Montreal's TSN 990-The Saga Continues

When Montreal's TSN 990 Radio (previously The Team 990) won the exclusive radio broadcast rights for the Montreal Canadien games, I thought that the struggling all-sports radio station had turned a corner to radio respectability. The station and Bell Media (TSN 990 owner) , with one stroke of the pen, changed the future of Montreal english language all-sports radio by signing the broadcast rights deal. Without the broadcast deal, TSN 990 would have been relegated to an '80's Hits station by the end of the year. In 2010, TSN Radio's crown jewel in their broadcast schedule was the Juniors de Montreal hockey games - in what could only be described as embarrassing for a station claiming to be "Montreal's Sports Authority". The Canadiens broadcast is a huge step up for TSN Radio and their claims of being the "Sports Authority". Or is it. What the station may have gained in prestige by broadcasting the Habs games, as far as the on-air talent and format is concerned, the status quo remains...As the saying goes "The more things change, the more things stay the same.".

TSN 990 may have changed their name and gained the Canadiens broadcast rights but the makeover should have included an extreme modification of the on-air "talent" and their shows...a house cleaning, so to speak. I realize that Montreal has suffered a great exodus of english radio talent over the past twenty years...and some legendary broadcasters have passed on (We miss you Ted Tevan; We'll always remember you, Ted Blackman)...Broadcasters the likes we'll NEVER hear again. The concern for Montreal radio is the lack of talent to carry the torch for a new generation...A generation of listeners that have become short changed with mediocrity...And will never hear a radio legend for THEIR time.

TSN Radio, with their "stellar" line-up of talent, fit the on-going mediocre talent trend and are a prime example that complacency is alive and well as far as Montreal radio goes. Here is a candid review of TSN 990's Monday to Friday on-air talent...And who to leave in and leave out.

The Morning Show - 6:00-10:00 a.m.:
Elliott Price and Shaun Starr host the morning time slot that works well with two hosts, instead of the original three...Unfortunately Denis Casavant vacated the third spot instead of Shaun Starr. Starr is not ready for prime time...He's a sophomoric contrarian who defines a new breed of radio personality...An egotistical host without much substance. A prime example was the day he proclaimed that there was so little going on in the sports world that "he misses the time when Max Pacioretty was seriously injured by Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins...That was fun to discuss"...What!?!?! Maybe if Starr had something intelligent to offer the show, he wouldn't have to make such sick statements. Elliott Price, though a tad sarcastic at times, is an intelligent radio talent and deserves a lot better than Starr.
For The Record...A lot of listeners enjoy Starr...He's not horrible at what he does...Maybe he just needs to be more giving as a broadcaster...That comes with maturity.
Best Contributor Award...Bob McKenzie and Francois Gagnon.
Dullest Contributor Award...Randle The Handle...Does he even enjoy his job?...zzzzzz.
Wish You Were Here Award...Denis Casavant.


Tony Marinaro - 10:00-12:00 a.m.:
Tony, oh Tony, why do I want to like you so much but each day you say something that keeps me thinking "Maybe tomorrow." Tony's not all that bad but his listeners do fall into two categories...You either worship the airwaves he fills or shake your fist at the sky in frustration! I think he is a showman that knows exactly what he's doing...but it don't make it right. At least Howard Stern is endearing at times.
POSITIVES:
-Good radio style and timing.
-His analysis of the Canadiens and NHL is top notch.
NEGATIVES:
-Interrupts callers.
-Ethnocentric.
-Thinks that predictions are a science...An exact science when he is right.
-Brags about his correct predictions incessantly the next broadcast day.
-Can't accept any negative comments contrary to his point of view.
-Will spend the whole show defending his comments all the while claiming he doesn't want this to be the shows primary focus.(Prime example: When Tony insisted that Jacques Martin should have put Canadiens' hometown rookie Louis Leblanc on for the opening faceoff, for HUMANITARIAN reasons, regardless of Leblanc's status as a fourth liner.)...The next two hours were spent debating and defending this trivial subject.
-Half of what he says is lifted from sports sites and blogs.
-And...His now famous five year plan for the Montreal Canadiens. The "tank the season" comments.(Google Tony Marinaro's five year plan) Tony never did get that Canadiens G.M. job...Come on Tony, you thought you had a chance...Admit it.
For The Record...Tony must be doing something right...He's been with TSN 990/The Team for nine years and in that time has become a pretty good broadcaster...My opinion of Tony is that of the "shake your fist in the sky" group of listeners...How we love to hate him!
Best Contributor Award...Normand Flynn...Knows his hockey...Send your C.V. to the Canadiens, coach...please!
Best Caller Award...Gerry from Rosemont.

