INTERVIEW
Johnjay and Rich: Mad Men of the airwaves Yes, you know they are hilarious. Yes, you know they are the iconic morning show team on 104.7 KISS FM. Yes, you may know they are the ultimate raconteurs, able to entertain audiences in multiple markets with witticisms and anecdotes from everyday life. They are Johnjay Van Es and Rich Berra, mad men of the morning airwaves. But did you know Johnjay prefers Ginger and Rich, Mary Ann? These are their answers to the popular question regarding the cult classic “Gilligan’s Island” show. We have the answers to some of the most intriguing questions to give you the men behind the madness. How did you get into radio? Johnjay: I did a TV internship at San Diego State University and it sucked. I got into radio instead and loved it. Rich: There was a college station by my house growing up and I was on air at 14, doing a shift of ‘80s alternative music. What’s your favorite childhood memory? Johnjay: We took my dad’s old car to Canada and we (the kids) laid in the back seat and refused to even look out the window during the trip. Rich: In our Missouri basement, I would hang out with my brother and tape comedy shows. What’s the most absurd memory of radio you have or most absurd caller? Rich: Putting 600 Christmas trees in the studio hallways and playing dodge ball with Randy Johnson. Johnjay: We had Robert Wagner on hold during one of our “War of the Roses” segments and he was giving advice to the couple. Have you ever had one of those caller pranks blow up in your face like the “War of the Roses” segments? Yes, but we can’t talk about it. We have seen you at events raising funds for animals – do you like animals? Johnjay: I have two rescue dogs – one is from a puppy mill. My mother-in-law is Deanna Biddulph and she is very involved in the animal rescue community. Rich: We have one doggy in our family. What’s your favorite beverage? Snack food? Rich: Kettle corn and guacamole (but not together) and root beer.
Johnjay: Pirate Booty and coconut water. What do you value most in your friends? Johnjay: Rich is my only friend. Rich: Johnjay is my closest friend. I value someone who knows how to escape from a party, doesn’t take life too seriously and has my back. What are your favorite destinations, inside or outside of Arizona? Rich: Tucson, San Diego and Portland. Johnjay: Pinetop and San Diego. Favorite movies? TV shows? Rich: I’m really into “Mad Men,” “Family Guy,” “Modern Family,” “Swamp People” and “The Real Housewives of New Jersey.” For movies, “Almost Famous,” “Shawshank Redemption,” “The Empire Strikes Back,” “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” “The Princess Bride” and “Goodfellas.” Johnjay: Movies, “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Stepbrothers” and “The Godfather.” For TV, “Mork & Mindy,” “The Odd Couple,” “Will and Grace” and “Family Guy.” Favorite line from either? Johnjay: “Ride or die, this is the way we roll.” Rich: “Go home and get your shine box.” What is your greatest indulgence? Johnjay: Everything I do. Bikram yoga. Rich: Music – my speakers and turntable. What or who would you like to come back as? Rich: Myself, but with more intelligence. Johnjay: Brad Pitt’s penis. If you weren’t in radio, what would you be doing? Johnjay: Write or perform for “Saturday Night Live” or teach Bikram yoga. Rich: I would probably spend some time producing music. When might you tell a lie, even if it’s just a little white lie? Rich: When people ask me at events if I’m doing okay, I am, but I’ve probably been up way too long by the time we get there and I’m probably way more hungry than I like to get. So, I give an “everything’s awesome” answer anyway. Johnjay: I have three little boys and I really try to be a stand-up guy with integrity, so I choose my words very carefully instead of telling a little white lie.
What are the two or three most important things that have happened in your life? Johnjay: Each of my boys’ births. The first was through an adoption. The second and third were twins born through my sister-in-law who was a surrogate for us. Also, the death of my father (I lost weight immediately) and the syndication of our radio show. Rich: The very first time I heard a rock song on a radio station changed everything. My parents were into show tunes, musicals and opera. I had never heard anything really aggressive. Who are your comedic role models? Rich: I loved Eddie Murphy when I was a kid. I even liked “Harlem Nights.” Also, Redd Foxx, Dennis Miller, Brian Regan and Will Farrell. Johnjay: Old Steve Martin, Richard Pryor, Robin Williams from the “Mork & Mindy” era, Rich Berra, my dad and my Mexican uncles. What makes you so funny? How do you get inspired? Johnjay: I see and hear things in a funny way. My uncles are really disturbing – nothing is off limits. I also get inspired by the way Rich delivers things or someone on the show that says something funny. Rich: At the heart of what’s funny is either something totally relatable, or in my case, just uncomfortable or totally unrelatable. Never underestimate the power of unrelatable comedy. That moment where you laugh and say, “I can’t see that ever happening to me but I can see where it could.”
TRENDS MAGAZINE
11