Radio is a business that eats its young. If you don’t know that going into it, you learn it along the way. Â It throws out good people on whims. You have to expect to one day get fired for no reason, or you’re just not being realistic. But some of us still love it despite its obvious flaws. …
A Smaller Big Show Read More »
This month of Movember, when men are sprouting ‘staches and raising research dollars and awareness to fight prostate cancer, has taken on a life of its own. And around the time Movember started to spread around the world, a 20-year-old Londoner named Jesse Hildebrand-Nestor was losing a number of people he knew to the disease. Â …
Review: Wish You Were Here 4 Read More »
The province’s politicians got into a debate at the legislature about whether government is doing enough to stop harassment, specifically sexual harassment, in the workplace. Harassment in some form or another has been present at virtually every radio job I’ve had and it doesn’t matter whether or not the target is you, the fact that it is allowed to continue affects everyone on staff. …
Harassment at Work Read More »
It is municipal election day but I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that last week’s sad events in Ottawa are overshadowing the delivery of democracy in Ontario cities and towns today. Oh we’ll vote, but there are bigger things on our minds. Â …
Journalists Imploding Read More »
Brandt’s Randt airs on Wednesdays at 6:50 am on The Big Show. There was no way I could have known about the events in Ottawa to follow yesterday. …
Terror in the Capital Read More »
There are two ways to watch a spot of entertainment. You can fold your arms and sit back with expectations that may or may not be met, or you can go along for the ride and see what it brings you. …
We get complaints, everybody in media does. In fact, if you’re not getting complaints, you’re not making enough of an impact on your market. Some are funny, some are puzzling and some are downright ridiculous, as if the writer is brand new to the planet and not yet familiar with how things work. This is just a grab-bag of some of the most recent ones. …
The Business of Being Offended Read More »
Like most other radio morning shows, we had some fun with the three-breasted Florida woman.  I immediately called foul, and didn’t believe it was true. Several news sources claim to have dug up a report the woman wrote about lost luggage that included a “three-breast prosthesis”. …
It’s Good to be a Skeptic Read More »
It was one of those things. On Sunday morning, I had merely turned away from the sink after tying up my hair in a ponytail and my iPhone leapt from my hand and into the (mercifully clean) toilet bowl. Â …
iPhone Takes a Bath Read More »
Sure, sometimes my milk gets stolen from the fridge so I write CAT URINE on it in big, red letters. Somehow I have become “the one who runs the dishwasher” and voices in the hallway seem to always reach heavy metal concert level as soon as we start recording an interview, but I work in a pretty cool, relaxed environment. Â …
Workplace Protocol Read More »
Derek and I emceed a fundraising walk and run last Sunday: The Learning Disabilities Association of London’s Going the Distance 5K. The weather was perfect and even though the turnout wasn’t tremendous, an elf and his canine sidekick made it special. …
A big, clean, sparkling kitchen with the latest appliances and plenty of room to work – who doesn’t want that? On Friday night we got to wander through several different but equally stunning working kitchens in the new GCW showroom and plant in St. Thomas. …
Hope, Fun and Food Read More »
My friend Dan Brown is a journalist at the London Free Press and a Professor at Western. He’s also got one of the best laughs I’ve ever heard, has a bigger collection of Hawaiian shirts than most people have shirts, and his wife Amanda is equally wonderful.  His latest column in the Freeps is one worth sharing so, with Dan’s permission I give you: I’m an XL guy in a slim-fit world. …
Equal Time for Men’s Stupid Clothing Read More »
Some people don’t see stealing the creativity of others as a big deal. I call those people idiots. …
You have until Sunday to buy a Smile Cookie at Tim Hortons and help fund children’s health charities in your area. Your Smile Cookie dollars stay in the community where they’re spent and you can even order the treats by the dozen for your office or for home. I’m told they freeze well. Â And at only a buck a piece they’re quite a bargain. …
Cookies for Breakfast! Read More »
My love for fall fairs is well documented on these pages. As long as I can eat something on a stick, pet a goat or a bunny and see something I’ve never seen before, I’m happy. …
It’s certainly possible that Elvis is alive, JFK was shot by his own government, the moon landing was recorded on a soundstage and the twin towers were brought down by the US administration. Anything is possible. But I don’t believe that any of those things happened. …
Conspiracy Theories Read More »
The world stopped turning on Tuesday as Apple unveiled its new gizmos. Then U2 came out and performed, proving it’s no longer what rock and roll is all about. …
The Cult of Apple Read More »