... and why I suspect John Baird won't: Kick-ass journalism like this:
CBC will have a tough time finding a journalist as tough, fair, and willing to cut through the political BS as Don. He was all too rare a talent in the sea of mediocrity that is political news shows on both sides of the border.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Why I'll miss Don Newman ...
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8 comments:
What do you think of Boag?
Yes Mr. Newman will be missed.
Good clip
It was time to him for go. He was becoming tired and cynical. I caught a clip of him on CPAC last year addressing some conference in which he recommendated that Canadian should resign ourselves to the fact that the Americans will be coming for our water and that we should be preparing to sell it to them.
He did an excellent job during last year's constitutional crisis, however, so he goes out on high note.
John Doyle had some useful comments to make on what the show needs to capture a wider audience, particularly on the "cliquish" nature of the show, but I wouldn't go as far as emulating the screech-fests you see in the US, which make one dumber about politics the more one watches them.
Sorry for the poorly-edited comment...I hit enter accidentally while I was proofing it.
I don't know why BC'er felt he had to mention political news shows on the other side of the border. There's no comparison between them and CBC's Politics. which is appointment television (and with podcasts, now flexible) for anyone who needs a daily run-down of national affairs. The USA offers nothing but a 24-hour circus of elite inanity that Canadians should be advised to avoid at all costs. Already, an entire generation of viewers believes that's what current affairs broadcasting should be. Although it may be more infotaining, it is a blight on public discourse.
Haven't followed Boag closely enough to render judgement.
Ti, the Newman show can be a tad dry. Comes with focusing on actual policy issues and exploring them. Would be good to liven it up, as long as it doesn't go too far the other way.
Frankly, I stopped watching most of these shows awhile ago, except when I have to for one reason or another. But it has mainly been Newman's spot reporting and analysis that has impressed me, like this Baird piece.
Would be good to liven it up, as long as it doesn't go too far the other way.I think it should feature more unaligned policy analysts and get rid of Don Martin (he really sets the giggly, cliquish tone on the journalists' segment that I find grating), but it doesn't have to be changed too drastically. It's a serious show with a civil tone for people who are serious about the days events in politics. That's its audience.
The wink, wink, nudge, nudge stuff like Mike Duffy/Jane Tabor and Tom Clark doesn't exactly excite me. It's shallow and boring.
They should hire Mike de Souza, from canwest.
He is an excellent reporter. Probably their best.
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