A 1996–98 AMC dramedy about the staff of a Pittsburgh radio station circa 1939–41. The show was created by musician Rupert Holmes, best known for his 1979 #1 hit "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)" and for his Tony winning musical Drood. Holmes wrote or co-wrote all but one of the show's 56 episodes.
Betty Roberts (Amanda Naughton), an aspiring writer, arrives at the station for an unpaid internship — but swings into action as the station's main writer, and Hilarity Ensues. Mostly, as befitting the fictional medium, in the form of wordplay.
This series provides examples of:
- Beta Couple: Eugenia and Mr. Foley
- The Casanova: Jeffrey Singer. Of course he's supposed to be married, and of course he never stops flirting.
- Cut Short: After the fourth season, which resulted in a Love Triangle plot involving Betty, Victor, and Scott being Left Hanging.
- Forgotten Theme Tune Lyrics: The theme song with lyrics were only used in two episodes, as sung by Patti LuPone.
- Naïve Newcomer: Betty Roberts.
- Network Red-Headed Stepchild: It's not hard to understand why a Darker and Edgier AMC would neglect to mention this earlier effort in the midst of Mad Men's, and later Breaking Bad's, success.
- Plucky Girl: Betty Roberts, bright-eyed and fresh from Elkhart, Indiana, arrives to a chilly reception by cynical staff - and wins them over by settling a crisis or five, however awkwardly.
- Set Behind the Scenes: of a Pittsburgh radio station.
- The Voiceless: Mr. Foley, who makes a uniquely mighty racket - just never with his tongue.
- White-Dwarf Starlet: Hilary Booth either made it on the stage or almost made it, depending who you ask. She's never given up on reviving her career.
- WPUN: WENN—get it?
