Reunion / Audition

Reunion / Audition

November 8, 2009 @ 20:52

It was with mixed emotions that I received word that Jesse and Gene will reunite on CFRB this week. They'll fill in for Ryan Doyle during the 7-10 pm shift on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

The mixture of emotions has one part happiness and one part jealousy.

I'm happy because it will be good to hear Jesse and Gene back on the Toronto airwaves after an absence that I would guess is going on fifteen years now. They were significant players in Toronto radio through parts of the 80's and 90's and to hear them back together again, even for just three nights, will bring back a lot of good memories for someone like me, who was a direct competitor.

From 1989 until 1996 it was Jesse and Gene or Humble and Fred if you were into "fun' Toronto radio. Howard and I enjoyed a little more stability that Jesse and Gene as they were hired and fired and worked for four different radio stations during that time including Q-107 twice.

Humble and Fred remained at CFNY from 1989 until 2001.

I might add that The Humble and Fred Show was a consistent ratings winner over Jesse and Gene during that time as well, but who's counting and who'd believe it.

I feel good for these guys because I know they'll have a lot of fun this week but I'm also jealous of them for the same reason. Hell, just doing a few podcasts with Humble over the past couple of years was a hoot.

I really don't know what the motive is for the reunion but I do know one thing, if it's an audition CFRB is on the right track.

Of course talk radio should inform but it should also entertain and Jesse and Gene will probably do that over the next few days by pushing the envelope a few times. I feel jealous again.

You can deal with the issues and still have fun. You can talk about just about anything with a certain degree of irreverence and still connect with an audience. You can shed the authoritative talk show serious guy image and still make your point. You can show a humorous side and still get serious at times. You can talk to your listeners like they would talk to each other and still gain respect. (I think I just described John Oakley and Mike Stafford)

You can be Jesse and Gene and fit nicely at CFRB.

Hats off to new CFRB Program Director Mike Bendixen for having the balls to put this thing together and to think outside the box. .

I'm sincerely happy for Jesse and Gene and I hope they do well this week even if it does make me jealous.

I'll be listening.

Category: Radio

11 Responses to "Reunion / Audition"

Steve
November 9, 2009 / 09:34

That's great news, I'll definitely be doing my best to check that out.

Probably a dumb question, but if I miss it, is there anywhere that the shows will be archived for later enjoyment?

Trish
November 9, 2009 / 11:29

Aw Fred - this is great news. I hope you and Humble are offered the same opportunity. I listened to and loved both teams. I think Jesse and Gene will be good for CFRB because I'm sure there are Q listeners who gravitate to 'RB.

Jim
November 9, 2009 / 14:18

Just saw Jesse riding his bike in West Vancouver a couple weeks back. Fairly big deal that they're bringing him all the back from the west coast for this.

James
November 9, 2009 / 14:25

Hey Freddie

Totally agree with you. This is a good move - I hope it's permanent.

Toronto Mike
November 9, 2009 / 14:40

Hey Fred,

I remember Jesse and Gene from their first stint on Q107. I also remember them making fun of AM radio before bolting for CFTR.

In my Toronto Morning Show History, I eventually graduated from Jesse and Gene to Humble and Fred.

Why you and Humble aren't still on the radio as a team I'll never understand.

p.s. It's time for another podcast. Let's be doing it.

jesse dylan
November 10, 2009 / 21:01

Very kind words Fred.
Thank you
Jesse Dylan

Ronald
November 11, 2009 / 06:33

Thank goodness for the internet or I would miss this event up here in northern Quebec. Thanks for informing.

Rick C in Oakville
November 11, 2009 / 22:01

Missed this post earlier this week, and had to do a double take when I heard Ryan Doyle and Tarek Fatah mention it today, won't have time Wednesday but definitely tuning in Thursday. RB seems to be getting bolder, didn't realise there was a new program director, good on him for having some cajones to give this a shot.

El Torpedo
November 12, 2009 / 17:39

"I might add that The Humble and Fred Show was a consistent ratings winner over Jesse and Gene during that time as well, but who's counting and who'd believe it."

Ratings winner as measured by that archaic, inaccurate "old diary system (BBM - Bureau of broadcast measurement) where listeners filled out ballots by memory, and more often than not, mom would end up filling them out for the whole family.", right Fred? Or was that system only accurate when it showed you and Humble as the ratings winners? ;)

Freddie P.
November 12, 2009 / 17:51

Wow Torpedo, you've gone a long way for this one.
But to answer your question, yes "that" system.
Accurate or not, it was what it was and we all had to live with it.
I think I've made that point on more than one occassion.

Rather selective on your part.

El Torpedo
November 13, 2009 / 14:21

Geez you're a touchy bugger! I was teasing. You don't see the irony in pointing out how stupid and inaccurate the old system was, and then using data from that system to prove ratings superiority over J&G (a totally unnecessary bit of ego stoking in an otherwise gracious post, I might add)?

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