WKRP in Cincinnati creator Hugh Wilson died this past Sunday in Los Angeles at the age of 74. While he also wrote and directed several films, including the first installment of the Police Academy franchise, Stroker Ace, and Guarding Tess, to name just a few, the sit-com about a struggling Cincinnati radio station will always be his masterpiece.
This isn’t just some homer spin either. Long before I moved here from Cleveland in 1993, I considered WKRP in Cincinnati to be one of the greatest sitcoms of all time and still do. Many people beyond Southwest Ohio feel the same way. How could they not?
A lot of fans, of course, focus on what is arguably the show’s greatest episode, and indeed one of the best single sitcom episodes ever, “Turkeys Away.” However, everything that made that episode great could be found in every installment of the series. Wilson assembled a great team in front of as well as behind the camera and it was evident each time the show aired.
In just the fourth episode, “Hoodlum Rock,” this was apparent. The station, looking to better promote its new rock & roll format, decides to promote a concert by an emerging punk band from England called Scum of the Earth. Real-life glam rocker Michael Des Barres portrays lead singer Dog.
At first, the plan was to portray them in typical punk garb: ripped clothes, safety pins, and odd haircuts. Understandable for the time but also a bit hackneyed and not very believable. According to Josh “J. Elvis” Weinstein, who directed a documentary about Des Barres, the singer suggested to Wilson that the band instead dress in suits. Wilson quickly agreed. It was then determined that the band was playing a new subgenre of punk called hoodlum rock, several cuts below punk rock it is explained.
It worked, as the band didn’t look ridiculous or come off as just a trio of actors portraying a punk rock band. It also further added to the joke. Des Barres and the other band members (played by Peter Ebling and Jim Henderson, the latter a drummer in real life, not an actor) were well into their 30s, and it was subtly suggested when they were interviewed by Venus Flytrap that they just wanted to attract screaming young girls to their concerts and physically attack the audience. Venus wasn’t sure if they were serious. “Come to the show and find out,” Henderson ominously states.
That’s just one example of how the show, under Wilson’s command, went beyond the normal situation comedy conventions and tropes. Sadly, CBS canceled the show in 1982 after the fourth season despite solid ratings. Over the summer of 1982 though, they had a change of heart, but it was too late as most of the cast had signed on to do other projects.
In addition to working on films, Wilson also created the short-lived, but critically acclaimed Frank’s Place, starring WKRP alum Tim Reid. Wilson captured is only Emmy award for his work on that series. He also created another short-lived but acclaimed series, The Famous Teddy Z, starring Jon Cryer and Alex Rocco.
I want to use this opportunity to tell the whole world on how I become rich and famous. I’m 93 years old. I was passing through difficulty in business and there was no hope of me coming out of my debt. I borrow money in my bank to do my business and I run at lost on the business I got frustrated and decided to be playing lottery to see if I can win and make my business grow and I have played for years now nothing good is coming my way on till I meet someone online talking about Dr Ayoola on the internet. He was taking about how this Dr Ayoola help him to win mega million lottery game. I said to myself if this is true and decide to contact him and told him to help me as well I later read more about this man and see how he has been helping people all over the world. I have faith in him and choose to work with him. After working with him he told me what I need to do for the number to be given to me which I did after he finish working he said I will have a dream and the number will be review to me in the dream. That night has I was sleeping I dream a number immediately he call me and gave me the same number I dream of and ask me to go and play the number. Today I’m here testifying of the good work he did for me I played the number and I won the sum of 1, 000,000 million dollars in a lotto max. You can contact Dr Ayoola for help if you want to win big in lottery game he has the gift of giving right number contact him today and thank me email him today Via email: drayoolasolutionhome@gmail. com or https://www.facebook.com/Dr-Ayoola-105640401516053/ text or call +14809032128
Morgan
January 30, 2023
With so much in my heart I am here to express myself on how Priest Salami saved my marriage from divorce. Myself and my husband were having some misunderstanding and it was tearing our marriage apart to the extent my husband was seeking a divorce. So I have no option other than to go to the internet to seek a solution to my problem. It was there I came across Priest Salami details and about how he has helped a lot of people by restoring their relationship. I contacted Priest Salami and in less than 48 hours my husband cancelled the divorce papers. Now myself and my husband live together in peace and harmony all thanks to Priest Salami for saving my marriage from breaking up. Priest Salami contact information are via email: purenaturalhealer@gmail.com. Whatsapp number: +2348143757229