http://tvshowsondvd.com/n/19780

WKRP in Cincinnati - Baby, If You've Ever Wondered...Whatever Became of the DVDs...

....They're living with our friends at Shout! Factory, coming soon as a 'Complete Series'!
Posted by David Lambert
5/08/2014

From 1978 to 1982, the CBS network aired 4 seasons of WKRP in Cincinnati, starring Gary Sandy as program director "Andy Travis," Gordon Jump as station manager "Arthur 'Big Guy' Carlson" (whose mother owns the station), Loni Anderson as receptionist "Jennifer Marlowe," Howard Hesseman as DJ "Doctor Johnny Fever," Tim Reid as DJ "Venus Flytrap," Richard Sanders as newsman "Les Nessman," Frank Bonner as advertising salesman "Herb Tarlek," and Jan Smithers as "Bailey Quarters."

In 2007, Fox released a 3-disc set of The Complete 1st Season on DVD, but sales of the title suffered because a lot of the original music had been cut or replaced throughout the episodes. As a result, Fox never moved forward with further releases, but fans never stopped wanting this show on DVD. Now the good news: our friends at Shout! Factory have licensed the show's home video rights, and are planning to deliver all four seasons of the sitcom together in one package with WKRP in Cincinnati - The Complete Series on DVD! No timeframe for this title has been set, and they clearly are aware of everything fans want to see on every season of this release. This is just an early heads-up that the item is in-the-works, to whet your appetites. Stay tuned, of course, and we'll update you as further developments occur! Our thanks to reader Todd Eizikowitz for his contribution to this story.

http://tvshowsondvd.com/n/19780


Just saw it on the site!! Can't wait!!

Oh my God. BEST DVD NEWS EVER!


Finally!

I asked Shout way back when! I knew they could do it!

Let's just hope the music is intact.
I know they will do their best!

Woohoo!

Hopefully, one of home video's greatest wrongs will be righted by this. Fingers crossed on minimal or (hoping-against-hope) zero music replacement.

Now, with WKRP, the complete Bob Newhart Show and Batman presumably out of the way, if only the proper parties would restore and release T.H.E. Cat on disc, where it belongs...

AWESOME news! :woohoo:

I kind of knew this would get released sooner or later but I expected it more from Time Life and not Shout! Factory. Either way, I'm happy it's getting released...hopefully with all or close to all the music.

I think Shout knows they will be under harsh scrutiny for this one and will do their best to secure as much original music as possible.

WOW!!!!!!!!! I am so ecstatic to see WKRP in Cincinnati finally getting released to DVD in its entirety!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woohoo! I LOVE this series and I have thoroughly enjoyed watching Season 1 on DVD. I will be very excited to see the rest of the series finally. I do hope that the music will be kept intact, but I honestly don't care that much about that. (I'm one of the fans of the show who didn't grow up watching it though, so I suppose that makes a difference in viewpoints.) I'm quite happy with the Season 1 DVD that was released, especially since the show's creator, Hugh Wilson, was satisfied with it.
Anyway- this is great DVD news! It's so cool to see so many long-gestating shows finally getting released to DVD in their entirety!!!!

Now if we can just get Perfect Strangers, Who's The Boss?, Baretta, Black Sheep Squadron, DuckTales, Chip 'N' Dale Rescue Rangers, Darkwing Duck, Goof Troop, and so many others resurrected (and other shows that have yet to get any DVD release- like the live action 1970s Spider-Man show (US version) and many others)....................

11 years ago on this site I asked why can't we get WKRP with original music if Freaks and Geeks (Shout!) could manage it. I never directly named Shout! at that time.

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=75126

Complete series package art! :cool:

http://tvshowsondvd.com/graphics/news3/WKRP_Complete.jpg

According to the Shout Factory website, the Complete Series will be released on October 28th, 2014! If you order it from ShoutFactory.com you get free shipping and it arrives 5 weeks early on September 23! :cool:

WKRP In Cincinnati: The Complete Series

Available in: US Only

Release Date: 10/28/2014


List Price: $139.99
SHOUT! PRICE: $119.99
DVD
Products Details

SPECIAL OFFER: Order this title from ShoutFactory.com and get FREE standard U.S. shipping FIVE WEEKS EARLY on 9/23.





