Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching. This means a lot of things. It’s time to buy a turkey, time to brace yourself for “fun” conversations with relatives you only see once or twice a year, time to start having the annual “It’s too early for Christmas decorations/commercials/etc.” discussion, time to sharpen your elbows to fend off fellow shoppers who are trying to do you physical harm over a discounted clock/radio at sunrise on Black Friday, and so on and so forth.
Most importantly, however, it’s time to give thanks. That’s what we’re doing today, giving thanks for our favorite pop culture things. Shows, movies, trends, GIFs, a face somebody made one time, whatever. The UPROXX staff chimed in below, and you are welcome — nay, encouraged — to do so in the comments. Tis the season, after all.
As for me, I’m thankful for the Murderer’s Row of primetime programming Comedy Central has quietly been putting together lately: Nathan for You, Broad City, Key & Peele, Inside Amy Schumer, Workaholics, Drunk History, Kroll Show, and of course, my favorite of the bunch, Review. God, did I love the first season of that show. At a time when networks are flailing wildly and hopelessly in their attempts to create comedies people enjoy, Comedy Central has just gone ahead and given half-hour chunks of its schedule to really talented people and let them go wild. I have no idea if it’s a sustainable long-term business strategy, but it’s definitely been a load of fun for me as a viewer.
Oh, and I am also thankful for the time Judith Light did cocaine at the rodeo on Dallas. So, two things.
Burnsy:
I’m thankful for 30 Rock. I’ve loved so many sitcoms in the past – Cheers, Seinfeld, Wings, Golden Girls, etc. – but 30 Rock just hit me at the right time in life, and it’s funny the fifth, 10th, 20th and probably 30th time around. After my latest run through the series on Netflix, I decided to shelve it for a few months so I don’t start burning out on it. That lasted three days. Halfway through the billionth time watching it, it’s still the best show I’ve ever watched. (The key to enjoying it over and over is focusing on a new character each time. I guarantee you’ll keep discovering new things.)
Cajun Boy:
I am thankful for Jon Stewart and The Daily Show. I don’t want the show to ever go away. It makes American politics so much less dreadful and depressing. I need a place to go for a half hour each weeknight where doltish politicians and dastardly corporations are roundly lampooned. The best way to co-exist with idiots and pricks is to laugh at them. The Daily Show helps me do that.
Stacey Ritzen:
I think I’m most thankful for Sarcastic Jennifer Lawrence gif, because there are only so many ways to say LOL OK. She just gets me, really, and always has the perfect thing to say when making fun of dumb people on the internet. Honestly, I don’t know where I’d be today as a professional internet blogger without her.
Andy Isaac:
I’m a child trapped in a man’s body and I often laugh at things that are considered toilet humor by most. Like, I’ve been laughing at the “deez nuts” joke for more than 20 years. It’s a little childish and stupid, but then again, so is most of my life.
Which brings me to this clip from People’s Court. I try to watch it once a week. I laugh not only at the joke but the bailiff in the background just waiting for the mic to drop.
Vince Mancini:
I’m thankful that there were actually some good movies this year – Gone Girl, Nightcrawler, Birdman, Interstellar. And not only that, the marketplace has mostly rewarded interesting ideas. I don’t know if this is a trend that will continue (there’s always Ouija, God knows I’m cherry picking a bit here), but at least for a few weeks in fall 2014, it was nice to watch.
Josh Kurp:
In no particular order, I am thankful for the following GIFs:
-Boyd and Ava dancing
-Sad Milhouse on a seesaw
-Lester Nygaard shooting a gun
-Kenny Powers watching a kid shoot a gun
-Lane socking Pete Campbell
-“HAM” — Angie Jordan
-Alex Kerkovich eating ribs
-Linda Belcher saying, “Alright!”
-Forrest MacNeil screaming, “COCAINE IS AMAZING. I GIVE IT A MILLION STARS!”
-And of course, Harrison falling off a treadmill
Kris Maske:
Is our current golden age of television too broad? Because even if it is (and definitely feels like a cop out answer) it’s what I’m thankful for. Good television is the best conversation starter. So I’m thankful that — in addition to what we do for a living, being constantly entertained, etc., etc. — I have a lot less awkward conversations with people I otherwise have nothing in common with.
Yours below. Happy Thanksgiving, y’all.
