If there’s one thing I love more than gorging myself on turkey (and stuffing, and cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie… mmm… wait, what was I talking about again?), it’s loafing on the living room couch before and after Thanksgiving dinner and taking in some fine Thanksgiving television.

Holiday-themed episodes of TV shows usually follow a predictable pattern—the gang is planning some kind of celebration until everything goes horribly awry. But by the end of the show, problems have been solved, fights have ended, and everyone sits down together to enjoy a nice meal and/or some serious present opening, accompanied by a well-known holiday tune.

While most Thanksgiving episodes still adhere to the formula, there’s something about them that makes them even more satisfying than Christmas/Hanukkah/Valentine’s Day specials. Maybe it’s because they tend to be less cheesy than other holiday shows. Maybe it’s because I just like watching people enjoy a hearty meal. Whatever the reason, Thanksgiving episodes deserve some appreciation.

So, without further ado, here’s my list of the best Thanksgiving episodes. They’re all funny, entertaining, and heartwarming without being cloying—yes, even that episode of South Park.

[Click on any image to view the gallery]

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m still reeling from Monday’s Bachelorette finale. I’m not sure whether I am so sad for Chris L. or so happy that he’s still a single man (and I’ve got a free Southwest Flight to use to hop on over to Cape Cod to snatch him up). I just can’t imagine what Ali was thinking. I know, I know – it’s not like Roberto was the Vienna of Ali’s season, but still.

It’s Chris Freaking L! COME ON.

But what’s done is done so now it’s time to move on and look forward. And what am I looking forward to? Tonight’s episode of Top Chef (yes, reality TV is the only constant in my life). Because we all know that the only thing that can take anyone’s mind off of Chris L’s body is a perfectly seared scallop with some lobster foam.

And all that got me thinking (and drooling): Read More »

Since we’re well into the lazy days of July, I have no doubt that by now you’ve taken in your fair share of reruns and reality TV.  Between puttering back and forth from a boring job at the mall and babysitting the kids down the street, you’re bound to slip into that coma only a comfy couch and summer television can bring.

As you watch the celebs parade around in all their glitz, do you find yourself yearning for a more sparkly life?  Do you wish you were drinking Cristal instead of Crystal Light?  Maybe wearing Gucci instead of Gap?  Fear not, we’ve all been there.  With visions of sugar plums and Rachel Zoe dancing through our heads, it’s not hard to wish we were someone else.  Someone, perhaps, more like… Read More »

You know that scene in Get Him To The Greek when Aaron’s girlfriend says something to the effect of, “Omg I can’t wait to watch like 100 hours of Gossip Girl”? I laughed hysterically (It’s funny cuz it’s true!). David did not (for the same reason).

I don’t know about you guys, but when I get home after a long day of interning, working, and gymming, all I want to do is eat dinner and zone out to one of the thousands of Real Housewives or Say Yes to the Dress episodes I have DVR’ed. Unfortunately, my live-in boyfriend isn’t on the same page. Especially now that it’s baseball season.

Without our usual primetime lineup to veg out to (If you’re an avid CC reader you’ll know about my unerring obsession with Comedy Night Done Right), the pickings have been slim for couple-friendly shows.

Until Now. Enter this summer’s surefire couple-pleasing shows. Read on, DVR and get some popcorn ready. Read More »

Special K. That's about as gourmet as it gets.

I’m a little cocky in the kitchen. But that’s probably because I’m the best short order cook that I’ve ever met (and that’s including the time I met Ratatouille). I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I sat in my college kitchen and re-enacted stressful scenes from Top Chef. I played all the contestants and my broom played Padma (pre-pregnancy). And spoiler alert, I ALWAYS won.

So obviously, when I moved into NYC I had grandiose visions of whipping up gourmet meals (as well as incorporating more 3 syllable words like grandiose into my vocabulary). I would spend my days running all over the city getting the finest cheeses, the freshest fish, and the ripest fruit. And to top it all off, I would carry it all on a hat, Chiquita-banana-lady style. Not only would I be the Julia Child of my building, but I would also be a fashion icon for fruit mascots around the world. Talk about killing two bucket list items with one stone.

