Cringeworthy!

It has became a habit for me to tune in to local radio on my way to work in the mornings.

I picked this habit up from working in KL. Back then, everyone I know are fans of the"Hitz FM92.9 Morning Show with Rudy & JJ." Those two radio DJs are absolutely hilarious; their wacky games and dumb call-in listeners gives us much to talk about during lunchtime. More importantly, we get updated local traffic information which, as you can imagine, is very useful when you're traveling on screwed-up KL roads. Heck, I even enjoy being ‘scolded’ by our favourite hoarse-voiced traffic news announcer who is famous for screaming down our radio set, "Stop slowing down to take 4-D numbers from stalled accident vehicles! You're causing a massive jam on Karak Highway! Move on people! There is nothing to look at!"

(The Queen, do you remember her? Hehehe...)

Even when I am driving to work in Singapore now, I still tune in to the Malaysian radio channels mainly because I am homesick. These days, I listen to "Mix FM99.1 Morning Show with Serena, Eka & Pedro" to catch up on local news and gossips. And whenever they announce a massive jam on NPE or Damansara Highway, I chuckle at the thought that Phillip is probably stuck in that jam on his way to work.

I did try to give local Singapore morning radio shows a shot but alas, I couldn't find one that I like. It's not that there is a lack of talented radio personalities in Singapore but what's lacking is chemistry between the DJs. Without chemistry, you get long awkward pauses, polite laughs, saying lame things just to fill in gaps, laughing at their own jokes etc. When the DJs are cringing themselves down at the studio, what of us listeners in our cars?

About a year ago, I (finally) discovered a local radio duo who epitomizes chemistry on airwaves. The show is called "Power 98 Morning Jam with Maggie & Hossan" and those two are absolutely delightful! Maggie is smart, lovable and has an acute sense of humour whilst Hossan, on the other hand, is extremely quick-witted and often brings inane topics to new heights of funny. Those two complement each other like.....strawberries & cream! I can sit through a traffic jam just happily listening to their clever banters.

I just found out today that they swapped partners for Hossan. When I tuned in this morning, there was another chick on-air who spoke with a very sultry drawl and has "one kind of a funny" accent. When I say "one kind of a funny", I mean that it is not a recognizable accent from a specific country, which could only mean that it is probably something she picked up on her own (because it's cool?) Now, it is bad enough I disliked this new person's voice so instantly, what is worse is, their segment puts me to sleep after just 2 minutes. Maybe I am bias but even Hossan doesn't sound to me like he is having much fun.

The straw off the camel's back came when they were having a discussion about coffee. Hossan made a remark about how expensive a cup of coffee is these days and how well these coffee bars must be doing. She responded by saying that she heard a rumour which she wonders whether she should share with the listeners. Of course, once you said it that way, you HAVE to say it out, right? And oh boy, what a mistake it was when she whispered on-air, "I heard that Starbucks is closing down."

I actually turn my head to stare at my radio in disbelief. Did she just say that out loud on national radio? Do they not teach 'Defamation 101' in deejay schools?

I figured she must have known that she made a big boo-boo because she started wavering and mumbling, "Or maybe not. Maybe? Maybe not?" I was cringing in my seat and I imagine poor Hossan is probably too. After recovering from the initial shock, he quickly add, "You said that it's just a rumour right? Yeah folks, it's just a rumour" and proceeded to quickly mull the situation over by making a joke about the Bananarama’s “I heard a rumour” song, after which he promptly announce a break for advertisements.

I had to quickly switch channels. Oh boy! Cringing on my way to work is definitely not a good start to the day.....