"WKRP in Cincinnati" (1978)TV series 1978-1982

Creator:

Hugh Wilson

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Release Date:

18 September 1978 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

The staff of a struggling radio station have a chance at success after the new programming director changes the format to rock music

Plot Keywords:

Workplace | Beautiful Woman | Multiple Actors For One Character | Ohio | Radio

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 2 wins & 13 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Sun. Aug. 24	7:00 PM	WGNSAT	For Love or Money	#2.1
Sun. Aug. 24	7:30 PM	WGNSAT	For Love or Money	#2.2

Cast

Gary Sandy	...	Andy Travis (90 episodes, 1978-1982)
Gordon Jump	...	Arthur 'Big Guy' Carlson / ... (90 episodes, 1978-1982)
Howard Hesseman	...	Johnny 'Dr. Fever' Caravella / ... (90 episodes, 1978-1982)
Loni Anderson	...	Jennifer Elizabeth Marlowe / ... (89 episodes, 1978-1982)
Richard Sanders	...	Les Nessman / ... (89 episodes, 1978-1982)
Frank Bonner	...	Herbert 'Herb' Tarlek / ... (89 episodes, 1978-1982)
Tim Reid	...	Venus Flytrap (87 episodes, 1978-1982)
Jan Smithers	...	Bailey Quarters (86 episodes, 1978-1982)

Runtime:

30 min (90 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:TV-PG

Filming Locations:

Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Company:

Company Four

Trivia:

Originally it was announced that William Daniels was to be cast in the "Clean Up Radio Everywhere" (episode #3.22) segment. His part, Dr. Bob Halyers, was recast with actor Richard Paul because of Paul's resemblance to Jerry Falwell, the person on whom Halyers was based. Paul would later play Falwell in The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996).

Goofs:

Unlike real DJs, the cast of WKRP never wore monitor headphones while broadcasting music.

Quotes:

Arthur 'Big Guy' Carlson: As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Pod People (#4.3)" (1991)

Most incredibly compact, realistic...and funny sitcom I've ever enjoyed.

Two TV programs are burned into my humor memory banks...the first from youth...Ernie Kovacs and his cigar MC-ing the Blackstone Magicians Convention TV Special in the 50's (before his ridiculous death in that ridiculous subcompact car). The image of Kovacs (and the cigar) inserting swords into a cabinet with a studio volunteer inside...the last thrust...just before a commercial break...accompanied by a gasp and moan. Kovacs watches as the handle of the sword rises, turns full face to the camera with a shrug and a complex of wicked humor, confusion, and phlegmatic acceptance on his face as the screen fades to black. The second from adulthood...WKRP's Thanksgiving show...Les Nessman's breathless redux of Pittsburgh broadcaster Herb (damn, sorry Herb I've forgotten the last name!) report on the Hindenberg disaster...as he described hapless, live turkeys hurled from a helicopter hovering above a shopping center parking lot. Herb Tarlek's anguished, "I swear to God Big Guy, I thought turkeys could fly!" as the denemois (so much for my recollection of high school French)to the "horror" and the "audience" response to his promotional gimmick.

I'd just had abdominal surgery 2 days before the Kovac's show so you can imagine my truly experiencing "laugh till you cry." I was preparing a turkey for my annual "y'all come" TG potluck, when the WKRP program aired...the turkey and dressing were everywhere as I thrashed about with unrestrained rib cracking laughter. I've told literally thousands of people about these two shows and would sure like to show them.

Bottomline: Are there DVD's or VCR's of the original shows available?