\nBefore we dive into the bloopers, we absolutely have to clear up how this legendary show got its name \u2014 something I had no idea about until recently.\n
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Did you know that WKRP in Cincinnati was practically named after\u2026 poop? Yup, you read that right! Creator Hugh Wilson spilled the beans to The Cincinnati Enquirer that WKRP was a cheeky nod to the word \u201ccrap.\u201d And why Cincinnati? Well, Wilson thought it just had a nice ring to it alongside the call sign.\n
Today, we know that WKRP became a huge success, but it was far from certain that it would become the iconic show it is now.\n
Even though WKRP in Cincinnati featured several well-known actors and had a relatively large budget, the show almost didn\u2019t survive its first season.\n
When it debuted in 1978, it faced some stiff competition, going head-to-head with Little House on the Prairie and Welcome Back, Kotter. Ratings weren\u2019t great, and CBS took it off the air after just eight episodes.\n
But fans, especially radio DJs, loved the show for its spot-on portrayal of the radio world, and the positive buzz convinced CBS to give it another shot.\n
When WKRP came back, it scored a prime time slot right after MASH,* which was a huge boost. This change let creator Hugh Wilson shift from over-the-top radio antics to more character-focused stories, giving the ensemble cast more room to shine.\n
The truth about the bandage detail\n
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There are plenty of funny details in the characters\u2019 clothes and props, if you just scratch the surface a bit.\n
In nearly every episode of WKRP in Cincinnati, the clueless news director Les Nessman is seen sporting a bandage somewhere on his body. Eventually, it\u2019s revealed that his mysterious injuries are due to having a very large dog at home.\n
However, the origin of this quirky detail comes from real life \u2014 actor Richard Sanders was injured just before filming the pilot episode in 1978 and had to wear a bandage on set. Embracing the moment, Sanders turned it into a signature trait for Les, adding a humorous touch to the character.\n
And here\u2019s another a fun detail to keep an eye out for if you rewatch WKRP \u2014 Les Nessman, a bachelor in the series, is often spotted wearing a wedding ring.\n
A soft spot for Herb Tarlek\n
The writers of WKRP clearly had a soft spot for Herb, as six out of the 22 episodes in season three focused on his character.\n
And if you remember Herb Tarlek, you know his fashion sense was something else\u2014 think wildly tacky suits. In one memorable episode, Put Up or Shut Up, Herb shows up in an especially outrageous outfit. Venus Flytrap then quips, \u201dSomewhere out there, there\u2019s a Volkswagen with no seats.\u201d Well, turns out that particular suit was made from the seat covers of an old Volkswagen.\n
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Interestingly, the role of Herb was originally offered to actor Rod McCary, but it was Frank Bonner who brought this iconic character to life. Even decades after the show ended, Herb Tarlek still holds the crown as the ultimate stereotype for \u201dunprofessional, bribe-taking, desperate salespeople.\u201d\n
The great Midwest palm trees?\n
In a hilarious twist from the third season, Herb Tarlek\u2019s family gets featured on the reality show \u201cReal Families.\u201d As the documentary crew films outside Herb\u2019s house and along his daily commute, sharp-eyed viewers might catch an unexpected sight\u2014palm trees lining the streets! Considering WKRP is set in Ohio, this is definitely out of place. The reason?\n
The show was filmed in sunny Hollywood, not the Midwest.\n
Tape Over Film: WKRP\u2018s musical magic\n
WKRP in Cincinnati was known for giving a spotlight to up-and-coming bands, and many artists have credited the show with helping boost their careers.\n
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Bands like Blondie, U2, The Cars, TOTO, The Knack, and Devo saw a surge in popularity after their music was featured on the series. Blondie, in particular, was so thankful for the show\u2019s role in making their hit \u201dHeart of Glass\u201d a smash that they gifted their Gold Record to the producers. It hung proudly in the WKRP bullpen during seasons 2 to 4.\n
The show\u2019s use of videotape instead of film played a key role in this musical magic. The rights to rock songs were much cheaper for a taped show, allowing the producers to feature a wider range of iconic tunes and give audiences an unforgettable soundtrack.\n
Refused to play the \u201ddumb blonde\u201d\n
One thing that really stands out when revisiting WKRP is how fantastic Loni Anderson was (and still is) in the role of Jennifer Marlowe, the \u201dbombshell\u201d receptionist.\n
Loni was determined not to play the typical \u201cdumb blonde\u201d character, and she certainly succeeded. Jennifer was sharp, confident, and even had a degree in journalism. But in Season 4, Episode 9, \u201cThe Consultant,\u201d Loni took a hilarious turn.\n
At Andy\u2019s request, she deliberately played up the \u201ddumb blonde\u201d persona to mislead a consultant about the true nature of the station\u2019s staff. It\u2019s one of those moments where Loni\u2019s comedic timing shines through in the best possible way.\n
The role as Jennifer Marlowe earned Loni Anderson three Grammy awards and made Loni Anderson a sex symbol almost overnight.\n
