This show has stood the test of time... WKRP was well produced with an amazing cast and writers who knew how to be funny without trying to be funny... We just do not have TV shows like this anymore, which is a real shame. WKRP will forever and always be one of my favorite shows from an era of Television that has passed us by, but never forgotten.
Everyone mentions the turkey episode, but my favorite is Les speed-walking through a mass conversation in the bullpen, announcing as he goes: "Herb Tarlek is selling life insurance, and he's coming this way." Everyone immediately freezes for just long enough for Les to leave the shot and the laugh to start to build, then they simultaneously scatter in all directions, leaving Herb to find empty space when he enters five seconds later. Brilliant.
My favorite episode is The Consultant. First, it features Mother Carlson and her butler. Always hilarious. All the staff put on a show pretending to be completely different than they really are. Such a great episode.
The shows back then, as simple as they were, had a quality you don't see today. The characters they portrayed were believable. In Comedy, timing is everything, with a punchline. This was such a great show, brings back many highschool memories.
One of my all time favorite memories of being a kid was this show. From the theme song to beautiful loni and Jan, Andy’s feathered hair, loved everything and every character. Oh by the way BOOGER!!!!!!!!:)
I worked in Radio for about 4years and this show was so spot on in terms of working in radio. When I was taking production courses in college every single class there was at least one reference to WKRP in a class. One of the most underrated shows ever.
I too worked in radio for about 16 years. I enjoyed watching WKRP because their were so many things on this show that were so realistic! But, I have to admit, if it were our radio station on television, at times we would have been even funnier! Some of the craziest things I ever saw or heard in my life happen at that radio station!
I really miss this show! This brings back so many great memories growing up watching it. Perfectly cast and acted, so very brilliant in so many ways. Even had one of the best theme songs.
For me, it's WKRP and then Taxi. Absolute classics that can never be matched. Both of them were, and still are the kind of shows that literally make me laugh out loud. Not chuckles, I'm talking belly laughs. When Mr. Carlson says "As God as my witness, I thought Turkeys could fly..." I can remember my late father laughing so hard that he was crying. We absolutely loved WKRP and I still do.
Finally! WKRP is shown without blockage of top or bottom panels. One of the absolute best casting of characters I've ever had the pleasure of watching! They were all so talented. I had the pleasure of seeing almost every episode during first airing. In my opinion, Hugh Wilson struck black gold with this unique show!
To Harry Engel, I agree both ladies are beautiful. But Jan Smithers had a way of tugging at my heart strings. Her shy sweet persona just melts me away.
When I was in community theater, we solved that problem be always calling everyone by their character's name, on stage and off. On the phone or in person, at rehearsal or at work, or if we meet at a restaurant, or where ever. WE BECAME THE CHARACTER, 24/7.
This show aired during my first year in radio, 1978...the characters were so true to life it was amazing! Some of them...especially Johnny Fever, were right out of the station I was working for in Port Arthur, Tx back then... It was a true representation of what radio was like back in the 70's... before the giants took over and ruined it. 38 years later I still love radio... and, like Johnny Fever have learned..."they all fire you eventually"! It was a truly magnificent show that still stands today, nearly 40 years later! (Oh, I also thought Bailey was the hottie on the show... still do!) :)
I was a DJ from 1968 to 1990...mostly in Wichita Falls, Texas.....it's true that all of the cast must have based on real DJ's! We had our own Les Nessman, Jennifer, Bailey....Yeah...those were the good days....4 track carts...slip-cueing albums...live psa's....DJ'S with "Barry White" voices...ahhh...memories...
Jennifer: "I saw Herb this morning." Johnny: "How is he?" Jennifer: "Oh, he's a little doped up, but he'll be fine." Johnny: "Same here." Johnny freakin' ruled :)
Oh this was wonderful. Being from the Cincy area was the cherry on top for liking this show. Ive said it before and say it again, this show deserved way better and proved to be a head of its time. The jealousy from MTM studios from its limited success was the reason this show got bounced around on the weekly schedule. The yrs it was on were comedy gold, great cast, writers and great characters provided laughs that still hold true today.
I liked WKRP better than Mary Tyler Moore's show--far better characters-and funnier but not afraid to serious either (Cincinnati Who Concert Tragedy etc)-CBS just moved it around so much many of the loyal viewers couldn't find it anylonger--it made a fortune in syndication
I was a newspaper delivery boy when this show was on. When WKRP was canceled, the TV critic ran an article that I STILL remember the name to: Why Kill Respectable Programming (WKRP).
