I'm new, have been reading through these threads and noticed there's not really any big threads about Herb. I'd like to explain my little analysis on him.

I used to watch the show when I was young and all I remember about Herb is that he was in your face and annoying. Seems like other viewers see him that way also. But now that I'm older I see more to him. He is a vital character I think and since he is the sales man he is supposed to be that way. Some of the funniest moments involve him. He really grew on me throughout the series and dare I say, even was attracted to him :P maybe is his confidence.

Anyway the thing I really like about this show is how the characters are so well rounded and evolve throughout the series - they're not just a stereotype, they have thoughts and feelings like a real person. Herb was a good guy deep down, even sensitive I'd say. I noticed that in a few episodes off the top of my head. In Les on a ledge he risks himself to go out and help Les. In the episode where he has a date with Jennifer he gets emotional and tells her his true feelings about feeling guilty because he loves Lucille. When he's trapped in the elevator with Jennifer when she tells him to hold her he doesn't get touchy-feely, he just talks with and comforts her.

There's probably a lot more instances but just wanted to share my thoughts on Herb :)

Hi! & Welcome to the site. :wave:

You bring up some good points about Herb & his interaction with the other characters. To me the "sensitive Herb" was way overshadowed by the
annoying Herb. But without a little sensitivity his character would have been hard for anyone to like.

I can't think of Herb Tarlek without thinking about those godawful plaid suits, white shoes and white belts. :lol: Frank Bonner did a great job making Herb a real, complex character than what was written on paper.

Herb was the man! LOL They just don't accessorize like him anymore! ;)

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k156/wnyjazz/Herb%20Tarlick/herb-tarlek.jpg

"Surely!"

Herb was awesome. My favorite character in the whole series. Also, as a One Life To Live fan as well as a WKRP fan. Am I the only one who thinks Herb looks (and acts) like One Life's David Vickers?

I've noticed that for years.

Anyone here know what I'm talking about?

But, yeah. Herb was awesome. He was somewhat of a creep. But, he was a loveable creep who was downright hilarious. Who can forget him dressed as a carp trying to get under the bathroom stall because he didn't have a dime in "Fish Story". Or, how he faked being hurt to get Jennifer to make out with him in "Tornado"

He was great.

LOL his get-ups made my eyes tired! Even though he could be trying, beneath it was a lot of insecurity and vulnerability. So...at the end of the day I kinda liked in. And in his own cloddy way, he was basically a caring guy, like when he tried to talk Les off the ledge.

Herb WAS basically a good man but like alot of us,he was a little uncomfortable wearing his heart on his sleeve.But of course,sooner or later if someone is genuinely human,it WILL show through.

LOL his get-ups made my eyes tired! Even though he could be trying, beneath it was a lot of insecurity and vulnerability. So...at the end of the day I kinda liked in. And in his own cloddy way, he was basically a caring guy, like when he tried to talk Les off the ledge.

Speaking of his clothes. There's actually a rule for salesmen that they shouldn't wear plaid or they won't be taken seriously. People will look at them as a "Herb Tarlek"

I've read about that before and I thought it was hilarious.

Of course,Herb's garb would be considered more than outrageously "loud" today,but back in the '70's "leisure suits" were for a while anyway actually quite fashionable.Things change...people change....

"Surely!"
The funny part is, if you had some Herb outfits and you wore it around the hipster neighborhoods, the kids would think you actually looked really cool.

The shoes gotta match the belt!

I had it pretty bad with that herb Tarlik . For a long time my heart belonged to no other, but then ... Mister Belvedere came into my life and swept me away from all this. I do get nostalgic though

I loved Herb. I loved all the characters on WKRP of course. Herb was the lovable, perpetually on the make, insecure, tell a lie a minute salesman. He could go from one minute being so sincerely articulate and caring ( in describing to Andy and Johnny how to treat a woman on a date ) to being the idiot who then says, "You get her drunk dummy!"
With Herb one never knew where his thoughts were coming from. He was vain to the extreme, but not like Jennifers vanity where she understands it. Herbs vanity was used to play for laughs, but he didn't know nor care. Hence the mirror on the arm attached to his desk.
I knew many guys like Herb when I was running around in the 70's. Although the guys I knew like Herb didn't wear the clothes. Inside they were the vulnerable and childlike, outside they were wearing a mask of masculinity.
Herb was more than a loudmouth idiot who chased skirts. Herb was no doubt, Big Herb!

Speaking of his clothes. There's actually a rule for salesmen that they shouldn't wear plaid or they won't be taken seriously. People will look at them as a "Herb Tarlek"

I've read about that before and I thought it was hilarious.

LOL and can you blame them?!

Herb Tarlik was kind of a reverse- Don Draper.

Of course,Herb's garb would be considered more than outrageously "loud" today,but back in the '70's "leisure suits" were for a while anyway actually quite fashionable.Things change...people change....

No, Herb's sense of "fashion" was definitely played for laughs and a lot of the jokes about him were about his wardrobe.

Herb looked like a walking advertisement for Sears.

Speaking of his clothes. There's actually a rule for salesmen that they shouldn't wear plaid or they won't be taken seriously. People will look at them as a "Herb Tarlek"

I've read about that before and I thought it was hilarious.

Unless your biggest client is a worm manufacturer LOL! (.... the Cadillac of Worms LMAO)

Herb was a good guy deep down, even sensitive I'd say.
I wish MASH had done the same with Frank Burns, excellently played by Larry Linville.

For some reason, Burns' character was never allowed to expand beyond his obnoxious a-hole role, which for sure annoyed Linville.

Look at how MASH's writers transformed Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan and Chas. Emerson Winchester.