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.
40 comments
Oliver James
Am using this opportunity to thank Dr. Guba is a grateful thing to me, for over years I have been sick with Hepatitis B disease, I have done a lot of things to get cured of my diseases and nothing has worked out. I have taken different types of medication for it , but it still doesn’t work for me. I still keep going for a check up so that the doctor will tell me my disease has be gone, because i’m taking my medicine with no result nothing has been cured, I have spent a lot of money just to get cure of Hepatitis B. until my old time friend came to my place and saw what am going through, and then direct me to contact Dr. Guba who is a very powerful man, which I did explain my problem to Dr. Guba and send me a herbal remedy bottle and explain to me how I should drink it. So I started to drink the herbal tea in one week that I drink the herbal tea. I went for a check up to check if I’m cured from Hepatitis B disease, then the nurse told me nothing is wrong with me anymore and said I’m fine. I am the happiest person right now. I promise Dr. Guba I will testify about his good work on the internet. Reach out to Him Via: drgubahealingherbs@gmail.com Thank you so much sir for what you did for me you’re the best of all. WhatsApp +2348162388034 ORwebsite: https://drgubahealing herbs.wixsite.com/guba-healing-herbs
Liam Noah
I have taken time out to thank someone who cured me from HPV with herbal medicine! It became a major problem for me as it was affecting my daily life as I was no longer comfortable so I decided to look for a solution and I came across several posts about how Dr Guba a herbal man has been helping people on the same problem then I quickly contacted the herbal man and told him my experience with HPV" he prepared and send me his herbal medicine to drink, after everything I found out that all was okay with me and that my Herpes problem was gone after testing negative several times, this is why I have come out today to say thanks to him and for others to also believe that there’s cure for HPV. Contact him today on his Email: Drgubahealingherbs@gmail.com WhatsApp: + 234 816 238 8034 You can also go through his website: https://drgubahealingherbs.wixsite.com/guba-healing-herbs
Liam Noah
Am using this opportunity to thank Dr. Guba is a grateful thing to me, for over years I have been sick with Hepatitis B disease, I have done a lot of things to get cured of my diseases and nothing has worked out. I have taken different types of medication for it , but it still doesn’t work for me. I still keep going for a check up so that the doctor will tell me my disease has be gone, because i’m taking my medicine with no result nothing has been cured, I have spent a lot of money just to get cure of Hepatitis B. until my old time friend came to my place and saw what am going through, and then direct me to contact Dr. Guba who is a very powerful man, which I did explain my problem to Dr. Guba and send me a herbal remedy bottle and explain to me how I should drink it. So I started to drink the herbal tea in one week that I drink the herbal tea. I went for a check up to check if I’m cured from Hepatitis B disease, then the nurse told me nothing is wrong with me anymore and said I’m fine. I am the happiest person right now. I promise Dr. Guba I will testify about his good work on the internet. Reach out to Him Via: drgubahealingherbs@gmail.com Thank you so much sir for what you did for me you’re the best of all. WhatsApp +2348162388034 OR website: https://drgubahealingherbs.wixsite.com/guba-healing-herbs
Wendy Gunn
LORD MEDUZA IS THE BEST SPELL CASTER ONLINE
It’s an honor to share my testimony with the world. You merit all the accolades that mention you. Lord Meduza has been a gift to me since our meeting online. He is the only one that knows everything about creating spells. I adore him immensely for his kindness, compassion, integrity, and the support he offers to everyone who interacts with him. Without Lord Meduza, I wouldn’t have survived this difficult situation. His magic turned me into a Lottery winner of £177 Million Pounds, transforming my entire life into something beautiful and extraordinary. The numbers he provided for the lottery were transformative, elevating me from grass to grace, and I want to express my eternal gratitude to him. Thank you, sir, for being a source of help to those in need. Anyone who reads this article and requires assistance can reach him through his Email: lordmeduzatemple@hotmail.com or WhatsApp: +18079072687 as he is unmatched in crafting spells.
Adam Joan
it so amazing on everyone who contracted HPV to know about this 100% natural treatment which i also used to cure HPV out of my body. i’m free from this virus i found about the cure online from an ex hpv patient who also got rid of hpv with same natural treatment. everyone suffering from this virus should also inquire this cure. contact the traditional healer Dr Onokun. through his website: onokunherbs.com or Email: Dronokunherbalcure@gmail.com
Leave a comment
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.