Yes, it pains to admit it, but “Q” is … yes, you want to grimace, you feel like you’ve lost a bet, you absolutely do not want to encourage them, but … “Q” is, apart from the “classics” like Happens and Ideas and Enright and Ms. Rogers … you pull your finger out of your throat and find you didn’t actually throw up … “Q” is the best show on radio or TV that the CBC is currently producing.
It’s actually interesting. And topical.
And yes, it’s not perfect.
The flaw is of course the host.
He’s not a fake like Strombo, and he’s not really a bad person.
But he is someone who likes to say his own name several times each program.
Several times too many. And it’s indicative of the most annoying aspect of an otherwise very good radio show.
The host’s questions seem longer than the answers. There’s just too much of him.
Which is especially irritating because, as a culture celebrity he is so insignificant. (again, unlike Strombo)
He hints at being a complex and deeply insecure individual, traits that would otherwise catapult many other “artists” to stardom. But we sense he is hiding this real person under a giant mask of verbal dexterity. He wants desperately to impress us with his mind, as if being the de facto host of a national radio show (!) with the most fascinating guests and topics, is somehow … just … not … good … enough.
It’s like he turned up for work as a hotel concierge dressed like a Musketeer.
Relax, man, you already have the job.
And it happens to be hosting the best show produced by the CBC today.
8 Comments
I’ll second Joe’s opinion, as the show works for me as presented thus far as well.
Few complaints, but Ghomeshi’s work isn’t one of them.
Actually he says he's British born, an important distinction in this context (he's not saying he's British as opposed to Canadian).
I have always thought the show works in large part due to Ghomeshi. He's a major part of the reason it worked from the get go — the show was conceived as a personality driven show, and he happens to be the personality.
Of course the rest of the reason is the astonishing amount of work put in by the producers, associate producers, and engineer on the show.
The Globe and Mail (on-line) says that he is buying a new car for the power, and it's a Mini (Cooper s) because Jian says he's a Brit.
http://www.theglobeandmail.
com/auto/radio-host-travels-down-memory-lane-in-mini/article665390/
So forgive him for low hormonal levels
Wow… well said, and you're right. Listening to the Moby interview, I was annoyed as heck, but at the same time, even with all of Ghomeshi's "persona," it was engaging.
Hey finally agree with ya.
My problem with Gomeshi…if a host can not read their own intro without stumbling several times, every day,week after week…something ain't right.
In the past there was announcer/host 'quality control' at CBC.
We are talking the dark ages of course but introductions were flawless. Is this too much to expect from a host?
Slow down or forget introductions…and why are they sooo long and pointless by the time they end?
Neither, I think Dumas.
readers: when I said Musketeer, did you think of Disney? or as I intended, Dumont?
I don’™t really want to admit this may actually be true.