Dave Hodge returns to HNIC for the first time since he was fired in 1987
- Thread starter Fenway
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VanIslander
A 19-year ATDer on HfBoards
I remember watching that live. He was very respected. We were on his side.
I watched him a lot on TSN. His career actually benefited from getting out of the chair that goofball Ron Maclean took over.
I watched him a lot on TSN. His career actually benefited from getting out of the chair that goofball Ron Maclean took over.
GlitchMarner
Typical malevolent, devious & vile Maple Leafs fan
I remember he was the host of That's Hockey on TSN in '97 or so. I used to watch that show regularly.
thegoldenyear
RIP Mike Bossy
I was just the right age (grade school! junior high!) and persuasion (all sports! all the time!) for Hodge to be my Cronkite: you got your two televised Leafs games per week, sure, but everything revolved around HNIC and Saturday night.
And before stagey personalities overtook actual broadcasting acumen, he was the gatekeeper of an all-business, authoritative program. That level gaze, even voice and helmet hair bespoke calm and control: as VanIslander says upthread, Hodge ruled that portal, and when it all came crashing down during the Habs-Flyers game, the fallout was stunning. I remember that broadcast, the Monday morning Toronto Star and Globe And Mail columns, MacLean almost apologetically taking the desk next weekend, and later on, Dave popping up on the downmarket midweek Leafs games on Global. I’ve always felt sorry for him, even as he forged ahead finding decent work.
Tonight, as his voice thickened a couple times with MacLean, you realized that the brand, the jacket, the forum still mattered to him. So that felt wonderful to me, then, too.
I watched Dick Irvin with a silly grin on my face when he stopped by last winter, but that’s different. Just an old master popping by for a little visit. This meant more. I hope Hodge appears again and again. But for the time being, we have those few seconds at the end of tonight’s piece: when Ron, a wise old owl when he wants to be, gave Dave the chance to throw to the ad break. I think I rewound that part three times. And I never watched a second of the actual game. Fancy that.
And before stagey personalities overtook actual broadcasting acumen, he was the gatekeeper of an all-business, authoritative program. That level gaze, even voice and helmet hair bespoke calm and control: as VanIslander says upthread, Hodge ruled that portal, and when it all came crashing down during the Habs-Flyers game, the fallout was stunning. I remember that broadcast, the Monday morning Toronto Star and Globe And Mail columns, MacLean almost apologetically taking the desk next weekend, and later on, Dave popping up on the downmarket midweek Leafs games on Global. I’ve always felt sorry for him, even as he forged ahead finding decent work.
Tonight, as his voice thickened a couple times with MacLean, you realized that the brand, the jacket, the forum still mattered to him. So that felt wonderful to me, then, too.
I watched Dick Irvin with a silly grin on my face when he stopped by last winter, but that’s different. Just an old master popping by for a little visit. This meant more. I hope Hodge appears again and again. But for the time being, we have those few seconds at the end of tonight’s piece: when Ron, a wise old owl when he wants to be, gave Dave the chance to throw to the ad break. I think I rewound that part three times. And I never watched a second of the actual game. Fancy that.
The Panther
Registered User
I like Hodge a lot. One of the broadcasting greats. Does it straight, does it right.
Don Whitman was sort-of the play-by-play equivalent of Hodge -- no need for forced dramatics or hyperbole, just tell it accurately and clearly, with good diction and grammar.
Sadly, we've now de-evolved into Paul Romanuk.
Don Whitman was sort-of the play-by-play equivalent of Hodge -- no need for forced dramatics or hyperbole, just tell it accurately and clearly, with good diction and grammar.
Sadly, we've now de-evolved into Paul Romanuk.
RaginRonic
The Ragin' One. with the big shoulder chip.
I hope that Dave can float in from time to time now. There's now no reason to keep him out of the HNIC mythos anymore. He's paid his sin, he's done his time, and it's time for him to truly be welcomed home, to give him his proper closure on that part of his life.
Saturday, November 24, 2018...the day that the CBC finally forgave Dave.
=)
Saturday, November 24, 2018...the day that the CBC finally forgave Dave.
