Ep. 39 - The Americanization of Ivan

March 3, 2017

Story: Hugh Wilson
Teleplay: Dan Guntzelman and Steve Marshall
Director: Hugh Wilson
Original Air Date: January 28, 1980
^^^FAMOUSLY FUNNY^^^

"Hogs. Communists. Think about it!"

That is all Les needs to say, because in 1980, that's about as nuanced as U.S./Russian relations were to mainstream America. This episode's credits are that Hugh Wilson came up with the story idea of a Russian trying to defect to WKRP, but the regular story editors Guntzelman and Marshall actually wrote the script. We have seen throughout the history of WKRP that Wilson has very high ideals about the messaging he wants the show to bring into American homes, but in this case, the execution is pretty two-dimensional, whether you (or our characters) think Ivan is a hero or enemy.

I'm going to give some examples of where this episode falls down, but I want you to know now that I believe this is one of the classic WKRP episodes, and I'll explain why later on. So please bear with the negative first.

Why does the Russian delegation even bother to have a press conference in a Cincinnati conference room if only one reporter (and his babysitter) are going to show up? Where are the people who hand out the Silver Sow Award to Les every year? How can Ivan possibly get away from the delegation to meet up with Bailey? How can any of Venus' clothes fit Ivan? If Ivan defects to Cleveland, why would he never come back to visit Bailey? He wouldn't even have to cross state lines!

Let's count how many jokes are not about a Russian in America, but just jabs at any foreigners? The funny, slightly sweary last name of "Popa-son-of-a-something....," the way Andy slowly yells at Ivan as if he's deaf, all of the malaprops in Ivan's speaking.

We laugh at how uninformed and closed minded Les is in this episode. For someone who imagines himself a tough journalist,  he completely turns his back on the opportunity for a clandestine meeting with a possible defector. He projects every negative attribute he knows onto Ivan and Russians in general: they can't be trusted, they are trying to "pull" something, they are probably even (gasp!) all gay!.

However, the Dungarees side of the station also have their own misconceptions about Ivan. Andy introduces Ivan to Mr. Carlson as Russian, but then explains he is from Kiev in the Ukraine. Having some Ukrainians in my own family, I'll tell you they would not stand for being called Russian. The Dungarees are eager to show Ivan the most hedonistic parts of America: women, fancy clothes, "funny cigarettes." Most revealingly, when Ivan goes back to his delegation, Andy and Bailey very easily believe they are the ones that have been duped. Quickly, they are ready to believe the communist was lying to them.

Now, all the great stuff!

Welcome back Sam Anderson (see Ep. 14)! WKRP in Cincinnati's greatest guest star is back in what is, in my opinion, his best role of the series. It's so good, they name him Mr. Anderson! As the immigration officer/drone, he has the best line of the show in "There are a lot of things you can't do in Cincinnati... That's one of them."

This episode was a famous example of not having the licensing rights for songs when it went into syndication because one particular Elton John song plays such a prominent role. (see the "Other Notes" at the end for most about this) The Shout Factory box set corrects this and it makes the laughter make sense.

Bailey is a sex object! Okay, so that's probably not so great in retrospect but for a character that never gets shown in that light, especially next to Jennifer, it comes across as more sweet than threatening. A lot of humour is rung out of Ivan's infatuation. Bailey really is the kind of "blue jean baby" Elton might be singing about in "Tiny Dancer."

Les starts the episode commenting about Detente, and Hugh Wilson is trying to beat home the point that we won't really get to a detente until we see the Soviets as people and not caricatures. Ivan Popasonaviski may not quite be that three dimensional profile Wilson was looking for, but he is a memorable and beloved piece of WKRP history.

Other Notes: character actor Michael Pataki played Ivan. Ironically born in Ohio, he carved out a bit of a niche playing Russians, most famously as Drogo's manager in Rocky IV. Also, in the year this episode came out, he was a regular in a short-lived sit-com about a Russian Olympian who defects to the U.S. (remember, 1980 was the year of the boycotted Olympics in Moscow) called "Phyl and Michy." And if you wonder how I remember so much about a 37 year old sit-com like WKRP, I will tell you I ALSO remember watching "Phyl and Michy!"

The scene in the hallway in which Johnny talks to Andy about "funny cigarettes" was cut from syndication. It's not that funny anyway.

Elton John famously was the first western pop musician to play in the USSR, in May 1979.

Because of the licensing rights, even those times that Ivan quoted the song "Tiny Dancer" had to be dubbed out for syndication. So ridiculously, in the final scene in which Ivan holds Bailey and looks into her eyes, a voice that is definitely not Michael Pataki's coos the phrase "Hold My Order, Terrible Dresser."  This has became the title of the best WKRP in Cincinnati podcast in the world. If you have read this far, you need to start listening to the Hold My Order Terrible Dresser Podcast on Itunes here: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/hold-my-order-terrible-dresser-wkrp-in-cincinnati-podcast/id1047286425?mt=2&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
If you do, let them know I sent you!

Roy