Oh the humanity!

On a cold day in late November 1978, in a Cincinnati shopping mall parking lot, stood an intrepid reporter from a local radio station unaware of the horror that was about to ensue. In an episode that he later compared to the Hindenberg tragedy, he was the eyewitness to the brutal death of several innocent turkeys that were mercilessly thrown from a hovering helicopter. This heroic newsman stoically described the carnage for dozens of listeners on live radio. His famous description of the plummeting "sacks of wet cement" stands alongside other historic quotes like "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself", or "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind". May we never forget the tragedy of that day, or the lessons learned.

By now I'm sure you know I'm having some fun with the famous Thanksgiving episode of WKRP in Cincinnati. Everyone should be required to watch the classic call of Les Nessman witnessing the horror of the turkey drop in what TV Guide has named one of the funniest episodes of television ever made. In my opinion it belongs right up at the top of the list with Carol Burnett's Gone With The Wind sketch and Lucy's grape stomping. (Or chocolate assembly line, or Vitavetavegamin or whatever Lucy episode is your favorite.)

This classic TV moment is commemorated each November by the Danville Illinois hot air balloon group. Members take to the skies on thanksgiving morning and compete in a "turkey drop". They toss rubber chickens that are usually decorated creatively toward a target on the ground. I believe this Thanksgiving will be the 10th annual drop. I think that this would be a hoot to see, especially if Richard Sanders is present. They at least need to loop the audio of his call while the "turkeys" fall to the ground.

Interestingly enough, according to this link, the episode was at least loosely based on actual events. Truth is stranger than fiction.

This is one instance where I actually learned something by watching television. At the time of the original turkey drop I held the same belief as the Big Guy, Mr. Carlson. "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly."