After having just come through the 60s and the 70s, I’m really surprised that this elicited such a reaction. I grew up in Houston in the 60s and 70s, and I saw a lot of interracial dating. I just don’t understand why this hug drew such hatred.
@@jdsundstromSunny Day Sweepin' the clouds away On my way to where the air is sweet Can you tell me how to get? How to get to Sesame Street Come and play Everything's A-OK Friendly neighbors there That's where we meet Can you tell me how to get How to get to Sesame Street It's a magic carpet ride Every door will open wide To happy people like you Happy people like What a beautiful Sunny Day Sweepin' the clouds away On my way to where the air is sweet Can you tell me how to get, How to get to Sesame Street... How to get to Sesame Street How to get to... 😊
In the 60's , during a variety show, a white singer placed her hand on Harry Belefonte's hand during a singing skit. Chrysler withdrew itself as a sponsor of the show, as well as other sponsors. Back then, interracial dating between a black man and a white woman was still taboo.
I come from a Long Island family and we would’ve never of cared and I think I’ve watched all the episodes of WKRP. Remember that only a few years earlier Petula Clark got in huge trouble for touching Harry Belafonte’s arm on the TV special in 1968, and that was about a decade earlier in!
I never really thought anything about that moment except for friendship. A part of me actually wanted to see the characters actually get together as a couple, but that never came to be, and this video helps to explain part of the reason why.
Venus Flytrap is my favorite character on WKRP. Tim Reid is amazing. It’s unfortunate he got hate mail, but I guess some people just had an issue with Venus and Bailey being friends on the show. Thanks for the video Dave, keep up the great work and take care!
Venus, Ron Harris from Barney Miller and Robert Gulliame's Benson paved the way for more diverse and positive reps for black characters on television. Tim actually read and responded to my Medium article about him and that made my day!
I would never have thought such a brief moment would trigger some people like that 🤔 I remember an episode that IIRC Tim Reid wrote, where Andy was triggered by his sister hanging out all night with Venus, even though it was completely platonic. I wonder if the episode was the result of the reaction to that scene in the softball episode.
I was actually thinking that the episode was going to be the one where they were throwing turkeys out of the helocopter, making real life animal activists angry...
WKRP is one of my all-time favorite sitcoms. It was must-see TV in our household because my mom worked at a radio station (in the business office). Of course, as a sitcom, situations were exaggerated, but my mom said a lot of it rang true. When I was a teenager I would go into work with my mom in the summer some days to help her out (she didn't get an assistant until the last few years before she retired.) I went on to major in communications with an emphasis on broadcast. I actually ended up working in publishing after spending a couple of years in broadcasting. It fit my personality better and I enjoyed it, but I'm also glad to have had time in broadcasting. There are a lot of good memories.
He continued to receive mistreatment when his show Franks Place came out. the Network buried it. It was one of the best black american tv shows ever created. And they destroyed it by changing the schedual around for no reason.
When I read the title I know at least on actor the hate was directed at.. its sad.. its shameful..its a TV show not even real life... hopefully we have come a little further than that... Keep up the good work and positive vibes
I missed that episode. But it was a bit sad that both actors received hate mail. But this was the late 70’s-early 80’s. I remember watching one episode in which Venus Flytrap went before a government court because of something that occurred during his time in Vietnam. Venus gave an emotional testimony. Tim Reid(no relation) gave a great performance in that episode. I remember watching the Looking Good commercials. I thought that one was a bit corny but the guy was a lonely man and he gets encouragement from Loni Anderson. My favorite was the female janitors and them getting a visit from J.R. Ewing. It was relatable. Then there was the married couple moving into a new place and they managed to hook up the television and watch The Incredible Hulk. Fun memories.
i remember that episode. Venus flytrap was deemed a deserter and somehow the US Army found him. The owner of WKRP was disgusted with Venus Flytrap because he deserted. (the owner was in the military during WW II). As far as the Looking Good promo, my favorite was the one with the Dukes of Hazard.
