How a Turkey Talk-Line Saves 10,000+ Thanksgivings Every Year | NYT Cooking

Welcome to the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line: where all of your Thanksgiving turkey emergencies are brought to the experts. Since 1981, an ordinary office space has been the buzzing center for solving thousands of turkey troubles: “How many hours should I thaw my turkey?” ... “What should I do if I cooked the giblets inside?” … “A raccoon nibbled on my turkey. Can I still eat it?” These are just a few questions that’ve been brought to the experts who answer the phone, and this year will be no different.

We’re taking you behind the scenes of what happens when someone dials that 800-BUTTERBALL number, how the experts become experts and how the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line came to exist.

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[leahxrose_edits]

I read the title wrong and clicked this video thinking it was about working on the suicide hotline over thanksgiving I was like wow I didn't realize this holiday stirred up those emotions, so I was pleasantly surprised when this is what I got haha

[swit]

I just want an hour-long podcast dedicated to the most ridiculous and absurd stories these wonderful people have heard from their talk line over the years!

[rachelrogers]

This is the best piece of journalism I’ve ever witnessed

[Vagabonding_i_guess]

It’s so refreshing knowing that real people are answering the help line instead of an automated bot

[pseudotsugame]

I once called this line from New Zealand and they helped me out. Thank you for this video!

[VVilde]

the daughter is KILLING ME: "we don't want to say that.. out loud"

[Meerkat]

Umm….. this is phenomenal.

Easily could be a cult classic holiday thanksgiving/Christmas style movie like that of mix nuts.

Seriously, there’s a gem here. If not already ;)

[shirleyjhaney]

I am SO HAPPY to see they’re using older Americans for this job ❤❤❤

[masondinsmore]

Isn't this amazing? Regular people taking time out of their day to help people and their families have a smooth and great holiday. Some people claim that America's friendliness and kindness is fake - it's things like this that proves it is not - we really do care about each other! This video reveals something very deep and lasting about the American spirit.

[jkarpartssupp]

"sweet as pie but evil as hell" 😅

[ashleys]

I just want to call and thank these kind people. So heartwarming.

[annasahlstrom]

My grandma would have been awesome as a Butterball Turkey Talk-Line operator. She was a star cook who could make anything and was very practical.

[SrJohnnyCat]

"It suffices the need, I think, in all of us of to help somebody else." 🥺💗

[sarahw]

This was so wholesome. Loved learning about everyone!

[karenh-lr]

Look for the helpers. They are everywhere

[JoseReyes-ynxj]

Aww, they're so sweet. Helping people on one of the biggest holidays in America.

[matheusfranca]

That RALLY made me cry. What an awesome story. I would happily watch a full-lenght doc about the stories that these people have.

[david_massa]

“I think this is a wonderful service you provide” -Joe Bethersonton (Fargo, ND)

[PassiveAgressive]

Reminds me of an episode of the West Wing. President Bartlett spends the entire episode fussing about how to cook the perfect turkey, and laments ‘if only there was a place where you call someone to ask about how to cook the perfect Turkey’ and his aide with his stone face hands him the number of the Turkey Talk Line’.
Edit: I did not get to 10:28 before writing this comment😍😍😍

[thtyeyo]

Omg also Phyllis is so glamorous...what an incredible woman.