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The Best Episodes of WKRP in Cincinnati

Every episode of WKRP in Cincinnati ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of WKRP in Cincinnati!

Binge this in 1d 13h•Peaking at 9.6/10

When a Cincinnati radio station switches from sedate music to top-40 rock 'n' roll, its staff of oddball characters is forced to switch gears quickly. New programming director Andy Travis brings in a new DJ

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1 Episode 7 - Turkeys Away
    9.6/10(1261 votes)

    #1 - Turkeys Away

    S1:E7

    Carlson thinks up a wacko Thanksgiving promotional gimmick.

    Director:Michael Zinberg
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1 Episode 21 - Fish Story
    8.8/10(284 votes)

    #2 - Fish Story

    S1:E21

    Andy tells a journalist that WKRP is just a "run-of-the-mill" station, even though a staffer is running around in a "carp" suit.

    Director:Asaad Kelada
    Writer:Hugh Wilson

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  3. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 2 Episode 19 - In Concert
    8.8/10(260 votes)

    #3 - In Concert

    S2:E19

    At a concert by the Who in Cincinnati on December 3, 1979, eleven kids were trampled to death when the crowd rushed to get seats. The first part of this episode takes place before that concert; the second act takes place the day after, and presents the characters' reactions to the tragedy.

    Director:Linda Day
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 4 Episode 22 - Up and Down the Dial
    8.8/10(179 votes)

    #4 - Up and Down the Dial

    S4:E22

    Just as WKRP hits #6 in the ratings, Mama Carlson announces that she plans to switch the format of the station to 24 hours a day of news.

    Director:George Gaynes
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 3 Episode 8 - Baby, It's Cold Inside
    8.7/10(162 votes)

    #5 - Baby, It's Cold Inside

    S3:E8

    On a day when the furnace has broken down, Mama Carlson pays a surprise visit to the station and catches Johnny drinking in the broadcast booth.

    Director:Rod Daniel
    Writer:Blake Hunter

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  6. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 3 Episode 22 - Clean Up Radio Everywhere
    8.7/10(196 votes)

    #6 - Clean Up Radio Everywhere

    S3:E22

    Dr. Bob Halyers, head of the organization Clean Up Radio Broadcasting (CURB), visits Mr. Carlson with a list of obscene songs that he wants the station to stop playing.

    Director:Linda Day
    Writer:Hugh Wilson

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of WKRP in Cincinnati

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  7. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 4 Episode 2 - An Explosive Affair (Part 2)
    8.7/10(163 votes)

    #7 - An Explosive Affair (Part 2)

    S4:E2

    Andy is unable to warn Johnny and Venus when he realizes that the bomb is at the transmitter.

    Director:Linda Day
    Writer:Steve Marshall

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  8. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 2 Episode 22 - Filthy Pictures (2)
    8.6/10(175 votes)

    #8 - Filthy Pictures (2)

    S2:E22

    Mr. Carlson convinces Jennifer and Andy to pose in bathing suits for a ""Surf's Up in Cincinnati"" poster. After the photo session, the photographer secretly takes nude photos of Jennifer while she's changing.

    Director:Rod Daniel
    Writer:Steve Marshall

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  9. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 4 Episode 1 - An Explosive Affair (Part 1)
    8.6/10(170 votes)

    #9 - An Explosive Affair (Part 1)

    S4:E1

    After the station receives a bomb threat, Andy sends Johnny and Venus to broadcast from the transmitter tower while the station is being searched.

    Director:Linda Day
    Writer:Steve Marshall

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  10. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 4 Episode 9 - The Consultant
    8.6/10(204 votes)

    #10 - The Consultant

    S4:E9

    Mama Carlson hires a professional radio consultant to evaluate WKRP. The man she's hired, Norris Breeze, is an old friend of Andy's who also runs a radio programming service. Andy soon realizes that Breeze intends to give the station a bad report unless it subscribes to the service.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Hugh Wilson

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  11. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 2 Episode 21 - Filthy Pictures (1)
    8.5/10(177 votes)

    #11 - Filthy Pictures (1)

    S2:E21

    Mr. Carlson convinces Jennifer and Andy to pose in bathing suits for a ""Surf's Up in Cincinnati"" poster. After the photo session, the photographer secretly takes nude photos of Jennifer while she's changing.

