June 2008 Archives
Canada - Loving You
Now The Longest
June 27, 2008 @ 10:28
I’m sitting in the tin palace right now, waiting for the Canada Day weekend to kick-off, and I feel inspired by only “one” subject today, and I want to talk about it at 4:20 this afternoon on Neil Morrison’s radio show in Vancouver. But I have a problem. I got up this morning revved about something I heard on the radio last night, but as I scour the internet, I can’t find anything in print. It was a story about how much better Canada is than the United States. We have a better economy right now and a better standard of living. On average we make more money than they do, work fewer hours per week and we’re a whole lot healthier than they are. All wonderful things to hear, but before I bellowing about how much better this country is than the United States, I wouldn’t mind having some black and white on the issue, an article of some sort to back up the claim. Some might argue I don’t need it, because it’s painfully obvious that we’ve got it all over the States when it comes to life in general, but if I’m going to make this a subject on Neil’s show, I need more. I can’t even remember what station I heard it on last night. I was driving up the 115 when I heard it, but I can’t remember whether it was on 640, or 1010 or even when of the Peterborough stations. I should have made a mental note and then actually called the station this morning looking for the source, but I didn’t. I was just cruising along, enjoying the ride, and I assumed I’d simply google the story this morning and it would be there. I can’t find the bastard. I’ll be honest, I’m a frequent viewer of Fox News because I’m fascinated by it. I’m impressed by the large collection of arsholes they’ve managed to assemble, and a constant theme on the channel how wonderful the United States is, with the often attached tag, the greatest country on earth. It’s a bit frustrating for a Canadian because we sit on their northern border, but it’s like we don’t exist. Most references to Canada on Fox News or condescending or almost paternal, like we wouldn’t exist without them. Shawn Hannity is probably the biggest culprit. He’s got his head stuffed so far up his ass it’s unbelievable, his delusional view of the United States is so twisted and over-rated its actually harmful. But I won’t waste much time on this whack job, because I could keep writing until tomorrow afternoon. Believe me, when it comes to Canadian politics, I lean to the right, but if I was an American, the likes of Shawn Hannity, Bill O’Reilly and Fox News would turn me into a Democrat. But I digress. The original point of this column was to expose my frustration with not being able to find a written article attached to what I heard on the radio last night. From top to bottom, from every goddamn angle possible, Canada is a better place to live than the United States. I guess I shouldn’t care that much because it really doesn’t matter when you get right down to it. I live in Canada, I love Canada, and I know how great our country is. Why should I care what anybody else thinks? I’m sitting hear looking at the Canadian flag that flies at the end of my dock, knowing that tomorrow night the Tiki Bar will be crowded with people wearing red and white and celebrating something that Americans are oblivious to. We have them beat from top to bottom. Happy Canada Day everyone!
Category: Stuff June 26, 2008 @ 08:36
It was sent along by my friend and former colleague Jason Barr. Now that Roger, Rick and Marilyn no longer exists in its original form, guess what Toronto "commercial" morning show is now the longest running in the city, the show that's been around longer than any other show currently on the air? The Dean Blundell Show. Good for you fellas, Dean, Jason and Todd. Keep doing what you're doing. Category: Radio Not Funny June 26, 2008 @ 08:35
He's become the latest of victim of the changes at City-TV. Rogers seems to have some distinct plans for the station, and the edgy off colour sock is not part of them. People can bitch and complain all they want about what's fair and what's just and what makes sense and what doesn't, but it won't get you anywhere. The broadcasting industry in Canada isn't what it used to be, and somehow "product" doesn't matter much any more. Bottom line is the ruler. But on the subject of product, I have to say this. I was never a fan of Ed the Sock the show, but I was always a big fan of Ed the Sock the entity. I can't explain it. I just never found the sock funny. He never made me laugh, he rarely made me smile. I don't care for the act, and I never got the humour. Of course that means nothing in the over-all picture. All that matters is that Steve Kerzner took and idea and made it extremely successful, and for that I'm a huge fan. Talk about perseverance. Kerzner took an idea and developed it on cable TV and then took it to commercial TV and Ed the Sock became arguably one of the most recognizable characters in Canadian television history. That's impressive. Steve Kerzner claims the cancellation of Ed the Sock on City-TV doesn't mean the end of the character, it only represents a new beginning, and that I'm glad to hear. It may not be my cup of tea, but you can't argue with success and there are obviously enough people across this country that do enjoy Ed the Sock. May he live on, and live long. Category: Television Today With Craig And Matt June 25, 2008 @ 11:47
Category: Radio Cops In Schools June 25, 2008 @ 11:46