Thanks for the inside info on this episode ..this is probably my favorite episode of the entire series .. actually there was another episode that probably popular got some negative racist feedback...the episode were Venus goes on date with Andy's sister ..a episode in which reaction to interracial dating was touched on between Venus and Andy which wasn;t exactly clear between the two characters at the start ..good episode and kudos to the writers and the actors for dealing with topic that obviously still BIG deal in the late 70's and early 80s
Love WKRP and I've seen that episode so many times. I never even gave that scene a second thought with regards to anything beyond what it was. There are so many people in this world that are really in the lower end of the gene pool. 🙄
WKRP was more amazing than America could handle. Loni Anderson was beautiful. Of COURSE Jan got more "likes" among viewers. It's the "Mary Ann" syndrome. Guys go for Mary Ann because she's cute and less challenging. But Ginger is the whole package--if you can handle it. Same here. We all fall for Bailey because she seems vulnerable, but it takes a real risk to go for Jennifer. But I'm still a Bailey fan. And it isn't even close.
I don''t have much to share beyond the great comments you already mentioned -- other than I think that may be Joe Regalbuto as the actor in that odd ad with Loni. Regalbuto played up the "shy retiring nerd" type as "federal agent Norman Tuttle" in a fluffy 80s show called Street Hawk, before he became Frank Fontana on Murphy Brown. So sad that a hug ten years after the Kirk-Uhura kiss could still rouse controversy. In fact, I recall a TV show called Shaft (yes, based on the movie) and in a 1974 episode, Richard Roundtree kissed Cathy Lee Crosby (something of a 70s blonde goddess, who first played Wonder Woman before Lynda Carter took over). Then again, that show lasted only seven episodes, and the kiss was in the sixth. Hm, that might be worth investigating. Anyhow, it's a shame that such backlash came from a simple hug -- though if there HAD been a relationship, we could agree that Venus had fine taste in women.
Never heard this story before. One thing I've always gotten a kick out of is something which Tim Reid always did wrong on the show. Venus would be shown, "on the air" in the darkened radio booth. He'd be all mellowed out. Mr. Carlson would then wander into the booth and immediately flip the lightswitch on. The room would be instantly brightly lit. Reid's Venus Flytrap would respond with sudden shock at the bright, gleaming lights and open his eyes up real wide in reaction. The audience would laugh. But that's actually the opposite reaction one has to the lights being turned on in a dark room. One's eyes are shocked by the sudden light and you close your eyes tight, peeking through a narrow slit while your eyes slowly get used to the light. Of course, this is just a silly observation. It doesn't matter one bit. Again, it's just something I noticed all those years ago as a kid that I still get a kick out of. Love your vids!
I sure enjoyed Tim’s character, my favorite. Have you done a video on Tim Reid’s excellent show Franks Place? A great show that has never made it into reruns.
If you think about it, Bailey Quarters (Jan Smithers) is like Mary Ann Summers (Dawn Wells), true beauty, shy and most people would truly prefer. Jennifer Marlowe (Loni Anderson) is like Ginger Grant (Tina Louise), the supposed "it" girl that sometimes have fans hang posters on some of their bedroom walls. Makes me wonder if Loni and Jan had a feud on popularity like supposedly Tina and Dawn. Either way, I liked both Ginger and Mary Ann. I liked both Jennifer and Bailey. RIP Dawn Wells.
@@jdsundstrom I've heard that both pairs of ladies got along well, all four were gorgeous! One thing that saddens me--Herb Tarlek, despite the comedic brilliance of his character, made me cringe with some of his inappropriate comments toward Jennifer (where was HR?! lol), but the audience never hated on him for it. Venus and Bailey share a friendly hug, and get nasty letters. As Yoda might say, Sense, this does not make...
I was raised in Kansas. Overland Park to be specific. I was raised from a small child , that we were all people in God’s eyes! Prejudice is taught or instilled from family, friends, or society in many instances. It was not until I moved to Hawaii years ago, where one of my children asked me “where were all the white people?” I had to stop and think about what she said… but my first response was “ what do you mean?” Because my brain was wired to not see the difference. I looked around the airport to focus on what my daughter said, and I replied, I guess I had not noticed! I reminded her of the same thing my mom taught me. I can tell the difference in colors, but I have NEVER focused on that. I accept all races no matter what color they are. I did go to high school in Tennessee though, and for the first time people called me a Yankee! I said didn’t that war end a long time ago?. I was a bit shocked, but my best friend there to this day still talks negatively about them as if they were the horrible. We don’t talk much any more because we all change over time and on that topic I have not changed my position. I suppose as we age our opinions or true thoughts come out. Yet she called herself a Christian, but was so critical of others. Perhaps she is not as happy as she once was at her present season of life. I don’t know. I am not her judge. I leave that to God! I just try to be a good person and to treat others as I would like to be treated. I am far from perfect but with God’s help, I try to be kind to all I meet. But I realize prejudice exists in many forms, which is sad. My kids and grandkids are like me on this subject, which makes me very grateful! We are all the same! (Or should be)
Tim is an excellent actor and a positive role model. His character on the show dealt with some very real issues, like the "weird Larry" incident and the magazine interview. The writing was excellent, but what really made the show so memorable was the performances of the actors. There will never be another show like WKRP. Baily and Venus were caring and thoughtful, traits that left a lasting impact on me as a child.
