The Friends gang is known for its messy Thanksgivings — secrets come out, Chandler’s bad childhood memories resurface and Joey eats way too much meat. But some episodes are more memorable than others.
The NBC series, which ran for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004, starred Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc and the late Matthew Perry as Monica, Rachel, Phoebe, Ross, Joey and Chandler, respectively.
Throughout that time, the sitcom had its fair share of holiday episodes, many of which featured famous guest stars. Case and point: Brad Pitt‘s appearance on season 8’s “The One With the Rumor.” (Pitt was married to Aniston when he appeared on the series. The pair called it quits in 2005 after five years of marriage.)
‘Friends’ Cast: Where Are They Now?
On September 22, 1994, TV audiences got six new pals with the cast of the hit NBC series Friends. Now, decades later, we’ve watched Jennifer Aniston (Rachel Green), Courteney Cox (Monica Geller), Lisa Kudrow (Phoebe Buffay), Matt LeBlanc (Joey Tribbiani), Matthew Perry (Chandler Bing) and David Schwimmer (Ross Geller) take on numerous other roles through the years. The friend group went from aimless 20-somethings to grown-ups with […]
Scroll down to see how your favorite Friends Thanksgiving episode ranks, according to the Us Weekly team:
10. “The One Where Chandler Doesn’t Like Dogs” (Season 7, Episode 8)
Plot: Chandler confesses that he hates dogs after lying for years that he’s allergic. Rachel invites her assistant, Tag, to dinner, but Joey blows it by revealing that she has a crush on him.
Best Quote: “Fine, take their advice. No one ever listens to me. When the package is this pretty, no one ever cares what’s inside.” — Joey
On the Menu: Pumpkin pie, apple pie, turkey, sweet potato stuffed pumpkins, stuffing, cheese platter, green beans.
9. “The One With Chandler in a Box” (Season 4, Episode 8)
Plot: Chandler spends the duration of Thanksgiving in a box as a way to apologize for kissing Joey’s girlfriend. Monica, meanwhile, invites her ex Richard Burke’s (Tom Selleck) son Timothy Burke (Michael Vartan) to dinner. Ross realizes that Rachel sometimes exchanges gifts that she receives.
Best Quote: “Maybe you should put some ice on it.” — Chandler to Monica after she gets ice in her eye
On the Menu: Turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, green beans, candied sweet potatoes with marshmallow fluff.
8. “The One With Rachel’s Other Sister” (Season 9, Episode 8)
Plot: Rachel’s sister Amy (Christina Applegate) unexpectedly comes to town and crashes the gang’s Thanksgiving dinner. Monica and Chandler use their fancy wedding dishes for the first time and learn that Rachel and Ross have chosen them to care for their daughter, Emma, if something happens to them.
Best Quote: “Emma, this is your first Thanksgiving! What are you thankful for? Mommy’s boobies?” — Rachel
On the Menu: Turkey, sweet potatoes, bread, green bean casserole, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes.
7. “The One With the List” (Season 2, Episode 8)
Plot: Love triangle! Ross breaks up with Julie after sharing a romantic kiss with Rachel at Central Perk. His chance with Rachel is shattered, however, when she finds out he compared her to Julie in a pro and con list.
Best Quote: “It’s always been you, Rach.” — Ross
On the Menu: No traditional dishes! But Monica did try out Thanksgiving recipes using “Mockolate” in hopes of landing a new job: Mockolate cookie crumb crust, cookies, cranberry cake, nut bars and hot chocolate.
