This Thanksgiving Sitcom Episode Is Great and You’ve Probably Never Seen It

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  • The Thanksgiving Marketing Stunt for the Ages

As a connoisseur of classic sitcoms and someone who has spent countless hours delving into the annals of television history, I must say that “WKRP in Cincinnati” is one of those hidden gems that deserves recognition, especially during this festive season. The episode “Turkeys Away,” with its unique blend of humor, suspense, and a dash of absurdity, stands tall among the pantheon of great Thanksgiving-themed television episodes.

Many well-known sitcoms often include an episode centered around Thanksgiving, a tradition that’s deeply ingrained in television. For instance, ABC’s Modern Family had an episode called “Three Turkeys” during its sixth season, while FX’s It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia celebrated the occasion with an episode titled “The Gang Squashes Their Beef” in its ninth season. If we go back as far as 1967, we find a special episode of Bewitched called “Samantha’s Thanksgiving To Remember,” where Samantha and her family are transported to 1620, spending the holiday with actual pilgrims from that era. With these shows (and their mini-Thanksgiving episodes) being in syndication for years, there’s no need to worry about missing out on the fun.

Instead of overlooking it, let’s take a fresh look at a classic sitcom from the 1970s this upcoming holiday season – “WKRP in Cincinnati,” which originally aired on CBS the night before Halloween in 1978. This comedy series, with characters like Gary Sandy, Gordon Jump, Tim Reid, and Loni Anderson, is worth revisiting not just for its unusual plot but also for an outrageous Thanksgiving episode that was inspired by real events. In this episode titled “Turkeys Away,” the characters sent wild turkeys plummeting from a helicopter high above the sky – a stunt that will leave you amazed!

‘WKRP’s Great Thanksgiving Episode

Despite an unusual plotline and diverse cast consisting of a shrewd yet feeble general manager, a politically astute news reporter, a receptionist employing her charm for altruistic purposes, and a Vietnam War deserter as an evening DJ to name a few, the sitcom WKRP remarkably endured for four seasons and even earned 10 Emmy Award nominations throughout its run. The intriguing aspect lies in the fact that this relatively unknown CBS series drew inspiration from real-life marketing stunts of an early 1970s radio station (WQXI, Atlanta, Georgia). The episode titled “Turkeys Away” effectively portrays the amusing downfall of a 2000-foot turkey drop, while also echoing the six-word sentence that the real WQXI’s general manager, Jerry Blum, would utter years later: “I didn’t know turkeys couldn’t fly!”

In the seventh episode of WKRP in Cincinnati’s first season, the anticipation is a significant part of the fun. During the initial 20 minutes of the 24-minute show, neither the team nor the audience discovers Mr. Carlson’s (the station manager) intentions. While each episode offers amusing quips from recurring characters like Dr. Johnny Fever and Venus Flytrap, this episode truly shines when on-site reporter Nessman grasps what is unfolding.

Initially, he supposes that the major incident centers on a helicopter bearing a “Happy Thanksgiving from WKRP” sign. Richard Sanders delivers an impressive portrayal as his character reacts to the chilling sight. Phrases like, “These aren’t skydivers,” “Oh, the humanity,” and “They’re plummeting to the ground like sacks of wet cement” are among the reporter’s words before communication ceases. The truth about his fate will soon be revealed, and it’s not going to be pleasant.

The Thanksgiving Marketing Stunt for the Ages

Various entities including the Mayor, The Humane Society, and The National Guard contacted the station due to a tragic event. This caused the staff to reconsider their advertising strategies. In response, Gary Sandy (portraying the program director) delivered an inspiring speech that set the team on a new course for the future. However, just as things were starting to calm down, Mr. Carlson and Herb Tarlek entered from outside, disheveled with torn suits.

However, yet again, Nessman captivates everyone as he enters following them. Unlike his superior and assistant, Nessman appears visibly shaken but manages to elicit laughter. He claims that a man, his two kids, and the surviving turkeys, who were all present, attempted to harm him! Incredibly, he also mentions before the end credits that the birds planned a retaliation against those still around. Can you envision such an event? Well, fortunately, there are reports detailing this incident when it actually took place in reality.

Luckily, the turkeys weren’t propelled from any aircraft or similar device, but rather released from a pickup truck parked in a Dallas, Texas lot. Fortunately, no harm was caused by these birds, but those present for the promotional event became quite excited, as Blum described, to the point of scuffling with one another in an attempt to catch a live bird. In other locations, such as Yellville, Arkansas (albeit less detailed), the Chamber of Commerce has also attempted similar stunts, leading to issues just like in this case.

Despite its checkered history, “Turkeys Away” from the show “WKRP in Cincinnati” stands out as one of the show’s most beloved episodes and is considered among the 100 best TV episodes ever by TV Guide. If you’re seeking a fresh take on Thanksgiving this year, this might be it! You can catch this episode, along with the rest of the series, on Apple TV.

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2024-11-24 05:34