WKRP Venus' 1st Day

[@ArchFundy]

"With God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly", has to be my favorite comedy line of all time. Loved this show.

[@LoneLee2022]

Some of the episodes were stupid, but some of them were brilliant.

[@bluesman3232]

"They're hitting the ground like wet sacks of cement...." 2nd place.

[@tommyt1971]

The best ep they ever did with the Scum of the Earth a close 2nd.

[@ValerianMacMillan]

And yet, wild turkeys can fly just fine

[@ArchFundy]

@@ValerianMacMillan Wild turkeys don't have their wings clipped.

[@chucktaylor302]

I was always in love with Bailey ❤❤❤

[@kmccabe1962]

Yea me too - why didn’t they play that up? She was really hot

[@kirkstickney7394]

@@kmccabe1962much hotter than Jennifer…!!! 🥰🥰🥰

[@vjallman1872]

Think about how many little girls are named Bailey vs how many are named Jennifer. Everyone loved Bailey

[@cherylparsons9920]

So was my brother

[@blackbird1126]

I had such a crush on her.

[@jollyjohnthepirate3168]

Truly one of the smartest shows ever written.

[@gregkistner1955]

The writers in the WKRP run were brilliant!

[@LoneLee2022]

They were.

[@MrRabiddogg]

This entire era were brilliant. No one cared about insulting anyone. Just laugh and have a good time

[@marktuttle3609]

A friend of mine worked in radio back then and he told me this show was an accurate picture of what It was like back then.

[@toddwebb6216]

I never missed an episode of WKRP. The writing was amazing, actors perfect...the show was about when RADIO touched everyone. no internet, cell phones, just human interaction.

[@vlada]

The show literally deals in an episode how the industry was changing and the WKRP model was on its way out and the death of human interaction in the radio business. Its the one Johnny was enticed to work for another station.

[@arcanondrum6543]

The writing was indeed excellent. That show punched above its weight class most weeks. My favorite has to be the News introduction of Les Nessman. It fit the character so well.

[@directscientific4550]

When this show was on, my dad worked at a radio station in Boston, as an engineer. The AM resembled the old WKRP. The FM resembled the rock WKRP. Sometimes I want to work with my father on the nightshift. The DJ reminded me of Johnny Fever. The news girl reminded me of Bailey. I met some weird celebrity "wrestlers" as well as the mayor. I had free reign of the rock library and was allowed to record albums onto cassettes. I was only 12 but I did some odd jobs, getting coffee. One night I was told by "Bailey" to grab some news on the teletype so that she could read it on the air. I "sort of" worked at the station. That is why I loved WKRP. I am from WKRP.

[@DaveNarn]

That's cool, good story. My local town AM/FM station was the same. It was KAHI and KAFI.. get it? Like Hi-Fi

[@kevbo2750]

Pretty much same childhood experience. Grew up in a combined TV, AM, FM station with engineer dad who fixed everything and kept the place running on a shoestring budget. I never realized until later how lucky I was to learn and see everything back then. I even did a few on-air "guest" appearances. We had a wild crew of characters that made WKRP even more enjoyable to watch. Crazy father and son ownership kinda like Mamma Carlson! I made so many mix tapes for my friends those years. What a wonderful childhood. Thanks for the memory jog!

[@radesaul]

Do you remember Dale Dorman from WRKO ? :)

[@ottokriete1153]

Venus Flytrap was played by Tim Reid , who became a major force in Burbank as an extremely successful producer.

[@dwightdodd3734]

Venus was GREAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love Tim REID !!!!!!

[@stevekight1955]

He also starred in a show called Frank"s Place during the 1987 - 1988 season.

[@stevebobamerican8635]

Loved Mr. Reid on That 70s Show too

[@Bobainthome]

the episode "Who is Gordon Simms?" is one of my top 5 episodes on all of television

[@karengeyman5562]

I grew up in Cincinnati when this show was on the air at it was an amazing time in life. I miss those days.

[@arthurfunk3104]

Remember how they slipped little mentions of the Queen city, with shopping bags from local stores, mentioning other radio stations (not WPIG, but all the other ones), mentioning the local baseball team?

[@meshica7]

I was a DJ at a small station in southern California back in the mid 80's and this show right here is pretty damn accurate!

[@msr1116]

You are one of numerous posters from the radio industry who has said the same thing. Someone closely involved with the sitcom was in fact in radio in his earlier days and so knew the culture and thought processes from within. First hand knowledge brings realism to scripts. Wish this happened more often.

