WKRP In Cincinnati: The Complete Series Review (See Posts #218 & 356 for Info) (1 Viewer)

[rmos]

All the info you're providing is terrific, Brian, thanks so much!

With Jennifer's "Fly Me to the Moon" doorbell music now confirmed as intact, I'm most curious if the 'distant bugle' call from PATTON is present in Season 1's "Young Master Carlson", when Arthur Carlson tells his young son, as an incentive to attend, that there will be girls in public school.

Yes, the "bugle call" is present throught the episode.

 

[ChrisALM]

Thanks, Brian. You are doing an excellent review of this set. I appreciate your work on this.
Nothing I have heard so far will cause me to cancel my order. A few disappointments, yes, but I can live with them. Just hoping the rest of the series is in as good of shape as S1.

 

[Mr. Handley]

Nice job, Brian! I'm curious about how they handled the songs in "The Contest".

 

[Brian Himes]

Thanks so much. Will be happy to help when my set comes.

Thanks Matt. Your help will be greatly appreciated. If you want, could you handle the spot checking requests? That way folks won't have to wait days before I get to the episode or episodes that they are most concerned about.

 

[Matt.Koz]

Thanks Matt. Your help will be greatly appreciated. If you want, could you handle the spot checking requests? That way folks won't have to wait days before I get to the episode or episodes that they are most concerned about.

Would be glad to. I'll let you know as soon as my set arrives.

 

[Brian Himes]

Here are the next four episodes of season 1.

Mama's Review: No music edits. Running time: 25:08. The scene with Venus is intact and it seems to have the original music. I don't know what the song is, but Venus talks through the entire scene and there is no overdubbing. So, since Fox cut the scene on their season 1 set, I can't help but assume that this is the original scene as originally aired.

This episode does have one small imperfection. At the end, it fades to black (like it should) but then you hear the ending credits music, but Loni Anderson's credit is missing. You just see a black screen. The picture pops back in during Richard Sanders credit. This imperfection might be present on the original master tape and can't be corrected. It's just a minor thing but I thought I'd mention it.

A Date With Jennifer: No music edits. Running time: 25:07. There is an original generic bumper before the tag scene. Also there is a slight video imperfection during the scene in Andy's office just before Jennifer comes in with the new memo. It only lasts a brief moment but I wanted to mention it.

I gotta say here that having Hot Blooded back in the episode sure makes this episode so much better. Brilliant scene.

The Contest Nobody Could Win: No music edits. Yes, the original contest songs are all there. Running time: 25:08. An original bumper is used before the tag scene.

Ok, this is going to take some explaining. I'm not sure what happened here. There are some major edits to this episode. In the original version, just after the whole suits versus dungarees speech between Les and Herb, the scene cuts to Carlson's office and he's talking with Jennifer about the whole suits/dungarees thing. Then Andy comes in and says Johnny wants to pay back the $5000. The conversation between Andy and Carlson continues with mentions of putting Herb back in charge of promotions and Les back in charge of station publicity, Andy is to just program the music and also that the prize will be given out in cash and it's been promoted on the air all morning long. Herb and Les come in with the money. Jennifer then comes in and says the winner will be coming in early. The scene then changes to the lobby and the winner (Vincent Schiavelli) is there. He gets the money and meets Johnny just before he leaves. Johnny escorts him to his car. The real winner enters and the deception is revealed. Johnny then comes back with the cash and tells Carlson that he owes Johnny $12.50. Then the tag scene ending credits with Nicolette Larson's Lotta Love is heard and the next contest (underwear) and prize (lip gloss) is revealed. After that you get the standard ending credits with the usual ending credits music.

