Freddie P's Blog

April 29, 2008 @ 09:19

My wife took the call yesterday. The Bureau of Broadcast Measurement will flood our home with four Radio Diaries next week.

It will be the first time I’ve actually taken part in this antiquated, almost laughable form of audience measurement in Canada.

I promise everyone, like they do in most homes, I won’t let the ballots sit on the kitchen table for the entire week, and then have my wife fill them out for all four of us on the final day.

That wouldn’t be right.

It would be typical, but it’s not right.

Category: Radio

April 29, 2008 @ 09:18

Actually, it should be three down one to go.

I’m sure Hab fans will lament that their team should have won last nights game, but much like game one, all that matters is the final score.

Yes, the Habs put on major pressure in the third period, widely out shooting the Flyers, but hockey ain’t horseshoes and so the Canadiens find themselves firmly behind the eight ball, although hockey ain’t billiards either.

Montreal must win tomorrow night, but let’s hope they don’t.

Category: Sports

April 29, 2008 @ 09:16

I don’t know about you, but I could smell a rat through the entire Roger Clemens steroid controversy, so I’m not surprised there are now accusations of him diddling country singer Mindy McCready for over a decade, starting when she was a shocking 15 years old.

Clemens was married at the time and had two kids.

Needless to say, Clemons, through his lawyer, has denied anything inappropriate, but according to the New York Daily News the story carries weight, and rather than supporting Clemons story, McCready’s lawyer issued a “no comment.”

It’s funny, but during his time with the Blue Jays, when I was handling the sports beat at the Edge, I head many a story about the “creep” that was Roger Clemens, but never thought much about it because I found most baseball players to be jerk offs.

None of this comes as a surprise to me and usually, where there’s smoke there’s fire.

Category: Sports

April 29, 2008 @ 09:15

How stupid is Billy Ray Cyrus. Apparently he was on set and approved the pictures of daughter Miley, taken by famed photographer Annie Leibovitz that appear in Vanity Fair magazine.

One in particular has Miley naked, draped by a sheet, suggesting she may be in bed, which has parents of America’s children up in arms.

They don’t want the star of Hannah Montana portrayed as “vamp.” It’s just no right.

Actually, there’s really nothing wrong with the photos, it’s just an over-reaction by a vocal minority of bible thumping yanks, but the Cyrus clan should have anticipated this before they agreed to the session.

Miley stands to make a billion dollars for Disney this year, which means she stands to make tens of millions. Why would you screw with that?

In the end, I guess it’s not so much the pictures as it is Miley’s age. She’s only 15.

Barely old enough to go out with Roger Clemens.

Category: Show Biz

April 28, 2008 @ 08:15

TTC strike, and Face's birthday.

Category: Radio

April 28, 2008 @ 08:14

Actually, it should be two down and two to go.

Saturday night’s victory over the Montreal Canadiens was extremely refreshing on one hand for Hab haters, but frustrating on the other because the Flyers could have easily won the first game as well.

I realize on not the most proficient analyst when it comes to hockey, but I really can’t see how the Habs will win a game in Philly.

The Flyers are too physical and too willing to go where the Habs won’t and I think this will be magnified in Philadelphia.

Look for the “K Boys” to disappear at the Wachovia Centre and the Flyers to win decisively. Hopefully we can finally put this Montreal fantasy to rest.

By the way, don’t forget, I’ve predicted the Habs won make the playoffs next year.

*K Boys – Koivu, Kovalev, Kostitsyns.

Category: Sports

April 25, 2008 @ 09:26

It was a week for reminiscing.

Yesterday I spent the lunch hour with Humble Howard at the Real Jerk on Queen Street.

Howard slipped away from Acme Pictures where he’s currently working on a government video. We had about an hour and a half to shoot the shit and talk about what was, what will and what could have been.

It’s amazing how time flies.

We sat there and talked about things that have happened over the past 19 years, yet it seems like only yesterday that I flew to Montreal to meet Howard before the Humble and Fred Show was created. It was quite the ride.

By the way, Humble had the jerk pork yesterday, while I had the boneless chicken roti.

This was actually a significant week in the history of Humble and Fred. This week marked the seventh anniversary of the launch of MOJO Radio, and I was reminded of such by both Mike Stafford and Phil Evans who sent me notes.

Stafford started out as the afternoon drive guy on MOJO while Captain Phil was the promotions co-coordinator for the Edge, but he was a big fan of the MOJO concept.

It was bitter sweet for me. I hated to leave the Edge after 22 years, but at the MOJO project seemed like so much fun and just the right thing at the right time, we wanted to give it a shot.

Unfortunately, the original five year MOJO project quickly became a two year project and one thing led to another and the next thing you know, Humble and Fred are at the MIX.

And it’s too bad because seven years out, if the original MOJO game plan been followed, I’m sure the radio station would be firmly entrenched in the market right now.

It was different and served a niche that was growing, slowly but surely. They were on to something good with the MOJO concept and with a few minor tweaks I’m sure it would have been a notable player in the 25-49 male demographic and a solid money maker.

But such is radio.

I remember getting into a few heated battles with people back when MOJO was launched, especially those who never bothered to give it a chance.

There was many a “dweeb” who thought the format was misogynist and dumb, but nothing could have been farther from the truth.

All you had to do was look at the MOJO lineup. It included Ripken, John Derringer and Mike Stafford, three of the most intelligent broadcasters in the country.

As for the misogynistic tag, that was hilarious. I was always impressed with our women listeners because they "got it". They understood what we were doing and without fail they were smart.

Often we'd say that on the air. "MOJO Radio, talk radio for guys.... and cool chicks."

It was a good bloody radio station, and again, with some tweaking it could have served a lucrative audience in Toronto. It was more than all sports and it was more than talk radio for geezers.

It was a short time, but looking back, it might have been my two most enjoyable years in radio and ironically they came on the heels of definately my two worst years in radio.

But everything happens for a reason.... apparently.

Category: Radio

April 25, 2008 @ 09:25

Along with his note about MOJO, Captain Phil, who’s currently the Promotions coordinator with a station in Vancouver sent me the picture below.

It goes way back to pre Humble and Fred times at CFNY. As a matter of fact, Steve Anthony was the morning man at the time.

As part of our listener Chritmas Party, we created a band called “The Slime Dogs” of which I was a small part. I’d get up and sing two songs. Bruce Springsteen’s Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and of course Snow Removal Machine.

The picture features Alan Cross in the middle with Captain Phil, yours truly and former CFNY jock Hal Harbour on the right side. On the left are three listeners who made up the rest of the band. Mike Mangov, Jo Jo and Grant Ivens.

The dog is Alan’s, and right now I can’t remember its name. Al, if you read this, let us know.

Category: Radio

April 24, 2008 @ 08:57

This afternoon I'll be joining the rugged Mark Hebscher and the delectable Donna Skelly on CHCH Live at 5:30.

There's a guy in Britain who thinks its high time stay at home moms start getting recognized as part of the work force and get paid for what they do.

Needless to say it's created quite a stir and that's what we'll talk about on today's show.

CHCH Live at 5:30

Category: Television

April 24, 2008 @ 08:56

I realize our society is envied around the world and Canada probably leads the way when it comes to humanity and social justice, and for that I am thankful and proud.

