Garfield's Thanksgiving

The first time I saw this special, my main takeaway was that I found the material to be thin compared to A Garfield Christmas (a very deft mix of pathos and comedy). A few years ago, I tried again, and was able to appreciate the end result more on its own merits.

The Thanksgiving special is closer in tone to the comic strip, especially Garfield's weight battles (the scale, the vet, etc.), with the only attempt at sentimentality coming during the dinner sequence (which, similar to one moment in the Christmas installment, has a maudlin song which feels like it was originally meant for some other project). In theory the decision to lean into less warm-and-fuzzy elements, and to double down on Jon's stupidity, could alienate a viewer, but the writing never goes so far as to seem mean-spirited. The late addition of Grandma (the always delightful Pat Carroll) gets the tone just right, and is a strong example of how to add in a character without getting in the way of the strip's familiar dynamics.

To reply to an earlier comment about the vet - I would say it's made very clear that she does not go along with Jon out of coercion; indeed, she happily ignores his tantrum and only after he has collapsed does she casually accept his invitation. She goes on to mostly keep the relationship, if one can call it that, casual, with the biggest sign of progress on Jon's part being that she agrees to another dinner a whole year away. If we want to read into the relationship that much, then I'd suggest the brief double take a viewer might do when they realize the same voice actress (Julie Payne) also played Jon's mother - a very Freudian element for a fun family experience.

Like all of the old Garfield specials televised before the Saturday morning cartoon show this videotape is hard to come by. I ordered it on eBay and received my copy today. I watched it with my girlfriend's two daughters (aged 9 and 2) and they loved it. They were brought up on the glitz of Disney computer animation but were very entertained by this archaic cartoon.

The jokes are classic, even if some of them are more for adults than children. I laughed uncontrollably during the Orson Welles joke when Garfield was on the talking scale. I highly recommend picking this tape up and watching it with your kids -- neither you nor they will be disappointed.

Once again, Garfield proves he can pull off more in 25 minutes than movies that take 4 times that long. It's Thanksgiving and Jon loves to make a huge deal of it. On a trip to the vet (keep a lookout for Orson the Pig in the waiting room) he manages to pluck up enough courage to ask out Dr. Liz on a date. Amazed? Well she actually accepts, how crazy is that? If only she knew what she was getting in to.

Jon doesn't plan the Thanksgiving dinner very well. He's got NO clue how to work a kitchen. And he's on the verge of blowing his big chance with Liz. But Grandma Arbuckle comes to the rescue. And so John, Liz, Garfield and Odie sit together at the table for lovely evening in which Jon actually manages to impress Liz. Well, will wonders never cease?

This TV special is one billion times what the poor Garfield movie is.

'Garfield's Thanksgiving' is overall a lesser holiday special for everybody's favourite cranky orange tabby, but it's still solidly entertaining, thanks to a number of good laughs and some subtlety when it comes to the sentiment. The characters are as engaging as they've ever been, with Garfield (voiced by the eternally amusing Lorenzo Music) an irascible hoot as always.

He starts Wednesday off in typical style, demanding that Jon (voice of Thom Huge) fix him a big breakfast. He's in a good mood until he realizes that today he has an appointment at the vets'. He doesn't look forward to it, but Jon does, of course, since he's so madly in love with the veterinarian, Liz (voice of Julie Payne). Liz finally relents and agrees on a date, so Jon invites her to Thanksgiving dinner. He's in danger of botching the whole thing, but gets some last minute help from an appropriate source. Garfield, meanwhile, must go on a diet (horrors!).

There are some hilarious sight gags (such as when characters are holding their breath), and the eleventh hour arrival / assistance of Grandma (voiced by Pat Carroll) ensures some real liveliness. She stole much of the show in "A Garfield Christmas", and does the same thing here. Jon is as hilariously awkward as he's ever been, and there's a great series of gags when he's modelling outfits for Garfield. He also threatens to send Liz to sleep when he stalls for time by regaling her with Thanksgiving history. Odie (voice of Gregg Berger) is as endearing as ever.

The best jokes revolve around the talking scale; they're more for adults than kids, who won't understand the references, but they are priceless.

Overall, a likable, pleasant special, worth watching for any Garfield fan.

Seven out of 10.

Have always been very fond of Garfield. He is a very funny and lovable character and 'Garfield and Friends' and his specials (like some more than others though) hold up very well today. Actually perhaps even better now as an adult but a child somewhat at heart than as a child. This is not nostalgia talking as there have been things loved as a child watched much later, and the question "what made me like this when younger?" Not so with 'Garfield and Friends' or his specials.

Still feel that way with 'Garfield's Thanksgiving', again not reviewed at the right time for the occasion being depicted but lets not worry about that for now, for me there has never been a right time to review anything (sometimes even to watch it). 'Garfield's Thanksgiving' is one of the least well known and shown specials of his and that is a shame. It is far from the best special (my personal favourite always having been 'A Garfield Christmas Special'), or even one of them, but it does deserve to be known more. Just because it is not as known well as some of the others doesn't mean it's bad, actually still consider 'Garfield's Thanksgiving' good and have always liked it.

Yes, 'Garfield's Thanksgiving' doesn't have the emotional impact or heart of some of the other Garfield specials, though it is not devoid of either. Others are more memorable.

Will admit too to connecting much more with other holidays like Christmas and Halloween than with Thanksgiving anyway, so that probably plays some part in why 'Garfield's Thanksgiving' doesn't connect quite as much.

There are many great merits with 'Garfield's Thanksgiving' though. The animation is still as colourful as remembered with the smooth drawing, far from sparse backgrounds and attention to detail holding up really well. Some of the other specials are more memorable in the music department, but the music and songs still fit with no problem and very pleasant and catchy listens.

Entertainment value, as to be expected, is non-stop, with some hilarious gags and wry and witty writing. Rarely have asides and sarcasm being funnier and more endearing for any character than with Garfield (Popeye the Sailor always entertained though with his asides and mumblings and Brain from 'Pinky and the Brain' also delighted with the sarcasm, though it was of the dark kind). Although not as strong as in other Garfield specials, the heart is there as is the charm, the sentiment being touching and not done in a preachy manner and the sweetness not being sugary. The story is thin but not dull and has a sweet ending.

Garfield is as hilarious and lovable as ever and can never get enough of Odie, who is so cute. Jon and Liz are likeable enough and Grandma is good fun. Have no qualms with the voice acting, Lorenzo Music has never been bettered, or even equalled, as the voice of Garfield.

Overall, not one of my favourites but have always liked it a lot and still do. 7.5/10 Bethany Cox