people are just so ignorant. tim reid also showed his acting chops on an episode called "who is gordon sims" where he had to go talk to the military because he was awol from the military after vietnam it was a great episode for sure. my favorite episodes were scum of the earth and the reverend little ed such a great show and team bailey here also.
2:18 It's hard to believe that particular scene had sparked such a trivial backlash to the point that the actors involved in that scene started receiving hate mail Some people are so backward in their line of thought
It was just a series about a radio station, why are idiots picking on actors from a show from so long ago. To me it's like a storm in a teacup, or as Shakespeare wrote..."Much a do about nothing". Yes it is hard to believe, Karl.
aka Jerry Gillespie A few years earlier in 1968 singer Petula Clark had a special on NBC. Her guest star was singer Harry Belafonte where they sing a musical number together and Petula just touches his shoulder, nothing else. The sponsor Chrysler, did not want that scene included in the special but Petula Clark stood her ground and that scene stayed in the show. Hats off to Petula!
@@jdsundstrom A little side note about Petula Clark Dave. In addition to being the First Lady of the British Invasion in the 60s with songs like Downtown, I Know A Place, Don't Sleep in the Subway 🚇 etc. she was Fred Astaire s last dancing partner I the 1968 musical Finnians Rainbow 🌈
And the most viewed show! The episode where Lucy gave birth saw over 70% of American televisions tuned in to the broadcast. That number is staggering even today.
Tim Reed was a very amazing actor on WKRP and also on Simon and Simon. On those episodes on WKRP those were still different times. You didn't have biracial couples and they didn't kiss like the TV shows nowadays. Jan Smithers was also an amazing actress and knew how to dress because she was a sophisticated woman with class. Perhaps she also had conservative values to some extent. I think Tim Reed was a cool DJ for that time period as Venus Flytrap. I remember back in those days they were starting to hire Black DJ'S along with white DJ'S because that's what I saw in one of the local stations. Even if hate mail had been sent like Bob Dylan sang, Times were a changing.
We were still pre Rodney King at that point. I thought Reid and Smithers were both great actors who did their roles well. Never would have guessed a scene like this would cause so much drama.
I still don't understand why Venus (Tim Reid) and Bailey (Jan Smithers) got so much hate mail? Was it a particular episode or something they did on TV?
Unfortunately we still have people around with that closed minded attitude about skin color and working together being wrong. My last job I was one of the few Caucasians hired that year, and, for years people asked me how I could stand to work with "those people" (not saying the actual single word that most of them used). My usual response was that I was raised in a mixed race neighborhood, and we accept each other in my hood.
Back around the mid to late nineties I was walking into a place for lunch and on the far side of the room a black guy and a white girl were sitting together having lunch. We hadn't even got through the door when a coworker said, Doesn't that just make you mad as hell? No, says I, you don't know what's going on there. They may be classmates or just friends or coworkers, kinda like me with you, a racist idiot who rages at a black man and white woman for daring to have lunch together. Sadly in 2023 things haven't gotten any better. *_I hate racist pigs!_* Loni was there for eye candy but Jan was the real beauty, her demeanor and character outshined Loni on every level.
Lil white kid i always liked the black dude characters like Venus, Link, Deacon, Lamont, JJ etc… very few people are dikbags and racist. Sincerely MAGATodd
@jdsundstrom With all respect intended, how can you say that? Police are still killing us, for just doing everyday things anyone else, pulling your black it's a crime. They trying to take the vote away from the black community, and trying to wipe out the crimes done to my people in history. You have these so-called Karen's, doing everything they can to cause harm to black people, everything from trying to impede that travels and to use the police as lethal weapons. No, there is no progress when it comes to getting better, but there is an attempt to regress. Dave, you and I are from the same era, but down from different worlds. You had the luxury to look at prejudice segregation was like, but I lived every moment of it, so that makes me the expert it comes to how far we have come. Better yet, how far are going to try to take us back.
