Talent Watch
BY RadioToday Network November 28, 2023
Talent Watch January 15, 2018
Is Em, Grant & Ed 2DayFM’s best Breakfast since Kyle & Jackie O?
Em Rusciano, Grant Denyer and Ed Kavalee made their debut on 2DayFM Breakfast this morning, the fifth lineup to arrive on the Hit Network in Sydney since the departure of Kyle and Jackie O in 2013.
Although it will take some time for the show to settle in, it was a promising start, with the clear potential to be 2DayFM’s best offering since Kyle and Jackie O.
As a trio, Em, Grant and Ed felt natural from the outset, with some good banter but cluttered moments. The lineup was, however, reminiscent of Sophie Monk, Jules Lund, Merrick Watts and Mel B, which rated about 3%.
It’s hard to see where they will take an audience from, going head to head with the established Fitzy and Wippa, the impossibly high rating Kyle and Jackie O and WSFM’s Jonesy and Amanda.
Ed settled into his role of anchor seamlessly, directing the show towards several topical subjects with solid research and funny facts about current events like the Hawaii false-missile alert and Bernard Tomic’s weekend antics.
Although the show struggled for localism in general, potentially because they may not be broadcasting from the same place (Em and Ed rumoured to be in Melbourne and Grant in Bathurst), they did almost pull off a segment about the Sydney train delays.
It’s clear that Ed suits the three-person format. It’s undoubtedly no longer The Em Rusciano Show, and much more ‘The Ed Kavalee Show’.
Much like his long-term role as anchor of the Santo, Sam and Ed Total Football podcast, he works well in an environment where he has two contrasting personalities to play off, issue verbal challenges to and cue reactions from.
His experience on Triple M Brisbane Breakfast and Triple M Sydney’s ‘Get This’ has paid off.
Em may take time to get used to her new, reduced role, which may be part of a plan to squeeze her out by SCA. It did mean though, that she was free to concentrate on her own speciality segments like ‘Em’s Gem’ where she picks a song, and ‘Emtertainment’ where she wraps up the “latest” celebrity news (most of which wasn’t actually all that new).
Grant was there for his deep trove of anecdotes and was able to kick off their first phone segment where listeners called in with workplaces stuff-ups.
He will definitely need a lot of time on radio in Australia’s biggest metro market if he is to nail the breakfast role – Sydney is no market for inexperienced players.
The trio debuted a couple of new tactics as well. Every caller scored passes to Taronga Zoo for the school holidays.
Then at 8am there was some cash content called Alpha Bucks, where listeners had to call through and answer questions for a chance to win a $10k. The winner managed to take home $500.
2DayFM Breakfast with Em, Grant & Ed airs 6-9am weekdays on 2DayFM 104.1
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Is Em, Grant & Ed 2Day FM’s shortest Breakfast since Kyle & Jackie O? Yes it is.
Doesn’t 2Dayfm deserve its own local Sydney breakfast show ?
” We are committed to this breakfast show 100% ( until it fails ) ” SCA exec !
Em, Grant and Ed I have one piece of advice – only laugh when something funny happens and not after every second word that is spoken. Too much laughter will exhaust your listeners very quickly.
Word is SCA are talking to Sophie Monk to make a return to breakfast. She would rate higher this time around.
Zanda, pretty sure if SCA wanted to squeeze Em out they’d just get rid of her, straight up. They did with Rove and they had invested far more in him and that show.
Em has been reduced to basically a side kick role. She is now more like the spare tyre than the third wheel ! This is so unfair. Its her show and I barely heard her this morning. She should get more air time. Bring back Em she’s the funniest thing on social media. More Em please.
Getting rid of Harley was fine. The new guy Ed is ok in his place but its The Em Rusciano show. Remember ? If they don’t change it back I will boycott the station.
I was struggling to relate from very early in the show when Grant was talking about his 20 minute commute by plane from Bathurst, but I persisted.
Ed is great although, he needs to learn how to pronounce Em’s surname. In the short amount of time I listened I heard a few variations.
I gave it a chance for the first hour but the echo every time Grant spoke was far too annoying, so they lost me.
Seriously? You can already hear that Em knows she isn’t the star of the show…
Yes Em – I think your’e right – It will be Grant Denyer and Friends soon …
Then to finish with “have a good day, if you are on the train, we are not too sure what ended up happening this morning” – why not? It was chaos on first day back for many… Sounded unconnected.
Its ” The Ed and Grant Show ” with Em Rusciano. She sounded like a guest this morning.
To be honest I switched off after 30 minutes. Ed is like a used car salesmen, Em hardly talks and the whole this was just raboured and boring. I’m out
Em if you read this don’t put up with being forced to shut up by two men who aren’t as funny as you. We missed you this morning. We want the old Em back.
Where’s Em gone?
Why doesn’t SCA put its foot down. You are being paid big dollars so move to Sydney. It’s supposed to be a SYDNEY breakfast show. Broadcasting from Melbourne and Bathurst in NSW is a joke.
Ed is just an anchor. Em is the heart and soul of the show. X
Was I hearing the same show as you Radio Today? It was messy. Annoying. Hosts competing for airtime. Anyone else pick up on Em’s swipes at Grant? A very pro article considering the output aired today.
1. The show was clearly broadcast from Sydney today – anyone who follows the show on social media can see they were in the Sydney studio, not the usual Melbourne studio.
2. Ed did well as the anchor today, but I agree that this should still be Em’s role.
3. Even when the show was broadcast mostly from Melbourne, no one really knew and the few times they slipped up made for great radio for the few people listening who got it.
4. The music was definitely more in line with Em’s tastes today – and I’m okay with this.
5. Needs more poo chat.
@Norm – I think it was half and half… Em & Ed in Melbourne, Grant in Sydney. You can see the different studios in socials… and if they had have been together they would have filmed some content with the three of them in the same shot.
It’s a mess a train wreck hope SCA have a good plan B.
They are in different studios different cities.
@really?
Yeah, have a look through the back-catalogue since RT changed hands. Always very pro-SCA whilst being very anti-ARN. Fence-sitting when it comes to Nova.
Makes one wonder… I personally don’t know how you can possibly say that Jase & PJ are a show best suited to the Central Coast and then come out and talk about how great the basket case that Em, Ed & Grant are.
Em, Ed & Grant aren’t completely atrocious but that does not mean they’re good.
Adelaide has best breakfeast in so many ways just a natural vibe between Dylan Shane and Haley never get a mention but are all such multi talented people love by all and yes they belong to Adelaide nova 919 what they say s how they are that’s why are so good
Had a listen, and seriously what is with all the laughing at their own jokes? Too much clutter and unfamiliar music. What on earth is happening at that station?
I have called over 300 times you guys are going to give me a heart attack please answer I want the the tickets to Bruno pleaseeeeed answer me
Love you guyssss
I would like to give Ed my deepest regards and respect for his comments about Sam from MAFS. Every single thing Ed said was spot on. I will remember his stand on such an irresponsible low life.