I've waited a long time before starting to add WKRP IN CINCINNATI to my collection. I remember it as not only funny, but crazy and loony and daft and such like, you know, fun. But that was years ago, and memories fade, and I'm really on about actresses. And I was never really a Loni Anderson fan, I mean, not in any exceptional way like the way the media back then kicked up one helluva fuss about her. No, thinking back (donkey years) I remembered that I was more impressed with quiet, understated Jan Smithers (demure Bailey Quarters).
Problem was, doing research, everything on Wikipedia pointed to Bailey being totally mousy, and a downloaded bit illustrated this very well, and, yes, I remembered that Bailey wasn't as va- va-voom as her counterpart...
Fortunately, I took the plunge, and started out with the first two seasons. Began watching tonight. You know, I saw this stuff back in the day, and some of it even comes back to me just as it starts to unfold.
But the nicest surprise was Bailey Quarters. Yes, Jan has the smallest part, but she is the innocently charming girl as opposed to Loni Anderson's overly confident and mega- voluptuous Jennifer.
But Jennifer hasn't stood the test of time. Her hairstyle seems like a sprayed wig that looks frozen solid. And while being full of figure OBVIOUSLY appealed to galleries of salivating men, Bailey is clearly the far cuter one.
Unfortunately, Loni Anderson's Jennifer isn't even really va-va-voom, certainly not by today's standards, but not even by Eighties standards.
Which is why I was never ga-ga about her.
Okay, as for the episode itself: Travis has intentions of turning a dreary old radio station into a rock & roll beacon. Take a listen to those commercials. The clients were, well, basically one step away from being funeral homes. The new appointment threatens the old order of things. There's sleepy Dr. Johnny Fever who can't give a damn, but then there's ol' Herb Tarlek, the self-important sales manager buffoon (with his dismal preferences in leisure suits) and nerdy, no, King of the Nerds, aptly-named Les Nessman (wordplay on "less" and "newsman"), the insecure whiny little dude who fakes helicopter traffic reports by imitating rotor blades with his hands slapping his chest... aw you will have to watch yourself, you can't do this old classic justice by retelling it in mere words, these guys do magnificent character acting...
Has the show itself stood the test of time? I doubt it will win favor in the eyes of new generations. Very unlikely. But if you were a fan back then, this one is a must. Definitely.
Problem was, doing research, everything on Wikipedia pointed to Bailey being totally mousy, and a downloaded bit illustrated this very well, and, yes, I remembered that Bailey wasn't as va- va-voom as her counterpart...
Fortunately, I took the plunge, and started out with the first two seasons. Began watching tonight. You know, I saw this stuff back in the day, and some of it even comes back to me just as it starts to unfold.
But the nicest surprise was Bailey Quarters. Yes, Jan has the smallest part, but she is the innocently charming girl as opposed to Loni Anderson's overly confident and mega- voluptuous Jennifer.
But Jennifer hasn't stood the test of time. Her hairstyle seems like a sprayed wig that looks frozen solid. And while being full of figure OBVIOUSLY appealed to galleries of salivating men, Bailey is clearly the far cuter one.
Unfortunately, Loni Anderson's Jennifer isn't even really va-va-voom, certainly not by today's standards, but not even by Eighties standards.
Which is why I was never ga-ga about her.
Okay, as for the episode itself: Travis has intentions of turning a dreary old radio station into a rock & roll beacon. Take a listen to those commercials. The clients were, well, basically one step away from being funeral homes. The new appointment threatens the old order of things. There's sleepy Dr. Johnny Fever who can't give a damn, but then there's ol' Herb Tarlek, the self-important sales manager buffoon (with his dismal preferences in leisure suits) and nerdy, no, King of the Nerds, aptly-named Les Nessman (wordplay on "less" and "newsman"), the insecure whiny little dude who fakes helicopter traffic reports by imitating rotor blades with his hands slapping his chest... aw you will have to watch yourself, you can't do this old classic justice by retelling it in mere words, these guys do magnificent character acting...
Has the show itself stood the test of time? I doubt it will win favor in the eyes of new generations. Very unlikely. But if you were a fan back then, this one is a must. Definitely.