I will admit that our perspectives are vastly different. And I absolutely respect your truth, my friend. My wife is Korean, because of that my sons, have been harrassed by thoughtless and cruel colleagues at school and beyond. And I understand that for every step forward, there is a truly tragic moment that reminds us that there is more work do be done. Not sure what else to say other than I'm still filled with hope and optimism for a better world.
We may have differing opinions on this one, my friend. As an FYI, this video will NOT be one of my more popular videos. Whenever I broach the topic of racial prejudice, those videos never are. However, as a father of sons who have been the subject of harrassment due to their mixed ethnicity (their mom is Korean), I feel like it is still an important topic to discuss from time to time. I'm saddened that you think of me as a "race hustler"...but such is the world we live in these days.
Wow. I could have rewatched the entire series and it would have never crossed my mind that's the scene that would result in hate mail.
Me neither. I was shocked when I heard Tim tell that story.
I think we're all Team Bailey. God bless Loni Anderson, but even by the standards and tastes of the time, her look was just ... too much.
Back then, I would have said I was Team Loni...but time has been more kind to the memory of Jan as Bailey.
It's like Ginger vs Maryanne.
Loni was extremely sculpted. A lot of elective surgery. She looked good but not real. I guess that was sort of the point of her character though.
@@jdsundstromalways Bailey for me. 🎉
After having just come through the 60s and the 70s, I’m really surprised that this elicited such a reaction. I grew up in Houston in the 60s and 70s, and I saw a lot of interracial dating. I just don’t understand why this hug drew such hatred.
Hard to understand for sure!
@@jdsundstromSunny Day
Sweepin' the clouds away
On my way to where the air is sweet
Can you tell me how to get?
How to get to Sesame Street
Come and play
Everything's A-OK
Friendly neighbors there
That's where we meet
Can you tell me how to get
How to get to Sesame Street
It's a magic carpet ride
Every door will open wide
To happy people like you
Happy people like
What a beautiful
Sunny Day
Sweepin' the clouds away
On my way to where the air is sweet
Can you tell me how to get,
How to get to Sesame Street...
How to get to Sesame Street
How to get to...
😊
Great theme song!
In the 60's , during a variety show, a white singer placed her hand on Harry Belefonte's hand during a singing skit. Chrysler withdrew itself as a sponsor of the show, as well as other sponsors. Back then, interracial dating between a black man and a white woman was still taboo.
No need to emphasize the innocence of the hug or the relationship. Even if it meant more, it still wouldn't warrant the hate. Even back then.
Right but I think it’s good to emphasize how such a small thing triggered insanity
I come from a Long Island family and we would’ve never of cared and I think I’ve watched all the episodes of WKRP. Remember that only a few years earlier Petula Clark got in huge trouble for touching Harry Belafonte’s arm on the TV special in 1968, and that was about a decade earlier in!
I never really thought anything about that moment except for friendship. A part of me actually wanted to see the characters actually get together as a couple, but that never came to be, and this video helps to explain part of the reason why.
Always crack up when Bucky ( Bill ) catches a drive straight into his glove. And appears to have forgotten he’s playing in a softball game.😂
I had no idea this occurred 😢. I never had a second thought about that scene.
That's because it didn't really happen. The uploader is trying to get woke clicks.
@@TimCarter Has it ever occurred to you that a certain group attacks the idea of being "woke" because they want you to stay asleep?
Venus Flytrap is my favorite character on WKRP. Tim Reid is amazing. It’s unfortunate he got hate mail, but I guess some people just had an issue with Venus and Bailey being friends on the show. Thanks for the video Dave, keep up the great work and take care!
Venus, Ron Harris from Barney Miller and Robert Gulliame's Benson paved the way for more diverse and positive reps for black characters on television. Tim actually read and responded to my Medium article about him and that made my day!
The more that some things change, the more that some of them still remain the same. For some groups, ignorance remains immortal
Lots of people who have worked in radio have said that _WKRP_ is very realistic.
