The reason most people buy DVDs anymore is for the extra bonus features. It's why we don't just download everything... usually.
So it is with the new "WKRP in Cincinnati" DVD box set that, along with all the other joys it provides, there is a disc of bonus features. So since we have come to the end of reviewing Season One, I thought I would look at one of these features.
The featurette "A "Fish Story" Story" first appeared in the Season One WKRP box set that was released in 2007 ("The Black Box") and I want to refer you now to my blog post from Ep. 21 - "Fish Story." At that time I went into detail about the story of writer Raoul Plager, who wrote this episode. I said in that blog: "any interview with Hugh Wilson, or members of the WKRP cast, will touch on the story of Raoul Plager." I realize now that where I had heard the story the most was from this featurette back in 2007.
Is this Raoul Plager?
Cast members Loni Anderson, Frank Bonner and Tim Reid, along with creator Hugh Wilson, tell the story of getting notes from CBS saying the show wasn't funny enough and they want a "Laverne and Shirley" type of script with more sight gags and more jokes. Hugh Wilson is furious and decides to show CBS the error of their ways.
The featurette begin with very somber music, underscoring the seriousness of WKRP's situation. The first sentence spoken has Loni Anderson using the word "bastard!" This is the lowest ebb in WRKP. The show might be cancelled and the solution CBS is offering seems to be a sellout of all the ideals Wilson and the writers are trying to create. What will they do??
As Tim Reid tells it, Wilson called everyone into the writers' room and said "I want everyone to tell me the worst cliche comedy thing they can think of." So they came up with ideas like Herb in a fish suit and Bailey in the men's room.
Of course, Wilson was so embarrassed by what they came up with, he used the pseudonym Raoul Plager for the writing credit. Frank Bonner says "Psychologically, I've tried to delve into "Raoul Plager" and I can't come up with anything."
But as Loni Anderson puts it, Wilson's idea backfired. "It got huge ratings and everyone was crazy about it." The popularity of this episode, still an audience favourite, helped get WKRP renewed. The dark, troubled tone from the beginning is gone and we are left with a fun antidote.
This piece is only about three minutes long and I would have much preferred to have Hugh Wilson and these cast members actually provide a commentary track to the episode. It's cute, but it's just one story. Also, as I've already pointed out, it's a recycled story from 2007.
So take this one for what it is and get ready for season two!
Roy
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