7 Actually Good Family-Friendly TV Shows to Binge After Thanksgiving Dinner
When the Thanksgiving Day parade ends, the board games get boring, and the football match-ups turn out to be blow-outs, you need a back-up plan to keep your family feeling as happy and thankful as they were back when they had full plates of mashed potatoes in front of their faces. A heartwarming TV series or two should do the trick.
Of course you want something that's clever and funny and crowd-pleasing, but most importantly, you want something that won't need to be rewound should your chatty great uncle choose to tell a story you've all heard a billion times. (Because he will. He always will.) Check out our recommendations ahead, and don't forget to grab that second slice of pie before you get too comfortable.
Photo: Courtesy of Malcolm in the Middle1/8From your grandma to your cousins, there's a little something for everyone.
Photo: Courtesy of Gilmore Girls2/8It was major deal when this mother-daughter dramedy hit Netflix, and for good reason: No one does banter better than Lorelai and Rory. The series follows the precocious daughter from high school through college, and you’ll feel like you’re growing up—and falling in love with boyfriend after boyfriend—right along with her.
Photo: Courtesy of Friday Night Lights3/8Everyone likes watching football on Thanksgiving, so you might as well throw in some killer dialogue, award-winning acting, and a stellar soundtrack. But if you start this series before the turkey’s done, make sure to set a few alarms (or ten). This show is incredibly engrossing.
Photo: Courtesy of New Girl4/8Dudes will love Schmidt, girls will love Jess, and everyone will love Nick. This award-winning rom-com series is about four endearingly weird roommates who have wacky schemes, hilarious hijinx, and one of the best unrequited love stories on TV.
Photo: Courtesy of Parenthood5/8It makes sense to watch a quirky family drama surrounded by your own quirky family. This one’s a little sad, a little funny, and a whole lot of fun. There are 103 episodes of this one-hour show, so you’re probably not going to get too deep before you fall victim of a turkey-induced nap, but it’s still worth starting.
Photo: Courtesy of Malcolm in the Middle6/8If you’re worried that Arrested Development is a little too off-the-wall to watch with your parents, this hilariously dysfunctional family sitcom is a safer—but still super funny—bet.
Photo: Courtesy of The Wonder Years7/8Your parents probably watched this ’80s sitcom the first time around, so they’ll get a real kick out of seeing it again—and you’ll get a real kick out of the endearingly cheesy dialogue and indisputable adorableness of a 12-year-old Fred Savage.
Photo: Courtesy of Arrested Development8/8You’ve likely seen this cult fave, so you know what you’re getting into by putting it on when all your family’s around. It’s an oddball kind of comedy that not everyone enjoys, but if your dad digs Seinfeld, he’ll probably like this too. Besides, two words: Michael Cera. OK, two more words: Enough said.
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