Mr. Carlson Has Left the Station
 

WKRP in Cincinnati was was one of my absolute favorite television comedies of all time, and it wouldn't have been nearly as great without the perfect portrayal of station owner Mr. Carlson by Gordon Jump.

Gordon has passed away at the age of 71. He also takes with him a long stint as the decade-spanning "Old Lonely", the Maytag Repairman. Jump filled pretty big shoes, replacing much-loved character actor Jesse White in 1989, following Jesse's retirement from a 21 year stint.

Gordon Jump started out as kiddie TV show host on Topeka's WIBW. He was always likeable, a journeyman actor, and one of those actors about whom you never heard a bad thing. While he didn't leave quite the mark that many other recently departed performers have, he still holds a dear place in my heart...after all, he was the only guy who never lusted after Jennifer, adored fly fishing above all else, and always managed to find a way to circumvent his controlling mother's influence and make everything turn out alright in the end.

I'll always miss the nice guys.

The thing I miss most in the movies is the character actors like Jump that added so much. Now it's the stars and crowds or targets instead of supporting roles.:(

P.S. Bailey was best.;)

The role that I particularly remember Gordon Jump in was as the bike shop owner/pedophile on Diff'rent Strokes.

Isn't that sad?

It wasn't a show I ever watched. Was he an effective bike shop owner/pedophile? I can see where he'd have been good at it.

Yes Ep, he was a fantastic pedophile and shop owner...

Somehow I think this little tidbit will be left out of the Entertainment Tonight retrospective ...