\u201cI think women loved the fact I was sexy and smart,\u201d she said. \u201cI know it sounds crazy to people today but in 1978, when we came on, not many women were doing both in comedy.\u201d\n
Farrah Fawcett gave her the job\n
Loni Anderson landed the role of Jennifer Marlowe after producers saw a poster of her in a red swimsuit, striking a pose reminiscent of Farrah Fawcett\u2019s iconic 1976 poster. Hugh Wilson, the show\u2019s creator, later explained that Anderson was cast not just for her physical resemblance to Jayne Mansfield but also for what he described as the \u201cinnocent sexuality\u201d of Marilyn Monroe.\n
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While those comments might have been meant as compliments, it\u2019s interesting to think about how much focus was put on her looks. Loni Anderson definitely brought a lot of depth to Jennifer Marlowe, breaking away from the typical \u201ddumb blonde\u201d stereotype. But it\u2019s still worth reflecting on how often the industry used a woman\u2019s appearance to define her worth, especially back then.\n
Turkeys Away was based on a true story\n
The iconic Turkey\u2019s Away episode, which aired in October 1978, remains one of WKRP in Cincinnati\u2018s most beloved and memorable moments. In this episode, station manager Arthur Carlson attempts to pull off what he believes will be the greatest Thanksgiving promotion in radio history: dropping live turkeys from a helicopter. \u201dTurkeys Away\u201d is often considered the show\u2019s finest episode, landing on many lists of the greatest television episodes of all time.\n
Interestingly, the plot of \u201cTurkeys Away\u201d is based on a true story. The creator of WKRP, Hugh Wilson, drew inspiration from Jerry Blum, a real-life general manager of radio station WQXI in Atlanta. Blum had staged a similar promotion where turkeys were tossed out of a pick-up truck in a Dallas shopping center parking lot. According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Blum recalled the incident in 1996, sharing that after the chaotic event, he jokingly said, \u201dI didn\u2019t know turkeys couldn\u2019t fly,\u201d a line that Carlson delivers nearly word-for-word at the end of the WKRP episode. As Blum humorously put it, \u201dThe public went nuts fighting over the turkeys.\u201d\n
The bloopers in Turkeys Away\n
As mentioned, WKRP is full of hilarious bloopers, many of which revolve around the turntable used at the radio station. For instance, there are moments where music is played even though the needle isn\u2019t on the vinyl.\n
And in the Turkey\u2019s Away episode, there\u2019s a classic blooper of this kind. If you look closely, you\u2019ll notice that the record labels change between takes when the burnt-out disc jockey Dr. Johnny Fever plays music.\n
And if you continue to look closely, there\u2019s yet another memorable moment in Turkey\u2019s Away. When Carlson and Herb walk into the station covered in turkey feathers, you can catch Gary Sandy, who plays Andy, trying hard not to laugh. It\u2019s a fun behind-the-scenes moment that shows just how hard it was to keep it together during such this wild scene.\n
The magic bullet hole\n
A fun blooper from the WKRP episode \u201cHolds Up\u201d in season one, after Bob \u201cBobby Boogie\u201d Burnat shoots the speaker, a \u201dbullet hole\u201d appears in the upper-left corner. However, when the speaker tips over, the hole falls off, revealing it was just a prop.\n
Another slip-up occurs when Burnat fires the Colt .45 and hands it to Johnny Fever.\n
If you pay close attention, you\u2019ll notice that the hammer is down, meaning the gun wasn\u2019t actually cocked and ready to fire. Normally, after firing a Colt 1911, the slide moves back to eject the spent shell and load a new round, which leaves the hammer cocked and ready. So, the hammer being down shows that the gun wasn\u2019t really fired after all.\n
Nessman\u2019s slip up\n
Les Nessman, WKRP\u2019s diligent newsman, proudly boasts about winning the \u201cBuckeye Newshawk Award\u201d five times. However, in a funny bathroom scene from the first season\u2019s \u201cFish Story,\u201d Les seems to forget his own achievement. Instead of confidently claiming five wins, he stumbles and says he\u2019s only won it twice. It\u2019s a hilarious slip that highlights Les\u2019s quirky charm and proves that even the most dedicated pros can have an off day.\n
A card game with a twist
\nWhile WKRP in Cincinnati is best known for its humor, it didn\u2019t shy away from serious topics. In the episode \u201cStraight from the Heart,\u201d Herb Tarlek grapples with the possibility of having heart problems, and his colleagues try to convince him to get tested.\nThis leads to a tense bet between Bailey Quarters and Herb, where the result of a card draw will determine if he seeks medical attention. Bailey confidently calls the card a \u201c4,\u201d but when it\u2019s shown on screen, it\u2019s actually a 2. Was Bailey caught up in the stress of the moment and misread it? Or was she bending the truth to push Herb toward making the right choice? Either way, the small slip adds another layer of tension to an already emotional episode.\n
WKRP\u2019s hidden signals
\nHere\u2019s another fun detail for WKRP in Cincinnati fans: Cincinnati actually has two radio stations with call letters similar to WKRP. One of them, WKRC, was an AM station with a \u201cmiddle of the road\u201d music format when the show first aired. Instead of seeing the show as competition, WKRC welcomed the attention, calling it the best (and free!) publicity they\u2019d ever had.\nAnd while WKRP aired on CBS, the towering transmission tower shown in the opening credits wasn\u2019t CBS-owned at all. It actually belongs to Cincinnati\u2019s NBC affiliate, WLWT.\n
Why WKRP was cancelled
\nDespite its cult status and loyal fan base, WKRP in Cincinnati never quite received the love and respect from CBS that it deserved.\nStarting midway through the second season, CBS began shuffling WKRP around its schedule, making it nearly impossible for audiences to keep track of when it was airing. This constant movement contributed to declining ratings and ultimately led to the show\u2019s cancellation.\n
Gary Sandy, who played the folksy, charismatic program director Andy Travis, was vocal about his frustration with the network\u2019s handling of the series.\n
\u201cI don\u2019t see how it could get ratings when they (CBS executives) moved it 17, 18 times. It was always someplace else. My mother and father used to have to call me to ask me what night it was on,\u201d he told NEA.\n
Tim Reid, Loni Anderson, Jan Smithers and Howard Hesseman arrive at WKRP In Cincinnati reunion in 2014 (Photo by Michael Tran\/FilmMagic)
\nHis sentiment was shared by many of the cast members, who were disappointed by CBS\u2019s lack of support. Fans, too, mourned the premature end of a show that had perfectly blended humor, heart, and rock-and-roll spirit.\n
However, WKRP wasn\u2019t entirely gone. In 1991, The New WKRP in Cincinnati premiered in syndication, giving fans a chance to revisit the beloved station.\n
The sequel series, created by Hugh Wilson, featured several familiar faces. Gordon Jump (Arthur Carlson), Richard Sanders (Les Nessman), and Frank Bonner (Herb Tarlek) returned as full-time cast members, while Howard Hesseman (Dr. Johnny Fever) appeared in a recurring role. Loni Anderson (Jennifer Marlowe) and Jan Smithers (Bailey Quarters) also made guest appearances, bringing a nostalgic charm to the reboot.\n
WKRP in Cincinnati wasn\u2019t just a sitcom\u2014it was a perfect mix of sharp humor, heartfelt moments, and a rock-and-roll vibe that resonated with audiences. The show\u2019s charm lives on, not just through its unforgettable characters and storylines but also through the hilarious bloopers that eagle-eyed fans still love to spot.\n
Whether it\u2019s a \u201cbullet hole\u201d falling off a speaker, record labels magically changing, or a sneaky palm tree popping up in Ohio, these little slip-ups only add to the show\u2019s timeless appeal. If you\u2019re a fan of laughter, heart, and a dash of classic rock, WKRP is always worth another watch\u2014and who knows, you might catch a blooper you missed the first time!\n
\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
There\u2019s a reason WKRP in Cincinnati remains one of the funniest shows to ever hit our TV screens. With its unforgettable characters, razor-sharp humor, and wildly entertaining moments, it\u2019s the kind of show you can watch over and over again\u2014and still laugh like it\u2019s the first time. Not long ago, I decided to revisit a\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":111827,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[670],"tags":[693],"class_list":{"0":"post-111821","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-news","8":"tag-news"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/inovatestory.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/WKRP-in-Cincinnati.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/inovatestory.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111821","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/inovatestory.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/inovatestory.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inovatestory.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inovatestory.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=111821"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/inovatestory.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111821\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":111829,"href":"https:\/\/inovatestory.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111821\/revisions\/111829"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inovatestory.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/111827"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/inovatestory.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=111821"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inovatestory.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=111821"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inovatestory.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=111821"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n\n\n\n\nWhile WKRP in Cincinnati is best known for its humor, it didn\u2019t shy away from serious topics. In the episode \u201cStraight from the Heart,\u201d Herb Tarlek grapples with the possibility of having heart problems, and his colleagues try to convince him to get tested.\n