Canada has a rich history of being fair, almost to a fault, because human rights come first and virtually everything else comes second.

This country is so obsessed with looking after “everybody” that it becomes downright bizarre. This is often played out through our justice system when criminals are actually treated better than their victims.

Victims fend for themselves, while in jail; criminals are well fed, given complete medical attention and free education.

Sometimes this bothers me and sometimes I think we should make exceptions to these rules. Sometimes I think we should consider the crime and the criminal and change the rules, and that’s why I think Paul Bernardo should be put to good use.

Let me explain.

If you’ve been following the news lately you know that Robert Baltovich has been found not guilty of killing former girlfriend Elizabeth Bain 18 years ago. Meanwhile, it’s widely believed that Bernardo may in fact have been the killer.

But word out of Kingston Penitentiary reveals Bernardo won’t talk about the Bain murder because he actually believes he has a shot at early parole and admitting to another killing would affect that.

He’s delusional of course. He’s been declared a dangerous offender and that status will never change and that means he’ll breathe his last breath in Kingston. He’ll never get out.

So here’s my idea.

Elizabeth Bain’s family has no closure. There’s no body and there’s no resolution at this point so the Bains continue to suffer while Baltovich is free and Bernardo rots in prison.

I really believe there should be an exception made in this case. I think the way should be cleared for the truth to be squeezed out of Bernardo. Apparently there are all kinds of methods to get people come to come clean, why not try a few on Bernardo.

Hell, there may be a few methods that are unproven but need a little more practice, why not use them on Bernardo. He’s no better than a laboratory rat.

It may involve pain, or it may not. Hey it may involve a few of Elizabeth Bain’s larger male family members spending a few minutes with Bernardo, all alone if need be, but I really think this is the chance for Paul Bernardo to finally serve a purpose with his miserable life.

Using Paul Bernardo in a way that would still be more humane than the way he used his victims, could provide a breakthrough for criminal investigations in the future and save families a lot of undue stress and heartache.

You know what I'm sayin?

Category: Stuff

April 24, 2008 @ 08:55

I read with interest the idea by the TTC to start selling naming rights to large corporations for subway stations.

Instead of getting off at Queen, you'd get off at Home Depot, or McDonalds are whatever.

Personally, I'd have no problem with it because it's become painfully obvious that the current regime at City Hall has no idea how to run a city, so why not generate some revenue for public transit through advertising.

They'd just have to make sure the money didn't up going to general revenue for things like free lunches and trips to China.

I've often though the Canadian Football League should do something similar. Why not have individual players sponsored by corporations based on their worth and positions.

For example, the Argos new quarterback Kerry Joseph wants three hundred thousand dollars a year, why not sell him jersey to a corporation. The corporation pays the three hundred thousand and in exchange they get their name on the jersey of the highest profile player.

It would go down from there. A receiver who makes a hundred grand would be sold to someone else willing to spend within that budget, right down to the lower paid linemen who might be sponsored by individual retail stores.

This way the CFL could use gate revenue for other things, or even top off the salaries to attract better players.

It might put an end to this year to year financial dilemma the CFL finds itself in.

Category: Sports

April 23, 2008 @ 10:39

Ranting about the Montreal riots and other hockey things..

Category: Radio

April 23, 2008 @ 08:17

Category: Sports

April 23, 2008 @ 08:16

Category: Sports

April 23, 2008 @ 08:15

Brenda Martin was sentenced to five more years for her part in an alleged fraud scheme yesterday, but it’s expected a deal with the Canadian government will see her quickly transferred home, have her already served time converted into a Canadian sentence, and she’ll be free in no time.

It was all arranged to allow Mexican authorities save face, while appeasing demands from Canada that she be released. It’s the Mexican way.

Brenda Martin did herself no favours by mouthing off so much over the past few months, but you can understand it when someone is the victim of a corrupt justice system. The Mexican system is undoubtedly corrupt and the Martin case proved that when it was revealed Brenda was offered a deal two years ago.

Immediately after her arrest she was told she would be driven directly to the airport and allowed to fly home if she came up with 125 thousand dollars.

The Mexicans deny it, but I believe it. We’ve had more than enough indication of what goes on in Mexico with foreign tourists and it continues to happen and why anyone continues to travel there is beyond me.

Of course there will be those who will jump all over the Conservative government for not doing enough, but ultimately they did all they could. They have to play the diplomacy game to some extent and that’s why Brenda will probably be free within a few weeks.

If the government hadn’t stepped in, you can best your ass that Brenda Martin’s ass would rot in that Mexican prison cell. The Prime Minister pushed for her release and the Mexicans moved, but in a way that allowed them to save face.

It was a deal with the devil, but a Canadian life was on the line.

Category: Politics

April 23, 2008 @ 08:14

I caught Julina Fantino on the John Oakley Show earlier today and it was the same old story.

Ever since Fantino became Commissioner of the OPP he’s been neutered and when Oakley pressed him about the domestic terrorism and lawlessness practiced by groups of Native people in Ontario, he offered little.

It’s a “no go” zone.

There’s always a lot of double talk about negotiations and getting to the root cause of the problem, but never is the question answered, “why can Natives get away with things that others can’t.”

Fantino keeps asking for understanding, and they he pointed towards Deseronto where the OPP put down a native protest earlier this week.

It was hardly comparable to what’s going on in Caledonia, and hardly comparable to the illegal cigarette industry that continues to flourish under his nose… and the Premier’s.

Category: Politics | Radio

April 22, 2008 @ 08:27

It didn't take long for the reaction to start coming into FreddieP.ca last night after the Habs beat the Boston Bruins in a game that wasn't really indicative of the score.

Hab fans wanted to rub my nose in it.

As I mentioned yesterday, I was really looking forward to this game and I fully expected the Bruins to play better, but they didn't and the result was another one of those disgusting songfests at the Bell Center, where Hab fans sing that ancient "Na na na na" bullshit song.

And all the while waving cut little while towels. The same crew that booed the American anthem in game five.

Yes, I would have loved to see the Habs fall but it will make it so much more enjoyable when they fall in the next round.

I expect Washington to beat Philadelphia in game seven of that series, which means the Habs will play the New York Rangers. My money and my heart will side with the Rangers.

Honestly, if anybody thinks a team with the profile of the Canadiens, (Koivu, Kovalev, Kostitsyn squared) can win the Stanley Cup, you're sadly mistaken.

The end will come, just a little later than I thought.

Category: Sports

April 22, 2008 @ 08:26

The irony is almost too delicious.

A favourite past time of Montreal hockey fans is to mock Leaf fans for street celebrations after winning playoff series.

Oh yea, during that long stretch when the Canadiens were missing the playoffs, Hab fans made a big point of laughing in our faces because Leaf fans filled the streets and honked horns after winning a something as insignificant as a Conference semi-final.

What a joke.

Last night the Canadiens completed a seven game struggle with the eighth seed Boston Bruins and what happens? There are riots in the streets.

A first round victory over a team they were expected to easily beat, and Montreal fans take to the street and among other things, torched five police cars while looting several stores.

Tens of thousands of Montrealers have had to move to Toronto over the past few years for economic, political and cultural reasons - thank goodness we got the civilized ones.

No wonder Montreal is becoming nothing more than a backwoods hick town.