We’re Spinnin’ The Hits And Bringin’ The Laughter!



Pairing an impeccable ensemble cast with hilarious wit and popular tunes, WKRP In Cincinnati celebrated four amazing seasons, making it the quintessential situation comedy for any music lover! Join everyone's favorite radio DJs—the rockin' Dr. Johnny Fever (Howard Hesseman) and the soulful Venus Flytrap (Tim Reid)—as they weave through the inner-office antics of the crazy WKRP staff; including the station's program director Andy (Gary Sandy), indecisive manager Arthur (Gordon Jump), advertising executive Herb (Frank Bonner), quirky news man Les Nessman (Richard Sanders), young ingénue Bailey (Jan Smithers) and, of course, the station's lovely receptionist, Jennifer (Loni Anderson). So sit back and enjoy the sound of uproarious laughter as you watch every episode of this iconic series!



Discs: 13 Format: NTSC
Video region: Region 1
Color: Color

Language: English

http://www.shoutfactory.com/product/wkrp-cincinnati-complete-series

Thanks for the info & updates.

I pre-ordered it from Amazon for $98 but to get it a month earlier i think I will pre-order it from Shout! instead.

Of course Amazon will go down at some point, so I know I will end up spending like $40 more than necessary.

If it's reported the music is intact I will keep the Shout pre-order.

I pre-ordered it from Amazon for $98 but to get it a month earlier i think I will pre-order it from Shout! instead.

Of course Amazon will go down at some point, so I know I will end up spending like $40 more than necessary.

If it's reported the music is intact I will keep the Shout pre-order.
I read somewhere but can't remember where that 85% of the music would be intact.

Gotta get this

Can't wait!

Bonus Features

WKRP In Cincinnati: A Paley Center Reunion
"Do My Eyes Say Yes?" Featurette
"A 'Fish Story' Story" Featurette
A Conversation With Gary Sandy

https://www.shoutfactory.com/tv/comedy/wkrp-in-cincinnati-the-complete-series

http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/WKRP-Cincinnati-The-Complete-Series/20286

http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/WKRP-Cincinnati-The-Complete-Series/20286

One glaring band omission is on the most famous WKRP episode - Turkeys Away.

Pink Floyd.

No Beatles either but I kinda expected that. I'm surprised we're getting music from The Rolling Stones and The Doors. Time Life couldn't even get Doors music for the Wonder Years set.

I just went to the Shout Factory website and they're now saying it won't ship until October 9th if you order it from there.

Order this title from ShoutFactory.com and get FREE standard U.S. shipping EARLY on 10/9. (Note: due to production delays this item will not be available on 9/23 as originally planned.)

Some of the artists included on the DVD set are:

