While I cannot speak from experience, I have a general understanding of how Thanksgiving turns out: 30+ family/friends stuck in a house waiting for food that will yield in a dry turkey, gummy mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce that nobody wants to eat. Oh, on top of that, the tension is high with the ongoing football game and the inevitable point in time where politics are brought up. While many people have dodged a bullet this year due to Covid-19, these T.V. shows and movies are sure to keep you entertained over the break.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules & Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
(The fourth movie was left out for a reason…) The movie adaptations of the book that captured every second grader’s heart still generate laughter in my household. These movies have some iconic scenes that you cannot miss: Rodrick singing “Baby”, Greg’s audition for the school musical, Rowley singing “TikTok” – honestly – there isn’t a single scene that isn’t iconic. The casting for the trilogy is perfect and their chemistry will never fail to entertain you.
Glee
Yes, I said it. Glee is a must-watch for everyone, it was a cultural reset. A bunch of teenagers singing songs that are questionable for a high school is more interesting than you might think. The drama that accompanies the singing is scolding hot, not a single episode goes by without a new conflict (thank you, Sue Sylvester). This show is a perfect way to escape from the drama in real life and instead watch fictional characters express themselves through the power of music.
Community
It’s time to stop rewatching The Office and Friends and start watching a show with higher quality comedy. Community has layers and layers of comedy that separate it from other sitcoms. The tropes Dan Harmon presents throughout the show always have a unique twist that elevates the comedy. Also, the Christmas special alone is a reason to sit through all six seasons!
Criminal Minds
I hate to say it, but it’s time we move on from Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! and start expanding our horizons into different mystery shows. Criminal Minds provides the core basis of what we love from Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! : a loveable crew and mysteries/crimes to solve. While the agents in this show are a tad older and are official government workers, there’s still a great team dynamic between them. Not to mention that both t.v. shows follow the same structural format for almost every episode (you can decide if that’s good or bad).
The Speed Cubers
Although a fairly short documentary film, the director does a great job at portraying the authenticity of competitive speed cubers in the given run time. At the center are two world champions, Feliks and Max. We get to see the inner workings of each of their lives as well as their pure friendship – a very strong connection is seen between them even though they are competitors. If you need a break from the awkward family arguments, this is sure to suffice.
Thanksgiving will look a little different this year, there’s no doubt about it. However, it doesn’t matter if you’re hosting a large gathering or choosing to celebrate alone. This list of t.v. shows and films are sure to provide a relaxing escape from your troubles.
