So just sit right down, relax, open your ears real wide and say, "Give it to me straight, Doctor. I can take it!"
When a Cincinnati radio station switches from sedate music to top-40 rock 'n' roll, its staff of oddball characters is forced to switch gears quickly. New programming director Andy Travis brings in a new DJ named Venus Flytrap to work with the station's burned-out veteran, Dr. Johnny Fever. Neurotic newsman Les Nessman, eager beaver Bailey Quarters, sleazy salesman Herb Tarlek, blonde bombshell Jennifer Marlowe, who serves as the station's ultra-capable receptionist, and station manager Arthur Carlson, whose domineering mother owns WKRP, round out the eccentric bunch.
For Love or Money (1) 5.0
Air date: 1979-09-17
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Johnny forgets about his date with Bailey when he gets a call from Buffy, his old girlfriend from California. He borrows Jennifer's apartment to impress Buffy; however, that plan ends when she tells him she's suing him for palimony.
For Love or Money (2) 5.0
Air date: 1979-09-24
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Johnny calls his friends over to Jennifer's apartment to help him deal with Buffy and her threat of a lawsuit. Buffy arrives and, after having a drink with Johnny, tells him that she put poison in his drink.
Baseball 5.0
Air date: 1979-10-15
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: The staff plays against the team from rival station WPIG in a softball game.
Bad Risk 5.0
Air date: 1979-10-22
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Herb starts selling insurance as a sideline, and sells a comprehensive policy to Les, who promptly has an accident.
Jennifer Falls in Love 5.0
Air date: 1979-10-22
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: For the first time in her life, Jennifer is in love, with a penniless but handsome repairman who turns out to be even more of a gold digger than she is. Meanwhile, Les tries to get a raise, and Johnny becomes convinced that he's the man Jennifer is in love with.
Carlson for President 5.0
Air date: 1979-11-05
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Mr. Carlson runs for Cincinnati City Council. When Bailey discovers a potentially damaging piece of information about the front-runner in the election, Mr. Carlson considers using that information in a televised debate.
Mike Fright 5.0
Air date: 1979-11-12
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: During a citywide garbage strike, Johnny jokingly suggests that his listeners dump their garbage on the steps of City Hall. The joke is on him, and the station, when hundreds of listeners take him seriously. Johnny becomes aware of his power and develops a serious case of mike fright.
The Patter of Little Feet 5.0
Air date: 1979-11-26
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Mr. Carlson's wife Carmen announces that she is pregnant. Mr. Carlson is overjoyed, and certain that Carmen feels the same way. However, Mama Carlson points out the potential dangers of middle-aged pregnancy and recommends an abortion.
Baby, If You've Ever Wondered 5.0
Air date: 1979-12-03
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: The new ratings book arrives, and WKRP has climbed from 16th to 14th place in the Cincinnati market. Everyone is happy about the gain except Andy, who knows that the station has not improved enough, in part because of his own unwillingness to fire incompetent employees like Herb and Les.
Bailey's Big Break 5.0
Air date: 1979-12-10
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: When WKRP needs an assistant news reporter, Bailey applies for the job and gets it. Les, who doesn't want to work with anyone, least of all a woman, tries to keep Bailey from going on the air.
Jennifer's Home for Christmas 6.8
Air date: 1979-12-17
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Jennifer tells her friends that she has nothing special planned for Christmas, and that she doesn't have a tree this year. Everyone begins to suspect that she might be alone for the holidays.
Sparky 5.0
Air date: 1979-12-24
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Mr. Carlson hires legendary baseball manager Sparky Anderson as the host of a new sports interview show. But when the show proves a complete disaster, it falls to Mr. Carlson to fire his hero.
God Talks to Johnny 5.0
Air date: 1979-12-31
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: When Johnny thinks he's heard God's voice talking to him, everyone, including Johnny, thinks he's going insane.
A Family Affair 5.0
Air date: 1980-01-07
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Andy's sister Carol visits Cincinnati, and Andy sets up a date for her and Johnny. But Carol winds up going out with Venus instead, and Andy becomes instinctively angry about it.
Herb's Dad 5.0
Air date: 1980-01-14
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Herb's father, a lifelong salesman who shares Herb's taste in clothes, runs away from the Shady Hills Rest Home and visits the station.
Put Up or Shut Up 5.0
Air date: 1980-01-21
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Bailey convinces Jennifer to accept a date with Herb in the hope that he'll get scared and back down.
The Americanization of Ivan 5.0
Air date: 1980-01-28
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Bailey and Les attend a press conference given by a group of visiting Russian hog experts. One of the Russians falls for Bailey and asks her to help him defect to the United States.
Les' Groupie 5.0
Air date: 1980-02-04
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Les goes out on a date with a female fan, who proceeds to move into his apartment and take over his life.
In Concert 5.0
Air date: 1980-02-11
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: At a concert by the Who in Cincinnati on December 3, 1979, eleven kids were trampled to death when the crowd rushed to get seats. The first part of this episode takes place before that concert; the second act takes place the day after, and presents the characters' reactions to the tragedy.
The Doctor's Daughter 5.0
Air date: 1980-02-18
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Johnny's daughter shows up and moves in, and Johnny has to decide whether to express his disapproval of the shiftless boyfriend she's brought along.
Filthy Pictures (1) 5.0
Air date: 1980-03-03
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Mr. Carlson convinces Jennifer and Andy to pose in bathing suits for a ""Surf's Up in Cincinnati"" poster. After the photo session, the photographer secretly takes nude photos of Jennifer while she's changing.
Filthy Pictures (2) 5.0
Air date: 1980-03-03
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Mr. Carlson convinces Jennifer and Andy to pose in bathing suits for a ""Surf's Up in Cincinnati"" poster. After the photo session, the photographer secretly takes nude photos of Jennifer while she's changing.
Venus Rising 5.0
Air date: 1980-03-10
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Venus is offered a job as program director of WREQ radio, but is disillusioned when he discovers how the station is run and why they want to hire him. Meanwhile, Herb circulates a rumor that he, too, has received a job offer.
Most Improved Station 5.0
Air date: 1980-03-31
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Everyone starts bickering after the station loses a broadcasting award.
