The Ron and Ron Show
The Ron & Ron Show was a popular American radio talk show hosted by Ron Diaz and Ron Bennington. Bennington joined Diaz in 1987 at Tampa Bay’s WYNF-FM (95YNF), and the pair quickly became known as “Radio’s Bad Boys.” They later formed The Ron & Ron Radio Network to own and syndicate the program. The last show on WYNF aired March 12, 1993.
Ron Diaz and Ron Bennington expanded the show nationwide as the network grew, with Diaz serving as president and CEO. The program reached many markets, including Miami, Orlando, and Jacksonville, with more towns added over time and a new strong presence in Tampa again.
The show made headlines for wild moments, such as a heated on-air exchange with actor Don Johnson. It also sparked international attention when a cast member’s rock band, The Dead German Tourists, performed a Live Gig in Miami. The band’s name reference led to a city council ruling that briefly blocked the event in Miami, so the Live Gig was moved to Hallandale, drawing about 10,000 fans.
In 1994, Diaz announced that his wife Debbie was diagnosed with AIDS; he began missing some broadcasts to care for her. Debbie Diaz died in 1995. Ross Reback, the network’s agent, eventually arranged the sale of The Ron & Ron Radio Network to Paxson Communications.
Diaz left the show on-air in early 1997 as Paxson planned to move the studios. Without Diaz, the show struggled, and it was canceled on September 29, 1997, after several replacement hosts tried to carry on under the Ron name. Clear Channel later bought Paxson’s radio division and chose not to continue the show.
The Ron & Ron Radio Network also released two full-length videos, Ron & Ron: Let The Puppies Breathe and Ron & Ron’s Pup Friction, which featured show highlights and Live Gigs. The phrase “let the puppies breathe” referred to encouraging audience members to be provocative in a televised context.
Beyond the main show, the network owned Hooters-on-the-Radio, featuring former Hooters Girls such as Lynne Austin, and The Gary Spivey Show, with the psychic. Ross Reback and Ron Bennington also ran Ron Bennington’s Comedy Scene, a 200-seat club in Clearwater, launching many comedians and touring a Disciples of Comedy troupe with performers like Carl LaBove, Jimmy Shubert, and others. The Live Gigs drew large crowds, often between 10,000 and 30,000 attendees.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 04:39 (CET).