[@flowertrue]

Oh I envy you being part of that scene! Even if you could break into radio today, it's all automated and commercial. Nevertheless I hope you're doing well and successful.

[@lanedelker9161]

I was at small and medium markets, and it still rings true. It's scary how it was really like that back then. Fortunately, I never had to deal with turkeys hitting the ground like bags of wet cement!

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

Very much like my college roommate, criminal justice major, told me Barney Miller was more real than NYPD Blue

[@johncopple6479]

A lil bit of heaven . 94. 7 Whoaa !

[@LSF000]

Man, that guitar outro with the MTM kitten at the end - I haven't heard that in decades and I just got chills.

[@lvlinda6]

This show was such a classic. Still cracks me up. Venus was always my favorite character. ✌🏻💖🎶

[@MrRwk314]

The whole cast was great

[@richardharepax123]

Yes it had the perfect balance like a lot of great shows

[@jadeblatz]

I've been a fan of WKRP since I was a kid in the 80's and I can honestly say that I never realized before that Venus didn't have his beard in the Pilot and I've seen the pilot a tonne of times! WKRP is one of the funniest shows ever and one of my absolute favourites!

[@scsmith4604]

He had the beard before he opened the door to Carlson's office and did not have it after walking in.

[@dennisgauck7526]

Between WKRP-TAXI- BARNEY MILLER-ETC. we had the best sitcoms imaginable back then.

[@rodneymacomber6337]

Between your list on TV and movies like taxi and Apocalypse now those were the days

[@dopeytripod]

M*A*S*H* was also a top show

[@joxyjoxyjoxy1]

Too many to name.

[@chrisstory563]

alot of those shows had a great ensemble cast. that's they work so well. also back then many best sitcoms were workplace sitcoms like Taxi, WKRP, MASH, Cheers, night court, Spin City, Murphy Brown, Barney Miller and etc. not to take away from other sitcom that are not workplace based.

[@maryellensherrod1411]

You said it - TV was so fun back then and the music on the airwaves was magical . . .

[@hodldawg]

Still one of the best shows ever.

[@doomsdayaddams2894]

Absolutely one of the funniest shows ever aired.

[@fw1421]

Best comedy of the 70’s. We watched this every week.

[@P46345]

Tim Reid was also great as Lt. Downtown Brown on Simon & Simon.

[@dwightdodd3734]

He was great there too !!!!!

[@garygolfer3243]

That’s right! 👍

[@chrispalmer7291]

This was an outstanding show. Such a brilliant cast and writers. These are the kind of characters you talk about 50 years after the show is off the air. So many jokes and one liners. This was comedy at its finest. And the best theme song. I still remember all the words.

[@hankkingsley9300]

Bailey Could rescue me any day

[@tonyt8805]

@ Hank Kingsley Corrections......."us" 😉

[@matthewmicelli6674]

It's always good to see fellow gentlemen of culture.

[@billkaldem5099]

Bailey was always the hot one to me.

[@melissafields3376]

Bailey's the best one of them all!!

[@LoneLee2022]

@@melissafields3376 Incredible!

[@randallfrank5682]

Genius script and acting. I certainly miss the old days of live radio.

[@olliehopnoodle4628]

How lucky to have this hit show to watch back when I was a teenager.

[@DaveNarn]

It was the only show I looked forward to seeing.

[@brigidvanparys2062]

It was a happier time 😢

[@ikkenhisatsu7170]

What a well-written and cast show. Maybe my favorite ever.

[@evinchester7820]

There is nothing that can compare to a show, which has a great casts, great writing, great directing because decades later, they will still live on.

[@ltdees2362]

I loved this show, best comedy script on tv !! Never missed an episode 💖

[@KidFresh71]

"I don't know if you've noticed, but there certainly are a lot of negroes in sports." Gotta love Les Nessman. "This is WKRP in Cincinnati with more music, and Les Nessman" is my favorite line of the series. Loved this show.

[@sirjer73]

Classic

[@gnericgnome4214]

Chy-chy Rod wig ezz...

[@13chigrl]

@@gnericgnome4214🤣🤣🤣🤣 ☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️

[@jbennett3067]

My favorite Venus scene is when he teaches the kid about the structure of an atom by comparing it to gangs. Brilliant.

[@arcanondrum6543]

I remember it well and though I had learned about the Atom before, that description made the basics incredibly easy.

[@kingbeauregard]

Personally I hated it: they picked an enormous 25-year-old Black man to play a teenager, and they portrayed him as someone who couldn't understand anything but gang life. I get what they were trying to do, and they meant well, but it was really pretty demeaning.

