"Friends" is one of my all-time favorite shows and Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.
How can these two things get any better you may ask? By smushing them together!
The Friendsgiving episodes are some of the most loved from the series and I always look forward to seeing them pop up on TV during the holidays. Just in case you've forgotten about these gems or are having trouble deciding which to watch this week, don't worry I've got you covered. Unlike most shows, even "Gossip Girl" which is known for great Thanksgiving episodes, "Friends" has a Thanksgiving episode in every single season throughout its 10 season run.
10. The One with the List (Season 2)
The main reason this episode is ranked at number 10 is that it includes the least amount of Thanksgiving spirit. The entire episode centers around yet another will they/won't they saga with Ross and Rachel. Joey and Chandler try to help Ross decide between Rachel and Julie by making a pros and cons list, which Rachel soon finds. It is filled with lots of drama but the only Thanksgiving related content is Monica including nasty mockolate in all the dishes. As a Friends episode it's not bad but as a Friendsgiving episode, it's pretty bad.
9. The One with Rachel's Other Sister (Season 9)
This one probably would have been number ten but unlike the list episode, it is much more Thanksgiving centered as almost the entire episode takes place at the table. Rachel's sister, Amy, comes to dinner and she and Chandler discover Rachel and Ross don't trust either of them enough to leave Emma with them if they were to die. Chandler begins having a personal crisis about his abilities to be a father and Amy gets into a fight with Rachel, complete with slapping and hair-pulling. It might be just me but I just can't stand Amy and found most of this episode exceptionally annoying. The only highlight is Monica's panic attack over using the good china at dinner and scrambling to save them once the fight breaks out.
8. The One Where Ross Got High (Season 6)
Monica's parents are coming to dinner and she is nervous to tell them about her and Chandler living together because they don't like Chandler. Ross later reveals the reason is that he once lied and told his parents the weed they found in his room was Chandler's. The standout of this episode is Rachel's English Trifle that she accidentally combines with Shephard's pie. Joey, of course, loves it but Ross insists it takes like feet.
7. The One Where Chandler Doesn't like Dogs (Season 7)
Phoebe is watching a friend's dog (Clunkers) who everyone loves but Chandler hates dogs, yes even puppies, and pretends to be allergic. The dog is cute but the best part of this episode of when the friends all try to name all 50 states and an overconfident Ross refuses to let himself eat dinner until he can list every single one. The episode ends with Ross showing up in the middle of the night wanting his dinner now that he has finally thought of them all. Damn you Deleware!
6. The One with the late Thanksgiving (Season 10)
It's been nine years of hosting Thanksgiving and Monica is finally over it! But the gang insists that she has to do it in order to show up all her past thanksgivings to make this the best one ever. But then everyone is late, like really late. Extremely angry, Monica and Chandler lock everyone out of the apartment. Ross, Rachel, Joey, and Phoebe try to apologize through the locked door, resulting in the iconic talking heads scene. Naturally, Joey gets his head stuck in the door and chaos ensues. But all the craziness is interrupted when Monica gets a call that she and Chandler have been selected to be adoptive parents! This episode is pretty cute and would be higher on the list if it weren't for the fact that we never actually get to the Thanksgiving dinner and most of the episode takes place in the hallway.
5. The One with Chandler in a Box (Season 4)
In order for Chandler to prove to Joey that he is sorry for kissing his girlfriend, Joey makes
4. The One with the Rumor (Seaosn 8)
This is in the top because of Brad P
3. The One Where Underdog Gets Away (Season 1)
It's Monica's first time cooking Thanksgiving dinner for the friends. Everyone's own plans got canceled and now they want Monica to follow each of their traditions, resulting in three different kinds of potatoes being made. Joey's big audition leads to him becoming the poster boy for VD and of course the Underdog balloon breaks free from the Macy's parade. When everyone goes to the roof to watch, the "keeeys" are forgotten. Rachel doesn't get to go "shoop shooping" and Monica's dinner is ruined. But it all turns out okay after they see ugly naked guy having dinner with ugly naked girl and remember what the holiday is all about.
2. The One with the Football (Season 3)
In one of my favorite Friends episodes ever, the whole gang decides to play a game of football despite the fact that Monica and ross aren't allowed to because of what happened at Geller Bowl 6. Even though we don't see any Thanksgiving dinner at all, watching the friends play football really puts you in the holiday mood. Ross and Monica's rivalry turns the game into a battle of the sexes with the girls resorting to some pretty unconventional methods. This episode is a one of a kind Thanksgiving episode because the entire episode takes place in the park as they play the game. Sadly, we'll never truly know who won the Geller Cup.
1. The One with All the Thanksgivings (Season 5)
Unlike any other Thanksgiving episodes, this one opens up after the gang has already eaten. While everyone discusses what they are thankful for, they begin to compare bad past thanksgiving stories. Each story gets its own flashback, including baby chandler learning about his parent's divorce, Phoebe's many past lives, Joey getting a turkey stuck on his head and of course Monica chopping off Chandler's toe. A fun look into the past complete with ross's mustache, Rachel's OG nose and best of all, fat Monica. This Friendsgiving episode takes the cake, ending with Monica dancing with a turkey on her head and Chandler telling her that he loves her for the first time.
Nobody does Friendsgiving quite like Friends and it, of course, wouldn't be Thanksgiving without a little emotional scarring. Here's hoping your Thanksgiving is as chaotic, dysfunctional and full of family and friends as these.