Category: Sports

April 22, 2008 @ 08:25

Over the past few weeks me and good guy Freeway Frank, a former prisoner of the MIX, have had an ongoing verbal battle over the Habs and Leafs.

He quickly sent me this today.

"Fred, before you comment on the riot..let me say, this was started by a few yahoos who are not fans of the game. The celebration was a reason to go downtown and start a riot.
Secondly, I'd laugh my ass off when I lived in T.O and Leaf fans would celebrate after one win in the first round. I attribute this behaviour to fans wanting a reason to celebrate (41 YEARS FOR THE LEAFS AND 15 FOR THE HABS) especially after seeing soccer fans in their respective cities showing up in large numbers and celebrating during the last World Cup. I never recall anyone celebrating after any playoff round..unless it was the Stanley Cup. The World Cup would see celebrations after every win (a-it's a shorter competition. b-fans from different cultures would also come out to celebrate their nationality.)
There is no doubt this is the reason why fans have started to celebrate earlier in recent years. They have seen how soccer fans do it and they like it."

Freeway

Just you know, Freeway is now the morning man at Energy Radio in Calgary.

Category: Radio

April 22, 2008 @ 08:25

Sweet boy Toronto Mike had a piece on his website Sunday about the Jays acquiring Barry Bonds to replace Frank Thomas.

No way Jose!

Barry Bonds has a bad attitude at the best of times, can you imagine if he was forced to come to the only Canadian team for the league minimum because nobody else wanted to touch the guy.

I can’t help but thing he’d be a cancer in a locker room that’s already going sour with yet another mediocre season on the horizon.

The Jays have played 20 games and they’ve won ten. Typical of what they’ve done for most of the past decade and a half. Simply not good enough.

Already the Jays have settled in their familiar third place standing and they’re three and a half games behind the Red Sox. That might not sound like much of a deficit, but given the Jays win one lose one character, it’s extremely optimistic to think anything is going to change.

Barry Bonds would not help the situation. If anything, he’d become an instant distraction.

And not a positive one.

Category: Sports

April 21, 2008 @ 07:43

Conservative scandal, Big Hurt and hockey.

Category: Radio

April 21, 2008 @ 07:42

Already today I’ve had a few e-mails from people wondering what I thought of the aversion of the TTC strike.

On Friday I criticized the Mayor for being out of town during negotiations and wondered why he wouldn’t come home early to save the day?

Apparently he didn’t have to.

According to Rob Ford, whose word I would take long before anyone else on city council, says the deal was done long ago and the push towards a deadline was only window dressing. Intended to add dramatics and make some people look like heros, but mostly the Mayor.

David Miller arrived home from China early on Sunday, and then apparently intervened just enough to turn things around and take on the role of saviour.

Today Miller is downplaying it, but according to Ford, it’s just part of the Hollywood production that was orchestrated some time ago. A collaboration intended to boost the Mayor's image.

Ford predicted this would happen a few weeks ago on the John Oakley Show. To a tee.

Category: Politics

April 21, 2008 @ 07:42

It never ceases to fail, whenever you read stories about Canada’s alleged poor, usually in the Toronto Star, there’s always something to piss you off.

Such was the case yesterday when I opened the Star and read “Trapped in the spiral of easy debt” by Star social justice reporter Tanya Talaga.

It’s typical of so much of what the Toronto Star is all about. Hard luck stories slanted with an accusatory tone towards the so-called rich.

The online story doesn’t have it, but the hard copy features a graph displaying what poor people can’t have, and what rich people can have. What it proves is beyond me, because it’s not hard to figure out that rich people can afford what poor people can’t.

However, yesterday’s article contained one of those paragraphs that leaves you shaking your head.

We learned about Mary and Don Oxley of Brampton who have hit some tough times because of Don’s disability and how they’re swimming in a sea of debt.

But get a load of this paragraph.

"The Oxleys can't afford either to rent or go to the movies. But Mary's line of credit is maxed out at $19,000 because of a used vehicle she bought. To make things easier for Don, at home all day, and to give the family a source of entertainment two years ago, she bought a large-screen plasma TV and made payments on it for two years.
"You have to have some entertainment for him," she says.
The $3,800 TV is now paid for. But they still have their monthly cable bill of $176, which includes the Internet, cell and home phone."

Sorry, but it lost me right there.

If the Oxley’s are Canada’s example of the poor, then we’re doing pretty well. If Oxley’s could find the means to buy a 38 hundred dollar plazma TV, then I have no sympathy and I wonder what the hell they're doing in the newspaper.

Call me crazy but I think Don could have been “entertained” just as easily by a 32 inch tube television that costs about four hundred dollars. Believe me, I know, because I still don’t have a flat screen TV and the hockey game looked pretty good to me last night.

This article fills an entire page of the newspaper and its written like affluent people are supposed to lose their hearts and minds by the details.

Personally, I just lose my patience.

Category: Stuff

April 21, 2008 @ 07:41

It’s been a long time since I’ve looked forward to a hockey game as much as I do this one.

It’s game seven between the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins at the Bell Centre tonight, and we could be on the verge of a huge upset.

Check that. On paper it’s a huge upset, but the fact the eighth seed Bruins are giving the first seed Habs all they can handle doesn’t come as a surprise to me.

The Canadiens, thanks to a wild combination of good fortune and playing in a weak conference finished on top of the standings with no where near the best talent.

Now its coming back to bite them in the ass.

Hab fans were quite confident going into the playoffs, they looked way beyond the Bruins who just managed to slip into the playoffs, but all of a sudden its life and death, and if Boston continues their “stifling” system, the Habs could fall in the first round.

Wouldn’t that be sweet? Oh yes, and it will be even sweeter next year when the Canadiens find their proper level and probably miss the playoffs all together.

Teams that depend on players like Alexie Kovalev don’t win Stanley Cups. End of story.

I really can’t wait for the game tonight, I’m anticipating an Bruins victory, but even if it doesn’t happen, no sweat.

Judging by their performance so far, the Habs will definitely fall in the next round.

à bientôt

Category: Sports

April 21, 2008 @ 07:40

This is Alliyah. She’s my brother’s granddaughter which makes me her great uncle.

For months Alliya and her big sister Mayia have been badgering their parents for hamsters, but they got nowhere.

However, being smart little turds they went to the soft spot and started badgering their grandparents, and eventually my sister in law Gwen gave in and bought two hamsters and everything necessary for owning hamsters.

Their names?

Mayia named hers French Fry. Why, I have no idea.

But Alliyah named hers Richard. After her great grandfather.

Category: Family

April 18, 2008 @ 09:36

It's going to be a beautiful day so my gorgeous wife and I have decided to go on a little road trip. We're going jump in the car and head for the land of the tiki bar.
I always love a pre-season visit, especially when the weather is good.
We'll park near the highway and then trudge through the sizable amount of snow that remains. We'll open the doors of the tin palace and then the spring air blow through while we enjoy a couple of hours just sitting on the dock with our faces pointed directly at the sun.
Afterwards we'll head for Peterborough have a nice dinner at one of the city's many fine restaurants. Per capita, Peterborough may have the best restaurants in Ontario.

