Remembering WKRP in Cincinnati's "Turkey's Away" Episode!

[@Jitterbug200714]

One of the most hilarious scenes in television history.

[@jdsundstrom]

Totally agree!

[@fezenclop]

Absolutely!

[@mikesilva3868]

@@jdsundstrom kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3uxg2V7pbhjoNk

[@boruff68]

The "play by play" by Les Nessman was what did it for me ! LMAO !!!!

[@jdsundstrom]

So good!

[@jimbackusbackus2382]

A great chemistry of the cast, each character was blended so well with plot lines. So many Great memories

[@Rickinvegas]

Easily one of the most hilarious moments in the history of sitcom TV!!!!! “They’re hitting the ground like bags of wet cement!“ 😳🤪

[@jdsundstrom]

Totally agree!

[@mikesilva3868]

@@jdsundstrom funniest episode ever made 😂

[@tolfan4438]

Oh the humanity.

[@rickdaystar477]

The casting and the writing was epic. One of the best shows of that era...and my most memorable episode ever. Thanks for posting it 👍😎🦃

[@jdsundstrom]

You're most welcome, Rick!

[@Razormackham]

Perfect timing. Perfect channel.

[@jdsundstrom]

Perfect comment!

[@villain68]

I live in greater Cincinnati. That was one of my favorite TV shows when I was a kid. We watched every episode.

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for sharing, Philip!

[@SGlitz]

The Classic. A holiday must.

[@jdsundstrom]

Yep. "Turkeys Away", "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" and "Planes Trains and Automobiles" are required viewing this time of year.

[@patrickfennell6372]

The funniest Thanksgiving Day themed ever! The whole thing was done to perfection. Les was NEVER better.

[@Jared_Wignall]

My favorite episode of the series. I remember this was replayed many times in the 90s and it was hilarious to watch every time!

[@reesebn38]

WKRP is my favorite sitcom of all time.

[@jdsundstrom]

One of my favorites as well. 🙂

[@scottburton9701]

Arguably one of the greatest sitcom episodes of all time.

[@mikesilva3868]

😎love this show

[@rrrailservicehoscalemodelr4734]

The Turkey Drop was hilarious. A favorite episode was also when Johnny Fever had to consume alcohol to prove reflexes slow down when driving but the more he drank the quicker his reflexes were with the simulator.

[@jdsundstrom]

Love that episode!

[@AStri-zg5xc]

Lol..I remember that 🤣

[@pwatson5766]

I was just thinking about this episode the other day! I usually think about it around this time every year! 🦃 😆 Happy and Safe Thanksgiving to Everyone!

[@jdsundstrom]

Same to you P Watson!

[@adrianvanleeuwen]

Of all WKRP episodes that is the one I remember the most. Dropping turkeys from helicopter in a promotion campaign. "I thought turkeys can fly." That plus all the zany characters were hilarious.

[@adrianvanleeuwen]

This show ranked right up there with Night Court for zany characters!

[@pika23]

My husband met Gordon Jump at Creation! Which is a Christian music festival akin to woodstock but without the illegal substances. Gordon was a key note speaker sometime in the 80s talking about his relationship with Christ. Hubs knew him as the bike shop guy from different strokes however. I do too, but I've seen wkrp in reruns over the decades. It's just my generation knows him from the bike shop. He was very talented and I've enjoyed picking him out in cameos over the years.

[@jdsundstrom]

I'm so glad your husband got a chance to meet Gordon! I never did...but I hear he was a heck of a great guy. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJSVqHmappZsi5I

[@njmattyp]

OMGOSH, Dave!!! Thanks for this video. I think this may be the greatest episode of any sitcom ever made. If not, it's up in the top 10. I include a montage from this episode in the Thanksgiving episode of my radio show every year. This year is no different. And as much as I liked Alice, WKRP should have been the show that was spared. Happy Thanksgiving!

[@psw4763]

It has withstood the test of time in memory. Hilarious. Such good shows got cancelled then compared to the losing shows now. Taste and some class has gone by the wayside. Good video.

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for the comment, PSW47

[@robertdragoff6909]

What can I say about a hysterically funny scene in a classic TV show.

[@CPB1]

As a Georgia native and of substantial age I remember everyone talking about when "the Quixie in Dixie," made that turkey drop out of the back of a truck. Amazing.