AC/DC
Herb Alpert
Ashford & Simpson
Joan Baez
Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band
Pat Benatar
George Benson
Blondie
Booker T And The MG's
Boston
Alicia Bridges
Jackson Browne
Donald Byrd
Carl Carlton
The Cars
Gene Chandler
Ray Charles
Chic
Chicago
Eric Clapton
The Coasters
Joe Cocker
Elvis Costello
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Crosby, Stills Nash & Young
Christopher Cross
Derek And The Dominos
Detective
Bo Diddley
The Doors
Dr. John
Gene Dunlap
The Durocs
Bob Dylan
Earth, Wind & Fire
Flying
Foreigner
Marvin Gaye
The Go-Gos
Grateful Dead
Bill Haley And His Comets
Buddy Holly Bob James
Jefferson Starship
Waylon Jennings
Elton John
Janis Joplin
Greg Kihn Band
Albert King
B.B. King
Evelyn "Champagne" King
Freddie King
The Knack
Kool And the Gang
Jerry Lee Lewis
Huey Lewis & The News
Little River Band
Living Voices
Kenny Loggins
Nick Lowe
Frankie Lymon And The Teenagers
Chuck Mangione
Bob Marley
Paul McCartney and Wings
Delbert McClinton
Eddie Money
The Monotones
Van Morrison
Gary Myrick And the Figures
Ron Nagle
Randy Newman
Olivia Newton-John
Ted Nugent
The O'Jays
Carl Perkins
Tom Petty
Wilson Pickett
The Police
Jean-Luc Ponty
Elvis Presley
The Pretenders
Quarterflash
Queen
Otis Redding
Little Richard
Lionel Richie
Kenny Rogers
The Rolling Stones
Linda Ronstadt
Sam & Dave
Bob Seger
The Sherbs
The Sir Douglas Quintet
Bruce Springsteen
Edwin Starr
Steely Steely Dan
The Stone City Band
Styx
Supertramp
James Taylor
Carla Thomas
Toto
Pete Townshend
Tubes
Luther Vandross
Junior Walker
Grover Washington, Jr.
The Who
Stevie Wonder
Lauren Wood
Neil Young





I've compiled a list of artists that weren't mentioned. That doesn't mean they're not included however, when they list someone like Donald Byrd and not artists like Van Halen, The Eagles and The Beach Boys, you have to wonder.


Van Halen
Roberta Flack
Pink Floyd
Nicolette Larson
The Beach Boys
The Kinks
Hoyt Axton
The Beatles
Robert Palmer
The Sports
Sly and the Family Stone
Martha and the Vendellas
Chuck Berry
The Commodores
Michael Jackson
Brenda Lee
Helen Reddy
Jimi Hendrix
The Clash
Johnny Mathis
Bill Evans
The Eagles
Bonnie Raitt
Devo
Deep Purple
Debbie Boone
The Talking Heads
The Pointer Sisters
Perry Como
Leroy Anderson
Candi Station
Della Reese
The Bee Gees
U2
Dave Mason
Arthur Conley
James Brown
Barry Manilow
Peabo Bryson
Tom Scott
A Taste of Honey

I really am excited about this now!

Great job compiling the artists not mentioned.

Thanks!

I've compiled a list of artists that weren't mentioned. That doesn't mean they're not included however, when they list someone like Donald Byrd and not artists like Van Halen, The Eagles and The Beach Boys, you have to wonder.


Van Halen
Roberta Flack
Pink Floyd
Nicolette Larson
The Beach Boys
The Kinks
Hoyt Axton
The Beatles
Robert Palmer
The Sports
Sly and the Family Stone
Martha and the Vendellas
Chuck Berry
The Commodores
Michael Jackson
Brenda Lee
Helen Reddy
Jimi Hendrix
The Clash
Johnny Mathis
Bill Evans
The Eagles
Bonnie Raitt
Devo
Deep Purple
Debbie Boone
The Talking Heads
The Pointer Sisters
Perry Como
Leroy Anderson
Candi Station
Della Reese
The Bee Gees
U2
Dave Mason
Arthur Conley
James Brown
Barry Manilow
Peabo Bryson
Tom Scott
A Taste of Honey

I am keeping my fingers crossed that some of those artists on the not mentioned list will end up on the DVDs. This set will definitely be worth getting because of what all that DID get cleared.

Johnny mouthing the words to that Van Morrison is probably one of my favorite music moments on WKRP. I remember being crushed the first time it was aired on TV with some strange music that had nothing to do with what Johnny was doing. It looks like it will be included in the release and that makes me very happy.