I received some disturbing news yesterday. It seems a house cleaning at the MIX, or MIX-FM or whatever the hell they're calling it these days, has claimed a couple of former colleagues.
Program Director Karen Steele and afternoon drive guy Steve Anthony are no longer there.
Karen was the PD when I got the boot, but she had nothing to do with it. The order came from above. In fact she didn't even execute the nasty deed. She's a darlin'.
Meanwhile, I've always had a soft spot for Steve Anthony. It goes back to the brief period he did mornings at CFNY, a staggering 21 years ago.
Steve is a different kind of guy, but a good guy and I'm sure he'll be fine. Anthony remains an extremely active voice over guy so he's definitely got something to fall back on.
And congratulations to the sweet Taylor Kaye who's become a good friend of my daughter Melanie's. She joins the Mix team to do evenings.

Several people have enquired about my situation with CKTB in St. Catharines. Sorry, but I can't help you.
The station was looking for a summer replacement for mid-morning guy Tom McConnell.
I gave it a shot, and they were looking to make a decision on Monday past. Considering I've heard nothing, absolutely nothing, it's not hard to put two and two together.
But that's OK because on Wednesday I'm meeting with one of those "career changing guys." I think I've reached that point.
Back in 2005 I thought I just lost a job, but it's becoming more and more apparent I may have lost a career.
I'll meet with people and we'll do an analysis of what I've done and explore what other options I might have.
Right now, I can't imagine what that would be, unless there's some business that wants somebody to come in early every morning, say smart ass things and give hockey scores between farts.

The TTC bullshit that's taking place right now is so Toronto. While we push towards a strike, the mayor remains in China and won't be home until Sunday when the strike vote is held.
Any mayor with half a brain would have made a big production of coming home "early" to help save the day, because if public transit isn't one of the main cogs of the city, I don't know what else is. Once again, this mayor falls flat when it really matters.
To be honest, I don't think TTC workers should have the right to strike. It's too vital, and means too much to the economic function of the city.
Negotiations should be done through an arbitrator who decides "how much" is fair for someone who drives a bus or takes tickets.

Another interesting story that caught my eye today dealt with clotheslines.
The Premier, who rivals the mayor when it comes to sucking the electorate into his web of nothingness, says clothes lines will no longer be banned in the province.
They were outlawed some time ago because they were considered unsightly, but now with everybody jumping on the "environmental" bandwagon, the Premier views this as a good opportunity to look like he cares.
Clotheslines are nothing new to me. Neighbour John's wife Ally has been using one for the past several years. She hates to use the dryer so as soon as the weather gets good, out come the clothes.
For the most part, I don't mind, but as a neighbour I have one small complaint.
Whenever Ally hangs John's underwear we lose the sun.

Have a good weekend everybody, and don't forget.
Slice a sweet potato into flat discs, cover with olive oil and then grill till soft.
Ohhhh so good!

Category: Stuff

April 17, 2008 @ 09:02

I wish it was different. I wish I didn’t feel this way.

I’d like nothing better than to be able to adopt a team from Ottawa as “my” or “Canada’s” team in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

But I can’t. They’re too creepy.

Prior to the creation of the Ottawa Senators, and for a few years after they entered the league, I had no problem with the city of Ottawa or its people.

It was those damn playoff series in the early part of this century that turned me off like some many others.

Not only was the team creepy, made up of several spineless losers who excelled at the art of choking, but their fans quickly became creepy as well.

Out of nowhere came this hate and disdain for Toronto that was inexplicable in the early going. So anti-Toronto, so anti-Maple Leaf it was shocking. Back in 2000 when it started, there wasn’t enough history to the rivalry to create such vitriol.

Ottawa fans were smug. They thought their team was so much better than Toronto’s they could say or do anything they wanted.

And they did, and it was ugly, and it grew.

As the Leafs systematically knocked off the choking Senators on four occasions, rather than direct their disgust at their own sorry team, they came to hate the Leafs and their fans even more.

Thus, Toronto fans could take no more and they grew to hate not only the gutless Senators, but their weirdo fans as well.

It really would be nice for Leaf fans to be able to support the Senators in the playoffs, it would be so convenient, and if not for the profile of their team, and the behaviour of Ottawa fans, it might have happened.

Instead, we have a situation like last night.

As the clock ticked down in Ottawa, Leaf fans had huge smiles on their faces. For a lot of Toronto fans, the playoffs were made last night. It was our own little spiteful Stanley Cup.

All those weasly Ottawa fans had to watch Team Choke get swept away by the Pittsburgh Penguins. They crumbled again.

And it was good.

Category: Sports

April 17, 2008 @ 09:01

During the Ottawa – Pittsburgh game last night, I was reminded of one of my least favourite things about sports.

The Worship Bow.

Just before Antoine Vermette's goal was disallowed late in the second period, the camera panned a euphoric crowd and you could see two Senator fans doing the bow.

I’m sure you’ve seen it. An athlete makes a remarkable play and then fans will start to do a full bow from the hips with their arms straight up.

It’s sickening and I for one would never lower myself to such a level.

What a pathetic statement that anyone would give themselves in such a way to a measly hockey player, or baseball player or any athlete for that matter.

Because a person can swat a puck with a stick or bash a ball with a bat they deserve to be worshipped?

Maybe you think I’m over reacting or reading too much into a simple act, but think about it. What kind of a goober goes out in public and bows down to another man simply because he completed a play of some sort.

How feeble, how insecure, how embarrassing to be seen doing such a thing, and what would motivate anyone to do it. I mean really, what is it saying?

It says you’re a submissive wimp who’s got your priorities way out of whack when it comes to what’s really important in life.

If you want to “worship bow” someone, go down to Sick Kids Hospital and look for a brain surgeon.

Category: Sports

April 17, 2008 @ 09:00

Yesterday afternoon Mike Stafford sent me a note saying he was going to borrow something from my website for this talk show on am 640.

Another friend of mine had sent me an interesting version of an old Aesop’s Fable entitled The Ant and the Grasshopper. You can read it here.

After Mike had talked about the fable, he read some listener e-mail that dealt with Crocs footwear and the trouble the company is currently experiencing. They plan to close a plant in Quebec and throw over six hundred people out of work.

Anyway, I had to laugh at the e-mails and some of the attitudes men have towards this fabulous footwear and I have to feel bad for them.

They have the same attitude I had before I got my first pair last August. A lot of guys think its some kind of threat to their manhood.

But it’s crazy, once you get over that silliness and slide your foot into a pair; it’s like nothing else you’ve ever worn on your feet.

I love my Crocs. My wife just bought me a second pair of Crocs.

The first pair is the closed toe style that I feel comfortable wearing just about anywhere I go including the supermarket. They’re so convenient. They sit at the front door and they’re so easy to put on. You just slide in and go, with or without socks.

The new pair is an open toe sandal style that I’ll wear at the beach and around the pool. Admittedly it might look a bit odd to wear these while doing errands or negotiating contracts, but that doesn’t make them any less comfortable.

I’ve had several pairs of leather sandals over the years and none of them came close to the comfort and convenience of these babies. They’re awesome.

There was a guy on Stafford’s Show yesterday who came up with a clever analogy.

Obviously not a fan of Crocs, he said this, “everybody talks about the comfort of Crocs, but I’m most comfortable in nothing but my underwear. That doesn’t mean I walk around like that in public.”

