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The Truth About Johnjay & Rich

Over time, many people, including myself, have had their thoughts on the Johnjay & Rich morning show, but I do have to admit one thing, and this is probably going to be the most truthful statement about this show that I've ever made. I've taken some time to actually just stop and listen to the program, and came to the realization:

The show is actually pretty good.

Now, people can say what they may about it, but I've noticed how real they are on the air and they are not afraid to be themselves and just tell or make jokes. In reality, I'd say that this is the way more things should be done. Just free to be yourself without having to put on some kind of fake persona or "be more cool". On a psychological level, I believe kids can learn a thing or two from the show. Maybe they talk about many different things, but it's what they don't say in words that shows - the fact that they are simply just being themselves and not having to be anything else than that. It's like a natural way of being funny. This is what I respect about the Johnjay & rich show. Real people having fun and making their jobs fun. I have no problem what so ever listening to them in the morning. The only complaint/suggestion I have is the fact that things would be so much better if at least some music was also played during the show, very similar to how it's done on most morning stations. Maybe a dj mix or to as well, or even two 10 -15 minute set quick mixes an hour would be acceptable. The way KZON has their morning show schedule organized is very well done. I think Johnjay & Rich should also have a certain balance of music added in as well. Overall, great morning show, and it's a good thing ratings show that you can naturally be yourself, make jokes, be funny, and act a fool and still be successful today. They may not be Seinfeld or Family Guy funny, but they sure do have their own style, that definitely works. What many younger people may not realize is that they hear them and subconsciously wish at some level they could be like them, and just talk and be funny without feeling like they have to "look or be cool" with it. I'm sure there are some older folks sharing that same wish as well. I don't wish that because I already have the tendency to be goofy and randomly make jokes a lot, so pretty much I guess I'm seeing somewhat of a reflection of myself (and a lot of how I was growing up) in them in some ways.
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Just being natural and sounding like yourself is the way everyone is born by default. It's the years of social conditioning, mixed with parental teachings and other mind training developed during childhood, teaching them they must look or act a certain way in public, that washes away their natural state of mind.

Well anyway, these are my thoughts and views about the Johnjay & Rich show.
Enjoy your day.
 
I'm definitely not in the Johnjay & Rich demo, nor do I ever listen to them. I appreciate the write-up on their morning show. You saved me the trouble of having to listen for myself. ;)

Honestly, though, good for them on being successful and building a loyal audience.
 
Ummmmm....I go back to when JJ&R had tickets available for The Cheetah Girls. In order to win tickets, they had moms come in that had to be dressed in catsuits, and then they had to eat catfood out of the can.

Yes, these certainly are role models for kids, KDM 1000!!!

And what's real about their show? They can't play more music, because that's not what the CC "KISS" format states for a CHR morning show. It's like that on every CC station in every market in the country. You actually think they make any decisions on their show?? Come on...they work for CLEAR CHANNEL. They do whatever they are told for their substantial paycheck.

And, FYI, virtually every successful bit is purchased from a production/prep service.
 
Remember, I'm basing this on a day or two of listening, not years of listening and enjoying and knowing the entire history of topics they've covered.

Besides, preaching about eating catfood is EXTREMELY LIGHT compared to the amount of absurdity you can learn from just ONE hip hop / pop song or video today. It's like there being a massive earthquake, huge death toll, large media coverage, then someone comes in your office complaining that they broke a nail - in other words, a lot worse goes on than wearing catsuits and eating nutritional catfood.

As far as the music and that stuff, I'm not sure what the rules are on that, but all I know is that Johnjay & Rich sound pretty natural on the air and seem as if they can just naturally talk, be themselves, and do their show. Maybe ClearChannel is on them, but I doubt they are being forced to act unnatural in anyway. You can tell they are simply being themselves as they talk and tell jokes. They probably made it as far as they did on their natural ability to be themselves while also being able to follow the instruction and detail that comes with the job. All this here is my opinion, but the truth is simply that you can respect them for being down to earth and natural.

And speaking of Clear Channel playing more music on CHR's in the morning... I recall WiLD 94.9 playing some songs when I woke up this morning. Johnjay & Rich currently play an average of 0 songs on their show, and this is why I suggest more music... but like I said, I don't understand all those details about CC and their policies on morning shows in CHR.
 
I haven't listened to them much, but one thing I've noticed they're quite good at is celebrity interviews. They seem to be able to get whatever celeb they're talking to out of the "give canned answers to the radio dj" mode, and it comes off sounding more like a conversation than an interview. As a listener, you feel like you're eavesdropping on that conversation, rather than just listening to a star promote their latest project.