The truth is that I don't remember a lot of the music that was played, but I remember The Beach Boys and The Eagles, and I'm really hoping that The Eagles song that aired at the end of the episode where Johnny's daughter visits gets on to the DVD. Even when all the other music was removed on the show when it aired in reruns years later, that song remained, and it really added something to the end of the episode. It's a hit. Fever's playing a HIT! LOL Great scene. :)

An early review at the HTF. Mentions missing music and run times for the episodes. Only 4 episodes at a time, but he's almost done with Season 1. So far two artists (Roberta Flack and The Kinks) who weren't listed as being included in the set, are in there. Also there seems to be an alternate scene in the Contest Nobody Could win episode. All the contest songs are included.

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/topic/334984-wkrp-in-cincinnati-the-complete-series-review/

This is amazing news. Not too disappointed with the Turkey's Away/Pink Floyd deal since they made most of it work. I can't wait to get this set...

Looks like its out this week. Gotta start saving.

Looks like its out this week. Gotta start saving.


Some have received their copies today.

An early review at the HTF. Mentions missing music and run times for the episodes. Only 4 episodes at a time, but he's almost done with Season 1. So far two artists (Roberta Flack and The Kinks) who weren't listed as being included in the set, are in there. Also there seems to be an alternate scene in the Contest Nobody Could win episode. All the contest songs are included.

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/topic/334984-wkrp-in-cincinnati-the-complete-series-review/

Thanks for this link. The info provided is amazing - so much detail!

im am very proud of shout factory of making the effort on bringing us WKRP and I give the credit for letting us know that they did their best to get all of the original music but they were honest by letting us no that they did try to get as much music as they could wherefore other studios wouldn't

im am very proud of shout factory of making the effort on bringing us WKRP and I give the credit for letting us know that they did their best to get all of the original music but they were honest by letting us no that they did try to get as much music as they could wherefore other studios wouldn't

That's why I'm definitely going in for this release!

That's why I'm definitely going in for this release!
I really want this release but other titles have taken top priority (The Jeffersons, FOL). I'll probably get around to buying the set in March or April '15.

I also respect Shout! for telling the truth about the music and for trying their best to clear as much music as possible. Shout! is a great company and I hope they stick around for a long time to come. Pretty much them and Time Life are our only hope for classic TV on DVD.

This sounds like a good set but I plan to get Facts of Life and Jeffersons first as well. The only big issue for me is I have read some reviews of this set on Amazon that say these DVDs are not closed captioned evn though the box has a CC bug on it. Has anyone on here noticed that issue? I'm not deaf and can hear alright but I prefer to have captions on my shows because it makes it easier for me to follow them. I may contact Shout about this issue and see what happened here. Whenever I get around to getting this one I will also buy a bootleg set of the New WKRP from ioffer to follow up to this one.

I really want this release but other titles have taken top priority (The Jeffersons, FOL). I'll probably get around to buying the set in March or April '15.

One other title has pushed WKRP to the back burner for me: the upcoming No. 3 and No. 4 releases of Hart to Hart from Shout! (third one of which I just purchased the other day through them).

Having never seen the show before I popped in disc 1 and started watching, I have to say this is a really great/funny/witty show. I don't regret buying it at all. One of the biggest advantages to having never seen the series before is not knowing when there's a music/scene edit.

But...and there is a but...I have to say that I thought the "Turkeys Away" episode is way overrated. Yes, it was funny but I didn't think it was any greater than the other episodes.

This show had such a talented ensemble cast.

Bought the box set last month...Id told myself it was gonna wait till next year but the show looked really cool so when I saw it for 90 bucks on Amazion I said why not? I've been watching through it the last few weeks...compared to All In The Family this took a lot less time to get through! I have just 8 episodes left, going to hopefully finish it tonight! The short version of my verdict on it is it's an excellent show any sitcom fan should see! Shout did an incredible job on the set, Sky high quality as usual. With just 4 seasons I was more comfortable buying this complete series set. I'm floored they cleared 85 percent of the music!!! What they couldn't get was extremely minimal and doesn't ruin the show at all. The ones they couldnt get were massive names and I understand the difficulty clearing those songs. But like with Wonder Years, the music is a huge part of the WKRP experience and without it it really takes away from it. It's IN and ABOUT a radio station after all so any full series rekease should be all or nothing...85 percent is definitely acceptable. With that said heres a little more detailed thoughts...