Nice one funny boy, but you’re the guy missing out.

You might be asking yourself right about now, if Crocs are so good why is the company in trouble and why are they closing a plant?

Knock-offs.

So popular and so comfortable cheaper knock offs sprung onto the scene almost immediately and Crocs has been forced to spend a lot of time and money dealing with the copy cats.

But don’t be fooled. I’ve tried the knock offs and they don’t come any where close to the real thing.

Category: Stuff

April 16, 2008 @ 11:31

Money, Marilyn and more..

Category: Radio

April 16, 2008 @ 11:30

The NFL released its 2008 schedule yesterday and it didn’t go over well in Buffalo.

The Bills game in Toronto on December 7th will feature the Miami Dolphins as the opposition and Buffalo fans are pissed.

The Dolphins may be the worst team in the NFL, but they are the Bills number one arch rival and Buffalo fans love to squish the fish. Not only that, but a December 7th game meant the Bills would get a huge weather advantage.

Not now.

For what ever reason, the Bills in conjunction with the NFL decided to put this game in the Skydome which means Buffalo fans have been robbed of arguably their favourite date on the schedule.

Meanwhile, the reaction is completely different in Toronto. Football fans that were looking forward to this game are disappointed that they’ll be forced to pay king sized prices to watch a horrible football team.

There’s no hatred for the Miami Dolphins in Toronto, so it comes down to bang for your buck, and a lot of people who’ve committed to this game feel like the NFL more or less dumped it in Toronto.

What do I think?

By the time the game rolls around there will be a huge buzz and given that Bill Parcells is now running the show in Miami, it just might be better than anticipated.

I’d go.

Category: Sports

April 16, 2008 @ 11:29

Thanks to my buddy Mark Whitman for this.

*CLASSIC VERSION:*

The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks he's a fool, and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.

Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed. The shivering grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold.

THE END

*THE CANADIAN VERSION:*

The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks he's a fool, and laughs and dances and plays the summer away. Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed. So far, so good, eh?

The shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others less fortunate, like him, are cold and starving.

The CBC shows up to provide live coverage of the shivering grasshopper, with cuts to a video of the ant in his comfortable warm home with a table laden with food.

Canadians are stunned that in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so while others have plenty.

The NDP, the CAW and the Coalition Against Poverty demonstrate in front of the ant's house. The CBC, interrupting an Inuit cultural festival special from Nunavut with breaking news, broadcasts them singing 'We Shall Overcome.'

Jack Layton rants in an interview with Mike Duffy that the ant has gotten rich off the backs of grasshoppers, and calls for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his 'fair share'.

In response to polls, the Liberal Government drafts the Economic Equity and Grasshopper Anti-Discrimination Act, retroactive to the beginning of the summer.

The ant's taxes are reassessed, and he is also fined for failing to hire grasshoppers as helpers.

Without enough money to pay both the fine and his newly imposed retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the government.

The ant moves to the US, and starts a successful agribiz company.

The CBC later shows the now fat grasshopper finishing up the last of the ant's food, though spring is still months away, while the government house he is in, which just happens to be the ant's old house, crumbles around him because he hasn't bothered to maintain it.

Inadequate government funding is blamed, Bob Rae is appointed to head a commission of enquiry that will cost $10,000,000.

The grasshopper is soon dead of a drug overdose, the Toronto Star blame it on the obvious failure of government to address the root causes of despair arising from social inequity.

The abandoned house is taken over by a gang of immigrant spiders, praised by the government for enriching Canada's multicultural diversity, who promptly set up a marijuana grow op and terrorize the community.

THE END

Category: Fun Stuff

April 15, 2008 @ 09:48

With the issue of road tolls in the GTA being raised again, I can’t help but think I’m glad I’m 51 and not 31.

You never want to wish your life away, but in certain situations having an extra twenty years tacked onto your situation ain’t necessarily a bad thing.

When I see young people facing the prospect of three and four hundred thousand dollar mortgages just to get into the housing market, I’m glad I’m 51 and not 31.

My first house cost the equivalent of one year’s salary when I first bought back in 1984.

Yes, it was Brampton but believe me, with the average price even in Brampton nipping at three hundred grand, there are virtually no first time buyers in my position today. It’s out of control.

I honestly don’t know how the average family copes today given the pressures of unrealistic performance expectations, insufficient compensation and corporate greed.

The middle class in under attack and we’re well on our way to creating a society of every day slaves. A culture of debt that will keep the masses under control while a select few at the top make more money than they can ever dream of spending in a lifetime.

It didn’t used to be that way. It’s a culture that started to raise its head in the early 90’s and has flourished to where we find ourselves today – and its not over - talk of third and forty year mortgages and heavy advertising for consolidation loans tells us where we’re going.

What has this got to do with road tolls? It's the capper.

I can’t imagine trying to make a living, and top of everything else, having the government slap a toll on the roads I use. It means more pressure on the middle class and clear indication that the people we pay our taxes to, don’t have any idea how to use them.

And why am I glad I’m 51 instead of 31 when it comes to road tolls in the GTA?

Because I’m in the position where I can say “piss on it all”, pack up and move away.

Category: Stuff

April 15, 2008 @ 09:47

It's amazing how we demand honesty from our politicians, and then sometimes when they tell the truth they're crucified.

Imbeciles like Rush Limbaugh and Shawn Hannity had a field day yesterday. These guys put their country behind their red neck popularity, so they jumped all over Obama and blew what he said way out of proportion.

Obama simply stated the obvious in San Francisco a week ago, but it has turned into such a shit storm that it may be hard to recover from. When it comes to politics, honesty is not always the best policy and definitely not the smartest.

Obama was talking to a group of people about why many working class white Americans, especially in rural areas are reluctant to support him.

He said that he regularly visited towns in Pennsylvania and the Midwest where the jobs had long since disappeared, and political promises of an economic revival had proved empty.

“So it's not surprising then that they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations,” he concluded.

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Category: Politics

April 15, 2008 @ 09:46

Unfortunately we’re not going to see that infamous grainy black and white 15 minute film of Marilyn Monroe giving an unidentified man oral sex.

It’s been floating around for memorabilia world for decades, but every owner has wanted to protect Monroe’s privacy

The latest owner is an unidentified New York businessman who paid 1.5 million for the film. But he won’t release it for public viewing and its not going anywhere near the internet.

It shows a fully clothed Monroe on her knees in front of a man whose head is out of frame.

Over the years speculation has run rampant that the man is U.S. President John F. Kennedy, but it’s never been confirmed and many believe he would have never put himself in such a position.

To me, the identity of the man is obvious. 15 minutes?

It must be Superman.

Category: Stuff

April 15, 2008 @ 09:45

Considering only two teams in NHL history have battled back from 3-0 deficits to win a Stanley Cup playoff series, I think its safe to say the Ottawa Senators are done, again.

It’s a wonderful thing and we have the Pittsburgh Penguins to thank.

I think last year was it for the Senators. Despite their spineless creepiness, they managed to get to the Stanley Cup finals before pulling one of their great choke jobs.

This year they’re obviously the same old Senators, deep in talent, shallow in guts and integrity.

This team needs a major overhaul and after another year that will end in disappointment, there’s no use beating a dead, useless dog. This squad aint’ goin’ nowhere.