I would never have thought such a brief moment would trigger some people like that 🤔
I remember an episode that IIRC Tim Reid wrote, where Andy was triggered by his sister hanging out all night with Venus, even though it was completely platonic. I wonder if the episode was the result of the reaction to that scene in the softball episode.
As a radio DJ since I was 14, this is one of my favorite shows ever!
Kevin! You are indeed a man of many talents.
9th as a Boomer , born in 60' ..... I find this SAD to hear this..Like WTF ,,come on People, we're all living on just One World.
It was many years ago...but it is still important to never forget.
When I lived in Columbus from 1998 to 2004, Cincinnati still had a reputation for being a racist city.
I was actually thinking that the episode was going to be the one where they were throwing turkeys out of the helocopter, making real life animal activists angry...
Over 40 years later and racism and prejudice is still here.. Unfortunately Dave! 🤷
As a kid (now 56) I loved WKRP...and I was absolutely in love with Bailey.
Thanks for sharing!
Great show!! It's sad we can't get past the color of one's skin. Thank you Dave! Well said!!😊
You are so welcome
WKRP is one of my all-time favorite sitcoms. It was must-see TV in our household because my mom worked at a radio station (in the business office). Of course, as a sitcom, situations were exaggerated, but my mom said a lot of it rang true. When I was a teenager I would go into work with my mom in the summer some days to help her out (she didn't get an assistant until the last few years before she retired.) I went on to major in communications with an emphasis on broadcast. I actually ended up working in publishing after spending a couple of years in broadcasting. It fit my personality better and I enjoyed it, but I'm also glad to have had time in broadcasting. There are a lot of good memories.
This is insane, even for the era. Today, the gloves would be off and they’d write in a relationship between Venus & Bailey, in response.
I thought the hate mail was going to be because Venus was an army deserter. The interracial hug would never have occurred to me.
He continued to receive mistreatment when his show Franks Place came out. the Network buried it. It was one of the best black american tv shows ever created. And they destroyed it by changing the schedual around for no reason.
I remember that!
Frank's Place was a great show.🙂
Fun Fact. Johnny Fever and Venus Flytrap had recurring roles on That 70's Show. Fantastic...
When I read the title I know at least on actor the hate was directed at.. its sad.. its shameful..its a TV show not even real life... hopefully we have come a little further than that... Keep up the good work and positive vibes
Forgot I had early access! Thought this was a re-post at 1st!😄
Ha! Yep, you're watching these vids early, my friend.
Absolutely Team Bailey here. No slight to Loni Anderson but I always found the character of Jennifer Marlowe to be somewhat annoying.
I missed that episode. But it was a bit sad that both actors received hate mail. But this was the late 70’s-early 80’s. I remember watching one episode in which Venus Flytrap went before a government court because of something that occurred during his time in Vietnam. Venus gave an emotional testimony. Tim Reid(no relation) gave a great performance in that episode.
I remember watching the Looking Good commercials. I thought that one was a bit corny but the guy was a lonely man and he gets encouragement from Loni Anderson. My favorite was the female janitors and them getting a visit from J.R. Ewing. It was relatable. Then there was the married couple moving into a new place and they managed to hook up the television and watch The Incredible Hulk.
Fun memories.
i remember that episode. Venus flytrap was deemed a deserter and somehow the US Army found him. The owner of WKRP was disgusted with Venus Flytrap because he deserted. (the owner was in the military during WW II).
As far as the Looking Good promo, my favorite was the one with the Dukes of Hazard.
Thanks for the inside info on this episode ..this is probably my favorite episode of the entire series .. actually there was another episode that probably popular got some negative racist feedback...the episode were Venus goes on date with Andy's sister ..a episode in which reaction to interracial dating was touched on between Venus and Andy which wasn;t exactly clear between the two characters at the start ..good episode and kudos to the writers and the actors for dealing with topic that obviously still BIG deal in the late 70's and early 80s
I was a big fan of Gary Sandy who always seemed cool and had his act together.
I always thought Bailey was prettier than Jennifer, even though i was 8.
You were wise beyond your 8 years Dolly.
Love WKRP and I've seen that episode so many times. I never even gave that scene a second thought with regards to anything beyond what it was. There are so many people in this world that are really in the lower end of the gene pool. 🙄
WKRP was more amazing than America could handle.
