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"WKRP in Cincinnati" (1978) More at IMDbPro »

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39 comments in total

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32 out of 33 people found the following comment useful :-
Not one single negative review. Finally some people who get it, 17 June 2003
Author: superscal23 from United States

WKRP is the show that I may have the toughest time reviewing. I would like to make my love for this show clear without simply stating it was the best show of all time, but there may be no other way. I Love Lucy, MASH, Cheers, Seinfeld, Mary Tyler Moore, and any other sitcom regarded as classic all pale in comparison to WKRP in Cincinnati. This show focused on eight characters, rarely devoting too much time to any one individual. The cast did not change in four years. They didn't even add anybody for a few episodes to play a love interest or something like that. They didn't have to. Each one of the eight could have carried the show by themselves.

I was born during WKRP's initial run and I have grown up in an era where almost every sitcom is populated by characters whose personality is exaggerated beyond reality, and who can't seem to laugh at anything that doesn't involve sex. KRP had its share of these types of jokes, but they never dominated the show. There were rarely any episodes trying to figure out who's dating whom. There was never a season ending cliffhanger wondering which two characters were going to get together. In fact, the episodes where this did happen are some of the show's weakest such as Andy's country western girlfriend, and the episode where Johnny stays at Bailey's apartment prompting rumors around the office. That being said, there is not one single episode of WKRP in Cincinnati that isn't funny. Even the two I referenced earlier have their moments.

The character development and subtlety of this show is unmatched. Each character built a relationship with the other seven, and the writers were able to tap into those relationships whenever it was needed. There are episodes that you have to watch several times to get the full effect of what is going on. The union episode is one of the best because of the way Andy deals with the other characters, but this is something that goes unnoticed unless you pay attention to all the little details that you can see watching the episode a second time. Everything down to his wardrobe is just perfectly crafted. Another great KRP moment comes when station critic Norris Breeze refers to Jennifer as a "total airhead" in front of Mama Carlson. The one person Mrs. Carlson considers her equal, and she is called a "total airhead." What a great moment.

The final episode ties everything together perfectly. It was not guaranteed at that time whether KRP was returning, so they made an episode that could be the last, but it didn't have to be. Johnny's explanation of how KRP is supposed to lose money explains why Mrs. Carlson went along with the new format in the first place four years earlier.

There has certainly never been a more socially consious sitcom, and there are many great dramas that didn't deal with as many issues as WKRP. Every political issue that is important even today is tackled in a KRP episode. Abortion, racism, homosexuality, censorship, unions, alcoholism, drug abuse, and education to name a few. There are also episodes involving the rich vs. poor, and a classic involving lying, scheming politicians. I have literally tried to think of an issue that wasn't addressed on WKRP, and I can't do it.

It's unfortunate that none of the eight actors ever made a real splash after WKRP. Tim Reid, Howard Hesseman, and Loni Anderson have had their moments, but none of these actors are considered to be big stars. For four great years, they created a show that a lot of people missed. For those of us who have gotten to see it, we will never forget.

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15 out of 16 people found the following comment useful :-
A breath of fresh air, 30 May 2003

Author: frankfob from California

Amid the cookie-cutter, assembly-line sitcoms of the late '70s and early '80s, "WKRP in Cincinnati" stood out like a breath of fresh air. It had all the qualities necessary for a classic comedy: the show was character-driven, not dependent on a never-ending stream of glib and not-so-glib one-liners (and, thank God, no "cute" kids); the writing was sharp, clever, and at times absolutely brilliant; the ensemble cast worked together like a well-oiled machine, with each character having its own distinctive--and, unusual for television, three-dimensional--qualities, both good and not so good; and in addition to wringing laughs out of everyday situations, it wasn't afraid to tackle more serious subjects, either, such as parental responsibility, censorship, shady business practices in the industry, drug use and, of course, one of the most barbaric problems to have confronted America in this century: the practice of using live turkeys in promotional campaigns ("As God is my witness, I thought they could fly!").