Pulling that off takes talent, practice, and preparation.
 
JJ&R used to play music in the morning when they were solely on KRQ in Tucson (2001-2006). KRQ's had some good talent in its history:

Tim & Willy (Mornings)
Jimmy Kimmel (Mornings)
Mojo (Mornings)
R Dub (Sunday Night Slow Jams)
Carson Daly (Intern)
Gary Coleman (Intern - we won't talk about that)
Toby Amies (went on to host MTV Live with Carson Daly which became TRL, etc.)
 
JonJay and Rich have a great morning show, its entertaining and enjoyable. Im also glad they dont play music because they play the same 10 songs over and over that Power, Movin, and Jams have on their rotation..
 
From what I understand, they'll be moving out of Phoenix/Tucson to San Diego (Star 94.1) in the near future. Syndicating their show to the Valley of the Sun from America's Finest City. It'll be interesting to see how much their show changes and how much you'll like them then.
 
TinaDelgado said:
From what I understand, they'll be moving out of Phoenix/Tucson to San Diego (Star 94.1) in the near future. Syndicating their show to the Valley of the Sun from America's Finest City. It'll be interesting to see how much their show changes and how much you'll like them then.

San Diego is Phoenix' Jersey Shore. Totally familiar territory to and for VotSers. Shouldn't be any harder for them to run a show for the Phoenix DMA from one smaller affiliated market (Tucson) than it is from another (SD).

The bigger question is how long they stay together working thisclose to the L.A. market...
 
ykw said:
The bigger question is how long they stay together working thisclose to the L.A. market...

Last week, they alluded to friction between themselves and Ryan Seacrest (whose morning show runs on sister station KIIS in LA). It was something along the lines of Seacrest using their material, but not giving credit. Is this true, or just some way to generate attention?
 
I really wish I understood the popularity of the show, but I don't. Then again, I have always wondered how the same old, same old passes the test year-after-year... "Battle of the Sexes", "Confession Wednesday" and other highly original morning show bits... compelling stuff.

It's nothing against them personally, but if the economics of radio weren't in the perpetual toilet, I have a feeling that syndication wouldn't be on the table for their show.
 
TinaDelgado said:
From what I understand, they'll be moving out of Phoenix/Tucson to San Diego (Star 94.1) in the near future. Syndicating their show to the Valley of the Sun from America's Finest City. It'll be interesting to see how much their show changes and how much you'll like them then.

Hmmm.... so music might be coming?

Out here in California, I'm loving the music they do play in the mornings. Power 106 has the most mixes, but other than that, I like Amp 97.1 the most, musically. I almost want to stay in California with the earthquakes that might come instead of coming back to Phoenix - that's how great the stations are. Not as exciting as it was back in the day, but the stations out here are indeed still intriguing. I guess... you could say Amp 97.1 is pretty much a KZON in L.A.

Anyway, back to Johnjay & Rich. I can understand what makes some people dislike the show, but those same things are also what make it great when you REALLY sit back, listen, and analyze how things are done. In reality, it's pretty good. maybe long, but still pretty good overall... but I can imagine them better on a top 40 that leans more alternative than rhythmic.
 
justthenumbers said:
Last week, they alluded to friction between themselves and Ryan Seacrest (whose morning show runs on sister station KIIS in LA). It was something along the lines of Seacrest using their material, but not giving credit. Is this true, or just some way to generate attention?

Uhhhh, right. Like those two chuckleheads ever had an original idea. Don Geronimo said it best - "You steal from me, you're stealing twice!"

Mention Ryan Seacrest's name and the ears of the overweight 25 year old receptionists that listen to them perk up. Blech.
 
I think Johnjay & Rich are okay. I listen to them only a little bit during my morning drive. I like their bits and think they do a good job.

justthenumbers said:
...they alluded to friction between themselves and Ryan Seacrest...

This is what I don't like about them: how they are obsessed with American Idol. From January to May a huge chunk of their show is about how they are best friends with Paula Abdul. Now they have an inside track to Dancing With the Stars so they talk way too much about that.

They say that Ryan Seacrest doesn't like them. Please! They probably aren't on Seacrest's radar! JJ&R are on 5 radio stations and only 1 of those is in a "major market," if Phoenix rates as a major market. Seacrest just re-signed a multi-million deal. He substitutes for Larry King. Seacrest is more worried about who's taking care of his winter home more than JJ&R!
 
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