I realize what I just wrote is a double negative, but when it comes to the Senators I love to deal in negatives and I’m sure you know what I mean anyway.

I’ll even go this far.

What is worse, having a useless team like the Leafs who you know aren’t going anywhere from the beginning, or having a team like the Senators, so very rich in talent that raises your hopes every playoff year only to crap out because they’re an awkward collection of over-rated, softies who don’t really give a shit when it comes right down to it?

I might actually lean towards the Leafs.

Go Sens Go…. and take your asshole fans with you.

Category: Sports

April 14, 2008 @ 08:18

The Masters, the playoffs and road hockey.

Category: Radio

April 14, 2008 @ 08:17

In the words of Jerry Seinfeld, “who are these people?”

Who are these people that take an off ramp and then if the light is red, they open their car window and dump their garbage onto the ground?

It’s amazing, you rarely see people do it, but the results are there to be seem, somebody’s doing it, in fact a lot of people are obviously doing it.

What kind of a person does this? What kind of a selfish son of a bitch can’t wait till he gets to where he’s going before dumping his garbage into a proper receptacle.

I assume most of the people who do this probably live in the area they dump their garbage, so again, you have to ask yourself, what kind of a person does this to their own environment?

Who chooses to create their own shit hole?

Granted, after every winter there’s a litter problem. Wind blown debris ends up under the snow and lays there until spring, but this is different. The litter problem we have in the GTA is beyond reason and in some cases comprehension.

Most off ramps offer a wide variety of junk, but water bottles and Tim Horton coffee cups seem to make up the majority of it. And then there are cigarette buts.

Not just a few. Everywhere. And the most disgusting practice is stopping your car at a red light, opening your door and dumping your ash tray onto the road.

This takes a special kind of pig. This type of pig you’d hope would be few and far between, but instead are quite common.

I made this point some time ago. I’m blown away by the hypocrisy. The hypocrisy of the faddish concern for the environment. It’s so popular for people to claim they care and to rank “the environment” as the number one issue heading into the next election.
But then you look around and seen the mess.

The one thing that the average citizen could do for the environment immediately, right now, today, is stop littering or bend over and pick up a piece of crap and put it where it belongs.

It’s too inconvenient. And that’s the truth.

Category: Stuff

April 14, 2008 @ 08:16

From time to time people google stuff in my archives and then comment on it.. even though it's several months old.

Such is the case with my posting from last summer entitled, Freddie P's Graceland Tour. I received this on Saturday.

"Mr. Fred

Thank you Mr. Fred for the opportunity to share a different point of
view with you regarding Elvis' home..."

elizabeth kapke

Category: Stuff

April 14, 2008 @ 08:15

At the urging of my sweet daughter Melanie I sat down and watched a movie last night, and it was well worth it.

“Dan in Real Life” was released last October and to be honest, before Melanie mentioned it I hadn’t heard of it before.

It stars Steve Carell who plays the widowed father of three daughters.

He’s a newspaper advice columnist, who during a family get together at his parents ocean side home, through a twist of fate, falls in love with his brothers girl friend.

It’s not a great film. It’s a nice film and Carell once again brings that engaging and warm character of his to the screen.

If you’re looking for a film that doesn’t feature blood, guts, gangs, guns, huge tits or the tedious Will Farrell, this a goody.

Check it out.

Category: Show Biz

April 11, 2008 @ 11:03

Is beer the problem, or is it security?

Category: Television

April 11, 2008 @ 11:02

Further to the issue of security at the Skydome (I prefer Skydome to Rogers Centre), neighbour John wandered into the Blue Jay bullpen during the home opener.

He went for a walk and kept walking past people with badges until he found himself deep in the bowels of the stadium. A couple of turns later, he was right in the Jays bullpen.

He stayed there for about ten minutes before someone finally threw him out. All this, and he hadn't touched one beer. Honestly.

OK, not one, maybe six or seven.

Category: Neighbour John

April 11, 2008 @ 11:01

I was listening to the Stafford Show on am 640 this morning and the subject was the closing of 23 swimming pools by the Toronto District School Board this summer.

It’s shameful and it shouldn’t happen, and Stafford’s topic was whether the provincial government should step in and provide funding to keep the pools open.

It was interesting to hear people from outside the GTA argue that their tax dollars shouldn’t be used for Toronto pools. But that’s not what struck me.

It was a point made by more than one listener.

Isn’t it interesting that in the same year the TDSB OK’s Africentric schools, they decide to close swimming pools.

There is money for a harmful segregation plan, but there’s no money to keep swimming pools open in the dead of summer.

Yes, it’s a world gone mad.

Category: Radio

April 11, 2008 @ 11:00

I have to admit, I don't think I've ever watched an entire episode of Corner Gas, but that's doesn't matter.

Corner Gas has been a ratings winner for CTV, its Canada's favourite comedy and the countries most watched scripted series, so somebody likes it.

That's why I'm so impressed with creator and star Brent Butt. Canadian success stories for shows of this ilk are so few and far between; you'd think Butt would want to ride the gravy train as long as he could.

But that's not the case. Earlier this week he gathered the cast and crew together to tell them the show will end after the upcoming sixth season. The final episode will air in a year from now.

That's it. No matter what happens between now and then, Butt has decided the show has run its course and he wants to go out on top. So in love with this project, and so concerned about its image, he doesn't want to stick around longer than he should, so that's it.

Extremely impressive for a Canuck involved in Canadian television. Most shows don't last, and those that do usually last too long. Look at the Air Farce.

The CBC has pulled the plug on this unfunny waste of time and money after fifteen years of excruciating boredom. It should have ended after 15 episodes, and that would still have been too long.

Meanwhile, we haven't seen the end of Brent Butt. Success makes doors fly open and already CTV has offered other projects. And don't worry about Butt's future income, Corner Gas will live on for years in re-runs.

Already it's seen in 24 countries around the world. I have a feeling he could probably retire.

Category: Television

April 10, 2008 @ 10:27

I’m heading out to join my friends Mark Hebscher and Donna Skelly on CHCH Live @ 5:30 this afternoon.

We’re going to talk about beer at the Rogers Centre.

Turns out there were far too many drunkards at the Blue Jays home opener on Friday night, and again on Tuesday for the Jays special promotion “two dollar Tuesdays.”

More than a hundred fans were thrown out on each night because they got too pissed and then started fighting.

Now there’s a threat by Blue Jays President Paul Godfrey to cancel “two dollar Tuesdays”, and there are others who question whether alcohol should be sold at sporting events… period.

One of those is the Reverend Charles McVety of the Canadian Family Action Coalition.

Of course the very thought is ridiculous. Why should the actions of a few, ruin the enjoyment of thousands who like to have a beer at the ball game.

I’ll look forward to knocking heads with the Reverend.

CHCH Live at 5:30

Category: Television

April 10, 2008 @ 10:26

If you’ve been missing Jeff Marek since he left am 640 and you don’t have Sirius Satellite Radio, there’s a way you can still enjoy Jeffrey’s hockey insight.

Hockey Night in Canada Radio is now available on cbcsports.com every day at three o’clock eastern.

Not only can you hear Jeff, you can also watch him.

Hockey Night in Canada Radio is a top notch production that you should take the time to check-out.