Many episodes stand out, of course, the main one probably being the above-mentioned turkey extravaganza, but there were others that were equally as memorable: the staff's discomfort at being sponsored by a chain of funeral homes and having to come up with a catchy "slogan" for them; the inspired casting of Bert Parks as Herb Tarlek's charming, but even more obnoxious, father; Johnny Fever's "selling out" by hosting a cheesy TV dance show; Les Nessman's being barred from sports locker rooms because of a false rumor spread around that he was gay; a dark secret from Venus Flytrap's past finally catching up with him; and a host of other brilliant episodes dealing with serious and not-so-serious issues.

This is one of the class acts of sitcomdom, and ranks up there with "Taxi", "Mary Tyler Moore," "Cheers" and "Seinfeld" as among the finest sitcoms ever made. Unfortunately, unlike the aforementioned shows, "WKRP" never really got the respect it so richly deserved. But at least we can keep enjoying it on reruns. Thank God for small favors.

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12 out of 12 people found the following comment useful :-
#2 with a bullet!, 11 September 2003
Author: jejozi from Twin Cities

WKRP is one of the best sitcoms of all time. It ranks up there with Taxi, early M*A*S*H, MTM, Seinfeld, and the often forgotten, and, IMHO, best sitcom of all time, Barney Miller (mushy, mushy, mushy!). The characters and the stories were well-rounded and believable. And the music on Johnny's morning show was the best. Too bad it can't be found up or down the dial these days. And yes, I'm a Bailey man, too!

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15 out of 18 people found the following comment useful :-
This shows great strength (besides being funny) was that the characters became increasingly three-dimensional, a trait most sitcoms fail at.., 3 December 2000
Author: (mamahid@juno.com) from Denver, CO

Many sitcoms start out with great promise, but over successive seasons settle and turn dimensionally less realistic. Take for example Tony Danza's spiral down in "Taxi" into the "dumb guy." In WKRP in Cincinnati, the complete opposite was true. Two dimensional stereotypes at the beginning (cowboy programmer, dim-witted receptionist, lazy mama's boy manager, city-wise black DJ, etc.) were allowed over the show's course to become psychologically real. The on-going harassment by married salesman Herb Tarlek towards Jennifer the receptionist was finally confronted, and in subsequent episodes he was never quite the pig towards her as before. Alcoholism and drug abuse were addressed, but never in the "hit you over the head" PC style of today. The show could be simultaneously hilarious and of dire seriousness. If you can, catch the episodes in rerun in order. The final season is amazing, especially when the previous years have set you up for it. Carol Bruce (Mama Carlson) episodes are especially stunning. And always look for Les Nessman's roaming band-aid.

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8 out of 8 people found the following comment useful :-
The Funniest Comedy of All Time?, 9 July 1999
Author: Gislef from Iowa City, IA

Only a very few comedies have reached what I consider the height of mixing pathos, characterization, slapstick, verbal byplay. Night Court, Cheers, Mary Tyler Moore...and WKRP manages to surpass them all. WKRP comes out ahead of most of these (except maybe Night Court) because it was a true ensemble. It didn't focus on just Sam & Diane, or just Mary, but equally covered each of its cast members, giving them almost-equal screen time.

These were also folks who had _lives_ that didn't revolve entirely around the office or resolving the problem at the office: families, social lives, etc.

The recent Nick at Nite marathon (40 hours, five nights) just brought back home to me that this show was so funny, and why even some of the worst episodes are still a heck of a lot funnier than most "comedies" on the air today.

Hopefully WKRP will be settling into a long stay on Nick at Nite once the marathon runs its course.