This leads to a tense bet between Bailey Quarters and Herb, where the result of a card draw will determine if he seeks medical attention. Bailey confidently calls the card a \u201c4,\u201d but when it\u2019s shown on screen, it\u2019s actually a 2. Was Bailey caught up in the stress of the moment and misread it? Or was she bending the truth to push Herb toward making the right choice? Either way, the small slip adds another layer of tension to an already emotional episode.\n
WKRP\u2019s hidden signals And while WKRP aired on CBS, the towering transmission tower shown in the opening credits wasn\u2019t CBS-owned at all. It actually belongs to Cincinnati\u2019s NBC affiliate, WLWT.\n Why WKRP was cancelled Starting midway through the second season, CBS began shuffling WKRP around its schedule, making it nearly impossible for audiences to keep track of when it was airing. This constant movement contributed to declining ratings and ultimately led to the show\u2019s cancellation.\n Gary Sandy, who played the folksy, charismatic program director Andy Travis, was vocal about his frustration with the network\u2019s handling of the series.\n \u201cI don\u2019t see how it could get ratings when they (CBS executives) moved it 17, 18 times. It was always someplace else. My mother and father used to have to call me to ask me what night it was on,\u201d he told NEA.\n Tim Reid, Loni Anderson, Jan Smithers and Howard Hesseman arrive at WKRP In Cincinnati reunion in 2014 (Photo by Michael Tran\/FilmMagic) However, WKRP wasn\u2019t entirely gone. In 1991, The New WKRP in Cincinnati premiered in syndication, giving fans a chance to revisit the beloved station.\n The sequel series, created by Hugh Wilson, featured several familiar faces. Gordon Jump (Arthur Carlson), Richard Sanders (Les Nessman), and Frank Bonner (Herb Tarlek) returned as full-time cast members, while Howard Hesseman (Dr. Johnny Fever) appeared in a recurring role. Loni Anderson (Jennifer Marlowe) and Jan Smithers (Bailey Quarters) also made guest appearances, bringing a nostalgic charm to the reboot.\n WKRP in Cincinnati wasn\u2019t just a sitcom\u2014it was a perfect mix of sharp humor, heartfelt moments, and a rock-and-roll vibe that resonated with audiences. The show\u2019s charm lives on, not just through its unforgettable characters and storylines but also through the hilarious bloopers that eagle-eyed fans still love to spot.\n Whether it\u2019s a \u201cbullet hole\u201d falling off a speaker, record labels magically changing, or a sneaky palm tree popping up in Ohio, these little slip-ups only add to the show\u2019s timeless appeal. If you\u2019re a fan of laughter, heart, and a dash of classic rock, WKRP is always worth another watch\u2014and who knows, you might catch a blooper you missed the first time!\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There\u2019s a reason WKRP in Cincinnati remains one of the funniest shows to ever hit our TV screens. With its unforgettable characters, razor-sharp humor, and wildly entertaining moments, it\u2019s the kind of show you can watch over and over again\u2014and still laugh like it\u2019s the first time. Not long ago, I decided to revisit a\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":111827,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[670],"tags":[693],"class_list":{"0":"post-111821","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-news","8":"tag-news"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/inovatestory.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/WKRP-in-Cincinnati.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/inovatestory.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111821","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/inovatestory.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/inovatestory.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inovatestory.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inovatestory.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=111821"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/inovatestory.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111821\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":111829,"href":"https:\/\/inovatestory.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111821\/revisions\/111829"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inovatestory.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/111827"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/inovatestory.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=111821"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inovatestory.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=111821"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inovatestory.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=111821"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nHere\u2019s another fun detail for WKRP in Cincinnati fans: Cincinnati actually has two radio stations with call letters similar to WKRP. One of them, WKRC, was an AM station with a \u201cmiddle of the road\u201d music format when the show first aired. Instead of seeing the show as competition, WKRC welcomed the attention, calling it the best (and free!) publicity they\u2019d ever had.\n
\nDespite its cult status and loyal fan base, WKRP in Cincinnati never quite received the love and respect from CBS that it deserved.\n
\nHis sentiment was shared by many of the cast members, who were disappointed by CBS\u2019s lack of support. Fans, too, mourned the premature end of a show that had perfectly blended humor, heart, and rock-and-roll spirit.\n