And don’t forget its produced by former Humble and Fred producer Jeff Domet, aka Chicken Shwarma.

Here’s something else you can do. Join the Hockey Night in Canada Radio Facebook group.

Category: Radio

April 10, 2008 @ 10:26

Freeway Frank is a fine young fella who used to work at the Mix. Now he's the morning man at Energy Radio in Calgary. Problem is, he's a Hab fan.

Having said that, Freeway is one of those acceptable Hab fans. He was born in Montreal. He's not one of those turn coat weirdos who was born in Toronto but loves the Habs for some twisted, drug induced reason.

Freeway is flyin' high these days. The Habs are back and he's loving it.

Yesterday he read FreddieP.ca and sent me this.

"Freddy, I'm starting to think you're hitting some hard drugs or you've hit your head pretty hard recently! You can't stand Habs fans? lol
Geez try being a Hab fan in the shadow of a mediocre/shit team for 41 years..especially in the new age of Sports Television where they (the Habs) get as much coverage as PBA bowling on TSN, Sportsnet etc, etc. The Leafs have been a disgrace for 41 years..absolute garbage organization who treat their fans even worse...Leafs fans are asleep at the wheel supporting a terrible product with false expectations each year. I lived in Toronto for 6.5 years...dumbasses honking their horns till 2a after one win in the first round..maybe second..then going down in disgrace. At least some of the fans in Woodbridge have it half right...I mean even those delusional ITAI's got to celebrate a world cup before seeing their beloved cornholio Leafs win a Stanley, which by the way will never happen in our lifetime. Habs to 25~book it! At least we finished 1st..those Sportsnet guys really know their stuff, predicting them as high as 13th in the conference. Maybe it's time for them to quit the game..cause cheering for the Leafs have sent them and all of you to the nut house. Love ya!"

Category: Radio | Sports

April 9, 2008 @ 11:11

Baseball, hockey and golf.

Category: Radio

April 9, 2008 @ 09:11

I was talking with my good buddy Darren the other day, and he hit the nail on the head.

He doesn’t mind the Montreal Canadiens as a team, it’s their fans he can’t stand, and that’s why, like most Leaf fans, he’d like to see them quickly ejected from the playoffs.

As Derwood says, as a team the Canadiens are OK, very much unlike the Ottawa Senators that as a team, are sickening.

If it wasn’t for all those nauseating Hab fans who were suspiciously quiet over the past decade while they looked up at the Leafs, it might be possible to actually get behind the Habs as Canada’s team.

But unfortunately, due to overt trash talking by Montreal fans, and their ability to slither out of the woodwork after the Habs fluked their way to a first place finish in the east, Calgary must be adopted as Canada’s team.

The Flames are cool. A good team with a great Canadian captain, and fans far enough away that we don’t even know if they possess the same aggravating traits that Montreal fans have.

I just heard Bill Watters on the John Oakley Show and he predicts the Habs could very well win the Stanley Cup. It made me rush to the bathroom with a bout of male morning sickness. I honestly don’t think I could take another Montreal Stanley Cup just one year after they were eliminated from playoff contention by the Leafs.

I don’t think we have to worry about the Senators this year. Their culture of losing is as strong as ever and they have some key people out of their lineup, but even if they weren’t a sorry pack of losers and they had a healthy lineup, I’d still adopt my policy of the past few years.

ABO – Anybody but Ottawa. Although now we can add this.

ABOOM – Anybody but Ottawa or Montreal.

Go Flames Go.

Category: Sports

April 9, 2008 @ 09:10

I didn’t get the chance to write about this yesterday, but we talked about it on CKTB and it wasn’t even close.

Most of the people I talked to agreed, banning hand guns in Canada is not realistic.

It can’t hurt anything of course, but for people like David Miller to pretend it’s the pressing problem facing the city is nothing more than a joke.

Hand guns are already banned in Canada. If you don’t have your gun registered, then it’s illegal. You’re not supposed to have one.

Banning hand guns will only affect those citizens who own guns legally.

Miller argues that by banning all hand guns their will be fewer in the country and the opportunity for theft from registered guns owners will be eliminated.

True, but if he thinks the criminal element in Toronto won’t find other ways to get them he’s sadly mistaken. He’s already complained about how many guns come in from the States, and that’s not going to change any time soon.

Miller has started a cute little petition on Facebook, and he’s produced a You Tube video towards the cause, but once again his head remains firmly planted up his ass.

Guns don’t kill people. People kill people. And until the root cause of the gun problem is addressed it doesn’t matter what you do.

Miller refuses to talk about the small element that’s producing the vast majority of the gun violence in Toronto, Jamaican gangs or posses or whatever else you want to call them.

It’s a tiny fraction of the over-all population, and a small fraction of the vastly law abiding Jamaican population. But that’s where the problem is and that’s what should be addressed.

To think these gangs wouldn’t be able to find guns is laughable.

Unfortunately, Miller is terrified of the “R” word so he’d rather play the political game and have some fun with Facebook and You Tube and add it to the list of things he blames on Stephen Harper.

Category: Politics

April 8, 2008 @ 05:25

Just a reminder that this morning between 10:30 and 11:30 I'll be hosting the Tom McConnell Show on 610 CKTB.

Tom is going on paternity leave for four months and they’re looking for a temporary replacement, so I’ve thrown my hat into the ring.

Let’s turn FreddieP.ca into a live version on the radio. CKTB has a huge signal that can be heard throughout the GTA. Here are the phone numbers.

905-688-CKTB (2582) / 1-877-610-CKTB / Pound 610

And here is the streaming link.

Category: Radio

April 7, 2008 @ 06:26

Several months after I was flushed from the radio business, I got a call from former colleague Pete Cugno, aka Scary Bald Headed Pete.

Peter was checkin' up on me, to see how I was doing in the new frontier of nothingness and the in the process of the conversation he told me about his idea for a cartoon. It would be based on his family, with the focus on his lovable grandparents Nonna and Papa, his father Paulo and his whacked out Uncle Vince.

I was familiar with these characters because Peter had introduced them on The Edge back in the late nineties. Pete would tell hilarious stories about his grandparents, and he produced several episodes of Uncle Vince's diaries that were well received by the radio audience.

Pete always had it in the back of his mind to bring the family to life through animation and when he mentioned his plans to me during our conversation, I encouraged him to follow the dream and go for it.

And that's when he paid me a wonderful compliment by asking me to be part of it.

Pete wanted me to help him write it and co-produce it, and having nothing on my hands but time I readily accepted.

It's been a lot of fun but a real eye opener but a lot of work as well. Pete and I started by writing three half hour episodes (22 minutes) and laying down the sound tracks.

We presented this to an animator and quickly found out that animation is expensive and was well beyond our budget, so we looked for other opportunities.

We found out that Tele-Toons was conducting a contest of sorts whereby they would consider submissions from several people and eventually grant 200 thousand dollars towards the production of a pilot.

We were not chosen, but we weren't discouraged either, because we knew nothing comes easy when it comes to the entertainment biz, especially in Canada. Not only that, but it was important for Pete to hold onto control of this project, and he was afraid we might lose control if someone bank-rolled it from the very beginning.

