On the Record
by Danielle Mastropiero
Oct 30, 2008 | 1084 views | 13 13 comments | 20 20 recommendations | email to a friend | print


Don Stugots welcomes a crowd into his home every Sunday, just like any good Brooklyn Italian.

The only catch is that his guest list is in the thousands and spans the globe.

Every Sunday at 6 p.m., Stugots (real name Andrew Hewitt) and wife Regina set up shop and bring a little piece of Brooklyn to the world via their Internet radio show, “The Experience.”

“It’s like two people sitting in their living room and all the sudden decide to turn microphones on,” Hewitt says of the topic range of his show. “We pretty much talk about everything, even stuff I’m not supposed to talk about.”

Conversations on “The Experience” run the gamut from pop culture to politics to television, food and more, as well as interviews with special guests. Although there’s often a local spin, the duo draws an audience from across the world.

In a phenomenon he can’t quite explain, Hewitt said each week, 200 to 300 listeners in China are downloading his show.

Hewitt began “The Experience” in February of 2007 and credits his drive to produce his own show to a long-standing love of talk radio, particularly XM/Sirius Radio’s “Ron and Fez Show.” His nickname, Don Stugots, which is a nod to his Italian culture, is actually his message board name on ronfez.net.

“Any radio show that’s pulled me in has always been personality driven,” he said.

Hewitt’s decision to create a show where his personality shines through is genuine on many levels.

Despite the success of the show, Hewitt refuses to let the radio biz obscure his candidness.

Although several Internet businesses have approached the show looking to become sponsors, Hewitt has politely refused each and every one, even though such sponsors could offset his costs of production.

“I tried that when we started and I felt so beholden and so obligated never to say anything bad about anybody.,” he said. “Never again.”

Hewitt would prefer to think about the future anyway, and the future looks bright.

“The Experience” is currently trying to book Danny Aiello. They are also promised a visit by former Championship WCW wrestler Diamond Dallas Page, although there is a one caveat.

Page, who recently wrote “Yoga for Regular Guys” said he will only come on the show if Hewitt demonstrates the yoga moves live, a challenge which the yogaphile is more than happy to accept.

“The Experience” can be streamed live Sunday at 6 p.m. at cmsradio.net or at nosaintsmedia.com, or downloaded for free on I-Tunes. The show’s blog is available at www.donstugots.com.

comments (13)
« linny wrote on Sunday, Dec 14 at 06:49 AM »
I know a "star" - congrats !!!!
« MafialifeChris wrote on Friday, Oct 31 at 12:46 AM »
This show is top notch and I love the honesty and wit they exhibit when sharing thier experiences with the listeners. Great Show!
« miss m wrote on Thursday, Oct 30 at 08:43 PM »
Don and Regina rule! Listen to the show at your own risk: you will find yourself talking back to your computer. Keep up the good work!
« Gfunk wrote on Thursday, Oct 30 at 06:43 PM »
nice work
« Gfunk wrote on Thursday, Oct 30 at 06:43 PM »
nice
« Mailman73 wrote on Thursday, Oct 30 at 03:53 PM »
Between sunday football and the Experience im surprised im still married ....you can take my football away but shes not getting my Experience time. Love the show hope to see bigger things in the future ....maybe a hollywood star for the Don
« Hottub wrote on Thursday, Oct 30 at 03:26 PM »
Experience listener since day one. I am also the host of the (hopefully) annual Experience Barbecue Show. You'll never meet 2 nicer or genuine people. Keep up the good work, guys. The big time is waiting for yous.

Thoughts and Prayers.
« Retroradio wrote on Thursday, Oct 30 at 02:34 PM »
Love this show! I also host an internet radio show, although nothing compared to stugots, i listen to him to see what being a podcaster is really about!
« FOS wrote on Thursday, Oct 30 at 02:08 PM »
Whatever, spoon.
« StugotsStinks wrote on Thursday, Oct 30 at 02:03 PM »
I haven't seen someone lie so much about his listener #'s since Howard Stern. The only way this terrible show will get both of those guests is if he kidnaps them, holds microphones to their faces and forces them to talk.

« Major wrote on Thursday, Oct 30 at 11:35 AM »
300 Chinese listeners can't be wrong. Tune in to the Experience!
« STALKER CLINTS wrote on Thursday, Oct 30 at 11:00 AM »
The show Is great. You will love it.
« Tall James wrote on Thursday, Oct 30 at 10:12 AM »
This is a fantastic show and I encourage all to give it a listen.