Feast or Flop: The TV Corner Thanksgiving Edition

Happy Thanksgiving! We're excited to introduce Feast or Flop, a specially curated look at the TV highlights and lowlights shaping your holiday lineup. Settle in, enjoy, and have a wonderful holiday!

Welcome to the first edition of Feast or Flop: The TV Corner Thanksgiving Edition, a new annual roundup evaluating the winners and wobblers of the holiday TV season. With networks and streamers rolling out prestige premieres, comfort-food classics, and a few questionable offerings, Thanksgiving is the perfect moment to take stock of what's truly worth watching and what may be better left on the shelf.

The Feast (Hits Worth Going Back for Seconds)

The Pitt (HBO Max)

Once you dive into this 15-episode first season, it’s easy to see why The Pitt dominated the Emmys in September, snagging Best Drama, Best Lead Actor, and Best Supporting Actress. The show delivers a heartfelt, intense portrait of the tireless doctors and nurses working the front lines, grounding its story in emotional truth and high-stakes realism. It’s a gripping watch—and while it’s excellent, its intensity may make it better suited to an adults-only viewing.

Feast Score: 9.5/10

The Side Dish Surprise (Solid, Light, Enjoyable)

Poker Face (Peacock) 

Season 2 takes Charlie on even wilder adventures, letting her wander into new towns, new mysteries, and some surprisingly heartfelt detours. Patti Harrison is fantastic as Alex, bringing wit and warmth to a twist that genuinely blindsided me. Add in a collection of hilarious, charming guest stars, and you’ve got a crowd-pleasing binge the whole family can enjoy together.

Side Dish Score: 9/10

The Flop (Skip This Turkey)

Pulse (Netflix) 

Pulse tries to enter the crowded medical-drama space but can’t keep up with heavyweights like Chicago Med, Grey’s Anatomy, or even The Pitt. Between weak CGI, sleepy dialogue, and characters that never quite spark, the show feels undercooked from the start. I tapped out after two episodes.

Flop Score: 4/10

The Nostalgia Nibble (A Comfort Classic)

Everybody Loves Raymond 30th Reunion Special  (CBS & Paramount+)

This warm, affectionate reunion, emphasis on reunion, not reboot, takes a heartfelt look back at the nine-season run of the Emmy-winning sitcom. The cast reminisces about the show’s origins, the casting process, and their favorite on-set moments. It also offers touching tributes to Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, and Sawyer Sweeten, honoring the legacy of a comedy that still feels like home.

Score: 9/10

Bonus Bite (Wildcard Pick or Hidden Gem)

Long Bright River (Peacock)

Adapted from Liz Moore’s novel, this gripping crime-drama miniseries follows police officer Mickey Fitzpatrick—played beautifully by Amanda Seyfried—as she hunts for a serial killer in a troubled Philadelphia neighborhood while also searching for her missing sister. What begins as a gritty mystery transforms into an unexpectedly moving family drama. If Cold Case was ever your go-to comfort show, this one’s right in your wheelhouse.

Bite Score: 8/10

Whether your holiday viewing leans prestige drama, cozy nostalgia, or unapologetic guilty pleasures, Thanksgiving week always serves up something worth tasting, and something you’ll politely pass on. Wishing you a warm, cozy, TV-filled holiday. Enjoy the leftovers, keep the remote within reach, and as always, keep those standards high.