Brandon Sun - PRINT EDITION
TIM SMITH/BRANDON SUN Enlarge Image
Tyler Glen, at left, hosted Brandon Sun managing editor James O’Connor on the Feedback radio call-in show earlier this month.
Monday begins the last five days of being the "fill in" host on CKLQ’s open line program called "Feedback".
Upon agreeing to fill in, many did a double take when the announcement was made in July. Many thought it was a joke. Many thought I might fall flat on my face, and most thought the show would be just plain bad. I sincerely hope it wasn’t.
The month was a bucket list request from me to Bill Turner. He agreed, and showed me first-hand how to operate the equipment in the studio he occupies each weekday.
You see, I’ve been lucky to live in a city small enough to let me "play around" and occasionally allow me an experiment here and there. In May of 2009, Monica Truffin gave me the opportunity to do weather on the now shuttered CKX-TV. It was a broadcasting bucket list item that I am forever grateful to the staff at CKX for allowing me to do. In February of 2010 Glen Parker and James O’Connor of the Brandon Sun invited me to share my weekly musings in this column, again something I’ve been always wanted to try, and thankfully for almost three years, have put pen to paper each week.
The only thing left for me to do was talk radio in Brandon. In 1999 with the launch of News/Talk CJME, I was the second morning man in the station’s history, and held the position for a mere three months, before Don Kille hired me away from Rawlco Saskatchewan and brought me back to my home in Brandon. (Really I’m from Erickson, but you get the point.)
Over my 21-year broadcasting career, I’ve done every musical format in three provinces, done every day shift (but love mornings best) but the ever evasive Feedback show on the station that gave me my start was still something I had yet to do.
Finally, I had my chance. And the month of August has put gas in my tank and wind in my sails.
But of all the formats, it certainly was most challenging. I love being a clown, playing the hits — yes I don’t mind the stigma that comes with being the loud one at the party. But everyone has a serious side. Even the greatest entertainers and comedians in the world have the capacity to rationalize events, circumstance, politics, news around them and make it into entertainment. But when you take on serious issues and raise serious questions, it is understandable that knives come out.
I fully understood this before I started, and knew that sharing my opinion would be controversial, argumentative, and unlike anything heard in the Brandon radio market before. I thought "wonderful".
But others did not.
Some even wrote their displeasure, some of which I want to share with you now:
Dear Tyler,
CTV did not lose the right to the Olympics. You have misled your audience. Hate on the CBC all you want but do it with facts. I know because I actually did some research before discussing erroneous information. CTV didn’t lose anything per your original comment. They chose not to rebid — therefore no competition. CTV actually backed out of the joint bid with CBC and refused to make another one to IOC. You’d prefer no Olympic coverage at all?
It is my opinion; CTV lost the Olympics because they had the rights this go-round, and do not next go-round. They did want them, but were out bid by the CBC. I am livid that my tax dollars are being spent on an entity that is in direct competition with private business. In my opinion, the CBC should look the the PBS model in the U.S. Like it? Fund it with donations.
Dear Tyler,
Shame on you. You should be working for a better Brandon! Your attacks on the Strand Theatre are mean and destructive. You should be ashamed of yourself.
I have never attacked the theatre or the people trying to save it. I have problems with the politics of its development, and lack of feasible business plan. Anyone who knows me knows how I hate to see tax money mis-spent. I reserve the right to change my mind at anytime, and maybe the Strand is a good project, but those involved have yet to convince me. But until it is open or demolished, I’m open to hear the arguments.
Dear Tyler,
You infuriate me. How uninformed can someone in the "media" be? Why are you so anti-arts anyway? Most arts/culture groups run on shoestring budgets. Every dollar is very carefully spent. Get involved in Brandon arts and you’ll change your tune. You have no class. Quit being a bully to those working to do good things. The Strand Theatre "cost" to Brandon taxpayers is less than the cost of one Brandon Wheat Kings ticket.
If I was king, and I’m not, taxes would be used for hospitals, education, and essential services — military, roads, police, fire and emergency. Some government projects at the civic, provincial and federal level make me angry, because they think the taxpayer is a bottomless pit of cash. Until our priorities are adequately taken care of (hospital waiting lists are gone for example) I would rather spend $100,000 on a doctor than a theatre.
Dear Tyler,
Your right-wing approach to the call-back show is terrible. When will you realize this is a "left of centre" town? You are doing a great dis-service to Bill Turner and his tradition of un-biased journalism. I can’t wait until he’s back. And when is the plant professor from BU going to be on? If you’re going to change the program some notice would be nice. Good-bye and good riddance.
Thanks for your comments. Truth is, this is who I am, and I prefer to share. Not knowing where YOU stand on issues makes it impossible for us to debate the facts. Debating the facts is what democracy is all about, and I vote, I pay taxes and I intend to exercise that right to let others know what I think and why. As I said earlier, I don’t know it all, and it’s your job to convince me to see another side of an issue. By the way, Bill Turner is back Sept. 4 and the good doctor from BU is his first guest.
My news friends at the radio station, newspaper and at TV stations in Saskatchwan and Winnipeg may disagree, but I believe news IS entertainment. Entertainment IS news. And in the world of new media, nobody has the exclusive rights to information. Information is like water, and will flow freely.
Maybe out of your garden hose and onto your lawn, but some will end up in the street, maybe in a neighbor’s yard. Some will flow to the lowest point of land making it impossible to harness. You can report stories, so can your neighbour. Why do you think features like "Sound Off" are so popular? An audience wants to be entertained, informed, and then participate. And for the opportunity to do that here and on Feedback, I am forever grateful.
So here I am humble, grateful and thankful for the opportunities that have presented themselves in Brandon.
On the eve of my 21st year in the media business, I just wanted to say thanks for letting me talk, write, goof around, and take on serious issues all at once. Because in the end, I’m not a journalist, or a DJ, or a reporter, or a celebrity. I’m just an entertainer. A clown in a sharp suit. (A tight one at that) And if over the two decades you’ve laughed, paused in thought, got angry, got sad, or shared something Ive said with a friend, I feel I’ve done my job.
And as I tell anyone I meet, I’ve yet to work a day in my life.
Carolyn, a rich blonde, buys a new automatic Jaguar XKR Sport. She drives the car perfectly well during the day, but at night, the car just won’t move at all. After trying to drive the car at night for a week (but without any luck), she furiously calls the Jaguar dealers and they send out a technician to her.
The technician examines the car and finds nothing wrong with it. So he turns to the blonde and asks: "Ma’am, are you sure you are using the right gears?" Full of anger, the blonde replies, "You fool, you idiot, how on earth you could ask such a question? I’m not stupid you know! Of course I am using the right gears; I use D during the day and N at night."
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition August 25, 2012
We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high. If you thought it was well written, do the same. If it doesn’t meet your standards, mark it accordingly.
You can also register and/or login to the site and join the conversation by leaving a comment.
Rate it yourself by rolling over the stars and clicking when you reach your desired rating. We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high.
The Brandon Sun does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. Comments are moderated before publication. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Monday begins the last five days of being the "fill in" host on CKLQ’s open line program called "Feedback".
Upon agreeing to fill in, many did a double take when the announcement was made in July. Many thought it was a joke. Many thought I might fall flat on my face, and most thought the show would be just plain bad. I sincerely hope it wasn’t.
Already subscribed? Login to view full article.
Not yet a subscriber? Click Here to Signup
Monday begins the last five days of being the "fill in" host on CKLQ’s open line program called "Feedback".
Upon agreeing to fill in, many did a double take when the announcement was made in July. Many thought it was a joke. Many thought I might fall flat on my face, and most thought the show would be just plain bad. I sincerely hope it wasn’t.
A subscription to the Brandon Sun Newspaper is required to view this article. Please update your user information if you are already a newspaper subscriber.
Most Popular
Sort by: Newest to Oldest | Oldest to Newest | Most Popular 0 Comments
You can comment on most stories on brandonsun.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.