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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.

The WWE universe is set to celebrate a momentous occasion as it honors the 10th anniversary of one of its most beloved factions, The New Day. Since their explosive debut in 2014, Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Big E have left an indelible mark on fans worldwide with their boundless energy and the unwavering power of positivity.

Uniting Fans with a Decade of Positivity and Wrestling Greatness

The Evolution of The New Day

Take a journey through time with a captivating 10-Year Photo Gallery. This gallery showcases the remarkable evolution of The New Day, featuring iconic moments and historic championship victories. It's a visual feast that allows fans to relive the memories of this extraordinary trio.

From their humble beginnings to becoming WWE legends, The New Day's journey is a testament to their talent and determination. Each photo tells a story, and together they form a tapestry of success.

The Best Matches of The New Day

Relive the excitement of The New Day's most spectacular matches in a compilation on WWE's YouTube channel. These battles were a sight to behold, filled with high-flying maneuvers, hard-hitting punches, and moments that had fans on the edge of their seats.

Whether it was their tag team clashes or individual showdowns, The New Day always delivered in the ring. Their matches became legendary, and this compilation is a must-watch for any wrestling fan.

Exclusive Sit-Down Interview with The New Day

Get an inside look into the lives and careers of Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Big E through an exclusive sit-down interview on YouTube. Hear directly from these WWE superstars as they reflect on their legendary experiences and share stories from the road.

Their insights and perspectives offer a unique glimpse into the world of The New Day and the bond they share. Fans will gain a deeper appreciation for these athletes and their impact on the WWE landscape.

The celebration kicks off on December 2nd with an unmissable episode on Monday Night Raw. The New Day will be honored with a live tribute to their incredible decade of accomplishments. Fans won't want to miss the excitement as WWE commemorates their journey and looks ahead to the future.

The Advertising Research Foundation (ARF) has taken a significant step forward by proposing a novel framework to classify how US households connect to TV. This move aims to replace the long-standing pay/BBO/OTA scheme that has been the backbone of the TV industry for years. The implications of this new framework are far-reaching and are set to reshape the advertising and media landscape.

Unlock the Future of TV Connection with ARF's Innovative Framework

Data from the DASH TV Universe Study

The DASH TV Universe Study, with its first wave of DASH 2024 data, has provided crucial insights. It highlights the continuous mainstreaming of streaming television, the 'appification' of pay-TV, and the erosion of Broadband Only (BBO) penetration as a defining characteristic of TV connection. These findings, summarized in a newly released ARF report, showcase the shifts in US television usage that present fresh opportunities for advertisers and media companies. 1: The data clearly indicates that the traditional boundaries between different forms of TV services are blurring. Streaming television is no longer a niche phenomenon but has become a mainstream part of how Americans consume media. Pay-TV is also undergoing a transformation, with more and more households adopting virtual means of access. This shift is having a profound impact on the advertising industry, as advertisers need to adapt their strategies to reach these changing audiences. 2: The erosion of BBO penetration is another significant trend. As more households embrace multiple ways of connecting to TV, the traditional definition of TV based solely on broadband access is becoming outdated. This calls for a more comprehensive and accurate framework to understand how households interact with TV.

A New Framework for TV Connection

In response to these trends, ARF has recommended a new classification system for US TV households. This framework divides households into six segments based on the TV signals they receive. Four of these segments belong to the pay-TV universe, which accounted for 59 per cent of TV-accessible households in spring 2024. The other two segments capture households relying on Over-the-Air (OTA) and digital-only signals. Notably, the pay-TV segments and OTA together make up the Linear TV universe, which represents 74 per cent of US TV households in spring 2024. 1: The new framework provides a more detailed and accurate picture of how households connect to TV. It takes into account the various ways in which households access TV content, including traditional and virtual pay-TV, as well as OTA and digital-only signals. This allows advertisers and media companies to better target their audiences and develop more effective advertising strategies. 2: By dividing households into six segments, ARF's new framework also enables a more granular analysis of TV usage patterns. This can help identify specific customer groups with different viewing behaviors and preferences, allowing for more targeted marketing efforts.

About the DASH Study

Established in 2021 and conducted annually in collaboration with NORC at the University of Chicago, the DASH study offers a comprehensive view of how Americans connect to and consume TV across devices, platforms, and services. Conducted through online, in-person, and phone surveys of a national probability sample of more than 10,000 adults, the DASH study produces reliable and projectable results for the media industry. The study is overseen by a technical committee of measurement experts representing the licensees of the study, ensuring the highest level of accuracy and relevance. 1: The DASH study is a valuable tool for understanding the evolving TV landscape. It provides detailed data on how different demographics and consumer groups connect to TV and what their viewing behaviors are. This information is essential for advertisers and media companies looking to stay ahead in the competitive marketplace. 2: By keeping a close eye on changes in the ecosystem and refining the survey ahead of each wave, the DASH study ensures that it remains at the forefront of TV research. This allows it to provide timely and relevant insights to the media industry, helping them make informed decisions about their advertising and content strategies.