America's Favorite Radio Station: WKRP in Cincinnati

The First Season--1978-1979

The First Season-1978-1979 Episode 0001 "Pilot" Written by Hugh Wilson Directed by Jay Sandrich In the words of DJ Johnny Caravella, WKRP in Cincinnati is "rock bottom." Playing music that is 20 years out of date, the station is lOSing $100,000 a year and foundering in the Cincinnati market. Run by the somewhat scatter-brained fishing fanatic Arthur Carlson, the station is owned by Carlson's mother, a heartless, dOmineering woman who loves money and hates rock and roll. Enter Andy Travis, the new program director, who promises that his proposed rock format will allow the station to break even in the first year and make $800,000 the next. Carlson reluctantly gives Travis a free hand. Although Momma is initially upset, Andy convinces her to give it a try. Additional Cast Momma Carlson Sylvia Sidney Episode 0002 "Pilot Part II" Written by Hugh Wilson Directed by Michael Zinberg It has been two weeks since the format change and Andy is having his share of problems; not only has he been fighting with Momma Carlson, Herb Tarlek and Les Nessman-poor Andy can't even find his laundry. WKRP has steadily been losing some of its oldest accounts, including Shady Hills Rest Home, Rolling Thunder European Regularity Tonic, and Bo-Peep Safety Shoes. Without any money to spend on promoting the format change, Andy solicits ideas for publicity stunts. 137 138 America's Favorite Radio Station Meanwhile, a group of older citizens have assembled in the WKRP lobby to protest the format change. 'They not only demand the return of their elevator music, but also they want an on-air apology to Lawrence Welk. Andy quickly realizes that these old people are the key to the publicity stunt he has been looking for. WayneR. Coe Mrs. Burstyn Buzzy Milker Additional Cast Episode 0003 "Preacher" Richard Stahl Nedra Volz Delos V. Smith Written by Bill Dial Directed by Michael Zinberg In the opinion of the Greater Cincinnati Inter-Religious Council, WKRP's Reverend Little Ed Pembrook, the 300-pound ex-wrestler who is now the leader of "The Church of the Mighty Struggle," has overstepped the bounds of "good taste, good sense, and good religion." Little Ed is selling cheap religious artifacts such as John the Baptist Shower Curtains and Dead Sea Scroll Steak Knives on his hour long, 8:00 am Sunday radio show. The question facing Andy and Carlson: How do you tell the man who once threw Haystack Calhoun out of a wrestling ring and into a soda pop machine that he is through? Additional Cast Rev. Little Ed Pembrook Sister of Mercy #1 Sister of Mercy #2 Sister of Mercy #3 Rev. Drinkwater Father Riley Rabbi Fishbein Michael Keenan Mary Steel Smith Cynthia Szigeti Suzanne Kent John Chappel Arthur Malet Jeremiah Morris The First Season 139 Episode 0004 "Hoodlum Rock" Written by Hugh Wilson Directed by Michael Zinberg What is the difference between punk rock and hoodlum rock? According to the band Scum of the Earth, punk rockers dress deplorably and they do not physically attack their audience. Regardless of this, Andy thinks that Scum will make a perfect first concert for WKRP to promote. Though the band members appear to be more trouble then they are worth, the concert pays off in the end. StevePievy Blood Dog Additional Cast Sir Nigel Weatherbee Waiter Ned Wertimer Peter Elbling Michael Des Barres Jim Henderson Chick Waters Original music by DETECTIVE Episode 0005 "Les on a Ledge" Written by Hugh Wilson Directed by Asaad Kelada What happens when one of journalism's most "trusted" voices gets accused of being a homosexual and is banned from doing sports reports from the stadium locker room? This is the problem that faces Les Nessman, five-time winner of the Buckeye News Hawk award. Convinced his career is over, Les steps out on the ledge of Carlson's office and, quoting from Hamlet, contemplates suicide. Although everyone tries their best to bring Les back in, it takes an apology from the baseball player who had Nessman banned. Watch for this episode's teaser: In one of the most famous Nessman scenes, Les refers to golfer Chi Chi Rodriguez as "Chi' Chi' Rod-wagweeze ." 140 America's Favorite Radio Station Episode 0006 "Bailey's Show" Written by Joyce Armor and Judie Neer Directed by Asaad Kelada The shy, yet ambitious, Bailey has been given the opportunity to produce a...