I've never heard of these two. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4068865.html On-air pair Veteran Houston duo back on the radio, and they’re working out the kinks By ANDREW GUY JR. Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle Sometimes, it takes a while to put a team back together. It takes a little bit of practice before the old habits fall back into place. Inevitably, memories return and everything magically comes together, like the old days. Roula Christie and Ryan Chase had worked together before, but it had been nearly a year. Would Ryan remember that Roula sometimes talks too fast? Would Roula remember the name of Ryan's daughter? Would radio listeners embrace a new KRBE (FM-104) morning show? "Should we take a call during the first break?" Christie asks during the team's hurried preparation in the pre-dawn hours Monday. "I don't know," Chase responds, nervous. "I say we play it by ear." "One minute!" They scramble for seats, and go over notes. They chat with Eric Rowe (aka "Producer Eric"), the morning show's wingman, a jovial Al Roker-type who often plays devil's advocate and is the target for their jokes and jabs. Cue it up. "Ladies and gentlemen, Houston, Texas! We are back!" Christie yells into her microphone. "Roula and Ryan are back and we are happy!" They are back. And, they appear happy. And nervous. Right off the bat, they acknowledge ticked-off fans of former KRBE morning hosts Maria Todd and Atom Smasher, who were fired two weeks ago by the station's new owners. "Atom and I worked at KRBE together," Christie says. "And Maria was at my wedding," Chase counters. "We have the utmost respect for them. They're good friends of ours, and we're honored to be sitting in their chairs right now," Christie says. Yeah, yeah. Enough with the lovefest. Here's what fans really want to know: What new gimmicks do they bring to the show? Will this be the old Roula and Ryan Show from their days with Mix 96.5? Well, for one thing, Roula's dad is back doing the weather. Jim Christie, the 72-year-old owner of Christie's Seafood and Steaks, will again provide the day's forecast in his thick Greek accent. And the team will continue to do their hourly roundup of celebrity gossip, ripping on everything from Charlie Sheen's silly salary demands to the annoyance that is Paris Hilton. And, of course, there are the callers. First up: Michelle. "Hi, Michelle, you're the first every caller on the new Roula and Ryan show!" Michelle, who sounds a bit too perky for 6:15 a.m, does not conceal her joy at having Roula and Ryan back on her dial. "I am so glad you guys are back!" she says. "I used to listen to you guys all the time on the other station." The second caller felt the same way. As did the third. That's how a majority of the calls aired Monday morning went: We love you guys. Welcome back. Gush, gush, gush. Ryan and Roula's secret to happiness: Calls were screened and only the positive ones were put through. A few feet away from the main booth at KRBE's southwest-area studio, a producer sits at a switchboard, frantically pounding lit extension buttons, trying to keep up. "I try and screen the ones who are going to sound upbeat and happy," the producer says. "I can always tell when they're not going to be someone good to put on the show. Hold on one second." Click. "Hello, KRBE, how can I help you?" A few seconds of silence. The producer hangs up the phone. What did that caller say? "She said that Roula and Ryan sucked." The rest of the morning was typical radio, including a new contest, "The Lying Game." Listeners call in and guess is host was lying. The prize: Kelley Clarkson concert tickets. Gaffes were made. During one hour they talked so much they almost didn't have enough time for advertisements, forcing them shave time from later segments. Chase said he and Christie spent the last two weeks preparing. They were at work every day, meeting with station executives, cutting commercials and learning the computer system. He said the preparation helped, but they need to complete a few shows to jell. "We've worked together before, obviously, but it may take a few shows to get a feel for each other again," he says. During a music break, Chase gets a text message on his Razor. Nice to have you back on the radio. Sam. "Sam? Sam? Who is Sam?" Chase asks aloud. Pause. "Sam?" "Oh, wait. Samantha. That's who it was," he says, recalling a friend's name. "I was going to say, it couldn't have been THAT Sam. He wouldn't be texting me. Would he?"
Sounds like the NFL coaching carosel houston really needed some NEW BLOOD retreads like Ryan Chase need to be put to pasture Rocket River
I'm gonna have to disagree. Their show is better than anything else on during the morning, even on sports talk IMO..
yea. . if they did that to me. . . I'd be at their next club thing and they would leave about as happy as I was after that phone call Rocket River oh yea. . revenge would be a must
You can tell they're a little bist rusty...I've noticed some level issues. But it's nice to have 'em back. Granted I would probably rather have straight music, but if I must listen to a morning talk show, Roula and Ryan are head and shoulders better than everyone else (on the stations I listen to). They have great chemistry and most of their segments I enjoy..and they're not abrasive or annoying. I'm still annoyed at his Yao comment though.
Relaxed, not shtick heavy, don't constantly make sorry humor that's followed by fake laughter, etc. They're normal people, just talking and having a good time in the morning. They very easily beat the pants off Malone and all the other KRBE personalities. Evan
yet Malone kicked their *sses so much they got fired and hired for him I don't get it I mean they all suck Rocket River
You're kidding right. Here is a Roula and Ryan show in a nutshell. Ryan: "Well that song you just heard was Train, those guys are great aren't they Roula?" Roula: "Hahaha, yes I love Train. I'm Greek!!! OMG my family owns a seafood restaurant named Christies!! HaHAHAHaha I'm greek!!" Ryan: "Please stay tuned for the new single from Train."
