The kerfuffle between CBC radio host Jian Ghomeshi of Q and whatsits name … Billy Bob something… reveals much about the uneasy relationship between the arts media and the most popular entertainers, reflects Russell Smith ….
Russell Smith reflects that the kerfuffle between CBC radio host Jian Ghomeshi of Q
and whatsits name … Billy Bob something… “can teach us a lot about
the uneasy relationship between the arts media and the most popular
entertainers.” Smith writes in the Globe and Mail
that stars regularly dictate interview terms to media, so Whatsits’
publicists probably regard journalists as “a branch of the marketing
department.”The idea of giving instructions to journalists doesn’t
strike him as at all odd,” noted Smith. “He was no doubt genuinely
baffled that they don’t take instructions very well at the CBC.”
An earlier Globe editorial pointed out, “There are probably 10,000 groups in Canada that would have killed for the kind of exposure Q offers.”
As it turned out, Ghomeshi’s Billy Bob interview became fascinating in unintended ways and earned Ghomeshi well-deserved kudos. But especially given the CBC’s public broadcasting role, next time I’d prefer, as a
listener, to hear less about the prima donna “stars” whose mugs adorn the infotainment shows and more about artists.
Here’s the infamous — and display of Ghomeshi’s impressive skills — interview:
In some ways, touring radio In some ways, touring radio and TV shows, and being interviewed by print publications is all about marketing. And in certain instances, I can understand a performer not wanting to clutter up an interview with, say, gossip items that distract from the work that the star is trying to get across to an audience during the interview. But, this BBT thing is another matter. One, it’s clear that he has an insecurity issue surrounding his work as a musician. No one, other than he, suggested that his band was a hobby or vanity project.
And his “would you ask Tom Petty that?” rejoinder is ridiculous on so many levels. The answer is obviously no. But, Tom Petty isn’t a high-profile actor and screenwriter who won an Oscar. If he were, it would make sense to put his background in context. It’s called journalism. And frankly, the comparison between Petty and BBT as made by BBT is laughable. You don’t draw comparisons like that yourself, unless you’re an irretrievable ego-maniac. But, that’s another story.
The point is, no one except you BBT, should pick up the tab for your insecurity. But, as it is the CBC was forced to, as was your band who otherwise was happy enough to talk about the shows and the record you were putting out, without caring whether or not their drummer/singer is first thought of as an actor/screenwriter or not. And the irony is now that the interview became more about this dynamic than it would have been if sleeping dogs were left to lie.
Billy Bob and journalism
The kerfuffle between CBC radio host Jian Ghomeshi of Q and whatsits name … Billy Bob something… reveals much about the uneasy relationship between the arts media and the most popular entertainers, reflects Russell Smith ….
Russell Smith reflects that the kerfuffle between CBC radio host Jian Ghomeshi of Q
and whatsits name … Billy Bob something… “can teach us a lot about
the uneasy relationship between the arts media and the most popular
entertainers.” Smith writes in the Globe and Mail
that stars regularly dictate interview terms to media, so Whatsits’
publicists probably regard journalists as “a branch of the marketing
department.”The idea of giving instructions to journalists doesn’t
strike him as at all odd,” noted Smith. “He was no doubt genuinely
baffled that they don’t take instructions very well at the CBC.”
An earlier Globe editorial pointed out, “There are probably 10,000 groups in Canada that would have killed for the kind of exposure Q offers.”
As it turned out, Ghomeshi’s Billy Bob interview became fascinating in unintended ways and earned Ghomeshi well-deserved kudos. But especially given the CBC’s public broadcasting role, next time I’d prefer, as a
listener, to hear less about the prima donna “stars” whose mugs adorn the infotainment shows and more about artists.
Here’s the infamous — and display of Ghomeshi’s impressive skills — interview:
Deborah Jones
April 27, 2009
In some ways, touring radio
In some ways, touring radio and TV shows, and being interviewed by print publications is all about marketing. And in certain instances, I can understand a performer not wanting to clutter up an interview with, say, gossip items that distract from the work that the star is trying to get across to an audience during the interview. But, this BBT thing is another matter. One, it’s clear that he has an insecurity issue surrounding his work as a musician. No one, other than he, suggested that his band was a hobby or vanity project.
And his “would you ask Tom Petty that?” rejoinder is ridiculous on so many levels. The answer is obviously no. But, Tom Petty isn’t a high-profile actor and screenwriter who won an Oscar. If he were, it would make sense to put his background in context. It’s called journalism. And frankly, the comparison between Petty and BBT as made by BBT is laughable. You don’t draw comparisons like that yourself, unless you’re an irretrievable ego-maniac. But, that’s another story.
The point is, no one except you BBT, should pick up the tab for your insecurity. But, as it is the CBC was forced to, as was your band who otherwise was happy enough to talk about the shows and the record you were putting out, without caring whether or not their drummer/singer is first thought of as an actor/screenwriter or not. And the irony is now that the interview became more about this dynamic than it would have been if sleeping dogs were left to lie.