S
o, I’m of two minds here about Heather Backman being let go from the CHOM morning show.
On the one hand: Not very classy of Bell Media to lay her off right after the 5-year anniversary party. I know there’s never a good timing for a layoff, but this was especially poorly timed, IMHO.
On the other hand — personal opinion here — Heather B. was a terrible morning host. I like and respect Terry DiMonte most of the time. He’s a pro. But Heather as his sidekick was just cringe-worthy. Most of the time she played into this stereotype of being a vapid airhead, which — if it was an act, was demeaning to all talented female broadcasters everywhere — and if it wasn’t an act, YEESH. Half the time, even Terry seemed to be trying to bite his tongue to avoid telling her off for some moronic comment or another. I have no idea how she got to the 5-year mark on the show in the first place. I had predicted she wouldn’t last 5 weeks. And CHOM made it worse by painting her as a ditzy idiot in station promos, an image she played into. Whether they thought that their demographic wanted to hear this (ew) or whether they’re really that tone deaf, I am not sure. But it was painful to listen to either way.
There are so many talented women in the radio biz, and most of them don’t get the opportunities they deserve. I’d like to see a female morning show co-host or even (wake up, Bell, it’s 2017) host in the future. But Heather just wasn’t it.
Best wishes to you, Heather. I hope it all works out for you. But I can’t say I’m too upset in terms of the impact this will have on my morning sanity. A little less yelling at my radio will be good for me.