Love Returns - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Lester · 07-09-2008, 06:19 AM

I found a website (www.thebaboonbellows.com) that has reviews of most of series 1 of WKRP, which I'm guessing are taken from the series 1 DVDs. Anyway, an interesting question crops up. Why is WKRP promoting a country singer's concert when they're a rock station? If you remember, Johnny and Venus were involved in a "Win a date with a DJ" contest where they'd go to Linda's concert.

A possible answer is that this concert was going to be promoted while WKRP was still in its previous music format, and was a sort of contractual obligation. Does anyone have any other ideas?

catlover79 · 07-18-2008, 02:11 PM

You know, I never thought of that. WKRP's previous format was elevator music (or "beautiful music"), and I seriously doubt that the old people were into country music!!

On a different note, I was so jealous of Barrie Youngfellow (who played Linda). In 1978 she was paired off with 2 of my sitcom crushes - Gary Sandy on WKRP and my honey Gregory Sierra (on AES Hudson Street). Life is so not fair.

dlemond · 07-20-2008, 07:17 PM

Not having watched the episode in a while, I think that if there is any justification for the station promoting a country singer it has to be that she is a famous star and that any publicity would have been good for WKRP.

I would think of a singer along the line of a Linda Ronstadt (pretty famous at the time) who was country and pop and got air play all over the place.
Again, without watching the episode I can't say how well this comparison would relate.

Anyway, it is actually one the less popular episodes of the series and not one of my favorites.

catlover79 · 07-20-2008, 08:23 PM

^ You've got a good point - since Andy knew her, he figured both she and the station would benefit for practically nothing (promotion wise, that is). Linda Ronstadt, as well as groups like the Eagles, Poco and Pure Prairie League were country/rock and getting lots of airplay at the time. Interesting discussion!!

07-09-2008, 06:19 AM	#1
Lester Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 19, 2008 Location: North-East England Posts: 79	Love Returns I found a website (www.thebaboonbellows.com) that has reviews of most of series 1 of WKRP, which I'm guessing are taken from the series 1 DVDs. Anyway, an interesting question crops up. Why is WKRP promoting a country singer's concert when they're a rock station? If you remember, Johnny and Venus were involved in a "Win a date with a DJ" contest where they'd go to Linda's concert. A possible answer is that this concert was going to be promoted while WKRP was still in its previous music format, and was a sort of contractual obligation. Does anyone have any other ideas?
	__________________ "Good day, and may the good news be yours!"

07-18-2008, 02:11 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	You know, I never thought of that. WKRP's previous format was elevator music (or "beautiful music"), and I seriously doubt that the old people were into country music!! On a different note, I was so jealous of Barrie Youngfellow (who played Linda). In 1978 she was paired off with 2 of my sitcom crushes - Gary Sandy on WKRP and my honey Gregory Sierra (on AES Hudson Street). Life is so not fair.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

07-20-2008, 07:17 PM	#3
dlemond Hey, I know you. Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 03, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 6,751	Not having watched the episode in a while, I think that if there is any justification for the station promoting a country singer it has to be that she is a famous star and that any publicity would have been good for WKRP. I would think of a singer along the line of a Linda Ronstadt (pretty famous at the time) who was country and pop and got air play all over the place. Again, without watching the episode I can't say how well this comparison would relate. Anyway, it is actually one the less popular episodes of the series and not one of my favorites.

07-20-2008, 08:23 PM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	^ You've got a good point - since Andy knew her, he figured both she and the station would benefit for practically nothing (promotion wise, that is). Linda Ronstadt, as well as groups like the Eagles, Poco and Pure Prairie League were country/rock and getting lots of airplay at the time. Interesting discussion!!