Synopsis
Includes:
WKRP in Cincinnati: Love Returns (1978)
WKRP in Cincinnati: Les On a Ledge (1978)
WKRP in Cincinnati: Pilot, Part 1 (1978)
WKRP in Cincinnati: Bailey's Show (1978)
WKRP in Cincinnati: Hold-Up (1978)
WKRP in Cincinnati: Hoodlum Rock (1978)
WKRP in Cincinnati: Pilot, Part 2 (1978)
WKRP in Cincinnati: Turkeys Away (1978)
WKRP in Cincinnati: Never Leave Me, Lucille (1979)
WKRP in Cincinnati: Johnny Comes Back (1979)
WKRP in Cincinnati: A Commercial Break (1979)
WKRP in Cincinnati: Goodbye, Johnny (1979)
WKRP in Cincinnati: Tornado (1979)
WKRP in Cincinnati: The Contest Nobody Could Win (1979)
WKRP in Cincinnati: Mama's Review (1979)
WKRP in Cincinnati: Preacher (1979)
WKRP in Cincinnati: Fish Story (1979)
WKRP in Cincinnati: Young Master Carlson (1979)
WKRP in Cincinnati: I Do, I Do...For Now (1979)
WKRP in Cincinnati: Who Is Gordon Sims? (1979)
WKRP in Cincinnati: A Date With Jennifer (1979)
WKRP in Cincinnati: I Want to Keep My Baby (1979)
WKRP in Cincinnati: Love Returns
WKRP holds a contest in which deejays Dr. Johnny Fever (Howard Hesseman) and Venus Flytrap (Tim Reid) are offered as "prizes." Meanwhile, Andy is reunited with his former girlfriend Linda Taylor (Barrie Youngfellow), a touring rock star who entreats him into leaving radio and joining her on the road. This was originally telecast as the last of WKRP in Cincinnati's eight "test" episodes, whereupon the fledgling series went on hiatus for three months. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
WKRP in Cincinnati: Les On a Ledge
WKRP's ace newsman Les Nessman (Richard Sanders) can't understand why he has been abruptly banned from conducting locker-room interviews at Riverfront Stadium. Then the truth comes out (in a manner of speaking)--one of the Cincinnati Reds has accused Les of being gay! Convinced that his life and career are over, Les climbs onto the ledge of the Flimm Building in prepartion of ending it all--while back inside, deejay Johnny Fever (Howard Hesseman) has his hands full trying to keep libidinous sales manager Herb (Frank Bonner) from hitting on voluptuous receptionist Jennifer (Loni Anderson). Series regulars Tim Reid (Venus Flytrap) and Jan Smithers (Bailey Quarters) do not appear in this episode. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
WKRP in Cincinnati: Pilot, Part 1
The first episode of the first season of WKRP in Cincinnati finds troubleshooter Andy Travis (Gary Sandy) blowing in from Santa Fe to pump new life in WKRP, an all-but-moribund "beautiful music" radio station in Cincinnati. Almost immediately Andy junks the station's format in favor of Top 40 rock and roll, transforms mercurial daytime deejay Johnny Caravella (Howard Hesseman) into "Doctor Johnny Fever", and installs his own mellow overnight host, "Venus Flytrap" (Tim Reid). Andy's methods result in wide-eyed astonishment from WKRP's ineffectual station manager Carlson (Gordon Jump) and resentment from the station's uptight news reporter Les Nessman (Richard Sanders) and boorish sales manager Herb Tarlek (Frank Bonner), but the ratings are undeniably on the upsurge. Alas, Mr. Carlson's imperious mother (played in the pilot by Sylvia Sidney) and thereafter by Carol Bruce), who owns WKRP, despises the new format--and demands that Andy be fired almost as soon as he is hired! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
WKRP in Cincinnati: Bailey's Show
Going out on the latest of several limbs, Andy (Gary Sandy) allows station intern Bailey Quarters (Jan Smithers) to produce her own radio show. Bailey's "baby", a public-affairs interview session called "Cincinnati Beat", is intended to spark provocative conversation. Instead, the show manages to attract virtually every nutcase in Cincinnati, ranging from a looney doctor who declares all children are insane and should be locked up, to a bald-headed coot who claims to be General Eisenhower. (Too bad Bailey wasn't staging her show three decades later--she'd have made a fortune on cable TV!) ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
WKRP in Cincinnati: Hold-Up
Ever in search of a surefire publicity stunt, Herb (Frank Bonner) arranges a remote WKRP broadcast from Del's Stereo and Sound Store. Unfortunately, the show is interrupted mid-stream when a man enters the store, brandishes a gun, and holds everyone hostage. Though at first as frightened as everyone else, Johnny Fever (Howard Hesseman) attempts to defuse the siutation when he finds out that the gunman (Gary Goodrow) is actually an out-of-work deejay (just as Johnny has been on many occasions!) Although series regulars Jan Smithers (Bailey), Tim Reid (Venus) and Loni Anderson (Jennifer) do not appear in this episode, we are treated to cameos by series creator Hugh Wilson) and staff writers (William Dial, Tom Chehak and Blake Hunter. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
WKRP in Cincinnati: Hoodlum Rock
Pulling a few strings supplied by his boss Mr. Carlson (Gordon Jump), Andy (Gary Sandy) manages to book the English punk band "Scum of the Earth" for a Cincinnati concert. Though forewarned that the group is infamous for physically assaulting their audiences, Andy is convinced that "The Scum"'s hoodlum reputation is merely an act--but he's wrong, wrong, wrong! The real-life rock group Detective provides the music for "Scum of the Earth" with the songs "Got Enough Love" and "Betcha Can't Dance", while one of the members of Detective, Michael Des Barres, appears on-camera as "Dog" (ironically Des Barres would later costar as morning-drive deejay Jack Allen on the syndicated spinoff The New WKRP in Cincinnati). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