Loni Anderson was beautiful. Of COURSE Jan got more "likes" among viewers. It's the "Mary Ann" syndrome. Guys go for Mary Ann because she's cute and less challenging. But Ginger is the whole package--if you can handle it. Same here. We all fall for Bailey because she seems vulnerable, but it takes a real risk to go for Jennifer.
But I'm still a Bailey fan. And it isn't even close.
I don''t have much to share beyond the great comments you already mentioned -- other than I think that may be Joe Regalbuto as the actor in that odd ad with Loni. Regalbuto played up the "shy retiring nerd" type as "federal agent Norman Tuttle" in a fluffy 80s show called Street Hawk, before he became Frank Fontana on Murphy Brown. So sad that a hug ten years after the Kirk-Uhura kiss could still rouse controversy. In fact, I recall a TV show called Shaft (yes, based on the movie) and in a 1974 episode, Richard Roundtree kissed Cathy Lee Crosby (something of a 70s blonde goddess, who first played Wonder Woman before Lynda Carter took over). Then again, that show lasted only seven episodes, and the kiss was in the sixth. Hm, that might be worth investigating. Anyhow, it's a shame that such backlash came from a simple hug -- though if there HAD been a relationship, we could agree that Venus had fine taste in women.
Well said, WBH...and yes, that's Joe!
Sad. pathetic even. I was hoping it was PETA sending letters angry about the turkeys. At least that we could laugh off.
Thanks for sharing.
Never heard this story before. One thing I've always gotten a kick out of is something which Tim Reid always did wrong on the show. Venus would be shown, "on the air" in the darkened radio booth. He'd be all mellowed out. Mr. Carlson would then wander into the booth and immediately flip the lightswitch on. The room would be instantly brightly lit. Reid's Venus Flytrap would respond with sudden shock at the bright, gleaming lights and open his eyes up real wide in reaction. The audience would laugh. But that's actually the opposite reaction one has to the lights being turned on in a dark room. One's eyes are shocked by the sudden light and you close your eyes tight, peeking through a narrow slit while your eyes slowly get used to the light. Of course, this is just a silly observation. It doesn't matter one bit. Again, it's just something I noticed all those years ago as a kid that I still get a kick out of. Love your vids!
You probably never heard it because it didn't happen. Everyone loved WKRP. This content is just clickbait.
Wow it's just crazy that people think that way. Life's too short to have so much hate in your heart. Great video Dave
Thanks Jack. 🙂
I sure enjoyed Tim’s character, my favorite. Have you done a video on Tim Reid’s excellent show Franks Place? A great show that has never made it into reruns.
Great suggestion! I'll add "Frank's Place" to my potential topics list.
Topic suggestion: Whatever happened to Judith Light.
Great suggestion! I'll add Judith to my potential topics list.
Great show me and my dad used to argue over who was better looking Loni Anderson or Jan Smithers.
I was the Jan Smithers crowd.
I liked both of them I could understand why he liked her. She's was so pretty and smart on that show.
If you think about it, Bailey Quarters (Jan Smithers) is like Mary Ann Summers (Dawn Wells), true beauty, shy and most people would truly prefer. Jennifer Marlowe (Loni Anderson) is like Ginger Grant (Tina Louise), the supposed "it" girl that sometimes have fans hang posters on some of their bedroom walls.
Makes me wonder if Loni and Jan had a feud on popularity like supposedly Tina and Dawn.
Either way, I liked both Ginger and Mary Ann.
I liked both Jennifer and Bailey.
RIP Dawn Wells.
Thanks for sharing! I don't think Loni and Jan OR Tina and Dawn actually had feuds with each other. At least, I hope they didn't.
@@jdsundstrom I've heard that both pairs of ladies got along well, all four were gorgeous! One thing that saddens me--Herb Tarlek, despite the comedic brilliance of his character, made me cringe with some of his inappropriate comments toward Jennifer (where was HR?! lol), but the audience never hated on him for it. Venus and Bailey share a friendly hug, and get nasty letters. As Yoda might say, Sense, this does not make...
Loved Tim Reed on "Simon and Simon".
Talented feller!
It’s sad that some folks act like that?
It is.
It's sad that in 2023 people still take this bait.