[@candoentertainment9118]

Watch this episode every year on Wednesday night before Thanksgiving.

[@edwardcatiller9729]

Great video Dave, I remember this fondly and I also posted on my FB for all to see.

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for sharing, Edward!

[@donaldshartzer8042]

It was so fun my I almost pissed my self 😂

[@Drumdude74]

I love this show, I have the 4 seasons on dvd, it's definitely one of my favorites of all time! Great vid Dave! You're right, 4 seasons wasn't quite enough! :)

[@marcm8406]

"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly". Arthur Carlson(Gordon Jump)..RIP Big Guy🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@DMS-pq8]

Almost wish they had put that on Gordon's headstone

[@MamaPinks]

The BEST! 🦃 Thanks for uploading this, Dave! I needed the hilarity!😂🤣😂

[@jdsundstrom]

I'm glad you enjoyed it, Mama Pink! As always, thank you for your support.

[@keithjohnson2863]

The funniest classic sitcom episodes that I can remember in no particular order: * This one, WKRP, Turkeys Away. * The Mary Tyler Moore episode about the @@@@@ of Chuckles the Clown. * The Barney Miller episode with the hash brownies. * The All in the Family episode with Sammy Davis Jr playing himself.

[@mongoslade277]

I have 3 out the 4 that you have but that Chuckles The Clown funeral episode on Mary Tyler Moore is a 9.9 for me. I'll give the Turkey Drop a 9.8 out of 10

[@kendallrivers1119]

Don't forget All In The Family Lionel's engagement party and Frasier where Frasier and Niles buy the French restaurant 😂

[@BelievingRebel]

I was working in radio when WKRP was popular. The program director and I used to chuckle because what happened on the show was tepid compared to real-life late ’70s radio and all our drama. We never did a turkey drop, though. 🦃 Love your tributes. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

[@jdsundstrom]

Happy Thanksgiving to you as well, BelievingRebel!

[@jpboursaw4469]

A statement later issued from the Law Offices of Dewy, Cheatham & Howe claimed “The Station did say they were giving the Turkeys away. They never said you could keep them!” This episode was a favorite for many, and certainly deserves its own Tee-Shirt. Loved Les’s “Oh, the humanity!” line used so innocently, though taken from the Hindenburg broadcast. But the one that will always stand out for me, was also centered around a real life incident. Due to insufficient safety barriers at a concert venue, 11 kids were trampled to death when the crowd rushed the building to get into a Who concert. Since it happened in Ohio, the WKRP folks quickly created/aired a tasteful response episode. The ending wasn’t played for laughs. Les told it straight. In some areas they put up a helpline for donations to offset funeral/legal costs for the families. Proof that TV comedy has a conscience. For me, the lesson was simple. Laugh while you can. ‘Cause sometimes you turn on the news and… Turkeys fall out of the sky, a Karp and a Pig get into a fistfight, or you know what there is to be thankful for.

[@jdsundstrom]

I remember that episode as well. Too bad, we as a society, have not learned the right lessons from that concert by The Who. A few years later, there was a similar tragedy in my neck of the woods (SLC) with AC/DC. And, of course, this year, we have the tragic deaths at the Travis Scott concert in Texas. Maybe, it is time, once and for all, to do away with General Admission concert seating.

[@jpboursaw4469]

@@jdsundstrom Yes. I remember occasionally seeing those paths made of metal bars that twist and turn, some with turnstiles meant to herd people in like cattle. Used to get p.o.‘ed at them. Then I remember what they’re for. Sometimes it takes a Federal Mandate. Thanks to KZbin I just caught a KRP cast reunion of some kind. Tim Reid recounted how they shot the episode, but wouldn’t air it unless approved by the Cincinnati City Council. They did. But the biggest flak came from CBS and their network protocols. Given what you told me about the here and now, I guess human stupidity requires vigilance. But enough of my old man dourness. Have a great Turkey Day! At least a better one than the Turkey…😉

[@fezenclop]

The episode with the tornado was also very good. Mr. Carlson talking to that kid and getting them into the basement just as the phone went dead was awesome.

[@jpboursaw4469]

@@fezenclop No argument there. By all accounts, Gordon Jump was an equally great person in real life, which made it easy to write things like that for him to play. Though I think he’s a tad smarter than his character regarding Turkeys!

