8 /10 1 Votes
Developed by Merrill Grant Theme music composer Patricia Kerr Original language(s) English Final episode date 13 May 1982 Executive producer Morton Lachman | 7.9/10 IMDb Starring Steve Guttenberg Country of origin United States First episode date 15 April 1982 Program creator Michael Jacobs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Created by Les Alexander
Ron Richards
Richard Smith
Michael Jacobs Network American Broadcasting Company Cast Steve Guttenberg, Stuart Pankin, Fran Ryan, Jerry Maren, Bill Dana Similar The Paper Chase, Stickin' Around, Battle of the Network, Baa Baa Black Sheep, Archie Bunker's Place | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No soap radio 1982 abc series premiere promo 1
No Soap, Radio is an American sitcom and sketch comedy that aired on ABC on Thursdays from April 15 until May 13, 1982. Five episodes were broadcast, although a further eight were made. The five episodes also appeared on the BBC, where the deletion of commercial breaks gave the show an even more rapid-fire look.
Contents
- No soap radio 1982 abc series premiere promo 1
- No soap radio 1982 abc series premiere promo 2
- Plot
- Cast
- References
The title is taken from a 1950s prank where "no soap radio" is given as a non-sequitur punchline to a joke.
No soap radio 1982 abc series premiere promo 2
Plot
Overall, the plots of No Soap, Radio were very loosely wound and often nonsensical, as with one episode's subplot involving a sentient, man-eating chair. Continuity and plausibility were usually cheerfully ignored, and what continuing story there was in any given episode often centered around the staff at Atlantic City, New Jersey's Pelican Hotel, a former "showplace" that was now somewhat faded. Seen most frequently were Roger, the young, optimistic but sometimes overwhelmed owner/manager; Karen, his sunny, capable assistant (replacing Sharon, who only appeared in the pilot); and Tuttle, the villainous house detective who was desperate to have Roger sell the hotel. There were also several residents of the hotel who were featured, including the ebullient Mr. Plitzky, the determinedly perky Marion, and chronic complainer Mrs. Belmont.
Somewhat inspired by Monty Python's Flying Circus, each episode of No Soap, Radio was filled with sight gags, blackouts, and non-sequiturs. The show would frequently cut away to "Special Reports" right in the middle of a scene, with a fictitious news anchor detailing an improbable story. At other times, characters would watch a television commercial that would suddenly become the focus of a scene. Still other times, doors within the hotel might be opened to reveal any sort of environment from a business to a national park, and entire scenes would play out in these "hotel rooms" with no seeming connection to the main plot.