Think Rock 100.5’s Regular Guys, 680/the Fan’s Buck & Kincade, 104.7/the Fish’s Kevin & Taylor and V-103’s Frank & Wanda, to name a few. Q100’s “Bert Show” is one of the biggest radio success stories of the past decade.
In 2001, Susquehanna, the owners of the new Q100 at the time, cobbled together disparate parts for its first morning show: Bert Weiss from Dallas, Jeff Dauler from Philadelphia, Lindsay Brien from MTV’s “The Real World” and homegrown Melissa Carter, who had been at sister station 99X.
It was a leap of faith on Q100’s part. But the station was brand new. Expectations were low, and management was patient. Brien was soon replaced by Jenn Hobby, who had been at another station in town. From there, the team was complete. Weiss was the air traffic controller. Dauler was the obnoxious foil. Hobby was sweetness and light. Carter provided a voice of reason.
Over nine years, the show transformed from a modest sideshow curiosity targeting women ages 18 to 34 to one of the most popular radio teams in town, drawing a wide swath of men and women ages 18 to 54.
Carter left the show Friday. And no, she isn’t departing for another radio job or any job for that matter. She simply felt it was time to take time off and figure out her future. Skeptics wonder if there was any underlying story, a contract dispute perhaps.
But Carter is nothing but a sincere person. Weiss said she never even tried to negotiate a new contract. “I think her kidney transplant [in 2002] changed her outlook on life,” he said.
So Carter’s leaving on her own terms — a rarity in radio.
It’s impossible to say how Carter’s absence will impact the show and its fans. She was a crucial cog with strong opinions and an infectious laugh. Weiss said he will take his time to find the right person to meld with the others.
“I’m certainly nervous about the future,” Hobby said, “but only because it’s going to be different. Everyone resists change. I’m trying to be positive and really embrace it. The show will never be the same, but as they say, the show must go on.”
Amusingly, Carter overslept Thursday morning and stumbled in 90 minutes late, something she had never done before. This morning, she’ll be able to sleep as late as she wants.
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