They feel its too intimidating, it leaves the wrong impression and it’s not necessary. They’d rather have the police unarmed, in casual garb to make the little darling’s roaming the halls feel more relaxed. What a joke. As Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair says, “if my officers are going into the schools, they’re not going to act as hall monitors.” Bang on. If cops are going into the schools there shouldn’t be any question who they are and why they’re there. Unfortunately, things have gotten to the point in some Toronto schools that police patrols are necessary and it gets back to the same old thing. If you’ve got nothing to hide, you’ve got nothing to worry about. Ideally, I think it’s the right thing to do, but man oh man do I ever feel sorry for the cops who will be put on this duty. They’re going to be left wide open for every accusation under the sun. Already the failure of some kids in the system is blamed on teachers, the school board and anything else bad parenting can come up with. Cops in the halls will only give them something else to point at. But its got to be done. Category: Stuff The Plan Unfolds June 25, 2008 @ 11:45
Having picked Ron Wilson as coach, who has a reputation for working well with young players, Burke has obviously directed Cliff Fletcher to get rid of the baggage and that’s why they tied the can to three players yesterday. Andrew Raycroft and Kyle Wellwood were put on waivers, while the buy out of Darcy Tucker was initiated. You can’t change history so there’s no use obsessing over the disastrous moves that were Raycroft and Tucker. Tucker was signed to a long term deal by John Ferguson Jr. just as it became apparent he could no longer do the things that warranted the contract, and Raycroft came here at a huge price – goaltending prospect Tuukka Rask who went to the Boston Bruins. The only pressing move remaining for the Leafs now, is to finally cut the ties to Mats Sundin. Apparently if he doesn’t sign elsewhere, there’s a seven million dollar contract waiting for him with the Leafs, but that would be ridiculous. It’s time to move on from Sundin, even if they don’t get anything in return. To my mind, the Leafs should forget about Sundin, go into the season with Marlies as fillers, stay way below the salary cap, have a horrible season, another good draft and then start spending some money. Traditionally it’s not what they do, but this is a good time to do it, and I think on the heels of three bad seasons, Leaf fans are ready for something radical as long as there seems to be a point to it all. Burke seems to have a plan. Category: Sports Rick Hodge June 24, 2008 @ 00:02
If anyone had ever told me that Rick Hodge would "not" retire from CHUM-FM, I'd have called them a silly looking bastard. When the rumours first broke yesterday that Hodge was leaving CHUM-FM to join one of the Astral stations at 2 St Clair West, I didn't believe it. I thought it was just plain stupid. Here's a guy who had been at CHUM for 34 years and was part of arguably the most successful morning show in Canadian radio history, part of brand that carried more weight than any other in the industry. But it's true. Rick Hodge is leaving CHUM-FM..... anything and everything is possible. I'll be honest, I have never really listened to Roger, Rick and Marilyn because for most of their run I was working down the street during the same time slot. But even since I've been on my forced sabbatical it's not something I'd tune to because let's be honest, it really isn't a show designed for a fellow such as I. But come on! Roger, Rick and Marilyn no more? From strictly a branding point it's huge. So what if Rick had been taken off sports and his role reduced to something like mine was at the MIX, it was still Roger, Rick and Marilyn, and screwing with that brand is the radio equivalent of the "new" Coke disaster. If I was one of the company thinkers, I would have voted to keep him on staff, just to protect the brand, even if he stayed home every day and called in once an hour. Roger Rick and freakin' Marilyn. It's like Abbot without Costello, like Penn without Teller, Rowan without Martin, Wayne without Shuster, Starsky without Hutch, like Joanie without Chachi, Jesse without Gene, and like Humble without Fred. (OK, not that bad) But you get my drift, this is a Toronto radio institution that didn't fade away, it looks like in part it got blown away. I could be wrong, but for Hodge to leave after 34 years and in his late 50's, you get the impression he was either pushed or pissed. Believe me ya buggers, these things happen. Category: Radio I Almost Worked With Rick Hodge June 24, 2008 @ 00:01
It was the fall of 1980, I was in the newsroom of the little yellow house in Brampton when the phone rang. Category: Radio I Almost Killed Rick Hodge June 24, 2008 @ 00:00
We sat through a couple of games at Grant Field together, and when the subject of the next day’s game in Sarasota came up, we agreed to travel together. I would drive. Late he next morning Rick met me in the parking lot and we embarked. We got into a great conversation that I gives me no recollection at this point, but it was shortly after we entered the Sarasota city limits that it happened, Caught up in a story that Hodgy was telling me, I didn’t notice that the light had changed. I was going full tilt boogy into an intersection that was a “no go” zone for me and at the last minute Rick grabbed my arm and said, “What are you doing, it’s red.” I slammed on the binders and came to a halt just in time. Just in time to ensure the legacy that is Roger, Rick and Marilyn. Category: Radio |
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