I am originally from the Chicago area and on my way to Florida, I drove over a bridge and there was a sign above "Welcome to Cincinnati" Home of WKRP...LOL, It was the early 80's and I almost peed my pants laughing.
As a kid who dreamed of a career in radio, I obviously loved this show. When I went to college in Los Angeles, Gordon Jump was on my flight, and I had the absolute pleasure of getting to speak to him for about 15 minutes. He encouraged me to follow through with my career aspirations, and I wound up having a 30-year run in the radio biz, including some time at Radio & Records, which I often saw on episodes of WKRP! Thanks for the video, but even more, thanks for the phenomenal show, Hugh.
Just read your post I hope my words find you and find you well...the show had the same affect on me! You meeting Gordon Jump was awesome! That was fate and karma's way of blessing you with wonderful good fortune although I never realized my dream of being a Dr Johnny Fever I did have some success in the bar business so I know it's not the same it was still public service orientated...Rock & Roll babies!!!
One of the most beautiful sights in life, is Bailey wearing a denim skirt with boots, and her big glasses. And when you combine all of that with her cute little pout, or her gorgeous smile, you get heaven on a screen. 🌟🌟🌟
Mr. Wilson, I can truly tell you that WKRP in Cincinnati is one of the greatest TV shows ever. I started watching it on re-runs back in 1983 when I was 12 and I could not wait to get home to see episodes I had never seen before. I wanted to work in a place like WRKP. Thank you very much for producing a classic. Best Regards!
I saw a rerun of the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson a couple months back. The guest was Tim Reid. Carson really liked interviewing him and personally asked him back. He was quite pleasant with a good sense of humor.
Having recently watched the entire series of WKRP In Cincinnati, I must say this was a thoroughly entertaining clip to watch! Truly an amazing show and ensemble cast that I wish I could've been a part of back then! Great job Hugh Wilson!
It didn't get any better as it moved on. Season 4 compared to season 1 is not that good. When the show started, they concentrated on the radio station, most of the actors got equal screen time and the show was hilarious, as it "progressed" they concentrated to much on individual characters lives outside of the radio station and turned it into part drama part comedy. When they did that, ALL of the ensemble wasn't together in as many scenes as they should have been, as when the show started out. Not all of the actors could hold a scene on their own. in my humble opinion. The scenes with Johnny and Venus in them are gold. The scenes with Carlson and Jennifer were great. the rest of the time, it's just an ok show.
It was a great show. But I don't think it would have done well into the 80s, simply because FM album radio was a 70s thing. The things that made it so much fun wouldn't have worked in an MTV world. On the other hand, as great a show as it was under Hugh Wilson, et al, it might have been fun to see what Ed Weinberger and James L. Brooks and those guys might have done with it.
As much as I love the show, you're right. When they try to get into the lives of the characters, it's not good. Just saw the one where Herb's family appears on a reality TV show. I love Frank Bonner (met him once. Very friendly.), but it didn't work. I understand that actors want to stretch and do different things but the two episodes where Johnny becomes legally obligated to do a disco TV show are downright painful to watch. Could have done without the preachiness of "the Who" episode, too. Other than that, the show is consistently hilarious and borders on genius as much as shows like Taxi, Cheers, or Frasier.
Always was and always will be one of my favorite show, the cast worked so well together, guess u can say the caught lighting in a bottle with this show! if any of the casts see this Thank you, for the laughs and the tears, so glad its on reruns, take care
Ever since I read that during an interview he said the "KRP" stood for crap to match the city, i modified the opening theme lyrics to "Maybe stink up me in a while".
Love the show with all my heart, always have, since I was a girl. One of the first, if not the absolute first, shows for which I can remember watching the credits and learning the names of the crww. I'm not sure what prompted it ... possibly the use of Buzz' and Ginger's names in a plot and my feeling like an absolute genius for recognizing that they probably got them from the crew? Just seeing the credits gives me a warm feeling all over, let alone the beloved show itself. also was so proud of myself as a kid for spotting the annual use of Sam Anderson, and he became one of my specialties in terms of "hey! it's that guy!" recognition on other shows over the years. :) Thank you, Hugh Wilson, for sharing... And thank you, cast and crew, for making this wonderful piece of American TV brilliance. Miss it terribly, but appreciate you with all that is within me.
