There was a time when I would have campaigned to host my own morning show. Back then, the opportunity never really presented itself. Now it’s here, and it’s not what I really want to do!
This week, I am hosting First Thing solo, instead of newscasting/cohosting. There’s a big difference. For one thing, the work never ends. It consumes you, if you do it right. You’re always doing research, following up on stories and leads, booking interviews, having those people cancel on you, tracking down other people, preparing for the interviews and then, finally, trying to make it all sound effortless on the air.
With news, much of that also happens but in a shorter time frame. After all, you can’t predict the news and if you spend too much time preparing it ahead of time, something else is bound to come along that’s more important. Hosting the show has a broader focus.I believe I’m better with an equal but different cohost, someone who is as curious and engaged in the process as I am brings out the best in me. But this week, it’s all on me – and that’s okay. I have something to prove and I hope to do that well.
What topics will I cover? This is Pride week in London so there’s ample opportunity to talk about that – and to take texts from listeners who don’t understand Pride and ask, as many still do, “why isn’t there a straight parade?” Answer: Because EVERY day is straight day! I will interview the Mayor, a bee expert, the Mom of a NASCAR team crew chief, a city councillor or two and the head of a health coalition. I’ll cover whatever’s going on; from lowering the speed limit in school zones to an effort to increase the number of female firefighters.
Let’s see if I have the patience to deal with the callers who hate Trudeau for his shiny, wide-eyed optimism and want gays to go back in the closet and for black people to just stop antagonizing cops already, lying there still breathing and stuff – no wonder they’re getting shot!
#sarcasm
Talk radio. Wish me luck!