanksgiving, tells the story of Lorelai and Rory attending four different dinners for the holiday (they opt to skip the rolls to save room). On its own, it's a really sharp and funny episode of the show. Paired with the holiday, it's a must-watch before Thursday. The girls kick things off at Lane's house, where they try and avoid eating any of the tofurky being served, then they move to Sookie's, where a turkey is being deep-fried in the front yard, followed by more traditional dinner at Luke's and the night concludes with a feast at the grandparent's house, which ends in conflict before the girls have a chance to eat their dinner. You know what that means? They didn't have to skip the rolls after all!
In Parenthood's Thanksgiving episode, the typical Braverman family drama comes to a head as dinner is being served. Julia is insecure about her pie-making skills and her skills as a mother; Crosby and Joel are feuding over who will run their children's school play; Sarah has invited her boyfriend (Adam's boss) to Thanksgiving dinner; Adam discovers that the company where he works has just been sold; Drew is missing his estranged father; Zeek and Camille are dealing with some relationship issues of their own; and I'm sure there are a couple more tidbits I'm forgetting. Suffice it to say, we end up with a funny, entertaining and heartwarming story that includes a family football game, family dinner and family dance-off. Classic Braverman traditions.
In Parenthood's Thanksgiving episode, the typical Braverman family drama comes to a head as dinner is being served. Julia is insecure about her pie-making skills and her skills as a mother; Crosby and Joel are feuding over who will run their children's school play; Sarah has invited her boyfriend (Adam's boss) to Thanksgiving dinner; Adam discovers that the company where he works has just been sold; Drew is missing his estranged father; Zeek and Camille are dealing with some relationship issues of their own; and I'm sure there are a couple more tidbits I'm forgetting. Suffice it to say, we end up with a funny, entertaining and heartwarming story that includes a family football game, family dinner and family dance-off. Classic Braverman traditions.
During her first year of college, Felicity decides to stay in New York for Thanksgiving a cook a meal in the dorm. While everyone knows that's a recipe for disaster, the real problems begin when Noel brings his long-distance girlfriend to the festivities. As Noel and Felicity bicker, they end up sharing a kiss in the bathroom (Team Noel!!), which Ben accidentally walks in on. The entire group ends up at the dorm dinner for the Thanksgiving meal; fortunately Javier supplies the turkey.
In How I Met Your Mother's season three episode, Slapsgiving, Marshall and Lily are hosting their first holiday as a married couple in the apartment. Lily is busy worrying about everything going well, while Marshall is preoccupied with taunting Barney about their ongoing "slap bet." Meanwhile Robin and Ted are recently broken up and dealing with the awkwardness of being apart in the same friend group, leading to a pre-Thanksgiving hook-up during pie making and plenty of awkward small talk. Things culminate in a tension filled dinner and end with a song.
In season four of New Girl, the loft mates are using the holiday season as a matchmaking opportunity. In the Thanksgiving IV episode, each roommate draws a name from a Pilgrim hat and plans to bring a date to the dinner for the person whose name they pick. Schmidt's date for CeCe arrives too late; Nick picks his own name and opts to bring a friend for himself; Coach brings Jess her workplace crush, who she isn't allowed to date; Winston brings Schmidt a girl who briefly dated Nick; and Coach and Winston aren't thrilled with the dates that CeCe and Jess, respectively, picked for them. The friends argue; (some of the) couples bond; and things fall apart as the buffet-style meal is served!
Friends also has no shortage of festive episodes, but my personal favorite is The One with the Rumor from season eight, and it's not just because Brad Pitt makes a guest appearance as Will, a former classmate of Monica, Rachel and Ross. Will resents Rachel, who used to make fun of him high school, and tries to get Ross back on board for the "I Hate Rachel Green Club" that they founded years ago. Elsewhere, Joey prepares to eat an entire turkey (armed with Phoebe's maternity pants), and Monica and Chandler decide to use their wedding china for the festivities, with disastrous results.
Required Reading
I was happy to come across two food-focused articles to share you with this week! The first is from NPR, and it outlines several non-turkey food traditions from families across the country. From onion tarts with goat cheese to tamales to Korean fried chicken, everyone is serving up something delicious at their tables!
Almost 90 years ago, the first edition of Joy of Cooking was published. With a new version due out next year, Food & Wine put together a beautiful article detailing the powerful legacy of the cookbook, filled with anecdotes about what the guide has meant to its readers and the power food and cooking has on our lives.
And with that, I hope you all enjoy your meals tomorrow!
