10 Best Thanksgiving TV Episodes

5. The Simpsons - Bart Vs. Thanksgiving

Season Two of The Simpsons are halcyon days we'll never see the like of again...

Bart vs. Thanksgiving was the seventh episode of the second season, a massive high point during the early years of the show, evincing its ability to be utterly hilarious yet poignant at the same time. After Lisa builds a Thanksgiving diorama to celebrate the holiday, it's subsequently destroyed by Bart in an attempt to make room for the turkey. Bart is accused of ruining Thanksgiving and is sent to his room without dinner. Later, Bart sneaks out of the house in stubbornness and attempts to fend for himself.

Following a series of humorous encounters (one of which sees Bart wind-up donating his blood plasma for some quick cash) he finds himself at a soup kitchen surrounded by homeless people. After sharing Thanksgiving dinner dolled out by the kitchen, Bart has a moment of clarity when one of the homeless men asks if he has a home. Watching Bart develop a little bit of humanity during the early episodes of The Simpsons (and watching the family come together in love and affection for one another before it was cringe-worthy and forced) is a special moment no Simpsons fan will ever forget.