Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Does Your Nose Smell?
This is going to be a negative/positive post, so if you don't like the rant, feel free to move on to the recommendations at the end...
I love CBC Radio. I am a devoted fan, fully convinced that it is a Canadian cultural treasure. But, like all CBC fans, I also have some complaints about programming. The biggest problem with CBC national programming (as opposed to local, which is a whole other story) is the 10-12 am show, "Smells Like Sycophancy", ("Sounds Like Canada" to some), with host Shelagh Rogers. There was a big kerfuffle a few years ago when Rogers was passed over as replacement/successor to the late lamented Peter Gzowski (now broadcasting in Radio Heaven). Shelagh Rogers' legions of fans wanted her to have a show, so the CBC relented and gave her a show that was mostly documentaries and stuff from contributors, which she kind of announced, I guess would be the word. Well, she didn't like this, and the show really didn't have an identity, so the brass finally gave in and re-vamped the show, allowing Rogers to "interview" guests and do a regular newsmagazine-type show, albeit folksy and cute rather than newsy.
Well, I'm sorry to say that she sucks as an interviewer. She gushes and agrees and emotes all over the place, but the salient question is just beyond her capability. I hate to say it, but the brass knew what they were doing when they limited her exposure. Now I do that on my own by growling and turning off the radio after I've heard about 10 minutes of her "aw shucks"-ing. And the guests! Oh my god, could this show be any more boring? Do I really need to hear a 20-minute interview with singer-song-writer so-and-so who just might be about to hit the big time with his/her folky-country crooning? And when Rogers does get a famous person on the show, she just gushes so much it's unbearable to hear. I'm actually embarassed for her. Surely someone who's been in broadcasting for 25 years should be able to come up with a better response than "Hmmm, that's soo true! I love that!"
I could go on, but I won't.
On the positive side, the CBC has a shitload of fantastic shows. If you haven't heard Wiretap, Saturdays at 6:30 pm, do yourself a favour and check it out. It's cutting-edge radio, brilliantly written and performed. Tapestry, the show about religion and spirituality, is a thoughtful, fascinating insightful show, every single week. Talking Books is a book-lover's dream and a brilliant interview show bringing you the finest minds of our time. Of course, Ideas, weeknights at 9, is the most consistently thought-provoking programme around. And a personal favourite is Out Front, where regular people tell their stories. Be careful, though: Out Front is on Weekdays at 11:45 am; tune in even a few minutes earlier than that and you'll have to hear Shelagh Rogers. And you may feel like you need to take a shower after the ooze.
This is going to be a negative/positive post, so if you don't like the rant, feel free to move on to the recommendations at the end...
I love CBC Radio. I am a devoted fan, fully convinced that it is a Canadian cultural treasure. But, like all CBC fans, I also have some complaints about programming. The biggest problem with CBC national programming (as opposed to local, which is a whole other story) is the 10-12 am show, "Smells Like Sycophancy", ("Sounds Like Canada" to some), with host Shelagh Rogers. There was a big kerfuffle a few years ago when Rogers was passed over as replacement/successor to the late lamented Peter Gzowski (now broadcasting in Radio Heaven). Shelagh Rogers' legions of fans wanted her to have a show, so the CBC relented and gave her a show that was mostly documentaries and stuff from contributors, which she kind of announced, I guess would be the word. Well, she didn't like this, and the show really didn't have an identity, so the brass finally gave in and re-vamped the show, allowing Rogers to "interview" guests and do a regular newsmagazine-type show, albeit folksy and cute rather than newsy.
Well, I'm sorry to say that she sucks as an interviewer. She gushes and agrees and emotes all over the place, but the salient question is just beyond her capability. I hate to say it, but the brass knew what they were doing when they limited her exposure. Now I do that on my own by growling and turning off the radio after I've heard about 10 minutes of her "aw shucks"-ing. And the guests! Oh my god, could this show be any more boring? Do I really need to hear a 20-minute interview with singer-song-writer so-and-so who just might be about to hit the big time with his/her folky-country crooning? And when Rogers does get a famous person on the show, she just gushes so much it's unbearable to hear. I'm actually embarassed for her. Surely someone who's been in broadcasting for 25 years should be able to come up with a better response than "Hmmm, that's soo true! I love that!"
I could go on, but I won't.
On the positive side, the CBC has a shitload of fantastic shows. If you haven't heard Wiretap, Saturdays at 6:30 pm, do yourself a favour and check it out. It's cutting-edge radio, brilliantly written and performed. Tapestry, the show about religion and spirituality, is a thoughtful, fascinating insightful show, every single week. Talking Books is a book-lover's dream and a brilliant interview show bringing you the finest minds of our time. Of course, Ideas, weeknights at 9, is the most consistently thought-provoking programme around. And a personal favourite is Out Front, where regular people tell their stories. Be careful, though: Out Front is on Weekdays at 11:45 am; tune in even a few minutes earlier than that and you'll have to hear Shelagh Rogers. And you may feel like you need to take a shower after the ooze.
# posted by becca : 10:23 AM
