WKRP in Cincinnati (1978)

Watchseries; There are few jokes in the best TV sitcoms and films. The funniest moments happen when well-defined characters are in unusual situations in which they react as themselves. One of the funniest scenes in "The Graduate" is Benjamin Braddock trying to avoid drawing attention to himself when he wants to check into a hotel because he's having an affair. Or when muggers accosting Jack Benny say "You're gonna give us $10,000, or we're gonna break both your legs" to which Benny replies, "Does it have to be both?" (Benny's character in both his radio and TV shows was that he was stingy and would do anything to avoid giving or paying money.)

WKRP was lucky to have the kind of writers who also understood the power of character to create comedy. The characters of WKRP rarely make self-conscious wise-cracks. Herb Tarlek would sometimes try to be witty but often with catastrophic results. The chemistry that made WKRP work was the writers' understanding of their characters which in turn manifested dialog that appeared spontaneous yet funny. The humor evolved from the characters simply being themselves without the writers having to force jokes into the script. This is the most effective kind of comedy writing in the narrative style but it depends on interesting and quirky characters.

A few quick examples: when Les Nesman is asked what he thinks about radio stations in Cincinatti playing mostly "rock 'n' roll" music he replies that "it must be some sort of conspiratorial plot." When a visitor asks to see Mr Carlson (in front of Mr Carlson), Carlson (trying to avoid people in general) replies "He's dead." And when Jennifer the receptionist is asked to do some note-taking and filing she says "I don't do typing. I don't do filing. Anything else?"

This was an outstanding comedy that may have been a bit overlooked at that time since it was broadcast at the tale-end of a 20-year run of great television comedy that began with shows like the Dick Van Dyke Show, I Dream of Jeanie, MASH, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and Mork and Mindy. The only two sitcoms that were truly great after that were Cheers and Seinfeld. MASH relied more on the wise-cracks but that was an attribute of Hawkeye's character. (I have never felt the writing in "Friends" was that strong relying almost exclusively on wise-cracks rather than situations although it is very popular.) WKRP is one of the few shows that still seems fresh and lively despite having been first broadcast almost 30 years ago. The writers had the uncommon ability to give the cast interesting lines that were funny, unexpected and yet totally believable and within character. And unlike most current TV comedy writing, wise-cracks and jokes were a rarity.

There are few jokes in the best TV sitcoms and films. The funniest moments happen when well-defined characters are in unusual situations in which they react as themselves. One of the funniest scenes in "The Graduate" is Benjamin Braddock trying to avoid drawing attention to himself when he wants to check into a hotel because he's having an affair. Or when muggers accosting Jack Benny say "You're gonna give us $10,000, or we're gonna break both your legs" to which Benny replies, "Does it have to be both?" (Benny's character in both his radio and TV shows was that he was stingy and would do anything to avoid giving or paying money.)

WKRP was lucky to have the kind of writers who also understood the power of character to create comedy. The characters of WKRP rarely make self-conscious wise-cracks. Herb Tarlek would sometimes try to be witty but often with catastrophic results. The chemistry that made WKRP work was the writers' understanding of their characters which in turn manifested dialog that appeared spontaneous yet funny. The humor evolved from the characters simply being themselves without the writers having to force jokes into the script. This is the most effective kind of comedy writing in the narrative style but it depends on interesting and quirky characters.

A few quick examples: when Les Nesman is asked what he thinks about radio stations in Cincinatti playing mostly "rock 'n' roll" music he replies that "it must be some sort of conspiratorial plot." When a visitor asks to see Mr Carlson (in front of Mr Carlson), Carlson (trying to avoid people in general) replies "He's dead." And when Jennifer the receptionist is asked to do some note-taking and filing she says "I don't do typing. I don't do filing. Anything else?"

This was an outstanding comedy that may have been a bit overlooked at that time since it was broadcast at the tale-end of a 20-year run of great television comedy that began with shows like the Dick Van Dyke Show, I Dream of Jeanie, MASH, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and Mork and Mindy. The only two sitcoms that were truly great after that were Cheers and Seinfeld. MASH relied more on the wise-cracks but that was an attribute of Hawkeye's character. (I have never felt the writing in "Friends" was that strong relying almost exclusively on wise-cracks rather than situations although it is very popular.) WKRP is one of the few shows that still seems fresh and lively despite having been first broadcast almost 30 years ago. The writers had the uncommon ability to give the cast interesting lines that were funny, unexpected and yet totally believable and within character. And unlike most current TV comedy writing, wise-cracks and jokes were a rarity.

