Anybody on the show you think was strong enough to star in their own show as a spin-off?

I don't think so. The show was such an ensemble - I think it was bigger than the sum of its parts.

I don't think so. The show was such an ensemble - I think it was bigger than the sum of its parts.


I agree Monika, well said...

Would have been a mistake. It was the combination that worked well.

Johnny was probably the strongest character. (backstory, comedic presence, story potential)

The key to any spinoff is a really strong supporting cast.

I think if you took Johnny Fever and gave him a bunch of supporting characters (and actors) the caliber of sayFrasier, and put them in a decent
situation, it could work.

I don't know, something tells me that it might be good for a few episodes, but it would be hard to get used to. All the characters worked well together on the show so well that its just hard for me to see them with a different cast in a different setting.

I can think of three right off the bat. I personally would have LOVED to see a Mama Carlson show. Or a Johnny Fever show. Jennifer, would also have been cool in her own series.

I don't believe there was any character strong enough for their own show, but then again, that was what made WKRP work. The cast was strong together and in combination with the strong and funny writing, it was just magic.

well if WKRP lasted longer than it did and had a 'real' season finale than maybe there would be a spinoff where Andy and Bailey get married, move to another city, and work for another station.

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
Gotta be Herb. It would be sort of like "Fish" or "mama's family" or that one with radar that was so bad they didnt even finish the pilot.

Herb at home, a domestic situation comedy. They would alter his personality slightly to make his pathological cowardice into lovable comedic foibles, and they would have les nessman live down the street and they would be constant companions in their adventures behind the backs of "the girls" (wives played by Edie McClurg and Beth Howland respectively)
I'd watch it. :cool: :wave:

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
Gotta be Herb. It would be sort of like "Fish" or "mama's family" or that one with radar that was so bad they didnt even finish the pilot.

Herb at home, a domestic situation comedy. They would alter his personality slightly to make his pathological cowardice into lovable comedic foibles, and they would have les nessman live down the street and they would be constant companions in their adventures behind the backs of "the girls" (wives played by Edie McClurg and Beth Howland respectively)
I'd watch it. :cool: :wave:

Even better, Herb and Lucille get divorced, he gets let go from WKRP in light of the supposed format change and moves in with Les. It could be like the odd couple. Herb has another job in sales while Les is a newscaster on TV!

Even better, Herb and Lucille get divorced, he gets let go from WKRP in light of the supposed format change and moves in with Les. It could be like the odd couple. Herb has another job in sales while Les is a newscaster on TV!

They carried over Les and Herb to the New WKRP (along with Mr. Carlson) and that was not enough. (granted there were a bunch of new characters that were bland)

I just don't think the two of them are strong enough to carry a show.

They carried over Les and Herb to the New WKRP (along with Mr. Carlson) and that was not enough. (granted there were a bunch of new characters that were bland)

I just don't think the two of them are strong enough to carry a show.
I disagree. The New WKRP was doomed because the setting was not different. They could make herb's wife dead, but before her demise she and herb could have adopted twins and there would be this thing like growing pains, or 3 and half men where it is all the joys and lessons of life with children, but without women involved. Also, the majority of the action would take place in the living room area of the house from a perspective that puts the viewer where the television would appear on the actual set. this always seems to work. That and changing the actual characters so that they become protagonists, which they decidedly weren't on the original program.
I thing the ideas of banality and limited expectations have not been completely dealt with in terms of narrative. especially within 3rd tier television programming, and the "spin-off" has been ignored as part of a larger arc in that narrative itself.

I disagree. The New WKRP was doomed because the setting was not different. They could make herb's wife dead, but before her demise she and herb could have adopted twins and there would be this thing like growing pains, or 3 and half men where it is all the joys and lessons of life with children, but without women involved. Also, the majority of the action would take place in the living room area of the house from a perspective that puts the viewer where the television would appear on the actual set. this always seems to work. That and changing the actual characters so that they become protagonists, which they decidedly weren't on the original program.
I thing the ideas of banality and limited expectations have not been completely dealt with in terms of narrative. especially within 3rd tier television programming, and the "spin-off" has been ignored as part of a larger arc in that narrative itself.

Herb and Lucille already had two kids - Bunny and Herb III.

This scenario you present does not sound appealing to me. That's just my opinion. Mostly because I don't see Herb and Les as main characters. And if Herb ever had a spinoff you would need Lucille.

The Real Families episode gives you a sense of what a Tarlek spinoff would be like. Great episode, but i don't know if i could watch The Tarleks every week.

in a word, no. They were best as an ensemble.

Maybe Venus. He would quit radio, get married and open a restaurant in New Orleans.

You guys need to think out side of the box a little. Imagine Herb, Les, Herb's two biological kids, his two new adopted (Asian) kids and another, laterally related character, like say, Jamie Farr playing a pesky neighbor. Now make Herb a "changed man" he has left his pathologically money-grubbing ways behind him and adopted a more holistic approach to life, he does ballet, and has come out of the closet. Les, still his only friend, and still his main opponent, cant seem to come to terms with the "new" herb. This would be comedy gold. Only one stipulation. NO GIRLS!

I'm glad it never happened.

Maybe Venus. He would quit radio, get married and open a restaurant in New Orleans.
I just read this thread again and now I think a spin-off with Venus quitting WKRP and opening a restaurant in New Orleans would work.

I just read this thread again and now I think a spin-off with Venus quitting WKRP and opening a restaurant in New Orleans would work.

They already did a show like that called Frank's place.