They're at the other end of the phone when the producer calls. Or are at least the first to call back.

They 1) can spare whatever time is necessary; and/or 2) have nothing else of substance to do.

You think they sit around and wait to Zoom in? They're all getting paid, they are not doing it for free.

It becomes a self-fulfilling circle. The political parties know these pundits get access to both shows throughout the week, so they can use them to float trial balloons on various issues to get a sense of how they’ll go over publicly. The pundits, many of whom work for various government relations firms and think tanks, get name recognition for their organizations by being “ insiders”. The shows themselves get  a steady stream of predictable political commentary from names that are already familiar to the audience and other political wonks. Every once and awhile a new face is added or someone is dropped, but the main cast hangs around for years on end until they retire or are no longer deemed useful.

Hansa wrote:

We haven't had decent political commentators since Hugh Segal and Stephen Lewis were regulars on the panel circuit.

Janice Stein, Richard Gywn and Eric Margolis 

RadioActive wrote:

There was a time when if you were a regular guest on one station, you'd never be featured on another in the same market. That doesn't happen too much anymore. Pundits like Matt Gurney, Sharon Kaur, Tony Chapman and Internet guru Carmi Levy are constantly on both CFRB and AM640 and neither outlet seems to care about exclusivity. Some even appear on both places on the same day.

They're independent figures, I suppose, so they're free to answer the call wherever it comes from. But the constant over-exposure runs the risks of them wearing out their welcomes. 

 
I’m fairly certain that I have heard Carmi Levy on AM740 as well, small world.

Few, if any of the so-called political 'experts' ever spout anything particularly enlightening.  For the most part, they just repeat known facts with just a hint of opinion.  For some, the opinion is always slanted liberal, for others it's slanted conservative.  Tom Mulchair is about the only one who seems to put much thought into his answers, even if it goes against his NDP loyalty.  His take-downs of Jag during his last couple of years kissing JT's rear while ruining the party was entertaining radio.

Last edited by Walter (December 4, 2025 9:16 am)

Thirding Tom Mulcair. Met him once, he was genuine and completely devoid of smarm.

RadioActive wrote:

I agree on Tom Mulcair. He's one of the more refreshing opinion guys in the media and I almost always make a special effort to tune him in when he's on. 

Also agree. Tom is good at giving objective opinions and assessments that aren't heavy with political bias, and that is refreshing to hear.



PJ