As much as I appreciate the fact that Thanksgiving (or any holiday for that matter) is a time that's meant to be spent with family and friends, I also know that it can be a great time for some serious R&R as well. Between all that turkey and familial socializing, the holiday season can really take it out of you. Luckily, I have the perfect antidote for your well deserved relaxation needs, which begins and ends with watching TV. Granted, this concept isn't exactly groundbreaking. In fact, most of us watch TV on a regular basis. However, there's no denying just how comfy it can be. And while you may think there wouldn't be much on during the holidays, let me assure you that there are plenty of things to watch on TV on Thanksgiving.
From parades to football to holiday-themed movies, your television options are actually pretty extensive around this time of year. So while it's definitely still important to make time to spend with your loved ones, just take comfort in knowing that if you need a little breather from Family Drama 2.0, there's an endless array of TV goodness at your disposal. You just have to know where to look. For example…
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
It wouldn't really be Thanksgiving without this traditional holiday viewing experience. Starting at 9 a.m. on NBC, viewers can tune into 89th annual Manhattan procession and see featured performances and appearances by Mariah Carey, Cirque du Soleil, the Radio City Rockettes, and many more. Four new giant balloon characters will also join the festivities this year, which includes the likes of Angry Birds’ Red, Sinclair Oil's mascot DINO, Ice Age’s Scrat, as well as a new version of Ronald McDonald.
Football Fun
Though this isn't really how I would personally choose to relax, sport fans will want to make sure they tune in for at least one of the three big games that kick off throughout the day. The Eagles will play the Lions at 12:30 p.m. on FOX; the Panthers will tackle the Cowboys at 4:30 p.m. on CBS; and last but not least, the Bears will go up against the Packers at 8:30 p.m. on NBC. (I'll probably be working on my third or fourth helping of leftovers by then, which — let's be honest — is the true victory of the evening.)
The National Dog Show
There's no better way to spend your holiday than by watching a bunch of adorable puppies compete for Best in Show. This 14th annual event begins at noon on NBC, immediately following the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. John O'Hurley will play host for the showcase with David Frei providing analysis and Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir serving as reporters. And for more puppy fun, you can also check out The All-Star Dog Rescue Celebration at 8 p.m. on FOX, which is spearheaded by Jane Lynch and Hilary Swank as a way to raise awareness for dogs in need. Man's best friend has never looked so precious!
Comedies Galore
Just because it's Thanksgiving doesn't mean some of your favorite shows are taking a break. Life in Pieces, Mom, and 2 Broke Girls are all debuting brand new episodes that day on CBS, as is Elementary as well, just in case you prefer drama over laughter.
Holidays With Hallmark
For those of you who prefer to dive right into the holiday spirit, the Hallmark Channel is debuting Christmas-centric movies all day long. It's the perfect way to help you stay merry all year round.
But no matter where your interests lie, just know that your TV has you covered for all of your potential viewing needs. Consider it yet another thing to be thankful for this year.
