DVD Review: WKRP in Cincinnati

Yes, it's Season #1 of WKRP in Cincinnati - that great comedy series from the late 70's. For those who don't remember or didn't see (?) the original series... a failing radio station in Cincinnati regulated to playing oldies (think the 30's and 40's oldies), hires a new station manager who abruptly changes the format to.... gasp!.... Rock n' Roll!

What a great ensemble cast. Standout performances are Johnny Fever by Howard Hessman (layed back doesn't even begin to describe him. Oh, by the way...... BOOGER!), Jennifer E. Marlow portrayed by Loni Anderson (the beautiful secretary who wouldn't do secretarial work. 'It's in my contract!'. Smart and Sassy, and may have enjoyed tormenting Herb Tarlick the salesman), Les Nesman the news report (his hillbilly hick news reports on hogs and other farm critters in contrast to the rock format made for an unusual merging of cultures. And Les' yellow taped office 'walls' - very off-beat). Jan Smithers played the shy Bailey Quarters trying to establish herself in the media biz, but rumors are that Jan really was shy and there really wasn't a lot of acting going on... I also have a new respect for the actor who played Herb Tarlick - while I never cared for his part, he did a good job to playing part convincingly! Tim Reid's Venus Flytrap is also unique, good, and unbelievable. Gary Sandy's performance as Andy Travis the hip new station manager is probably the weakest performance of the lot. Why these actors didn't have more success post-WKRP is a bit of a mystery to me.

The DVD set contains 2 Commentary episodes with the writer Hugh Wilson, Loni Anderson, and 'Herb Tralick'. A lot of fun facts, and behind the scenes secrets are revealed. Even the creation of the songs in the opening and end credits. The ending credits songs isn't even a song... it's just nonsensical words played by a friend of the crew looking for work! Listen closely... see if anything makes sense to you! Also... the famous turkey drop promotion for Thanksgiving episode is actually based on a real radio promotion event which took place in Texas where a manager really did believe turkeys could fly and threw them out of a helicopter. And more...

The DVD set also contain two story featurettes. One (Do My Eyes Say Yes?) is the turbulent relationship between Jennifer and Herb and his continual frustration with getting anyway with the quip Jennifer, and her ability to avoid anything resembling secretarial work. The second (The Fish Story) told how the writers were being strong armed into writing an episode with physical humor in it, more like 'Laverne and Shirley' - less character driven, issue driven stories. So the writer, Hugh Wilson, decides to create the most far fetched episode he can think of: 'The Fish Story'! And the plan backfires. To Hugh's dismay The Fish Story is a big hit and one the the highest watched show in WKRP history!

DVD rating: B+

McDoogle

Your challenge: Start a radio station of your own. Tools required: Microphone, wires and cords, Speakers, a radio frequency, and a little modulation, and some duct tape wouldn't hurt. Must be able to speak fluently, sometimes for hours at a time.