Only in Canada, it seems, does a fundamental principle of broadcasting not apply.
Only in this country of a largely unmotivated population could a broadcaster get away with continually putting someone on the air that does not attract an audience. In fact, someone who actually repels an audience.
No show has ever succeeded with Evan Solomon on it.
But the CBC will not let go of him.
And Evan appears to think himself entitled to on-going employment, as if he had signed a lifetime contract.
Even a meaningless filler of a show on a Sunday TV time slot that has virtually no audience will still fail with Evan as the host.
And in another example of skewed judgement, the same broadcaster that will hold auditions and choose Barbara Budd to voice the great As It Happens, will take a guy who always sounds like his collar is too tight and so can barely get out a sentence, and deem him acceptable as the sole announcer/interviewer for the national radio show The Current.
And, come fall, this person will suddenly transform into a charming, genial game show host.
The next Fred Davis.
Someone, apparently, no, obviously, thinks that there’s such a thing as finding the right show for Evan. That he’s indispensable. That he will one day, as if by magic, suddenly attract an audience. That there is no one else in a country of 40 million people who is better suited to the task of being a presenter for a national broadcaster. Not at McGill, U of T, SFU, UBC or Carleton. Not anywhere.
But then someone also thinks that if the National Post just keeps doing what it does day after day that one year it will suddenly begin to make a profit.
The same magical thinking that has the CBC believing that anyone wants any more of Evan Solomon.
Ever again.
18 Comments
I agree he's vacuous. I've seen interviews he conducted and the questions were absolutely lame. He has the depth of a fine piece of teak furniture – all veneer. Put him and Claire vacuousweathersmiliegal on the next train to Rimouski.
40 Million?? Try 33.
I'm another one in favour of our Evan. I like him.
He's smart and he's the same meeting him in the corridor as he is on screen.
Actually, so is Strombo. He held the John St. elevator for me not long ago. I was MILES off.
Don't know if those are qualifications for being a good host…but it's a damn good start in my book.
Easy.
Not trying to be cool:
http://tinyurl.com/l7qwf9
Inherent uncoolness:
http://tinyurl.com/nxydjm
Hope that clears things up.
Anonymoose at 0133, are you related to Mr. E. Solomon in some way?
How does one differentiate not trying to be cool from inherent uncoolness?
Evan has plans of his own in Ottawa, I hear he has big political aspirations and has been waiting for the right time to make that move. Any manager who thinks they're investing in Evan is a fool. I give him 2 years before he jumps ship.
Evan is sensationally smart. He's one of the few younger hosts at the CBC who isn't trying to be cool. Give me his insightful analysis over Strombo's DUDE NEWS anyday.
This blog never promised to be ’œeffectual.’
I love that you can't even keep up with the Globe and Mail. Stunningly ineffectual this blog. Does Google not work in the Tea Makers underground bunker?
Nice post about what Evan Solomon will be doing this fall. Totally accurate, with no glaring omission about the show(s) he'll be hosting whatsoever. Another scoop from Tea Makers!
Anonymoose at 13:26 needs to improve his or her reading comprehension.
I was kind of annoyed at the pot-shot at Barbara Budd, who I think is great. But racism? Really? What the hell's the matter with you people? I don't like him either, but it would never occur to me to bring his religion or culture into it! Shame on you.
No, as has been mentioned before, this tall, strapping Yid is more in the tradition of ass-kicking Jews like Liev Schreiber. What’™s not to like? (Apart from demonstrably inadequate on-air performance?)
He was one of the old Shift magazine crowd just out of college and made his connections there.
The Sunday evening news show did quite well in ratings despite his vapid performance.
He really should be taken of the air, I agree. Maybe he can go back to writing children's books?
I notice his former comment-on-this column has been dropped by the Globe and Mail.
Does he really know anything? Without the earpiece and a prep session before the broadcast could he do it cold? Somehow I don't think there is a light in that window.
you just hate him because he's jewish….
See also: Avril fucking Benoît.
But I love Evan!
He's hip, he's cool, he lives downtown. Some radio executive thinks this what will attract an audience.
Never understood his appeal. Find him way over rated. Just like Strombo, Jian & Adam Vaughn's ex.
Perhaps Carol puts in a good word with Dick on Evan's behalf..