WKRP in Cincinnati watchseries. ...on Cincinnati's WKRP!

For four seasons on CBS(1978-82),this fitfully funny show set around an AM radio station whose switch to a Rock'n Roll format causes ripples in the staid,conservative make-up of the company ran and became an equally(or more)popular staple on syndication. I am just old enough to recall getting into this show(this and ABC/NBC's "TAxi")as a young schoolboy,not fully understanding every entendre or social clash,but still appreciating the show's ability to modulate between verbal humor and physical pratfalls.

The characters were made distinctive as well as funny,which may go to why they are quite memorable:Arthur Carlson(Gordon Jump,a fellow Kansan and at his peak best here);the stammering,unsure president of the station,Les Nessman(Richard Sanders),the hugely insecure and pompously jingoistic news director/anchor;Jennifer MArlowe(Loni Anderson),the buxom,sexy secretary who is living awfully good on a receptionist's salary(wink!);Herb TArlek(Frank Sanders),the odious and lecherous ad sales guy,always hitting on Jennifer despite being firmly married with kids;Venus Flytrap(Tim Reid,funkified,70s fab),the ultra-cool soul brother who rules the night airwaves;Bailey Quarter(JAn Smithers),the wallflowerish news writer begging for a chance to get to be a reporter;Andy Travis(GAry SAndy),the cool format programmer who is th4e catalyst for the show;and "Dr."JOhnny Fever(Howard Hesman,in a role that he's probably most identified with),the 60s-refugee whose carer gets a shot in the arm from the format change. Distinctive writing as well as choice casting made this assembly perfect.

I could go on about how much I enjoyed this show(and I did),but instead,I'll just say those to those who enjoyed this show or those who want to check it out,get the DVDs where you can find them and tune in to the CArp!

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.

This show was the maturing of a 1960's failed sitcom known as GOOD MORNING WORLD. It took the idea of Morning DJ's with a crazy manager & a wife, & expanded it out to include an entirely loony station loaded with many crazy characters. This show smartly moved all the action into the station while it's ancient relative tried to do the Dick Van Dyke style home life too. Losing that is what made WKRP better.

I can mention dueling blonde's as 2 of the best were on these shows. Goldie Hawn versus Loni Anderson would be a great battle. Thing is Goldie was a young developing chick when on the first show, while Loni was a fully matured woman when WKRP started. The difference of dumb playing Goldie versus smart Loni shows the difference. Careerwise, Goldie has more talent than Loni, but in this comparison, Loni & WKRP win. Now imagine a king size problem, walking into a room with each of these ladies on each of your arms. What would you do? Station Managers - Gordon Jump versus Billy De Wolfe. What a match, as Jumps understated big guy got better writing than De Wolfe, but De Wolfe wins the talent battle hands down.

Ronnie Schell & Jodie Baker as DJ's versus Howard Hessman & Tim Reid. No doubt, WKRP wins this one. But they also got better scripts so the match is really not fair. In the final analysis, no doubt that WKRP wins, but it owes it's roots to the other show. Both of these were CBS, & while the first one failed fast, WKRP even kept going without CBS later.

I really hate this show. I don't know why? I use too love it as a kid. Many years later seeing this show on re-runs I found it just doesn't have it. Maybe I have sit com burn out. Some of the episodes have the 70's liberal social message, like in "All in the Family" and other episodes are zaney. What I found that I HATE about the show now is the characters of Herb, Less and Mr Carlson. Hey, these guys are capital L losers. Surprised no one wiged out at the station on them. I like the old Cincinnati Stingers pennet in the back ground. I wonder if I could get one off e bay? That was cool, and keeps me from changing the channel. Maybe, I got repetive TV re run sickness. I seen this show and MASH way too much. I can't eat samli anymore after 3 millions serving, maybe the same goes with this show too.

WKRP in Cincinatti was a great show with a stellar cast including Gordon Jump who played the station's owner. Gary Sandy who played one of the disc jockeys. Of course, the unforgettable Howard Hesseman as another disc jockey. The guy who played Les Nessman was also memorable as the news guy. Frank Bonner who played sleazy Herb as the advertising salesman and of course the ladies played by Loni Anderson and I forget the other girl's name but she was good too. Anyway, the show was well-written, acted, and performed that it left a timeless impression on us. Of course, Tim Reid was also excellent as well. The show had a first rate cast which worked very well together comically and produced some of the finest moments on television.