Why Don’t More TV Series Have Thanksgiving Episodes?

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As a gamer with a deep love for pop culture and a soft spot for Thanksgiving-themed TV episodes, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia when I think about this underrated holiday on television. Growing up, my family would gather around the old CRT TV, munching on turkey leftovers and watching reruns of “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” or “The Simpsons’ Turkey Day episodes.” Those moments were some of the highlights of my childhood, and I cherished them dearly.

It’s hard to envision a common TV series without an episode dedicated to Christmas or Halloween. These storylines are essential components of traditional programs, particularly network shows airing 20-22 episodes annually. Having a standard spooky or festive holiday episode is a convenient method to quickly cover popular storylines for those seasons. Interestingly, however, Thanksgiving isn’t as prevalent on television compared to other year-end holidays. While series like “Friends” and “Bob’s Burgers” have numerous Thanksgiving episodes, many TV shows avoid the holiday altogether. Why is this the case? What factors could explain why Thanksgiving hasn’t become a staple in TV history as other end-of-the-year holidays?

Thanksgiving Ain’t Valuable (Commercially)

Often, the most straightforward answers are indeed accurate ones. As for why there aren’t many TV episodes centered around Thanksgiving compared to Halloween or Christmas, this could be due to the fact that Thanksgiving is less commercialized. When you visit your local Walmart or Dillard’s during October or December, you’re bombarded with decorations for Halloween and Christmas. However, Thanksgiving-themed items are much harder to come by, and there’s no iconic figure like Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny associated with it. Additionally, there aren’t any products that are traditionally sold as ‘must-haves’ for Thanksgiving, unlike candy and toys for Halloween or Christmas. Instead, Thanksgiving is a social holiday where stores mainly sell food, but not necessarily all the additional items that other holidays have in abundance.

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In simpler terms, executives haven’t felt much urgency from advertisers to consistently create TV shows with Thanksgiving-themed episodes because of its messier nature compared to other holidays and its focus on adult reconnection rather than nostalgia and excitement like Halloween or the emotional complexity of Christmas and Hanukkah.

Thanksgiving Needs More Clout

It’s worth noting that the extensive history of TV episodes themed around Christmas and Halloween has created quite a significant impact, leaving Thanksgiving in their shadow. For instance, Halloween evokes memories of numerous “Treehouse of Horror” specials from The Simpsons, while Christmas brings to mind classic holiday specials like A Charlie Brown Christmas or popular sitcom episodes that celebrate the season’s spirit.

It’s challenging to translate episodes about Thanksgiving for international audiences because it’s an exclusively American holiday. Many TV shows aim to be watched globally, but there are other holidays like Christmas and Halloween that are celebrated in countries beyond the U.S. Thanksgiving is deeply connected with the history and foundation of America, which might not resonate with global viewers, particularly within a light-hearted sitcom context. These types of TV shows are designed to be easily understood, not to alienate potential viewers with customs that may be unfamiliar outside of the U.S.

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Thanksgiving is rarely as prevalent on TV as other significant holidays, for various reasons. For instance, unlike December days leading up to major holidays, there’s little anticipation or build-up for Thanksgiving. Consequently, it can be difficult for broadcasters and streaming platforms to plan a timely Thanksgiving-themed episode that resonates with viewers. However, despite these hurdles, you can still find plenty of Thanksgiving episodes in popular culture.

Contrary to popular belief, the 2010s marked a shift where unconventional TV comedies filled the gap left by classic sitcoms and Thanksgiving programming on broadcast networks. Shows like “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”, “The League”, and “Veep” were among those that embraced complex, quirky characters and incorporated them into Thanksgiving-themed episodes, mirroring the holiday’s penchant for family drama and comedic chaos. Interestingly, this period also witnessed the arrival of “Bob’s Burgers”, a show centered around cooking and family antics. Not surprisingly, given its theme, it started airing regular Thanksgiving episodes that have since become a cherished part of many viewers’ holiday customs.

Despite some deviations from typical TV patterns, Thanksgiving episodes continue to stand out as unusual on television. This is particularly noticeable in today’s streaming television era, where shows produce fewer episodes per season and often release them all at once rather than spacing them out over eight or nine months. Consequently, there’s typically minimal opportunity for even episodes centered around major holidays like Thanksgiving. By the last Thursday of November, many will be enjoying their Thanksgiving feast. However, it seems unlikely that they’ll be doing so while a Thanksgiving-themed episode of their favorite TV show is playing in the background.

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2024-11-18 04:11