There is an audible buzz about Janet Jackson's revealing performance during Sunday's Super Bowl halftime show.
So I'm willing to bet it will be one of the first topics Olivia Fox tackles today when her morning drive show debuts on WBTP-AM 95.7. Fox, former co-host of the successful Russ Parr Show in Washington, D.C., joins the crowd aiming at the 18-34 urban market. Unlike one of her chief competitors, the syndicated Tom Joyner Show on WTMP-AM 1150, Fox will be live and local.
"I think the target is similar, but the target will be a little younger than what Tom's target is," said Jeff Kapugi, WBTP operations manager. "I think Tom has been doing this a lot longer than Olivia, so Olivia is going to have a fresher approach."
Fox - known as the Queen of Telling It Like It Is - uses a number of original character voices to entertain, including "Big Shirley," "Sister Butteruh," and "Shaneka Shawanna Malika Tawanna Brown." The show is expected to appeal particularly to young women.
Most important, Fox promises to be a vital part of the community and will reach out to school children through speaking engagements and other events. It would have been so easy for Clear Channel to syndicate a show from another market, but they brought in someone of national renown.
"She was at the top of our list," Kapugi said. "She was the one we wanted all along and it took a long time but we stuck with it. She's the first African-American female to lead a morning show in this market, and I'm excited about that.
"She's going to be our ambassador."
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Suzy Holley, new sales and marketing manager for Ruth's Chris Steak House, is fresh from an extended stay at the restaurant's "chef boot camp" in Sarasota. Holley explained she had to spend six weeks learning how to prepare every item on the menu.
In fact, she even had to put her famed red coif in a hair net. A small reward will be issued to Ruth's Chris employees if they can get us a picture of Suzy with the hair net.
Of course, I would be seeking a hair net and employment at Ruth's Chris if I got to spend six weeks eating everything on the menu, but that's another story.
When not working at the restaurant, Holley is busy as co-chairwoman of the ninth annual Stars, Hearts, Fashion and Fun celebrity fashion show. The show, which benefits the MacDonald Training Center Foundation, will be held at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 12 in the downtown Hyatt.
Scheduled models include Mayor Pam Iorio, police Chief Stephen Hogue, County Commissioner Kathy Castor and yours truly.
For ticket information, contact Nancy King at 870-1300.
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In the wake of the Jackson Super Bowl controversy, the question on my mind is whom will they get to perform at next year's Super Bowl in Jacksonville.
Given the NFL's alleged displeasure with Jackson's mini striptease - I don't know what the league expected from a show produced by MTV - I'm guessing game officials are trying to find Anita Bryant's telephone number.
In fact, they could go with an all-Florida show including Bryant, Tom Petty, Lynyrd Skynyrd, 38 Special, Gloria Estefan and KC and the Sunshine Band. I'm pretty sure none of those acts would disrobe while 90-million people watch.
But given the outrage from folks like Federal Communications Commission chief Michael Powell, who is ordering an investigation, even Estefan and Petty may be too risque. Before all is said and done, we could be looking at a halftime headlined by Rafi, Barney, the Wiggles and Dora the Explorer.
Heck, it could end up being just a collection of marching bands provided units from Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman promise to perform without bustiers.
Rest assured, there are some Floridians who won't be invited to perform: Pee-Wee Herman, Marilyn Manson, 2 Live Crew, Trick Daddy and Bubba the Love Sponge.
