Morning zoo
Encyclopedia
Morning zoo is a format of morning radio
show common to English-language radio broadcasting
. The name is derived from the "wackiness and zaniness" of the activities, bits, and overall personality of the show and its hosts. The morning zoo concept and name is most often deployed on contemporary hit radio
(CHR-Top 40) radio stations.
The morning zoo was named by KZEW (The ZOO) Dallas program director Ira Lipson in 1976. When Charlie Kendall was morning DJ his friend Scott Shannon visited and liked the phrase and vowed to use it when he programmed his next station, which happened to be Z-100 in New York City. When that station became a huge ratings success, the name "The Morning ZOO" was copied by stations across the USA.
John Gorman
, former program director at Cleveland rock station WMMS
, states the following regarding the "Morning Zoo" format's origin:
The zoo concept developed and matured during the 1980s, with many elements of the zoo formula continuing as benchmarks of morning radio today. Currently, few of the original radio stations promoting morning zoo morning shows continue to do so, with many abandoning live morning shows in favor of satellite/syndicated offerings; others simply have retired the concept. However, while the name morning zoo is not in as much use today, the concept itself remains the general template for most morning shows across the country.
A "morning zoo" typically consisted of two or three personalities, usually capable of comedic discourse as well as competent delivery of news and service elements. Most zoo programs involved call-in "stunt personalities" (usually, but not always, created by the staff), on-air games and regular contests. All of these elements were in place on LaBella and Rody's show, for instance.
Perhaps the industry's leading example of consistent, long-term morning zoo programming can be found by studying the history of WHTZ
Newark/New York's Z100. In Australia, it is heard on Triple M
as 'The Cage
', amongst other stations. The Don and Mike
show originated as a Morning zoo show in at WAVA
in the 1980s, and retained some elements of the format. KKBQ-FM
in Houston had a highly successful run throughout the 1980s with its "Q-Morning Zoo" headed by John Lander until 1990. Scott Shannon was on hand for the shows premier in 1982. KKBQ (now country) reinstalled the format to its current morning show. Austin-based Dudley and Bob Show on KLBJ-FM
regularly announce their 'house party' format, especially noted on Fridays.
In Vancouver, British Columbia, LG73 (call sign CKLG) adopted this format for its popular morning program, led by Dean Hill, from 1985 to 1993. Personalities of note included "Jon Bon Bichin'", "Constable Bob", "Uncle Angus", and "The Coach". The LG Morning Zoo featured a house band "The LG Morning Zoo Cement Heads", who recorded parodies of popular songs, such as "Yack Yack", a spoof of the Paul Lekakis hit "Boom Boom", "Change of Socks", poking fun at Cyndi Lauper's "Change of Heart", and "(Baby You Can't) Drive Your Car", mocking the provincial government's automobile insurance monopoly ICBC, to the tune of the Beatles' "Drive My Car".
In Quebec City, CJMF-FM 93.3 had "Le Zoo du 93" from 1985 to 1990. Not only the show still holds a number of records in terms of ratings and market shares (a quarter hour of 148 000 listeners), but it also skyrocketed the station to now unreachable numbers, with 573 200 listeners on a weekly basis (according to the BBM summer 1987 survey).
In the UK, Steve Wright (currently of BBC Radio 2
) is famous for revolutionizing British radio by introducing the format when he started his Steve Wright in the Afternoon show on BBC Radio 1
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/wright/biography_steve.shtml. Chris Moyles
and Dave Vitty use the zoo format with great success. Their audience was measured at eight million listeners by RAJAR
.
The format is used on stations of many different genres. Even Christian radio stations such as WAWZ
in New Jersey have a morning zoo.
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
show common to English-language radio broadcasting
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
. The name is derived from the "wackiness and zaniness" of the activities, bits, and overall personality of the show and its hosts. The morning zoo concept and name is most often deployed on contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
(CHR-Top 40) radio stations.
The morning zoo was named by KZEW (The ZOO) Dallas program director Ira Lipson in 1976. When Charlie Kendall was morning DJ his friend Scott Shannon visited and liked the phrase and vowed to use it when he programmed his next station, which happened to be Z-100 in New York City. When that station became a huge ratings success, the name "The Morning ZOO" was copied by stations across the USA.
John Gorman
John Gorman (radio)
John Gorman is a radio personality and author from Cleveland, Ohio. He has a long history in media, but most notable is his 13 years at WMMS in Cleveland. In the 1970s, his innovative marketing of WMMS turned a nearly defunct station into one of the most popular in the United States. The station...
, former program director at Cleveland rock station WMMS
WMMS
WMMS — branded 100.7 WMMS: The Buzzard — is a commercial radio station licensed to Cleveland, Ohio, widely recognized as one of the most influential rock stations in America throughout much of the history of FM broadcasting...
