by Cris Italia
Fresh off his high school graduation, Ben Cathers, 17, of Oceanside created the show with a pool of talent he collected from Kellenberg High School in Uniondale.
"Basically I wanted teenagers who weren't afraid to speak out, and that were dedicated," he said.
The radio show kicked off in January at WGBB 1240 AM, stationed in Merrick. "It's been a great experience so far," Cathers said of the show, which is heard by an audience of five hundred through web casts. "Since we don't get rated yet, we don't know how many listeners we have locally, but it is amazing that just through word of mouth there are over 500 people listening through our web casts," Cathers said.
The cast of characters includes Ryan Bollinger, 18, of Wantagh who does most of the "background work" and chimes in with his opinion once in while. Michael Hidasi, 18, of West Hempstead and Michael Cervone, 18, of Merrick work together bringing listeners the latest news in sports. Paul DiCocco, 18, of Malverne, also known as "Pauly D," carries the show with Cathers and reports mainly on the entertainment world. Adam Kalish, 18, of Rockville Centre, provides his take on politics. Tanira Chrisponte, 18, of Lawrence reports on the latest dating tips while, finally, Mike Calcagni, 18, of Franklin Square is what his radio peers call "the bum of the show" because everyone picks on him during the show, which he says he doesn't mind.
The show airs every Sunday from 4-5 p.m. live. "There is something about doing a live show, you just let things fly and have fun," Cathers said.
The cast members have no problem getting comfortable. Nervousness completely vanishes as soon as the mics are turned on. The show begins with upbeat dance music, which they admit gets them going, as they all sing along right before Cathers begins the show.
The show rolls right into Pauly D's entertainment segment, this particular week commenting on the "HIV puppet" joining the "Seseme Street" cast on South African TV. He also put together a top ten list for what the puppet should be called.
"I'm never nervous," said Pauly D, who says he looks up to radio personalities such as Long Island natives Opie and Anthony, heard in New York on WNEW.
"I guess it's just a natural thing. I never knew I had a talent for it until I actually tried it." Pauly D. is about a year older than the rest of the crew and attends St. John's University.
Pauly D. also introduced Adam Kalish, fresh from his vacation in Italy. "It's a beautiful country, but the people there are just so stupid," Kalish says on the air. "There is also a hair problem under their armpits," he adds.
The conversation quickly turns to a regular caller to the show known as "Bambi" who claims to have a crush on Mike Calcagni. "Bambi is a regular on our message board and she always asks that we give Calcagni more time on the air," Cathers said.
"This is what will happen if Calcagni has more air time," Cathers says, demanding silence so Calcagni can speak. After a few seconds of "dead air" Cathers begins to laugh, "you see that's what would happen."
After the first break the crew is told by Cervone and Bollinger that they are shouting on the mics. "It sounds like s*** you have to keep it down a little," Cervone bellows. During all the commotion, Hidasi asks Calcagni if Bambi is in fact a real person. "I swear to you she is," Calcagni remarks.
"I'm pretty sure if she likes you, she'll like me even better," Hidasi says in jest.
During other breaks the crew remains calm, turning their attention to a bowling night they were planning for after the show. "It's Teen America bowling night," Cathers says inviting his crew. "We like to keep this close knit, and keep the chemistry going."
Chrisponte erupts after reading the message board on www.ultimateteenhangout.com. "I don't want to read about Calcagni's discretions, Bambi needs to stop," she says. Later in the program she reads a message from a listener named "Bill" who claims that "Bambi is much hotter than you."
"We still don't even know what [Bambi] looks like . . . is she a transvestite?" Chrisponte questions on the air.
The crew touches on sports, wondering why Tiger Woods has not stood up for women's rights at the British Open. Cervone and Hidasi talk about the Mets improving, and the state of NASCAR. Cathers comments with his opinion on why "NASCAR sucks," but Hidasi defends the sport and then goes to commercial.
The show moves on into politics where Adam is commenting on the AIDS epidemic in Africa. He claims that 70 percent of the population has been inflicted with the disease. "I don't care how horny you are, you just don't go humping everything that walks," Adam says on the air.
His comments prompt Hidasi to make an inappropriate comment, which is deleted before it reaches the air. "I'm not supposed to say that. I think I need a list of words that I can't say to stay with me at all times," Hidasi says.
Finally, Chrisponte gives her spin on dating. This week she gives listeners cheap date ideas. Although most of the crew members disagree with the idea, she keeps motoring through her suggestions. As the only woman of the group, she doesn't feel uncomfortable at all, she says. On the air, Hidasi asks her about going out, but she handles the pressure without pause. "I don't think my boyfriend would like that very much," she says with a smirk.
The show has received early success. Recently a syndicator picked up the show and will bring the show to markets around the country. During a meeting the crew decided to bypass salaries so they can put more money into syndication. "We haven't been paid up to this point. What's the big deal if we continue this way? I'd rather be heard," Hidasi said.
Currently the show is looking for more sponsors or advertisers so that they can bring their show to the next level. "To get syndicated we need more radio spots, or just someone to give us sponsorship. We are very close," Cathers said.
To reach Cathers about pitching your own segment for the show or to advertise, contact him at (516) 536-1916, and don't forget to tune to WGBB 1240 AM every Sunday at 4 p.m.