We went back to the drawing board and decided rather than dump a whole pile of money into one pilot; we would spend less money on a series of trailers. We would take highlights from the scripts and turn them into trailers of episodes that don't exist yet.

Hopefully by promoting them virally through websites and You Tube enough people will like them and the right people will see them.

From there we'll see where it takes us.

Without further ado, here are the first five trailers for "Papa's World."

Category: Papa's World

April 7, 2008 @ 06:25

The Junos, the playoffs and the Leafs.

Category: Radio

April 4, 2008 @ 09:54

The great Jim Richards is hosting the John Donabie weekend morning show on Sunday, and he's invited me to come on and talk about some of the issues that affected Torontonians this week.

I don't know exactly what time I'll be on, so you'll have to listen to the whole show starting at six am.

I know it's a tall order to rise at such an early hour on a Sunday, but maybe you can wake up and do a little mornin' shaggin' while you wait for my segment.

Jim and I will talk about Mats Sundin, the penny and Air Canada.

Category: Radio

April 4, 2008 @ 09:50

I'll be joining my fine friends at CH Live at 5:30 this afternoon to talk about the story that I've posted below this one.

They need me to quell the hysteria that will ramp up today. The outrageous demands that will be made by several groups who will pretend they've never said or done anything stupid in the past 17 years.

Should be fun.

CH Live at 5:30 with Mark Hebscher and Donna Skelly.

Category: Television

April 4, 2008 @ 09:38

There is no excuse for the words that were spoken about homosexuals by Saskatchewan MP Tom Lukiwski during a party, but I’m sure all perspective will be lost on the incident.

First of all, it happened almost 17 years ago when Lukiwiski and now Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall were young Conservatives horsing around at a campaign get together.

Again, there’s no excuse for what Lukiwski said, and Wall looks foolish for some of things he said about then NDP leader Roy Romanow.

And you have to question the stupidity of leaving a video tape that contained all the nonsense in an office you’re vacating for another political party, but you also have to question to the tactics of the NDP.

It’s sad when a broken down, insignificant little party has to dust off a 17 year old video tape and go running to the press with it, and even more disgusting when the federal leader of the broken down party chooses to make political hay with it in Ottawa.

I’m sure Jack Layton will push and push and push on this one. It will give him some air time and attention, something he’s desperate for because his politics hold us much water and make as much sense as the stupid things Lukiwski said.

Seventeen years ago.

Category: Politics

April 3, 2008 @ 11:59

Toronto has no chance because of the twisted logic that’s applied to what’s happening in the city and the misguided criticism of a man that although covered with a gruff and basic veneer is really the only person that’s preventing the once greatest city in Canada from slipping totally into the abyss.

I truly admire my friend Mike Boon, but Boon is so emblematic of what’s wrong with the Toronto. Just go to his website and search Rob Ford and you'll see what I mean.

While the mayor and his NDP council systematically ruin the city, Boon prefers to put his focus on Rob Ford and criticize his so called political incorrectness and his personality.

Mike is like so many other bleeding heart Liberals and socialists in Toronto. They like to jump all over the Ford for his brash personality and some of his outrageous statements, while ignoring the real problems.

If it wasn’t for Rob Ford, so much of the incompetent, inept and wasteful policies at Toronto city hall would go unchecked. If it wasn’t for Rob Ford, the city of Toronto might find itself in worse shape than it already is.

While David Miller and his band of yahoos enact policies that push the city in reverse, Mike Boon and his like prefer to worry about whether someone is called an Oriental instead of an Asian.

While the David Miller regime mismanages tax dollars, and wastes money on free lunches, free trips and golf memberships, people like Boon prefer to focus on the fact that Rob Ford was overheard using profanity at a hockey game.

While David Miller continues to wage war against the hard working, productive and progressive people of Toronto, the loonie left would rather talk about Rob Ford’s statements on cyclists.

It’s interesting to note that last week; right on the heels of Ford’s domestic problems, city council passed a motion that made him apologize for the Oriental comment.

It was political opportunism at its best. Kicking a guy while he was down, especially when the irony of the situation was that most Asians didn’t give a damn that they have been referred to as Oriental.

Like most Torontonians, the Asian community was too busy earning a living and going about their business to worry about a “word.” Like most minorities, they don’t need guilt ridden Liberal white people to think for them.

I’m totally mystified by the mind set of so many in Toronto.

Look around, you’re city is in big trouble and it’s in big trouble because of the delusional freak you’ve elected not once, but twice.

Meanwhile, you want to jump all over the one guy who’s got enough balls to stand up and expose Toronto’s dangerous council for what it is.

Sure, Rob Ford might not be the most eloquent guy, but believe me, he’s the least of your problems and would make twice the mayor that David Miller is.

For Christs sake, wake up.

Category: Politics

April 3, 2008 @ 11:58

I was pleased to read the news this morning that Mats Sundin wouldn’t play the final two games of the Leafs season.

I was pleased because it means the end of the Mats Sundin era in Toronto could be over that much sooner. To be honest, I hope Mats Sundin has played his final game for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Sundin represented a weird situation in Toronto. A marvelous hockey player, who might arguably go down as the greatest Maple Leaf in history (definitely not my opinion) Mats Sundin really didn’t do much for the franchise over his 14 seasons.

With him, they won nothing. Without him, they almost did.

I don’t want to go over it again and again, but without Mats Sundin in their lineup during the playoff runs of 1999 and 2002, the Leafs actually played better without him and sagged when he came back.

I don’t know why. Maybe it was a compliment that the other players slacked off when he was in the lineup, but the bottom line is, they did better without him.

Last year when they need their captain down the stretch, he scored one goal in the last twenty games. This year when they needed their captain, he went missing with a groin injury.

Yes I know, you can’t blame a guy for an injury, but I still maintain, Dougie, Darryl and Wendel would have played.

Maybe the groin injury is too painful, but I just find it amusing that once again, Sundin is gone when the pressure was on.

And there’s more.

For all his accolades as a great captain, it’s interesting that Sundin allowed Tie Domi to control the dressing room for so many years.

It’s amazing for such a great Maple Leaf; he stood in the way of the franchise using his asset to make a trade for youth at the deadline.

Word is Cliff Fletcher will try to make Sundin commit to another season with the Leafs next year, because it’s “important” to have his leadership next year.

Spare us. The last thing this franchise needs is another year of Mats Sundin.

We don’t need him out there reminding us what could have been if he’d showed even a small measure of a desire to win. To accept a trade and play hockey rather than worrying about how quickly he can get back to Sweden.

We lost with him. We can lose without him.

It’s time to move on.

Category: Sports

April 2, 2008 @ 08:49

Thanks for taking the time to leave a message on the website about my dad.

It’s really been great therapy. Especially for Junie who’s thrilled that so many “young” people acknowledged Dickie, and especially proud that so many people who knew him had such wonderful things to say about him.

I’ve had several people ask me how they can send Junie a note directly. All you have to do is hit the “contact me” button on this website and I’ll make sure she gets it.

Among the things I’ve been doing over the past few days is going through some pictures, and it’s funny, one of my favourites is this one.

You can’t even tell it’s my dad and my son Danny in the boat, but it epitomizes so much about him.

A lake, a fishing rod and doing something for one of his grand kids. Dickie also bought me the flag pole and Canadian flag.

Category: Family