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Talk about a devoted soap fan. Not only has Jeffrey T. Mason been watching the Young and the Restless for 30 years, but he even took a ride to the real Genoa City, Wisconsin to visit the town that is the fictional setting where the show and its daily trials and tribulations take place. He even admits to checking out You Tube looking for behind the scenes videos of Young and Restless.

One must admit this is quite interesting coming from a man, but then again...Jeffrey T. Mason is just not your ordinary guy. He is one of Chicago's top disc jockeys that can be heard everyday from 10 AM to 2 PM on WJMK radio 104.3 (K-Hits) and...

...online at http://khitschicago.cbslocal.com/

In the industry and to friends he is called Jeffro, and he also has his own online radio station. http://www.jeffroradio.com

"Yes! I admit it. I'm hooked to the Young and the Restless. I have been watching the show for three decades, and am really in to it," Mason revealed to Soapdom. "I love the characters. I love the drama and enjoy watching the dysfunctional families."

Mason's love for The Young and Restless began at the early age of five. It was in the 1970's that he started watching only a few years after the show debuted.

"I want you to know that this was pre VCR. My mom watched and I just became hooked," Mason said. "Then I started recording it and we watched at the dinner hour. I was there pre-Abbott and pre-Victor."

Mason also admitted that it is the "scum bags' that he loves. His favorite scenes are the feuds between Jack (Peter Bergman) and Victor (Eric Braeden). "Really! I want to see more of that. I want drama," he explains.

Soapdom wants to know what the real Genoa city is like? "Well...I must say I was a bit disappointed. It is beautiful, but it's like a bend in the road. In reality, I feel the show does not emulate Genoa City."

Mason agrees that the show entertains, informs, and educates, and he likes how the relationships evolve over the years.

Mason also feels the sadness of the genre slowly disappearing from daytime TV. "I do. I feel sad. What bothers me is that nighttime TV emulates daytime with continuing stories," he said. "I feel that even though some have left the airwaves, there will always be a place somewhere for the daytime drama (soap opera)."

Mason feels that in his career, radio is changing as well. He said that with the Internet so readily available, it's much harder to grab and keep listeners' attention, and he feels that ever since deregulation came into play, radio has turned corporate. The highlight of his career was in1999 when he launched the 80's channel in Chicago and called that one of the joys of his career. "I have to tell you there are so many stories and what I learned from that experience, it is a moment I will always remember."

WJMK in Chicago is owned by CBS and Mason enjoys working for them saying they encourage creativity. "I like it because on the air I want to be myself. I must be creative." Mason said. "Although there was a time, I admit I was more sarcastic, but I did tone it down a notch."

His broadcasting career began at a young age in his teens. Born in New York, it was in Reading, Pennsylvania he got his first gig, but jokingly said that he made radio in his home when he was twelve. He used his duel cassette recorder to make shows.

"I was always listening to the radio. In fact I was always calling stations to win contests. I did everything I could to get my voice on the radio."

Mason has worked in several other cities in his career, but said he loves Chicago. He has a fond love for the Windy City.

Does Mason have any goals to ever be on The Young and the Restless? "I will tell you, I would not mind visiting the real fictional Genoa City. I'd also love to see the sets and how they are set-up. I think it would be interesting," he said.

Mason said that he is just a simple guy who lives vicariously, loves his beer, and oh Yes! LOVES his soap opera. And who knows....he may someday end up in the real Genoa City at Television City in Hollywood.

Check out his Website http://www.jeffreyt.com

 

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