6. “The One Where Underdog Gets Away” (Season 1, Episode 9)
Plot: Monica cooks the gang a Thanksgiving meal — with three kinds of mashed potatoes! Joey sticks around because his family is embarrassed over his venereal disease advertisements and Rachel tries to raise money for her Vail skiing trip. Monica’s feast gets overcooked when everyone runs out to find the Underdog hot air balloon that accidentally broke free from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Best Quote: “If you didn’t have syphilis and stuff, we wouldn’t be all together, you know? So I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’m very thankful that all of your Thanksgivings sucked.” — Chandler
‘Friends’ Cast From Season 1 to Now: Photos
Friends premiered on NBC in September 1994, introducing viewers to six characters who would quickly become fans’ lifelong pals. The comedy, which ran for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004, has become a multigenerational hit. Creators David Crane and Marta Kauffman managed to make everyday life in New York City relatable to the masses through […]
On the Menu: Mashed potatoes with lumps (Ross’ favorite!), turkey, yams, cider, stuffing, tater tots (for Joey), mashed potatoes with peas and onions (for Phoebe) and pumpkin pie. Chandler’s meal: tomato soup, grilled cheese and Funyuns.
5. “The One With the Late Thanksgiving” (Season 10, Episode 8)
Plot: Monica becomes furious when everyone shows up 45 minutes late to Thanksgiving dinner — Rachel and Phoebe brought Emma to a beauty pageant and Ross and Joey attended a Rangers hockey game. In the end, her mood changes when she and Chandler get a call from an adoption agency about a baby.
Best Quote: “Get ready to taste my very special cranberries. Or should I say … Chanberries!” — Chandler
On the Menu: Turkey, soggy stuffing, Brussels sprouts, chocolate pies, cranberry sauce, bread, salad, macaroni and cheese.
4. “The One With All the Thanksgivings” (Season 5, Episode 8)
Plot: As the group reminisce, Monica reveals that she once overheard Chandler call her fat when he was in college. She later lost the weight and accidentally cut off Chandler’s toe with a knife while trying to seduce him. In the present day, Monica tries to cheer him up by putting an entire turkey on her head.
Best Quote: “Oh, my God, there’s a toe in my kitchen.” — Judy Geller (Christina Pickles)
On the Menu: Turkey, apple pie, pumpkin pie.
3. “The One Where Ross Got High” (Season 6, Episode 9)
Plot: Monica’s parents finally find out that she’s living with Chandler. Rachel takes over dessert duties and accidentally combines the ingredients for a traditional English trifle and Shepherd’s pie.
Best Quotes: “It tastes like feet!” — Ross
“I mean, what’s not to like? Custard, good. Jam, good. Meat, good!” — Joey
“Hurricane Gloria didn’t break the porch swing, Monica did.” — Ross
On the Menu: Turkey, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole and Rachel’s infamous traditional English trifle: Layers of lady fingers, jam, custard, raspberries, lady fingers, beef, peas and onions, custard, bananas, whipped cream.
2. “The One With the Football” (Season 3, Episode 9)
Plot: The group decide to play football in the park. Monica and Ross — who were forbidden to play ever again after Monica broke Ross’ nose during a childhood game — face off once more to see who will win the Geller Cup. Chandler and Joey, meanwhile, fight over a Dutch woman.
Best Quotes: “Ow, broken boob!” — Phoebe
“Let go! I’m a tiny little woman!” — Monica
On the Menu: Turkey, marshmallows in “concentric circles” on sweet potatoes, stuffing, mashed potatoes.
1. “The One With the Rumor” (Season 8, Episode 9)
Plot: Welcome, Will! Monica invites an old high school friend named Will Colbert (Pitt) to Thanksgiving dinner. The only problem? He hated Rachel back in the day and even cofounded an “I Hate Rachel Green” club with Ross. During the walk down memory lane, it’s revealed that Ross hooked up with their 50-year-old librarian Anita.
Best Quotes: “Look at her holding those yams. My two greatest enemies, Ross. Rachel Green and complex carbohydrates.” — Will
“Oh, come on Will. Take off your shirt and tell us!” — Phoebe
On the Menu: Turkey (just for Joey!), yams, cranberry sauce, green beans, bread, nonfat pie, “Chandler’s chicken.”
Tell Us: Which was your favorite episode?
