Access Atlanta > Entertainment > Radio Talk > Archives > 2007 > December > 10 > Entry
12/11: Star’s Morning Mess starting soon
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
ABOVE: A shot off star94.com from the Morning Mess’s recent party with the Backstreet Boys. That’s Marco, MIkey and Shannon, left to right.
Star 94’s new Morning Mess with Marco, Shannon and Superphat Mikey from Indianapolis was originally going to start in early January, but Marco intimated on stage at the Star 94 sold-out Jingle Jam Monday night that they may start sooner than that.
After Steve & Vikki made a bittersweet departure in early November after 17 years on the station, Star 94 ran a “best of” until Thanksgiving. Since then, night-time jock Nudge and traffic gal Shannon Holly have been ably holding the fort.
Marco, Shannon and Mikey have been at work but not on air since Dec. 1. Instead, Star 94 staff has given them a quick intro to Atlanta. General Manager Mark Kanov in October said they were supposed to spend the month in Atlanta traffic, meeting advertisers and learning how to properly pronounce words such as “Gwinnett.”
The trio, in one of its first public appearances as the new Star morning team, introduced headliner Avril Lavigne Monday night. (Lavigne during her one-hour set showed far more verve than she did at the recent American Music Awards, where she seemed languid and comatose. You have to give that gal credit— she’s a singles machine whose songs appeal with laser-sharp focus to suburban teen. Radio is already playing her fourth single “Hot” off her current album.)
On stage, Marco told the 10,000 mostly young teens (many who screamed nonstop for the Jonas Brothers), “We are the new morning show. We’re starting in the next few days.” Marco introduced Shannon (no, not Holly, the other Shannon, who wasn’t offered a full-time job in the new world order) and Mikey and explained “phat” stands for “pretty hot and tasty.”
I’m set to talk to them soon. Based on comments from fans in Indianapolis and videos on YouTube, the threesome will offer a significantly different (and younger) vibe from Steve & Vikki.
Meanwhile, the final count at Project 9-6-1 was more than $104,000 for the Empty Stocking Fund, more than doubling the value of the amount stolen from the charity’s warehouse a couple weeks ago.
And over in TV news, the final day for Cynne Simpson as anchor/reporter at WGCL-TV was last Friday. She sent an email out to friends noting her new destination: a strong ABC affiliate WJLA-TV in Washington D.C., a comparable-sized market. She starts there January 7.
Here’s an excerpt from the email:
As you may know, I went to Howard University in Washington DC and have lots of family and friends there. I am super excited about returning to my old stomping grounds. It’s an opportunity I couldn’t pass up!
Stephany Fisher will now co-anchor the 4, 6 (where Cynne had anchored) and 11 p.m. news and WGCL will hire a full-time reporter as a replacement. Bill Gaines will continue as co-anchor at 4, 6 and 11 p.m.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By RadioInsider
December 11, 2007 8:47 AM | Link to this
“night-time jock Nudge and traffic gal Shannon Holly have been ably holding the fort.”
????????
Rodney, you obviously haven’t listened to the temporary morning show of Nudge and Shannon Holly … it’s a rambling train wreck, and Star 94 will be lucky to have ANY listeners left by the time the new morning show starts!
Nudge is an energetic and fun jock, but much better suited for nights. Shannon simply needs to find a different career - one that doesn’t require reading or thinking!
My friends at Star 94 say the new Morning Mess can’t start soon enough to please them. Morale is going in the crapper and it’s getting ugly on the staff.
By JTD
December 11, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this
If they add a man-hating lesbian to the show, can we call them the Bert Show 2? Let’s review: 1. Short guy (Bert/Marco) 2. Cute chick (Jen/Shannon) 3. Fat guy (Jeff/Mikey)
By sad sack
December 11, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this
P.h.a.t. stands for “pretty hot and tasty”. Has he looked in the mirror lately? I agree with RadioInsider about the temporary morning show being a huge joke. Nudge constantly interrupts. They never get the news/traffic done on time. It proves to be nothing more than a couple of amateurs filling time until the new cartoon character-looking morning show begins. The only reason I listen at all is to try and catch some music during commercials on other stations. If Star is trying to get a younger target audience, hiring a group of drunken, promiscuous teeny boppers may do it. However, I’m not 20 anymore, so I’m switching to a more professional morning show. P.S. Hi sis!
By indymark
December 11, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this
Marco, Shannon, and Super Phat will rock ATL. They are similar to The Bert Show…but better because they actually do play music. Plus, if they can take listeners from “Bob and Tom” then The Bert Show should be worried. Indy’s loss is Atlanta’s gain.
By Thrash
December 11, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this
Bob & Tom are hacks. Taking listeners from those fossilized terds is like candy from a baby. They aren’t funny. They also were run out of Atlanta on a rail, as will the Morning Mess. What is this “Indy’s loss” crap? They will be crawling back begging for a job India-no-place soon.
By Al
December 11, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this
The thin guy and girl look too young to have a beer. The fat one….well, he should cut back on his beer intake.
By Commuter
December 11, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this
RadioInsider—My sentiments exactly Shannon is an absolute dunce. She really should keep to the traffic…Its a terrible show. Bring on the MESS!
By Bert Show Intern
December 11, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this
It appears the Bert Show interns have been busy posting lately!
By jss
December 11, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this
I agree with Al. Somebody check those ID’s! Shannon looks way to young to be drinking beer.
By FMLS
December 11, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this
Radioinsider doesn’t know what the hell he’s talking about. Nudge and Shannon have been awesome in the morning! They are way better then Steve and Vikki. My friend went to the Backstreet Boys party with the morning mess and she said they sucked!!! Keep Shannon and Nudge!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By eje
December 11, 2007 6:35 PM | Link to this
I think listening to Nudge and Shannon has been ALOT better than listening to “The Best of Steve & Vikki”!!! It wasn’t funny the 1st time I heard it and it was even less funny the 2nd time!
Give Nudge and Shannon a break!!! I think the have done a great job!
By John Doe
December 12, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this
i could care less
By TG
December 13, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this
and i couldn’t care less
By Stephen
December 13, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this
I live in Indy and I am glad they are gone, they have stupid games like make a turkey eat some turkey.
By Randy
December 18, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this
The new show lives up to its name. What a mess of a radio show!!! Bring back Nudge and the traffic girl
By Thrash
December 18, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this
Hell, bring back Steve & Vickey, they’re better and I can’t stand them.