Chaz & AJ
Chaz & AJ in the Morning is a morning radio talk show program on 99.1 WPLR, a rock radio station broadcasting from Milford, Connecticut. Though the show is mostly comedy based, it includes certain segments of more serious (and more important) things, including interviews with politicians and authors. Due to the show's popularity, it was added to the morning drive time schedule of 95.9 WFOX in 2011 and in September 2014 on 102.9 The Whale WDRC-FM where it is broadcast simultaneously.
The show is done primarily by Chaz and AJ (who don't use their last names to protect their privacy when they aren't working), Pam, and current show producer Phil.
Former regular participants included Megan, who did the traffic and news, but also took part in many segments; John, the former show producer; Billy Winn, who was laid off March 2009. Megan's last official day on the show was Friday, October 2 when she left to spend more time with her family. She returned to the show and participated from her house. It was announced on May 6, 2013 that Megan would be leaving the show permanently on May 20.
The show began on WPLR on February 17, 2002, after the previous show, Smith & Barber, ended, moving from WRCN on Long Island. Chaz had previously been a night jock at WPLR.[1] In 2007, Connecticut Magazine named the show "Best Local Radio Morning-Drive DJs", saying "If FM radio is going to hold off its satellite competition, ... it's the ability of the on-air personnel to connect with the audience. Chaz and AJ seem to be doing that very well."[2]
Format
The show is usually "played by ear." A topic mentioned by "The Tribe" (the name given to Chaz & AJ listeners) may be discussed for an hour on the show even though it wasn't planned when the show began.
Interviews
Chaz & AJ normally have interviews with both local Connecticut talent and people known around the world. Some people featured on the show are Connecticut congressmen, sports figures, musicians, local news anchors, and much more.
A rather notable interview was with actor James Brolin on September 11, 2007. He made the news after Chaz and AJ noted it was the sixth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, and Brolin replied "Right, oh, yeah, Happy 9/11!"[3][4]
Regular segments
The show has a number of regular features:
- Shock Collar Trivia: On Tuesdays and Thursdays, one of the hosts or a "special" guest will be fitted with a dog training collar that sends an electric shock when a button on the remote control is pushed. The person wearing the collar will be asked a trivia question from another host or a caller. The contestant attempts to answer the chosen question and if the answer they give is wrong, they get shocked. Hilarious audible noises are often heard and sometimes the results are video recorded for replay on the WPLR website. No longer done.
- AJ's Top 10: At the start of the show, AJ has a Top 10 list that is inspired by current events. Listeners call in to guess.
- Loser of the Week: Played every Friday at 8:15AM. Listeners call in to nominate and vote for the person or thing that was the biggest "loser" that week. The one with the most votes at the end is crowned "Loser of the Week."
- Open Phones: Introduced early 2010. Listeners call in about anything on their mind. Some calls divert the show anywhere from a few minutes to a full break. This bit can run anywhere from one break (15 minutes) to a full hour (4 breaks). It can be used more than one time per show.
- Chaz & AJ Line of the Day: Usually happens right before the close of the show. Bob, a caller from Norwalk, provides one of the more memorable lines from that morning's show. No longer done.
References
- ↑ Scott Fybush, "North East RadioWatch: Smith, Barber End 18 Years at WPLR", BostonRadio.org, February 3, 2003
- ↑ "Best of Connecticut 2007: People & Entertainment",Connecticut Magazine, September 4, 2007
- ↑ "James Brolin's 9/11 Gaffe' Archived April 30, 2008, at the Wayback Machine., New York Post, September 15, 2007
- ↑ Annie Rourke, Actor makes shocking comments on New Haven radio show, News Channel 8 (WTNH TV), September 14, 2007