I was raised in Kansas. Overland Park to be specific. I was raised from a small child , that we were all people in God’s eyes! Prejudice is taught or instilled from family, friends, or society in many instances. It was not until I moved to Hawaii years ago, where one of my children asked me “where were all the white people?” I had to stop and think about what she said… but my first response was “ what do you mean?” Because my brain was wired to not see the difference. I looked around the airport to focus on what my daughter said, and I replied, I guess I had not noticed! I reminded her of the same thing my mom taught me. I can tell the difference in colors, but I have NEVER focused on that. I accept all races no matter what color they are. I did go to high school in Tennessee though, and for the first time people called me a Yankee! I said didn’t that war end a long time ago?. I was a bit shocked, but my best friend there to this day still talks negatively about them as if they were the horrible. We don’t talk much any more because we all change over time and on that topic I have not changed my position. I suppose as we age our opinions or true thoughts come out. Yet she called herself a Christian, but was so critical of others. Perhaps she is not as happy as she once was at her present season of life. I don’t know. I am not her judge. I leave that to God! I just try to be a good person and to treat others as I would like to be treated. I am far from perfect but with God’s help, I try to be kind to all I meet. But I realize prejudice exists in many forms, which is sad. My kids and grandkids are like me on this subject, which makes me very grateful! We are all the same! (Or should be)
Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Tim is an excellent actor and a positive role model. His character on the show dealt with some very real issues, like the "weird Larry" incident and the magazine interview. The writing was excellent, but what really made the show so memorable was the performances of the actors. There will never be another show like WKRP. Baily and Venus were caring and thoughtful, traits that left a lasting impact on me as a child.
Thanks for sharing!
OMg, I actually remember that commercial.
Me too. 🙂
people are just so ignorant. tim reid also showed his acting chops on an episode called "who is gordon sims" where he had to go talk to the military because he was awol from the military after vietnam it was a great episode for sure. my favorite episodes were scum of the earth and the reverend little ed such a great show and team bailey here also.
Thanks for sharing!
The Who is Gordon Sims? episode proved to me how much of a great actor Tim Reid was.
Awesome stuff 😮
Thanks 😁
2:18
It's hard to believe that particular scene had sparked such a trivial backlash to the point that the actors involved in that scene started receiving hate mail
Some people are so backward in their line of thought
Agreed. Hard to believe.
It was just a series about a radio station, why are idiots picking on actors from a show from so long ago. To me it's like a storm in a teacup, or as Shakespeare wrote..."Much a do about nothing". Yes it is hard to believe, Karl.
This happened years ago. That said, Tim still shares the story.
aka Jerry Gillespie A few years earlier in 1968 singer Petula Clark had a special on NBC. Her guest star was singer Harry Belafonte where they sing a musical number together and Petula just touches his shoulder, nothing else. The sponsor Chrysler, did not want that scene included in the special but Petula Clark stood her ground and that scene stayed in the show. Hats off to Petula!
Agreed. Hooray for Petula!
@@jdsundstrom A little side note about Petula Clark Dave. In addition to being the First Lady of the British Invasion in the 60s with songs like Downtown, I Know A Place, Don't Sleep in the Subway 🚇 etc. she was Fred Astaire s last dancing partner I the 1968 musical Finnians Rainbow 🌈
I always liked wkrp!!! Some people need to get over their issues!!! We’re all made in the image of God!!!
How sad 😔
The 1st interracial couple on tv. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz Sr.
And the most viewed show! The episode where Lucy gave birth saw over 70% of American televisions tuned in to the broadcast. That number is staggering even today.
They are both white.
I'm for team Jennifer if I saw her in my chair 🪑 I would probably faint she was so pretty
I'd probably faint too, Gary!
Tim Reed was a very amazing actor on WKRP and also on Simon and Simon. On those episodes on WKRP those were still different times. You didn't have biracial couples and they didn't kiss like the TV shows nowadays. Jan Smithers was also an amazing actress and knew how to dress because she was a sophisticated woman with class. Perhaps she also had conservative values to some extent. I think Tim Reed was a cool DJ for that time period as Venus Flytrap. I remember back in those days they were starting to hire Black DJ'S along with white DJ'S because that's what I saw in one of the local stations. Even if hate mail had been sent like Bob Dylan sang, Times were a changing.
The truth about America and its hatred , was that the 2nd. greatest commandment was not being addressed enough from the pulpit of the churches .
Wow. I didn't know this had happened. 😕 Thanks Dave.
You're welcome
@@jdsundstrom 🙂👍
Because it didn't.
