A friend of mine works on the radio and she called me this morning frustrated about her work situation.  She said “I just can’t have a conversation with this guy OFF the air so how can I have a conversation with him ON the air?” I had to laugh because this was probably the third time in two weeks I had this conversation with someone.   My answer is simple:  YOU CAN’T!!

I have told numerous people “you can’t fake chemistry.”  Chemistry is something that just happens.  It’s not something that will evolve by throwing three people in a studio and telling them to “do a show.”  If someone just wants to read People and US Weekly all the time how do expect to have a conversation with them about the crisis in Japan and the happenings in Libya?

The secret to a GREAT  personality is one that knows a little about a lot.  A few months ago Sirius rebroadcast the 9-11-01 Howard Stern Show.  Think what you may about Howard but he is an AMAZING personality.  The way he handled that situation was far better than any of the “talking heads” on TV.  He even mentioned Osama Bin Laden as the chief suspect way before any political expert did.

So look at YOUR morning show on your station.  If it doesn’t have chemistry now it never will.  Make it right or they will take it down.

RESPECT!  You have to have mutual respect on the show in order for EVERYONE to get along.  Having said that everyone needs to know their role.  Their HAS to be a leader.  That is more often than not the show’s anchor.  Not everyone can be an anchor.  I have been on a few shows where the supporting players believed THEY could anchor the show.  If you have someone who wants to be an anchor they need to move on because their focus will NOT be on their role of the current show.  This is not to say that the show’s anchor is the “say all” and “be all” of the show.  He/she needs to take suggestions from the rest of the show but the others cannot be offended if their suggestions are not used every time.  I have been on many shows.  I have been on very successful shows.  Some of my best friends are from my previous shows and some people from previous shows I rarely talk to today.  So what is the secret?  It’s simple:  Your morning show does not have to be best friends but they HAVE to get along.  If someone doesn’t know their role they need to move on.  Bottom line is radio is a big business and the company doesn’t have the time for silly fights.  So remember…either get along..or get out!