The Montreal Forum - 12:00-1:00 p.m.:
Habs talk with 80% Tony Marinaro,20% Randy Tieman...The Ego vs. The Unprepared. The hour is just an extension of The Tony Marinaro Show with Tieman adding endless "it's fun", "come on" and "good stuff" comments...Randy prepares nothing for the hour...and it shows...Tony seems to love doing this hour...He gets to dominate the conversation, which is easy since Randy just floats through the hour...Preparing for:

The Tieman Show - 1:00-3:00 p.m.:
Pathologically optimistic Randy Tieman...His old sports stories add value to the TSN 990 lineup but he needs to do his homework as far as contemporary sports goes.
-Has a high likability quotient...Nuff said.

Melnick In The Afternoon - 3:00-7:00 p.m.:
Melnick IS Montreal's, maybe Canada's, most talented broadcaster...Bob McCown can take his commercial that claims that he is Canada's best and...well, fill in the blank. Melnick offers not just a sports show but a show about life. Mitch gets it...All sports, all the time becomes stale and boring. If you create a show where there are no boundaries, combined with the right talent and passion, you can achieve radio gold. As Tevan used to say, this is the game of life...And Melnick has lived by those sage words uttered so many years ago.
Best At What He Does Award...Rod Francis...Knows his place on the show...An intelligent, informative guy who knows when to speak...and when to let Mitch do his thing...A perfect complement to The Boss.
Best Contributor Award...Elliott Friedman and Bill Lee.
Best Contributor Who Has Spoken To, Texted And Had Breakfast, Lunch And Dinner With That Person On That Day Award...Pierre McGuire.
Wish You Were Here Award...Stephen Brunt.
We Miss You Award...Andie Bennett...Didn't know her major sports but a great personality.
Best Guest Host Award...Ron Francis.


OTHER ON-AIR TALENT:
Sean Campbell...The ever loquacious Campbell has a bright future in radio if he would just learn that you don't have to say everything on a topic all at once...Less talky and more rapport or give and take in a conversation. He's improved in the last year but still has to be reeled in by the hosts with his four minute monologues.

Conor McKenna...When aked about Hal Gill and his talents, Michael Farber said "His best asset is that he's just there". Same goes for McKenna, who is a sort of relief pitcher for the various hosts. He is not bad at his job but not that great. Has an old school radio voice but lacks passion and charisma. He does his shows in his typical sardonic style...Kind of makes you wonder how genuine he really is...We're not sure. An enigma wrapped in a riddle. If Mckenna can find his true voice and personality some day, he could have a solid career.

Best And Only TSN 990 Soundbite Played On The Howard Stern Show Award...Marco Campagna..."Nothing F-in works!!!"

Need To Enunciate Better Award...Shaun Starr and Simon Tsakisis...Here's a tip to the listeners...When either one is on the radio and you are driving, keep the windows closed otherwise you will miss every second word.

Best Personality With A British Accent (I think) Award...Noel Butler.

Best Female Personality On TSN 990 Now That Andie Bennett Is Gone Award...Amanda Stein.

Best Up And Coming Talent Award...Mitch Gallo. Watch out young bucks, this kid is going to have his own show someday. Gallo has the generosity and personality it takes to carry a show.

Best At Being Classy Guy Award...The very classy Jimmy G. Is there anyone that is more nice and polite than "The G-Man"? I think not. A true gentleman.

Best Programming Decision Award...Montreal Canadien broadcasts on TSN 990!!!

Worst Programming Decision Award...Week-ends on TSN 990...Bring back ESPN radio...The local content is so college radio.

One thing is certain...At TSN 990, the Radio Chaos continues...And we wouldn't have it any other way!