[BC] WKRP

[SHAFFER, RANDY L]

Scott wrote -
(snip)
>As for inspiration, I've heard a bunch of stories, including the 
>not-completely-credible one that one of the writers had worked at WAXC here 
>in Rochester, and that the show was almost called "WKRP in Rochester." From 
>what I've heard of the old WAXC, it certainly could have inspired 'KRP. But 
>then, that's probably true of *any* market...

My apology for being so late on this. I've been out of the office for a few days.

The rumour that had circulated in this market, was that one of the writers had worked for one of the Susquehanna stations in Ohio, either WHLO or WHLQ, (I think) but it could have been one of the others, I think we had 4 or 5 stations in Ohio at one time.  Some of the story lines were said to have come from experiences there.
 
Art Carlson, was head of the radio division. Back in the 60's the corporate CEO's mother had been the primary investor. 
The stories claimed that Mr. Carlson sued the production company and had some sort of settlement. I don't know if any of that was true. I do know that as far as my interactions with him, Mr. Carlson's personality wasn't anything like the television Mr. Carlson. Although, he did have a unique desktop telephone that always caused comments. 

I think the important part of WKRP was that it could have been any of a number of small stations across the country. That is what made it successful, at some level, everyone could relate to it.

Randy Shaffer
WLYH-TV/WHP-TV
Harrisburg, PA