Posts with the MBA tag

Barris Beat

Does Bell really care about community?

Written by Ted Barris on . 2 Comments
CFQC Radio co-hosts Wally Stambuck (left) and Denny Carr pose in front of Unity, Saskatchewan, grain elevator on Canada Day 1977.

It was one of the first phone calls I made when I arrived at a new job in Saskatoon in 1976. I dialed city hall and asked for the mayor’s office. I explained that I was new in town and wanted to meet with the man to discuss a media opportunity with him. His assistant took down my name and number and said the mayor would get back to me. A day or so later he phoned me back.

“Mayor Cliff Wright here,” he said. “How can I help you?”

“Thanks for returning my call, Mr. Mayor …”

“You can call me Cliff,” he said.

I explained that as a new radio producer of CFQC Radio (part of Baton Broadcasting, owned at the time by CTV) I’d been asked to approach him and offer him a weekly spot on our morning radio show, hosted by Wally Stambuck and Denny Carr. It was part of the station’s initiative to connect with community. (more…)

Barris Beat

Is ignorance bliss, or just ignorance?

Written by Ted Barris on . Leave a comment
Spike Lee celebrating his Oscar win with Samuel L. Jackson.

He heard the news. He leapt up from his seat in the theatre. He clasped hands with a couple of colleagues on the way up the aisle, then Spike Lee galloped up the stairs to the stage and leapt into Samuel L. Jackson’s arms. In so many ways it was classic Lee, being entirely off the wall. In other ways – since he’d never won an Oscar before – it was unique. Then, he pulled notes from his jacket pocket and read his list of thank-yous. And since it was such an extraordinary night for black artists, Lee took the opportunity to make a political point.

“Before the world tonight, I give praise to our ancestors who built this country,” he said. “If we all connect with our ancestors, we will have love, wisdom, and regain our humanity. It will be a powerful moment.” (more…)