It seems to be a normal pattern in the world of broadcasting that when a host takes on a new gig or show, the critics from very early on tend to deem them ill-suited for the position and almost uniformly find fault with their performance. "They're in over their heads!" they cry "They'll never possibly grow into the role." This has been a pattern that has played itself out for even the most iconic broadcasters of our time, from Johnny Carson and Stephen Colbert to Peter Gzowski and Michael Enright.
But of all the CBC personalities that we've interviewed for this series, I don't think any were received with quite the level of raised eyebrows and doubts when they first came to the Mother Corp as George Stroumboulopoulos.
Indeed, back in 2005 when he arrived at the CBC with the launch of The Hour, the critics were seemingly everywhere - and none too thrilled. Their concerns ranged from doubting his abilities as a serious interviewer, to musings that this was a misguided attempt by CBC to attract a younger demographic at the cost of substance.
But of all the CBC personalities that we've interviewed for this series, I don't think any were received with quite the level of raised eyebrows and doubts when they first came to the Mother Corp as George Stroumboulopoulos.
Indeed, back in 2005 when he arrived at the CBC with the launch of The Hour, the critics were seemingly everywhere - and none too thrilled. Their concerns ranged from doubting his abilities as a serious interviewer, to musings that this was a misguided attempt by CBC to attract a younger demographic at the cost of substance.
And to be sure, George didn't exactly have the background or style that one might expect for a host at a public broadcaster known for such figures as David Suzuki, and Linden MacIntyre. He loved heavy metal music, had a penchant for motorcycles, sported several piercings, and had just spent the past few years as a Much Music VJ - not a station necessarily known for its serious journalism.
In fact even George himself thought he was a questionable fit for the CBC, and after he somewhat hesitantly accepted their offer to host his own talk show, he fully suspected he might find himself off the air within a month or two, when they realized that they had made a terrible mistake!
In fact even George himself thought he was a questionable fit for the CBC, and after he somewhat hesitantly accepted their offer to host his own talk show, he fully suspected he might find himself off the air within a month or two, when they realized that they had made a terrible mistake!
But fast forward to 2013 and the beginning of George's 10th season on CBC and things certainly look differently. George has earned a loyal following of viewers across the country, and has proved himself as a thoughtful, sharp and insightful interviewer. And because of his diverse interests, he's incredibly well-rounded too, and can discuss intelligently topics ranging from music and film to politics and larger societal questions.
The program has won four Gemini awards for best talk series in Canada and the list of figures he's interviewed in the years since he first came to the CBC is truly remarkable. It includes the likes of Hillary Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Noam Chomsky, Patti Smith, Oprah, and virtually every renowned Canadian figure out there.
I spoke to George Stroumboulopoulos about his life growing up in a single parent household in the rough outskirts of Toronto, his unlikely path into broadcasting, and his thoughts on the importance of the CBC and the telling of Canadian stories.
Listen to ourinterview with Geroge here, and for more exclusive interviews with CBC personalities don't forget to subscribe to our podcast in iTunes!
The program has won four Gemini awards for best talk series in Canada and the list of figures he's interviewed in the years since he first came to the CBC is truly remarkable. It includes the likes of Hillary Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Noam Chomsky, Patti Smith, Oprah, and virtually every renowned Canadian figure out there.
I spoke to George Stroumboulopoulos about his life growing up in a single parent household in the rough outskirts of Toronto, his unlikely path into broadcasting, and his thoughts on the importance of the CBC and the telling of Canadian stories.
Listen to ourinterview with Geroge here, and for more exclusive interviews with CBC personalities don't forget to subscribe to our podcast in iTunes!
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