No, we ARE allowed to marry. We just have to marry geek girls and/or sidekick types. Hey, worked for me. And I met Mary Ann (Dawn Wells) once. She was almost 60 at the time and she was STILL hot. Smelled good, too.
I , like many, had a huge crush on bailey[jan smithers], when you[I] was young , she ]the character bailey, so you think jan smithers may have had bailey qualities]seemed like the ultimate sweet, sexy girlfriend.
Thanks Hugh for sharing these rare moments from what would have to be one of my top 3 favorite TV shows of all time. Truly magic created on the screen by all involved. It doesn't happen a lot on TV.
Hugh, THANK YOU so much for this wonderful clip. This was like seeing old friends from college after 30 years. WKRP meant so much to me during its run (and in reruns all these years). Seeing these people like this makes me smile all over again. Bless you for giving me such wonderful memories all these years.
My parents introduced me to this show when I was pretty young, maybe about 12. I'm 19 now and my family and I just finished watching the entire series together. Watching this made me want to cry. I'm so emotionally invested into this show now it's crazy!
One of my all time favorite sitcoms, thanks for the trip down memory lane. And I share with all of you smitten by Jan Smithers. She was the first for me to make wearing glasses sexy.
I was growing up in Cincinnati when this show was originally aired on CBS. I live in California now but I truly miss Cincinnati. Skyline Chili anyone??
Okay, I'll be the one who gives props to Dixie Chili too. Right now, I would gladly scarf down some Cincinnati chili and cheese coneys...yum! Maybe some Graeters afterward...
That would be lust, not love. Not knowing the difference is why the divorce rate is so high. And me, too, well Bailey Quarters, anyway, as Jan is pushing 70.
yes she was, so beautiful had such a crush on her. Sadly she didn't have a long career in Hollywood, went more the mom route than he actress route so we missed out on seeing her much more, but hey we still have the good WKRP days of the amazing Bailey.
Love you so much for this. WKRP I watched as a troubled kid. Watched every day after school. They were all such a comfort to and felt that perhaps there *is* good people in the world... There were other "family" sitcoms that I felt joy to watch but not as much as the WKRP folks. And the different characters... Fantastic💙unique classic!
I remember watching this occasionally as a kid. I was very young when it was on, but this was part of my many fond memories of the 80's. I love it. Thanks.
Thanks Mr. Wilson! Growing up north of Atlanta I listened to WQXI while this show was on. WKRP helped me decide to do some AM radio part time through high school & college, and it was often a version of WKRP. This show will always be one of my favorites.
I’ve worked in radio for twenty years. And I’m from the Cincinnati area. I used to say, that the only thing that wasn’t right on the money about the show, was that they only had two DJs and One salesman. Nowadays, many Radio stations only have two DJs or less. But they still have more than one sales guy.
It was a small station, started playing "old people music", opening episode was when Andy Travis was hired as the new Program Director, and he switched the format to Rock & Roll immediately. Two senior citizens showed up at the studio, and entered the control booth, threatening Johnny Fever with an umbrella. Well, they smashed the record playing on the turntable, is what they actually did. Fever says, "All right you two, up against the wall! I don't know what you want, but you should know I've killed a lot of old people in my time...and I'm not above doing it again." The two old people run off... Mrs. Carlson wanted the station to fail, as a tax write off, so it made sense that she would understaff the Sales Department. As for the DJ's, there were others, you only saw them occasionally. There was one "afternoon guy" who was a Cocaine addict, and who wore a cardigan I believe, and Baily occasionally did interview shows, and Les did the news every hour, I mean you don't expect to see everyone who works there, especially the DJ's who aren't featured as regular characters.
They also had at least one engineer/technician who only appeared twice - first at the electronics store remote broadcast then later when they played a company softball game. He was played by one of the writers.
turkeys can fly (wild turkeys), but they clip the wings of the domesticated turkeys when they are young so they can't fly. Should have captured wild turkeys and they can fly , not as well as other birds, but can maintain flight for quite a distance.
I enjoyed this, thank you. Watched the box set DVDs. Enjoyed how many different names Dr. FEVER had, where the band aid was on Les, and Herb in white shoes. What a cast.
To this day one of my all time favorite shows. I've worked in radio for nearly 29 years and I still quote the show to my younger colleagues.. who have no idea what I'm talking about! 😕