[@jollyjohnthepirate3168]

My favorite Venus episode was the heart breaking story of his service during the Vietnam War. This little sitcom got extremely serious during his story. Once again we got a very intelligent and well written show.

[@kingbeauregard]

@@jollyjohnthepirate3168 That really was a great episode, and it didn't club us over the head like it might have. Also, I was pleased with the resolution: yes Venus did desert, but after he did his tour of duty, so they just made him make up his time peeling potatoes. Like, I don't know how military justice works, but all things considered it seemed like a fair response. Slight continuity error though. If memory serves, Andy didn't know Venus's real name in that episode, while in this one he knows him as Gordon Simms. I think we have no choice but to conclude that there is a WKRP multiverse, with at least two universes and possibly more. It's the only reasonable way to account for the Gordon Simms conundrum, to say nothing of Mother Carlson's changing appearance. They could even do a movie: "WKRP: No Way Up And Down The Dial".

[@AngelaGoodwin-fh6fw]

@@kingbeauregard Otherwise, it would have been perfect. I agree.

[@itsenergybob8917]

I've loved this show since it first came out. Best show at the time.

[@seanfraser4507]

In watching this really cool video, it occurred to me for the first time, just how much the acting has been overshadowed by the amazing writing. Or maybe it’s just in my mind. But the acting itself is as good as the writing ... and for me that makes WKRP the best sitcom ever.

[@harrymitchell5402]

One of the best shows when I was a kid. Brilliant over 40 yrs ago. Time waits for no one.

[@RisingTidesAC]

Suddenly, I feel old.

[@LoneLee2022]

@@RisingTidesAC I get older every second. Be 64 May 1st!

[@RisingTidesAC]

@@LoneLee2022 Who invented this getting old thing? It must be the same guy that invented the, earn a living thing.

[@LoneLee2022]

@@RisingTidesAC Must be!

[@vassa1972]

Loved the show RIP to both Frank Bonner and Howard hedsman

[@wvu05]

Don't forget the late, great Gordon Jump and Hugh Wilson, the brilliant mind behind the show.

[@stockvaluedotcom]

I didn't know Hesseman had passed. The older I get the leaner the world becomes.

[@bonnieriffle8371]

Howard died from complications of colon surgery that he had last summer.

[@vassa1972]

@@bonnieriffle8371 Hi Bonnie I'm Peter now almost 50 years old from downtown Hamilton Ontario Canada and Howard was a great actor loved his Dr Johnny fever character and I actually heard that he died from the sugury which I just went through at the end of January of this year (I'll explain I had some blood in my stool and called 911 went to the hospital on the east mountain here in Hamilton and they did two scope test and found my chest was clear but my Colon had a tumor growth which they removed by sugury which I had to wait almost 2 weeks because they didn't have enough blood for the operation) and I'm already a stroke and cardiac arrest survivor was born with a whole in my heart and had open heart surgery when I was 4 years old at sick kids hospital in Toronto where I was born and raised. But they had enough blood from the blood bank they did tell me told me that there was 1.1% chance that I could die on the table which I was scared shit list (to be honest) I kept thinking about my late mother vassa who died on October 16 1988 from a brain aneurysm in her sleep at 38 years old, some 34 years ago which I remember because I was 16 at the time when I found her dead body. But now alone in my apartment love watching the show on dvd and remembering him and Glad that I'm still here. Thanks

[@dwightdodd3734]

EVERYONE on this show was SPECTACULAR !!!!!!!!!!!!!! And the writers made the show !!!!!!!!!

[@David-lx4yb]

One of the best shows in television history!!!

[@margricks]

I LOVED THIS SHOW! It was innovative, quirky and the characters were adorable. Even Herb, the horndog, gets a good mention here!!!

[@DestinyPifer]

I loved this show so much!! Loved Johnny Fever, Venus Flytrap and Bailey Quarters.

[@massimocometti6529]

Had a huge crush on Bailey.......

[@marcpeterson1092]

@@massimocometti6529 Much better looking the Jennifer. More real.

[@maryvalentine9090]

0:25 Oh my word! Venus looks so incredibly handsome in that tailored suit! I do believe I have the vapors! 🤯🫨😵‍💫🤗

[@kindredspirit3875]

"HAVE THE VAPORS" thank ya😮 have not heard dat in a" DAY"

[@tut2507]

Best sitcom of all time. Well done

[@DaveNarn]

Thanks, I agree! Great avatar btw.

[@karenbrown2135]

I loved this show. I still do.

[@atlasking6110]

"Tonight in that booth you're gonna become a star." "Starting tonight I'm a plant that eats bugs." - The writing on this show was off-the-charts!

