Firefighter injured responding to MJ Morning Show stunt; state will investigate
TAMPA (www.tampabay.com)— A turkey-frying stunt Friday by the MJ Morning Show will be investigated by the State Attorney’s office after the unauthorized intentional blaze destroyed a van and injured a firefighter.
Tampa Fire spokesman Capt. Bill Wade said he was “very disappointed.” WFLZ officials were not available to comment.
The deejays used a crane to drop a turkey through the open roof of a plumbing van. Inside the van was a vat burning oil. Near the van’s open side doors was an inflatable snowman. The whole thing was broadcast live from the Clear Channel studio’s parking lot at 4202 Gandy Blvd.
For the first few minutes, a large silver pot was shown smoking on a burner inside the open van. But soon after, the smoke turned to flames that shot through the van’s roof.
When the turkey was finally lowered into the pot, the van was engulfed in flames. Radio employees ran around the van, first laughing, then trying to put it out with hand-held fire extinguishers.
“How we gonna put this thing out?” one deejay said. “I dunno,” laughed another.
Tampa firefighters soon arrived in full gear and began spraying down the van. Wade said firefighter Ken Licata, a 26-year veteran, hurt his back during the incident and was hospitalized.
There was talk that a radio employee was also injured, but Wade said no one else was treated or transported.
Wade said the station did not have a permit for the stunt or any emergency crews on standby.
“I am not happy,” Wade said. He said officials from the State Fire Marshal’s Office are handing the investigation over to the State Attorney’s Office to determine if any charges should be filed.
Someone who answered the cell phone for deejay MJ, or Todd Schnitt, declined to comment. Other WFLZ representatives were not immediately available for comment. According to the show’s Web site, “Management wasn’t very happy with how Fester handled the situation so they removed him from the morning show.”
Several years ago, WFLZ got permission from Tampa Fire Rescue to set a trailer on fire, Wade said. One of the station’s interns was in firefighting school, and the deejays wanted to demonstrate what she’d learned.
That time, the station went through all the correct avenues before the stunt. “We did it right,” Wade said.
After that, Wade said there was an understanding that the station needed permission anytime deejays planned to set anything on fire.
But about a year ago, Wade said WFLZ planned another stunt without letting authorities know. They wanted to put a bunch of fireworks in a stove and heat them up to see if they’d light. They didn’t go through with it, Wade said.
“Now today we’re down here with a grease fire inside a van,” Wade said. “This was not a public service, this was not an educational demonstration. This was a stunt.”
December 18th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Nitwits.
December 18th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
MJ is a moron…
December 18th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
I can’t wait to hear Manson’s parody out of this one!!! Will be interesting to see what CC does now….
December 18th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
I hope they put this DOUCHE BAG through the wringer just as bad as they did you and maybee that DOUCHE will drop his lawsuite against bubba seeing he may not have a job anymore (clear channel you reap what you sew)
December 18th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
hopefully that midget will finally get what he deserves.he cant get off the air by the time vacay is over.tear him up bubba.
December 18th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
How many people cook a turkey in a van? Maybe the only TURKEY in this deal is (MJ) Todd Schnitt. What a retard!!!
December 18th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
God, why did this have to Happen on the Friday before Bubba’s off for christmas? Can’t wait to hear a Manson song about this.
If this was Bubba & his crew there would be arrests made. I think it’s funny, while MJ was doing this stupid stunt & putting fire-fighters and others in danger, bubba was helping children get toys for christmas! Now which one is a low life????
December 18th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
what a bunch of idiots. no wonder noone listens to them anymore. maybe ths will be the last stunt and clear channel will finally can them. what a christmas present that would be for Bubba
December 18th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Can’t wait until the show returns after the holidays to hear what the guys have to say about this one.
December 18th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
PRICELESS!! Enough said.
December 18th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
And MJ is still alive? He should have burned along with the van.
December 18th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Know you must be loving this one now. Sorry you are on Christmas break, as I would love to hear your comments!!!! Cant wait for you to get back
December 18th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Muhahahahaha! Couldn’t have happened to a better guy. Talk about career limiting move.
Bubba Army!
December 18th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
This is just another attempt by MJ trying to create sensationalism on his radio show ever since his ratings have plummeted. Or should I say, since Bubba Kicked his ASS. If you listened to this broadcast you hear him instruct people to let the fire burn. At that time there was a chance to extinguish the fire but instead they proceeded to drop the turkey in the oil only exasperating the situation. He should face disciplinary actions for this cheap stunt gone wrong. To make things worse, he insults our intelligence by issuing an idiotic statement saying this was a “Public Service Announcementâ€. I’m sure the injured firefighter wouldn’t agree. In addition to disciplinary action, I hope MJ also faces civil actions for the firefighter’s injuries.
December 18th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
hahaha way to go dumbass!!