[@tammyevans7333]

Hilarious!

[@miltmarhoffer729]

Dave, I was driving a school bus at the time. Of of my xo-drivers at the time came to work and re-enacted the scene for us. We were laughing so had a hard time driving!!!

[@jdsundstrom]

Sounds hilarious!

[@SINCITYJIM1]

Classic episode, Classic show and Classic theme song. Can't get more perfect than that.

[@davidgrech4574]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful memories and hope you know how much I appreciate your channel. Bless you and hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving 🙏❤️

[@jdsundstrom]

I'm so glad you are enjoying the channel, David. Happy Thanksgiving to you as well!

[@1burnman]

This one is a classic this is perhaps the best Thanksgiving themed episode ever not to mention WKRP was one of my favorite TV shows thank you so much my friend for sharing this gem

[@cindeed4422]

Wild turkeys can fly. I had one fly away as I almost hit it! 😂. Loved this episode! It will always remain A Thanksgiving classic! Factoid: Tim Reid met his wife Daphne Maxwell on a episode of the show. They are still happily married today.

[@jdsundstrom]

So glad your encounter with a wild turkey was a near miss, Cindee! Would a wild turkey be able to successfully fly to safety if it was thrown out of a helicopter? I don't know the answer to that question. Can you confirm?

[@dlee645]

We have wild turkeys where I live. They tend to stay on the ground, but they can fly up onto roofs and tree branches. I don’t think they are able to fly at high altitudes. At least I’ve never seen them fly at high altitudes.

[@AStri-zg5xc]

Yes wild turkeys can fly short distances....domesticated turkeys are too large to get off the ground!

[@cindeed4422]

He just flew far enough to get out of way so I didn’t hit him @Dave Sundstrom. He was a big feather filled bird! I can’t confirm anything more than that lol 😂 helicopters IDK!

[@kennethwilkinson8244]

have a wonderful thanksgiving cindee.

[@dwade6322]

The look on the face of LES in the helicopter scene..oh man whatta moment.

[@jdsundstrom]

Everything about that episode just worked so perfectly. It was TV comedy at its very best!

[@thrashpondopons8348]

A highly appropriate Post for this day Dave! I am diligently guarding my backyard in anticipation of a 'Counter Attack'!

[@jdsundstrom]

Be vigilant, my friend! See you tonight.

[@cadeevans4623]

I've never watched wkrp in Cincinnati looks hilarious Dave I've heard of it heard of this show turkeys away good one for thanksgiving thanks for sharing this Dave classic tv and sitcoms hard to beat Dave enjoyed it 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@jdsundstrom]

You really need to watch this episode of WKRP, Cade. 🙂

[@prycerobertson4695]

Happy Thanksgiving!

[@jdsundstrom]

Same to you Pryce!

[@pika23]

Yayyyy!

[@emkkahn]

The local AM talk station used to have a commentator who would play that scene's audio the Weds before Thanksgiving every year. He's since retired, but even just listening to it while I was driving around could make me laugh so hard that other drivers would give me strange looks... Thanks, Dave!

[@williamblakehall5566]

Poor turkeys! And I don't just mean here, I mean in general. One part of the movie of the musical "1776" which I always enjoy is Adams, Jefferson, and Franklin arguing over what the national bird should be. Adams wants the eagle, Jefferson wants the dove, and Franklin is all for the turkey. For him eagles are cruel predators always associated with empire, while turkeys gave sustenance to our forefathers. Of course, Franklin and Jefferson get voted down, if only because Adams is so stubborn, but I occasionally like to imagine the turkey as our national bird. One aspect of this show which I always appreciated was Johnny Fever's radio narration and summary, ending with "Film at 11!" That's a great joke all by itself, because a) no one filmed it and b) they're a radio station, how would they show "film at 11?" A great T-day tie-in, Dave, thanks.

[@jdsundstrom]

Our neighbors have had a bunch of turkeys in their backyard for the past couple of months. Yesterday...they all disappeared. 🙁

[@jovanweismiller7114]

Undoubtedly my favourite episode of the show, and one of the funniest in TV history. Carlson's 'As God is my witness ...' is CLASSIC!

[@e.b.1728]

I remember when this episode first aired, sitting there in the living room with my parents. Dave, your channel brings back so many wonderful, childhood memories. Please never stop making videos! Happy Thanksgiving all!!!

