The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / CFRB's New Contest: A Date With Jerry Agar

**Posted by RadioActive** October 15, 2024 7:10 am

I could hardly believe my ears when I heard Tuesday about a NT1010 contest - you get to have brunch with Jerry Agar before he takes you to the play "Come From Away."

That's the prize.

I'm sure there are plenty of people who would love to have some time to chat/argue with Jerry, but I'm pretty sure most of them don't hang out here!

The first thing I thought of was, "And what does the winner get?" (For the record, I'm not as anti-Agar as many here are.)

But it's one of the strangest contests I've heard them run yet.

I tried to pull up the page on several browsers, but it won't work for me on any of them. If you're curious, you can try your luck here.

**Posted by kevjo** October 15, 2024 5:09 pm

It's a bit anachronistic - a throwback to the days when radio personalities were seen an superstars. Admittedly talk show hosts do carry a bit more weight, positively or negatively but would the prize be any less special without Jerry along for the ride?

**Posted by newsguy1** October 15, 2024 5:30 pm

This will not be unfamiliar to Agar.
Back when he was a frequent contributor to the Sun TV news network, they offered cruises for a price featuring Sun TV personalities like the racist Ezra Levant, or right wing icon Brian Lilly or any other "stars" of the network that morphed into Rebel News, now considered a far right hate mongering Internet site, still headed by Ezra Levant.
Back then Agar was frequently brought in to replace Levant as host of his time slot, as a worthy substitute for an absent Levant.
So, hey, why not go to brunch with Jerry and then off to see the musical in the form of a contest.
At least Jerry won't spout his usual refrain, "what is this costing the taxpayers."
\

**Posted by Walter** October 15, 2024 5:35 pm

What's second prize, 'Brunch and Dinner with Jerry Agar'?

**Posted by newsguy1** October 15, 2024 5:57 pm

Precisely.

**Posted by RadioActive** October 15, 2024 8:47 pm

Apparently, a tour of the CFRB studios is included. That's really the only part of the prize that interests me.

**Posted by AspectRatio** October 15, 2024 9:12 pm

RadioActive wrote:
Apparently, a tour of the CFRB studios is included. That's really the only part of the prize that interests me.

Agreed. Sadly, not quite as bustling and active as when they had their own newsroom. Even Jerry Agar quipped, "Yeah, well - our newsroom's not even in the same building anymore" when a caller reported a news scroll was in error after Olivia Chow's visit to John Moore last week.

**Posted by dieter** October 15, 2024 9:36 pm

If Jerry had been in Gander, he would have opposed helping the passengers because it would have cost money.

**Posted by mace** October 16, 2024 8:37 am

Back in the early 1970's, I was able to phone CFRB, CHUM and CKFH to see if I could book a tour of their respective stations. All seemed pleased that a listener had an interest in the inner workings of a radio station. When I was in Buffalo, I was able to tour WGR. I even met Stan Roberts, who really does have a delightful sense of humour.

**Posted by Shorty Wave** October 16, 2024 8:47 am

In its heyday the CHUM building at 299 Queen West, which was home to Citytv, MuchMusic and more, used to have daily tours, sometimes a couple a day. There were people on staff who were “trained” to tour guide. They also held an annual open house in September, which was lined up by 7am, as some of our viewers thought we shot “Star Trek TNG” in that building, not kidding.

**Posted by Dicky Doo** October 16, 2024 9:24 am

RadioActive wrote:
Apparently, a tour of the CFRB studios is included. That's really the only part of the prize that interests me.

Approximately twenty (20) yrs ago I was invited to visit CFRB in the St. Clair Ave studios. The invitation arrived from a gentleman by the name of Kowch, We had exchanged personal messages on and off this forum and he had suggested that we should discuss "issues" in private . . . issues that weren't appropriate to air on SOWNY.
It was not a lengthy tour, (perhaps20 minutes) and at the end he presented me with some swag (a mug and a lettered bag to hold the "stuff" and similar things I've long forgotten)

Not a big deal for today's media professionals, but it made my day (I am easily entertained)

D.D.

.

Last edited by Dicky Doo (October 16, 2024 9:25 am)

**Posted by Dicky Doo** October 16, 2024 9:40 am

SIDE NOTE: Walking in from the lobby, Bill Carroll's studio (locked) was on the left. I wanted to sit in Mr. Carroll's chair and leave a note for him. S. Kowch said that was definitely not a good idea.

**Posted by Binson Echorec** October 16, 2024 12:39 pm

Ooooooh, he's so dreamy...

**Posted by Dicky Doo** October 17, 2024 2:13 pm

Binson Echorec wrote:
Ooooooh, he's so dreamy...

S. Kowch or W. Carroll (or both?)

**Posted by newsguy1** October 17, 2024 2:26 pm

JD Vance meeting Kowch, now that I'd like to see....well maybe not.

**Posted by AspectRatio** October 17, 2024 2:45 pm

Dicky Doo wrote:
Binson Echorec wrote:
Ooooooh, he's so dreamy...
S. Kowch or W. Carroll (or both?)

Probably Agar, riffing on the "Win a date with..." concept.

**Posted by Binson Echorec** October 17, 2024 4:23 pm

AspectRatio wrote:
Probably Agar, riffing on the "Win a date with..." concept.

Correctamundo!

**Posted by ig** October 18, 2024 5:36 pm

Dicky Doo wrote:
SIDE NOTE: Walking in from the lobby, Bill Carroll's studio (locked) was on the left. I wanted to sit in Mr. Carroll's chair and leave a note for him. S. Kowch said that was definitely not a good idea.

His office maybe?? He would probably have got a chuckle out of the note.

**Posted by paterson1** October 19, 2024 11:19 am

Back in the summer of 1973 members of our highschool audio-visual club had a tour of CFTO TV. Really interesting that channel 9 was such a busy facility.

One studio had the whole outside of a two story 1920's house with front lawn, sidewalk and road. Next door in another studio was the interior with the front room, dining room and kitchen. This set was for a Hallmark special that was to play later in the year on NBC.

In another studio were rehearsals for Rollin On the River which was hosted by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition. That week, the guests were Ike and Tina Turner. Also had tours of the control rooms, news studios, and some of the offices, creative dept etc.

The actual facility we toured is now CTV Toronto/TSN and has been expanded a few times since 1973.

That tour sealed the deal with me, and I knew that I wanted to take a broadcasting course in college, and hopefully make my career in radio and or TV.

Last edited by paterson1 (October 19, 2024 11:20 am)

**Posted by Dicky Doo** October 19, 2024 1:00 pm

paterson1 wrote:
That tour sealed the deal with me, and I knew that I wanted to take a broadcasting course in college, and hopefully make my career in radio and or TV.

Hopefully you will post a follow-up continuance

D.D.

**Posted by paterson1** October 19, 2024 2:36 pm

Don't need to. I already have.