Sometimes I just shake my head....

Okay, so I was running thru some footage on DTV at work yesterday for a VO I was putting together and I had another one of those moments. You know the ones. The ones where I just get angry and then come in here to TundraTalk and take it out on you. I just sit back and shake my head at how insane the business that I chose as a profession is. Now some of you out there still do not consider me a 'pro' at anything other than being an idiot. I do sometimes call my self a pro camera jockey and pretend to be and adult. Believe it or not. As pro as I can be wearing jeans and t-shirts (free ones I get from press conferences) to work every day.

On certain days I am proud of what I do. Most days I am proud of where I work. The CBC is a great place to work and compared to most of the other circuses I worked in my career, the CBC is sane. We rarely chase ambulances, participate in shock journalism, and so far the consultant has failed to completely infiltrate the building. They have recently made inroads, but not to the extent of completely running the newsroom.

So the picture above is exhibit A of the reason why I sometimes get really angry with television news rooms and more specifically they way they are managed. I know, the picture is not graphic in any way. It just is a picture of a college student participating in a experiment on being homeless for a week. The kid slept on the street with four others for 5 days. Trust me on the 5th day those kids STUNK.

Anyway, that is not the problem I have with this picture. Look deeper, to the right, the chick with the STRIPPER BOOTS holding the camera. That is the problem I have. I believe she works for Global TV here in Regina. Global here in Regina has in the last year become a shell of what it once was. Don't misunderstand me, it has never been great, it just now has around 10 employees. So, the management (I can only guess) in their quest to save money and fill the black holes at 6 o'clock will put anyone on a camera. Not concerned with how the video will look like most ND's will put a young chick (who ultimately wants to be a reporter) on ENG camera. That, to me, is like the head of a Hospital, in their attempt to scrimp and save, putting a janitor into surgery because the janitor has always had inspiration to become a doctor. Well, kinda just like that.

Side note: The news director in Edmonton once told me he did his reporter recruiting at the bar by sidling up next to bimbos and handed out his card. I wonder what else he was trying to recruit in those bars. True story.

Makes me furious. I take my job serious, on most days. I have put many years behind a lens, working shitty 14 hour days, slagging tripod up and down hills for that 'shot', sat in many a news van listening to some diva reporter talk about her haircut, worked too many holidays to count, and busted my proverbial ASS to get where I am. Then some lame ass ND thinks it is okay to put the first diva wannabe who walks through his door on a camera and devalue my position. She sees it as a way to get what she wants meanwhile there are a lot of guys that slinging a lens is ALL HE WANTS.

Not to mention look at what she is wearing. Okay, if I was an assignment editor and some chick came through the door dressed in stripper boots and a WHITE FRICKING JACKET, the first thing I would do is send her to some farm to get footage of crops and cows. I mean really, she got up in the morning, looked in the closet (I am sure after she looked at herself in the mirror 35 times), and said, "I am running a camera today I think I will wear my 5 inch heel stripper boots and my white jacket. Yeah, that will be completely practical." Hey dip-shit, you are going to work, not the club.

Oh and to to things off the chick in the tan boots is her trainer. She was teaching her how to run the camera. Nice, double diva whammy. It is like Britney Spears trying to teach Sarah Palin what important books to read. I wonder if they called each other in the morning and coordinated their club hopping uniform?

I have one last thing to mention about the pictures above. Look at what the diva with the camera has on her face. SUNGLASSES. Perfect. Very important to wear the sunglasses when your are shooting. That viewfinder gets sooooo bright. There is no way that she got video that was usable and the right level by shooting with sunglasses on. Incredible. I am just in awe at how clueless this chick is. (allegedly)

So this is what it has come to. My profession, has turned into a spot where you can plug ANY jag off in and it will work. Wait, am I the jag off? Have I just been the proverbial jag off my whole career? Don't answer that.

It is rumoured that the CRTC is going to make a decision on Monday on the Local Cable TV funding issue. In a nutshell the local Canadian Broadcasters have been raising a stink over the last year or so about how cable companies get to carry their signal without paying for it. The Local TV, Global TV, CTV, and CBC, believe that they should be compensated for their signal.

