The Best Episodes of WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1
Every episode of WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1!
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 named Venus Flytrap to work with the station's burned-out veteran, Dr. Johnny Fever. Neurotic newsman Les Nessman, eager beaver Bailey Quarters, sleazy salesman Herb Tarlek, blonde bombshell Jennifer Marlowe, who serves as the station's ultra-capable receptionist, and station manager Arthur Carlson, whose domineering mother owns WKRP, round out the eccentric bunch.
Season 1 Highlight
The best episode of "WKRP in Cincinnati" season 1 is "Pilot (1)", rated 8.1/10 from 313 user votes. It was directed by Jay Sandrich and written by Hugh Wilson. "Pilot (1)" aired on 9/18/1978 and is rated 0.1 point(s) higher than the second highest rated, "Pilot (2)".
8.1/10 313 votes#1 - Pilot (1)
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 1978-09-18
Andy tries to convince WKRP's owner that rock and roll will cure the station's ailing ratings.
Director: Jay Sandrich
Writer: Hugh Wilson
8.0/10 273 votes#2 - Pilot (2)
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 1978-09-25
Andy faces a fiscal crisis: Carlson won't finance a breaking-in period for the new format.
Director: Michael Zinberg
Writer: Hugh Wilson
8.2/10 269 votes#3 - Les On a Ledge
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 1978-10-02
Les is barred from locker-room interviews when his manhood is questioned.
Director: Asaad Kelada
Writer: Hugh Wilson
8.3/10 345 votes#4 - Hoodlum Rock
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 1978-10-09
Andy books a rock band whose members attack their audiences.
Director: Michael Zinberg
Writer: Hugh Wilson
8.2/10 277 votes#5 - Hold-Up
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 1978-10-16
A broadcast from a stereo shop is disrupted by a holdup.
Director: Asaad Kelada
Writer: N/A
7.7/10 245 votes#6 - Bailey's Show
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 1978-10-23
Bailey's show brings out the weirdest people in town.
Director: Asaad Kelada
Writer: N/A
9.6/10 1,093 votes#7 - Turkeys Away
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 1978-10-30
Carlson thinks up a wacko Thanksgiving promotional gimmick.
Director: Michael Zinberg
Writer: N/A
6.8/10 238 votes#8 - Love Returns
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 1978-11-06
Andy may have to leave WKRP when he rekindles his love for a touring rock star.
Director: Asaad Kelada
Writer: N/A
6.6/10 219 votes#9 - Mama's Review
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 1979-01-15
In flashbacks, Andy and Carlson update WKRP's owner Mrs. Carlson on recent station happenings.
Director: Asaad Kelada
Writer: Hugh Wilson
8.2/10 224 votes#10 - A Date With Jennifer
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 1979-01-22
Les invites Jennifer to a banquet, then suspects she only accepted out of pity.
Director: Asaad Kelada
Writer: N/A
8.3/10 239 votes#11 - The Contest Nobody Could Win
Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 1979-01-29
Johnny accidentally offers listeners $5000 instead of $50 as a contest prize.
Director: Asaad Kelada
Writer: N/A
8.2/10 214 votes#12 - Tornado
Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 1979-02-05
A tornado strikes while Japanese businessmen are touring the station.
Director: Will Mackenzie
Writer: Blake Hunter
7.9/10 188 votes#13 - Goodbye, Johnny
Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 1979-02-19
Johnny is offered a job in California, so the staff devises a scheme to keep him in Cincinnati.
Director: Asaad Kelada
Writer: Blake Hunter
8.1/10 212 votes#14 - Johnny Comes Back
Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 1979-02-26
Johnny comes back to WKRP expecting to get his job back. Instead, he is assigned to the predawn show.
Director: Asaad Kelada
Writer: Blake Hunter
7.5/10 184 votes#15 - Never Leave Me, Lucille
Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 1979-03-05
Temporarily separated from his wife, Herb envisions a fanciful bachelorhood.
Director: Asaad Kelada
Writer: N/A
7.3/10 184 votes#16 - I Want to Keep My Baby
Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 1979-03-12
Johnny refuses to relinquish an abandoned baby left at WKRP until he can contact the mother.
Director: Asaad Kelada
Writer: Hugh Wilson
8.2/10 218 votes#17 - A Commercial Break
Season 1 Episode 17 - Aired 1979-03-26
Andy has doubts about an upbeat ad campaign for a mortician.
Director: Rod Daniel
Writer: N/A
8.3/10 219 votes#18 - Who is Gordon Sims?
Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 1979-04-02
Venus refuses to pose for an ad because he's wanted by the law.
Director: Rod Daniel
Writer: N/A
7.8/10 202 votes#19 - I Do, I Do... For Now
Season 1 Episode 19 - Aired 1979-04-23
Jennifer tries to discourage a beau by revealing she's married--to Johnny Fever.
Director: Will Mackenzie
Writer: N/A
7.1/10 190 votes#20 - Young Master Carlson
Season 1 Episode 20 - Aired 1979-04-30
Momma Carlson insists her grandson be allowed to roam around the station after he's booted out of military school.
Director: Will Mackenzie
Writer: Hugh Wilson
8.8/10 258 votes#21 - Fish Story
Season 1 Episode 21 - Aired 1979-05-28
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
7.7/10 201 votes#22 - Preacher
Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 1979-06-04
A wrestler turned preacher uses his radio sermon to sell merchandise.
Director: Michael Zinberg
Writer: N/A