WKRP in Cincinnati: Pilot, Part 2
In the conclusion of WKRP in Cincinnati's two-part series opener, WKRP's new program director Andy Travis (Gary Sandy) manages to avoid being fired when his strategy of switching over to a top-40 rock format results in a ratings upsurge. Unfortunately, the station's older sponsors pull out, and station manager Carlson (Gordon Jump) refuses any further financing of WKRP's new format. At the same time, dozens of elderly "easy-listening" fans picket the station, demanding the return of Lawrence Welk and Paul Anka)--a potential disaster that Andy characteristically "flips" to his advantage by transforming the demonstration into a big-time publicity stunt! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
WKRP in Cincinnati: Turkeys Away
In this unforgettable episode, WKRP station manager Carlson (Gordon Jump) endeavors to prove once and for all that he's truly in charge of things by secretly planning a "brilliant" Thanksgiving promotion for his station. The plan involves flying a helicopter over the Pinedale Shopping Mall--and then releasing twenty live turkeys into the air. Oh, the humanity! Acknowledged by innumerable fans and pundits as one of the greatest TV sitcom episodes of all time, "Turkeys Away" is, incredibly enough, based on a true story. And at the risk of tipping off the ending, we herein quote Mr. Carlson's classic closing line: "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
WKRP in Cincinnati: Never Leave Me, Lucille
Finally booted out of his house by his fed-up wife Lucille (Edie McClurg), Herb (Frank Bonner) moves in with Johnny (Howard Hesseman), immediately transforming the tiny apartment into his own peculiar idea of a swingin' bachelor pad. Back at WKRP, the staffers brace themselves for the "new", unattached Herb--especially Jennifer, who worries about her safety at the hands of the ever-libidinous advertising director. As a means of self-preservation, Jennifer persuades her friends to try to bring Herb and Lucille back together...fast! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
WKRP in Cincinnati: Johnny Comes Back
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Johnny (Howard Hesseman) returns to WKRP with his tail between his legs, having been fired from his prestigious new deejay gig in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, the station has already installed Johnny's replacement, a rather seedy personality named Doug Winner (Philip Charles MacKenzie). With no other option available, Johnny accepts an assignment with WKRP's pre-dawn show--very, very pre-dawn. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
WKRP in Cincinnati: A Commercial Break
Randall Ferryman (Fred Stuthman), millionaire owner of a successful chain of funeral parlors, decides to advertise on WKRP. Hoping to capture the "young and swinging" demographic, Ferryman encourages the staff to develop a series of singing commercials for his establishments--which they do, using retreaded jingles from the moribund Morrison Tires Account. But both Andy (Gary Sandy) and Mr. Carlson (Gordon Jump) have qualms about promoting death in so flippant a fashion. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
WKRP in Cincinnati: Goodbye, Johnny
In the first episode of a two-part story, Johnny (Howard Hesseman) is poised to leave WKRP and Cincinnati for a better-paying job in California--and never mind that during his last gig in the Golden State, he managed to get fired for saying "booger" on the air. Hoping to get Johnny to change his mind, Mr. Carlson (Gordon Jump) concocts a clever (?) scheme to be deployed during the deejay's farewell party. Edie McClurg makes her first series appearance as Lucille, the long-suffering wife of boorish sales manager Herb Tarlek (Frank Bonner). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
WKRP in Cincinnati: Tornado
A series of tornadoes hits the Cincinnati area just as a pair of Japanese radio executives are being given a guided tour of WKRP. A bad situation gets worse when a window blown loose by the heavy winds knocks Andy (Gary Sandy) unconscious--but fortunately, Jennifer (Loni Anderson) is at the ready with a most intriguing rescue method! Series regulars Tim Reid (Venus) and Jan Smithers (Bailey) do not appear in this episode. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
WKRP in Cincinnati: The Contest Nobody Could Win
Announcing a contest held by WKRP during his deejay shift, Johnny (Howard Hesseman) makes a potentially disastrous slip of the tongue, declaring that the 50-dollar grand prize is $5000--which, as Andy (Gary Sandy) ruefully points out, is the station's contest budget for the entire year. Hoping to save the day, Venus (Gary Reid) conjures up a contest that will be impossible for anyone to win; alas, he soon finds out that in this day and age, nothing is impossible. Featured in the supporting cast are two of Hollywood's best--and most eccentric--character actors, Vincent Schiavelli and Tracey Walter. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
WKRP in Cincinnati: Mama's Review
