In the heyday of sitcoms and radio waves, one show stood out and took America by storm:
"WKRP in Cincinnati."
This iconic series, which humorously chronicled the on-air and off-air shenanigans at a fictional
radio station, won hearts across the nation and continues to hold a revered place in the
annals of television history.
However, behind the laughter and the music, there were secrets carefully kept behind the
studio doors.
In this video, we're turning back the clock and tuning into the hidden frequencies of
WKRP in Cincinnati.
We'll unmask the intriguing tales that the producers chose to keep from the fans, offering
a fascinating insight into the making of this beloved sitcom.
From surprising casting stories to intriguing script choices, prepare to look at WKRP in
Cincinnati in a new light.
So get ready to dive deeply into this timeless radio sitcom's fascinating and obscure history.
Character inspirations
While sitcoms often draw inspiration from real-life scenarios, WKRP in Cincinnati creator
Hugh Wilson took this a step further.
He breathed life into his characters by taking cues from his family members.
One of these was Bailey Quarters, the radio station's sweet-natured but fiercely determined
receptionist, who was a mirror image of Wilson's wife.
Just like Bailey, Wilson's wife was known for her soft-spoken demeanor, which belied
a strong sense of determination and an ability to make her voice heard when it truly mattered.
Furthermore, the character of Andy Travis, the station's unflappable program director,
reflected Wilson's cousin.
As it turns out, the world of WKRP was closer to Wilson's reality than one might initially
think.
The charm of WKRP in Cincinnati was not only limited to its time.
The characters were so well-crafted and multi-dimensional that they inspired other characters in later
television series.
Venus Flytrap, played by Tim Reid, was one such character.
Venus was renowned for his suave demeanor and popularity with the ladies, always at
the center of the social scene with a date on his arm.
This charismatic portrayal reminded many of Leon Phelps, the infamous Ladies Man, a character
created by Tim Meadows on Saturday Night Live and later in a standalone movie.
Meadows has openly acknowledged that Venus Flytrap inspired his creation, adding yet
another feather to WKRP in Cincinnati's well-decorated cap.
Alternate Dr. Johnny Fever
An interesting tidbit about WKRP in Cincinnati is the fascinating tale of who almost donned
the quirky persona of Dr. Johnny Fever.
In the initial rounds of casting, David Cassidy, the heartthrob of The Partridge Family fame,
was slated to play the eccentric disc jockey.
However, in a surprising twist, Cassidy turned down the role.
This led to Howard Hesseman being considered for the role of Herb Tarlek, the station's
overzealous ad salesman.
However, Hesseman had his heart set on playing Johnny and outrightly refused to read for
any other character.
And thus, the iconic Dr. Johnny Fever was born, thanks to Hesseman's fiery resolve.
Hit songs
The impact of WKRP in Cincinnati reached beyond the realm of television, making waves in the
world of music as well.
Thanks to its regular feature in contemporary music, the show became a launchpad for several
rising bands, propelling them to popularity.
Some big names that owe their initial success to WKRP include U2, Toto, The Knack, The Cars,
and Devo.
However, Blondie was the standout band whose career trajectory WKRP had a significant impact
on.
Their song, "Heart of Glass," from the album 'Parallel Lines,' was played on the show and
subsequently soared to immense popularity, earning the album gold status.
The band expressed their gratitude by donating a gold record to the show, which can be seen
hanging in the bullpen during episodes of the second, third, and fourth seasons, serving
as a shiny testament to WKRP's unexpected but substantial impact on the music industry.
The influence of WKRP in Cincinnati was not limited to promoting music of other artists;
it made a notable contribution with its own theme song too.
The original intro theme song of the series, released by Steve Carlisle in 1979, was expanded
into a full-length song that narrated a more extensive story.
Fans speculated the story to revolve around Andy Travis, but it was broad enough to apply
to Venus Flytrap or Dr. Johnny Fever.
This longer version of the theme song garnered substantial popularity and peaked at an impressive
No. 65 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1981.
Thus, WKRP in Cincinnati created a significant impact in two distinct domains, a feat that
not many shows can boast of.
Saved by Shout!
Factory
WKRP in Cincinnati was a trendsetter in many ways, and one of the key factors that set
it apart was its innovative use of popular music.
Due to a fortuitous loophole in music rights related to videotaping rather than filming,
the producers were able to feature hit songs from famous artists at a fraction of the cost.
This not only gave the series a unique musical flavor but also inadvertently made the soundtrack
an essential part of the show's identity.
However, when the rights expired, reruns of WKRP episodes had to remove the much-loved
music that fans had come to associate with the show.
This audiovisual setback was eventually overcome in 2014.
Shout!
Factory, recognizing the integral role music played in the series, managed to secure the
rights to the vast majority of the songs originally featured on WKRP in Cincinnati for its complete
series DVD set.
