WKRP IN CINCINNATI: THE UNION (TV)
Summary
One in this series of comedy programs about the staff of a small radio station in Cincinnati. WKRP has risen in the ratings somewhat, but Johnny is frustrated at his continually low pay. Employees at WKRP have been receiving letters asking them to join a growing union of radio station workers. Meanwhile, Jennifer’s friend Henri is becoming increasingly outlandish in displays of his affection towards her, going so far as to skywrite her name above the station. She discovers that Mr. Carlson is planning on giving everyone a minor raise as a reward for the higher ratings, and wants to take them out to dinner next week. Bailey talks over the possibility of a union with Les, who is highly disapproving of the idea. Herb finds out about the union talks and is angry, telling Mr. Carlson all about it. Mr. Carlson will not have a union in his station, although Andy says he may have no choice. After calling Johnny to confirm about the union talk, Mr. Carlson says he can’t give the staff raises because of it. Mr. Carlson talks to his mother about the formation of the union. Bailey convinces Les to attend the union meeting with the rest of the station employees. All the while, Andy seems to remain neutral to either party. Mrs. Carlson advises her son to spread a rumor around the station that she will sell the station if a union is formed. Les calls a “union business” meeting, excluding Herb and Andy, where he passes on the rumor about selling the station. Venus quickly deduces that the source of the rumor is Mr. Carlson himself. Johnny asks Andy to leave. Andy says that no matter what they decide, he’ll support them. Andy discusses the situation with Mr. Carlson, who is convinced the entire thing is directed towards him personally. Andy counters that their frustration is with his mother and her greed. He tries to convince Mr. Carlson that the people at WKRP love him; Mr. Carlson thinks of them as family. He interrupts the employee’s meeting where they are to vote on whether to form a union or not. He announces that his mother has no intentions of selling the station and that he’d prefer if his employees came to him with their problems, but will support whatever decision they make. He leaves as they make their decision. WKRP votes against the union by a narrow margin. Later, Andy has dinner with Mrs. Carlson, who congratulates him on fulfilling his end of a deal between the two. The next day, Mr. Carlson informs Andy that Mrs. Carlson has decided to put more money into the operation of the station. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: October 21, 1981 8:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:23:41
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:67595
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1978-1982
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Hugh Wilson … Executive Producer, Created by
- Peter Torokvei … Producer
- Blake Hunter … Producer, Writer
- Max Tash … Coordinating Producer
- Linda Day … Director
- Tom Wells … Theme Music by
- Gary Sandy … Cast, Andy Travis
- Gordon Jump … Cast, Arthur Carlson
- Loni Anderson … Cast, Jennifer Marlowe
- Richard Sanders … Cast, Les Nessman
- Tim Reid … Cast, Venus Flytrap
- Frank Bonner … Cast, Herb Tarlek
- Jan Smithers … Cast, Bailey Quarters
- Howard Hessman … Cast, Dr. Johnny Fever
- Carol Bruce … Cast, Mrs. Carlson
- Robert Starr … Cast, Delivery Man
- Ray Sanchez … Cast, Mariachi
- Alberto Leyva … Cast, Mariachi
- Pedro Salas … Cast, Mariachi