[@robertdragoff6909]

How can you not laugh at this situation, where two schlubs toss turkeys out of chopper! Oh the humanities! Great episode and perfect for Thanksgiving.

[@rextrek]

17th...ahh yeah...a CLASSIC...... I might have to get me a Tshirt ! :) have a Nice Thanksgiving...

[@jdsundstrom]

Here's a link to a pretty good T-shirt on Amazon: amzn.to/3FJVbDd

[@rextrek]

@@jdsundstrom Thanks!

[@rextrek]

you know, now that I think about it...that episode was the TALK at the Locker the next day in school 11 grade...ahh memories......I had a crush on Gary Sandy - Loved his Hair......Lifes' Crazy

[@SnarkNSass]

Definitely on the Golden Shelf.😉 This is THE Thanksgiving television episode. And one of my dearest bestestest mostest favoritest TV Shows of all time.😁😆

[@stantheman9072]

First I’ve heard that it was either this classic or Alice. Hmmm. I watched Alice, but I never rewatched it. I’ve been watching WKRP reruns since they began and bought DVDs so I could have it on-demand. I can be very demanding when it comes to Bailey Quarters. What can I say. She brings it out in me.

[@biblehistoryscience3530]

Wow, that's almost exactly what I wrote about the two shows.

[@stantheman9072]

@@biblehistoryscience3530 Great minds think alike! 😉

[@biblehistoryscience3530]

@@stantheman9072, you mean like us?! LOL Sorry, but I love that joke. Happy Turkey Day.

[@babybro70]

I got the DVD from the library last Thanksgiving & watched it for the 1st time in years. HIlarious!!

[@CrashCourseFarm]

I was born in Cincinnati.. this show was a staple in all homes ... and this episode lol is legendary

[@ChrisBakerauthor]

You are right. They aren't very many Thanksgiving shows.

[@jeffking4176]

One of the ver rare classic comedy “skits “ that I would classify as Comedic Genius. 📻🙂

[@matthewronsson]

Like so many, I loved WKRP. I was in college radio about that time, and recall telling my parents that whomever was writing this show, HAD to have had a background in radio. There were just too many nuances and similar unobtrusive shading and color that was transferred from a radio station to the screen-it was not simply a sit-com using a radio station as a backdrop. (There's nothing inherently wrong with this, think of how the classroom of the very popular "Welcome Back, Kotter" was used as one). The set was incorporated more like one of the characters, which goes back to the subtleties & nuances that elevated it from a backdrop, the details that make things go from clean to noticeably better, but you can't quite put your finger on what's different-that attention to detail that speaks for itself in a quiet, but dignified manner. Then, as you so aptly put it (per usual) the casting was exceptional, as was the characters interactions, the interplay and dialogue also made it evident that whomever was writing this knew the radio business very well indeed. This may be an underappreciated genius of this show; it made no difference for those who had zero knowledge or experience with the working of a radio station. They were the vast majority of the audience that made this show a hit, even if they could not see the subtleties and were deaf to the undertones, but surely, like the detail cleaning, it gave a depth and sense of the reality among the absurdities, even if they could not put their finger on it.

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for sharing, Matthew!

[@markastoforoff7838]

This is one of my favorite episodes of any tv sitcom. Def my favorite episode of WKRP, not that I remember any bad episodes of WKRP.

[@KardboardKenny]

the best part, you never see a turkey.

[@jdsundstrom]

Absolutely! Leaving the anarchy to one's imagination was definitely the way to go.

[@tonycannon8328]

Dave, I add my voice to the chorus! In my opinion, this is the funniest episode ever released in a scripted TV series. The Tim Conway elephant story in the Carol Burnett show is its only competition.

[@jdsundstrom]

Well said, Tony! One of these days, I'll get around to talking about "The Elephant Story" skit on Carol Burnett. I loved that one as well. 🙂

[@nickimontie]

What a mega classic!!

[@jdsundstrom]

Indeed!

[@cricketcustomer2164]

Thank you Dave had almost forgotten this one. That was a great show ‼ Makes me miss my youth😂

[@jaspr1999]

Carpet turkey bombing!!! Happy Thanksgiving Yup! One of my all-time favorite episodes. My family was laughing SO hard none of us could breathe over Les Nessmans' blow-by-blow report. So much laughing that we just hurt... And, ended up just laughing more. "Oh... The Humanity!!!"

