Forty years ago, the CBS sitcom Wkrp in Cincinnati left the airwaves after four seasons and 90 episodes, with program director Andy Travis (Gary Sandy) getting a cake in the face as a reward for turning the titular radio station around. That moment of slapstick TV comedy on April 21, 1982, wasn’t meant to be the last fans saw of the Wkrp crew, but CBS canceled the show two weeks later as it made room on its schedule for shows like Square Pegs and Newhart. Happily, the radio station made a comeback nearly a decade later in The New Wkrp in Cincinnati, but for many fans, there’s no substitute for the original. Now that we’ve reached the 40th anniversary of that series finale, let’s tune the dial back to Wkrp. Check out the trivia ...
- 4/21/2022
- TV Insider
Frank Bonner, the actor who played the plaid-suited sales manager Herb Tarlek on the CBS comedy Wkrp in Cincinnati, died Wednesday of complications from Lewy body dementia at his home in Laguna Niguel, CA. He was 79.
His death was announced on Facebook by daughter Desiree Boers-Kort. “I’m deeply saddened to let you know that our beloved Frank Bonner passed away today at age 79,” she wrote on the Wkrp in Cincinnati home page. “He loved his fans and was still signing autograph requests up until the last few weeks of his illness. Thank you to all who followed his career. He will be forever missed.”
Born Frank Boers Jr. in Little Rock, Arkansas, Bonner made his acting debut in 1967’s horror film The Equinox … A Journey Into the Unknown (retitled Equinox in a largely re-shot 1970 version). Subsequent episodic TV appearances followed, including roles in the late ’60s-early ’70s series such as Mannix,...
His death was announced on Facebook by daughter Desiree Boers-Kort. “I’m deeply saddened to let you know that our beloved Frank Bonner passed away today at age 79,” she wrote on the Wkrp in Cincinnati home page. “He loved his fans and was still signing autograph requests up until the last few weeks of his illness. Thank you to all who followed his career. He will be forever missed.”
Born Frank Boers Jr. in Little Rock, Arkansas, Bonner made his acting debut in 1967’s horror film The Equinox … A Journey Into the Unknown (retitled Equinox in a largely re-shot 1970 version). Subsequent episodic TV appearances followed, including roles in the late ’60s-early ’70s series such as Mannix,...
- 6/17/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Frank Bonner, the veteran actor who became famous for portraying Herb Tarlek on the TV sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati,” died Wednesday. He was 79.
Bonner’s family confirmed to TMZ that the actor died as a result of complications from Lewy body dementia.
Desiree Boers-Kort, Bonner’s daughter, posted in a “WKRP In Cincinnati” Facebook group, saying that the actor “loved his fans and was still signing autograph requests up until the last few weeks of his illness. Thank you to all who followed his career. He will be forever missed."
Bonner appeared in 88 of the 90 episodes of “WKRP in Cincinnati,” which aired for four seasons from 1978-82. He also directed six episodes of the sitcom, which followed the misadventures of the staff of a struggling rock radio station in Cincinnati. Bonner’s character was a tasteless sales manager at the station who often failed to secure deals with major advertising agencies.
Bonner’s family confirmed to TMZ that the actor died as a result of complications from Lewy body dementia.
Desiree Boers-Kort, Bonner’s daughter, posted in a “WKRP In Cincinnati” Facebook group, saying that the actor “loved his fans and was still signing autograph requests up until the last few weeks of his illness. Thank you to all who followed his career. He will be forever missed."
Bonner appeared in 88 of the 90 episodes of “WKRP in Cincinnati,” which aired for four seasons from 1978-82. He also directed six episodes of the sitcom, which followed the misadventures of the staff of a struggling rock radio station in Cincinnati. Bonner’s character was a tasteless sales manager at the station who often failed to secure deals with major advertising agencies.
- 6/17/2021
- by Antonio Ferme
- Variety Film + TV
Frank Bonner, the actor who played radio-station sales manager Herb Tarlek on “Wkrp in Cincinnati” died on Wednesday, his friend and former co-star Gary Sandy has confirmed. He was 79.
