WKRP in Cincinnati was a popular sitcom that aired in the late 1970s and early 1980s. One of the most memorable episodes from the show is “Turkeys Away,” where Les Nessman, the bumbling newsman, covers a disastrous promotional event.
Les Nessman is known for his unique style of reporting, often adding absurd details to his stories. His description of the turkey drop at the Pinedale Shopping Mall has become legendary.
In one of the funniest moments, Les begins his report with these unforgettable words: “As God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly!” These words perfectly capture Les’s cluelessness and make for a classic comedy moment.
Les Nessman’s turkey drop quotes have been quoted and referenced in pop culture over the years, cementing their status as some of the funniest lines from the show. Whether you’re a fan of WKRP in Cincinnati or just enjoy a good laugh, these quotes are sure to bring a smile to your face.
Les Nessman Turkey Drop Quotes
In the classic episode of WKRP in Cincinnati titled “Turkey’s Away,” Les Nessman provides some hilarious quotes during the turkey drop event. Here are a few memorable lines:
“I feel just like a Roman gladiator. It’s as if the lions are being fed.” – Les Nessman |
“I thought turkeys could fly.” – Les Nessman |
“The turkeys are hitting the ground like bags of wet cement!” – Les Nessman |
“I’m in the middle of the Westwood debut of Johnny Fever, and I just dropped live turkeys from a helicopter! I am haunted by the image of those helpless little creatures plummeting to their deaths!” – Les Nessman |
These quotes showcase Les Nessman’s wit and comedic timing as he tries to make sense of the chaotic turkey drop situation. His disbelief and confusion provide plenty of laughs for viewers of the show.
Hilarious Moments from WKRP in Cincinnati
WKRP in Cincinnati was a beloved sitcom that aired from 1978 to 1982. It followed the misadventures of a struggling radio station and its quirky staff. The show had many hilarious moments that left audiences in stitches. Here are some of the funniest moments from WKRP in Cincinnati:
- The “turkey drop” episode, where station manager Mr. Carlson decides to promote Thanksgiving by dropping live turkeys from a helicopter. The chaos that ensues when the turkeys start plummeting to the ground is comedy gold.
- Les Nessman’s hilarious news report during the turkey drop, where he frantically describes the scene with great detail, using phrases like “oh, the humanity!” and “the turkeys are hitting the ground like sacks of wet cement.”
- Herb Tarlek’s ridiculous wardrobe choices, which often included loud plaid suits and flamboyant ties. His fashion sense, or lack thereof, became a running joke throughout the series.
- Johnny Fever’s humorous on-air banter and rebellious attitude. He was always quick with a sarcastic comment or witty comeback, keeping audiences entertained and on their toes.
- The ongoing feud between Dr. Johnny Fever and Venus Flytrap, two radio DJs with vastly different personalities. Their constant bickering and competition for airtime created many laughs.
- The episode where the station holds a “Love Weekend” promotion, encouraging people to call in and confess their love on the air. The awkward and sometimes hilarious conversations that ensue are comedy gold.
- The episode where Les Nessman tries to fill in for a sports commentator and hilariously fails at understanding the basics of the game. His confused commentary provides plenty of laughs.
- Mr. Carlson’s comical attempts at managing the station and his oftentimes clueless demeanor. His interactions with the staff and his decision-making skills never failed to amuse.
- The episode where the staff tries to come up with a new promotional idea and ends up with a “hula hoop contest.” The hilarity that ensues as people try to hula hoop, some more successfully than others, is sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face.
These are just a few of the many hilarious moments that made WKRP in Cincinnati such a beloved sitcom. Its clever writing, talented cast, and hilarious situations continue to entertain audiences to this day.
Les Nessman’s Iconic Turkey Drop
One of the most memorable moments from the sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati is the famous Turkey Drop episode featuring Les Nessman. This episode has become an iconic part of television history, making audience laugh for decades.
Les Nessman, the bumbling and naive news reporter, is assigned to cover the annual turkey giveaway event from a helicopter. With his usual trademark seriousness, he reports on the scene as the turkeys are dropped from the sky:
Les Nessman: | “As God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly!” |
This line perfectly captures the absurdity of the situation and becomes the show’s most famous quote. The scene itself is a hilarious disaster as the turkeys are dropped from the helicopter, plummeting to the ground with disastrous consequences. The radio station’s promotional event takes a chaotic turn, as the turkeys cause havoc and chaos around the city.
Les Nessman’s naive belief that turkeys can fly, despite all evidence to the contrary, is both comedic and endearing. It highlights his quirky personality and his tendency to take himself and his job too seriously. The contrast between Les Nessman’s seriousness and the comedic chaos of the turkey drop creates a perfect comedic moment.