On the new set, after the suits versus dungarees speech with Les and Herb, the next scene is in Carlson's office and it's between Herb, Les, and Carlson. Lots of the dialogue is different then the original versions, but the points are basically the same. Herb and Les will be resuming some of their previous responsibilities, and the prize will be in cash. There is no mention of Johnny wanting to pay back the money. Andy leaves the office when the fake winner arrives. The fake is played by a different actor (John Wheeler). The fake doesn't meet Johnny nor does Johnny escort the winner to his car. The real winner comes in (in this version Jennifer is present during the reveal of the fake). Johnny does not get the money back. The next scene is the tag scene in the booth between Johnny and Venus. Johnny is borrowing money from Venus. It is revealed that Johnny has to pay the money back and it is not $5000 but $10,000. He plays a public service announcement asking for donations to help pay the winner his $5000. Johnny then announces the new contest (guess his underwear) and the prize (lip gloss). Standard ending credits with the usual ending credits music.

The only thing that I can speculate is that Shout used alternate scenes so they could edit out Lotta Love at the end and still preserve the underwear/lip gloss joke. It seems a bit of over kill to totally alter half of the second act of the episode to eliminate just one song. And a song that plays over the ending credits of the tag scene at that. Even more puzzling is the fact that the original scenes are on the Fox DVD. Very, very odd to say the least. I think that someone needs to have this addressed by Shout. Like I said, I'm not sure exactly what happened here.

Tornado: No music edits. Running time: 25:09. There is a bumper just before the tag scene. Les does play the Star Spangled Banner and not America The Beautiful. So, that scene is as it originally aired.

I'll be back later with the next four episodes.

 

[Brian Himes]

Here are the last three episodes on disc 2 and the first episode on disc 3.

Goodbye Johnny: The Beach Boys, Surfin USA is gone. The same generic surf music that was used on the Fox DVD is used again here. However, the song Johnny plays for his Cincinnati Snow Shoe Shuffle Stomp (love that) that Fox substituted with something else and used dubbed dialogue has been restored to the original version. No dubbed dialogue and the original tune (whatever it is) is present. Running time: 24:00. That seems a bit short, but I did compare it to the original broadcast version and that is the correct running time.

Johnny Comes Back: No music edits. Running time: 24:56. There is an original bumper just before the tag scene.

I forgot to mention that the picture quality for this episode is not as pristine as previous episodes. The picture has a bit of a soft quality to it and it seems to be slightly faded. So, it could use some color correction or restoration. It's not terrible. It's just not as crisp as the other episodes. Since this is the original full length broadcast version, I'm not going to complain. More than likely, this is the best version and only copy that exists.

Never Leave Me Lucille: No music edits. Les singing Heartbreak Hotel is there. Running time: 24:55.

I Want To Keep My Baby: No music edits. In fact, The Kinks (which were not on the list from Shout) song Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy is there. Running time: 24:45.

Only six more episodes of season 1 left. I will have those finished tomorrow.

 

[Mr. Handley]

Bummer about the "alternate" scenes in The Contest as this is one of my favorite episodes, but I'm glad that the original songs are there.

 

[AndrewCrossett]

So far I'm leaning toward getting this set... but depending on the edits to particular episodes, I'll alternate between watching these episodes and watching the ones I already have. It looks like a large majority of the episodes on this set will be OK, though.

That bit about "The Contest Nobody Could Win" is bizarre. I had no idea they even shot an alternate version of that scene with a different actor.

 

[Mr. Handley]

Here's a thought...perhaps "The Contest" version with John Wheeler is the original broadcast version and the other one with Vincent Schiavelli is the syndicated version??? It's been so long since I saw it in its original run that I'm just not sure. I wonder if anyone at Shout! knows the answer.

 

[HenryDuBrow]

That is indeed odd about the Contest scenes but should be interesting to see. The edited Hold Up booth scene (which I've always loved) is really darn upsetting to me, but it's still a set I'll be getting. Thanks Brian for all the checking on this release!

 

[JoeDoakes]

The only thing that I can speculate is that Shout used alternate scenes so they could edit out Lotta Love at the end and still preserve the underwear/lip gloss joke. It seems a bit of over kill to totally alter half of the second act of the episode to eliminate just one song. And a song that plays over the ending credits of the tag scene at that. Even more puzzling is the fact that the original scenes are on the Fox DVD. Very, very odd to say the least. I think that someone needs to have this addressed by Shout. Like I said, I'm not sure exactly what happened here.