“It Is True!” Sandy posted to Facebook. “Rip My Great Friend!!!”
TMZ first reported on Thursday that Bonner died “a result of complications from Lewy body dementia.” His family told the outlet that Bonner died “peacefully” with loved ones present.
“Wkrp in Cincinnati” aired from 1978 to 1982, with Bonner starring on all four seasons as the brash and ineffectual sales manager Herb Tarlek. The rest of the cast on the ensemble sitcom included Sandy, Howard Hesseman, Gordon Jump, Loni Anderson, Tim Reid, Jan Smithers and Richard Sanders.
The show returned as “The New Wkrp in Cincinnati” in the early ’90s, and Bonner returned to reprise his role. Between the two iterations, Bonner played Father Robert Hargis in the “Growing Pains” spinoff series “Just the Ten of Us.
“It Is True!” Sandy posted to Facebook. “Rip My Great Friend!!!”
TMZ first reported on Thursday that Bonner died “a result of complications from Lewy body dementia.” His family told the outlet that Bonner died “peacefully” with loved ones present.
“Wkrp in Cincinnati” aired from 1978 to 1982, with Bonner starring on all four seasons as the brash and ineffectual sales manager Herb Tarlek. The rest of the cast on the ensemble sitcom included Sandy, Howard Hesseman, Gordon Jump, Loni Anderson, Tim Reid, Jan Smithers and Richard Sanders.
The show returned as “The New Wkrp in Cincinnati” in the early ’90s, and Bonner returned to reprise his role. Between the two iterations, Bonner played Father Robert Hargis in the “Growing Pains” spinoff series “Just the Ten of Us.
- 6/17/2021
- by Tony Maglio and Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
1968: Agnes Nixon's One Life to Live premiered on ABC."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1940: On The Guiding Light, Rose Kransky (Ruth Bailey) and Charles Cunningham had dinner together after a chance meeting on the street.
The episode opened with the following narration: "Where we are free to act, we are also free to refrain from acting. And where we are able to say no, we are also able to say yes. And yet it seems so strange that so many times what we will to be,...
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1940: On The Guiding Light, Rose Kransky (Ruth Bailey) and Charles Cunningham had dinner together after a chance meeting on the street.
The episode opened with the following narration: "Where we are free to act, we are also free to refrain from acting. And where we are able to say no, we are also able to say yes. And yet it seems so strange that so many times what we will to be,...
- 7/15/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
Family and friends gather to celebrate Christmas on The Doctors (1967), Guiding Light (1979), General Hospital (1981), EastEnders (1986), Search for Tomorrow (1986), All My Children (1986) As the World Turns (1995), Another World (1996) and Days of our Lives (2001)."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1939: On Bachelor's Children, Sam (Olan Soule) was relieved to learn that Janet had safely given birth to a healthy child after a grueling, perilous labor. Sam's relief was so great that he appeared to be in shock and could only respond to questions with grunts and murmurs. Janet was exhausted but ecstatically happy,...
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1939: On Bachelor's Children, Sam (Olan Soule) was relieved to learn that Janet had safely given birth to a healthy child after a grueling, perilous labor. Sam's relief was so great that he appeared to be in shock and could only respond to questions with grunts and murmurs. Janet was exhausted but ecstatically happy,...
- 12/25/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
The best kind of Thanksgiving leftovers are the ones from the past five decades of television. Our favorite TV shows have provided the sort of memories that last long beyond the turkey and stuffing that will be gone by the weekend after. Take a photo gallery tour above with the greatest Thanksgiving episodes in TV history. Click through and enjoy reliving the following special holiday programs.
SEEBob Newhart Interview:: ‘The Big Bang Theory’
1. The Bob Newhart Show; “Over the River and Through the Woods” (1975)
Bob Hartley (Bob Newhart) and friends Jerry (Peter Bonerz), Howard (Bill Daily), and Mr. Carlin (Jack Riley) get completely drunk while spending the holiday at Bob’s apartment. His wife Emily (Suzanne Pleshette) is back at home visiting her family. You’ve got to see how the boys order Chinese food for Thanksgiving.
