Chaz & AJ

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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. In 2011, due to the show's popularity, it was added to the morning drive time schedule of 95.9 WFOX 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 include 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 has since returned to the show and participates in the show from her house every day. It was announced on May 6, 2013 that Megan would be leaving the show permanently on May 20th.

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 a caller may be discussed for an hour on the show, for example, even though it wasn't planned when the show began.

Interviews

Chaz & AJ normally has 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 are fitted with dog training collars that send an electric shock when a button on the remote control is pushed. The 5th host operates the phone lines and reads a question or ask callers to phone-in trivia questions for the dog collar fitted player or contestant. The contestant attempts to answere the chosen question ad 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.
  • Loser of the Week: Played every Friday at 8:30AM. 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 there 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.
  • Other News: Co-host Pam will read off current news stories that couldn't be covered in the minute before a normal break would start, where they would then proceed with a different bit. Participants in the bit along with listeners will comment and call in about certain stories.
  • 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.

References

  1. ↑ Scott Fybush, "North East RadioWatch: Smith, Barber End 18 Years at WPLR", BostonRadio.org, February 3, 2003
  2. ↑ "Best of Connecticut 2007: People & Entertainment",Connecticut Magazine, September 4, 2007
  3. ↑ "James Brolin's 9/11 Gaffe', New York Post, September 15, 2007
  4. ↑ Annie Rourke, Actor makes shocking comments on New Haven radio show, News Channel 8 (WTNH TV), September 14, 2007

External links

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