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While I congratulate CFTO's Nathan Downer on persevering through the 6 o'clock news, could he not just turn over the show to Michelle Dube?
Downer seemed to suddenly develop a bad case of laryngitis about 10 minutes into CTV News at 6 on Monday and it was not only a struggle for him to get out his copy, it was excruciating to listen to him as he tried desperately to croak out every intro. It was painful and he really needs to get something hot to soothe his throat, which he obviously can't do on air.
I'm sure viewers would understand his sudden absence and might not even know if they come back after a commercial and he's not there. Losing your voice mid-show was one of the nightmares I always had when I was in radio, but fortunately, it never happened to me.
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Minutes after posting this, they addressed the elephant in the room - or should that be the frog in the throat? Downer admitted he had a cold and sore throat, and that his voice suddenly gave out a few minutes into the show, but would give it the old college try for the rest of the news.
But it's distracting and he should probably just try it again tommorow.
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I’m reminded of CFPL-TV in London over 20 years ago about 15 minutes into the 6:00 news, when George Clark started coughing mid-sentence, asked co-anchor Kate Young to finish the newscast without him, and he walked away. She told viewers later in the hour that George was fine, and he was back the following night.
Last edited by MJ Vancouver (August 28, 2023 8:30 pm)
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The downside of CFTO News not having a commercial break until 30 mins into the show…
Last edited by ED1 (August 29, 2023 2:45 pm)
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I once came to work feeling kind of off.
It soon developed into nausea.
I started to panic when I realized my predecessor had gone home and I was the only one able to do the newscast.
As I sat in the news booth watching the clock count down I suddenly realized I was going to puke.
I started my newscast and immediately began to heave.
I turned the mic off and puked and dry heaved.
I turned the mic back on and said a few more words but could not continue.
There was nothing I could do and I still remember it as my worst broadcast experience of my life.
I was never quite sure what was wrong with me.
Within the next hour I felt better and finished my shift.
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Downer was off on Tuesday, with Rahim Ladhani acting as his replacement at the anchor desk.