No Silly Catchphrases, No True Breakout Stars...Yet, 'WKRP' Remains A Classic! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 06-03-2011, 11:36 PM

What exactly made WKRP in Cincinnati a hit? There was no typical '70's catchphrase like "Dynomite" or "Kiss My Grits." There was no real breakout stars like a John Travolta, yet the show has been a great success. It wasn't your typical 70's sitcom success stories. So why has the show endured?

Marvo301 · 06-04-2011, 12:13 AM

Two reasons why WKRP was and continues to be a classic are great writing and a great cast. WKRP was a very well written show and the cast (each perfectly cast in their role) took those well written scripts and breathed hilarious life into them!

catlover79 · 06-04-2011, 02:18 AM

They may not have had a "catchphrase", but "As God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly!" comes pretty darn close!! Plus, who could forget the Ferryman Funeral Home jingle?

Howard Hesseman and Tim Reid both went onto star in other hit series, and the others have had success in episodic roles, theatre and film. Everyone turned out great, and there's not a lot of casts you can say that about!!

MickeyMac · 06-07-2011, 05:54 PM

Good shows dont need "catch phrases". Good shows have good acting, and good writing and you cant date it. This is a perfect example of this.

Anna Karenina · 01-20-2017, 02:39 AM

I think Loni Anderson became a household name because of this show so I would consider her to be a "break out" star based on that alone.

She was a tabloid fixture for decades.

Sadly her career kind of stagnated after that which is unfortunate because she was a good comic actress.

MacLeaper · 03-31-2017, 07:57 AM

Some of the DJs' radio talk felt a bit like catchphrases- Dr. Johnny Fever's "Hey, fellow babies" or Venus Flytrap's "Hello, my children"....
Definitely Les Nessman's signoff, "This is Les Nessman with the news saying, "Goodbye" and may the Good News be yours!"
[I'm quoting from memory, so I might be a bit off.]
WKRP in Cincinnati also had some running gags- Les Nessman's invisible office walls and door, Herb's lasciviousness towards Jennifer (and her constant rebuffs of his advances), Mr. Carlson constantly caught playing with toys in his office, Dr. Johnny Fever's generally sarcastic attitude, Venus making a few racial jokes at times [or being the brunt of some unknowing racial faux pases from Les or Herb], etc. And Bailey became a stronger character as the series progressed, with her becoming the one to stand up for causes. Even Andy, who is generally the straight man, had his own notoriety for trying to get dates with the ladies at times [not Jennifer or Bailey though.]
The model of the show is similar to that of The Muppet Show. Both Andy and Kermit do great as the main sane character trying to manage a group of crazies.

MacLeaper · 03-31-2017, 07:58 AM

I've been watching this show a lot again lately- it's long been a favorite show for me- and I love the theme song!

tlc38tlc38 · 04-03-2017, 06:19 AM

I own the complete series set but find it hard to watch more than a couple episodes at a time.

I wish MeTV would air it. I think this show is better viewed on TV in a weekly or bi-weekly manner.

MacLeaper · 04-03-2017, 08:46 AM

I've recently finished watching Season 3 of the show and getting ready to start in on Season 4. I don't have a problem watching multiple episodes back to back- but, of course, I love this series!

And yeah- the thing about Les wearing a bandage on a different part of his body- that was kind of a silent running gag that was never commented on in the series (that I recall anyway). I've read that Richard Sanders accidentally bumped his head on something the first day of shooting and had to get a bandage for his head- and right then and there, he decided the character of Les Nessman should always have a bandage of some sort- and there you have the character element he added.

TV Guy · 07-23-2017, 09:44 AM

Was it really a hit?

