Ep 11. The Contest Nobody Could Win

WKRP in Cincinnati was a classic American sitcom that aired from 1978 to 1982. The show followed the daily ins and outs of a fictional radio station in Cincinnati, Ohio, focusing on the zany and eccentric personalities of its staff. In season 1 episode 11, entitled "The Contest Nobody Could Win," the station holds a series of on-air contests that quickly spiral out of control.

The episode opens with Les Nessman (played by Richard Sanders), the station's news director, announcing a series of contests on the air. The prize? A brand new Cadillac. The first contest is a trivia challenge, but when listeners start calling in with obscure questions that nobody can answer, Les is forced to keep escalating the prize money until it reaches an unsustainable level.

Next up is a phone-in contest, where listeners have to identify a song from just a few notes. But the show's DJ, Johnny Fever (played by Howard Hesseman), accidentally gives away the answer on the air, leaving the station out of $4,000 and with a furious contest winner on the phone.

Desperate to save face, the station decides to hold a "Reverse Lottery," where the last person to send in their name wins the car. But chaos ensues as thousands of listeners flood the station with entries, leading to a massive paper jam in the printers and an overwhelmed staff.

Throughout all of this, WKRP's general manager, Arthur Carlson (played by Gordon Jump), tries to keep the station afloat and prevent Les from bankrupting them with his absurd contests. Meanwhile, the station's receptionist, Jennifer Marlowe (played by Loni Anderson), tries to keep everyone calm and organized amidst the chaos.

In typical WKRP fashion, the episode is filled with goofy humor, witty one-liners, and memorable moments. From Les's awkward attempts at flirting with Jennifer to Johnny's stoned ramblings, each character adds their own unique flavor to the episode. And as always, the show finds a way to balance its zanier moments with genuine warmth and heart.

Overall, "The Contest Nobody Could Win" is a classic episode of WKRP in Cincinnati that epitomizes the show's irreverent humor and lovable cast of characters. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer to the series, it's a must-watch episode that will leave you entertained and smiling.