There’s a reason WKRP in Cincinnati still makes people laugh decades after it first aired. With a cast of unforgettable characters, clever writing, and a charm that never fades, it’s the kind of show you can rewatch again and again—and still laugh like it’s your first time. I recently went back to binge a few episodes and found some truly hilarious bloopers and behind-the-scenes moments that made the show even more entertaining.
Before jumping into all the fun outtakes, it’s worth starting with how this classic show got its unusual name. Believe it or not, WKRP was almost a joke name—“KRP” was meant to sound like “crap.” The show’s creator, Hugh Wilson, admitted he chose it as a bit of a wink to radio call letters while giving it a playful twist. As for setting the series in Cincinnati? It just sounded good alongside the station name.
It’s hard to imagine now, but WKRP nearly didn’t make it past its first few episodes. Even with a talented cast and solid budget, the show struggled in ratings when it premiered in 1978, mostly because it was scheduled against popular hits like Little House on the Prairie and Welcome Back, Kotter. CBS pulled it after only eight episodes, but radio DJs and fans praised its spot-on portrayal of radio life. Their enthusiasm was enough to bring the show back, and when it returned in a better time slot after MASH*, the show really found its rhythm. Wilson also started focusing more on character development than over-the-top comedy, which gave the actors room to shine.
One small detail that turned into a running joke was Les Nessman’s constant use of bandages. In almost every episode, the accident-prone news director is seen with some sort of injury. The reason? Actor Richard Sanders had a real injury while filming the pilot, and instead of hiding it, the writers leaned into it. They gave Les a fictional large dog at home to explain the frequent wounds, and it became a quirky character trait. Another fun fact—Les often wears a wedding ring on the show, even though his character is single. It’s just one of those little things fans have spotted over the years.
Herb Tarlek became a fan favorite thanks to his loud clothes and over-the-top personality. The writers clearly loved him—he was the main focus in six out of the 22 episodes of the third season. One of his most outrageous outfits in the episode “Put Up or Shut Up” even came with a funny backstory. Venus Flytrap jokes that it looks like the seats from a Volkswagen are missing—and that’s exactly where the fabric came from. Herb was almost played by actor Rod McCary, but it was Frank Bonner who brought the flashy, clueless salesman to life. His over-the-top charm made him the go-to example of sleazy, desperate salespeople for years to come.
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One funny blooper can be seen in the third season when Herb’s family appears on a show called “Real Families.” The show is set in Ohio, but palm trees can be seen in the background. That’s because the show was filmed in California, not the Midwest. It’s one of those small but funny details that eagle-eyed viewers notice.
A big part of WKRP’s charm was its use of music. The show helped launch the careers of several bands like Blondie, U2, and The Cars. Blondie’s “Heart of Glass” became a huge hit after it aired on WKRP, and the band even gave the producers a gold record to thank them. That record was displayed in the station’s bullpen for a few seasons. One reason the show could use so much great music was that it was recorded on videotape rather than film, which made music licensing cheaper. That choice gave the show an unforgettable soundtrack and helped it feel fresh and modern.
Loni Anderson was a standout as Jennifer Marlowe, the beautiful but smart receptionist. Unlike many “blonde bombshell” roles at the time, Loni refused to play Jennifer as dumb. She brought charm, confidence, and wit to the character, even giving her a background in journalism. However, in one episode, “The Consultant,” she plays up the ditzy stereotype on purpose to trick an outsider. It was a clever performance that showed off Anderson’s comedic skills. The role made her a star and earned her three Grammy Awards. She once said that women appreciated seeing a character who could be both attractive and intelligent on TV—something that wasn’t common in the late ’70s.
Interestingly, Loni Anderson got the role in part because of a swimsuit poster. Producers saw her photo and thought she had the right mix of innocence and glamor. Creator Hugh Wilson said she reminded him of Marilyn Monroe with a touch of Jayne Mansfield. While Anderson brought much more than just looks to the role, her casting is a reminder of how much importance Hollywood used to place on appearance—especially for women.
One of the show’s most famous episodes, “Turkeys Away,” is still talked about today. In it, station manager Arthur Carlson plans a Thanksgiving promotion by dropping live turkeys from a helicopter. The chaos that follows is comedy gold—and it turns out it was inspired by a real event. Hugh Wilson got the idea from a story told by a radio manager in Atlanta who had a similar stunt go horribly wrong. His famous line, “I didn’t know turkeys couldn’t fly,” was nearly identical to the one Carlson says in the episode.
Even in this classic episode, there are some bloopers if you look closely. For instance, while Dr. Johnny Fever plays records, you can spot that the turntable needle isn’t touching the vinyl. The labels on the records also magically change between scenes. And when Carlson and Herb walk into the station covered in feathers, you can see actor Gary Sandy trying not to break character and laugh—it’s a small moment, but it adds to the charm.
Another goof happens in the episode “Holds Up.” After a character fires a gun at a speaker, a bullet hole appears. But when the speaker falls over, the hole slips off, revealing it was just stuck on. Plus, the gun itself isn’t shown in a way that matches how it should look after being fired, which shows that the scene wasn’t quite as real as it seemed.
Les Nessman also has a funny misstep in the episode “Fish Story.” He proudly boasts about winning the “Buckeye Newshawk Award” five times, but later slips up and says he’s only won it twice. It’s a funny moment that fits perfectly with his slightly clueless character.
While most episodes focused on comedy, the show wasn’t afraid to tackle serious topics. In “Straight from the Heart,” Herb fears he might be facing heart problems. His coworkers urge him to get tested, and Bailey makes a bet with him using a card draw. She calls it a 4, but it turns out to be a 2. Did she lie to help him make the right choice? Either way, it was a clever way to add emotional weight to the episode.
There’s another fun behind-the-scenes tidbit for fans. When the show aired, Cincinnati already had a real radio station called WKRC, and they loved the attention. The transmission tower shown in the opening wasn’t even CBS’s—it belonged to a local NBC station.
Despite its success, WKRP in Cincinnati struggled to stay on the air. CBS kept changing its time slot, which made it hard for viewers to keep track. Actor Gary Sandy, who played Andy Travis, said even his own parents had to call him to find out when the show was on. The lack of consistent scheduling hurt the ratings and eventually led to the show’s cancellation.
But that wasn’t the end. In 1991, The New WKRP in Cincinnati hit the airwaves with many familiar faces returning. Characters like Arthur Carlson, Les Nessman, and Herb Tarlek came back full-time, while others made guest appearances. The reboot gave fans another chance to visit their favorite station.
WKRP in Cincinnati wasn’t just another sitcom—it had heart, humor, and a rock-and-roll vibe that made it stand out. From its clever storylines to its unforgettable bloopers, the show continues to bring joy to longtime fans and new viewers alike. Whether it’s a falling prop, a surprise palm tree, or a sneaky laugh caught on camera, these little imperfections are part of what makes WKRP so timeless and fun to watch.
