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Almost any show with a blonde bombshell - one with a great gift for comedy - will appeal to me. And practically everyone, in the US anyway. How about a tacky salesman, a loveable buffoon of a father figure, a smooth ladies man? Sounds like any ole 'typical' and 'bad' American sitcom, right? Full of stereotypes, and too many cliches... But the show that I am referring to isn't that way. Really. It dealt with 'the serious issues of the day' -- job security, union dealings, sexuality, relationships & marriage, bomb threats & violence, drugs, race relations, to name a few -- indeed, issues of 'today.' On the surface, it seems odd if not impossible, that these seemingly one-dimensional characters could produce 30 minutes of anything other than a grimace or at best some slap-stick comic relief to political & social issues such as these. But no. This was television in it's finest moments. The writers & cast created a dynamic of humanity, of people as individuals and as a unit, to approach these topics, and each other, with warmth & humor. And it was these two elements that allowed the show & its characters to reach us, the viewers.
One of the stars said it best: The cast member was Howard Hesseman; the show, WKRP in Cincinnati.
 Where are the cast members today?
Gary Sandy was Andy Travis -- the kid brother, the hard-working guy who held it all together. A good-looking guy, with an always-at-the-ready-smile, and the ability to think too. Almost too good to be true, yet over time, you'd see his vulnerability...
Howard Hesseman was Johnny " Dr. Fever" Caravella, morning disk jockey. Proof that the hippie drug culture was not gone, I guess he'd be the 'troubled son' of the family... Hesseman is a genius. If you disagree on this, get examined, really. (Starting with his role on The Bob Newhart Show (1972-78), through his role as Ann Romano's third husband on One Day at a Time, to the high school teacher on Head of the Class... You name it, I ate it with a big spoon.) Hesseman was most recently seen in About Schmidt. I am sure, and hopeful, this is not that last of Hesseman.
I am also a huge fan of Reid. After WKRP, he had a fantastic show called Frank's Place (one of my all-time-favs - EVER), a detective show with his wife (Daphne Maxwell Reid) called Snoops and he continues to produce, act & direct today. (Just, please, ignore Sister, Sister - the girls love it, but...) Richard Sanders was Les Nessman, the band-aid wearing, nerdy newsman. He was the conservative, bumbling, shy, 'odd' uncle. Unlike many an odd uncle, Sanders showed us the humanity beneath the easy-to-mock. Perhaps this is why he is still one of the most beloved characters of the series... Other places you may have seen Sanders are: the cult-80's-classic-film, Valley Girl (as the Drivers' Ed. Teacher), Knots Landing (as Harry Nold), & in Batman Beyond (as Mr. Deakins). He also wrote tv's short-lived The Famous Teddy Z, and was most recently seen in Rose Red, where he appeared uncredited.
It would have been all-to-easy for Bonner to play Frank as 'the guy you love to hate,' but instead, Frank was crafted into a looser you could pity, & even pull for. Bonner did direct a few WKRP episodes, & when the series ended, Bonner stuck with directing. He directed episodes of Who's the Boss?, Harry & the Hendersons, Evening Shade, City Guys & others, & seems to like shows with WKRP family members, including Head of the Class & The Famous Teddy Z. He was last seen in City Guys as Jake. Jan Smithers was Bailey Quarters, the young, ambitious yet uncertain, assistant. She was the dutiful daughter struggling to find herself, & to female viewers 'me on tv.' Bailey was a woman trying to have a career, sure of her abilities, if not herself. Many women identified with her & her struggles to find herself & her way. In my opinion, the potential romantic interest between Bailey & Andy was a prelude to Diane & Sam on Cheers - yet more effective, as they never 'got together.' It was a sweet tease of 'what if,' mixed with a bit of hope... Perhaps with all the women's lib issues, we somehow knew Bailey could or would never date her boss - and in fact, though we knew she was lonely, she didn't 'need a man' to be complete... While many still think of Bailey, and the actress who played her, it seems Smithers didn't do much more acting. Her last recorded role was in Mr. Nice Guy in 1986.
If Les & Herb were the male 'Ying & Yangs,' Bailey & Jennifer were "The Ginger and Mary Ann." Sure, Bailey, like the rest of the women who watched, could have, should have, hated Jennifer for being so darn capable, pretty - perfect - but Bailey didn't & neither did 'we.' Perhaps because of the times, women responded to a woman working, so Bailey & female viewers felt the bond of 'all working women.' Or perhaps it was Jennifer's charm that worked on everyone. I think it was at least partly that Jennifer had a vulnerable side too. For as perfect as she was, as perfect as her life seemed, she was also as real as anyone else. She had loneliness, insecurities, needs & wants. Maybe they weren't on the same base level as 'us' all the time, but we could still identify. That, and Anderson's gift of comedy. Timing is everything, and Anderson has it. She also gave the character of Jennifer a tone which said she was laughing 'with' not 'at.' Unlike later beautiful, capable working women, such as Joan Collins's Alexis Carrington character in Dynasty, Jennifer was to be admired. If Bailey was 'who we were,' then Jennifer was 'who we wanted to be.' I'd like to believe Anderson had some control or say in this. She certainly possessed the gift for comic timing, so why not believe she put more into the role than a nice rack, a pretty face, and a wiggle? I hope Loni will be remembered for more than her blonde bombshell image -- & her marriage/divorce of Burt Reynolds... Seems time will tell... Recently Anderson had roles in tv's remake/updating of the classic Three Coins in the Fountain, A Night at the Roxbury, & The Mullets tv series. While I do long for a reunion (with the actual cast members, not the feeble attempt done in the early 90s), it might remain best to let WKRP, and the good folks who made it, live on in our memories...
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Gordon Jump was Arthur "Big Guy" Carlson, aka the loveable father figure. He had a role in almost everything ever made on tv: Seinfeld, Married ... with Children, Caroline in the City, Empty Nest, Baywatch, Soap, The Incredible Hulk, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Partridge Family, Love, American Style, The Rockford Files, McMillan and Wife, The Bionic Woman, Starsky and Hutch -- 
Today, it seems, 
Tim Reid was Tim Reid - Gordon "Venus Flytrap" Sims, night dj. Reid first refused this role as 'official token black,' but agreed once he could help flesh-out the role more. A smooth ladies man, hip & ultra cool, Reid's character was sublime, even as his wardrobe was loud.
Frank Bonner was Herb Tarlek, annoying station salesman. If Les was loveable, Herb was irritating. If Les was unassuming, Herb was a poser. Smarmy & trashy, Herb was the Yang to Les' Ying.
Loni Anderson was Jennifer Marlowe, sexy, perfect, assured secretary. She was the classic blonde bombshell, with a twist - she was smart & capable. Instead of this being an alienating experience for women, who should have loved to hate her, Anderson made Jennifer charming.