So, someone finally came up with a reason to buy the Fox set. There's no prize, but you win the contest.

 

[Matt.Koz]

Got my set this morning and watching now. As Brian already said, picture is pretty darned good for a 70s show shot on videotape. I'm watching using an Epson 3020 projector on a 106" screen and it looks pretty great.As I offered before, if anyone wants me to check out a particular episode or scene, let me know the specifics and I'll do my best. BTW - for those curious about packaging, each season is in a standard sized DVD case and the Bonus features are on a separate disc in a slim case all housed in a sturdy cardboard slip box.

 

[Jaime_Weinman]

I've been collecting WKRP for years and I have never heard or seen of that alternate version of "Contest Nobody Could Win." I have a copy from a later CBS airing and it's the familiar version. You just keep learning new things!

Now, my CBS copy is only 24 minutes. The Shout! version is 25. Shout! is trying to use the longest available copies of the episodes, which explains this. There's no way they'd have edited in deleted scenes to get rid of "Lotta Love." It's just a whole alternate cut that nobody knew about.

WKRP sometimes did 25 and 24-minute versions for different time slots (its episode running times sometimes vary on how much time was available to them in that slot). It might be that they shot the new ending then, where Johnny saves the day? I have no idea - but it's entirely possible that this version might have aired at least once. Anyway I'm excited to get it.

I guess we'll have to hang on to our Fox DVDs to keep the familiar scenes from that episode. I'm sure Shout! would have included both versions had they known about it, but like I said, I'd never heard that they shot two versions and no one ever mentioned this before. I have no idea which version is the "real" one. You learn, you learn...

Anyway, I don't have this set yet so I appreciate all this information. I particularly appreciate Shout! made an effort to get the uncut versions of episodes that have always aired in cut syndication versions everywhere. (The syndicated version of "Date With Jennifer" was even used on a VHS release from MTM.)

 

[Guy Foulard]

Got my set this morning and watching now. As Brian already said, picture is pretty darned good for a 70s show shot on videotape. I'm watching using an Epson 3020 projector on a 106" screen and it looks pretty great.As I offered before, if anyone wants me to check out a particular episode or scene, let me know the specifics and I'll do my best.BTW - for those curious about packaging, each season is in a standard sized DVD case and the Bonus features are on a separate disc in a slim case all housed in a sturdy cardboard slip box.

Wow, this sounds great! I haven't expected to ever get a perfect WKRP release since the terrible Fox version came out, but it sounds like we got the best version we were going to be able to get, so I'm very happy (though i don't have it yet--just wiaing for my Amazon pre-order). It's a bit like watching a film that is constructed from available elements--you accept the imperfections.

 

[Brian Himes]

I've been collecting WKRP for years and I have never heard or seen of that alternate version of "Contest Nobody Could Win." I have a copy from a later CBS airing and it's the familiar version. You just keep learning new things!

Now, my CBS copy is only 24 minutes. The Shout! version is 25. Shout! is trying to use the longest available copies of the episodes, which explains this. There's no way they'd have edited in deleted scenes to get rid of "Lotta Love." It's just a whole alternate cut that nobody knew about.

WKRP sometimes did 25 and 24-minute versions for different time slots (its episode running times sometimes vary on how much time was available to them in that slot). It might be that they shot the new ending then, where Johnny saves the day? I have no idea - but it's entirely possible that this version might have aired at least once. Anyway I'm excited to get it.

I guess we'll have to hang on to our Fox DVDs to keep the familiar scenes from that episode. I'm sure Shout! would have included both versions had they known about it, but like I said, I'd never heard that they shot two versions and no one ever mentioned this before. I have no idea which version is the "real" one. You learn, you learn...

