Springtime in Montreal

MONTREAL--Ah, the joys and intriguing layers of post-season hockey in Montreal never disappoint.

It's an experience to be savoured, something like poppy-seed hamantaschen, a delicacy to which I was introduced yesterday by TV colleague Michael Farber as we wandered across to the Bell Centre to chat with the forlorn Boston Bruins.

Yesterday, meanwhile, there were reminders that while the IOC and human rights activists can argue endlessly whether sport and politics should be separate, there is never any debate here over whether language and hockey in Quebec should mix.

They do, and often.

Case in point: the disposal of the Maple Leafs has forced the CBC to re-route its broadcast map for the playoffs, turning to Les Habitants to lure viewers. But after largely ignoring Montreal for years, thus forcing the Anglophone citizenry to watch Canadiens games en français most every Saturday night, the CBC is hardly being welcomed with open arms. Indeed, the arrival of Bob Cole and Co. has touched off a simmering debate over whether English Montrealers should boycott the CBC broadcasts and instead watch Pierre Houde and friends on RDS. This might come as a surprise to folks outside Quebec, who might have assumed CBC English regional broadcasts would be more available to Montreal fans.

Montreal Gazette columnist Bill Brownstein denounced the CBC for turning to the Habs as a last resort, and encouraged locals to stick with RDS and Houde, who he credited with helping the cause of bilingualism by helping anglo Montrealers learn to speak better French through his Canadiens' broadcasts.

Yesterday, the paper carried two letters to the editor, one vowing not to watch the CBC broadcasts and instead urging Montreal viewers to stick with RDS.

So, there's controversy over the hockey broadcasts, and controversy over the mayor's edict that local firemen should not paint Canadiens' colors in their fire hall as an expression of support for the local hockey squad.

Hockey, politics and language all mixed in, and all after just one playoff game.

Comments

[Sanj]

I don't blame them. CBC gives the Leafs first class treatment while the other Canadian teams are treated like third rate customers.

Good for the Habs fans to reject CBC. Tell them to shove it!!

[Stan Palmer]

What reasonable fan who enjoys hockey wouldn't be upset to hear that the head Maple Leaf cheerleader, excuse-maker, two minutes behind the play announcer, doesn't know the names of anyone on the other team guy, is now doing their own favourite team's games? Just as only the competent hockey teams are allowed into the playoffs, so should only the competent announcers be allowed to do the games. His deep analysis consists of telling us that the team training by two goals would really like to score the next goal - thanks Bob, I really needed to have that pointed out to me! I also think that CBC should have on the screen, a button you can press to turn off all sounds except the crowd noise in the building. This would at least make the games more fun and allow you to listen, or not listen, to the comments of whatever talking head they decide to use. In fact, this magic button would be a great advancement for all sports broadcasts. What do you think about this last suggestion?

[Mike Milner]

Really, who cares? This is just another case of Quebec "provincialism" (pls excuse the pun). The truth is, the CBC shouldn't be doing sports broadcasting, competing with the private sector for advertising dollars. Why should Canadians anywhere be paying for that? They broadcast the Leafs because that's how they can charge for the most advertising dollars, it has nothing to do with anything else.
Oh, and tell the Montreal journalist that there is another Canadian team in the playoffs besides the Habs & the Sens. Its the Flames. Albertans don't bellyache, they just go our and win.
I know who I'll be cheering for!

[Frank]

Gotta go with Montrealers on this one. The CBC spends an inordinate amount of time covering the Leafs; one of the bottom 5 teams in a 30 team league. Now they see they've been backing the wrong pony and want a seat on the Habs' bandwagon. Get lost CBC. Go back to covering "Canada's Team". Only problem is figuring out how you're going to get your equipment out to the golf course.

[dafydd]

I enjoyed the Habs broadcasts in Toronto on Radio- Canada, too good to last!

'This is just another case of Quebec "provincialism" . The truth is, the CBC shouldn't be doing sports broadcasting, competing with the private sector for advertising dollars.'

I happen to agree. But 'the truth?'-- Why? Why not? Please give us arguments, not assertions.

'Albertans don't bellyache, they just go our and win.'

And more provincialism....here's to it!

[many]

as a recently tranplanted torontonian and ex toronto maple leaf fan (the Dick Peddie era has done irreversible damage to this fan) i whole heartedly agree. Listening to Cherry and Mini Me MacLean pontificate over an irrelevant team is beyond nauseating. The CBC coverage of all things Maple Leafs is pathetic and in most circumstances ignored much better hockey offerings, involving canadian teams. Most of us, hockey fans, would sooner prefer the saturday night format to be match of the week as opposed to the current sad sack default.

[Mark]

I agree with Montrealers, watch the game on RDS. My wife is from Montreal and on every visit its' either the Leafs in english on CBC or Montreal in french on RDS. At first I was completely shocked that CBC discontinued Les Habs in english or in french, what a slap to Montrealers. I find it particularly humbling for our national broadcaster when the CBC changed ships in mid stream late in Feb and started showing the Sens or Habs as the eastern regional game. Watch the game on RDS as a protest, much like I did when I cancelled my Leafs TV way back in December and I got better value with the swap to the Biography channel.

Signed frustrated Toronto fan.

[Trev]

Mr. Brownstein has my full support on this one, from a Torontonian who is embarrassed to call himself a hockey fan.

I have wondered aloud for many a year why the NHL doesn't mandate a more evenly balanced schedule on HNIC. If CBC gets killed in the ratings this year, it's a self-inflicted wound, and good on them. I can't find anyone more willing.

