SYRACUSE -- With Halloween just around the corner, many listeners likely suspected it was just a comedy bit on the 95X (WAQX) morning show yesterday morning. But the "zombie attack" on co-hosts Hunter Scott and Josh Grosvent was more than just a gag -- after their shift ended, the pair submitted their resignations to management.
CNYRadio.com readers told us this morning they hadn't realized what had happened until Scott, who also served as the station's program director, and Grosvent, were notably absent from their shift this morning. Upon receiving the first tip, we checked 95X's website and noticed the pair has been removed from the staff lineup.
Cumulus Media operations manager Tom Mitchell confirms the news. He tells CNYRadio.com that Scott and Grosvent, "chose to end their employment with us, and are looking outside the market and the radio industry. That is all they told us after their show on Tuesday."
In hindsight, both hosts had hinted at things to come via their Twitter accounts, the day before:
Tomorrow The Shows "dies Zombie style".Meet our new intern. #SendNudes twitter.com/huntertheshow/…
— Hunter (@handohunter) October 15, 2012
Tomorrow morning on the cliffhanger season finalé of #95XTheShow, we all die! Or do we...? Don't miss it.
— Josh (@thisisjoshua) October 16, 2012
Fans familiar with the humor of Grosvent and Scott probably didn't read too much into those posts, though Grosvent tweeted a few more updates throughout the morning:
8:26am:
The zombies have breached the compound. We don't have long. Thank you for everything.
— Josh (@thisisjoshua) October 16, 2012
8:45am:
They are at the door. This is getting bad.
— Josh (@thisisjoshua) October 16, 2012
8:59am:
R.I.P. #95XTheShow
— Josh (@thisisjoshua) October 16, 2012
9:00am:
R.I.P. #95XTheShow
— Hunter (@handohunter) October 16, 2012
For the time being, Mitchell says afternoon drive host Big Smoothie is handling the wake-up shift. Given the short notice, no word yet on long-term plans for mornings. As soon as we learn more, we'll keep you posted here on CNYRadio.com.
Added 10:20pm -- Grosvent and Scott won't be back to 95X, but they may not be leaving the market or local radio after all.
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