2. Wkrp in Cincinnati; “Turkeys Away” (1978)
Les Nessman (Richard Sanders) reports Hindenburg-style from a...
SEEBob Newhart Interview:: ‘The Big Bang Theory’
1. The Bob Newhart Show; “Over the River and Through the Woods” (1975)
Bob Hartley (Bob Newhart) and friends Jerry (Peter Bonerz), Howard (Bill Daily), and Mr. Carlin (Jack Riley) get completely drunk while spending the holiday at Bob’s apartment. His wife Emily (Suzanne Pleshette) is back at home visiting her family. You’ve got to see how the boys order Chinese food for Thanksgiving.
2. Wkrp in Cincinnati; “Turkeys Away” (1978)
Les Nessman (Richard Sanders) reports Hindenburg-style from a...
- 11/20/2018
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
1968: Agnes Nixon's One Life to Live premiered on ABC."All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1940: On The Guiding Light, Rose Kransky (Ruth Bailey) and Charles Cunningham had dinner together after a chance meeting on the street.
The episode opened with the following narration: "Where we are free to act, we are also free to refrain from acting. And where we are able to say no, we...
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1940: On The Guiding Light, Rose Kransky (Ruth Bailey) and Charles Cunningham had dinner together after a chance meeting on the street.
The episode opened with the following narration: "Where we are free to act, we are also free to refrain from acting. And where we are able to say no, we...
- 7/15/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
Hugh Wilson, director of the hit big-screen comedies “Police Academy” and “The First Wives Club” and creator of the hit TV series “Wkrp In Cincinnati,” died on Tuesday at age 74, according to family members and media reports. “Wkrp in Cincinnati” ran for four seasons from 1978-82 and followed Johnny Fever and Venus Flytrap (Howard Hesseman and Tim Reid), DJs at the titular radio station as it undergoes a rocky transition from a dated easy listening station to contemporary rock under the direction of overworked station boss Andy Travis (Gary Sandy) and his bumbling crew. Wilson based the show and several...
- 1/16/2018
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Family and friends gather to celebrate Christmas on The Doctors
(1967), Guiding Light (1979), General Hospital (1981),
EastEnders (1986), Search for Tomorrow (1986),
All My Children (1986) As the World Turns (1995),
Another World (1996) and Days of our Lives (2001).
"History is a vast early warning system."
― Norman Cousins
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1939: On Bachelor's Children, Sam (Olan Soule) was relieved to learn that Janet had safely given birth to a healthy child after a grueling, perilous labor. Sam's relief was so great that he appeared to be in shock and could only respond to questions with grunts and murmurs. Janet was exhausted but ecstatically happy, and moved by the fact that her baby daughter's...
(1967), Guiding Light (1979), General Hospital (1981),
EastEnders (1986), Search for Tomorrow (1986),
All My Children (1986) As the World Turns (1995),
Another World (1996) and Days of our Lives (2001).
"History is a vast early warning system."
― Norman Cousins
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1939: On Bachelor's Children, Sam (Olan Soule) was relieved to learn that Janet had safely given birth to a healthy child after a grueling, perilous labor. Sam's relief was so great that he appeared to be in shock and could only respond to questions with grunts and murmurs. Janet was exhausted but ecstatically happy, and moved by the fact that her baby daughter's...
- 12/27/2017
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
Birthday shoutouts go to Novak Djokovic (above), who is 26, and Naomi Campbell is 43. Emma Roberts will join her boyfriend Evan Peters on Season Three of American Horror Story. What Would Harvey Milk Think If He Were Alive Today? by Dustin Lance Black. A straight man dances at The Abbey. San Francisco Giant player Jeffrey Affeldt renounces his homophobia.
Good News! Gay men can now donate blood in Canada! But there’s a catch.
On the eve of the Bsa voting on gay scouts and troop leaders, James Dale talks about his landmark lawsuit that went all the way to the Supreme Court, and the long journey to this point.
