While Thanksgiving is traditionally a holiday to celebrate family, friends, and food, its also a day of great television. Back-to-back football games, the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade, the dog show: No matter your interests, theres something on TV for everyone. However, once dinner is over and the festivities have quieted down, you may be looking for something more familiar to watch. Luckily, Friends has 10 iconic Thanksgiving episodes for your viewing pleasure.
From Ross and Rachels first fight to the laugh-out-loud episode full of the gangs worst Thanksgiving memories, the nostalgia is ideal for that sleepy time between feasting and Black Friday shopping. Even if youre like Chandler and refuse to celebrate the American holiday, watching Friends is never a bad idea. Plus, you can ogle their New York apartments for hours on end.
If youve never seen an episode of the fan-favorite television show, these are actually great episodes to start with. You not only get a humorous introduction to the six main characters, but you also learn about their pasts and their relationship dynamics. Ahead, were highlighting each and every one of the Friends Thanksgiving episodes from season one all the way to season 10. Happy watching!
For 10 seasons, the hit sitcom Friends made viewers laugh and cry as they followed the lives of six tight-knit friends living in New York City. And every Thanksgiving, fans could count on the Friends crew to deliver hilarious turkey day escapades. But no Friend embraced Thanksgiving quite like Joey Tribbiani, who became famous for packing away entire turkeys all by himself.
Joey Loves His Turkey
Thanksgiving was made for Joey. With his endless appetite and ability to eat astounding quantities of food, the holiday was right up his alley. While the other Friends often approached Thanksgiving with trepidation, knowing they’d overindulge, Joey gleefully looked forward to stuffing his face.
In fact, starting in Season 5 it became an annual tradition for Joey to eat an entire turkey over the course of an episode. He first took on the challenge in “The One With All the Thanksgivings” astounding his friends by finishing a 19-pound turkey alone.
Gobbling Down the Birds
Over the next few seasons, Joey’s turkey eating prowess became legendary. In “The One Where Ross Got High,” he polished off an even bigger, 20-pound bird, much to the awe of Chandler and Ross.
The following year, in “The One With the Rumor,” Joey insisted that he would eat an entire turkey after Monica decided not to cook one. He gleefully donned a pair of Rachel’s maternity pants with the expandable waistband and plowed through a 19-pound turkey from start to finish.
In the final season, Joey was at it again, housing another monstrous bird in “The One With the Late Thanksgiving.” When the rest of the gang got locked out of Monica’s apartment, Joey kept the Thanksgiving spirit going by digging into the turkey.
Feats of Strength
Over the years, some fans have questioned whether Joey’s turkey-eating feats were realistic. But considering his track record for wild eating challenges, it’s not hard to imagine him taking down entire birds.
This is the guy who once finished an entire platter meant for four people, including 32 ounces of meat, 6 chicken wings, and 2 entire pizzas. He also ate 13 meatball subs in one sitting after losing a bet.
With his expansive stomach and relentless appetite, Joey tackling massive Thanksgiving turkeys solo didn’t seem far-fetched. It was just another legendary food challenge for this ravenous Tribbiani!
An Homage to the Holiday
Joey’s turkey-eating Thanksgiving tradition became a beloved staple of the show. It was the writers’ way of honoring the holiday and all its food-filled glory.
Of course, most Thanksgiving meals are about more than just eating They center around gratitude, family, and community. But the show captured that idea in other ways, while allowing Joey to indulge in the feast.
For fans, seeing Joey blissfully consume entire turkeys while wearing stretchy maternity belts became a hilarious Thanksgiving tradition. It just wouldn’t feel like Turkey Day without this lovable Tribbiani tucking into bird after decadent bird!
Gobble Gobble!
Joey and Thanksgiving were a match made in heaven. While his friends approached the holiday with anxiety, knowing they’d overeat, Joey saw it as a personal challenge.
Year after year, he cemented his reputation as the resident turkey gobbling champion. By fearlessly taking on entire succulent birds, Joey created a hilarious legacy and gave fans an iconic Thanksgiving tradition.
So next Turkey Day, as you gather with family and friends for a delicious meal, be sure to save a toast for Joey. The patron saint of epic Thanksgiving appetites! Gobble gobble!
