When Les jealously plagiarizes Bailey's initial draft of a partially fictional news story on air, the station's broadcast license is put in jeopardy.When Les jealously plagiarizes Bailey's initial draft of a partially fictional news story on air, the station's broadcast license is put in jeopardy.When Les jealously plagiarizes Bailey's initial draft of a partially fictional news story on air, the station's broadcast license is put in jeopardy.
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis 1982 episode was apparently based on an incident at the "Washington Post" from the previous year in which the newspaper fired reporter Janet Cooke for writing a feature story about a drug-addicted child living in Washington, D.C. In that case the article was about a fictional 8-year old boy named "Jimmy" who was purportedly a heroin addict. The article was called "Jimmy's World."
The story won the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing, but it was ultimately revealed to have been fabricated, resulting in the Post firing Cooke. Cooke voluntarily relinquished the prize (the only time this has happened in the history of the prize) and it was awarded to another reporter who had been nominated for the Feature Writing category.
- GoofsThe story that creates the drama upon which this plot is built, is more human interest than it is hard news. While the fundamentals of the story are true, using "Bobby" as the framework for what Bailey was trying to do would not, even then before deregulation, put the station's license in peril. At worst, they would have been given a written warning or a fine, but it would not be grounds for revocation. Thus, the expressed concern over WKRP's broadcast license was unfounded.
- Quotes
[first lines]
[with Johnny in the control booth with him, Les is delivering one of his commentaries on the air]
Les Nessman: And so, the delicate balance of the ecology is about to be upset again. And that which we have always taken for granted may no longer be. I refer of course to the lowly rutabaga. Experts predict that within this century, the rutabaga will disappear from the national diet. And why you ask?
Dr. Johnny Fever: [emphatically] Why?
Les Nessman: Consumer disinterest, apathy, and in some cases, believe it or not, open contempt.
Dr. Johnny Fever: [emphatically] No!
Les Nessman: And how did we arrive at this pretty pass?
Dr. Johnny Fever: Tell us, Les.
Les Nessman: There is no swede for my gloves off, no holds barred commentary. Rutabaga: the vanishing vegetable.
Dr. Johnny Fever: [grabbing his face in mock horror before raising his arms to God then grabbing Les in passion] Say Hallelujah, brother! I believe!
Les Nessman: Hallelujah!
- SoundtracksMustang Sally
(uncredited)
Written by Mack Rice
Performed by Wilson Pickett
[Johnny plays the song after Les' rutabaga editorial]