Jan Smithers 💯
One of my faves!
Yes this may have happened. But sometimes its just a made up hoax.
Hopefully, Tim wasn't lying.
I think it's false.
We were still pre Rodney King at that point. I thought Reid and Smithers were both great actors who did their roles well. Never would have guessed a scene like this would cause so much drama.
Yep. Definitely hard to believe people would get upset over that scene.
Nice intro dave great tv series too😊
Glad you liked the intro. 🙂
So funny they always made Loni Anderson as the "hot one" when everyone loved Jan Smithers
Agreed. Also, I think our definition of beauty has changed a bit since then...and Bailey DEFINITELY benefited from those changes. 🙂
Man, I never knew about this. How sad.
Baily all day!!
I still don't understand why Venus (Tim Reid) and Bailey (Jan Smithers) got so much hate mail? Was it a particular episode or something they did on TV?
It was a particular episode of WKRP. I talk about it in the video.
WOW
Unfortunately we still have people around with that closed minded attitude about skin color and working together being wrong.
My last job I was one of the few Caucasians hired that year, and, for years people asked me how I could stand to work with "those people" (not saying the actual single word that most of them used).
My usual response was that I was raised in a mixed race neighborhood, and we accept each other in my hood.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Brian!
I don't believe you.
👍👍 📺
🙂
Sorry but I never watch that show wasn’t my type or shall I know you think most people watched it but not me but thank you anyway
Loni Anderson only ever really had two things going for her and talent wasn't either of them.
Ha! You're right. Those eyes were mesmerizing. 🙂
Back around the mid to late nineties I was walking into a place for lunch and on the far side of the room a black guy and a white girl were sitting together having lunch. We hadn't even got through the door when a coworker said, Doesn't that just make you mad as hell? No, says I, you don't know what's going on there. They may be classmates or just friends or coworkers, kinda like me with you, a racist idiot who rages at a black man and white woman for daring to have lunch together. Sadly in 2023 things haven't gotten any better. *_I hate racist pigs!_* Loni was there for eye candy but Jan was the real beauty, her demeanor and character outshined Loni on every level.
Lil white kid i always liked the black dude characters like Venus, Link, Deacon, Lamont, JJ etc… very few people are dikbags and racist. Sincerely MAGATodd
If you looked back then you might think that my parents were racist. Yet my babysitter was a black woman .
I get it. My parents had their own biases as well.
@@jdsundstrom I don't think my parents were biased,but they were good judge of character. We had black friends before it was acceptable.
If you've been paying attention, you'd know that all white people are racists, and all black people are not. No exceptions!
Progress, you're joking right? Nothing has changed in 40 years when it comes to racism against my people, it's still the same as it was 40 years ago.
I wasn't joking. I think progress has been made. That said, I realize that there is still much work to do.
Hahahaha. You are a goof.
@jdsundstrom With all respect intended, how can you say that? Police are still killing us, for just doing everyday things anyone else, pulling your black it's a crime. They trying to take the vote away from the black community, and trying to wipe out the crimes done to my people in history.
You have these so-called Karen's, doing everything they can to cause harm to black people, everything from trying to impede that travels and to use the police as lethal weapons.
No, there is no progress when it comes to getting better, but there is an attempt to regress. Dave, you and I are from the same era, but down from different worlds.
You had the luxury to look at prejudice segregation was like, but I lived every moment of it, so that makes me the expert it comes to how far we have come. Better yet, how far are going to try to take us back.
@@doaver2.125 You are the expert.
I will admit that our perspectives are vastly different. And I absolutely respect your truth, my friend. My wife is Korean, because of that my sons, have been harrassed by thoughtless and cruel colleagues at school and beyond. And I understand that for every step forward, there is a truly tragic moment that reminds us that there is more work do be done. Not sure what else to say other than I'm still filled with hope and optimism for a better world.
Not you too Dave! another race hustler stirring up past mistakes for clicks
We may have differing opinions on this one, my friend. As an FYI, this video will NOT be one of my more popular videos. Whenever I broach the topic of racial prejudice, those videos never are. However, as a father of sons who have been the subject of harrassment due to their mixed ethnicity (their mom is Korean), I feel like it is still an important topic to discuss from time to time. I'm saddened that you think of me as a "race hustler"...but such is the world we live in these days.