Unbound Edition - Talkin' Turkey With the President

When Aaron Sorkin cleverly integrated the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line throughout the 2001 Thanksgiving episode of The West Wing, awareness of the free service skyrocketed. The banter between Sheen’s know-it-all Bartlet and the Butterball representative remains a fan favorite.

I call bull
written by Joe Bethersonton, November 25, 2008 08:52 AM

I'm calling Butterball this evening. 1-800-BUTTERBALL. I'm betting I get "Mike" Singha, not Susie Homemaker. If it's anything like this episode suggests, I'll be impressed.

Close enough
written by Susie Homemaker, November 25, 2008 09:02 AM

It's amazing, actually. They've been doing this for 25 years, and they get 100,000 calls a year.

This year you can chat online, too. Pretty cool. The phones are staffed, according to this release, by 50 "professionally-trained home economists, registered dieticians and nutritionists." It's no joke.

http://tiny.cc/Turkey439

Oh, Toby. Would it kill you to smile?
written by Flamingo, November 25, 2008 11:03 AM

I really loved The West Wing. Sheer brilliance. Thanks for posting this.

100,000 calls?
written by JackeeFrom227, November 25, 2008 11:22 AM

That's a fabulous product mention. I wonder if Aaron Sorkin had a good experience with the Turkey Talk Line and wanted to give a little love back.

That was magical
written by somesandwich, November 25, 2008 01:27 PM

I am embarrassed I missed that show completely. Had I only known it was that funny...

marketing genius
written by Trevor, November 25, 2008 01:36 PM

Isn't Butterball a great product name? It just sounds so tasty. And it's fun to say. Butterball. Butterball. Butterball.