JAN SMITHERS 💛 THE UNTOLD TRUTH

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JAN SMITHERS: THE SAD STRANGE STORY

[metrogoldwyn]

Jan as Bailey on WKRP was so often referred to as "the other one" alongside Loni's Jennifer Marlowe but many of us out
there actually found her to be infinitely more appealing

[jamescarbajal]

Always thought of Bailey as the shows Bombshell, kinda like the Ginger, Mary Ann debate, her wholesome beauty always stuck out.

[dwaynecollins]

The glasses man! She was not only more attractive than Loni Anderson she was easily a better actress by far ☺️

[hippiebits]

She really was a natural beauty...it's a shame modern trends have moved away from this.

[beatles]

Bailey had the best “walking away “ jeans ever!!

[gaylegoodman]

What is the “Sad Strange Story”? Sure she went through a divorce 2x, but she had a successful career and gave back to society. What is so sad or strange?

[kbdrh]

"As God is my wittness. I thought turkeys could fly!" This is the funniest line ever uttered on tv. Happy Thanks Giving everyone and Jan if you're out there thanks you are the best!

[edryba]

Jan Smithers! My GOD, was she beautiful on WKRP! I always thought she was MUCH prettier as her character, Bailey Quarters, than the station’s plastic receptionist, Jennifer Marlowe (who always made me think that if you took the 5 pounds of product out of her hair and somehow got hold of a 55-gallon drum of cold cream to remove the 20 pounds of makeup, lipstick, mascara and eye shadow, you’d find something positively SCARY underneath it all!). I was actually working on the air at a California Radio Station the entire time WKRP was in production. And although there were a number of things they did that were absolutely NOT the way they were actually done at a real radio station, the show was still funny. They had managed to put together a cast with the right chemistry to pull it off.

TV had tried a couple of times in the past to do a show about Radio, and those previous attempts deservedly fell flat. One show called “Good Morning, World” comes to mind, and if I recall correctly, it lasted all of 13 weeks (which was then standard for a BOMB), then it disappeared, never to be seen again. WKRP, on the other hand, had genuinely good scripts, the right cast and lasted longer than the critics thought it would. Jan Smithers was a big reason for that - the way she played “Bailey”, she started out being rather timid, especially when it came to the prospect of being on the air. But once she found her confidence, there was no stopping her! “Bailey” just seemed to take a really long time to finally realize how beautiful she was, and that she indeed did have what it took to be good on the air, as a news person or whatever she decided to be. It was fun to watch Ms. Smithers play that role, and see her character grow into being a radio person. Since I worked with real people who were doing the same thing, it made the way Jan Smithers handled her part seem that much better. Some years after WKRP, I ended up directing Network TV News. Our evening Anchor ended up going to the REAL Cincinnati’s NBC Station to be its General Manager. If you remember the “open” of WKRP, when you see that big broadcast tower, that was actually the tower of that Cincinnati, Ohio TV Station! But everything I’ve written here that doesn’t concern Jan Smithers directly is ANOTHER STORY. Suffice it to say she was one terrific actress and did a bang- up job on WKRP IN CINCINNATI.

[reedscuba]

I won't mince words, she was smokin' hot. And I love the fact that she didn't have 26 plastic surgeries as she aged and end up looking like a clown.

[kbdrh]

Loved WKRP and loved Jan. She was a breath of fresh air. Jan has the most beautiful eyes. They are quite mesmerizing. I loved the way she carried herself and interacted with the cast. I remember watching the Thanksgiving special when it first ran. That was one of the funniest tv episodes ever!

[noahellis]

WKRP was one of my favorite tv shows in the 70s and still think it's one of the best sitcoms ever made with the perfect cast of characters. Jan sounds like she's done well for herself especially with her daughter and keeping busy with her causes. I never saw the WKRP reboot in the 90s and sounds like I didn't miss anything but I wish the best for Jan Smithers and all the surviving cast members of WKRP in their futures.

[jackm]

Apparently, Jan Smithers is a natural beauty, both inside and out. Wonderful decision making to leave acting for her family and then, once the kids were grown, giving back to humanity.

[sidneycashion]

I thought she had passed away. So glad to see her alive and helping folks.

[bongobreathman]

Original WKRP was the funniest show on TV ever. And Jan Smithers was the most beautiful...classic beauty.

[dennistietz]

I watched WKRP this morning by chance and it was the episode where Bailey makes her break into the news team. Such a fun show. 👍

[billdesinger]

I can rewatch every episode and laugh just as hard as if watching it for the first time. One of the true classics with perfect acting and writing.

[danarcher]

My sisters and parents watched this show more than I did. But I liked the Dr. Johnny Fever character, and I always thought Bailey was very attractive.

[mcguire]

I never knew there was a spinoff. Jan was absolutely drop dead gorgeous and the main reason I watched the show.

[lonjanis]

I had such a huge crush on her as a kid. Just a natural beauty with great acting chops and good comedic timing ❤️

[phyllisfarley]

I loved W K R P. I still roll laughing when it airs.
It was extremely well cast. I still love all of them. Wish it would come back.
Thanks Jan. Jesus is the answer. God bless