WKRP was a brilliant show that attempted to carry on the early legacy of MASH; that is, to skillfully combine hilarious comedy with poignant drama. For the most part, it succeeded. Episodes shifted from pure comedy, like the Thanksgiving episode, to mostly drama, like "Who is Gordon Simms?" Other episodes combined both for excellent television.
The premise of the show is built around a small, barely surviving radio station, "run" by Arthur "Big Guy" Carlson. Beautiful receptionist Jennifer Marlowe keeps the salesmen at bay, though none moreso than the station's own sales manager, the sartorially challenged Herb Tarlek. Newsman Les Nessman (5 time winner of the Buckeye Newshawk Award) brings the days events to listeners, in often bizarre and porcine heavy doses. Shy Bailey Quarters writes copy and assists where needed. Then there is burnt out DJ, Johnny Caravella, formerly known as Johnny Duke, Johnny Sunshine, Johnny Cool, Johnny Midnight, etc.. John found himself in this broken down station after uttering a forbidden word on the air on an LA station. Into this mess comes new Program Director Andy Travis, with definite ideas about how to fix things; change the format to rock 'n' roll. Accompanying Andy is Venus Flytrap, a cool new DJ who speaks of the stars to his children. With this new mix, chaos ensues, as the station slowly climbs out of the basement of radio.
The cast are all brilliant and the mature scripts give everyone a focus over time. Gary Sandy and Howard Hessmen carry much of the show, with Gordon Jump, spinning in and out of things, brilliantly portraying the befuddled but caring Big Guy. Lonnie Anderson gets to deliver wisecracks and sage advice, but she also gets a few episodes to round out her character. Richard Sanders is unequaled as Les, the newsman who never seems to know what is going on, but that there is a Communist conspiracy at the heart of it. Frank Bonner carries of the ugly suits and slimy personality of Herb, but manages to humanize him and make you generally like him. Tim Reid gets to be both a wise voice and a participant in the madness. Reid had built a name in the stand-up circuit and proved equally brilliant here. Partner Tom Driessen gets to put in an appearance in the final season. Jan Smithers portrays Bailey as brilliant and beautiful, but painfully shy. Bailey slowly comes out of her shell as the series progresses. Bailey gets her moments, but is the more neglected member of the cast. Finally, Carol Bruce is wonderful as "Mama" Carlson, the Machiavellian owner of the station and the Big Guy's mother. Bruce is given a few tender moments to soften the hard edge, but she is a treasure as the terror of the station. The addition of Ian Wolfe as her butler, Hirsch, was a stroke of genius in the later days.
WKRP is filled with laughs, but is tempered with a humanity and real issues, including: censorship, race, parenting, love, health scares, troubled marriages, alcoholism, abuse, honoring veterans, and many more. The show rarely struck a false note with these complex issues, allowing comedy and drama to arise naturally. They rarely presented easy solutions and strove to maintain a balance with controversial topics.
WKRP is much missed and is a poster child for the problems of video releases. It is one of the most sought after shows, but one that is too expensive to release with the original music intact. The music was so integral to the show's plots and dialogue that substitution doesn't really work. The lone season 1 release is hollow, with edits made to cover the greatest omissions and comedy beats affected by music changes. Fans didn't support the release, so it is unlikely that further releases will launch. It's a shame, as this series really stands above its contemporaries.
The premise of the show is built around a small, barely surviving radio station, "run" by Arthur "Big Guy" Carlson. Beautiful receptionist Jennifer Marlowe keeps the salesmen at bay, though none moreso than the station's own sales manager, the sartorially challenged Herb Tarlek. Newsman Les Nessman (5 time winner of the Buckeye Newshawk Award) brings the days events to listeners, in often bizarre and porcine heavy doses. Shy Bailey Quarters writes copy and assists where needed. Then there is burnt out DJ, Johnny Caravella, formerly known as Johnny Duke, Johnny Sunshine, Johnny Cool, Johnny Midnight, etc.. John found himself in this broken down station after uttering a forbidden word on the air on an LA station. Into this mess comes new Program Director Andy Travis, with definite ideas about how to fix things; change the format to rock 'n' roll. Accompanying Andy is Venus Flytrap, a cool new DJ who speaks of the stars to his children. With this new mix, chaos ensues, as the station slowly climbs out of the basement of radio.
The cast are all brilliant and the mature scripts give everyone a focus over time. Gary Sandy and Howard Hessmen carry much of the show, with Gordon Jump, spinning in and out of things, brilliantly portraying the befuddled but caring Big Guy. Lonnie Anderson gets to deliver wisecracks and sage advice, but she also gets a few episodes to round out her character. Richard Sanders is unequaled as Les, the newsman who never seems to know what is going on, but that there is a Communist conspiracy at the heart of it. Frank Bonner carries of the ugly suits and slimy personality of Herb, but manages to humanize him and make you generally like him. Tim Reid gets to be both a wise voice and a participant in the madness. Reid had built a name in the stand-up circuit and proved equally brilliant here. Partner Tom Driessen gets to put in an appearance in the final season. Jan Smithers portrays Bailey as brilliant and beautiful, but painfully shy. Bailey slowly comes out of her shell as the series progresses. Bailey gets her moments, but is the more neglected member of the cast. Finally, Carol Bruce is wonderful as "Mama" Carlson, the Machiavellian owner of the station and the Big Guy's mother. Bruce is given a few tender moments to soften the hard edge, but she is a treasure as the terror of the station. The addition of Ian Wolfe as her butler, Hirsch, was a stroke of genius in the later days.
WKRP is filled with laughs, but is tempered with a humanity and real issues, including: censorship, race, parenting, love, health scares, troubled marriages, alcoholism, abuse, honoring veterans, and many more. The show rarely struck a false note with these complex issues, allowing comedy and drama to arise naturally. They rarely presented easy solutions and strove to maintain a balance with controversial topics.
WKRP is much missed and is a poster child for the problems of video releases. It is one of the most sought after shows, but one that is too expensive to release with the original music intact. The music was so integral to the show's plots and dialogue that substitution doesn't really work. The lone season 1 release is hollow, with edits made to cover the greatest omissions and comedy beats affected by music changes. Fans didn't support the release, so it is unlikely that further releases will launch. It's a shame, as this series really stands above its contemporaries.