WKRP In Cincinnati - The Complete First Season

Being a huge music lover, one would think that I'd seen each and every episode of that late 70's/early 80's sitcom about the wacky shenanigans of an Ohio radio station. That has all changed with the Shout Factory release of "WKRP in Cincinnati - Season One", a collection of 22 episodes from the premiere season that made blonde bombshell Loni Anderson a star and gave new meaning to the name Venus flytrap.

Time has been somewhat unkind to the classic "WKRP in Cincinnati," if only for the dated music styles, clothes, and offbeat humor of the show. Yet this is also what gives the first 22 episodes their charm. We're introduced immediately to new program director Andy, played by Gary Sandy, who's a somewhat dead ringer for Matthew McConaughey. His decision to change the station's current boring format of classical music to a rock and roll station effects all shows of season one.

Crazy Johnny Fever (Howard Hesseman), shy Les (Richard Sanders), clueless manager Carlson (Gordon Jump), and lecherous Herb (Frank Bonner) are along for the ride and each gets his own unique starring episode. Most notably are the classic shows "Turkeys Away" and "Les on a Ledge," where Les gets accused of being gay and each character stand up for him. It's a daring episode for its time.

But Loni Anderson steals the limelight from her co-stars with her not-so-dumb approach to Jennifer, the sassy and outspoken receptionist that the male employees lust after. Naturally she uses it to her advantage and when she doesn't appear on an episode (like on the one called "Hold-Up"), it brings the show down a notch.

Shout Factory also has season two on the market of "WKRP" and hopefully the remaining 2 seasons are on their way.

"WKRP in Cincinnati - Season One"
DVD
www.shoutfactory.com