Ralph Mellanby was the guy who put Don Cherry in Coach’s Corner. The Hamilton, Ont. native died last Saturday, Jan. 29, at 87. Raised near Windsor, Ont., the innovative executive producer of Hockey Night in Canada was one of the country’s most influential television broadcasters. Back in the ’60s, he was quick to embrace modern
Here’s what I find offensive about all the Ron MacLean bashing today on Twitter: all the piling on and knee-jerk ageism. MacLean is being trolled with “time to go” cracks and photos of Grandpa Simpson. The outrage is over a jab the Hockey Night in Canada host aimed Tuesday night at analyst Kevin Bieksa. The
Ron MacLean surprised me at the start of the latest edition of brioux.tv: the podcast. The Hockey Night in Canada anchor and host of Battle of the Blades (airing Thursdays on CBC) was asked, as is every guest, just why the heck he was talking to me on the podcast. I ask this each episode
Tonight, Thursday, Oct. 22, marks the sixth season premiere of CBC’s Battle of the Blades. “I’m just sick that it’s also the night of the presidential debate,” says Ron MacLean, back as host of Battle of the Blades (a job he’ll share this time with singer-actress Keshia Chante). “I don’t know how you don’t watch
First, Hockey Night in Canada got rid of The Coach. Then The Leafs got rid of their coach. Both moves seem to have a winning feel so far. Week Two of Hockey Night in Canada PC (Post Cherry) saw a slick, speedy and timely approach to how the first intermission segment can add value for
There are two things Canadians are usually very good at – hockey, and saying sorry. Ron MacLean tried to combine the two Saturday night on Hockey Night in Canada following the dismissal this past Monday of his long-time pulpit mate Don Cherry. There were mixed results. MacLean, smarting from a week of sleepless nights, stickhandled
Don Cherry often boasted that his first intermission segment on Hockey Night in Canada drew higher ratings than that week’s actual game. How true that statement was over the many years is a matter for Numeris to verify. One thing is for sure, however — it will be true this Saturday night. Curiosity is building
I have a great fondness for Don Cherry. The Hockey Night in Canada icon has granted me some memorable interviews over the years, dating back to my days at TV Guide and The Toronto Sun. We would talk about his vintage Lincoln Mark VI’s, Bobby Orr, and my dad’s stint in the Provost Corps during