The Turkey Drop episode remains a fan favorite, showcasing the brilliant writing and comedic timing of WKRP in Cincinnati. Les Nessman’s iconic line and the scene itself are still referenced and remembered by fans of the show, demonstrating the lasting impact and legacy of this classic sitcom.
Hilarity Ensues on Air
One of the most memorable moments from WKRP in Cincinnati is the infamous Les Nessman Turkey Drop. As the radio staff prepares to give away turkeys by throwing them out of a helicopter, chaos quickly ensues.
Les Nessman, the station’s news reporter, is tasked with reporting live from the scene. However, as Les describes the event, he becomes increasingly flustered and confused about what is actually happening. His hilarious descriptions and misunderstandings make for some of the funniest moments in the show.
- Les starts off by confidently stating, “I’m here with hundreds of people who have gathered to witness what has been described as perhaps the greatest turkey event in Thanksgiving history.” Little does he know that the event is about to go horribly wrong.
- As the first turkey is dropped, Les witnesses chaos and panic as people are running away from the falling turkeys. He exclaims, “The turkeys are hitting the ground like bags of wet cement!” His over-the-top description perfectly captures the absurdity of the situation.
- Les continues his chaotic reporting, trying to make sense of what he is seeing. He shouts, “Oh my God, they’re turkeys! Oh my God, they’re hitting the ground like sacks of wet cement!” His repetition of the phrase only adds to the humor and confusion of the moment.
- As Les tries to regain his composure, he interviews a distraught woman who exclaims, “a bunch of turkeys came flying out of the sky.” Les replies, “Some fellas are throwing turkeys out of the helicopter!” It’s clear that Les is just as bewildered as the viewers.
- The chaos reaches its peak when Les himself is hit by a falling turkey. In a moment of pure comedic brilliance, Les screams, “I don’t know how much longer I can hold on!” The image of Les being attacked by turkeys is both hilarious and absurd.
The Les Nessman Turkey Drop episode showcases the incredible comedic talent of the cast, particularly Richard Sanders who played Les Nessman. The hilarious moments on air perfectly capture the spirit of WKRP in Cincinnati and continue to be remembered fondly by fans of the show.
The Famous “I Thought Turkeys Could Fly” Line
One of the most iconic moments in television history is the famous “I thought turkeys could fly” line from the sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati. The line is uttered by character Les Nessman during a Thanksgiving promotion gone horribly wrong.
In the episode titled “Turkeys Away,” the radio station WKRP in Cincinnati decides to surprise their listeners with a unique Thanksgiving giveaway – dropping live turkeys from a helicopter. Les Nessman, the station’s news reporter, is tasked with providing live coverage of the event.
As the helicopter takes off and begins dropping the turkeys, chaos ensues. The turkeys, unable to fly, start plummeting to the ground, causing mayhem and panic among the people below. Les Nessman watches in horror as the disastrous promotion unfolds.
In a moment of comedic brilliance, Les exclaims, “I thought turkeys could fly!” This line perfectly captures the absurdity of the situation and has since become a legendary catchphrase that is still referenced and quoted to this day.
The “I thought turkeys could fly” line has not only become synonymous with WKRP in Cincinnati but has also taken on a life of its own, being used in various pop culture references and even inspiring merchandise.
This memorable line exemplifies the humor and wit of the show, as well as its ability to create unforgettable moments that continue to entertain audiences decades later.
Andy’s Desperate Attempt to Save the Show
As the disastrous Thanksgiving promotion unfolded, Andy Travis, the program director of WKRP in Cincinnati, realized that he needed to take immediate action to salvage the situation and save the show. With Les Nessman reporting live from the shopping center where the turkeys were being dropped from a helicopter, chaos erupted as the birds plummeted to the ground, causing mass panic and injuries.
Desperate to avoid legal consequences and maintain the station’s reputation, Andy sprung into action. He quickly mobilized his team and formulated a plan to clean up the mess both literally and metaphorically. Aware that Les’s live report could potentially ruin the station’s credibility, Andy made the difficult decision to cut off the broadcast and switch to music.
With Les still on the air, still excitedly narrating the chaos surrounding the turkey drop, Andy intercepted the transmission and desperately pleaded with the shaken reporter to stop broadcasting. In an emotional and tense moment, Andy convinced Les to understand the severity of the situation and convinced him to end the live report.
Andy’s quick thinking and determination to save the show paid off as the chaos subsided. He gathered the team to clean up the mess and immediately went into damage control mode. He called for ambulances to tend to the injured and swiftly organized efforts to mitigate the fallout from the event.
While the Turkey Drop may have been a disastrous and unforgettable moment for WKRP in Cincinnati, Andy’s desperate attempt to save the show demonstrated his leadership skills and unwavering commitment to the station’s success. Despite the setback, Andy’s actions helped to protect the station’s reputation and ensure that they could continue to deliver quality content to their listeners.