[@raymondrosario9893]

I loved watching KRP when l was a teenager...love seeing these clips

[@DaveNarn]

I was hoping they would get a 5th season. 'Open All Night' was another good show.

[@LoneLee2022]

@@DaveNarn I remember that show!

[@kt9166]

Nicely put together! Venus is on the rise, my children!

[@rangerwolfhound]

70s & 80s shows where great ...i miss them all.....airwolf, knight rider, the jeffersons, archy bunker

[@jamest1148]

I remember Mama as the ghostly social worker/guidance councilor in Beetlejuice.

[@margricks]

Sylvia Sydney!!! Wasn't she a hoot???

[@JohnTurner313]

Loved this show when I was a kid!! Thanks for the memories.

[@heinleinreader]

This one and Murphy Brown were my go-to comedy shows in that era. I loved them more than MASH.

[@charleslindley1596]

one of the best shows in the 80's how I miss those days.I was much younger & felt good too !

[@HRConsultant_Jeff]

Such a great show for the times. I worked in radio and it rang so true.

[@mt3311]

Hair lady: "how is it going Andy" Andy: " hold my calls" funny as hell. Brilliant writing, minimalist, tight, and funny.

[@PistonBroke0001]

Watching these clips makes me think whatever happened to quality tv like this.

[@tejaswoman]

I had forgotten so much of his backstory! Watched the show faithfully as a kid, down to the details of the credits.

[@paulvickin5705]

It's still as funny now as it was then! One of my favorite shows!

[@dougpool4730]

Boy that takes me back. 👍👍👍

[@ianfinrir8724]

For someone who works the night shift, Venus was around a lot during the day.

[@NeoGee]

Time worked differently in the 70s, though that may have been the drugs

[@atlasking6110]

He was also later described as the #1 late-night DJ in New Orleans...but here, he was described as having been part time on Saturday mornings.

[@DUCKDUCKGOISMUCHBETTER]

The sharp division between day and night had not been invented yet by the early 80s. Back then, a few minutes or hours of one was followed by a few minutes or hours of the other. Later on, when computers got better, it was discovered that this was inefficient, and day and night were separated into two larger sections. I liked it better than old way myself. 😂✌️

[@richardm3023]

If you had women like Jan Smithers and Loni Anderson around, you'd be hanging out too.

[@untexan]

It’s never said exactly when his on-air shift is but he probably didn’t go past like 9:00. He could have been hanging out in the office in the early afternoon (remember he was also assistant program director). And he didn’t need time to date because he brought his dates up to the station.

[@crankychris2]

I like the way you edited these, you should do more of them.

[@DaveNarn]

Thanks! I’ve been sharing these quotes and bits like you might do with a few of your friends. Glad you like them.

[@Nelle-uj3eg]

Revisiting my youth seeing these old TV shows! They had some great ones!📺❤😊

[@ryanbarker5217]

momma was also juno, the case worker in 'beetlejuice.' she was a cutie back in the day.

[@oxxnarrdflame8865]

I’d forgotten how hilarious that show was. 😄

[@mikey6214]

One of my favourite shows from the 70s Was young at the time. But enjoyed it anyway. Was the talk at school the next day.

[@lineshaftrestorations7903]

WKRP was one of those ensemble cast shows that was polished to a high shine. This show should have lasted longer in its original form. I never saw the reboot.

[@jucarcan]

There was a reboot?

[@lineshaftrestorations7903]

It was called "The new wkrp in Cincinnati".

[@Laceykat66]

@@jucarcan It was good but too expensive for its ratings.

[@ricsithompson6671]

The re-boot was OK, a few fresh storylines peppered among completely rehashed from the glory days.

[@NateGerardRealEstateTeam]

Just got a WKRP shirt for Christmas!

[@DaveNarn]

Cool!

[@manny4552]

Nice

[@BulldogGTX-i2f]

I absolutely love all these quirky characters!

[@NathanWind99]

Lots to love with this show but that end credits music was so hot. Seriously underrated.

[@markoman5267]

Tim Reid and Tom Dreesen worked together as a comedy duo back in the sixties.

[@CHUCKSNORRIS]

The 70's WAS the best.

[@hughsweer9733]

OMG, momma is the administrator in Beetlejeuce.

[@matthewmicelli6674]

Juno!

[@thereisnospoon52]

This is great, one of the few sitcoms that's actually funny.

[@DM-rock-n-roller]

Jennifer was the one you'd go clubbing with, but Bailey was the one you'd (I'd) take home to meet mom and start a family. this was a cast that really made the concept work! -- my favorite episode? the funeral home ads.