December 18th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
these guys are really dumbasses, they van was on fire well before they even put the turkey in, then they still decided to drop the turkey in instead of putting the fire out! yea they really do deserve to go down for this one.
December 18th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Bubba is going to have a field day with this!!!
December 18th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
I just saw this story on the news so I had to go to the jack off’s page to see what BS he had to say about how he was “a hero” because he called 911 and kept someone from getting killed. What I really found interesting is he has a link up to “morans in the news” yet THIS story was no where to be found. I know you and your BOYS are deep in this clowns skull, but this is sad. He is, I mean was, the self proclaimed arbitron rated number one show and this is the best he has….Frying turkeys in a van. That ranks right up there with the story I saw on the news shortly after this one where 2 teenagers in Ohio stole a 35 foot inflatable snowman from a car dealership. Even that is more original than frying a turkey in a van. Bubba, I know you have to be scared shizless (that’s shiz with a z) every year when the holiday season rolls around becaue of his most incredible show of the year, The ONE AND ONLY…..Egg Nog Challenge. Are you freaking kidding me. I can’t believe the midge has a listener over 17 left. Not sure if this will even get to anyone on the show, but you guys ROCK…Luv the show man….Just remember, Toys for Ta Ta’s is strong, turkeys in vans is Schnitt (that’s Schnitt with a Todd)…..Later,
Rick
December 18th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
What goes around comes around mj, you little rat. I hope the firefighter recovers completely.
December 18th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
It is very funny to hear what happened to MJ “AKA” Todd Schnitt. Karma is a real thing that follows you, it may not get you right away but it will always find you. It would be great to see charges filed on him, it would serve him right. It was even greater to hear 970 wfla news to report on it when he was doing his afternoon show.
December 18th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Nice job meat head,mj is a worm..
December 19th, 2009 at 12:04 am
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm can u smell mj getting the boot?!!! i can!! ttyl bubba army 4 life!!!
December 19th, 2009 at 1:19 am
now i understand why that the idiot is a dumb a##. the stupid dumb a## should learn to shut off the gas (or quit blowing smoke out of his mouth ). Us normal, proud, POLISH REDNECKS might not spell to good, but we eat our birds HOT, JUICY, and TENDER. Not burnt,crispy or dried up.
December 19th, 2009 at 7:57 am
And that jackass criticizes Bubba all the time. MJ is such a moron! Bubba has more brains, is a better DJ and does so much more for the community than MJ will ever even think of doing! Bubba is a better person all around.
December 19th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
What a moron. And the buck doesn’t stop with Fester. It stops with the Chief Moron.
December 19th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Mj is done! this is the excuse clear channel needs to fire this pathetic over the hill hack.
December 20th, 2009 at 1:38 am
WHAT THEY DID WAS SO OUT OF LINE.WE AS TAX PAYERS HAVE WE TO FOOT THE BILL FOR THIS JACK ASS IM SO SICK OF MAN-JINA ANYWAY..EVEN HIS AFTERNOON SHOW SUCKS.GOD SOME ONE PLEASE SEND HIM PACKING.HE IS LIKE REMEMBER PAUL? ON THE SHOW WONDER YEARS.THAT WAS SHIT OR WHATEVER HIS NAME IS.GOD I HATE THIS NERD.HE BETTER GO DOWN FOR THIS…WHICH IM SURE HE GOES DOWN ANYWAY IF YA KNOW WHAT I MEAN.
December 20th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
The sad thing is Uncle Fester Had lost his job
December 20th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
He’s trying really hard to be better than you but just end up being a dumb douche.
December 20th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
manson so right this stuff just rite’s it’s self MERRY CHRISTMAS YOU MIGET HAG . i’m so happy clear channel is to stupid to fie you .
December 21st, 2009 at 12:33 pm
What an immature, and ‘really’ stupid stunt. I can’t believe they think this is entertainment. To whom? My 8 year old daughter would have been horrified. Who in their right mind listens to this crap? I have never understood why morning radio shows think these stupid stunts (not to mention the dumb a** crank calls they regularly make) attract listeners. This type of radio is a thing of the past, it seems so outdated, I can’t believe they are still doing this stuff. I don’t mind listening to MJ’s show when they are discussing different topics or news in the morning. But I quickly change the channel when they start with the dumb game playing. They really need to freshen up this show…..
December 21st, 2009 at 2:25 pm
This stunt was hilarious. The firefighter is fine. I love the MJ Morning Show.
December 21st, 2009 at 4:40 pm
COME ON MAN!!!! What a f’n CLOWN !! Even Ned wouldn’t have done anything like that. Well maybe.
December 21st, 2009 at 4:57 pm
He took Fy’ring it up to the next level! Gobble!! Gobble!!
