Halloween has come and gone, and before we rush straight into Christmas celebrations and we begin to watch movies, and put up decorations, sand begin our Christmas shopping, and everything else that comes with the holiday season, I want to take a little time to enjoy Thanksgiving!
Which is why I am excited to bring you 27 Days of Thanksgiving Movies, Sitcoms & Shows to Watch Before Christmas here at Greatful Moments! Over the next 27 days, we’re sharing movies, classic sitcoms, television specials, and family favorites that you can enjoy during the Thanksgiving season.
They’re perfect for those evenings when you want to settle down, spend time together, and enjoy a little television before Christmas officially takes over our living rooms. Today’s selection is a show that has been making people laugh for decades: Friends!
And we’re going back to one of its most memorable holiday episodes, Season 5, Episode 8, “The One with All the Thanksgivings.” Before we get to the turkey, the embarrassing memories, and the romance, let’s take a little trip down memory lane.
When Did Friends First Begin?– Friends premiered September 22, 1994, on NBC. Created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, the sitcom followed six young adults navigating friendships, relationships, careers, family, and everyday life in New York City.
The original cast included:
- Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Green
- Courteney Cox as Monica Geller
- Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay
- David Schwimmer as Ross Geller
- Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing
- Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani
The show ran for 10 seasons, producing 236 episodes, before its final episode aired May 6, 2004. One of the reasons Friends became such a beloved television show was that the characters weren’t perfect. They made mistakes, got into arguments, experienced heartbreak, celebrated milestones, and sometimes found themselves in situations that were downright ridiculous. But through it all, they had one another.
Their friendships reminded viewers that family isn’t always limited to the people we’re related to. Sometimes, the friends who stand beside us become family, too. And if you watched the show from the beginning, you probably feel like you’ve known these six friends for years! For me they feel like family and I love when a show does that. How about you?
There is one thing about Friends which you can not talk about without mentioning Central Perk! The coffee shop was practically another character in the series. It was where Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Ross, Chandler, and Joey gathered to talk about their relationships, share their problems, celebrate good news, and occasionally get themselves into trouble.
And who could forget that famous orange couch? Whether the gang was drinking coffee, discussing their latest relationship problems, or simply spending time together, Central Perk became one of television’s most recognizable gathering places. And then there was Gunther!
Played by James Michael Tyler, Gunther was the Central Perk barista who seemed to always be around whenever the gang stopped for coffee. He was secretly in love with Rachel, and his crush became one of the show’s funniest ongoing storylines. His expressions, comments, and occasional attempts to get Rachel’s attention made him a memorable part of the series.
Now here is a fun fact you might not know. Gunther wasn’t one of the original six friends, he certainly earned his place in the hearts of viewers. Sadly, James Michael Tyler passed away on October 24, 2021, after battling prostate cancer. He was 59. I don’t know about you but I miss him. May he RIP.
Now, let’s talk about another character who didn’t need many lines to make people laugh! If you remember Monica and Rachel looking out their apartment window at the neighbor across the street, you probably remember Ugly Naked Guy! He was the mysterious neighbor who regularly went about his business without wearing any clothes. The friends would watch him through their apartment window, making observations and sharing their reactions.
Although viewers rarely got a good look at him and honestly I don’t ever remember seeing him, he became one of the show’s funniest recurring jokes. Eventually, the gang even developed a way to communicate with him from across the street. Between Gunther behind the coffee counter, Ugly Naked Guy across the street, and the six friends who seemed to spend half their lives on that famous orange couch, Friends created an entire little world that viewers loved visiting.And honestly, that’s part of what made the show so much fun!
When Friends first premiered, you didn’t need a streaming subscription, a smart television, or an internet connection to watch. You simply turned on NBC and tuned in on Thursday nights. It was part of NBC’s famous Must See TV Thursday lineup. Families planned their television evenings around their favorite programs, and viewers had to wait until the following week to find out what happened next.
If you missed an episode, you hoped to catch a rerun. Eventually, viewers could purchase VHS recordings and DVD collections, allowing them to revisit their favorite episodes whenever they wanted. There was something special about gathering around the television, watching a new episode, and talking about it the next day.
