dr. fever and mr. tide was an episode about schizophrenia.
or dr. johnny fever sells out & goes too far out into the deep end.

howard hessesmans least favorite episode of wkrp in cincinnati as he was
quoted as saying on nick at nite during the wkrp in cincinnati marathon.

but it maybe howard hessesmans most brilliant performance ever as an actor!

this episode featured mary frann as avis dropkin before she was on newhart and maybe one of the reasons she got the role of joanna loudon.

this episode has elements of many disco dance shows of the late 70's and early 80's(anybody remember dance fever with denny terrio?)
herb tarlek and johnny fever were never close.
but herb tarlek and riptide become the best of friends. go figure!

johnny fever realizes somethings wrong when he confuses carl perkins with elvis presley when he starts playing "blue suede shoes"

finally its jennifer too the rescue.

jennifer always the rock of wisdom snaps johnny out of his "riptide" persona back to his old self.

but remember everything in johnny fevers past like
a number of on air personas and previous drug abuse are a logical conclusions for a schizoid disorder.

but, johnny finally gets out of his contract by bringing up that payola is the primary reason "gotta dance" is on the air!

avis storms into johnnys dressing room and fires him on the spot!
johnny gathers up the rest of the liquor bottles and is off the hook.

one of the most complexing episodes ever on wkrp in cincinnati but most entertaining!
thats how well developed the characters are on wkrp in cincinnati are and why wkrp in cincinnati is so enduring!

I liked this episode as a kid watching it on its original run on CBS, but when I watched it on tape a few months ago I was a little less enthralled.

That Johnny would be overcome by Rip Tide so quickly seemed silly to me, also the fact that he would take the job in light of his vehement opposition of everything having to do with disco or even pop.

But when I watched the episode again this week, I had more fun with it and didn't try to overanalyze.

It was a showcase for Howard Hesseman, and he got to be all over the map with Johhny/Rip Tide and he was very good, regardless of the identity crisis motif.
The supporting cast was also fun, especially Venus.

And there were a lot of laughs.

Note: Along with Mary Frann, WKRP writer Steve Kampmann also starred on Newhart (for 2 years) as "Kirk Devane."

Although I like this episode, I don't think it would be one I'd show to someone if I were introducing them to WKRP. It's not bad by any means.. i.e. I really like the part where Johnny steals all the alcohol, and of course "Sailor Ned," but it doesn't do Johnny justice. I always cringe when I see what he's wearing and how he talks about "loving the Ripper,"etc.
I'm a product of the early 80's so I can't say I remember the time when disco shows like that were popular... thank god.