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DVD
Publisher: 20th Century Fox
Format: Box set, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
Actors: Gary Sandy, Gordon Jump, Howard Hesseman, Tim Reid, Lori Anderson
One of DVD's most requested titles, WKRP in Cincinnati is a blast from the past and an absolutely golden oldie. But this first-season set is bound to cause static with fans who have eagerly anticipated its release. Because of pesky music rights, the songs don't remain the same. "Hot Blooded" is not playing when mild-mannered newsman Les Nessman (Richard Sanders) puts on a toupee in anticipation of an awards-dinner date with bombshell station receptionist Jennifer (Loni Anderson). It's "Beautiful Dreamer" and not "Fly Me to the Moon" that chimes when Jennifer's doorbell is sounded. Any number of generic songs have replaced the contemporary and classic rock so vital to WKRP, which is, after all, set at a radio station, albeit one that is best known for its farm reports. Enter Andy Travis (Gary Sandy), the new program director charged with turning the station around, beginning with changing the format to rock & roll. Andy, the series anchor, is something of the head guard at a nut farm. In seasons to come, he will wonder if he is one of the nuts, which include: "Big Man," Mr. Carlson (Gordon Jump), who is easily flustered, especially by his formidable mother, the station owner; polyester-clad sales director, Herb Tarleck (Frank Bonner), hopelessly old school and on the make for "Jenni-poo"; and morning DJ, Johnny Caravella (Howard Hesseman), a former "boss jock" now reduced to playing "You're Having My Baby" by the Hallelujah Tabernacle Choir. Also on staff is Bailey (Jan Smithers), Mary-Ann to Jennifer's Ginger, and who lacks the confidence to assert herself at the station; and Venus Flytrap (Tim Reid), whom Andy hires to be the nighttime DJ. It's a seamless ensemble of likable characters on par with The Mary Tyler Moore Show's WJM news team. WKRP is one of those rare series that hit its irresistible groove from the get-go. Hesseman sounds all the right notes as Johnny, reborn as Dr. Johnny Fever (ranked no. 73 on the Bravo "100 Greatest TV Characters" chart). As the season unfolds, the hits just keep on comin', including the classic "Turkeys Away," about a Thanksgiving stunt that goes hilariously awry ("As God is my witness," Mr. Carlson insists, "I thought turkeys could fly"), the "Goodbye Johnny" two-parter in which the (briefly) departed Johnny's replacement is involved in payola (resulting in Mr. Carlson mistaking cocaine for foot powder), and "Never Leave Me, Lucille," in which Jennifer desperately tries to reunite Herb with his wife. Purists may balk at the replaced songs, but the sharp writing and performances provide WKRP's real music. --Donald Liebenson
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| WKRP in Cincinati |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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The show is still funny after so many years. It brings back fond memories; especially the costumes. Les, Venus Flytrap and the Doctor are as much fun as you get! What can I say? Watch it!
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| Worth it for characters, comedy |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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Yes they didn't want to pay huge rights fees for the music so you won't
hear the hit songs (and yes I did notice "Beautiful Dreamer" was substituted for "Fly Me to the Moon") but I think it's worth it for
the comedy, the memorable characters, etc. I got as a gift and am
halfway through it.
Wish there were more director's commentaries but there is some interesting info. More than a few dramatic moments in with the comedy--Venus
revealing he's an Army deserter, Mr. Carlson realizing he hasn't given
attention to his son, Andy's romance with a singer. But as creator Hugh
Wilson says in one commentary, the network wanted slapstick so they had to do episodes like "Fish Story" (and those did well in ratings). I laughed
out loud at several moments. Who can forget Johnny Fever trying to convince Herb that "Jennifer's a guy", or the moment--inspired by a real life stunt by an Atlanta station-- where, well, as God as my witness,
I thought turkeys could fly? You even get Hoyt Axton crooning his
"Della and the Dealer". Yes, some of the music in the changed but the comedy
remains the same.
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| A Keeper |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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I so wanted to be Johnny Fever all throughout high school. Even though the original music isn't used (subtract a rating star), I am so glad to be able to see the yuks again. My new Thanksgiving Day tradition is to replay the "...as God as my witness I thought turkeys could fly" episode.
If the producers had licensed all of the original music for this DVD, I'm sure the cost of the set would have at least doubled.
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| why the syndicated versions, sellers? |
| Customer Rating: 2 out of 5 |
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I bought this when it first issued, didn't wait for reviews, because this is the show I wanted above all others. I survived the music changes. I'm not happy, but I'll live. But why give us the truncated syndication versions, and yet WGN is running the episodes in their entireity, no cuts, and all the marvelous little scenes intact, on Sunday nights? Can the folks that have the rights to this series explain to me why you issued this with syndicated, not full episodes? I'd like to hear your explanation, not the cynical "money-grubbers" comments, because I've said all of those already. I do cynical very well on my own, thanks. And yes, you should be checking these reviews if you want to get an idea of how well later ones will sell. I probably won't buy the next season until I know what you've done to it, because you've burned me already. And I don't like getting burned. If the next season is good, no matter the economy, I'll buy it! But do this again, and I can live without it.
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| Total Junk - Editing Has Destroyed The Show |
| Customer Rating: 1 out of 5 |
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The show as it originally aired was witty and hilarious. This version, though, has been heavily edited, to the point of leaving a bad taste in your mouth.
The music and music references are an integral part of the show, WKRP, with it intertwined in the story line. Imagine if they took I Love Lucy and removed all references to Ricky Ricardo? Or removed all references to Louie De Palma from episodes of Taxi? That's what you get when you strip the music and music references from WKRP.
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