The Monsters in the Morning
The Monsters In The Morning is a popular radio show on XM 152 and WTKS, Real Radio. It is a morning show that runs from 6-10.
The Monsters consist of Russ (Triple R) Rollins, Dirty Jim, Bubba "Whoop-Ass" Wilson, Rev. Daniel Dennis, Blackbean, Tuddle, Drunky The Bear, and Tiffany.
History
Russ Rollins made his first foray into radio by paying for airtime to promote his party rental business. After his first show with his buddy Bo, they brought in Russ' brother-in law Dirty Jim.
The Russ & Bo Show with Dirty Jim was on Saturday Mornings, when they were offered the evening timeslot at WTKS. The show picked up the Sexy Savanna, Jeff Howell & The Musical Genius Bubba the Whoop Ass Wilson.
When Ed Tyll departed WTKS for greener pastures on the west coast, The Russ & Bo Show with Dirty Jim moved to the Middays. Bo Rhoades, Russ' longtime friend was asked by WTKS to enter rehab for an alleged drug problem. Bo refused and was fired from the show.
Quickly after Bo left, the show was renamed The Monsters In the Midday. With Bo Gone, Bubba took up the slack and the show became a midday favorite in Orlando. It was during this time that the Show picked up Daniel Dennis (Formerly with the Drew Show) and Blackbean (An Intern) as producers.
When Howard Stern was removed from Clear Channel stations, The Monsters took up the morning slot. The Monsters in the Morning had a rough start. In it's first year in the morning timeslot it had rough raitings. In January of 2005 Jeff Howell announced that he would not be returning to the show as the early mornings were to rough for him to adjust to. Later in the year the Sexy Savanna left the show for the Shannon Burke Show.
The show searched for new talent, Drunky the Bear replaced Jeff Howell, and it seems that contest winner Tiffany has succeded in replacing Savanah as "the Monster Chick".
Format
The show is a mix of current events, comedy, and stunts. Discussions involve the serious to the total bizare. Guests include comedians visiting the local improv comedy club, local celebrities, and sometimes national celebrities. Stunts have involved Sky Writing, hanging a Monsters banner on a local eyesore, Getting Married, to blowing oneself up with firecrackers.
Segments
The 6 things you just knew we'd talk about - A Monday morning bit in which callers try to guess the six big things that happened over the weekend that Russ deemed "segment worthy"
Drunky the Bear's one minute of comedy. - Drunky the Bear mumbles his way through a "minute" (more like ten) of comedy, usually complaining about married life with his wife Elizabeth Longhair. Drunky's segment is hit and miss, and is always a point of argument among fans.
Correct me if I am wrong - Bubba's daily rant on the world as he sees it. Occasionally, this segment is used to introduce new songs into the Monsters Songbook.
Movie Dork - Unscheduled rambling diatribes on film by Black Bean. Sometimes he gets so worked up they have to calm him down.
Cast
Russ RRR Rollins (or The Commissioner)- A graduate of Edgewater High School, Russ Rollins got into radio as a way to promote his party rental business. Russ is the mastermind of the show using the rock group Kiss as a model. He pays very close attention to the quality and branding of the Monsters. Russ is very involved in wrestling, has wrestled matches for the WCW, WWE, and TNA Wrestling. Often times you can see the scripted nature of wrestling come through into the show. Russ Rollins was engaged to former monster Savannah. Russ was recently engaged to his current fiance Kate, whom he met on the show as a possible contestant in a stunt.
Dirty Jim - Russ's former brother in law. Jim was often a source of tension on the show as his caustic personality often rubbed Savannah wrong. Jim is often accused of making things up. This is a result of the Catfish incident, where Dirty Jim claimed that Catfish can stab peoples hands with their wiskers. His sense of humor is very wry and he is generally seen as the shows resident prick.
The Musical Genius, Bubba Whoop Ass Wilson - Bubba is the source of anything musical that comes from the Monsters, including The Monster Band. Bubba has played with many famous musicians throughout his career. He is able to come up with a song in an instant.
Rev. Daniel Dennis - Daniel Dennis started out at WTKS as producer of the Drew Garabo Show. After Drew went on one of his infamous producer replacement kicks, Daniel found himself unemployed. When Russ heard of the situation, knowing Daniels talent He picked him up immediatly. Daniel voices many of the colorful characters that you can hear on The Monsters.
Blackbean - Blackbean was an intern who almost missed his opportunity. Russ barley knew who this intern was, when his then Girlfriend Savannah insisted that Blackbean join them on an outing. It was during this outing that Russ discovered just how funny Blackbean was. Blackbean is also the voice of many of the Monster Characters. Blackbean Daniel and Russ are very much the creative force behind the Monsters.
Drunky The Bear - A drunk guy in a bear suit. What else can be said?
Tuddle - Former intern turned former stunter turned former monster turned former Drew Garabo producer turned loser. Tuddle and Drunky the Bear are always in some form of Competition for the coveted #1 Stunter Dog Tag and Million Dollar Belt.
Tiffany - Tiffany was introduced to the Monsters in 2005, as a contestant in the Makos/SuperSlow Challenge. The fan response to her during this challenge promted Russ to ask her to sit in shortly after Savannah left the show. She has become a fan favorite. Her laid back nature has helped in making the Monsters fun again.
Characters
Over the years, there have been many characters on the show that weren't neccessarily "Monsters". Some of them are callers voiced by Daniel and/or Bean. Others are relatives, former interns, or super fans of the show.
Buddy
Zombie Auto Mechanic
Chief and Snoogie
Poo Poo Dusty
Bubba's Shoe
Chici Teco (sp?)
Gay Baby's Daddy
Magwai Guy
Dr. Nigel Bluffington
Lone wolf / Lone tooth
Glen
Pep Talk Dave
Apple Annie
Moose Lee
Drill Sgt. Penguin
Sinore Ink
Wendy The Retard
Former Monsters
Bo "The Big Man" Rhoades - Lifelong friend of Russ Rollins. Left the show after refusing to enter rehab for an alleged drug problem.
SBK - Soul Brother Kevin left the Monsters to work in another market, he has returned to Orlando as co-host the Shannon Burke Show in the middays following the Monsters.
Jeff Howell - Jeff Howell left the show in January of 05. The official reason is that he was not adjusting well to the early mornings.
Savannah - Left Mid 2005, citing a hostile working enviorment. She is now on the Shannon Burke Show.
Boodreux
Russ & Savannah Relationship
The show has been rocked at times by the timultious relationship of the Host Russ, and the Sexy Savannah. In 2005, citing a hostile work enviorment, Savannah abruptly left the Monsters. The fallout lasted a few weeks, and finally Clear Channel steped in and asked the parties involved not to discuss the situation anymore.