Where do I stand on the issue? Well, I stand with Cable TV on this one. Even though I work in the Local TV side of things. Mainly because I see that the TV industry here in Canada has relied too much on the US for their programming. They spend billions of dollars on buying the rights to 'simulcast' bad US TV. Simulcast for my American friends, means that when Lost is on here in Canada, CTV has the right to cover up ABC's broadcast on cable with their signal which means that we see their advertisers. Which means that they often end up cutting off the ends of the shows or coming back late to the show. DRIVES ME CRAZY. But that is not the main reason why I am in favor of Cable TV. Besides the fact that my cable bill will go up is the fact that if Local TV is given this bailout, they will just spend the money on buying more really bad programming from the US. There is no way they will spend that money wisely.



Canwest Global is the company that spent billions on buying all the newspapers across the country and is now bankrupt. They are not smart enough to push that money in to Canadian original programming. That is how you get out of this spot you are in. INVEST IN CANADA. The CBC is the most Canada centric network in Canada and that is why I feel I can take this stance because their mandate will not change. Not to mention it is funded in part by the government.

If the CRTC mandates that the TV TAX is going to happen there should be some stipulations that they spend that money on LOCAL TV. There also should be stipulations that they cannot simulcast. I buy cable so I can watch US TV, not so I can watch local TV. They should not be allowed to wreck the shows that I watch with their lousy switching and shitty commercials. The Super Bowl is the perfect example.

So I hope that they do not give them a red cent because they will just continue to take chicks off the pole to run cameras and the product will ultimately suck. Oh and most importantly just make me angry again. We all do not want that.

Sorry I got off on a bit of a rant here, but I needed to get that off my chest.

NEXT: Listen to the video below. It is a bit of Ferrel's broadcast from Game 7 of last years Stanley Cup final. Ferrel is a sports guy on Howard 101 on Sirius. He is a huge Penguins fan and this is quite possibly one of the funniest things I have ever heard on Sirius. Warning, there is a lot of swearing in this clip so if you are at work turn the computer down now.





Have a great weekend and a good new week...
Now GET BACK TO WORK...

It is so hard being right all the time. Wait, no it's not. Oh and Weiser's Podcast is up and on the air...

Yes, it is hard to be humble. I called it. I told you what would happen, and it happened. Some might call that having ESP, most TV networks might call me up and base a prime time show on me. I just am that good.

The Stanley Cup went to the Pittsburgh Penguins in seven games. If you would like to confirm that I was right, just click here. It was a great final game that was a nail biter from end to end. I am usually very critical of Detroit fans because they hardly ever get to the game on time, or back to their seats for the beginning of the period but I will give them credit for staying through the trophy ceremony and actually clapping for the Penguins. I will also give them credit for booing the shit out of Bettman. I love that. It happens every year and it is worth the wait every year. Bettman is a tool.

I want Ty Conklin's name on the cup really bad, but he just was on the wrong team. If you look at recent history, he has been on the wrong team of late. He was in Edmonton when they lost in seven games to the Carolina Hurricanes. He was also in Ottowa when they lost the cup. He was on the Pittsburgh Penguins last year when they lost to the Wings. I think it is safe to say at this point that if Ty is on your team you will get to the final but winning it is probably not in the cards. In the USHL Ty won back to back championships for the Green Bay Gamblers so he is not a jinx by any means but he did lose the NCAA Frozen Four with the New Hampshire Bears and the Calder Cup (game 7) with the Hamilton Bulldogs. Not sure what to do with all that math.

Let me tell you a story. There is a guy I know named Preacherman. He is a guy from Pulaski Wisconsin. He likes hockey. He also likes the Godless Detroit Red Wings. As he has always done, he will call me or text me after the Red Wings win against the Avs. During this final he took time out of his 'busy' schedule to text me immediately after EVERY game in this series. Of course these texts were not of a complimentary nature. Most of them were very braggadocio. Nice word huh? Yeah, I am kind of a big deal. Anyway, he would most of the time tell me how many games the Red Wings had won. I would always tell him that it takes 4 to win the Cup. He was counting his chickens so to say, which we all know, especially in hockey, a person should not do.

Well, Preacherman has something to say to all of you out there in TundraTalk Nation...

Dear TundraTalk Nation,

I still sit here brokenhearted. When parents say they love their kids equally in their own way, THEY ARE LYING! Every parent has their fav kid. My favorite "kid", the Detroit Red Wings, decided only to show up to a couple of the the Stanley Cup finals games. And it showed by bowing out to my other kid, Sid the kid, and the Pittsburgh Penguins in seven games (as Sign Boy perdicted once again). Chris is getting almost as good with his picks as the stinking genious Arnie Spanier.

