For “Juici Hour,” no topic is taboo

On a new WHIP show launched by three students, nothing is off-limits, from sex positions to religion.
 
Whether its love, sex or Greek groupies, no topic is taboo on student-run radio WHIP’s newest show, “The Juici Hour.”

The brainchild of its hosts, seniors Raquel Tatuem and Passion Rutledge and junior Confidence Nwalor, the show focuses on the women’s opinions. The show, which features love horoscopes and sexy playlists, is popular among students for its risqué topics, including sex positions, homosexuality in fraternities, sex and religion.

“It started out with us sitting around my house talking about sex and relationships,” Tatuem, a senior BTMM major, said. “We realized that people needed to know how we felt, and we wanted them to know what we had to say.”

In an effort to be heard, the three friends became regulars on other WHIP shows, often going into the studio to give their insights on various topics.

“Life is full of people with opinions, but it doesn’t matter what your opinion is if no one hears what you have to say,” Rutledge, a senior psychology major, said.

After the three made a number of appearances on the show “Brotherly Entertainment,” Programming Director Rasheed Murray gave Tatuem, Rutledge and Nwalor, their own show.

“They were bringing something new that the station needed,” Murray said. “It’s hard to find women who are willing to talk about certain subjects. These ladies talk about sex so openly that even some guys are taken aback.”

One of the first themes on the show was “Sex and God.” The two-part show featured such guests as Pastor Sidie Brunson from Water in the Wilderness ministries. Pastor Brunson discussed the role sex plays in religion and what the Bible says about pre- and post-marital sex.

Programming Director Shannon Reynolds worked to give the hosts of “The Juici Hour” airtime, but it was the women’s ability to connect with listeners that popularized the show. In addition to talking about sex, they share personal information about themselves with their listeners.

“My business becomes public, but if the listeners learn from it, then that’s all that matters,” Rutledge said.

Nwalor, Rutledge and Tatuem talk about their own relationships and personal problems on air. Nwalor said the show gives them an opportunity to hear advice other women and men may have.

“I would say we’re here to teach, but it’s a learning experience,” Nwalor said.

“We learn from our audience, and because we’re open with them, they keep it real with us,” Rutledge added.

There is never a shortage of things to talk about during the show’s two-hour airtime. But the hosts’ willingness to gossip has made them the target of verbal confrontations.

During one show, they discussed homosexuality in black fraternities, and Tatuem mentioned on air rumors she’d heard of some brothers of a particular university fraternity being secretly homosexual. The brothers were listening at the time and called the studio with requests to be put on the air to dispel the rumors.

“They were very upset about what they heard, so they came into the studio, went on the air and told our listeners that none of their brothers could ever be gay and then suggested that it was another frat that had brothers who were gay on the down-low,” Nwalor said.

The altercation quickly subsided, but it was clear the women had touched upon a delicate subject. While some radio hosts have historically tried to steer clear of controversial topics after incident like that one, Nwalor, Rutledge and Tatuem said they’ll continue to talk about anything they deem worthy.

“We are not worried about whether or not people have negative perceptions of us,” Rutledge said. “We’re going to continue to talk about whatever it is that we think our listeners want to hear.”

The “Juici” hosts said the relationship they have plays a major role in the show. They can criticize each other because they know that at the end of the day, they’re still friends.

“Simply put,” Rutledge said, “our friendship is the show.”

StacyAnn Chaplin can be reached at stacy.chaplin@temple.edu.