Is Thanksgiving our last live TV holiday?
Christmas takes all the attention with its special episodes of sitcoms and made-for-TV movies, but between football games and the Macy’s Parade, Thanksgiving is perhaps the holiday that has the most appointment viewing. It’s been like this for a while—this is the 75th year of a live national broadcast of the parade, and the 70th year of nationally televised football on Thanksgiving.
Everyone has their own routines and traditions around the holiday. Some might watch whatever is on their parents’ cable while waiting for food to finish. Some might stay at home and put on a comfort watch for a quiet day alone. And some might start their month-long holiday movie binge.
Share your viewing traditions with us below. Here are ours:
Gabe: Growing up, I remember Jurassic Park always being on TV on Thanksgiving weekend, always on NBC. Seeing Jurassic Park now still takes me back to sitting on the floor in my grandparents’ living room with a glass of sparkling cider while the adults talk in the next room. This year, I’m in a country that doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving and the TV is in a language I don’t speak well. I might try to stream Jurassic Park after dinner, though.
Arielle: The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was always on in the background at my grandparent’s apartment. I was fascinated by all the floats and remember behind the scenes specials devoted to exploring just how much time and care it took to prepare for, especially when it came to crafting the floats themselves. I don’t watch the parade any more, but whenever I catch a glimpse of an ad for it, it brings me right back to childhood.
What are you watching this weekend?