What I keep coming back to in my mind is just how cool and beat this show was! Who wouldn't want to work at a place like WKRP!? Being a dj always sounded like quite an interesting job to have and I actually did get to audition for one of the stations here in Chicago a few years back so I can relate to how big of a dream that is for some. Though not my biggest dream, it's something Id definitely do if I got the opportunity! The cast of characters is just so varied and wacky. There's always some shenanigan or another going on!

I love how the ststion is family owned and operated, not like now where it's one of a few media groups. It makes for a much closer group of people, and the ststion has its own character and identity. I love Mr. Carlson. Good guy that not only likes his employees but considers them family. He treats them like it, too. He's the kind of boss everyone dreams of. He doesn't reakiy know what's going on most of the time though and doesn't really find out until mid shenanigan or worse yet after. I think Gordon Jump did an outstanding job with the role. I'm glad he got to do that role. He seemed to truly enjoy it, you can tell :) RIP Gordon, thanks for giving four years to that role!

I also really liked Andy Travis. Gary Sandy played his role well too, the character comes across as very real and genuine. His character has a very tough time being tough when he needs to be which is why the stunts pulled at the station get so far out of control. However he believes in his DJ's and he's right there standing up for them when they need him. So I guess it kind of balances out. It's an interesting character for a show not usually done.

Jennifer is one of those people getting by on her looks. In a lot of ways, during the series she has to learn a lot of the human abd personality parts of being human the hard way. She looks out for herself most of the time. Towards the end she opened up more but generally worried about and looked out for herself.

Bailey is a smart, sweet girl that comes across as likeable. Just on the whole Jennifer or Bailey question...my vote is for Bailey. More real and genuine thsn Jennifer for sure.

Herb...I'm not sure I like his character at all. In the beginning he's just an average ad salesman but as the series goes on he definiteiy gets more snaky, slimy, vindictive and not really a great guy. His being married but having an unhealthy obsession with Jennifer ain't sitting great with me either. I know Frank Bonner's name and I'm sure Ive seen some of his other work just didn't care for Herb.

Les...he starts out being quite a likeable nerd type but during the second half of the series be really turns into...I'm wanting to say quite the weirdo creep that looks like he's a few steps away from losing it completely. Kinda disappointed how his character evolved. The whole way through though he is dedicated to his job. Maybe too much. So he had that going at least!

Johnny..Howard Hesseman did outstanding, he hit the Bulls eye with the role!! He does a great job both with his character and playing a very believable DJ..very natural at it. Too many laugh out loud laugh yiur ass off moments thanks to him. Too many to count. I can't see anyone else having played the role honestly. That character is so out of it most of the time and doesn't know where he is really, lol it's great!

Venus...liked him too. Tim Reid did well and I'll especially remember the scene where he was trying to teach that kid physics, really well done scene.

Overall Id give the show an A. Had been wanting to see the whole thing for a while and it was worth every Penny! Can't recommend it enough. If you have the funds for it and keep going back and forth just get it! You'll be glad you did. Just hope shout will bring out New WKRP too.

I watched the show some when I was high school (graduated in 1980) but have never seen it in reruns, so I don't recall the original music. I do plan on getting the box set since most of the music is intact and I'm sure there's a lot of things about the show that flew over my head as a teen that I can better appreciate now.

11 years ago on this site I asked why can't we get WKRP with original music if Freaks and Geeks (Shout!) could manage it. I never directly named Shout! at that time.

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=75126

The original rights for music in the show were negotiated specifically for 'television broadcast' only. Any other media as VHS and later DVD box-sets weren that popular a thing at the time. When they came to reissue on tape all the artists would only license their tracks for insane amounts of money. So it was suddenly unfeasible to profit from the box set. Now any music licenses for TV etc. usually say for all media, in perpetuity.