    Director:Rod Daniel
    Writer:Steve Marshall

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  12. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 2 Episode 7 - Mike Fright
    8.4/10(164 votes)

    #12 - Mike Fright

    S2:E7

    During a citywide garbage strike, Johnny jokingly suggests that his listeners dump their garbage on the steps of City Hall. The joke is on him, and the station, when hundreds of listeners take him seriously. Johnny becomes aware of his power and develops a serious case of mike fright.

    Director:Will Mackenzie
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 4 Episode 8 - Jennifer and the Will
    8.4/10(169 votes)

    #13 - Jennifer and the Will

    S4:E8

    Colonel Buchanan, Jennifer's elderly gentleman friend, dies suddenly. As executrix of his will, Jennifer must deal with the press and with the Colonel's money-grubbing, rumor mongering relatives.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Blake Hunter

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  14. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 4 Episode 21 - To Err is Human
    8.4/10(139 votes)

    #14 - To Err is Human

    S4:E21

    After Herb screws up an important advertising account, Mr. Carlson finally intends to fire him, but Jennifer takes pity on Herb and tries to help him keep his job.

    Director:Linda Day
    Writer:Lissa Levin

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  15. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1 Episode 4 - Hoodlum Rock
    8.3/10(371 votes)

    #15 - Hoodlum Rock

    S1:E4

    Andy books a rock band whose members attack their audiences.

    Director:Michael Zinberg
    Writer:Hugh Wilson

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  16. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1 Episode 18 - Who is Gordon Sims?
    8.3/10(235 votes)

    #16 - Who is Gordon Sims?

    S1:E18

    Venus refuses to pose for an ad because he's wanted by the law.

    Director:Rod Daniel
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 2 Episode 11 - Jennifer's Home for Christmas
    8.3/10(186 votes)

    #17 - Jennifer's Home for Christmas

    S2:E11

    Jennifer tells her friends that she has nothing special planned for Christmas, and that she doesn't have a tree this year. Everyone begins to suspect that she might be alone for the holidays.

    Director:Rod Daniel
    Writer:Steve Marshall

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  18. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 3 Episode 15 - Ask Jennifer
    8.3/10(146 votes)

    #18 - Ask Jennifer

    S3:E15

    When Herb's choice as host of a new call-in advice show proves unable to go on the air, Jennifer takes over and becomes an instant success.

    Director:Linda Day
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 4 Episode 19 - The Creation of Venus
    8.3/10(140 votes)

    #19 - The Creation of Venus

    S4:E19

    When Venus lets it slip that he was a schoolteacher before he came to WKRP, Andy has to tell Mama Carlson the truth about how he hired Gordon Sims as a DJ and how they came up with the persona of Venus Flytrap.

    Director:Gordon Jump
    Writer:Blake Hunter

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  20. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot (1)
    8.2/10(341 votes)

    #20 - Pilot (1)

    S1:E1

    Andy tries to convince WKRP's owner that rock and roll will cure the station's ailing ratings.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Hugh Wilson

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  21. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1 Episode 3 - Les On a Ledge
    8.2/10(294 votes)

    #21 - Les On a Ledge

    S1:E3

    Les is barred from locker-room interviews when his manhood is questioned.

    Director:Asaad Kelada
    Writer:Hugh Wilson

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  22. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1 Episode 5 - Hold-Up
    8.2/10(297 votes)

    #22 - Hold-Up

    S1:E5

    A broadcast from a stereo shop is disrupted by a holdup.

    Director:Asaad Kelada
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1 Episode 10 - A Date With Jennifer
    8.2/10(242 votes)

    #23 - A Date With Jennifer

    S1:E10

    Les invites Jennifer to a banquet, then suspects she only accepted out of pity.

    Director:Asaad Kelada
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1 Episode 11 - The Contest Nobody Could Win
    8.2/10(257 votes)

    #24 - The Contest Nobody Could Win

    S1:E11

    Johnny accidentally offers listeners $5000 instead of $50 as a contest prize.

    Director:Asaad Kelada
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1 Episode 12 - Tornado
    8.2/10(230 votes)

    #25 - Tornado

    S1:E12

    A tornado strikes while Japanese businessmen are touring the station.

    Director:Will Mackenzie
    Writer:Blake Hunter

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Best Episodes Summary

"Turkeys Away" is the best rated episode of "WKRP in Cincinnati". It scored 9.6/10 based on 1261 votes. Directed by Michael Zinberg and written by Unknown, it aired on 10/30/1978. This episode scored 0.8 points higher than the second highest rated, "Fish Story".