Mark & Brian
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mark Thompson and Brian Phelps, known on the air as Mark & Brian, are an American radio duo. Their syndicated morning talk show, The Mark & Brian Show, originates from KLOS-FM in Los Angeles. Their show blends comedy sketches, listener phone calls, interviews with in-studio guests, and the occasional "road trip". They also host several live events (including their formerly-annual Christmas variety show) and are active supporters of numerous charities.
In 1986, Thompson was already working as a radio disc jockey when he was introduced to Phelps, whose background was in improvisational comedy. Their first on air appearance was on WAPI-FM ("I-95") in Birmingham, Alabama, but they soon received an offer to move west and take over the morning slot at KLOS, where The Mark & Brian Show debuted in September 1987. In recognition of their radio work, Mark & Brian are two-time winners of the Billboard Magazine "Air Personalities of the Year" award, and received a 1991 National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Award as "Air Personalities of the Year." They have also been honored with their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The Mark & Brian radio show includes various sketches and annual events. Popular sketches include "The Red Carpet Minute" with Edward Gordon, "Miniature Theater", and a host of other sketches based on celebrities. The duo's annual events include the "Mark & Brian Golf Tournament." They formerly put on an annual Christmas show. In 2006, they conducted a reality TV-based contest called "Two Strangers and a Wedding," in which single women auditioned to be the bride, who then chose from five male finalists to marry -- without ever meeting in person prior to the wedding. In 2007, the concept was modified to "Three Strangers and a Wedding," in which the bride chose two of the five male finalists to come to the wedding. Upon meeting the bride at the wedding, the grooms had the option of proposing to the bride, who could then accept either proposal or decline them both. Both marriages were very brief and ended with divorce.
Mark & Brian released three CD compilations of material from their morning show, namely All Of Me (1995), You Had To Be There (1997), and Little Drummer Boys (2000). All of the proceeds were donated to their favorite charities.
The enormous popularity of their radio show has given Mark & Brian several opportunities to branch out into other entertainment media. In 1991-92, they hosted a short-lived NBC TV series, The Adventures of Mark & Brian, based on their radio show. The duo also appeared in several motion pictures, notably Jason Goes To Hell: The Final Friday (the 1997 ninth installment of the Friday the 13th series), the documentary Trekkies (1997), and The Princess Diaries (2001).
Mark & Brian convinced Frank Jordan, Mayor of San Francisco, California to shower with them, completely nude, during a live radio show just prior to election day. Many attribute Jordan's 1995 election defeat to this stunt.[1]
Former producers include Nicole Sandler, Johnny Vega, Rosemary Jimenez and Frank Murphy (aka "Mr. Owl"). As of June 2008, their current producer is Ted Lekas.
