WKRP in Cincinnati

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.

WKRP is the show that I may have the toughest time reviewing. I would like to make my love for this show clear without simply stating it was the best show of all time, but there may be no other way. I Love Lucy, MASH, Cheers, Seinfeld, Mary Tyler Moore, and any other sitcom regarded as classic all pale in comparison to WKRP in Cincinnati. This show focused on eight characters, rarely devoting too much time to any one individual. The cast did not change in four years. They didn't even add anybody for a few episodes to play a love interest or something like that. They didn't have to. Each one of the eight could have carried the show by themselves.

I was born during WKRP's initial run and I have grown up in an era where almost every sitcom is populated by characters whose personality is exaggerated beyond reality, and who can't seem to laugh at anything that doesn't involve sex. KRP had its share of these types of jokes, but they never dominated the show. There were rarely any episodes trying to figure out who's dating whom. There was never a season ending cliffhanger wondering which two characters were going to get together. In fact, the episodes where this did happen are some of the show's weakest such as Andy's country western girlfriend, and the episode where Johnny stays at Bailey's apartment prompting rumors around the office. That being said, there is not one single episode of WKRP in Cincinnati that isn't funny. Even the two I referenced earlier have their moments.

The character development and subtlety of this show is unmatched. Each character built a relationship with the other seven, and the writers were able to tap into those relationships whenever it was needed. There are episodes that you have to watch several times to get the full effect of what is going on. The union episode is one of the best because of the way Andy deals with the other characters, but this is something that goes unnoticed unless you pay attention to all the little details that you can see watching the episode a second time. Everything down to his wardrobe is just perfectly crafted. Another great KRP moment comes when station critic Norris Breeze refers to Jennifer as a "total airhead" in front of Mama Carlson. The one person Mrs. Carlson considers her equal, and she is called a "total airhead." What a great moment.

The final episode ties everything together perfectly. It was not guaranteed at that time whether KRP was returning, so they made an episode that could be the last, but it didn't have to be. Johnny's explanation of how KRP is supposed to lose money explains why Mrs. Carlson went along with the new format in the first place four years earlier.

There has certainly never been a more socially consious sitcom, and there are many great dramas that didn't deal with as many issues as WKRP. Every political issue that is important even today is tackled in a KRP episode. Abortion, racism, homosexuality, censorship, unions, alcoholism, drug abuse, and education to name a few. There are also episodes involving the rich vs. poor, and a classic involving lying, scheming politicians. I have literally tried to think of an issue that wasn't addressed on WKRP, and I can't do it.

It's unfortunate that none of the eight actors ever made a real splash after WKRP. Tim Reid, Howard Hesseman, and Loni Anderson have had their moments, but none of these actors are considered to be big stars. For four great years, they created a show that a lot of people missed. For those of us who have gotten to see it, we will never forget.

Many sitcoms start out with great promise, but over successive seasons settle and turn dimensionally less realistic. Take for example Tony Danza's spiral down in "Taxi" into the "dumb guy." In WKRP in Cincinnati, the complete opposite was true. Two dimensional stereotypes at the beginning (cowboy programmer, dim-witted receptionist, lazy mama's boy manager, city-wise black DJ, etc.) were allowed over the show's course to become psychologically real. The on-going harassment by married salesman Herb Tarlek towards Jennifer the receptionist was finally confronted, and in subsequent episodes he was never quite the pig towards her as before. Alcoholism and drug abuse were addressed, but never in the "hit you over the head" PC style of today. The show could be simultaneously hilarious and of dire seriousness. If you can, catch the episodes in rerun in order. The final season is amazing, especially when the previous years have set you up for it. Carol Bruce (Mama Carlson) episodes are especially stunning. And always look for Les Nessman's roaming band-aid.

This was simply one of the best sitcoms ever made (along with Barney Miller). Even when the episodes were centered around characters that I did not particularly find appealing, the show always had heart. Never in WKRP did the show become formulaic or repetitive. The stories were written with feeling and a depth that is long since vanished in any sitcoms since. I believe that the best episode (not the funniest) was "In Concert". It is the one that centers around the tragedy at the 1979 Who concert, where 11 people were trampled to death outside the stadium trying to get the best seats. This show was a far cry from the current trend of having character-A insult character-B to the sound of the laugh track!!

Two TV programs are burned into my humor memory banks...the first from youth...Ernie Kovacs and his cigar MC-ing the Blackstone Magicians Convention TV Special in the 50's (before his ridiculous death in that ridiculous subcompact car). The image of Kovacs (and the cigar) inserting swords into a cabinet with a studio volunteer inside...the last thrust...just before a commercial break...accompanied by a gasp and moan. Kovacs watches as the handle of the sword rises, turns full face to the camera with a shrug and a complex of wicked humor, confusion, and phlegmatic acceptance on his face as the screen fades to black. The second from adulthood...WKRP's Thanksgiving show...Les Nessman's breathless redux of Pittsburgh broadcaster Herb (damn, sorry Herb I've forgotten the last name!) report on the Hindenberg disaster...as he described hapless, live turkeys hurled from a helicopter hovering above a shopping center parking lot. Herb Tarlek's anguished, "I swear to God Big Guy, I thought turkeys could fly!" as the denemois (so much for my recollection of high school French)to the "horror" and the "audience" response to his promotional gimmick.

I'd just had abdominal surgery 2 days before the Kovac's show so you can imagine my truly experiencing "laugh till you cry." I was preparing a turkey for my annual "y'all come" TG potluck, when the WKRP program aired...the turkey and dressing were everywhere as I thrashed about with unrestrained rib cracking laughter. I've told literally thousands of people about these two shows and would sure like to show them.

Bottomline: Are there DVD's or VCR's of the original shows available?