 The physical resemblance between Michael Brandon and "WKRP" lead actor Gary Sandy and the fact that their respective characters were both based upon KMET programming director Mikel Hunter may have contributed to this speculation.However, "WKRP" series creator Hugh Wilson asserts that the sitcom was already in development when the film came out.He also states that he was "scared to death" when the film came out, afraid that it would eclipse the CBS sitcom, which made its debut in September 1978.