As I sat there watching game seven in my Joey Kocur sweater (and Crosby sweatsuit underneath) I realized how much they need Darren McCarty and Chelli out there. The Wings were trying to be too pretty, they need to play that tough game that brought them the past 4 cups. They don't have the skill that they had in '02 (thank God for Brett Hull!) They got ran over, out played, out everything by the Pens. And it does seem like Ty Conkiln is a Stanley Cup curse, even though it pains me to say that. My heart did stop for a little while when Sidney got hurt, but it's all good now.

Mario finally passed the torch to Sid, it's now his league. It was awesome seeing Mario with the cup again. PLEASE Mario, just one more shift. You, Sid, and Malkin.

Preacherman

Well Preacherman, it takes a strong man to admit he was wrong, and boy you were wrong, so I congratulate you on your admitting wrongness. You root for a crappy hockey team and you are not ashamed to admit it. If only you could be as bold about your Lions. Man they suck.

I would like to also at this point say I offered space to Trev Doroshenko to apologize to you, but he would not. He has too much pride (ego) to admit when he is wrong. Oh and he IS WRONG.

NEXT: I had the opportunity to conduct my interview with OG Posse Member Chad Weiser, of the Seattle Weisers, this week. Chad took time out of his 'big city' schedule to make his case for being part of the most elite posse this side of the Mississippi. We are on this side of the Mississippi aren't we?

Anyway, Chad (that is him as Bob McKenzie on the left in the black and white pic) brought the noise and made a strong case for inclusion. He took Marty Frey's smak and handed it right back, he set the record straight on the War Hero in the car wash incident, and did quite well on his movie quotes. CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast or just click the link at the top right of the page. You know TundraTalk is the Podcast that does not suck.

Next up on the Podcast that never ends is Shawn Hauser of the Green Bay Hausers. He will round up our interview process and send the wheels in motion to selection. Unless, Tony Mutzenberger makes a late apperance. Which would be nice.

How will the selection happen you ask? Well let me tell ya. It, of course, will be long and drawn out. I will be selection 5 guys for the posse, PLUS two alternates. The alternates will not have the honor of being in the actual posse BUT will be called upon at a moments notice to fill in for a 'first team' memeber if he cannot fulfill his duties at any time.

On the first selection post I will name the two fellas who rose up to be apart of the the alternate crew. Then I will post once a day until we have the whole crew named. I know, the tension is thick and you cannot hardly wait, but it will be worth it.

Now, Have a great Monday, and GET BACK TO WORK!!!

My pick for the Finals, Marty's Podcast, and another queen dumbass...

Okay, I know a lot of you have already seen the video above but I am showing it now because it is almost boat season here in Saskabush and I am damn sure going to be singing this song, in my head, every time I set foot in my boat. Funny as shit. I played it at work about 30 times the other day.

Oh, if you are at work make sure you do not turn it up because there is some swearing in the song. I will not take any responsibility if you lose your job because you are jamming out to this. I saw it first on Shannon Just Blog.

NEXT: I conducted Marty Frey's Entourage interview last night and it was epic. I will be editing it today and hopefully have it up tonight for all 20 or so of you who actually take the time to listen to it to peruse. Marty came strong and took shots at the host, NBC, Jay Leno, and of course the queens.

Speaking of Jay Leno he gave us some insight in the whole shift of power between Jay and Conan since he has been in rehearsals for Conan's show all week. This is another TT exclusive for you. I am truly a media mogul running this multi dollar website. You can CLICK HERE or click on the link to the right to listen to the podcast. If the words are not blue I do not have it up yet. When they turn blue it is on. Nice.

That also means that Chad Weiser, of the Seattle coffee drinkin' Weisers, is up next. I plan on cranking that one out soon also so be prepared.


NEXT: My picks for the Stanley Cup Final will be very similar to last year except for one thing....

DETROIT RED WINGS (2) VS PITTSBURGH PENGUINS (4)

Now, you all know I hate the Red Wings with a passion. I don't need to go there. We also know that Preacher and Doroshenko misguidedly love the wings. Don't need to go there. Ty Conklin is one of the greatest Green Bay Gamblers of all time AND a TT vetran. True. I want Ty's name on the Cup more than I want Favre to stay retired (which he will). Yes we know that. Preacher is in love with Sidney Crosby. True.

