Friendship with benefits
July 1, 2008 10:13 pm Joe And Petrina's BlogI was reading some of the latest comments about the new Power 98 show I’m doing and I’m getting the general feedback that “it’s just not the same”. And to be honest, that is a good sign. If it was such an easy thing to duplicate the magic that Petrina and I had on our show as we saw our last days on the air, then it would have made our work then redundant.
Chemistry is something that takes time to build. And for Pet and myself, it actually did take us quite a while to become famous friends on the air. Anyone who heard our earlier shows would have heard a rather hicuppy show with potential – and hopefully as you stuck around, we matured as a show, and you became accustomed to our style, or lack of it 
The secret ingredient is the friendship that we built all those hours together on the show. Believe it or not, we never were friends before we worked together. Sure we knew each other, working occasionally on voice jobs together… but besides that we were just acquaintances.
But as we bitched about how crappy the studio was, how stupid a commercial was or shared some amazing gossip about someone we both knew – we got closer. Our kids go to the same school, we are both regulars at Mellben Seafood (Petrina introduced me to that) and we call each other just to chat.
And that’s what you would have heard on the air.
So where does that leave the Power 98 Morning Jam crew? Well I think we’re off to a great start. We are literally less than 2 weeks off and we are already getting in trouble with management as a team. That to me is a great sign of better things to come.
Shareen and Hossan are amazing people. You really should drop by our show and get to know us a little more. Sure we’re still finding our way as a group of friends, but that’s the way it goes I guess. Here’s what you can expect…
Shareen Wong has no fear – except for irrational things like the word “Daddy” said by me, food and drink consumed on a tray and most recently, mint chocolate flavoured anything.
Hossan Leong is the Energizer bunny – who arrives everyday with his roller luggage (yes, like flight crew) and is one of the funniest people in person and is actually way too polite on-air… (we will fix this soon)
Joe Augustin is the retired male model who’s just so tired of people focussing on his good looks. Soon people will recognize him for the uber-geek he really is.
By the way, there is a blog for that show too at www.morningjam.com
EJ :
Date: July 1, 2008 @ 11:25 pm
Hey Joe
I agree. It’s only two weeks but it’s starting to build.. Can see Hossan coming out of his shell already. And Shareen is the absolute foil to both of you ‘clowns’.
Everytime you guys start to speak – a smile creeps into my face (even when I’m having a bad morning). So – I’d say keep up the good work. It’s all about building the friendship and you three are getting there!
Loved the ‘I sing, you eat.’!!!
HdBanger :
Date: July 2, 2008 @ 12:15 am
trouble with the management?
i assume it’s somethin to do with some ’sign of damage’. just don’t get into major trouble this time round. *touch wood*
but that gong this morning… piang.. lucky i didn’t turn the volume up. tomyam tomorrow *slurp*.
maybe it’d be interesting to do a weather report in many countries’ accents: japan, jamaica, german, even iceland or bulgaria. one country per wk or something. i think hossan’s expertise will come in useful. heh.
Pappaquins :
Date: July 2, 2008 @ 9:12 am
Before my day starts to unravel, I just want to say that I had a blast listening to the show this morning. VR-man – stuffs that closets are filled with! Should have rung James Lye to ask him to do just 1 VR-Man phrase. Hossan is right – they should have reruns. You never know, it could have been way ahead of its time back then.
I have 1 suggestion and please don’t take it that I’m comparing again – it’s about having people call in and rewarding them for it. I think that was the purpose of those games you played where there was no point but to have the callers feel good about themselves that they’ve won something. I remember hearing a few times the phrase “I’ve never won anything before” to your announcement that they’d just won a chance to be in another draw. I remember thinking back then that that’s what I liked about the show – that so long as you called in, you’re a winner. It’s a great way to start the day for that person and I know it put a smile on my face to hear the gratitude/excitement in their voice.
kahlan :
Date: July 2, 2008 @ 9:21 am
i agreed. When i first heard you with Petrina, i did not like it as i was so used to you with Maggie.
But i see great potential for you show. I’ve always admired Hossan but you are right he is different on air. He is holding back and being too polite. ha ha
Keep up the good work.
Lina :
Date: July 2, 2008 @ 9:45 am
I love this morning show!! the thai accent reali put a big smile on my face while driving to work… reali look forward to hear more funs in morning jam!!
Lina :
Date: July 2, 2008 @ 10:26 am
Anyway, …
WHERE’S PETRINA?????
tiffanyLoos :
Date: July 2, 2008 @ 11:14 am
Keep it up!! 2 thumbs up!!!
HdBanger :
Date: July 2, 2008 @ 1:14 pm
there’s something that i mulled over driving yesterday, maybe i share with some of the detractors here…
i agree with joe’s stand about being a team. a good show like what 913 had with joe and petrina, is not an individual effort and glory. it didn’t happen overnight. so no solo credit here singled and given out.
the same should be for morning jam. 3 pple have to stick thru as a team. then somethin will happen. 1 individual can’t lug the other 2 along. and 1 individual will go down if the other 2 doesn’t keep pace.
which i think they will. with their own dynamics. and unique way.
Shahril :
Date: July 2, 2008 @ 5:54 pm
well, well, what can i say….. its a reboot of everything, and my wish is it ends well, and much much better than before… All the best with the Mambo Jambo Night guyz!!!!
Crysant :
Date: July 2, 2008 @ 6:35 pm
a refreshing air after sometimes, like a chocolate mint for a break time (hey i love serene and hossan too) finally i can really hear something out from 98, tickled my nerve all way long!
Pappaquins :
Date: July 3, 2008 @ 12:49 pm
Hi Joe, I heard the show this morning. Thanks for that – that you guaranteed the win. I laughed when I heard that!
Anyway, to keep with this, I thought of a contest for you called “Stuff of Dreams” in case you need to pitch for advertisers/sponsors for prizes for the show. Maybe it could be sponsored by the Bedshop at Robinsons or something. So, prizes such as pillows – something unexpected but nice to receive. I’m sure you can get 2 pretty decent pillows for $50. I’ve heard your shameless pitch for products before in your past life, I’m sure you can make those pillows sound the most coveted item since the iPhone. I’d call in for great pillows … Maybe the game could be “Get that sheep” – contestants given sheep scenario to herd in 15 seconds.
vasantha :
Date: July 5, 2008 @ 8:12 pm
Hi Joe,
My kids and I are great fans of your morning show and were aghast when we heard you were asked to leave 91.3. Well, good news for us that you still doing the morning show and we all listen to Power98 now. I agree with you…good chemistry takes time to come together and I can already see it happening with the morningjam crew. I was listening when you first started doing the show with petrina…hmmm…lets say you guys got really good with time. What i know is that there are few morning show hosts with the intelligence, dry wit and comic relief that you provide n its a wonderful pick-me-up in the bleary mornings while i do the school runs. So thank you and know you have our unflagging support. By the way, we are officially taking down 2 of our 3 91.3 decals – the last one being for The Married Men) and will listen out for where we can get Power98 decals.
Vasantha