RIP Frank Bonner

Discussion in 'Visual Arts' started by Nightfly68, Jun 17, 2021.

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  1. Nightfly68

    Nightfly68 Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    NC
    Gary Sandy posted that Frank died yesterday. Herb Tarlek was my favorite character on WKRP. Godspeed Frank.
     
  2. MikaelaArsenault

    MikaelaArsenault Forum Resident

    Location:
    New Hampshire
  3. RIP

    For Herb Tarlek alone, Frank will be remembered. What a comedic force he was on that show
     
  4. Jack Lord

    Jack Lord Forum Resident

    Location:
    Washington, DC
    Oh man ...

    Herb Tarlek was one of the funniest characters ever on TV. Those suits, the hair, the "get out of there".

    RIP Frank
     
  5. bresna

    bresna Senior Member

    Location:
    York, Maine
    That turkey drop episode had one of the funniest scenes in US television history.
    [​IMG]
     
  6. Nightfly68

    Nightfly68 Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    NC
    There was an episode where Frank was stressing out about something. He was sitting at his desk rubbing his temples and said something like-"God, what does a stroke feel like?" I almost pissed my pants I laughed so hard.
     
  7. wayne66

    wayne66 Forum Resident

    What a great character on such a great show. I still quote the things that Herb would say. Rest in peace.
     
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  8. mr. steak

    mr. steak Forum Resident

    Location:
    chandler az
    Herb forced to move Jennifer's piano all by himself was always for me a highlight of this great show. He kept ramping up the arc of it beautifully.

    RIP
     
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2021
  9. geetar_await

    geetar_await I heart Linux.

    Location:
    USA
    :( Loved that show, great ensemble. You just think the people of your favorite shows will go on and on forever, and...
     
  10. JakeKlas

    JakeKlas Impatiently waiting for an 8-track revival

    Location:
    United States
    So sad. I worked in radio and there was always a Herb-like character in the sales department. That’s what made the show so great... those characters, while exaggerated in many cases, had a lot of truth behind them.

    Looking at stories on the internet about Bonner’s passing, I found this part of an interview with Loni Anderson. It wasn’t related to Bonner’s death, just a standard interview with Anderson.

    She was asked about her favorite memory from WKRP:

    Gosh, I have so many. But there’s one spectacular scene I did with Frank Bonner, who played the salesman who was always after me. Jan Smithers, who played Bailey Quarters, told me to accept a date with him and maybe I would scare him away and he would leave me alone. However, it didn’t scare him. We have a scene alone in my apartment, which was so beautifully written. Frank is really poignant in it. It was such a wonderful scene to play because he’s so talented and gifted. We got fan letters, the two of us, from Steve Allen and Jack Lemmon about that scene. So I think that’s my favorite memory.
     
  11. FredV

    FredV Senior Member

  12. MikaelaArsenault

    MikaelaArsenault Forum Resident

    Location:
    New Hampshire
  13. IMMusicRulz

    IMMusicRulz The Fifth Bangle

    Location:
    Atlanta, GA
    This is sad news. I used to watch WKRP In Cincinnati reruns with my father.
     
  14. carrick doone

    carrick doone Whhhuuuutttt????

    Location:
    Vancouver, Canada
    Love that! It even has Tawny Kittaen I think.
     
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  15. carrick doone

    carrick doone Whhhuuuutttt????

    Location:
    Vancouver, Canada
    Goodbye Frank. I know it's not the only thing you did but thank you for playing Herb Tarlek to perfection.
     
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  16. fr in sc

    fr in sc Forum Resident

    Location:
    Hanahan, SC
    This is indeed sad news. When I lived in Japan in the mid-late 80's they showed WKRP on TV there in stereo, one channel in English and the other dubbed in Japanese. I remember watching it one night with a couple of guys who were salesmen (for Sony IIRC) and they couldn't understand why there was canned laughter at everything Herb said. RIP.
     
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  17. Planbee

    Planbee Negative Nellie

    Location:
    Chicago
    Ah, crap. Herb Tarlek was a great character. Loved that obtuse/addle-minded argument he had with Les. :laugh:

    Rest in peace, Mr. Bonner.
     
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  18. Stereosound

    Stereosound Forum Resident

    Location:
    USA
    Yes she’s in the New WKRP series. Herb is funny showing up in the window and first!
     
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  19. twicks

    twicks Forum Resident

    Location:
    Detroit
    The episode where the TV documentary crew goes to Herb's house is hilarious and pretty innovative for network TV at the time. I remember my mother crying with laughter.

    EDIT: Here 'tis:

     
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2021
  20. Holy Diver

    Holy Diver Senior Member

    Location:
    USA
    Such a classic guy. He was so great. RIP.
     
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  21. JakeKlas

    JakeKlas Impatiently waiting for an 8-track revival

    Location:
    United States
    I always loved that part of the episode when Lucille is trying to explain Little House on the Prairie:

    Elaine: ARE YOU CAREFUL WHAT YOU ALLOW THE CHILDREN TO WATCH?

    YES, INDEED, WE ARE.

    Elaine: FOR INSTANCE?

    WELL, WE ONLY ALLOW THEM TO WATCH WHOLESOME, FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT.

    Elaine: LIKE WHAT?

    UH, WELL, "THE LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE.” NOW THAT'S A FINE, WHOLESOME SHOW. IT'S ABOUT BLIND CHILDREN OUT WEST, AND EVERY WEEK THEY HAVE A FIRE, OR SOMEONE GETS AN INCURABLE DISEASE. WE ENJOY IT VERY MUCH.
     
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  22. Sean

    Sean Senior Member

    Location:
    Ottawa
    Canadian band The Rheostatics had a song out in 2004 with Bonner's participation. RIP
     
  23. Michael

    Michael I LOVE WIDE S-T-E-R-E-O!

    R.I.P. Frank...
     
  24. Rob P S

    Rob P S Senior Member

    Location:
    Pittsburgh, PA
    Real Families is my favorite episode, but one of my favorite scenes is when Herb invents a phony job offer at a TV station to try to get a raise. There's a great heartfelt scene with him and Venus that you don't see in sitcoms anymore. He should've gotten an Emmy for that.
     
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  25. MLutthans

    MLutthans That's my spaghetti, Chewbacca! Staff

    Still one of my all-time favorite shows. RIP, and loving thoughts to his loved ones.
     
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