The Twist & Shout Interview Jeremy Borash Tells All - by Dave Haldin - Radio personalities tend to be vagabonds, on the move all the time. Jeremy Borash, popular morning show host on KUEL 92, has made his mark in Fort Dodge, but his previous job history is fascinating. We thought you would like to know a bit more about your wacky morning guy. T&S: Where is home for Jeremy Borash? JB: I'm from Chanhassen, Minnesota. In fact, my family's home is right next door to Prince's house, and just a few miles away from his Paisley Park Studios. T&S: How did you get into radio? JB: By way of television. After. doing a local twin cities TV show for a couple of years, I got a call from the program director at KKCM and he offered me a night shift. T&S: Tell us more about this TV show. JB: It was a live late night call-in show geared toward youth. It was called "Jeremy Borash Live" and was on Channel 6 which is a Fox affiliate. We did some outrageous stuff. We had some great guests on the show like Hulk Hogan, Ray Bradbury and Dawn Wells. T&S: Did you have a lot of viewers? JB: We did OK. At one point they projected us to be in up to 2 million households. T&S: Back to radio... JB: I eventually got on at KDWB where I did swing shifts and research work. I actually worked at 3 radio stations at one time. I would literally work 36 hours straight, because I produced the morning show at KSTP- AM, did afternoons at KKCM and overnights at KDWB. T&S: Any truth to the rumor that you worked with Jay Leno? JB: Yes. I did research for Jay. Things like making sure he had funny headlines to read on Monday nights. I got into that through my position at KDWB. I was really just a "look out" for jokes and material for him in this area. T&S: And you're a published author, too? JB: Yeah, I wrote a little book called Breaking Into Radio and Television. Amazingly, it is still used as a resource tool at Brown Institute in Minneapolis. Of course, I made no money from it, but it was a lot of fun. T&S: So, why are you in Fort Dodge? JB: I started getting death threats from people who watched my TV show. We weren't very controversial, but I think it turned some viewers off to have a smart-alec kid on TV doing whatever he wanted. T&S: Did you ever get beat up? JB: No. But I was to the point where I was ready to take advantage of some opportunities, and this one happened to come along. T&S: What is your ultimate career goal? JB: I'd like to wind up in Chicago doing both radio and television again. Kind of like what Jonathan Brandmeier had there for awhile with Johnny B On the Loose. T&S: How is your KUEL 92 morning show doing in the ratings? JB: Arbitron numbers are a funny thing. I don't know if we're number one or not, but I do know that listeners have more fun listening to our show. There's no doubt that we are the most active morning show in town. Meaning that we are very involved in the community. T&S: What other Fort Dodge disc-jockeys do you respect? JB: I have tremendous respect for Bill Higgins and Max Landes. These guys have been doing it for twice as long as I've been alive. Bill Grady is the best general manager I've ever had. I like Chad Michaels, too. T&S: What do you think of Fort Dodge now that you've been here for well over a year? JB: I've really grown to love the people in this town. In fact, it's gotten to the point where most of them use all five fingers when the wave at me now. Since I've moved here, we've made national news with nude skydivers and a strip bar burning down. I've met the politicians ranging from the president to Bob Dole. I'd never have had the opportunity to be involved with this kind of stuff back home. T&S: Seen any good movies lately? JB: Yes. Being in the comedy business, I loved the new Jim Carrey movie, Ace Ventura, When Nature Calls. I embarrassed the people I was with because I was laughing so hard. T&S: Where are you politically speaking, and who do your support for president in '96? JB: I'm a moderate Republican, and I really like Alan Keyes even though he doesn't stand a chance of winning. As a realistic candidate I support Bob Dole. T&S: As a radio programmer, have you ever been offered a bribe or payola? JB: No, but I'm more than open to any ideas someone might have. (Jeremy was laughing when he said this!) T&S: Is it true what they say about radio being a good way to meet girls? JB: Surprisingly, yes. Of course, due to the format differences, I'm sure that Chad Michaels has a lot more of them coming his way than I do.