After a three-month network hiatus, WKRP in Cincinnati resumed its first season on January 15, 1979 with this "recap" episode (otherwise known as a clip show). It has been four months since Cincinnati radio station WKRP flipped formats, converting from easy-listening to top-40, and program director Andy Travis (Gary Sandy) is anxious to bring the imperious station owner Mrs. Carlson (who hates rock-and-roll) up to date. In his efforts to prove that his strategy has worked, Andy flashes back to such previous episodes as the two-part pilot show, "Les on a Ledge", "Hold-Up" and the imperishable "Turkeys Away". With this program, Carol Bruce takes over from Sylvia Sidney as Mama Carlson. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
WKRP in Cincinnati: Preacher
A group of religious leaders is up in arms over a WKRP program starring self-styled preacher Little Ed Pembrook (Michael Keenan). In additon to making a farce of all things spiritual, Little Ed insists upon promoting such questionable religious icons as "Baptist shower curtains." But inasmuch as the 300-pound preacher used to be a professional wrestler, no one at the station has the guts to question his ethics--dumping the problem into the trembling hands of Andy (Gary Sandy) and Carlson (Gordon Jump). This is the final episode of WKRP in Cincinnati's first season. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
WKRP in Cincinnati: Fish Story
A visting reporter is told that WKRP is just your average, run-of-the-mill station--but events quickly prove otherwise. It all starts when Mr. Carlson (Gordon Jump) insists that Herb promote the station by wearing the costume of the WKRP mascot, the "KRP Carp". Meanwhile, Johnny (Howard Hesseman) and Venus (Tim Reid) participate in an on-the-air experiment involving alcohol intake. And a curiously phlegmatic painter spends forever decorating the walls of the station's reception room. By the end of the day, Johnny and Venus are drunk as skunks, a strange animal is roaming the halls of the station, and several staffers--including uptight Les Nessman (Richard Sanders)--are in jail for beating up the mascot of rival station WPIG. This episode was written under protest by series creator Hugh Wilson (under the nom-de-plume of "Raoul Plager"), in response to CBS' request that WKRP in Cincinnati become less character-driven and more farce-oriented; ironically, it proved to be one of the viewers' favorite episodes! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
WKRP in Cincinnati: Young Master Carlson
When Mr. Carlson's 11-year-old son Arthur Jr. (Sparky Marcus) is booted out of Valley Forge Military Academy, the kid's grandmother Mrs. Carlson (Carol Bruce) demands that the boy be given a job at WKRP. Before long, the entire staff is on the verge of insanity thanks to Arthur Jr.'s fascistic notions of military protocol! As it turns out, however, the kid is not quite the unregenerate monster he appears to be. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
WKRP in Cincinnati: I Do, I Do...For Now
When she was a little girl back in Rock Throw, West Virginia, Jennfer (Loni Anderson) promised to marry her childhood sweetheart T.J. Watson. Now T.J. is all grown up (and played by country singer Hoyt Axton), and he has come to Cincinnati to see Jennifer. Worried that T.J. will demand that she keep her marriage promise, Jennifer tries to pass off Johnny (Howard Hesseman) as her husband! Without tipping off the punch line of this episode, it can be noted that Hoyt Axton performs two of his own compositions, "I'm a Jealous Man" and "Della and the Dealer". ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
WKRP in Cincinnati: Who Is Gordon Sims?
The staff of WKRP is perplexed when deejay Venus Flytrap (Tim Reid) refuses to pose for newspaper publicity pictures. Ultimately, the truth comes out: Venus' real name is Gordon Sims, and he has been on the lam from the authorities ever since deserting the Army at the age of 22. Although the super-patriotic Mr. Carlson (Gordon Jump) is aghast at this revelation, it is he who nobly tries to square things between Venus and the Military. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
WKRP in Cincinnati: A Date With Jennifer
Much to everyone's amazement, Jennifer (Loni Anderson) agrees to accompany newsman Les Nessman (Richard Sanders) to a banquet where he is to receive the coveted Silver Sow Award. Libidinous Herb (Frank Bonner), who has been relentlessly hitting on Jennifer for months, can't understand why Les has apparently succeeded where he has failed--while Les himself begins to wonder if Jennfer is dating him merely because she feels sorry for him. This episode, written by series regular Richard Sanders (Les) and Michael Fairman, introduces the famous "invisible walls" in Mr. Nessman's office. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
WKRP in Cincinnati: I Want to Keep My Baby
A lonely young single mom, who has formed a spiritual bond with her favorite deejay Dr. Johnny Fever (Howard Hesseman), leaves her baby in a basket at the doorstep of WKRP. Taking charge of the baby, Johnny becomes quite attached to the kid, so much so that he refuses to turn it over for adoption. Instead, Johnny takes it upon himself to locate the baby's mother and try to convince her to give motherhood a second chance. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
