So the truth comes out about a beloved radio DJ

Deseret News... Friday, Feb. 22, 2008 12:56 a.m. MST

—"Mister West," the former KENZ ("The End," FM-101.9) morning personality, now works for the Deseret Morning News as an assistant city editor.

"It was the last thing in the world I expected," Mister said of his dismissal after more than eight years at KENZ.

The show had been consistently in the top five of the 25 morning shows in the market.

"They negotiated with Chunga and he signed a new deal," Mister said. "I was fully intending to receive a contract offer when my general manager sat me down and told me that morning's show had been my last. They offered no severance; just had someone escort me from the building. I was shocked. He refused to give me any reason for the decision other than to say it was nothing I had or hadn't done. It wasn't until days later that I learned from others that Chunga had insisted on the change as part of his contract talks."

Mister said he has no idea why this happened, as the two had worked together well for more than 15 years and he considered him a friend.

"Chunga is easily the funniest person I've ever met. My job was to make him and the show better, and I know I helped do that."

Citadel Broadcasting, the owner of KENZ, had no comment on Mister's dismissal, because it is company policy not to discuss personnel issues. Because of that corporate policy, neither Chunga nor the station manager would comment.

Mister said he'd like to at least return to radio part-time one day, though Citadel is holding him to a six-month "no-compete" clause.

Mister's radio career spans 20 years, with work also at KCGL, KJQN, KFMY and KXRK. Before working at KENZ, he was employed as a reporter and an editor at the Deseret Morning News.

What I would like to know now is: Is Chelsea sleeping with Chunga? Because any DJ that sucks as bad as her must be doing something to promote her career... Chunga should have had Chelsea's termination as part of the new contract as well...

Labels: Chelsea the dj wannabe Sucks, Chunga, Mr West Contract not renewed