So where is this going? To the obvious, Penguins will win the Stanley Cup. Take it to the bank. Now I will tell you why. Since Gary Bettman is a tool and his only desire is not to keep the game of hockey great but to get better ratings in the USA (which will NEVER happen). In his infinite wisdom, and since NBC has their hand up his ass (sorry Marty). He has decided to play back to back games in the Stanley Cup final. Somebody kick this guys ass now.

Some of you may say that these guys are pros and should just shut up and play. Well you can say that as long as you are just watching them on TV. BUT, I followed the Oilers in 2006 in the playoffs and finals and I can tell you by being there that this is a very difficult thing to win the Stanley Cup. These guys beat the shit out of each other and that day of rest is very important to them. Gary, the numbnuts, Bettman makes them play Saturday night and then again Sunday afternoon. That is less than 24 hours to recover. God forbid the game goes a few overtimes. Screw Gary Bettman. He is ruining the game of hockey. Not to mention his hypocracy with this whole Phoenix Coyotes thing. Screw him.

Anyway, I think the Penguins are less beat up and are more ready for this. Sid the Kid has the eye of the tiger and Billy Gun Guerin has not got this far in his career and is not going to let it slip away. Sorry Ty, I am taking the Penguins in 7.

I would also like you to notice for the past few posts there has been little things to click on at the bottom. Kinda instant feedback you can say. Make sure you take time to click on the stuff on the bottom. Especially the viqueens suck one.

Oh and one more thing: I found this the other day on PackerPalace dot com. Fran Tarkenton, who played for the queens, has apparently lots to say about Favre in the Green Bay Press Gazette. After reading this...

“I think it's despicable,” Tarkenton told 790 The Zone in Atlanta (via the Minneapolis Star Tribune) regarding the possibility of Brett Favre playing for the Vikings. “What he put the Packers through last year was not good. Here’s an organization that was loyal to him for 17, 18 years, provided stability of organization, provided players. It just wasn’t about Brett Favre. In this day and time, we have glorified the Brett Favre’s of the world so much, they think it’s about them. He goes to New York and bombs. He’s 39 years old. How would you like Ray Nitschke in his last year [playing for] the Vikings, or I retire, and go play for the Packers? I kind of hope it happens, so he can fail.”

“He told the Packers [after 2008 that], ‘I’m retiring,’” Tarkenton said. “They’ve got to move on. They’ve got to go through their offseason plan, their workouts, they go with the other quarterback [Aaron Rodgers], who is a good player, and then [Favre] comes back and says, ‘I think I want to play.’ . . . You build your team in the offseason. Everybody knows that. It’s about team. It’s not about Brett Favre. So he goes and runs up to the Jets, doesn’t even dress in the locker room with the players. Has a separate facility. Playing quarterback is about the relationships you have with your coaches, with your players, with your trainers, with your managers. How can you do that if you show up on gameday and you haven’t put the time in? And now he’s trying to do it again in Minnesota. And if Minnesota bites, God bless them. . . .

“He’s been a great player, there’s no question about it, but it’s all about him. It is supposed to be all about your team. If you’re going to be the quarterback of your team, you need to be there in the offseason workouts in March and April. Peyton Manning’s there. Tom Brady’s there.”

“I think [Favre] has been a great flamboyant quarterback, but he has made more stupid plays than any great quarterback that I’ve ever seen,” Tarkenton said. “Look at his final game in a Packers uniform [the 2007 NFC title game]. He blew that game against the Giants. He’s playing against Eli Manning. I love Eli Manning, but he’s still not a great quarterback. He’s not Peyton yet, or Tom Brady. He’s just a guy. And [the Packers] are playing at home, and they’re in a tight situation, they went to overtime and [Favre] throws the interception that allows [the Giants] to come back and win the game.”

I used to have a lot of respect for Fran, but now all I have to say to him is show me your ring dick weed, then you can talk. Suck on that Frannie boy.

Thank you.

Make sure you send Derek Venckus, of the Deep South Venckus', a happy birthday greeting. He will appreciate it.
Have a great day and an even better weekend. Now GET BACK TO WORK.