For all of us old disc jockeys, yes, we can relate to this episode. It brings back a lot of wild stories!
This actually may have inspired, to a degree, the hilarious Dj sitcom WKRP in Cincinnatti, about 10-plus years down the road.
Dick Van Dyke is spot on as the struggling dj on a struggling station (WOFF??) who has a boss with a sensational idea. Why not beat some other disc jockey's record and stay on the air LIVE for 100 hours?? This was material perfect for Van Dyke, who first and foremost, had both the voice and personality to be a dj. Watch him do his thing, and he's quite believable.
By the way, the coffee cup on the spinning turn table is an old dj gag. Just don't get caught!
It's a goofy story tied to his humble beginnings, and just hours before he is to meet his future boss Alan Brady --after being on the air nonestop for nearly a week! Fortunately, I was never in that type of predicament, but I agree with the last reviewer that it's insane. No matter how strong you are, it would be a grueling situation.
That said, back in the day of classic AM radio, there were tons of bosses, and I had a few, who would think up some sort of wild idea or contest to kick up ratings --and at the jockey's expense. Good luck.
As always, a super supporting cast with veteran Fred Clark as Rob's boss, and lots of other familiar tv faces. Rob eventually meets with Alan Brady, appearing more like he's drunk, and Dick could play some wild drunks! CLASSIC must see. And Mel Cooley has hair! Actually, Richard Deacon looks very distinguished with a hairpiece.
Bill Persky and Sam Denoff wrote this episode; Denoff actually began his career at a New York tv station, so he probably worked with a lot of former dj's and announcers with all kinds of stories to tell.
10 STARS.
SEASON 4 EPISODE 30 remastered dvd box set.