And then I went to a real live NYC supermarket and found out that I would be paying $25 for non-name brand cold cuts and $1000 for organic eggs. How could I whip up exotic dishes like baked macaroni and cheese and chicken parm when it cost me an entire paycheck just to purchase drink mixers? And most importantly, what the hell was I going to do with my new cookbooks that I insisted I have? I immediately regretted demanding that my mom buy me the famous cookbook “very expensive meals that have so many rare ingredients that it’s better off that you just got a restaurant and order it. Seriously, these recipes aren’t worth the time, the money, or the frustration you’ll have looking for quail eggs.” Read More »

Yeah, it's cute back then, but what about when that kid is 18? Still cute?

Okay, so we all know the mantra you can tell how a guy will treat you by the way he treats his mom. Does he take care of her? Open doors for her? Help out around the house? Check, check aaaand check – you have husband material on your hands.

But last night while I was studying and making snowflake chains (I wish I was kidding…I’m desperate for some holiday cheer over here), I happened to flip on the season finale of Top Chef (no, I haven’t watched one episode this season but I still couldn’t look away) and witness a level of motherly love that I’m just not sure I’m comfortable with.

That’s right, I’m talking a fully grown and bearded man going in for a full contact, lip on lip kiss. With his mama.

WTF?! Since when is this socially acceptable? It’s cute when a 2-year-old smooches his mother’s lips, but a grown man planting a wet one on his mom’s mouth is more than I can handle. And I’m convinced this is why Chef Kevin wasn’t named Top Chef; no matter how good his food is, no one has an appetite after witnessing that display.

The whole thing got me thinking (while the other two chefs’ food got my stomach growling): How close it too close? And at what point does a guy’s relationship with his mom send you running for the hills? I don’t know about you, but  I’m just not comfortable walking into Christmas dinner with my boyfriend and having him smooch his mom as we enter.

What do you guys think? Is it no big deal or are you totally skeeved out?

The guy’s a dog, but really? Jessica Simpson?

Oh and Tiger’s named husband athlete of the decade.

The Twilight boys get their own mag?!

4 jackets to top off those holiday outfits.

Sad news for Top Chef’s Kevin Gillespie.

Holy hair, Rachel McAdams.

It’s hard to put into words how much I love Bravo’s series Top Chef. To say I have formed an unhealthy obsession with it is an understatement. I can literally sit on my couch for seven hours straight without blinking an eye if I happen upon a Top Chef marathon. I literally cried real tears when Jennifer Carroll was asked to pack her knives and go last week. And sometimes I even have quick-fire themed nightmares where all of my ingredients have gone sour and the punishment is death-by-Padma.

Needless to say, tonight’s finale has me feeling excited and anxious in places I never knew existed. And what does that call for? A special viewing party!

My two friends and I are getting together to watch the finale together, but before we do, we have some Top Chef themed activities planned. We are each representing one of the three finalists – I will be dressing up as bad boy Michael Voltaggio complete with full sleeve of fake tattoos – and cooking ourselves a nice meal, competition style, of course. After I have been named the winner (duh), we will all settle in to find out who will be named Top Chef. Read More »

I know more about these women than I do about our forefathers.

Every Friday I head home from work, tear off my bra, put on my biggest pair of sweatpants, order in Pad Se Ew and settle in for a night of TV. Lame? Maybe. But get back to me after you’re working 60-hour weeks in the real world. Friday nights on the couch are sacred.

Last week, as I fired up the DVR to catch up on all the shows I’d missed from the week, I had a rather enlightening moment. Sorta like an Oprah “aha!” moment, only way more embarrassing. My entire DVR was taken up by reality shows. Top Chef, Project Runway, The Real Housewives, Ace of Cakes… Hell, I even had a little Real World/Road Rules Duel on there.

I looked around to make sure none of my neighbors could see my TV through the windows. I mean, I know I like me some crappy TV, but this was just mortifying. My entire life revolves around watching train wrecks on camera! But maybe it’s not that sad? I mean, everyone loves themselves a little trash now and then, right? Those shows are on for a reason. And some of them are actually really good! Maybe not anything on E!, but we can all learn a thing or two from The Biggest Loser, right?

Right?!?

To make myself feel better about my addiction (and my sad, lame life) I asked the CollegeCandy writers to share their reality TV faves this week. You know you got one, too. Share it in the comments! Read More »

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