With the virus upsetting normal programing, It has been interesting to hear all the on air guys and formulate a new opinion. So, after a little less than 4 months since the changes here is how I see radio shaping up. It is going to seem like harsh critique, I really don't mean it that way. It's just a viewpoint. As there is less sports, you get to see a bit of a different side to the onair guys.
1) JR.. Fantastic personality, but at time "too cool for school". Smart, informed, well connected, but he needs to dial "joe cool" down a notch.
2) Simmer..He comes off as if he is there more out of need than want. He must miss his hockey days something awful. I don't blame him. To leave the penthouse to go to the basement, cannot be easy. Almost exclusively a hockey guy, but in this town, that is okay. He is careful enough to go quiet when other subjects are being discussed. His goofiness is entertaining.
3) Loydie. A bit of an enigma. At times it appears that his sports knowledge is seemingly limited, at others, he can articulate points with the best of them. Tries awfully hard to be JR jr. Trying to be HIP and it does not come off well.
4) AJ..Smartest sports man on there. Well traveled, well informed.. But volatile, although in a strangely likable way I grant you. It does end up taking away from points that he makes. Needs to be a little more; JR jr. With his sports knowledge, he could be fantastic. I love how he deals with just about every major sport around.
5) Versage...AJ jr only volatile in a less likeable way. Knowledgeable, but argumentative. Lee needs to be a tad more humble and a tad more jovial. A little more laughter on the air...But as with AJ, bring up a sport and odds are good, he has at least a minor knowledge.
6) Mendes..Nicest person on there. Ethical, moral. Fights for causes..But, all too often, he acts as if he is Ben Mulroney or Maralene Denise, ...Ian, Ben is leaving his show, this is your chance..This is not about a "stick to sports" to silence social issues. I actually like his activism. This is about a stick to sports, to provide me with sports content. I can watch Maralene or Ben...
7) Creech .. Very knowledgeable, needs to be less preoccupied with image. Too busy trying to be the cool young guy..he seems to be tripping over his own feet trying to appeal to 20 somethings and prove he is one them.
8) Bunda..comes off as a gentle soul. Can be a tad insecure and a tad sensitive...Pairing him with Versage at times is a mistake..Lee is too harsh. Sports knowledge is intermediate, or maybe his shyness keeps him away from being too involved..or possibly, it is understood that he is the 3rd man in the booth and his role is to be a lesser one???
9) Kaunisviita (love Matty Vowles, or is it Marty??). He is a producer, but good when he comes on..
10) Hamer. Very Similar to Matty Vowels.
I know. With little sports going on, you have to fill 12 hours of air time with something. But of late that something is less and less sports and more and more "other". Sometimes, outright silliness. I find myself tuning in to US radio more and more. They kill you with commercials, but they are more hardcore sports guys.
Guys, please, a little more content. A little less of "look what I did, will do and going to do" and a little less inside jokes etc. our lives are not this pathetic. We don't need to live vicariously through you.