WKRP in Cincinnati, an American sitcom, revolves around the comedic exploits of a struggling AM radio station in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Created by Hugh Wilson, the show draws inspiration from his real-life experiences in advertising sales at WQXI, a Top 40 radio station in Atlanta.

The choice of “WKRP” as the call sign humorously represents “C-R-A-P,” as revealed by Wilson.

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WKRP in Cincinnati: Synopsis

New program director Andy Travis attempts to revive struggling radio station WKRP by transitioning from outdated easy-listening music to rock and roll.

Despite the well-intentioned efforts of the mostly inept staff—including bumbling manager Arthur Carlson, slick sales manager Herb Tarlek, and clueless news director Les Nessman—Travis makes strategic changes.

He hires New Orleans native Gordon Sims, adopting the on-air persona Venus Flytrap, as a new disc jockey, and allows former major-market DJ Dr. Johnny Fever to be himself on-air.

The characters also include receptionist Jennifer Marlowe, junior employee Bailey Quarters, and occasional appearances by ruthless business tycoon Lillian Carlson, the station’s owner and Arthur Carlson’s mother.

WKRP in Cincinnati: Ensemble

The ensemble cast features Gary Sandy as Andy Travis, Howard Hesseman as Dr. Johnny Fever, Gordon Jump as Arthur Carlson, Loni Anderson as Jennifer Marlowe, Tim Reid as Venus Flytrap, Jan Smithers as Bailey Quarters, Richard Sanders as Les Nessman, and Frank Bonner as Herb Tarlek.

WKRP in Cincinnati earned a Humanitas Prize and received 10 Emmy Award nominations, with Andy Ackerman winning an Emmy for Videotape Editing in Season 3.

Premiere

Premiering on September 18, 1978, on CBS, WKRP ran for four seasons and 90 episodes until April 21, 1982.

Despite being shuffled in CBS’s schedule during the second season, leading to lower ratings and eventual cancellation, the show found unexpected success in syndication.

It became one of the most popular sitcoms, surpassing even prime-time successes.

A sequel series, “The New WKRP in Cincinnati,” aired from 1991 to 1993 in syndication, featuring Jump, Sanders, and Bonner reprising their roles as regular characters.

Hesseman, Reid, and Anderson also returned as guest stars.

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The Players

• Gary Sandy as Andy Travis
• Howard Hesseman as Dr. Johnny Fever
• Gordon Jump as Arthur Carlson
• Loni Anderson as Jennifer Marlowe
• Tim Reid as Venus Flytrap (Gordon Sims)
• Jan Smithers as Bailey Quarters
• Richard Sanders as Les Nessman
• Frank Bonner as Herb Tarlek

The Turkey Drop

In the legendary “WKRP in Cincinnati” episode “Turkeys Away,” the station undertakes a Thanksgiving promotion with catastrophic results.

Station manager Arthur Carlson, in a misguided attempt to boost publicity, decides to drop live turkeys from a helicopter.

The disastrous outcome unfolds as turkeys plummet to the ground, creating chaos and pandemonium.

The episode brilliantly satirizes marketing stunts gone wrong, and its dark humor, memorable lines like “As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly,” and the impeccable comedic timing have immortalized “Turkeys Away” as one of the most iconic and beloved moments in television history.

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