06-03-2011, 11:36 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	No Silly Catchphrases, No True Breakout Stars...Yet, 'WKRP' Remains A Classic! What exactly made WKRP in Cincinnati a hit? There was no typical '70's catchphrase like "Dynomite" or "Kiss My Grits." There was no real breakout stars like a John Travolta, yet the show has been a great success. It wasn't your typical 70's sitcom success stories. So why has the show endured?
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

06-04-2011, 12:13 AM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	Two reasons why WKRP was and continues to be a classic are great writing and a great cast. WKRP was a very well written show and the cast (each perfectly cast in their role) took those well written scripts and breathed hilarious life into them!
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

06-04-2011, 02:18 AM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	They may not have had a "catchphrase", but "As God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly!" comes pretty darn close!! Plus, who could forget the Ferryman Funeral Home jingle? Howard Hesseman and Tim Reid both went onto star in other hit series, and the others have had success in episodic roles, theatre and film. Everyone turned out great, and there's not a lot of casts you can say that about!!
	__________________ "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

03-31-2017, 07:57 AM	#6
MacLeaper Child of the 80s Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 20, 2001 Posts: 3,359	Some of the DJs' radio talk felt a bit like catchphrases- Dr. Johnny Fever's "Hey, fellow babies" or Venus Flytrap's "Hello, my children".... Definitely Les Nessman's signoff, "This is Les Nessman with the news saying, "Goodbye" and may the Good News be yours!" [I'm quoting from memory, so I might be a bit off.] WKRP in Cincinnati also had some running gags- Les Nessman's invisible office walls and door, Herb's lasciviousness towards Jennifer (and her constant rebuffs of his advances), Mr. Carlson constantly caught playing with toys in his office, Dr. Johnny Fever's generally sarcastic attitude, Venus making a few racial jokes at times [or being the brunt of some unknowing racial faux pases from Les or Herb], etc. And Bailey became a stronger character as the series progressed, with her becoming the one to stand up for causes. Even Andy, who is generally the straight man, had his own notoriety for trying to get dates with the ladies at times [not Jennifer or Bailey though.] The model of the show is similar to that of The Muppet Show. Both Andy and Kermit do great as the main sane character trying to manage a group of crazies.
	__________________ "Oh boy!" - Dr. Sam Beckett "You can do anything you wanna do if you put your mind to it." - MacGyver "Have mercy!" - Uncle Jesse "Ha, I kill me!" - ALF "I am The Way, The Truth and The Life. No man comes to The Father but by Me."- Jesus Christ (John 14:6)

04-03-2017, 06:19 AM	#8
tlc38tlc38 Every day’s a Dolly day! Forum Star Join Date: May 02, 2008 Location: I’m just travelin’ thru Posts: 19,258	I own the complete series set but find it hard to watch more than a couple episodes at a time. I wish MeTV would air it. I think this show is better viewed on TV in a weekly or bi-weekly manner.
	__________________ Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. Deuteronomy 15:10 In loving memory of my best friend, my Mama.

06-07-2011, 05:54 PM	#4
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,004	Good shows dont need "catch phrases". Good shows have good acting, and good writing and you cant date it. This is a perfect example of this.

01-20-2017, 02:39 AM	#5
Anna Karenina Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Nov 09, 2006 Posts: 10,086	I think Loni Anderson became a household name because of this show so I would consider her to be a "break out" star based on that alone. She was a tabloid fixture for decades. Sadly her career kind of stagnated after that which is unfortunate because she was a good comic actress.

03-31-2017, 07:58 AM	#7
MacLeaper Child of the 80s Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 20, 2001 Posts: 3,359	I've been watching this show a lot again lately- it's long been a favorite show for me- and I love the theme song!

04-03-2017, 08:46 AM	#9
MacLeaper Child of the 80s Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 20, 2001 Posts: 3,359	I've recently finished watching Season 3 of the show and getting ready to start in on Season 4. I don't have a problem watching multiple episodes back to back- but, of course, I love this series! And yeah- the thing about Les wearing a bandage on a different part of his body- that was kind of a silent running gag that was never commented on in the series (that I recall anyway). I've read that Richard Sanders accidentally bumped his head on something the first day of shooting and had to get a bandage for his head- and right then and there, he decided the character of Les Nessman should always have a bandage of some sort- and there you have the character element he added.

07-23-2017, 09:44 AM	#10
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	Was it really a hit?