WKRP IN CINCINNATI: A COMMERCIAL BREAK (TV)
Summary
One in this series of comedy programs about the staff of a small radio station in Cincinnati. Herb is looking for advertisers for the station with little success until he gets in contact with Randall Ferryman, owner of a chain of funeral homes looking to advertise on the station. Mr. Ferryman meets with Andy and Mr. Carlson, who are soon unnerved by Ferryman’s somber presence and business terms, describing himself as a “volume dealer.” He hopes to advertise on WKRP so as to attract young customers to buy pre-laid cemetery plots. He asks the station to devise a new slogan and jingle; they are uncomfortable with the idea but are in need of the money, so they agree. The rest of the station staff has misgivings about advertising for the funeral homes. Instead of hiring singers, Herb elects to use the station’s own staff. They try recording the spot, but Mr. Ferryman keeps interrupting to offer suggestions. Eventually they satisfy him with an upbeat, “bouncy” jingle. Everyone is excited when the spot first airs, with the exception of Mr. Carlson. He brings Andy into his office and says that despite the money they stand to make from their deal, the advertisement is “in bad taste.” He wants to make a moral stand and admits to resigning the account. Mr. Ferryman offers him the first month’s pay in advance to change his mind, but Mr. Carlson stands firm. Herb enters and begs Ferryman to stay but this only serves to irritate Carlson. Andy hands Mr. Ferryman’s check back to him and politely asks him to leave. Andy indicates his respect for Carlson’s decision. Carlson decides not to fire Herb and invites him to lunch. The episode ends as Herb manages to land an advertising account with a tire company by repurposing the jingle they made for Ferryman. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: March 26, 1979 9:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:24:29
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:67639
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series - 1978-1982
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Hugh Wilson … Producer, Created by
- Rod Wilson … Associate Producer, Director
- Richard Sanders … Writer
- Michael Fairman … Writer
- Tom Wells … Music by
- Gary Sandy … Cast, Andy Travis
- Gordon Jump … Cast, Arthur Carlson
- Loni Anderson … Cast, Jennifer Marlowe
- Richard Sanders … Cast, Les Nessman
- Tim Reid … Cast, Venus Flytrap
- Frank Bonner … Cast, Hugh Tarlek
- Jan Smithers … Cast, Bailey Quarters
- Howard Hessman … Cast, Dr. Johnny Fever
- Fred Stuthman … Cast, Randall Ferryman