Ellen‘s mini Friends reunion.
Wolf Blitzer is an idiot.
Kickstarting South Of The Ohio, “A new photo documentary exploring contemporary queer culture in the American South.”
Here’s the newest trailer for Man Of Steel, with extra focus on Zod.
Good News! Gay men can now donate blood in Canada! But there’s a catch.
On the eve of the Bsa voting on gay scouts and troop leaders, James Dale talks about his landmark lawsuit that went all the way to the Supreme Court, and the long journey to this point.
Ellen‘s mini Friends reunion.
Wolf Blitzer is an idiot.
Kickstarting South Of The Ohio, “A new photo documentary exploring contemporary queer culture in the American South.”
Here’s the newest trailer for Man Of Steel, with extra focus on Zod.
- 5/22/2013
- by snicks
- The Backlot
On this date in...
1925: Future soap opera star Philip Carey was born. He died on February 6, 2009, but not before leaving his mark as Asa Buchanan on One Life To Live for many years.
1948: Future soap writer James E. Reilly was born. He died October 12, 2008, after an award-winning run at soaps Guiding Light, Days Of Our Lives and Passions, among others.
1949: John Haggart's A Woman To Remember, an early television soap opera on the DuMont Television Network, aired its final episode.
1968: Agnes Nixon creation One Life To Live premiered on ABC. The original planned title for the show was Between Heaven And Hell. This was still the plan as of late April, and Don Wallace was expected to be the executive producer.
1977: Soap opera spoof All That Glitters from Norman Lear, aired its last of 65 episodes. Linda Gray, Gary Sandy and Louise Shaffer were among the stars.
1925: Future soap opera star Philip Carey was born. He died on February 6, 2009, but not before leaving his mark as Asa Buchanan on One Life To Live for many years.
1948: Future soap writer James E. Reilly was born. He died October 12, 2008, after an award-winning run at soaps Guiding Light, Days Of Our Lives and Passions, among others.
1949: John Haggart's A Woman To Remember, an early television soap opera on the DuMont Television Network, aired its final episode.
1968: Agnes Nixon creation One Life To Live premiered on ABC. The original planned title for the show was Between Heaven And Hell. This was still the plan as of late April, and Don Wallace was expected to be the executive producer.
1977: Soap opera spoof All That Glitters from Norman Lear, aired its last of 65 episodes. Linda Gray, Gary Sandy and Louise Shaffer were among the stars.
- 7/15/2011
- by We Love Soaps TV
- We Love Soaps
Mixing Comedy & Soap: A History of the Serialized Situation Comedy
By Doug Prinzivalli
As one of the producers of the hit web series Pretty - a parody hybrid of reality TV and soaps - I thought it would be a fun idea to take a brief look at the long history of the serialized situation comedy. The idea of mixing comedy with soap elements is not a new one - in fact it started over 60 years ago.
The First Hundred Years (CBS 1950-52) was a mildly humorous daily soap about newlyweds who are gifted with a bat-infested Victorian mansion. Sounds pretty wacky to me. After less than two years, it was replaced by something called The Guiding Light.
The Egg & I (CBS 1951-52) Based on a book by Betty MacDonald and the 1947 film (starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray) that followed, this show followed the misadventures of city folk...
By Doug Prinzivalli
As one of the producers of the hit web series Pretty - a parody hybrid of reality TV and soaps - I thought it would be a fun idea to take a brief look at the long history of the serialized situation comedy. The idea of mixing comedy with soap elements is not a new one - in fact it started over 60 years ago.
The First Hundred Years (CBS 1950-52) was a mildly humorous daily soap about newlyweds who are gifted with a bat-infested Victorian mansion. Sounds pretty wacky to me. After less than two years, it was replaced by something called The Guiding Light.
The Egg & I (CBS 1951-52) Based on a book by Betty MacDonald and the 1947 film (starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray) that followed, this show followed the misadventures of city folk...
- 12/2/2010
- by Guest Editorial
- We Love Soaps
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