I don’t listen to much Canadian radio anymore because most of it is so dumb, so lacking in wit or intelligence or even basic entertainment. 640 in Toronto has some good people – John Oakley, Mike Stafford and Charles Adler – but it’s all pretty bleak beyond that. The other day I did hear one host being described by another as a great interviewer. This resonated because during the Israel/Lebanon war I was interviewed by dozens of people, including this fellow. I was in Israel, he in Toronto. It was on the phone. The producer told me she’d read me the questions before the interview. I told her that this wasn’t at all necessary – I’d been living the war for a week, was an experienced journalist and, anyway, a spontaneous interview was always preferable. No, she replied, it wasn’t for me but for the interviewer. He needed to have the questions written for him and had to know what the answers would be or he got confused. She dutifully read out the predictable questions and I gave her the answers.
Then we went live to air and this man, earning probably more than $250,000 a year, read out what his producer had written word for word. It could have been anything at all. And, frankly, if I’d replied to some question about war causalities with “My leg is made of cheese” he would have simply gone on to the next question. I’d like to say that this was unique but, sadly, it isn’t. Television has lots of fools on the screen and radio is full of people who’d do anything to get on television – which says it all really.
Michael,
AM 640 is also my new “home”. I used to listen to CFRB 1010 until it got hit with a bad case of BDS (Bush Derangement Syndrome) with the arrival of John Moore in the morning time slot. I found myself screaming at the radio on my way to work and realized I needed to find a better way to start my morning so as not to risk a coronary! John Oakley provided this relief. His wit, command of the English language and tremendous variety of topics make his show a great example of what good talk radio ought to be.
I stopped believing anything I see or read in the mainstream media years ago. Journalists are as slimey as child molestors and politicians.
I agree about Canadian radio. I used to listen to CFRB but it has really deteriorated in the last few years and seems like 50% advertising lately.
Thankful to have the Internet, though. I still find BBC Radio 4 to be decent sometimes — and it’s not yelling at you all the time like most other stations.
Does his name ryhme with Mon Joore?
Ladies and gentlemen. I give you Michael Coren!!! A living god. A legend in his own mind. A genius. His every word and action;a gift from above. Why do we even try to question such greatness?! We should just get down on our knees and thank the gods for his presence on earth. Whatta guy. I weep with joy at the thought of your next syllable, Michael. I mean “your lordship”. May I shine your shoes? May I precede you with a cascade of lotus flowers thrown at your feet. Can I fry you up some bacon and beans? I leave you now so I may light a candle and place it before my little bobblehead statue of you. All hail “The Coren”.
What you’re saying in your opening statement is
that radio hasn’t changed since you got fired again
from CFRB.
You have also hanged yourself on your last statement
because you have a “niche” program on TV.
Now you’re reduced to this. Isn’t that pandering?
Just asking, you know.
To describe the interview and then not reveal the identity of the interviewer? I recall you talking about that war with your colleagues at 1010 on the phone, was it someone who is still there or perhaps someone at the CBC? At any rate it would be interesting to know who this detached person is.
Morley…BRAVO my son BRAVO !
Morley says:
July 15, 2010 at 12:44 pm
Ladies and gentlemen. I give you Michael Coren!!! A living god. A legend in his own mind. A genius. His every word and action;a gift from above. Why do we even try to question such greatness?! We should just get down on our knees and thank the gods for his presence on earth. Whatta guy. I weep with joy at the thought of your next syllable, Michael. I mean “your lordship”. May I shine your shoes? May I precede you with a cascade of lotus flowers thrown at your feet. Can I fry you up some bacon and beans? I leave you now so I may light a candle and place it before my little bobblehead statue of you. All hail “The Coren”.
Morley,
I think what really bothers you is that Michael Coren actually has strong opinions about things and does not hesitate to stick his neck out. I don’t agree with many things Michael says but I admire his candor and courage. If you like the centre-left pabulum crap dispensed by some of the CFRB hosts and the far-left tax-funded mediocrity at the CBC, be my guest (you actually are my guest…I am paying for it!).
When you finally get around attacking the ideas rather than belittleling the person, maybe we can have some worthwhile dialogue.
Up to now I’ve been very liberal in allowing pretty much every posting to be published. But some of the people here simply lie and abuse the whole time and lower the debate to the gutter. They also post a lot and are probably living alone, out-of-work and so on. I’m sorry for them but a blog is not a hospital. Criticism of me is fine but making things up and insulting other people posting is pointless. Thanks.
For my money, I don’t listen to talk radio at all. Canadian media is hampered by a “fairness” doctrine which only seems to apply to those with moral views. It seem that the CBC doesn’t follow this, nor does CTV and so on and so on. I do sometimes go to American radio where hosts have the freedom to speak out against immorality and actually some hosts like Glenn Beck, actually help people get organized. The closest we have in this country and he’s not even with the media is Charles McVety. I recall McGuinty’s government trying to sneak their education package. The media except for Lifesitenews.com did not cover it and McVety brought it to the forefront. No reflection on you Mr. Coren, I just thought I would continue from where you left off on this topic. Thanks.
Yeah, I’m not sure why CFRB has tacked left. Conservatives, at least in the States, always argue that radio is free market platform, and that the left can’t compete. I wonder if that holds true in socialist Toronto.
I, too would love to know the “interviewer” in question. Stop teasing us, Michael!
Morley, you’re obviously jealous. Get a life, and an argument.
Michael Coren said: “I’m sorry for them but a blog is not a hospital.”
You’re right, this blog is the opposite of a hospital, more like a place for people to have their IMAGINED FEARS about liberals, socialism, the left, a global warming conspiracy, universal healthcare, muslims, atheists, gay marriage, etc, etc… VALIDATED.
Like Conservapedia or Fox News, this blog is nothing more than a form of self-validation for those who hate pluralism and secular democracy.
“Television has lots of fools on the screen and radio is full of people who’d do anything to get on television – which says it all really.”
Not quite. The fact that an awful lot of people don’t know that, says it all.
CFRB has both left and right on it. I’m sure conservatives are infuriated by John Moore just as liberals would be infuriated by Jerry Agar. Jim Richards in the afternoon probably infuriates both sides and John Tory is like a Bill Davis conservative. Funny how Coren only mentions his talk 640 friends. Are they really so different? He was at RB for quite awhile and describes the landscape as “pretty bleak”. I dont recall his shows as being so much different than the ones on now. He used to brag about his ratings back when he had them. The economic constraints on talk radio prevent it from becoming much more than it is. If the Motts can have their own internet radio show why cant Coren so he can do whatever he wants and pull in sponsorship revenue.
I think Coren uses this blog so he can read people posting their agreement with him and it makes him feel worthy. But not everybody is going to be a sycophant. Got to take the bad with the good. Much like talk radio, which seems to be a platform for celebrity self-gratification. Coren seems to subscribe to the “If I want your opinion, I’ll give it to you” method on his t.v. show. Radio should be for music only. And porn.