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for the great comment, my friend!

[@vassa1972]

One of my favorites

[@pika23]

Turkey drop is as old as I am!

[@jdsundstrom]

You're just a youngin'!

[@macconmara7252]

Turkeys Away was a classic! Happy Thanksgiving to all!

[@jdsundstrom]

Same to you, Mac!

[@biblehistoryscience3530]

I liked Alice, but it's not the kind of show that I can remember any episodes of, nor would I watch it again. WKRP was memorable, and I bought the whole thing so I could rewatch it into the future.

[@jdsundstrom]

Well said, BHS!

[@GloopTrekker]

Best Thanksgiving episode: "Turkeys Away." Second Best: "Over the River and Through the Woods" from Bob Newhart.

[@jdsundstrom]

Both of them are very good...but I have to give the nod to "Turkeys Away!".

[@blaiseronstadt6306]

Mr. Dave, l remember watching that show when it came out, l have taken over Les Nessman I witness weather report, where l look outside and report on the weather, It never fails to make me laugh....... Bailey is a Beautiful Woman

[@carolwalters7069]

This episode was so hilarious! I've never seen domesticated turkeys fly but I do know that wild turkeys can fly as high as the tree tops and that's it. Never knew that until we saw a flock on the ground suddenly take off when a coyote came near them. Off they went and they were as high as the tree tops. Learn something new every day. 😊

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for sharing!

[@stillbill1878]

The BEST! And Jan Smithers was the hottest babe on television in those days.

[@jdsundstrom]

Jan was the best! Click here for more: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZ3aeJiajdKVeZo

[@Jumpshot1973]

One of the best theme songs of all time & The Greatest American Hero….

[@jdsundstrom]

Agreed. Love both theme songs!

[@greghoffman8223]

May the carp always beat the pig.

[@GeraBrown]

All I can say is, if only Jan Smithers would have been allowed to wear her hair like that as Bailey all the time, maybe it would have gotten the nod over Alice. And while I never liked that image of all those turkeys dying, I did think WKRP was the best of all the MTM shows, and I would've chosen it over Alice. Thanks for the tribute to Hugh also.

[@jdsundstrom]

Great comments, Gera!

[@Blues.Fusion]

Great episode from a great show. Dr. Johnny Fever was the obvious stand out for me. Hey fellow babies..

[@faithcastillo9597]

I MUST have that t-shirt!!

[@pamelamays4186]

This is my favorite WKRP In Cincinnati episode.

[@dustyfloyyd987]

I love that episode. My favorite episode. was the tornado one. And the punk rock band one is great to.

[@dr.fitprofessor1970]

By far and away this was the funniest episode of WKRP. Who can forget less nessman calling the play-by-play on the microphone? "Oh the humanity"! As a matter of fact, now that I'm reminded of this I'm going to dig around today and try to stream it from somewhere. Lmao!

[@larrybrennan1463]

A friend worked in radio, beginning in the Army during World War II, at WNBC in New York for several years after, then returning to Wisconsin where he eventually retired as a news manager in Oshkosh. He once said of WKRP, "It isn't a comedy; it's a documentary!"

[@stevend.bennett427]

Wild turkeys can fly for short distances and where I live we'll see a group up in the trees now and then. Those grown for food I imagine haven't the muscles or experience.

[@troyc4250]

“Like sacks of wet cement!” Lol 😂

[@jetman80pops]

One of my absolute favorite television episodes of all time. CBS should've went with WKRP instead of Alice. To me KRP was the better show.

[@jdsundstrom]

Agreed!

[@lizh6578]

I’ve been laughing over 40 years about this episode-the turkeys falling, the Hindenburg references. It’s the only episode I can remember.

[@kyblue32]

That funny . Miss that show

[@kirkmorrison6131]

This and the one where Johnny is afraid of the phone cops are my favorites

[@Rickinvegas]

Dave, something to possibly look into for a future WKRP video. You mentioned about the relatively short run of the show and some of the reasons. I remember one time reading that one of the big contributing factors for WKRP stopping production was because of the cost of the music used in the early seasons. I seem to remember something about the producers not willing to cut out that component of the show, that component being the popular music of the day. Apparently as the show grew in ratings, the costs of the music grew along with it to the point where it really impacted the bottom line. Anyway, might be something to look into and maybe offer your take in a future video. As always, appreciate the content and thank you!