[@Ken-hc7hi]

When this show first aired, the characters started as caricatures; they were played broard and silly. But then the show got smart and really added depth to the personas. By season four, it didn't make sense that the cool, first season "Venus Fly Trap" character used to be a teacher named Gordon Sims. So, this episode is unique. For a sitcom to "fix" or explain the character arc (season one to season four) was really unheard of during the 70s/80s. Show runners back then assumed audiences would just forget that Richie Cunningham had a brother (Chuck) or that Shirley Feeney used to have an accent. You have to credit this smart show to go back and account for their welcomed changes.

[@randellgribben9772]

this was and still is a great show

[@rah2287]

How I miss those days.

[@dennisniemier3024]

Was a great show back in the day !

[@stevewarren4813]

Venus goes through the door and his beard is mostly gone. Magic!!

[@dawnkindnesscountsmost5991]

I'm _just now_ recognizing Momma Carlson (in the pilot episode) as Sylvia Sydney, who also played the no-nonsense case worker in Beetlejuice. I watched WKRP after high school in the 80s. I saw Beetlejuice in the theater a few times, in 1988. Whoosh! Yes, I can be slow on the uptake. 😂

[@melissafields3376]

I loved watching this growing up! I wanted to be Bailey!

[@laurabentzinger200]

Different momma I didn't remember this one it great it makes me chuckle so much!

[@beverlyaten1775]

😂🤣😂😅🤣😂😅this needs to be on the re runs channel! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@ctwash2009]

They don’t make em like this anymore!

[@samzavinful]

Best episode ever is the one where they are drinking on air with the DR and Venus and a OSP trooper. After like 6 or 7 rounds the bell rings... And Venus says "There off". To this day when ever I hear a bell ring - thats what I say and I always get strange looks with that punchline.

[@vassa1972]

Great series

[@amiblueful]

This was a great show. It should have gotten greater appreciation.

[@rogerwillis7692]

Jan Smithers! (Bailey Quarters)

[@larrygilbert7273]

Tim Reid was so good. Loved him in "Frank's Place," too.

[@DaveNarn]

I really liked Franks Place too, from the episodes on YT. Wish they would release a box set

[@markdanielczyk944]

Well written and brilliantly cast show!

[@rickschmidt1027]

i miss shows like this

[@markdagostino9666]

What a great series!

[@mom42boys]

The funniest sitcom ever made. ❤❤❤

[@radioactive9861]

LOVED this show!!!!

[@stockvaluedotcom]

I loved this show.

[@donstaples4812]

I like Venus's hat!

[@richardharepax123]

That's why I really miss the show

[@kingbeauregard]

"Venus Rising" is an EXCEPTIONAL name.

[@mazukakai]

Love this stuff, but wished you'd included the "Mr. Claptrap" bit with Les👍

[@DaveNarn]

Oh my gosh, I forgot about that one, lol

[@dont-want-no-wrench]

70's hair baby

[@jelt110]

I wish my name was Venus. This was epic.

[@kajem575]

I was in a couple cover bands in the early/mid 80's w/ a couple of guys,they have a bro. named Tim, TIM REIDS doppleganger. It never occurred to them until they met me and I pointed it out. (Odd I know). Of course I always called him VENUS and used lines from the show on him.😆 Great bunch of guys. Good friends. One went on to be the DRUMMER for RARE EARTH (FLOYDD STOKES JR.) for 30 yrs. until the recent death of GIL BRIDGES in 2021. 🙂✌️❤

[@JohnCritch-tf4mb]

When the state trooper had Johnny and Venus do a sobriety test on air. So many unforgettable episodes

[@flagcoco69]

You left out the best line in the set, when Jennifer asks Venus Are you Earth, Wind, or Fire?

[@mariaweston5477]

This show doesn’t need laugh tracks. They’re so annoying. The show stands on it own. Very funny still.

[@Williestyle-RobotechxMacross-x]

Looking through the comments, no one thought of the one thing that linked so many of these great sit-coms and other tv shows of this era : Mary Tyler Moore productions. Not only a stellar actress in her own original tv shows, but a great producer and "talent scout" of creators, writers, and producers that made other good shows. r. i. p. Mary Tyler More may her memory be a blessing

[@rodneymacomber6337]

WKRP back to back with welcome back Carter the late was the Johnny Carson Show.

[@donovanmedieval]

They didn't show the conversation with Mrs. Carlson in Arthur's office, that was shot for both episodes, once with each of the actresses who played her.