Of course, today we have a completely different way of watching television! If you want to revisit your favorite episodes or introduce someone in your family to the show, there are several ways to watch.
Some viewing options include:
- HBO Max: Check the current streaming availability of the complete series.
- Television: Look for reruns on television networks that carry the show.
- Digital purchases: Individual episodes and complete seasons may be available through digital entertainment retailers.
- DVD collections: Purchase the physical collection and enjoy the episodes whenever you want.
Streaming availability can change, so check your preferred service before making plans. And speaking of DVD collections, if you’re a true Friends fan, you might want to own all 10 seasons! You can find Friends complete-series DVD collections on Amazon.
Inside this post, you’ll find my affiliate link. If you make a purchase through my link, Greatful Moments may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our website and the family-friendly content we love sharing!
It’s hard to believe that more than 30 years have passed since these six actors first became part of our television families. All six continued their careers after the show ended, although their Friends characters remain the roles many viewers associate with them. Is that the way you think of these characters?
Jennifer Aniston – Rachel Green– Jennifer continued acting in television and movies. She currently stars in Apple’s The Morning Show, where she plays Alex Levy. A new show for me to check out except I don’t have Apple and refuse to get it so I may never see this show.
Courteney Cox – Monica Geller– Courteney continued working in television and film, including the Scream movie franchise. She remains a familiar face to audiences who have followed her career.
Lisa Kudrow – Phoebe Buffay– Lisa continued acting, writing, and producing television projects. She has also returned to her role in The Comeback and continues to be appreciated for her unforgettable portrayal of Phoebe.
Matt LeBlanc – Joey Tribbiani– Matt continued playing Joey in the spin-off series Joey and appeared in other television projects, including Episodes and Man with a Plan which is one funny show. If you haven’t watched it you should check it out.
David Schwimmer – Ross Geller– David continued acting, directing, and working in television and film. His projects have included American Crime Story.
Matthew Perry – Chandler Bing– Matthew brought laughter to millions through his unforgettable portrayal of Chandler. Sadly, Matthew passed away on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54. His passing was difficult for longtime fans, especially those who had watched him make them laugh for so many years.
The remaining cast members reunited for Friends: The Reunion in 2021, giving fans an opportunity to revisit the show, hear behind-the-scenes stories, and remember what the experience meant to them. Even though the series ended in 2004, its friendships and laughter continue to bring people together.
For me, Friends has been around for as long as I can remember. And when I look back at the timeline, I like to believe Suzzane had the opportunity to watch at least a few episodes. Suzzane was born on May 8, 1988, and passed away on December 28, 2006. When Friends premiered in September 1994, she was six years old. When the series ended in May 2004, she was sixteen.
The show was part of the television landscape during her childhood and teenage years. I wish I could tell you exactly which episodes she watched, but it’s been a long time, and sometimes memories get a little hazy. I hate admitting that, but I do remember the most important parts of Suzzane’s life, and those memories will always be with me.
Now, fast-forward to Charlie. He’s probably watched every episode of Friends at least once, if not four or five times. Because when you’re a true fan, you don’t just watch a television show by yourself. You make sure your family watches it, too! And yes, that includes David.
Even my dogs, Sandy and Lucy, would sit on the couch with me and watch Friends. Sadly, they’re no longer here, so Phoebe has had to pick up the slack. And that’s okay because she loves Friends just as much! In fact, Phoebe wanted me to ask you a question. Are You Team Joey and Phoebe? Or did you like the man she married and why?
There were so many episodes filled with milestones, relationships, and moments that made you wonder which couples were meant to be together. For me, I always liked Joey and Phoebe. I thought they would have made a wonderful couple. Chandler and Monica? They’re okay. Rachel and Ross? They’re okay, too.
But if you really want to know the truth, I liked Monica with the eye doctor. Oh my goodness, he was hot! But that’s neither here nor there! What about you? Did you think Joey and Phoebe should have ended up together, or were Ross and Rachel always meant to be? I’d love to know which couple you were rooting for!
