Although it became one of the most successful programs in syndicated television history, WKRP in Cincinnati faced an uphill struggle trying to obtain prime-time success. Kassel chronicles the decisions and problems that affected WKRP's primetime success, and explores the reasons why it went on to become a classic.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
For anyone who knows who Gordon Sims really is....,
By
This review is from: America's Favorite Radio Station: WKRP in Cincinnati (Hardcover)
Like a lot of people, I first truly discovered one of the best sitcoms in television history a year or two after it was cancelled. Every night, at 6:30 pm, I'd turn the TV over to channel 21 and catch reruns of WKRP in Cincinatti and I'd find myself enthralled by everything from the sleaziness of Herb Tarlek, the well-meaning insanity of Les Nessman, the drug-addled flashbacks of Johnny Fever, and the likeable foolishness of Art Carlson. (And even though Loni Anderson's Jennifer may have been the officially recognized sex symbol, my crush was reserved for the much more quiet Bailey Quarters who proved that intelligence is the ultimate aphrodisiac.) As a child, I often wished that I could be a character on that show and even today, I often find myself thinking how much more fun I'd have at work if I'd moved up to Ohio and gotten a job at that low-rated radio station. Much like the later Newsradio, WKRP In Cincinnati was distinguished by a mixture of character-driven plots and surreal humor. And much like Newsradio, WKRP was treated like a redheaded stepchild by its parent network and ended up getting canned without a proper chance to build up an audience. Even today, WKRP is overshadowed by other, increasingly dated '70s sitcoms (basically anything produced by Norman Lear). With all that in mind, I was delighted when, recently, I came across a copy of Mike Kassel's entertaining behind-the-scenes history of WKRP in Cincanniti. Along with the prerequisite episode guide (which was very nicely detailed without getting overly obtuse as seems to happen with so many fan guides), Kassel provides some wonderful anecdotes and gives some nice insights into the cast. It was strangely heartwarming to discover that, behind-the-scenes, the show was apparently as enjoyable to work on as to watch. As well, most of the trivia found inside the book was new to me and made for some interesting speculation. (For instance, Gary Sandy was originally a candidate for Herb Tarlek -- a character as far away from Sandy's Andy Travis as possible. At the same time, one can see Sandy playing the Herb role as it was originally detailed in the pilot's script. One can see Sandy playing the role to good effect without discounting the absolute brilliance of Frank Bonner's Herb.) Anyway, if you hated WKRP, this book won't change your mind. Kassel's a fan and he's not attempting to be objective in his analysis of the show. And more power to him! After all, the point of a fan guide like this is to celebrate the nostalgia that people feel for their favorite TV shows, even years after they've been cancelled. And this book certainly succeeds at that. It is true that if you want to be nitpicky, you can find quite a few typos in the book. If that bugs you to a state of distraction, I can only suggest that you follow the (paraphrased) advice of Mystery Science Theater 3000, keep telling yourself its just a TV show, and you really should relax.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
50,000 clear channel watt book of a great tv show,
By
This review is from: America's Favorite Radio Station: WKRP in Cincinnati (Paperback)
This book was hard to find but worth the search. It shows all the battles it took to get the show on the air. Why they video taped it instead of filming the show, so they could use the actual songs and not sound a likes. If you like books about how your favorite shows were created you will love this one. Thank goodness it was so good because it is the only one written about it I have ever seen.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent, humorous, insightful, reliable, a treasure,
By A Customer
This review is from: America's Favorite Radio Station: WKRP in Cincinnati (Paperback)
This is a book that all WKRP fans will enjoy. It is about the show with the program's actors and writers contributing most of the material which Mr. Kassel has woven together in a thoughtful history. For that is exactly what books like this should be - entertaining along with historical value. Kassel never indulges in yellow journalism as Marc Elliott did in writing "To the Limit: The Untold Story of the Eagles (1998)which ended up being a rehash of ancient newspaper articles and photographs along with a great deal of unsubstantiated information. Kassel provides a first-hand account and look at WKRP that does not trash-or-hurt anyone. And...that is what make the book so refreshing and engaging. In reading the book I was able to actually visualize particular episodes and to revisit the quirky, quaint, and remarkable personalities that inhabited WKRP. Every week I waited with anticipation to see where Les's new bandage would appear or to enjoy Bailey's shyness and intelligence and Jennifer's profound common sense and beauty, and Johnny's outrageousness and confusion, and Venus's quiet manners and humor, and Herb's tackiness...can anyone ever forget that white belt and the muddled antics of the wackiest station manager in the world..Mr. Carlson. There are other characters: Herb's much put-upon wife, Carlson's wife and mother and Johnny's ex-wife who all were strong and memorable characters. What a cast...what a program...what a book!!!!! I have a feeling that nobody will ever write a book about the radio program that NBC just cancelled because it could never achieve the warmth and lovliness of its predecessor and I thank Mr. Kassel for providing a book to accompany all the other memories of WKRP in Cincinnati.
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