Behind the Scenes with 'Preston and Steve'
BALA CYNWYD, Pa. -- The "Preston and Steve Show" as a collective has been together on WMMR for more than a decade.
And over the years the six show members have developed a chemistry, and it shows on-air.
"We are able to read each other, we have varying opinions but don't conflict too much and are able to put on an entertaining show that way," said Preston Elliot.
The show works as a living, breathing organism, with each of its parts: Preston, Steve, Casey, Nick, Kathy and Marisa, all being able to anticipate each other. They even go as far as raising their hands so as not to step on each other.
As a former stand-up comedian, Steve provides the wit, and informed humor.
"I would slap the hell out of someone who was doing what I do to them all the time," he joked.
Steve, who by the way, stands for the entire broadcast, equates the show to a long car ride where tens of thousands of people are along for the trip.
"That's the nature of the show that we're doing, which is all about momentum and water cooler talk."
Beyond the broadcasting booth, interns are listening in and surfing for images and video clips to put on the in-studio monitors to enhance the conversation.
During their breaks, the show members talk with their in-studio audience, set up items for the next segment, play around, or grab a quick bite to eat!
When on the air nearly nothing is off limits.
"For the most part we are an open book," said Casey Foster.
"We've gone through cancer, we've gone through a divorce, kids... I was in the delivery room with Preston and his wife when she gave birth to their daughter," explained Kathy Romano.
But all the while, the six of them are simply having a good time.
"We're lucky enough to have a job that's fun and I think that fun translates on the air," said Nick McIIwain.
While the show is on from 6 to 11-ish every morning, the work is never done.
"You're always looking at what you're going to talk about the next day," said Nick.
And as far as platforms, "The Preston and Steve Show" extends far beyond the actual broadcast.
"We get to take radio to a whole new level, we have podcasting we have Facebook, we have social media, we have Snapchat, Instagram there are so many ways to digest the show," said Marisa Magnatta.
The Great Nap Debate
The "Preston and Steve Show" gets underway on WMMR at 6 a.m, which makes for a very early start to the day. Preston Elliot and Steve Morrison usually arrive at work between 4 and 4:30 a.m. Matt O'Donnell asked them how they get up and function to do their jobs every day.
"You know what you get to do? You get to have fun today. So if you remind yourself, so getting up at 4am or whenever you happen to get up is not quite as bad," said Preston Elliot.
Steve Morrison said, "There is an obligation and the onus is on us to come in and regardless of what's happening and be up and be happy, and every one of us considers it a privilege."
"Our life is the radio but finding a good work-life-balance on top of that few hours that we have outside of work is helpful, said Marisa Magnatta.
Then there's the great nap debate.
Casey Foster said, "My advice is to take naps, take naps."
Kathy Romano disagreed, "My advice would be to not take naps."
The tie-breaker is Nick McIIwain.
"Bernie Parent took a nap before every game when he played in the '70s so I think the nap advice is pretty good," he said.
Matt added this sage advice, "Never hit snooze. I've never done it, I've been doing it for like 15 years."
EXTRA:
"Preston and Steve" talk about Steve's humor and having a family vibe:
"Preston and Steve" talk about comments they get from listeners:
"Preston and Steve" with more advice on waking up so early:
