DJ Bob Saget and DJ Pepperoni never imagined themselves as radio hosts when they met almost a decade ago. But now, they are collaborating to bring you “Stank Face”-worthy music.

Syracuse University freshmen Scott Greenblatt and Jack Mettler host a radio show, “Stank Face with DJ Bob Saget & DJ Pepperoni,” on WERW every Monday at 11 p.m. WERW is SU’s independent free-form radio station that airs online.

Although they grew up on opposite coasts, Greenblatt and Mettler have known each other for several years. They met at summer camp in New Hampshire when they were 9 years old, and by chance both came to SU to study Television, Radio & Film in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

The radio hosts chose “obscure” DJ names to “draw curiosity,” Greenblatt explained. Every show begins with the brief intro: “Welcome to Stank Face. This is DJ Bob Saget, this is DJ Pepperoni, playing all the music that makes you make that Stanky Face.”

The hosts play a wide range of music, including funk, jazz, rap and hip-hop. They seek out music that is “produced well and has good vibes,” Mettler said. Each show typically consists of nine songs and three “sponsors,” which the DJs write as pop culture spoofs.

“(The first show) was one of the most nerve-wracking things I have done,” Mettler said. “It was hard to talk with all these people listening. But it felt great, and was much easier after that.”

Each broadcast features fan interaction so listeners can call the station to weigh in on various topics. On the first show, one caller sparked an on-air debate, which inspired the routine of a weekly question asked by the DJs.

Discussions have included ideal college pets, strange conspiracy theories and whether giving pretzels or raisins to trick-or-treaters is an attack on American values.

“It’s abnormal for us to not get a phone call by the second song,” Greenblatt said.

“Stank Face” has experienced an influx of callers since the first show. Greenblatt said the first show was their most exciting because of the adrenaline rush and challenge of handling several phone calls and responses on social media.

With more than 200 followers on Instagram, the radio show’s social media presence has led to its growing popularity. The account follows friends, family and members of the Syracuse community to promote the broadcast.

Greenblatt and Mettler are making strides to increase audience engagement by hosting on-air special guests. Both of the hosts’ roommates have made appearances on the show and have received requests from fans hoping to get on the show as a special guest, Greenblatt said.

Most of the broadcast’s fans are friends of the hosts, but the pair said they’d like to have more listeners who don’t know them personally.

“I like how (“Stank Face”) is really relatable to our generation,” said Annelise Hackett, a fan of the show. “The stuff they say is really funny and really poignant to college life, and they play a really good mix of old and new music.”

“Stank Face” has aired eight times thus far. If both their schedules allow it, Greenblatt and Mettler hope to continue the show next semester and beyond. Neither of the DJs are considering a career in radio broadcasting, but they enjoy the opportunity to work together on “Stank Face.”

Published on November 14, 2017 at 8:21 pm

Contact Haley: hrober03@syr.edu