Show cover for WKRP in Cincinnati

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....
Genre:Comedy
Network:CBS

Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Pilot (1)" is the best rated episode of "WKRP in Cincinnati" season 1. It scored 8.1/10 based on 319 votes. Directed by Jay Sandrich and written by Hugh Wilson, it aired on 9/18/1978. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Pilot (2)".

  • Pilot (1)
    8.1/10319 votes

    #1 - Pilot (1)

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 9/18/1978

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

    Director: Jay Sandrich

    Writer: Hugh Wilson

  • Pilot (2)
    8.0/10279 votes

    #2 - Pilot (2)

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 9/25/1978

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

    Director: Michael Zinberg

    Writer: Hugh Wilson

  • Les On a Ledge
    8.2/10275 votes

    #3 - Les On a Ledge

    Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 10/2/1978

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

    Director: Asaad Kelada

    Writer: Hugh Wilson

  • Hoodlum Rock
    8.3/10351 votes

    #4 - Hoodlum Rock

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 10/9/1978

    Andy books a rock band whose members attack their audiences.

    Director: Michael Zinberg

    Writer: Hugh Wilson

  • Hold-Up
    8.2/10283 votes

    #5 - Hold-Up

    Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 10/16/1978

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

    Director: Asaad Kelada

    Writer: N/A

  • Bailey's Show
    7.7/10252 votes

    #6 - Bailey's Show

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 10/23/1978

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

    Director: Asaad Kelada

    Writer: N/A

  • Turkeys Away
    9.6/101,116 votes

    #7 - Turkeys Away

    Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 10/30/1978

    Carlson thinks up a wacko Thanksgiving promotional gimmick.

    Director: Michael Zinberg

    Writer: N/A

  • Love Returns
    6.8/10243 votes

    #8 - Love Returns

    Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 11/6/1978

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

    Director: Asaad Kelada

    Writer: N/A

  • Mama's Review
    6.5/10225 votes

    #9 - Mama's Review

    Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 1/15/1979

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

    Director: Asaad Kelada

    Writer: Hugh Wilson

  • A Date With Jennifer
    8.2/10230 votes

    #10 - A Date With Jennifer

    Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 1/22/1979

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

    Director: Asaad Kelada

    Writer: N/A

  • The Contest Nobody Could Win
    8.2/10245 votes

    #11 - The Contest Nobody Could Win

    Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 1/29/1979

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

    Director: Asaad Kelada

    Writer: N/A

  • Tornado
    8.2/10219 votes

    #12 - Tornado

    Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 2/5/1979

    A tornado strikes while Japanese businessmen are touring the station.

    Director: Will Mackenzie

    Writer: Blake Hunter

  • Goodbye, Johnny
    7.8/10191 votes

    #13 - Goodbye, Johnny

    Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 2/19/1979

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

    Director: Asaad Kelada

    Writer: Blake Hunter

  • Johnny Comes Back
    8.1/10219 votes

    #14 - Johnny Comes Back

    Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 2/26/1979

    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

  • Never Leave Me, Lucille
    7.5/10189 votes

    #15 - Never Leave Me, Lucille

    Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 3/5/1979

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

    Director: Asaad Kelada

    Writer: N/A

  • I Want to Keep My Baby
    7.3/10191 votes

    #16 - I Want to Keep My Baby

    Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 3/12/1979

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

    Director: Asaad Kelada

    Writer: Hugh Wilson

  • A Commercial Break
    8.2/10227 votes

    #17 - A Commercial Break

    Season 1 Episode 17 - Aired 3/26/1979

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

    Director: Rod Daniel

    Writer: N/A

  • Who is Gordon Sims?
    8.3/10224 votes

    #18 - Who is Gordon Sims?

    Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 4/2/1979

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

    Director: Rod Daniel

    Writer: N/A

  • I Do, I Do... For Now
    7.8/10210 votes

    #19 - I Do, I Do... For Now

    Season 1 Episode 19 - Aired 4/23/1979

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

    Director: Will Mackenzie

    Writer: N/A

  • Young Master Carlson
    7.1/10197 votes

    #20 - Young Master Carlson

    Season 1 Episode 20 - Aired 4/30/1979

    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

  • Fish Story
    8.8/10267 votes

    #21 - Fish Story

    Season 1 Episode 21 - Aired 5/28/1979

    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

  • Preacher
    7.6/10212 votes

    #22 - Preacher

    Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 6/4/1979

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

    Director: Michael Zinberg

    Writer: N/A