PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA, THE: BABY, IF YOU'VE EVER WONDERED: A WKRP IN CINCINNATI REUNION {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in a series of seminars presented by The Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles. This seminar presents a cast reunion for “WKRP in Cincinnati,” a series of comedy programs about the staff of a small radio station in Cincinnati. Host Rene Reyes (director of public programs, The Paley Center for Media) offers opening remarks before introducing the evening’s moderator, radio disk jockey Jim Ladd. Ladd offers comments of his own before introducing the episode “Turkeys Away,” screened in its entirety. (For synopsis and credits, see T:25598). Ladd moderates the following panelists: executive producer and creator Hugh Wilson; directors Jay Sandrich and Asaad Kelada; and cast members Tim Reid (Venus Flytrap), Jan Smithers (Bailey Quarters), Howard Hesseman (Dr. Johnny Fever), and Loni Anderson (Jennifer Marlowe). Cast member Gary Sandy (Andy Travis) also joins them briefly via telephone. The panelists touch on such topics as: the chemistry between the cast of “WKRP in Cincinnati” and the casting during the development of the show’s pilot; Reid’s initial reluctance to join the show and his influence on giving his character dimension; progressive elements within the show’s dialog and how it is emblematic of the time in which it was set, particularly in terms of gender issues; the importance of the show’s musical selections; Hesseman’s “iconic” character and his real-life experiences as a radio disk jockey; collaboration between the writers and cast in creating dialog and plot; the intricacies of the show’s set design and how the directors worked to make it seem like an “organic” environment; the show’s relatively accurate portrayal of the internal workings of a rock n’ roll radio station; how some of the show’s running gags originated; issues surrounding the writing and filming of an episode about The Who concert disaster of 1979; the influence of MTM Enterprises co-founder Grant Tinker in helping the show to flourish; and other cast members, such as Frank Bonner (Herb Tarlek) and Gordon Jump (Arthur Carlson). Questions from the audience then lead to a discussion of the following topics among others: recent rebroadcasts of “WKRP in Cincinnati” and the issues surrounding re-edits of the episodes, particularly involving the rights to the music played on the show; the real person on whom Hesseman’s character was based; an episode of the show which served as a commentary on the Vietnam War and the controversy it created at CBS; and other memorable episodes, including one which served as a parody of the television show “Real People.”
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: June 4, 2014 7:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:52:41
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 114552
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Rene Reyes … Host
- Jim Ladd … Moderator
- Hugh Wilson … Panelist
- Tim Reid … Panelist
- Jan Smithers … Panelist
- Howard Hesseman … Panelist
- Loni Anderson … Panelist
- Jay Sandrich … Panelist
- Asaad Kelada … Panelist
- Gary Sandy … Panelist
- Frank Bonner
- Gordon Jump