Joey’s Tips for Turkey Day
If you want to eat like Joey this Thanksgiving, here are some pro tips:
- Loosen your belt and undo that top button – you’ll need the room!
- Pace yourself, but don’t stop eating. This is a marathon, not a sprint.
- Go for the dense, meaty parts first when tackling the turkey.
- Don’t fill up on sides, no matter how tempting the mashed potatoes are. Keep your eye on the turkey prize!
- Moisten each bite with gravy or cranberry sauce to help it go down easy.
- If you start to feel full, power through by remembering how impressed everyone will be.
- End with pie, because there’s always room for dessert!
The One With All the Thanksgivings – Joey’s First Turkey
In this iconic Season 5 episode, Joey takes on his first solo turkey challenge. Despite his friends’ disbelief, he astounds them by consuming an entire 19-pound bird himself. This launched the new Thanksgiving tradition of seeing just how much turkey Joey can pack away.
The One Where Ross Got High – Upgrading to 20 Pounds
The following year, Joey sets his sights even higher, taking on a massive 20-pound turkey after Ross and Chandler refuse to eat Monica’s dry experimental bird. He stuns everyone by polishing off the entire thing.
The One With the Rumor – Wearing Maternity Pants
In Season 8, Joey insists he’ll eat a whole turkey even after Monica refuses to cook one. He dons Rachel’s roomy maternity pants and proceeds to inhale another 19-pound turkey. Rachel is simultaneously disturbed and impressed.
The One With the Late Thanksgiving – Gobbling Solo
In the show’s last Thanksgiving episode, the gang gets locked out of Monica’s apartment on Turkey Day. But Joey keeps their tradition alive by eating an entire turkey himself while waiting to get back in.
Season 1, Episode 9: “The One Where Underdog Gets Away”
Plot: When Monica and Rosss parents go out of town for the holiday, Monica offers to host her first Thanksgiving dinner for the gang. Chandler reveals he hates Thanksgiving but agrees to come if his traditional meal of grilled cheese and Funyuns is served. But Rachel doesnt plan on sticking around and instead tries to earn enough money to join her familys skiing trip. In the end, everyone pitches in to help Rachel buy her ticket. Meanwhile, Joey finds himself in an unfortunate incident and cant go home because his entire family thinks he has VD. On the big day, the six New Yorkers run to the roof to watch an escaped Macys parade balloon pass by but get locked out of the apartment—causing Rachel to miss her flight and dinner to be ruined. But at least they have each other—and Chandlers grilled cheese sandwiches.
Why: Watching the six friends realize theyd rather spend Thanksgiving together than with their respective families sets the stage for many wonderful Thanksgivings to come. It feels real—as is the fact that they arrive at this realization by yelling at each other.
Best Home Moment: When the girls get locked out of their apartment after everyone goes to the roof to watch Underdog float away, the guys come to the rescue—kind of. They just have to work their way through a drawer of a zillion keys, which honestly is something we all can relate to.
Season 7, Episode 8: “The One Where Chandler Doesn’t Like Dogs”
Plot: Rachel invites her hot assistant, Tag, to Thanksgiving dinner and contemplates making a move after she hears he broke up with his girlfriend. Chandler challenges the group to name all 50 states in six minutes, and Ross tortures himself when he cant name them all. The gang finds out that Phoebes been hiding a dog in her room at Monica and Chandlers, which forces Chandler to admit he hates dogs.
Why: The “state” game would definitely be a hit for families during holiday gatherings, and we love that Ross is so sure he can nail it and then so disappointed in himself when he just cant seem to figure out which ones hes missing. Also, this episode features one of the greatest Friends jokes ever:
JOEY: If he [Tag, Rachels assistant] doesnt like you, then this is all just a moo point.
RACHEL: Huh. A moo point?
JOEY: Yeah, its like a cows opinion, you know, it just doesnt matter. Its “moo.”
RACHEL: Have I been living with him for too long, or did that all just make sense?
Best Home Moment: When Monica goes over to Rosss apartment to pick up the pies shes been baking there, she wonders aloud to Chandler, “Rosss apartment is nice, why dont we ever hang out here?” And shes right! We cant stop thinking about how Ross could never afford a place with a living room like that.
Friends – Joey’s Thanksgiving Pants
FAQ
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