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We all know creator Hugh Wilson based most of his WKRP in Cincinatti characters on real radio people, but do you know who they were? In this 1981 TV Guide article, you'll meet the inspirations for Arthur "The Big Guy" Carlson, Herb Tarlek and of course, Dr. Johnny Fever. How close they were to the actual thing is a decision you'll have to make for yourself.
No one knew that this show would become the memorable radio hit it would be. Here's the 1978 entry in the Fall Preview issue of the guide that outlines what this then-unseen show would be about.
The late Gordon Jump was a veteran character actor, but he only really became known once 'KRP took off. When the show ended, he used that fame to try and cash in as a spokesman for other (real) radio stations.
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Gordon Jump assumed the roll of the Maytag Repairman after Jesse White passed away in 1988. White had played the role since 1967. Jump had the gig from 1989 to 2003.