It is now, after she has passed and after I have reviewed the blog years later, that I realized how few episodes were actually based around Jennifer Marlowe. I have maintained that Loni Anderson was a better actress than we remember her being - more sympathetic, more nuanced and funnier. Anderson was nominated for two Emmys for this role, but in going back through the show, I found she was used like a hidden weapon - someone who could come on screen for three minutes, destroy everybody and be put back on the shelf.
Take for example the two part episode “Filthy Pictures.” Network executives must have been ecstatic to get an episode in which poster beauty Anderson was going to appear in a bathing suit (along with beefcake Gary Sandy, no less!) But go back and this is an episode that features big juicy parts for Gordon Jump, Frank Bonner, Howard Hesseman and Jan Smithers rather than the woman that got viewers in the door. But remember the scene where Mr. Carlson tells her about the pictures and she says “What will my mother say?” It’s heartbreaking! It’s full of the emotion that will allow the others at the station to take stupid risks to help her out. The beauty might be what gets you in the door, but it is the warmth and personality that make them commit a felony for her.
The conceit of this character is “gorgeous blonde who is actually very smart.” Imagine a time where that would have been thought of as revolutionary. We now live in a television age in which beautiful blondes are often lawyers, doctors, judges, vampire slayers and more. Anderson does not get the recognition she deserves for helping to push that door open.
Loni Anderson, after the fame WKRP brought her, had a very complicated life, that for a long time was lived in the tabloids. I’m not here to talk about that - This is a WKRP blog. SO if you have been planning to remember Loni this week be rewatching a few episodes, here is where you should begin:
Writers: Joyce Armor & Judi Neer
Director: Linda Day
Original Air Date: February 14, 1981
This is Loni Anderson’s showcase episode, hands down. This is probably the one she received her Emmy nomination for that year. I originally wrote “She gets to be at her quip-y best, while also being very sensitive, crying… and caring for Mr. Carlson.”
The plot is that Jennifer jumps in to take over a new call-in talk show when the original host, Arleen, passes out just before going on the air. Jennifer gives fun, off-the-cuff practical advice to callers. But when one of the callers asks advice about a cheating husband, she calls back because the advice resulted in him beating her. Jennifer is distraught over the thought her quirky advice might have gotten someone beaten.
Anderson delivers the one-liners with crisp timing and the battered-woman story with sensitivity. Because there is a running time-jump gag throughout the episode, Anderson wears eight different outfits at the height of her fashionista status. It is a spotlight episode for a character that gets few full episodes, possibly because it was both written and directed by women.
#2) Ep. 74 - Jennifer & the Will
Writer: Blake Hunter
Director: Dolores Ferraro
Original Air Date: December 2, 1981
Legend has it this was supposed to be a two part episode in which Jennifer MARRIED the Colonel, who then would die on their wedding night. But in this version, her simply dies while they are out to dinner. It's been a running joke that Jennifer almost only ever dates older, wealthy men, but in this episode we see the other side of Jennifer: she really cares for the Colonel. She may be the only person in the episode who is genuinely upset that the man, not the millionaire, has died.
Anderson gives strength in dealing with the Colonel’s family, confusion in dealing with the WKRP staff and tenderness in mourning the Colonel.
#3) Ep. 19 - I Do, I Do... For Now
Writer: Tom Chehak
Director: Will MacKenzie
Original Air Date: April 23, 1979
This is the episode in which we learn some background about the sophisticated Ms. Marlowe. She was once just little Jennifer Elizabeth from Rock Throw West Virginia. So when an old flame shows up claiming they should get married, Jennifer says she is already married to Johnny, but then needs to keep up the charade through a dinner party,
To be honest, the highlights here are Hesseman and Bonner, reacting to the charade, But Anderson is often at her best when things are going wrong around Jennifer, and this is as bad (or good) as it gets.
Very Happy!
#4) Ep. 33 - Jennifer's Home for Christmas
Writer: Dan Guntzelman and Steve Marshall
Director: Rod Daniel
Original Air Date: December 17, 1979
This episode plays with the trope of the prettiest girl in school not being invited to the prom. Could Jennifer really be alone at Christmas? We get a chance to examine Jennifer Marlowe from many different sides on this occasion. Giddy Jennifer, planning a party and laughing at Mr. Carlson's corny jokes. Angry Jennifer, disappointed by her co-workers who aren’t in the mood to celebrate. Reluctant Jennifer, knowing how telling people she's taking orphans to Bethlehem sounds to regular working folks. Poignant Jennifer, touched at the outpouring of love from her friends.
It's a great character piece, but there are also many funny pieces here such as Venus as Santa and the parade of Christmas trees coming into her apartment.
Some Honourable Mentions: "Never Leave Me, Lucille" (Episode 15); "Most Improved Station" (Episode 45); "Who's On First?" (Episode 72); "Fire" (Episode 83); "To Err Is Human" (Episode 89)