[@Troy_nov1965]

I remember after it aired it was talked about by everyone ! Only other TV show episode back then that made such a large impact I can recall was when Col. Blake was killed on MASH.

[@PhotoTrekr]

"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." Hilarious.

[@jehobden]

Could you make a video about another great WKRP episode: "Fish Story"? That's another one of the funniest WKRP episodes.

[@georgiaayres5805]

Domestic turkeys cannot fly. Wild turkeys on the other hand do fly. I know this because I have seen a wild turkey fly in person. Boy was that a great site to see.

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for the clarification, Georgia!

[@toddmccreary4579]

I wonder how to get a Turkey Drop tee shirt. I know Alice wasn't quite the same without Flo but by that time I guess Celia Weston was on too and WKRP kept the same people the whole time. I absolutely think that this was the most iconic Thanksgiving day sitcom episode. I'd put Happy Days, Newhart and a Bewitched episode where Aunt Clara brings them all to Plymouth and Darrin is charged with witchcraft when he uses a match and the accuser has to prove HE can't do witchcraft by striking the same match (which people in Plymouth don't know that you can't relight a match) So they cast aspersions on him when Sam twitches the match to light. Then Aunt Clara remembers how to get them back to the present and they disappear and everybody in Plymouth is confused. Those are up there underneath Turkey Drop.

[@jdsundstrom]

Here's a link to a really great WKRP "Turkey Drop" T-shirt on Amazon: amzn.to/3FJVbDd

[@KrazyJoesConcessionStand]

I love Bailey so much. Probably my first crush

[@Oonagh72]

There is a town in Arkansas that had a Turkey Drop from a helicopter and it was the “hippies” who made them stop.

[@richdouglas2311]

This is, without any doubt, the best episode of a brilliant series. But the one about the Who concert ("In Concert") is the most poignant. WKRP was the best. I can't believe that, after such an iconic show, another (NewsRadio) would be able to establish its own footing and purpose. How great it that? How great are both?

[@chartle1]

The best was Les giving his blow by reporting as the helicopter appeared, the door, something coming,

[@tonyjulius6011]

The question is, what new show (that probably didn't last long) was given a shot in WKRP's place. They probably would have had WKRP.

[@jdsundstrom]

That's a good question Tony! I'm sure that, whatever those shows were, they didn't have the lasting impact of WKRP.

[@mikezinza9699]

My favorite Thanksgiving episode is over the river and through the woods from Bob Newhart where the gang gets drunk and orders Chinese food but this one is great too

[@jonathansanders1657]

I am enjoying the channel I sub'd after seeing you on Megapodtastic happy I did so. Thank you

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for subscribing!

[@tvforeverus]

I always think that Hugh Wilson’s assumption that it was between his show and “Alice” was wrong as Alice was thriving in its time slot at 9 p.m. on Sundays during WRKP’s final season which was 1981-82 while WKRP bounced around the schedule especially in their fourth and final season.

[@dannystaton5386]

Good 👍 stuff love this

[@jdsundstrom]

Glad you enjoyed it, Danny!

[@johncollins1884]

(1) Was thier any feedback/backlash from animal rights groups? (2) What is the clip with Andy Sandy talking about the episode from, Is that entire interview available to watch...?

[@jdsundstrom]

Hey John! 1. No backlash that I am aware of. 2. I found the clip on KZbin. Apparently, it was an introduction that he recorded when a repeat of the episode aired around Christmas. Here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpTMY2OhZtN7qsU

[@Donna_G]

The turkeys that are raised for Thanksgiving or other holidays are fattened up so much that they never get a chance to fly due to their weight. On the other hand, wild turkeys can fly; but, not in the sense that ducks or geese fly. At one point the wild turkey population had dropped to around 20,000 birds. This is probably because they were easy to shoot. Wild turkeys don't fly too high or too fast. The wild turkey population has been restored to around 7 million thanks to a variety of conservation efforts. The myth that turkeys can't fly most likely came about because they feed on the ground; but, the wild turkeys roost in trees at night. So, they have to be able to fly to get to the tree branches. If the domestic turkeys were not feed so much and were allowed to free range, their ability to fly might be restored.

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for the clarification, Donna G!