Originally aired November 19, 1998. Now, let’s get to today’s family-night selection! If you’re looking for a Thanksgiving episode that combines laughter, family memories, a little romance, and some seriously unforgettable moments, Friends · Season 5, Episode 8 is one worth watching.
In this episode, the friends gather and begin remembering Thanksgiving celebrations from years gone by. As they share their stories, we get to travel back in time and see some of their most embarrassing holiday moments and there is going to be lots and lots of laughter.
Ross remembers Thanksgiving troubles of his own, Chandler explains why the holiday brings back unpleasant memories from his childhood, and Phoebe shares some rather unusual stories from her past lives. But the real fun comes when we see younger versions of the characters!
We learn more about Monica’s younger years, including her weight and her crush on Chandler. We also discover how Chandler’s comments about Monica’s appearance helped set off a chain of events that eventually changed their relationship. And then there’s Joey!
Remember the turkey? Joey once got his head stuck inside one, creating one of the most ridiculous Thanksgiving memories in the entire series. Monica eventually puts a turkey on her own head in an attempt to make Chandler laugh. It’s one of those scenes that longtime fans probably remember even if they haven’t watched the episode in years.
But there’s something else that makes this episode special. While Monica is dancing around with the turkey on her head, Chandler tells her he loves her. What started as an embarrassing Thanksgiving moment becomes an important milestone in their relationship. It’s funny, sweet, and a reminder that sometimes love shows up when we least expect it.
Now, I would like to share why you should watch this episode of Friends and its because Thanksgiving isn’t always about having the perfect meal or making everything look beautiful. Sometimes the best holiday memories come from the things that go wrong, the stories we tell year after year, and the people who make us laugh until our sides hurt.
This episode brings together humor, friendship, family history, and a little romance. It also gives longtime viewers a chance to see how much the characters have grown since their earlier Thanksgivings. And if you’ve never watched it, this is a wonderful opportunity to discover why so many people still love Friends. It’s also a relatively short episode, making it easy to fit into a busy holiday schedule.
Now, I have one more suggestion for your Thanksgiving celebration. I want to remind you that Friends deserves an invitation to your Thanksgiving table! Before you think I’ve lost my mind, hear me out. When you’re inviting friends and family over for Thanksgiving dinner, why not turn on an episode of Friends while everyone is arriving, the table is being set, and the last-minute preparations are underway?
An episode lasts approximately 20 minutes. By the time the table is ready, the show will be over. Turn off the television, put away the electronics, and enjoy a screen-free Thanksgiving dinner with the people you love. Because as much as I love television, I also believe in making time for the people sitting around our tables.
We spend so much time looking at screens these days that sometimes we forget to slow down and enjoy the company of those right in front of us. So this Thanksgiving, invite your friends, family, and maybe even your favorite four-legged couch companion to join you. Just remember, the television is for the episode. The rest of the evening belongs to making memories!
I’d love to hear from you!
- Were you watching Friends when it originally premiered in 1994?
- Who was your favorite character?
- Are you Team Joey and Phoebe, Team Monica and Chandler, or Team Ross and Rachel?
- Did you have a favorite Thanksgiving episode?
- Do you still watch reruns, or have you introduced Friends to your children?
- Did you ever wish you could sit on that famous orange couch at Central Perk?
And one last question from Phoebe: Do your pets have a favorite television show, too? Thank you for joining us for Day 7 of our 27 Days of Thanksgiving Movies, Sitcoms & Shows to Watch Before Christmas! We’ve got more television favorites, Thanksgiving memories, and family entertainment coming your way as we count down the days toward Christmas.
Because at Greatful Moments, we believe the holidays aren’t just about the presents under the tree. They’re about the people around us, the memories we make, and the little traditions that bring us together. Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed! Visit GreatfulMoments.com for more family fun, holiday traditions, and everyday moments worth celebrating.
Inside this post, you’ll find my affiliate link. If you make a purchase through my link, Greatful Moments may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our website and the family-friendly content we love sharing!
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
