A thoughtful and intelligent mix of character drama and sitcom, the series was created by Reid with Hugh Wilson, both of whom aimed for a higher standard than the average fare on television. He departed the series in 1987 to strike out on his own with "Frank's Place," a comedy with dramatic overtones about a Boston professor (Reid) who inherits a New Orleans restaurant and the charismatic staff and customers that people it. Brown served as the Simons' connection inside the police force, and frequently traded information for favors. After a brief stint as a replacement cast member for the failed school comedy "Teachers Only" (NBC, 1982-83), Reid settled into a long run as Marcel Proust "Downtown" Brown, a police detective pal to the detective brothers "Simon and Simon" (CBS, 1981-86). The episode was one of three that Reid penned for "WKRP." In 1992, he reprised the role for "The New WKRP in Cincinnati" (syndicated, 1991-93). Through him, the show was able to skewer racial issues, most notably in the episode "A Family Affair," where white station manager Andy Travis (Gary Sandy) finds his longtime friendship with Venus under question after he asks out Andy's sister. Straight-laced and conservative by nature, Sims is encouraged to adopt a funkier personality for his late night shift at "WKRP in Cincinnati," and thus is born Venus Flytrap. Wilson offered to help Reid build a more realistic figure, so Flytrap became Gordon Sims, a Vietnam vet who falls into radio after deserting the military. He was initially incensed at the role offered to him - DJ Venus Flytrap, whom he felt was a demeaning stereotype. In 1978, Reid auditioned for a new sitcom from Hugh Wilson about the offbeat personalities at a small radio station in Ohio. He soon landed more TV work as a writer and performer on such cutting-edge comedy series as "The Richard Pryor Show" (NBC, 1977) and "Fernwood 2 Night" (syndicated, 1977-78) before moving into minor acting roles on series like "Lou Grant" (CBS, 1977-1982) and "Maude" (CBS, 1972-78). His first big break came with the improv group War Babies, which was chosen to co-star with Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello in a summer miniseries called "Easy Does It Starring Frankie Avalon" (CBS, 1976). Bills were paid via stand-up gigs while he took acting classes by day. Dreesen later became Frank Sinatra's regular opening act, and the two reunited in 2008 to write a history of their experience titled Tim and Tom: An American Comedy in Black and White.Reid moved to Los Angeles in 1974 to pursue a fulltime career in entertainment. After struggling for several years, the pair went their separate ways. Their act was a tough sell in the racially charged atmosphere of the late 1960s and early '70s. After being partnered with insurance salesman Tom Dreesen to create an anti-drug campaign for local schools, the pair found that they could make audiences laugh, and decided to form a stand-up comedy duo, Tim and Tom. After graduating in 1968, he worked as a supplies salesman for DuPont, but the position held little interest. In interviews, he credited their efforts with giving him the strength he needed to pursue his goals. Reid attended the all-black Norfolk State College, where educators gave a boost to his spiraling grades and attitude. He found an escape at the movies and dreamed of becoming an actor after meeting Hollywood stars who promoted their latest efforts in his town. Reid's father was abusive and a drug addict, and the turmoil of his home life had a detrimental effect on his school grades. Born in Norfolk, VA, his early years were difficult ones.
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