I had one fellow employee who scaled the radio heights all the way to the uppermost levels which few have ever achieved in Canada.  Talent?  Oh ya.  The guy was a legend.  And you know what?  He'd give you the shirt off his back if he really thought it would help out.  He knew everybody.  And they knew him.  Only problem?  He even drank while he was working and he couldn't quite manage it.  A wee bit of tipsy was evident a few too many times.  It cost him at least 3 great chances to right the ship.

I don't know when it began...but I saw how it ended professionally speaking.  And not too terribly long after that happened it ended period.  I'd give more detail but that would give it away.  The man helped me out.  He arranged for me to be interviewed by people he knew personally for a good gig south of the 49th.  He was generally gracious and courteous.  Folks tried to help him I know.  But I guess he had 'it' bad.

I allowed one or 2 too many to enter into it for me perhaps 3 or 4 times mid career and then never again.  It was suggested a few years later that maybe I smoked up a bit before shows.  I assured those accusing me that IF I  *E V E R* did THAT that the LAST place I'd want to be would be sitting inside at a blinkin' microphone, hosting a 'show'.  Along the way I had guys far up the corporate ladder whom I discovered [quite accidentally] snortin' frigging lines at work.  THEY weren't impressed that *I* knew.  They should have kept their doors from being opened...especially when I was merely passing by.  THAT ultimately cost me both times.  Paranoid fools.  No doubt now ultra wealthy paranoid fools.

I also had one specific 1/2-assed and way less than talented PD who was just an out and out mega-jerk and then some and a slave to coke to the point where I just had to leave being in the employ of THAT particular enterprise.  He was a pig to work for.  My boozin' buddy, previously mentioned, arranged for the getaway interview south of the border.

I'll take the 'boozer' every time.  He, at least, had a heart...until it ceased to beat.

Last edited by Old Codger (April 27, 2016 2:04 am)

Wow!
Too many to mention.
Started in my first station, stretching all the way to the last.
Some were the most talented people with whom I ever worked and when they were sober, they couldn't be beat.
They were in just about every job in radio and TV from personalities to sales to engineering and support staff.
Many died from abusing the bottle, others from "the other stuff" that you shot up, smoked or inhaled.
Some smartened up and kicked their habits but more never made it.
I could list their names but what's the point?
As I used to tell my students, stay off the booze and cigarettes and take care of your teeth and don't do drugs if you want a long and successful career and life.
Kudos to the ones who ditched those habits and still are with us.
I respect them for winning their battles with addiction and always offered my support.
 

Very interesting topic.  A quick look at Wikipedia told me who Uncle Fester was talking about.  He was a true legend who died far too young. 

grilled.cheese wrote:

We want names

No we don't.  We want respect for our fallen friends and comrades.  Alcoholism is a disease.  Lets laugh at the sick people and hold them up for public scorn and ridicule?  I think NOT.  [this from a 'guy' who goes by the name of grilled cheese,  Real name John.]

I suppose I should cut my coke sniffin' compatriots some slack for that reason.  I don't have to like it though.
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My only issue with 'the bottle'?  I hate it when it's empty.
 

Last edited by Old Codger (April 28, 2016 5:05 pm)

Chrisphen wrote:

Broadcasting seems to attract self-medicators like politics and sports attracts pederasts.

I had to google that. Ewwwww.

 

Corus hit $12.60 today & closed @ $12.51.     Someone has been buying; could Fester & the Codger be re-balancing their self-administered RRSP investments?