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Top 5 Favorite Thanksgiving Day Specials

I don’t understand why, but I’ve never been that big a fan of Thanksgiving. Maybe it’s because of the fact that I don’t like the food; it’s true. I don’t like stuffing, gravy, or mashed potatoes. However, I still appreciate what Thanksgiving means. It’s about being able to spend time with family and think about what we’re blessed to have. Still, I’ve spent 2019 doing something for several big holidays, and I won’t stop with Thanksgiving. So without further ado, here are my top 5 favorite Thanksgiving Day Specials!

#5- Talking Turkey, CatDog

Few people in Nearburg love Thanksgiving as much as CatDog, though they each love it for different reasons. Dog’s simply thankful for everything he has in life, while Cat only wants turkey. However, when the only turkey in Nearburg comes seeking refuge from the holiday, the two have to work together to help him escape to freedom.

I only saw this special a few times on TV, and I didn’t find it until years later with streaming. As far as what it brings to the table, I think this special’s pretty average. While it’s subtle, though, there is a message about the importance of family. It’s just hidden underneath the slapstick of Tom Kenny and Jim Cummings.

#4- Garfield’s Thanksgiving, Garfield

Given how much Garfield loves Thanksgiving, one would think Thanksgiving’s his favorite holiday. However, this holiday special sees Garfield put on a diet on the day before Thanksgiving. As a result, Garfield has to find a way to dodge his diet, or else make sure no one enjoys the holiday.

I was a big fan of Garfield growing up, and I especially enjoyed the old show, Garfield and Friends. So I naturally had to include the fat cat’s Thanksgiving day special on my list. The only reason it’s not higher on the list is due to my in credulousness at the fact that Garfield’s vet, Liz, put him on a diet right before a holiday involving eating. I get that she has to watch out for his health, but the woman had the worst possible timing! Good thing Garfield got out of the diet in the end.

#3- Helen Keller, The Musical!, South Park

In this Season Four episode of South Park, the kids are putting on their annual Thanksgiving Day play on Helen Keller. In an effort to one-up the kindergartners play, Cartman adapts the play into a Broadway musical, complete with a pet turkey jumping through a ring of fire. However, when lead Timmy chooses a disabled turkey named Gobbles, Cartman’s forced to take drastic measures to save the show. Oh, and Kenny dies.

South Park has had its fair share of Thanksgiving Day specials over the years, but I think that this one is my personal favorite. I honestly thought that the bond between Timmy and Gobbles the turkey was heartwarming to watch. Moreover, despite Cartman’s objections, I think using a disabled turkey was appropriate given it’s about Helen Keller. My favorite part, though, is the ending, where it’s revealed the kindergartners play was a lame, one minute act. Never trust Butters as a source of information.

#2- A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, Peanuts

Taking the number two spot on my list is a special that needs no introductions, because almost everyone in America knows the name Charlie Brown. Right when Charlie Brown and Sally are going to their Grandmother’s Thanksgiving day dinner, Peppermint Patty invites herself, Sally, and Franklin over. As a result, Charlie Brown has to cook an impromptu dinner, with the help of Snoopy and Woodstock.

Like almost every other Peanuts special, “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” is a holiday classic. It follows much of the same formula as many of the other Charlie Brown specials. Charlie Brown faces a problem, his wishy-washy nature exacerbates the problem, then he solves the problem. We’ve seen it a thousand times, yet it never gets old. It helps that we had the dynamic duo of Snoopy and Woodstock to provide their brand of silent comedy.

As good as “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” is, though, it’s not my favorite Thanksgiving special. That honor goes to another

#1- The Thanksgiving Episode, Regular Show

Taking the top spot is one of my all time favorite cartoons, Regular Show with their Thanksgiving Day special. After accidentally destroying all the food for their Thanksgiving dinner, Mordecai and Rigby scramble to make things right and get that precious turkey. While everyone else is trying to pick up their families or get more food, the duo enter a singing contest with the prize being a naturally born Turducken. However, they find themselves competing against the likes of billionaire Rich Buckner for the prize

There are a few reasons why this takes my top pick for my favorite Thanksgiving day episode. Firstly, I enjoyed the fact that Richard Buckner was a humorous parody of Donald Trump, complete with his hair. Secondly is the song that Mordecai and Rigby sing in the contest, “What are You Thankful For?” Not only is the song super catchy, but provides a genuinely heartfelt message about the meaning of the holiday: spending time with loved ones. For that reason, I name it my all-time favorite Thanksgiving Day Special.

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving? Let me know in the comments below! And be sure to check back this Saturday, as I have news about my plans for December!

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Jay’s Month of Scares, Day 10- Garfield

Back when I was a kid in school, the only entertainment I had were books. By the time I reached middle school, I was obsessed with reading Garfield in the library. With Halloween coming up, I’d figure I’d reignite my old passion for our fat and furry feline with his own Halloween special!

Garfield the Pirate

When Garfield wakes up and realizes that Halloween was that night, he gets pumped for free candy! So he grabs Odie, and together, they become Captain Orangebeard and his first mate, Odie the Stupid. The pair of pets sets out for a night of candy and fun, but Garfield’s greed lands them in hot water. After being stranded on a island in the river, they learn that it’s about to be visited by a crew of undead pirates. Pretty scary stuff.

As Good as the Great Pumpkin

Some may call me a heretic for saying this, but Garfield’s Halloween Adventure is almost as good as the Great Pumpkin special. Both are based on comic strips that have left a sizable impact on our culture, so some comparisons can be drawn. I happen to be a fan of both Peanuts and Garfield myself, so I’m happy with admitting this.

It may not be as timeless as The Great Pumpkin, though it does have a big advantage to it. It’s got Lorenzo Music, the man many consider to be the voice of Garfield before his death. I love listening to Lorenzo’s smooth voice, and as a bonus, he shows off his singing chops as Garfield.

Garfield’s Pretty Scary Halloween Adventure

While a grownup would react to it, I think this special’s pretty scary if you’re a kid. When Garfield and Odie are stranded on that island, the tone shifts from light-hearted to horror. The abandoned house is creaking and unsettling, like the last place you’d want to be stuck in. Then we get a good jump scare with the old man appearing out of nowhere, then disappearing once he tells his story. We never know if he’s a ghost, but I swear I saw him leave on Garfield and Odie’s boat.

The really scary thing, though, were the pirates themselves. The way they’re drawn and animated is something you’d see in an animated horror special. It’s the kind of thing that would scare kids! That’s getting into the spirit of Halloween

Award Winning Special

This special may not be as popular as it once was, but it’s still fun to watch. It’s got Garfield’s brand of humor, scares played for laughs, and actual scary stuff in it. It actually won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program. If you’re a fans Garfield, then this a Halloween special you don’t want to miss out on.

Click here to see the FANDOM Article I did for Halloween last year.

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