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7 out of 7 people found the following comment useful :-
"Oh, I don't know. I'll think of something.", 29 July 2004
Author: budlyons2003 from Nashville, TN

What can I add to what's already been said in the other comments? With the above quote and the unveiling of the KISS poster, WKRP IN CINCINATTI jumped in with both feet and made viewer (if not critical) history. Real people, losers who refused to be losers, teamed together to help and validate one another in great situations all in the little space of a couple of offices. Big theme and social consciousness issues without the big speech, hit you over the head approach. An ensemble cast with great writing and dialogue. Who cares whether or not it was low-budget? It was GREAT stuff. Favorite moments? Les wanting to commit suicide cuz the rumor is that he's gay. Herb painting his daughter's frog PINK. All the guys pitching in to get back the nudie shots the photographer took of Jennifer. The concert where the kids were crushed against the not yet opened gates. (I couldn't stop crying, watching that one.) Les feeding his dog, wearing the giant dog-trainer glove. The "phone police" blowing up the transmitter station. (That was my Dad's favorite.) But most of all for me, Venus teaching the cleaning lady's kid about the atom, using the analogy of gangs in the hood. The comedy capper on that one was Johnny waking up from behind some shelves and saying something like, "So that's how that works." And, yeah, folks -- Bailey was HOT and should've been showcased more. In closing, "Oh, yeah ... BOOGER!"

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6 out of 6 people found the following comment useful :-
A Great Show, 25 March 2003
Author: Brian Washington (Sargebri@att.net) from Los Angeles, California

This is one of the great sitcoms in television history. The two things that made it great were the great writing and the ensemble cast. One episode that stands out in my mind is not the infamous "Turkey" episode, but the episode where Mr. Carlson runs for city council. When he starts out he is trying to be as honest as possible and looks like a sure loser. However, when he brings out the fact that his opponent is an alcoholic, he feels guilty about bringing the issue up and decides that its better to lose the election. The funniest scene in that episode is when Les gets on the phone and calls the press and tells them that Carlson likes to lounge around in a dress. Carlson then gets upset at Les and tells him to tell the press that he doesn't lounge around in a dress, but that he wears a halter top. Now that was a funny episode and it helped to make this show a classic.

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7 out of 8 people found the following comment useful :-
Most incredibly compact, realistic...and funny sitcom I've ever enjoyed., 22 October 2004
Author: Richard Zhao-Graham from Qingdao, China

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?

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7 out of 8 people found the following comment useful :-
Red Wigglers: The Cadillac of Worms!, 16 March 2003

Author: Pro Jury

Dr. Johnny Fever. Venus Flytrap. The Big Guy. Les Nessman with the news! Remember the WKRP carp fish mascot fighting the WPIG pig mascot in the men's room? In real life things were much more friendly. The cast and crew of WKRP still meet each year which is a remarkable thing.

WKRP has the most vivid (and funny) off-camera moment in the history of TV sitcoms: Herb and Mr. Carlson dropping live turkeys from a helicopter above a shopping center parking lot. "My God, the humanity!"

WKRP was the Cadillac of late 70's sitcoms. Ignored by TV critics and the Hollywood establishment, but much loved by TV viewers and that is what counts. The last first-run episode of WKRP was the 7th highest rated network program for the week it aired.

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3 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :-
A classic comedy, 11 October 2003
Author: Totallyrad80 from New York, NY

I was not into WKRP till after it was cancelled, but I did catch a rerun of it while it was still on the air (CBS). After I watch that episode I loved it that I couldn't wait till they run the show on syndication. I realized that this was such a laughable show that they were no characters on there that I all loved and laughed at. I loved Andy Travis's (Gary Sandy) hair do. His hair was so cool. And my personal favorite was Bailey Quarters (Jan Smithers). I have to say that Bailey was more beautiful than Jennifer Marlowe (Loni Anderson). She was so naturally beautiful. I liked Jennifer to but the only thing I had to say was that Loni's hair looked like a motorcycle helmet. I wish they would put a reunion with the original actors because when they came up with the new WKRP I did not like it. The original was the best thing.

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