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Wake Up With Whoopi ... And Cubby!!!
June 1, 2006 at 6:08 AM (PT)
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SHOCKER!!! After 10 years as MD/afternoon drive personality at CLEAR CHANNEL Top 40 WHTZ (Z100)/NEW YORK, PAUL "CUBBY" BRYANT has announced that he will leave Z100 and join WHOOPI GOLDBERG as her sidekick/co-pilot on her PREMIERE RADIO NETWORKS nationally syndicated morning show, "WAKE UP WITH WHOOPI" originating from sister Top 40/Rhythmic WKTU/NEW YORK, beginning MONDAY, JULY 31st, from 5-9a each weekday. They will replace longtime morning duo GOOMBA JOHNNY and BALTAZAR.
"Like a good, strong cup of coffee, CUBBY will get me going in the morning," said WHOOPI. "We're going to have some fun together. I can't wait to get started."
Leaving Z100 had to be for the right opportunity, and this is it.
CUBBY spoke to ALL ACCESS about this major career move. "It's my birthday (6/1) so this is such a thrill. It's all coming together right after being with Z100 for 10 years. This is such a bittersweet decision for me. First of all, going to work each day with WHOOPI is beyond amazing -- I'm not worthy! But I will so miss everyone here at Z100. For a decade, I've come in, done the music, done my show, repeat -- and loved it all, every step of the way.
"However, this opportunity -- and WHOOPI is a major part of it -- was too incredible to pass on. Once we did the demo, and the chemistry was so there, it just seemed that it was the right time to move on, and it was the right thing to move on to. Leaving Z100 had to be for the right opportunity, and this is it. We've worked in the studio, had dinner, and the vibe is amazing. We have a lot of things to get done and the pace will pick up between now and JULY 31st."
CUBBY, who officially joins WKTU's staff on JULY 10th in preparation for the new show, described how they'd work the show. "WHOOPI rules! She's funny and sharp. She'll start the breaks and I will help guide her through it and help close them. I really feel strongly that WHOOPI and I will get along famously and turn things upside down in mornings at WKTU, and in many other markets, with lots of fun, and ratings success. Let's roll!"
CLEAR CHANNEL RADIO Pres. & CEO JOHH HOGAN remarked, "The demos with WHOOPI and CUBBY were off the charts. The chemistry here is on a whole new level. CUBBY’s witty banter and unparalleled energy are a perfect complement to WHOOPI’s authenticity, optimism, humor and energy. The country is going to love waking up to WHOOPI."
Added CC SVP/AC Programming JIM RYAN, "CUBBY has conquered afternoons in NEW YORK so we are so excited for him to team up with WHOOPI in this exciting new morning show. I've never heard anyone conduct a better on-air interview and putting those skills together with WHOOPI's personality translates into a compelling way to start the day."

