4 Easy-to-Binge Shows to Watch Instead of Thanksgiving Football

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Thanksgiving is known for its traditions, and football is a big part of many families’ celebrations. However, just as many people prefer to do something else during the holiday. For those who aren’t sports fans, watching a short, engaging TV series can be the perfect way to spend Thanksgiving.

So many shows are added to streaming services every day, it’s tough to choose what to watch! Whether you’re in the mood for something funny, relaxing, or gripping, there’s plenty to enjoy instead of the usual Thanksgiving football. Here’s a list of carefully selected shows – either limited series or with just one season – to make your Thanksgiving extra cozy and entertaining.

The Paper

Many consider The Office to be one of the best sitcoms ever made, largely because of its bold and often inappropriate humor. Though the show wasn’t the first to use the mockumentary format, it truly excelled with its uniquely funny and unforgettable characters, including Michael Scott, Jim Halpert, Dwight Schrute, and Pam Beesly. While watching all nine seasons takes time, fans are excited about the new spin-off, The Paper, which is winning people over with its talented cast and performances.

Despite its title, the show isn’t about Dunder Mifflin. Instead, it’s set in Toledo, Ohio, and centers on the Toledo Truth Teller, a local newspaper that’s facing hard times. The newspaper is filled with low-quality content – clickbait, ads, and unimportant stories – and seems unlikely to improve. That is, until Ned Sampson arrives as the new editor.

Ned faces a big challenge: turning around a failing company while also navigating pushback from his team. The show has funny, relatable moments reminiscent of The Office, but it takes a little while – a few episodes – to really find its footing. It’s worth sticking with, though!

Just like the original, The Paper is being filmed by a documentary crew, capturing the lives of its wonderfully unique employees. Expect plenty of drama, romance, and laughs as Ned attempts to turn the newspaper into a prize-winning publication. The first season is fantastic on its own, and the season finale is a real standout. With Oscar Martinez back, The Paper is a perfect show to watch – both fresh and familiar.

Crashing

Phoebe Waller-Bridge is widely known for her hit Prime Video comedy, . But she also created a fantastic, though often overlooked, show called Crashing the same year. This short series, just six episodes long, is set in a quirky location: an abandoned hospital in England. The hospital is home to a group of young people who act as property guardians, living there rent-free in exchange for looking after the building.

Anthony, a talented chef, is living with his practical girlfriend, Kate, as they save for their wedding. Their lives are turned upside down when Anthony reconnects with Lulu, a spirited and humorous old friend with whom he has a strong connection. The story also follows Melody, a passionate artist navigating a complicated relationship with her ex-husband, Colin, and Sam and Fred, who are exploring their identities. This group of neighbors creates a whirlwind of unpredictable and often nonsensical drama.

Despite its chaotic energy, Crashing isn’t just silly humor. Beneath the surface, it’s actually a very clever and insightful comedy. It playfully flips traditional sitcom formulas – like the familiar group of friends – and even challenges typical gender roles. Instead of the usual expectations, Anthony is often the one who’s emotional and vulnerable, while Lulu presents a tough and stoic exterior.

I really enjoyed Crashing – it was funny, a bit chaotic, and didn’t shy away from awkward situations. Plus, it featured a young Jonathan Bailey (before he was famous in Bridgerton!) playing Sam, who was such a brilliantly flawed and surprisingly likable character – honestly, he was the best part of the show. The ending felt a little open-ended, but looking back, I can see why a second season might not have captured the same magic.

The Girlfriend

As a critic, I have to say this six-episode series really grabs you and doesn’t let go. It moves at a breakneck speed as we’re introduced to Laura, a sophisticated art gallery owner, and her growing concern over her son Daniel’s new girlfriend, Cherry. Cherry comes from a completely different world than Daniel’s privileged background, and Laura immediately feels something isn’t right about her – it’s a really unsettling feeling that drives the whole story.

As a movie lover, I found The Girlfriend really interesting because it tells the story from both Laura and Cherry’s points of view, often showing the same scenes but with totally different interpretations. It’s cleverly done because you quickly realize neither of them are fully reliable narrators. Laura recalls Cherry behaving terribly, but Cherry sees hostility in everything the boyfriend’s mother says. It leaves you constantly questioning who to believe, and honestly, the show makes it so hard not to sympathize with both of them.

Both Cherry and Laura are clearly struggling, demonstrated by shocking actions like Cherry’s sabotage of her ex’s wedding cake and Laura’s deception about Daniel’s death. The suspense builds gradually, leading to a point where neither woman can trust herself or anyone else. They frequently clash, but also share moments of understanding and vulnerability, enhancing the show’s psychological depth. The real draw of this series is the incredible dynamic between the actors and how they perform under intense pressure.

“The Girlfriend” explores difficult topics like social class, grief, and trauma, and how these impact the lives of its main characters. It’s a dramatic, suspenseful, and action-packed show with a lot of heart, making it an ideal holiday binge-watch. The ending is particularly satisfying and will leave you thinking. Sometimes, a bit of dark entertainment can actually help us appreciate what we have.

The Queen’s Gambit

Even if someone doesn’t enjoy contact sports, that doesn’t mean all sports should be removed from television. The Netflix miniseries The Queen’s Gambit, which premiered in 2020, quickly became a global sensation. Set in the 1950s, the show tells the story of Beth Harmon, a gifted chess player, and her journey from a difficult childhood – marked by being orphaned in a car accident – to becoming a brilliant, determined champion.

Beth becomes addicted to tranquilizers given to her at the orphanage, but she finds comfort in a surprising friendship with the building’s janitor, who teaches her chess. She has a remarkable ability to visualize the chessboard and her moves, bringing a unique element to the story’s historical setting. After being adopted, Beth is determined to compete in chess tournaments, even though her adoptive mother is hesitant at first. However, her mother changes her mind when she realizes how much money Beth could win.

The Queen’s Gambit is a gripping, fast-moving series that brilliantly captures the intensity of competitive chess. Released during the pandemic when many people were looking for new hobbies, the show sparked a surge in chess’s popularity worldwide. This impressive impact is a testament to the show’s compelling characters and captivating story.

Despite some frustratingly romanticized depictions of addiction, The Queen’s Gambit is a well-made show. It thoughtfully portrays Beth’s difficult relationships and her skill at chess, balancing a sense of epic scale with the small, everyday details of her life. This combination is likely why it’s still so popular five years after its release.

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2025-11-26 19:40