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Television

The Quirky Tale of Turkeys and Television: "WKRP in Cincinnati"

2024-11-25

As we delve into the world of "WKRP in Cincinnati," one line in particular stands out - "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." This iconic phrase has become intertwined with Thanksgiving in the Queen City. The 1978 episode titled "Turkeys Away" has been hailed by USA TODAY as the best Thanksgiving TV episode ever. But, after 46 years, does this famous Turkey Drop show still hold its charm? Three Enquirer staffers, including myself, who were born in 1996 and firmly planted in the millennial and Gen Z era, along with Kaycee Sloan and Grace Tucker, both from Gen Z territory, and history columnist Jeff Suess, who has seen the show countless times, decided to give it a watch.

Our Final Ratings and Quick Recap

The sitcom follows the ups and downs of a fictional radio station in Cincinnati. In the seventh episode of the first season, released on October 30, 1978, the station attempts a well-intentioned but poorly executed Thanksgiving promotion by dropping live turkeys from a helicopter outside a busy shopping center. Reporter Les Nessman (Richard Sanders) delivers a dramatic on-the-scene account, mimicking journalist Herbert Morrison's broadcast of the 1937 Hindenburg disaster with lines like "One just went through the windshield of a parked car. This is terrible. Oh, the humanity!"Our audience had a great time watching the show. While the laugh track and some of the dated humor could be a bit distracting at times, as Jeff noted, many of the shows we watch today will also seem cringey in 40-plus years. Les Nessman truly carried the episode with his excellent recount of the turkeys "flying" to the ground. Grace and Kaycee both gave "Turkeys Away" a 4/5 rating, while I gave it a 4.5/5, and Jeff predictably gave it a full 5/5. To see our raw reactions, watch the video at the top of the page.

Episodes and Availability

Episodes of "WKRP in Cincinnati" are available for purchase on Apple TV, allowing viewers to enjoy this classic show at their convenience. It offers a unique glimpse into a bygone era and the humorous trials and tribulations of a radio station during Thanksgiving. Whether you're a fan of classic sitcoms or just looking for a fun Thanksgiving-themed viewing, "WKRP in Cincinnati" is definitely worth a watch.