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Comedy

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!

Binge this in 9h 10m•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
    WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1 Episode 7 - Turkeys Away
    9.6/10(1296 votes)

    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(292 votes)

    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 1 Episode 4 - Hoodlum Rock
    8.3/10(394 votes)

    S1:E4

    Andy books a rock band whose members attack their audiences.

    Director:Michael Zinberg
    Writer:Hugh Wilson

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  4. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1 Episode 18 - Who is Gordon Sims?
    8.3/10(251 votes)

    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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  5. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1 Episode 3 - Les On a Ledge
    8.2/10(310 votes)

    S1:E3

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

    Director:Asaad Kelada
    Writer:Hugh Wilson

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  6. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1 Episode 5 - Hold-Up
    8.2/10(314 votes)

    S1:E5

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

    Director:Asaad Kelada
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1 Episode 10 - A Date With Jennifer
    8.2/10(257 votes)

    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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  8. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1 Episode 11 - The Contest Nobody Could Win
    8.2/10(272 votes)

    S1:E11

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

    Director:Asaad Kelada
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1 Episode 12 - Tornado
    8.2/10(245 votes)

    S1:E12

    A tornado strikes while Japanese businessmen are touring the station.

    Director:Will Mackenzie
    Writer:Blake Hunter

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  10. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1 Episode 14 - Johnny Comes Back
    8.2/10(247 votes)

    S1:E14

    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

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  11. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1 Episode 17 - A Commercial Break
    8.2/10(253 votes)

    S1:E17

    Andy has doubts about an upbeat ad campaign for a mortician.

    Director:Rod Daniel
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot (1)
    8.1/10(367 votes)

    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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  13. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1 Episode 2 - Pilot (2)
    8.0/10(315 votes)

    S1:E2

    Andy faces a fiscal crisis: Carlson won't finance a breaking-in period for the new format.

    Director:Michael Zinberg
    Writer:Hugh Wilson

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  14. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1 Episode 13 - Goodbye, Johnny
    7.8/10(214 votes)

    S1:E13

    Johnny is offered a job in California, so the staff devises a scheme to keep him in Cincinnati.

    Director:Asaad Kelada
    Writer:Blake Hunter

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  15. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1 Episode 19 - I Do, I Do... For Now
    7.8/10(234 votes)

    S1:E19

    Jennifer tries to discourage a beau by revealing she's married--to Johnny Fever.

    Director:Will Mackenzie
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1 Episode 22 - Preacher
    7.7/10(230 votes)

    S1:E22

    A wrestler turned preacher uses his radio sermon to sell merchandise.

    Director:Michael Zinberg
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1 Episode 6 - Bailey's Show
    7.6/10(279 votes)

    S1:E6

    Bailey's show brings out the weirdest people in town.

    Director:Asaad Kelada
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1 Episode 15 - Never Leave Me, Lucille
    7.5/10(209 votes)

    S1:E15

    Temporarily separated from his wife, Herb envisions a fanciful bachelorhood.

    Director:Asaad Kelada
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1 Episode 16 - I Want to Keep My Baby
    7.3/10(215 votes)

    S1:E16

    Johnny refuses to relinquish an abandoned baby left at WKRP until he can contact the mother.

    Director:Asaad Kelada
    Writer:Hugh Wilson

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  20. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1 Episode 20 - Young Master Carlson
    7.1/10(218 votes)

    S1:E20

    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

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  21. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1 Episode 8 - Love Returns
    6.7/10(282 votes)

    S1:E8

    Andy may have to leave WKRP when he rekindles his love for a touring rock star.

    Director:Asaad Kelada
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. WKRP in Cincinnati Season 1 Episode 9 - Mama's Review
    6.5/10(254 votes)

    S1:E9

    In flashbacks, Andy and Carlson update WKRP's owner Mrs. Carlson on recent station happenings.

    Director:Asaad Kelada
    Writer:Hugh Wilson

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Turkeys Away" is the best rated episode of "WKRP in Cincinnati" season 1. It scored 9.6/10 based on 1296 votes. Directed by Michael Zinberg and written by Unknown, it aired on 10/30/1978. This episode is rated 0.8 points higher than the second-best, "Fish Story".