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June 28, 2022 7:25 pm  #1


Jim Richards Remains Absent But Alex Pierson Still In The Running

This isn't really an update about two prominent missing GTA radio personalities. Instead, it's kind of a speculation piece about a duo that have not been heard on GTA airwaves for months. 

I've been checking Jim Richards Twitter page every now and then, hoping for any signs of life. There haven't been any really since April 11th, when the longtime CFRB host suddenly disappeared without a trace. He had been doing the overnight run, then took the departed Ryan Doyle's place on "The Rush." But when that ended with the announcement of two new hosts in the spring, so it seems did his Toronto radio career. 

There hasn't been a single mention of him or word on where he's gone since. 

On the other side of the dial, Alex Pierson has been off the air even longer than Richards. She made the dramatic announcement on April 1st that she was taking time off to get her head straight after working herself to exhaustion. But she vowed to be back eventually. It's now almost July and there hasn't been a single hint of when - or if - she's ever returning to AM 640. 

Her 7 PM show has certainly deteriorated without her and has long been abandoned on my "must listen" list. 

Yet while Richards' future remains uncertain, there's still hope that Pierson may, in fact, return one day. Guest hosts are still reminding listeners that they're "in for Alex Pierson," which would certainly not be the case if the station had cut ties with her. Her picture also remains on the 640 website (below), which would appear to mean she's still a part of their plans. 

July will mark four very long months since either one has been on the air, an eternity in radio time. Will they both be back? Time, as they say, will tell. But it's been an endless absence and they should be careful about staying out too long. In radio, out of earshot is often out of mind. And before you know it, you've been forgotten for good.

If anyone has an update on either, please let the board know.  

 

June 28, 2022 8:04 pm  #2


Re: Jim Richards Remains Absent But Alex Pierson Still In The Running

RadioActive wrote:

I've been checking Jim Richards Twitter page every now and then, hoping for any signs of life. There haven't been any really since April 11th, when the longtime CFRB host suddenly disappeared without a trace. He had been doing the overnight run, then took the departed Ryan Doyle's place on "The Rush." But when that ended with the announcement of two new hosts in the spring, so it seems did his Toronto radio career.

Richards is slightly more active on his Instagram account but not by much. For a while he was posting some 1010 show highlight clips that he was particularly proud of - almost like he was shopping himself around for the next good (a demo tape/reel?).

Last week he posted a pic of himself hanging out with Strombo, captioned "A rare catch up with your best friend… Better than therapy ….29 years grateful". Definitely could be two old buddies just hanging out - but I also can't help but wonder if it's discussion about some new project or direction in the works. Time will tell I guess. 

 

June 29, 2022 10:47 am  #3


Re: Jim Richards Remains Absent But Alex Pierson Still In The Running

Jim got his start in the GTA as a sports jock sharing the mic with Norm Rumack at the Fan 590 didn't he ?
I recall the  Richards and Rumack Show as the late night offering by the Fan in the early days of the station. Jim then went to CFRB. 
 

 

June 29, 2022 1:21 pm  #4


Re: Jim Richards Remains Absent But Alex Pierson Still In The Running

Speaking of still missing in action, there's been almost no action on John Derringer's Twitter page since May 12th and no word about what he's been doing since he was pulled off Q107 a few months ago. Wonder if he'll ever pop up anywhere again, or has he been consigned to the Mike Bullard obscurity file for good?

     Thread Starter
 

August 5, 2022 6:38 am  #5


Re: Jim Richards Remains Absent But Alex Pierson Still In The Running

Not sure what this means for Alex's return but she's still being mentioned in updates for her show...

https://bayobserver.ca/new-weekday-afternoon-show-for-900-chml/

New weekday afternoon show for 900 CHML
Aug 4 2022

Changes will be coming to the afternoon program lineup at CHML effective Monday August 8. Alan Carter and Jeff McArthur move away from their radio shows to focus on their roles at Global News. Carter has been heard in the noon – 1 p.m. time slot, in addition to anchoring Global News at 5:30 and 6 in Toronto, while McArthur has been hosting from 1 – 3 p.m. while also co-hosting Global’s The Morning Show. Both shows were simulcast to AM980 (CFPL-AM) London and AM 900 CHML Hamilton.

The new schedule sees Kelly Cutrara move into the noon to 3 p.m. time slot here in Hamilton.

Alex Pierson will transition into Cutrara’s former 9 a.m. to noon slot on 640, moving up from evenings. CHML Program Director Jeff Story told theBay Observer that a permanent host for Alex Pearson’s 8-10pm (On Point) on CHML will be announced at a later date.