=)
Big Phil
Registered User
- Nov 2, 2003
- 31,703
- 4,146
When it first happened I don't know if this was the norm to think this, but I sort of thought Hodge was a clown for doing that. You've got the best job in the country and you blow it. Then again, time passed and I realized more and more just how frustrating it would be to work with CBC doing sports. I can only imagine the things said behind the scenes. So I commend Hodge for that, he told the truth and in a way this was CBC's version of the Heidi Bowl (Google it if you've never heard of it before)
What got Hodge in trouble was the continuing battle between the news and sports divisions at CBC. News wanted Ontario to go to the national news - viewers in Ottawa to Newfoundland were seeing Montreal anyways.
In 1979 CBC had a problem when a Boston/Montreal playoff game went to OT and news demanded they be given the network because of a British election that same evening. Ralph Mellanby who ran HNIC then was going to quit if they were not going to show the OT live. I know this because I was in the WSBK-TV truck at Boston Garden that was handling the production for CBC, SRC and the Boston feed ( which was being sent to several US cities) The old Garden in those days could only handle one truck. CBC News felt that anyone who wanted to see the OT live could watch in French.
But I also suspect Hodge blew up knowing that CBC was grooming MacLean to replace him. HNIC in Canada ownership was muddled back then and I believe Molson was calling the shots in 1987.
Killion
Registered User
- Feb 19, 2010
- 36,763
- 3,215
Well said. Perfectly captured the mood of times past, present. I never really warmed to Ron McLean, the ever coy & sickly sweet puns. Looked upon him as 'B Market" Brat in over his head however, changed my mind years later after reading his biography. Appreciated him for the person he is but still.... I'd have much preferred to have tuned in & seen Dave Hodge hosting HNIC. Really missed his class, intelligence, steady & thoughtful delivery and yes like you & many others did feel sorry for him, still do. What happened back there, that was an injustice. Robbed not just Dave but generations of fans. HNIC has never been the same since. Dumbed down considerably.
tony d
Registered User
Heard about that, I've never been big on Hodge but it was good to see something like this happen for him.
Howie Hodge
Zombie Woof
Dave Hodge, Howie Meeker, Brian McFarlane, Dick Beddoes, Danny Gallivan, Foster Hewitt, Bill Hewitt, Dick Irvine Jr, Ward Cornell, Ted Darling....
Show Hosts, play by play, color commentary, segments, the names I remember as a kid.
Saturdays, and until 75, Wednesdays, HNIC was must see television.
Show Hosts, play by play, color commentary, segments, the names I remember as a kid.
Saturdays, and until 75, Wednesdays, HNIC was must see television.
Last edited:
vadim sharifijanov
Registered User
- Oct 10, 2007
- 28,777
- 16,215
knowing hodge as the affable guy on tsn’s that’s hockey, i have to say i’m surprised (in a good way) how much of a badass he was in that 1989 interview.
only makes me dislike the weasely ron maclean more.
only makes me dislike the weasely ron maclean more.
McGuillicuddy
Registered User
- Sep 6, 2005
- 1,296
- 198
Interesting how Hodge mentioned that taking them to commercial was an "audition of sorts". Wonder if they have plans to have him back on the show in some capacity. I think that would be a great way to partially right that historic wrong.
Jumptheshark
Rebooting myself
the pen flip is what did him in
we agreed with him--CBC had a contract with Tommy Hunter and at the time Hunter was music royalty on CBC and it was in his contract when the his show had to start
blood gin
Registered User
- Jan 17, 2017
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What happened (if it has ever been revealed) to the execs that made the decision to cut away from an exciting OT game between two marquee franchises? I mean what exactly was going on news wise that day where it was so pressing, so important, that you couldn't air OT of a game?
Thenameless
Registered User
- Apr 29, 2014
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Killion
Registered User
- Feb 19, 2010
- 36,763
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Uncle Rotter
Registered User
Actually it was the Men's Free Skate at the World Figure Skating Championships. On tape delay.
Wow, never heard about that.
This also became a big problem for ESPN-since they would want doubleheaders, but CBC wanted to air the News, so, we'd get 2 games at the same time. When TSN came in, this became less of a issue. Nowdays, NBCSN gets want they want, and CBC focuses on the 1 game that night.
Those were the days when Dave Hodge hosted the Toronto game, while Brian McFarlane hosted the Montreal games.
VanIslander
A 19-year ATDer on HfBoards
cupcrazyman
Stupid Sexy Flanders
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