The hosts of syndicated morning show "Johnjay and Rich," which is broadcast on KRQQ 93.7-FM, are known for pushing boundaries in their celebrity interviews. They often playfully push the topic of conversation to unsavory waters, but the duo apparently went a bit too far when interviewing rap/reggae artist Sean Paul Sept. 29 about marijuana.
(For a video of the full interview, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nYybft26ao)
Co-host Johnjay Van Es started the shenanigans by talking about his marijuana smoking experiences, then saying, "I would like to smoke weed with you, Sean Paul."
Paul declined, saying he's quit smoking, and Van Es pretended to offer him a joint, saying, "I'm gonna make Sean Paul get back into rehab."
Paul responded by talking about the ways in which he cooks with marijuana. Van Es asked if he used the drug in suppositories, then segued into sexual territory.
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Management apparently pulled the show from the air at some point during the interview.
On his Twitter account, Van Es defiantly posted "Mngmnt shut us down when we brought up #weed w @duttypaul (Sean Paul) - 4get them! Its on again! They cant shut us down! #420 #bobmarley #freedomofspeech."
By the time I reached him by email the next day, Van Es had backed away from that rebellious spirit.
"What happened during the interview wasn't supposed to happen. I feel terrible. We don't do interviews that way. It was a mistake and I'm sorry if it bothered anyone," Van Es wrote, mentioning that he had just gotten out of a two-hour meeting with management.
"I will try to do my best to make sure that something like that doesn't happen again. I apologize to our families, friends, Sean Paul and most of all our audience."
Van Es said he should have been more aware of the listeners.
"Everything is (different) when the celeb in studio. When families are driving kids to school. My bad."
Hockey film released
Filmmaker Timothy Gassen, a former Arizona Daily Star employee and husband of the Star's Sarah Garrecht Gassen, is keeping busy.
Last week Gassen re-released his documentary "Gretzky, Indy & The WHA," about the World Hockey Association and NHL great Wayne Gretzky's time the league.
The two-disc film is available for $20 at http://www.wharacers.com/ordering.html
Gassen is putting the finishing touches on a documentary about Bobby Hull and the Winnipeg Jets, and will next make a film about Gordie Howe and his sons. He said both movies will come out on DVD next year.
Contact reporter Phil Villarreal at 573-4130 or pvillarreal@azstarnet.com
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