, states the following regarding the "Morning Zoo" format's origin:
The zoo concept developed and matured during the 1980s, with many elements of the zoo formula continuing as benchmarks of morning radio today. Currently, few of the original radio stations promoting morning zoo morning shows continue to do so, with many abandoning live morning shows in favor of satellite/syndicated offerings; others simply have retired the concept. However, while the name morning zoo is not in as much use today, the concept itself remains the general template for most morning shows across the country.
A "morning zoo" typically consisted of two or three personalities, usually capable of comedic discourse as well as competent delivery of news and service elements. Most zoo programs involved call-in "stunt personalities" (usually, but not always, created by the staff), on-air games and regular contests. All of these elements were in place on LaBella and Rody's show, for instance.
Perhaps the industry's leading example of consistent, long-term morning zoo programming can be found by studying the history of WHTZ
WHTZ
WHTZ — branded Z100 — is a commercial pop/contemporary hit radio radio station licensed to Newark, New Jersey serving the New York metropolitan area. The station is currently owned by Clear Channel Communications...
Newark/New York's Z100. In Australia, it is heard on Triple M
Triple M
The Triple M Network is an active rock radio network in Australia owned by media company Austereo, who also own the Today Network.- History :...
as 'The Cage
The Cage (radio show)
The Cage is the name of two different breakfast shows on Australian radio network Triple M, broadcasting in Brisbane and Melbourne.Previously Sydney and Adelaide received the Melbourne version, however these cities now have their own individual shows....
', amongst other stations. The Don and Mike
Don and Mike
The Don and Mike Show was an American nationally syndicated radio talk show hosted by the shock jocks Don Geronimo and Mike O'Meara, which aired from December 1985 through April 2008, when Geronimo retired in order to focus on his personal life. After Geronimo's retirement, the remaining cast...
show originated as a Morning zoo show in at WAVA
WAVA
WAVA and WAVA-FM are Religious formatted broadcast radio stations. Both stations are licensed to Arlington, Virginia and serve the Washington, D.C. Metro Area. Both WAVA and WAVA-FM, as well as sister station WWRC, are owned and operated by Salem Communications.-External links:*...
in the 1980s, and retained some elements of the format. KKBQ-FM
KKBQ-FM
KKBQ-FM, "The New 93Q", is a Houston-based Radio station with a country music format. Its transmitter is located in Missouri City, Texas. The station is owned by Cox Radio and is part of the Houston Radio cluster including KGLK, KHPT & KTHT. KKBQ has been nominated twice for Country Music...
in Houston had a highly successful run throughout the 1980s with its "Q-Morning Zoo" headed by John Lander until 1990. Scott Shannon was on hand for the shows premier in 1982. KKBQ (now country) reinstalled the format to its current morning show. Austin-based Dudley and Bob Show on KLBJ-FM
KLBJ-FM
KLBJ-FM is a classic rock music radio station serving the Austin, Texas area, broadcasting at 93.7 MHz from its broadcast tower on Austin's Mount Larson.The station was owned by the Lyndon B...
regularly announce their 'house party' format, especially noted on Fridays.
In Vancouver, British Columbia, LG73 (call sign CKLG) adopted this format for its popular morning program, led by Dean Hill, from 1985 to 1993. Personalities of note included "Jon Bon Bichin'", "Constable Bob", "Uncle Angus", and "The Coach". The LG Morning Zoo featured a house band "The LG Morning Zoo Cement Heads", who recorded parodies of popular songs, such as "Yack Yack", a spoof of the Paul Lekakis hit "Boom Boom", "Change of Socks", poking fun at Cyndi Lauper's "Change of Heart", and "(Baby You Can't) Drive Your Car", mocking the provincial government's automobile insurance monopoly ICBC, to the tune of the Beatles' "Drive My Car".
In Quebec City, CJMF-FM 93.3 had "Le Zoo du 93" from 1985 to 1990. Not only the show still holds a number of records in terms of ratings and market shares (a quarter hour of 148 000 listeners), but it also skyrocketed the station to now unreachable numbers, with 573 200 listeners on a weekly basis (according to the BBM summer 1987 survey).
In the UK, Steve Wright (currently of BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
) is famous for revolutionizing British radio by introducing the format when he started his Steve Wright in the Afternoon show on BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/wright/biography_steve.shtml. Chris Moyles
Chris Moyles
Christopher David Moyles is an English radio and television presenter and author, who currently presents The Chris Moyles Show on BBC Radio 1 and Chris Moyles' Quiz Night on Channel 4....
and Dave Vitty use the zoo format with great success. Their audience was measured at eight million listeners by RAJAR
RAJAR
RAJAR was established in 1992 to operate a single audience measurement system for the radio industry in the United Kingdom. RAJAR is jointly owned by the British Broadcasting Corporation and the RadioCentre...
.
The format is used on stations of many different genres. Even Christian radio stations such as WAWZ
WAWZ
WAWZ is a contemporary Christian music radio station located in Zarephath, New Jersey. It is a Listener Supported/commercial radio station owned by the Pillar of Fire Church. The station's target demographic is a 25-34 year old female...
in New Jersey have a morning zoo.