Fans of the KENZ (alias "The End," FM-107.5) morning radio show -- Jimmy Chunga and Marcus -- can look forward to at least another three years of good, down home humor, antics and contests. The DJs have signed a three-year contract, good through 2001.
Multiyear contracts are a rarity in the topsy-turvy world of radio personalities and yet Chunga and Marcus, like "Dain and Peggy" of KSFI, have such contracts in the Salt Lake radio market.Chunga and Marcus' show (weekdays, 5:30-10 a.m.) is ranked No. 1 for listeners ages 18-34, according to the latest Arbitron radio estimates. The DJs made their premiere on Jan. 1, 1996 for the rock alternative music station.
"We want everyone to listen," Chunga said. "We have a wide age range . . . Our show is for kids, ages 1-92."
What's ahead for the KENZ morning show?
Chunga said another Chunga Charter Jet trip is planned later this year. He also said he and Marcus will be appearing soon in some new TV commercials, and they may even have new T-shirts and mugs coming out this year.
MILLION DOLLAR PRIZE -- Alice Long, 63, of Pleasant Grove, won the $1 million prize on the first day -- Tuesday -- of KKAT radio's Olympic Bribery Scandal Contest.
She will receive $50,000 for the next 20 years and will use the money to help her four children.
KKAT plans on doing a second identical million dollar prize contest that could start as early as Friday or Monday. Participants have to be the 10th caller to the station at the correct time and then correctly guess the five-digit combination of the KKAT safe.
This is Utah's first-ever million dollar radio prize. Apparently, it is also only the second such cash giveaway in U.S. radio history.
RADIO HAPPENINGS -- "Danger Boy" of the "Z-Morning Zoo" on KZHT went to Park City Monday in search of celebrities. On Friday, the morning team hoped to interview Ed McMahon about mail-in sweepstakes and a new weekly Friday feature for the DJs is "Friday Free for All," where listeners request disco songs . . .
Chunga and Marcus gave their own advice on the Olympic scandal Monday, urging Utahns to just shut up about it . . . KSFI has a sound-effect contest going that includes trips to Hawaii as the prizes . . . "Kerry, Bill and Gina" on KXRK were also qualifying lucky listeners this week for a trip to Hawaii . . .
"Mick and Allen" on KURR Monday explained their newest contest this week -- give a pair of panties to the station for a chance at winning front row tickets to the Rolling Stones concert. They'll dive for the panties of the lucky winner . . .
"Country Joe" on KSOP did another "Mystery Voice" contest Tuesday . . . Tom Barberi on KALL Tuesday was debating the Republican vs. the Democratic parties . . . "Tom, Rick and Dawn" on KKAT this week were bribing people to get new listeners to tune-in. Rick was out weighing people in West Valley City Tuesday, hoping to literally get a ton of new listeners for the show by giving away phone cards . . .
"Fisher, Todd and Erin" of KISN were doing their regular "Make It Stop" and "Men Gone Mad" segments Tuesday . . . "Abby and Wren" on KUMT this week aired celebrity predictions for the Super Bowl. Wren believes Atlanta will win.
Deseret News radio editor Lynn Arave can be reached by e-mail at (lynn@desnews.com) or by phone at 237-2168.