This significant accomplishment meant that fans could once again enjoy episodes enriched
with music from iconic artists such as AC/DC, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, The
Rolling Stones, and The Who.
Shout!
Factory emphasized that the restoration of most of the original music was vital to reinstating
a critical element that contributed to WKRP in Cincinnati's initial appeal and continued
to underscore its enduring legacy in the realm of television.
Realistic set It's often the small details that make a scene
or set feel more realistic.
On the set of WKRP in Cincinnati, those tiny touches came in the form of authentic memorabilia
generously donated by actual radio DJs.
These industry professionals, watching a show that portrayed their work-life with such accuracy,
found themselves thrilled.
The show wasn't just another sitcom; it resonated with them and reflected aspects of their industry
that were rarely seen on screen.
In a show of appreciation and camaraderie, DJs from across the country started sending
in unique items – bumper stickers, posters, and other radio station swag – that were
ultimately used to dress the set of the fictional WKRP.
This enthusiasm wasn't limited to radio professionals outside Cincinnati.
The news director of WEBN-FM, Craig Kopp, sent the WKRP production team a package filled
with quintessential Cincinnati memorabilia.
Inside, they found empty LaRosa's pizza boxes, Skyline Chili bags, and bottles of local favorites
Little Kings and Hudepohl.
He also included an "I Love Norwood" bumper sticker.
This collection of items was cleverly used as props on the show, ensuring WKRP didn't
just sound like a real Cincinnati radio station, but looked the part too.
This infusion of authenticity added an extra layer of credibility to the set design, making
the fictional radio station feel more alive and real to viewers.
Weird suits Known for his unconventional fashion sense,
Herb Tarlek, a character on WKRP in Cincinnati, certainly made a memorable sartorial statement.
His outrageous style was not simply for comedic effect, it reflected a quirky aspect of the
reality behind the scenes.
One of the show's enduring inside jokes comes to life in the second season episode titled
"Put Up or Shut Up."
In this particular episode, Venus Flytrap, a fellow character, ribs Herb about his gaudy
attire, remarking, "Somewhere out there, there's a Volkswagen with no seats."
This quip offers more than just a chuckle, as it turns out that Herb did, in fact, don
an actual suit made from Volkswagen seat covers on the show.
This ingenious and somewhat absurd detail underlines the authenticity and creativity
that the producers employed to add depth and originality to their characters.
So, whenever Herb Tarlek appeared on screen in that garish suit, you could almost hear
the echo of Venus Flytrap's joke and picture the surprised face of a Volkswagen owner who
just realized their seats were missing.
Show's inspiration While many television shows draw inspiration
from a range of sources, from personal experiences to societal issues, the creative seed for
WKRP in Cincinnati was planted by a unique muse: a song.
Specifically, it was the touching narrative woven by Harry Chapin in his hit song "WOLD"
that resonated with series creator Hugh Wilson.
The song's lyrical story of a radio DJ, heard by many but seen by none, struck a chord and
presented Wilson with an idea ripe for sitcom adaptation.
The lyrics of "WOLD" depict the life of a radio DJ playing all the hits for listeners,
playing them night and day.
The song portrays a character who has some regrets but accepts his chosen life of spinning
records.
This fusion of fun and depth, unseen significance and everyday mundanity, was the inspirational
cornerstone for WKRP in Cincinnati.
Upon hearing Chapin's song, Wilson was struck by the potential of this premise for a sitcom.
It offered a relatable protagonist and an interesting environment that could serve as
a backdrop for a myriad of comedic situations and heartfelt moments.
Indeed, as the success of WKRP in Cincinnati has shown, Wilson's creative instinct was
spot on.
The resulting series, enriched by the initial inspiration of a simple song, became a beloved
addition to television history, proving that even the most unconventional of muses can
lead to remarkable outcomes.
Hugh Wilson's theme song Theme songs can serve as the iconic signatures
of television shows, and the theme song for WKRP in Cincinnati is no exception.
The show's mastermind, Hugh Wilson, poured his heart and soul into crafting it with a
unique touch.
Wilson's creative genius extended beyond scriptwriting, as he skillfully put together the lyrical
components of the show's catchy and memorable theme song.
More intriguingly, WKRP in Cincinnati also had a closing theme with a curious backstory.
Unlike the poetic and resonant introductory theme, the closing theme was essentially gibberish,
featuring a cacophony of words put together haphazardly.
Initially, these nonsensical lyrics were meant to be placeholders, to be replaced by a meaningful
script later.
But as often happens in the creative process, this makeshift concoction turned into an accidental
masterpiece.
Seeing the humor and perhaps an implicit commentary on the frequently indecipherable lyrics of
many rock songs, Wilson decided to keep the words as they were.
Thus, the gibberish-laden closing theme turned into a running gag on the show.
There you have it.
It's now time to hear from.
Let us know which of the secret facts intrigues you the most.