December 21st, 2009 at 11:34 pm
Two (of many) reasons why intelligent adults don’t play with fire:
(1.) 2009 Florida Statutes – Chapter 806.01
(2.) 2009 Florida Statutes – Chapter 806.031
Best wishes for a sppedy recovery to the firefighter who suffered an injury at the hands of these ignorant fools.
December 22nd, 2009 at 6:36 am
OMG I can’t wait til Bubba and the guys get back from vacation….It will be priceless……
December 22nd, 2009 at 9:40 am
yeah mj its all festers fault. why cant you for once in your life stand up be a man and say “this was a mj morning show stunt im mj and i except full responsabily i will pay any and all fines/medical cost for the firefighter please except my appologie” then if fester did indeed f up deal with it internaly. for once in your life be a man!you may just garner tiny bit of respect. if you try to put this on fester in the public eye your done. for once step up to that mic and be a man you f up own it!
December 22nd, 2009 at 6:04 pm
FINALLY I read a comment that hits the nail on the head…. whatwhat? You are dead on. MJ, you P^ssy step up and be a man (small man) take responsability
December 22nd, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Why did they waste a perfectly good turkey to deep fry..,When they could of just used MJ…! LMFAO…
December 22nd, 2009 at 9:43 pm
What a dummy. Comment 32 must have been submitted by MJ. To comment 33, Ned would’ve done something to the turkey, but it wouldn’t be frying it. Love you guys in a non-f@g way. Love the show. Can’t wait for the parody on this one. Too bad the fireman paid for MJ’s stupidity…he should sue the little troll!
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:27 am
Burn their ass Bubba Burn their ass
December 28th, 2009 at 12:58 am
Classic so clearly his IQ matches his height, both physical and mental midget.
December 29th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
HEY, WE WERE GETTING A FIRE MARSHALL INSPECTION YESTERDAY ON THE JOBSITE AND THE FIRE MARSHALL MENTIONED THAT THEY HAVE A CHARGE AGANST MJ & HE WILL BE ARRESTED SOON.
HE DID NOT KNOW WHAT HE WILL BE CHARGED WITH BUT A FIRE FIGHTER WAS INJURED DURING HIS STUNT AS U KNOW.
U CAN CALL ME I GUESS IF U WANT FOR MORE INFO BUT DONT GIVE MY NUM OUT
3090013
January 1st, 2010 at 8:09 am
hahaha way to go dumbass!!
January 4th, 2010 at 10:32 am
After listening to the clips of the broadcast, and this idiot making jokes about ignoring going through the legal processes, I was completely offended and hope this idiot lands in jail. Completely offensive the way he made jokes and laughed about not bothering to get permits. This stunt, the way it was done, and the consequences of this stupidity (a firefighter being injured), deserves jail time. I’m sorry if I’m not very eloquent, or if I’m repeating myself, but I cannot tell you how angry I am at this person (I’m trying to watch my language)
January 4th, 2010 at 11:21 am
Bubba’s exactly right.
Karma is a BITCH you little crybaby MJ!
MJ loves court so much. Let’s see how he likes about ten years in lock up. Yahoo!!
January 4th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
So they got rid of fester. Is that how they are handling it? They just need to get rid of MJ. I cant hear MJ because I am in Orlando, but thank God I cant. But I am an ex VOLUNTEER firefighter from NY and they need to get rid of MJ and his whole stupid show.
January 4th, 2010 at 6:49 pm
And by the way, Bubba and the WHOLE show there, YOU GUYS RULE! Bubba Army!
January 4th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
I did watch the video broadcast and listen on the radio during the incident on December 18th; frankly, I will be shocked if MJ does not get jail time, or at the least a seriously heavy fine.
Please keep in mind, MJ is not the only one who should be held accountable. The station management must be held accountable as well. (Just my opinion!) They should have signed their approval for the stunt to happen and supervised the preparations for the stunt, and if they did not, then this shows a lack of control over the people who they have working at the station.
I understand MJ is has a contract with Clear Channel, however, he needs to comply with the station management rules and regulations. It is apparent that MJ likes to make his own rules; he often comments that his show brings in the most money for the station. If that is true, I have a feeling that will change in the near future.
I do not like to see anything bad happen to anyone, I do not wish for jail time for MJ. However, his recklessness needs to stop and if anything, at the least this incident should scare the “Schnitt” out of him.
February 16th, 2010 at 11:16 pm
It’s funny reading a bunch of idiot haters going off on MJ. Makes me laugh seeing what a bunch of followers you are. Bubba tells you to jump off a bridge and you would. No one knows the half of the legal stuff going on between the two so its funny seeing a bunch of idiots take Bubba’s side because he tells you to. Its two egos with big mouths facing off it court wasting their money and you idiots want to take a side. Nothing wrong with Bubba and his show, just his followers who can’t think for themselves. Get a clue you idiots.
February 18th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
I agree with Rich.
I love the MJ show.