tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post5029971339001729588..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: I hate Thanksgiving episodesBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-83842966796904940332013-12-06T11:42:10.603-08:002013-12-06T11:42:10.603-08:00The Simpsons Thanksgiving ep was great, but one I ...The Simpsons Thanksgiving ep was great, but one I always liked was the All in the Family show where Mike Stivic's draft dodging friend was over to supper.mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-9222791824114634982013-11-27T23:49:13.897-08:002013-11-27T23:49:13.897-08:00Thanks for reminding me about Bob Newhart and &quo...Thanks for reminding me about Bob Newhart and "More goo!" I hadn't seen or even thought of that episode in years, so I checked and yes indeed, MeTV played it tonight! Got it on the DVR along with "Turkeys Away"; I hope we don't choke from laughing as we eat.<br /><br />Cheers, the lot of you,<br /><br />StormStormnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-38170746986003733512013-11-27T18:01:12.634-08:002013-11-27T18:01:12.634-08:00so what are the best Thanksgiving episodes? WKRP i...so what are the best Thanksgiving episodes? WKRP is up there. The Cheers food fight should be too.DyHrdMEThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07621011643939597497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-36709785635592900272013-11-25T14:19:36.915-08:002013-11-25T14:19:36.915-08:00I enjoyed all the FRIENDS Thanksgiving episodes. I...I enjoyed all the FRIENDS Thanksgiving episodes. I especially liked that they continued doing them -- often series will have 1 holiday-themed episode per run that airs each year.Stephen Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03670422634319094941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-50490050738628032022013-11-25T11:39:27.166-08:002013-11-25T11:39:27.166-08:00On the drama side - West Wing had some great Thank...On the drama side - West Wing had some great Thanksgiving episodes with Shibboleth and Indians in the Lobby.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-67317716015173903242013-11-25T08:49:09.039-08:002013-11-25T08:49:09.039-08:00Why do holiday episodes have to be obligatory now ...Why do holiday episodes have to be obligatory now anyway? You look back at some shows, and they may have had a holiday episode every once in a while, or in some cases, a lot of shows never had a holiday episode of any kind.Joseph Scarbroughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06851086150240380366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-70202697133428517792013-11-25T08:32:30.789-08:002013-11-25T08:32:30.789-08:00AVClub.com has posted a lovely review of the Cheer...AVClub.com has posted a lovely review of the Cheers Thanksgiving episode. They are doing the Bob Newhart Thanksgiving episode on Thursday.cpcathynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-18445076449194254212013-11-25T07:09:27.154-08:002013-11-25T07:09:27.154-08:00OMG, I still remember that episode of WKRP ... sho...OMG, I still remember that episode of WKRP ... shows like that were so great because they included "white space," allowing for a collaboration between the show and the viewer's imagination. Today we would have had the scene pushed into our faces in grotesque living color, and it would be instantly forgettable ... at least you would try very hard to forget it. <br /><br />The Neighbors - I'm one of those people who thought it was stupid. I still do, but I have to admit it also has charm. <br /><br /> McAlvienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-80148190391064109812013-11-25T06:06:08.726-08:002013-11-25T06:06:08.726-08:00You're absolutely right - WKRP is #1...but as ...You're absolutely right - WKRP is #1...but as a family, we still use the line "dinner and a show" from a Drew Carey Thanksgiving episode that featured his character's transvestite brotherstephanie robertsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-15500408821228403172013-11-25T05:59:55.060-08:002013-11-25T05:59:55.060-08:00I second the comment about the Neighbors. It gets...I second the comment about the Neighbors. It gets better and better every week.<br />And as someone who lives in the woods, yes, turkeys can fly.Michael Stoffelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-48243473509350720372013-11-24T21:23:53.779-08:002013-11-24T21:23:53.779-08:00Dale's excerpt left out one of my all-time fav...Dale's excerpt left out one of my all-time favorite lines:<br /><br />Spike: You exterminated his race. What could you possibly say that would make him feel better? It's kill or be killed here. Take your bloody pick.<br />Xander: Maybe it's the syphilis talking, but, some of that made sense.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14705408455380402571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-89026413524919343822013-11-24T19:39:18.797-08:002013-11-24T19:39:18.797-08:00The Cheers episode just got a long and laudatory w...The Cheers episode just got a long and laudatory writeup at The Onion AV Club.DBensonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-37928569046334272242013-11-24T18:46:03.205-08:002013-11-24T18:46:03.205-08:00"Is this a burnt turkey I see before me?"..."Is this a burnt turkey I see before me?"<br />"No, it's a chicken in blackface."Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06248182899977033579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-44925609839095350692013-11-24T16:34:41.784-08:002013-11-24T16:34:41.784-08:00I right away thought of Last Man Standings episode...I right away thought of Last Man Standings episode last Friday night. dealt with the legalization of pot in Colorado, how their family deals with the Grandpas new business venture. very unique compared to your above said burning the turkey, etc episodes. interesting to see the dialogue on their facebook page, seems that some people heard the word pot and zoned out, not listening to the message, just hating right away. it was unique and I thought very well written. marienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-50099391789711460262013-11-24T15:06:19.627-08:002013-11-24T15:06:19.627-08:00The "Buffy" thanksgiving features the ca...The "Buffy" thanksgiving features the cast being attacked by angry spirits of dead Native Americans...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-22099110643352603502013-11-24T14:12:37.642-08:002013-11-24T14:12:37.642-08:00Yes, Jack Benny did some really good Thanksgiving ...Yes, Jack Benny did some really good Thanksgiving episodes. Most of them were on radio, and are accessible online.<br /><br />There's a moment in the FRASIER ep. with Paxton Whitehead that's one of my favorites anywhere. When Frasier and Lilith hand him a check thinking he's looking for a bribe, he says something like "This is the most offensive thing I've ever seen, in every possible way." In the middle of the line, he opens the check to see the amount, and closes it at exactly the right moment while saying "In every possible way".<br /><br />That bit of business, and Whitehead's perfect timing, slay me every time.Mike Schryverhttp://www.otrcomedy.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-31131595753060531712013-11-24T13:38:18.478-08:002013-11-24T13:38:18.478-08:00WKRP in Cincinnati is definitely the gold standard...WKRP in Cincinnati is definitely the gold standard, but I'm surprised no one has mentioned the episode of Mad About You that featured 5 turkeys. dgwphotographyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17457021093344362212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-84213441423078863822013-11-24T12:49:11.073-08:002013-11-24T12:49:11.073-08:00Totally agree Ken, but have to say that this years...Totally agree Ken, but have to say that this years Big Bang was a pretty stellar episode.Pizzagodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03216786974237160998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-4783595782045706692013-11-24T12:24:16.144-08:002013-11-24T12:24:16.144-08:00Actually, Jack Benny did a classic Thanksgiving ep...Actually, Jack Benny did a classic Thanksgiving episode where he dreamed he was on trial for killing a turkey. The cast all had to "gobble" their lines and it was insane.<br /><br />Can't recall another sitcom with that storyline.Greg Ehrbarhttp://www.cartoonresearch.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-938401981749053472013-11-24T12:11:54.067-08:002013-11-24T12:11:54.067-08:00I also liked the FRIENDS Thanksgiving episodes, bu...I also liked the FRIENDS Thanksgiving episodes, but I really loathe the increasing FRIENDSification of THE BIG BANG THEORY - for which last week's episode provided further evidence. I will say, though, it didn't use any of the plots Ken listed above.<br /><br />wgWendy M. Grossmanhttp://www.pelicancrossing.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-27686108969655911062013-11-24T12:04:23.892-08:002013-11-24T12:04:23.892-08:00Holiday episodes have been a staple going back to ...Holiday episodes have been a staple going back to the Golden Age of Radio, where everybody from Jack Benny to The Great Gildersleeve did such an episode, and they weren't any different than today, with the exception of enough sentimental slop piled on to make you gag.Brian Drakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01233187184688491057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-63608176922978657162013-11-24T12:02:52.023-08:002013-11-24T12:02:52.023-08:00Sitcoms that have done Thanksgiving right --
WKRP...Sitcoms that have done Thanksgiving right --<br /><br />WKRP<br />Friends<br />Big Bang Theory<br />Bob Newhart<br />Mad about You<br />Cosby Show<br />Beverly Hillbillies<br />Home Improvement (partially)<br />Huckleberry Hound<br /><br />DwWashburnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03057278992504418291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-66770404972977099642013-11-24T11:56:42.411-08:002013-11-24T11:56:42.411-08:00A definite thumbs up for this past week's epis...A definite thumbs up for this past week's episode of The Neighbors. BTW Here is a show which started off terrible but was given the chance by the network to find it's footing and is now one of my favorites. Neighbors and Raising Hope are two very underappreciated gems!unkystannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-66342972838088674012013-11-24T11:49:45.961-08:002013-11-24T11:49:45.961-08:00There's one more overused Thanksgiving episode...There's one more overused Thanksgiving episode trope: "Group of friends and/or coworkers all have their holiday plans canceled at once, forcing the core cast to celebrate together without having to pay for any guest stars or off-site locations."BigTednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-44571734823293052502013-11-24T11:13:37.077-08:002013-11-24T11:13:37.077-08:00Leaving WKRP IN CINCINNATI out of it (because that...Leaving WKRP IN CINCINNATI out of it (because that is THE gold standard), I agree with Eduardo Jencarelli. The Thanksgiving episodes of FRIENDS were among the best of that series (particularly the one with Mr. Jennifer Aniston at that time). And while FRASIER is my favorite comedy of all time, that Thanksgiving episode is one of my least favorites. Although you can never go wrong with Paxton Whitehead.<br /><br />ETA: interesting word verification: phkgramp (sound it out)LinGinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02886475328549600984noreply@blogger.com