Series synopsis
WKRP in Cincinnati is an American comedy television series that premiered on CBS on September 18, 1978. It ended on April 21, 1982. It was created by Hugh Wilson. It stars Gary Sandy, Howard Hesseman, Tim Reid and Loni Anderson.
When a Cincinnati radio station switches from sedate music to top-40 rock 'n' roll, its staff of oddball characters is forced to switch gears quickly. New programming director Andy Travis brings in a new DJ named Venus Flytrap to work with the station's burned-out veteran, Dr. Johnny Fever. Neurotic newsman Les Nessman, eager beaver Bailey Quarters, sleazy salesman Herb Tarlek, blonde bombshell Jennifer Marlowe, who serves as the station's ultra-capable receptionist, and station manager Arthur C ...
Premise
When a Cincinnati radio station switches from sedate music to top-40 rock 'n' roll, its staff of oddball characters is forced to switch gears quickly. New programming director Andy Travis brings in a new DJ named Venus Flytrap to work with the station's burned-out veteran, Dr. Johnny Fever. Neurotic newsman Les Nessman, eager beaver Bailey Quarters, sleazy salesman Herb Tarlek, blonde bombshell Jennifer Marlowe, who serves as the station's ultra-capable receptionist, and station manager Arthur Carlson, whose domineering mother owns WKRP, round out the eccentric bunch.
Premise: So just sit right down, relax, open your ears real wide and say, "Give it to me straight, Doctor. I can take it!"
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Gary Sandy as Andy Travis
- Howard Hesseman as Dr. Johnny Fever
- Tim Reid as Venus Flytrap
- Loni Anderson as Jennifer Marlowe
- Frank Bonner as Herb Tarlek
- Gordon Jump as Arthur Carlson
- Richard Sanders as Les Nessman
- Jan Smithers as Bailey Quarters
Supporting cast
- George Wyner as D. Arnold Gonzer
- Rosemary Forsyth
- Alice Nunn
- Michael Pataki as Ivan Popasonaviski
- Max Wright as Frank Bartman
- Mary Frann as Avis Dropkin
- Howard Morton
- George Gaynes as Henri
- Bert Parks
- Terry Kiser
- Colleen Camp
- Ernie Lively
Guest cast
- George Wyner as D. Arnold Gonzer
- Rosemary Forsyth
- Alice Nunn
- Michael Pataki as Ivan Popasonaviski
- Max Wright as Frank Bartman
- Mary Frann as Avis Dropkin
- Howard Morton
- George Gaynes as Henri
- Bert Parks
- Terry Kiser
- Colleen Camp
- Ernie Lively
Episodes
This series spans 5 seasons with 94 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 4 | June 4, 2014 | |
| Season 1 | 22 | September 18, 1978 | June 4, 1979 |
| Season 2 | 24 | September 17, 1979 | March 31, 1980 |
| Season 3 | 22 | November 1, 1980 | April 12, 1981 |
| Season 4 | 22 | October 7, 1981 | April 21, 1982 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
DVD: Do My Eyes Say Yes? "Do My Eyes Say Yes?" is a brief celebration of the Jennifer character. |
|
| 2 |
DVD: A Fish Story Story "A Fish Story Story" lets Wilson explain why the famous episode is his least favorite. |
|
| 3 |
Cast Reunion at Paley Center WKRP in Cincinnati cast reunion discusses memorable moments, including the WHO concert episode and network objections to controversial content. |
June 4, 2014 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Pilot (1) Andy tries to convince WKRP's owner that rock and roll will cure the station's ailing ratings. |
September 18, 1978 |
| 2 |
Pilot (2) Andy faces a fiscal crisis: Carlson won't finance a breaking-in period for the new format. |
September 25, 1978 |
| 3 |
Les On a Ledge Les is barred from locker-room interviews when his manhood is questioned. |
October 2, 1978 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
For Love or Money (1) Johnny forgets about his date with Bailey when he gets a call from Buffy, his old girlfriend from California. He borrows Jennifer's apartment to impress Buffy; however, that plan ends when she tells him she's suing him for palimony. |
September 17, 1979 |
| 2 |
For Love or Money (2) Johnny calls his friends over to Jennifer's apartment to help him deal with Buffy and her threat of a lawsuit. Buffy arrives and, after having a drink with Johnny, tells him that she put poison in his drink. |
September 24, 1979 |
| 3 |
Baseball The staff plays against the team from rival station WPIG in a softball game. |
October 15, 1979 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Airplane Show Trying to compete with WPIG's traffic helicopter, Les starts doing traffic reports from a World War I biplane piloted by a crazy war veteran. |
November 1, 1980 |
| 2 |
Jennifer Moves The staff helps Jennifer move into her new $125,000 house in the quiet suburb of Landersville. But she soon finds out that life in Landersville isn't as pleasant as she thought it would be. |
November 8, 1980 |
| 3 |
Real Families When Herb's family is featured in the show ""Real Families"", he is sure that they can serve as an example of a clean living family. Unfortunately, the image Herb wants to convey is different from the reality shown on screen. |
November 15, 1980 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
An Explosive Affair (Part 1) After the station receives a bomb threat, Andy sends Johnny and Venus to broadcast from the transmitter tower while the station is being searched. |
October 7, 1981 |
| 2 |
An Explosive Affair (Part 2) Andy is unable to warn Johnny and Venus when he realizes that the bomb is at the transmitter. |
October 14, 1981 |
| 3 |
The Union The staff of WKRP considers joining a union. Mr. Carlson is furious and rushes to his mother for advice, while Andy tries to appear neutral in this labor-management conflict. |
October 21, 1981 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | CBS |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 18, 1978 |
| Last aired | April 21, 1982 |
| Runtime | 25 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Wednesday |