Anyway, I don't have this set yet so I appreciate all this information. I particularly appreciate Shout! made an effort to get the uncut versions of episodes that have always aired in cut syndication versions everywhere. (The syndicated version of "Date With Jennifer" was even used on a VHS release from MTM.)

Jaime, just and FYI, I think it is your blog that I'm using as a reference for the uncut original versions of each episode. If that is indeed your blog, I totally appreciate all of your work in presenting the original version of this show. If it wasn't for your blog, I'd be lost in reviewing this set.

As for the alternate version of The Contest, what I think happened is that the episode was filmed and completed as it appears on the Shout set. Then for some reason, the director, producer, creator (Hugh) or the writers felt that it was a bit on the flat side. So, they rewrote it, punched it up with a few more jokes and slightly restructured it. Thus we get the one that is on the Fox set (minus the Lotta Love tag scene). Who knows. I'm just speculating but it seems to make sense as the one on the Fox set is much more funny. However, the one on the Shout set has its merits too. Johnny's announcing of the new contest is longer and a bit more amusing. He states that a couple of the previous guesses are wrong. It's going to depend on the individual viewing the episode to decide which version they like better. I'm just glad Shout did go the extra mile to save the underwear/lip gloss joke.

 

[AndrewCrossett]

So judging by the Pink Floyd scene in "Turkeys Away," it looks like they did find a way to replace music without re-recording dialogue?

That's great... it's what I'd hoped they would do. But I'm a bit disappointed they left out the dialogue references to Pink Floyd. They must have been nervous about legal repercussions for falsely IDing a piece of music. I wouldn't have thought it would be a problem, but I guess Shout probably has lawyers who know better than I do.

 

[Brian Himes]

Here are the next four episodes of season 1.

A Commercial Break: No music edits. Herb reciting the lyrics to Sing by the Carpenters is there. Also Johnny's quick refrain of So Long is there. Running time: 24:45. There is a generic bumper just before the tag scene.

Who Is Gordon Sims?: No music edits. Running time: 24:55. There is a generic bumper just before the tag scene.

I Do, I Do...For Now: No music edits. As stated earlier, Jennifer's Doorbell (Fly Me To The Moon) is present and so are the two songs by Hoyt Axton. Running time: 24:49.

Young Master Carlson: No music edits. The theme from Patton is present. Running time: 24:56. There is a generic bumper just before the tag scene.

All four of these episodes appear to be 100% original broadcast versions.

Ok, off to finish season 1 and start season 2.

 

[Mr. Handley]

What's interesting about "The Contest" is that I've found a couple of references on tvguide.com to John Wheeler being in the guest cast for this episode. I'll have to wait until I see this "new" version but I still think it's possible that this is the original broadcast version (perhaps just shown that one time). I remember when I first saw this episode in syndication that something didn't seem "right" about it, but it was so long ago I just don't remember. Oh well, either way it sounds like this set is even better than most of us had anticipated!

Kudos to Brian for the updates.

 

[Raoul Plager]

Matt, can you spot check a couple things when you get a chance?

In the episode Mike Fright from the second season, did the Sly and the Family Stone track "Remember Who You Are" make the cut? Sly wasn't on the song list that Shout released. Fever mentions the band and the tune so if they weren't able to license it (thanks, MJ), I'm guessing that would have been edited out.

Also, can you check if "Chances Are" by Johnny Mathis remains in the episode Les's Groupie, also from the second season? Would be a shame if that was cut (Les's only record!).

Another important one would be "I Am Woman" by Helen Reddy which was used to hilarious effect in the episode A Family Affair, as part of the laid-back soul sound of DJ Apollo Flytrap, who was filling in for Venus (as improvised by Andy).

Also curious if "Once in a Lifetime" by Talking Heads was cut from the brilliant season three episode, "Real Families." Didn't see the Heads on the song list so guessing yes.

Like others, I'm also curious if the Eagles song "The Long Run" (the hit Johnny played!) was cut from "The Doctor's Daughter," also in season two.

Thanks so much. Look forward to hearing more from you and Brian on this long awaited set.