You must have heard about the tape of Donald Sterling, owner of the NBA’s LA Clippers, telling his girlfriend not to be around black people. An ethical question has grown out of this scandal. Is it fair to vilify someone for what’s said in a private conversation? But I’m not concerning myself with that right now. …
Brandt’s Randt – NBA means No Bigots Allowed Read More »
I’ve always told students to stay away from using adjectives in news writing. Â An example: never describe news as good or bad. Â Don’t tell listeners whether something is tragic or controversial. Â I have reasons for this even though it goes against the grain of what many of my broadcasting brethren and sisters do. Â …
Tragic, Violent, Controversial and the Rest Read More »
The Big Show has finished “tailgating” for another season.  For nine weeks, every day after the show, we visited another business in the city that invited us. We had many more invitations than there were days, so it’s gratifying and mostly fun! But it’s also been a huge learning experience. …
Tales from the Tailgates Read More »
This week I reveal, as well as randt, about something I discovered. …
Brandt’s Randt – Industry Slang Read More »
You’re minding you’re own business in your cool radio studio overlooking Richmond Row when a giant bunny happens by and starts acting strangely before wordlessly hopping away! Â …
When Easter Bunnies Attack Read More »
Archie, Jughead, Reggie and pals have been around for about 75 years.  At Archie HQ they’ve decided that’s long enough for our red-headed high school student. And I randt. …
RIP Redheaded Pal Read More »
My goodness. Â A councillor who’s leaving at the end of this term partly because of the immaturity and lack of productive energy among some of her colleagues, caused quite an uproar this week. Yes, all business grinds to a halt as Joni Baechler has the audacity to give her opinion!! Â It’s just another dumb waste of time on a council that seems to look for them week after week. Â And I randt. Â …
Brandt’s Randt – Sticks and Stones Take up London Council’s Precious TimeRead More »
Brandt’s Randt – Sticks and Stones Take up London Council’s Precious Time Read More »
A voice-work client in Charlotte, North Carolina who has become a pal sent me something a couple of weeks ago. …
Canada: Such a Small Country Read More »
This week’s Brandt’s Randt is pretty self-explanatory. I just hope researchers eventually get food sorted out before we start gnawing on tree bark. …
Brandt’s Randt – Oh Great, What do we Eat Now? Read More »
The famous “turkey drop” episode of WKRP in Cincinnati is part of the consciousness of broadcasters. “As God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly!”  Those words have left the lips of most announcers, either to mock a situation or just to remember a classic TV moment that captured the humiliation that can result from an attempt at something great in radio. …
When someone wants to criticize our work at Blackburn News, they tend to either post a comment on the website or go directly to our News Director. …
A Selection from my Work Email Read More »
Last week, even though it was flashback week on the blog, a Brandt’s Randt occurred as usual. This one pretty much speaks for itself. St. Joseph’s Hospital in London is preparing its budget for the new year starting in April. And it galls me. …
Brandt’s Randt – Fat Cats and Kittens Read More »
My first celebrity interview was to be The Rovers. A Canadian music staple, they were going through a rebirth and thus were no longer Irish in name. It was an attempt to go mainstream country and leave their green-alligator-and-long-necked-geese persona of a novelty act behind them. I was very excited. Who hadn’t seen them on TV? They were real Canadian stars at that time. …
My First Celebrity Interview – Sept. 24, 2002 Read More »
You get to a point in your career where you think you’ve made all of the big boo-boos you’re going to make. Â I expect to continue to make mistakes, but not like the legendary error I made on Friday. …
Embrace Your Mistakes Read More »
From a colleague’s complaints about having to pack to an acquaintance’s whines about missing one afternoon of sunshine out of seven, I’ve had it with vacationers who have negative stories to tell about getting away from this horrible winter. Â Please tell me you had a great time, show me photos, give me highlights but don’t you dare bitch about it! …
Brandt’s Randt – Vacation Envy Read More »
It’s Sunday shopping all over again. Convenience store owners versus the government, over expanding sales of beer outside of the Beer Store. Â …
Brandt’s Randt – Beer Sales in Convenience StoresRead More »
Brandt’s Randt – Beer Sales in Convenience Stores Read More »
A squeak in the floor is more than just annoying. It ruins sleep. It interrupts a conversation. And it has the potential to wreck a really good practical joke. Just as you sneak up on your intended victim, the squeak gives you away. …
Silence Those Squeaky Floors – House Proud, Sun MediaRead More »
Silence Those Squeaky Floors – House Proud, Sun Media Read More »