Herb Tarlek’s Fashion Faux Pas
While Les Nessman may have had his iconic turkey drop, Herb Tarlek made his mark on WKRP in Cincinnati with his audacious fashion choices. As the station’s sleazy sales manager, Herb was known for his outrageous and often tasteless wardrobe, making him a constant source of amusement for viewers.
From his plaid suits to his mismatched patterns, Herb’s style was a walking fashion faux pas. He seemed to have no concept of color coordination or fashion sensibilities, often wearing clashing colors and patterns that would make any sane person cringe.
One of Herb’s most memorable fashion moments was when he wore a bright orange suit with a green polka dot tie and a yellow feathered hat. It was a sight to behold, and not in a good way. The outfit was so garish that it was hard to decide which element was the most offensive.
But Herb didn’t stop there. He continued to push the boundaries of fashion with his infamous plaid pants and paisley shirts combination. It was a clash of patterns that could induce visual discomfort in even the most tolerant viewer.
Despite his fashion blunders, Herb somehow managed to own his unique style with confidence. He strutted around the office as if he was a fashion icon, completely oblivious to the horrified looks he received from his colleagues.
Herb Tarlek’s fashion choices may have been a joke, but they played an integral role in the character’s comedic appeal. His outrageous outfits added another layer of hilarity to the already hilarious WKRP in Cincinnati, making fans eagerly anticipate what fashion disaster Herb would unleash next.
The Turkey Giveaway Disaster
The “Turkey Giveaway Disaster” is one of the most memorable moments from the television show WKRP in Cincinnati. In this episode, radio station WKRP decides to hold a Thanksgiving promotion where they drop live turkeys from a helicopter as a giveaway to the public.
Les Nessman, the station’s news reporter, is tasked with reporting live from the event. As the helicopter takes off, Les begins his enthusiastic commentary, unaware of the chaos that is about to unfold.
As the helicopter flies over the shopping center, the turkeys are dropped from above. However, instead of gracefully gliding to the ground, the turkeys plummet like rocks, crashing into cars and buildings. The scene is chaotic, with people screaming and trying to get out of the way of the falling turkeys.
Les tries to maintain his composure as he reports the disaster, but his shock and horror are evident in his voice. He describes the falling turkeys with a mix of disbelief and incredulity, making the whole situation even more comedic.
As the episode unfolds, it becomes clear that the turkey drop was a complete disaster. The station’s general manager, Mr. Carlson, had failed to realize that turkeys cannot fly. The promotion ends with the station receiving numerous angry phone calls and facing the backlash from the public.
This “Turkey Giveaway Disaster” episode is often cited as one of the funniest moments in television history. It perfectly captures the absurdity and unpredictability of live television, leaving audiences in stitches and becoming a timeless classic.
Carlton’s Misadventures in Advertising
In the world of advertising, Carlton was known for his series of hilarious misadventures that kept everyone entertained. From his disastrous attempts at creating catchy slogans to his embarrassing on-air blunders, Carlton never failed to make an impression.
One of Carlton’s most notable misadventures was when he came up with a slogan for a new laundry detergent: “Washes away your stains and your dignity!” While his intention was to promote the product’s stain-removing capabilities, the slogan ended up sounding more like an insult to the consumers’ personal hygiene.
Another memorable moment was when Carlton was tasked with creating an advertising jingle for a local restaurant. Instead of coming up with a catchy tune, Carlton decided to perform a freestyle rap on live television. However, his lack of rhythm and rhyming skills turned the jingle into a cringe-worthy disaster that had everyone laughing.
Perhaps the most infamous of Carlton’s misadventures was the time he accidentally aired a commercial for a funeral home during a children’s show. The ad featured somber music, mournful visuals, and a voiceover urging viewers to “plan for the inevitable”. Needless to say, the children’s show quickly took a dark turn, leaving the young viewers confused and disturbed.
Despite his constant missteps, Carlton’s misadventures in advertising made him a beloved character in the industry. His unintentional humor and ability to make the best out of any situation brought joy to both his colleagues and the audience.
Les Nessman’s Memorable Quotes
1. “As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly!”
2. “In the spirit of the holiday season, Thanksgiving, who had knee surgery at this station knows, it’s better to give than to receive. That would make me better than all of you!”
3. “I, Les Nessman, pledge to never eat a turkey again until every turkey in the Tri-State area can fly!”
4. “I’m wearing a band-aid on my forehead because the last time I saw Les, he hucked a frozen turkey at my head!”
5. “I was covering the story about the turkeys being dropped and it all went horribly wrong. There were feathers flying, turkeys were hitting the ground like sacks of wet cement!”
6. “I wasn’t going to say anything, but being a newsman, it’s my duty to report the facts. And the fact is, turkeys cannot fly!”