Now, to be fair, when you have folks who would watch the Leafs if it were a bunch of cats mating with each other on skates, you can't really blame, in theory, the CBC pandering to their prime audience. But the show is called Hockey Night in CANADA. Thus, no sympathy.

[Marc Losier]

My God,

I lived in Montreal for 3 years, love the city, the vibe, the passion, etc... But, gimme a break here. Nationalists over there are so incredibly racist, they'll tell you there should be a French-Canadian quota on the Canadiens otherwise the team doesn't mean squat to them. I'm sorry, but as a Torontonian, a French-Canadian, a hockey fan, and LEAFS FAN, I was disgusted with the way THE MEDIA propogates the French-Language issue over there. It should be about the team, its ethics and good standing. They're still on Koivu over there for not speaking French that well...

And as for the CBC, they couldn't match RDS' offer for broadcast rights and thus, lost the fan base. Meanwhile, the Leafs, like 'em or not, draw viewers, and as a PUBLIC CORPORATION, the CBC - underfuned as it is - has really no choice but to carry them.

Stop mixing Language and Sport, for the good of all us please.

[Kerundi]

Bob Cole is a living legend. Yes, at age 74 he sometimes makes mistakes and his best days are behind him. But he still has a great voice and an innate sense of adding drama and tension to a playoff game. When he shouts 'scramble for it!' as the crowd's noise drowns him out and the camera shakes, the viewer gets a true sense of the desperation of the game. He doesn't just use catch phrases like 'holy mackinaw' nor does he intentionally over-pronounce french canadian names like certain other play by play guys. He isn't in love with his voice like Jim Hughson, either. Chris Cuthbert would be a great replacement for Cole, but unfortunately, the CBC treated him like dirt during the lockout and he left.
Go Habs

[BrutusB]

Always a language issue in La Belle Province. Why can't it just be about the hockey, afterall how many flying Frenchmen are on the roster now?

[hockey fan]

Cut Bob Cole some slack, each game he does is a priviledge, he understands the game and loves the game and it definitely comes across. He is a living legend amongst us, and hockey viewing will never be the same once he does decide to retire.

As for the CBC/Montreal issue, a story is being made out of nothing. So what if the Leafs are the centrepiece of the CBC broadcast, the fact of the matter is, I'd be willing to bet there's more viewership of a Leaf game than all other Canadian teams combined (or close to it). That means they have to play the market. You think THAT's bad? Watch Rogers Sportsnet commercial about THEIR hockey show, it starts with a scene with the Leafs of Pat Burns beating Detroit in a seriesth

[Ronnie C.]

Come on Damien! Anyone with a little understanding of French would never watch the Habs in English. The RDS guys are emotional and knowledgeable and much less partisan than Cole and company. Same goes with the between period analysis. I like listening to Jacques Demers....nice to know how a Stanley Cup winning coach sees things....something CBC couldn't find in Toronto unless you want to fly Bowman in from Buffalo!! ( or maybe Punch Imlach has been re-incarnated)

[moeman]

Well Mr. Cox its about time some of the Toronto-based media comment on it. The cbc/hnic is a shameful sham but they know the Leafs fans have tuned out so its not like they care. Also, why do people call bob cole a legend? Just because he hangs around? cole is a legend in Leafs fans minds but, like ron and don, in reality he is an embarrassment to our game. True and knowledgeable know this and have been saying it for years. The cbc/hnic will continue to give us the finger because they could care less.

[Don Knox]

The CBC lost the rights to broadcast Habs games to RDS.
The Leafs, like it or not, have the biggest fan base of all of the Canadian teams. This is a business and CBC goes where the money is because HNIC is one of it's few profitable programs. Advertiser's will pay more money to HNIC for Leaf games because more people will see their Ads.
It's just business.

[Theresa Forrester]

Bob Cole is not a living legend. He is not even a professional in his field since he's a one-team announcer. A professional would be able to call ANY game with the same enthusiasm and verve. Montreal fans haven't had a decent announcer who knows the team since Dick Irvin retired. As soon as CBC announced that Bob had decided he would call this series, I said oh well I'll keep watching in French. And PLEASE spare me comments about how Calgary is in the playoffs too... the ONLY 2 teams that get such sporadic CBC coverage are Montreal and Ottawa. Funny how the 2nd game on Saturday is always a Calgary game - and Montreal is a larger city than Calgary is. Talk about a mistake. Oh well, too bad. I personally will continue to watch my Canadiens on RDS or RIS where the announcers call the full game (not just when Montreal touches the puck) and get excited when either team makes a great play. They show a variety of teams, not just Montreal (they also follow many other Eastern teams, including Ottawa, Boston, Pittsburg for example). Now that's announcing!!!

[Sandy T.]

"Bob Cole is a living legend"

You sure about the "living" part? This guy's best-by date was more than twenty years ago. And, having been there, I can assure you even his best wasn't all that great.

If he is a "legend", it's only because some folks are willing to equate longevity with talent. Ain't so. If anything, it's more the story of a public broadcaster that in the past didn't need to worry about the same kinds of things private ones do.

Trust me, Bob Cole would not have lasted anywhere near this long if CTV or Global or whomever had held the rights to HNIC.

I do agree with your takes on Hughson and Cuthbert though. Right now, Chris Cuthbert is undoubtedly the top play-by-play man in this country - followed closely by Gord Miller.

[dave terry]

Albertans don't bellyache about Toronto or eastern Canadians. Nice try. I lived in Alberta for 10 years and some Albertans spent every spare minute doing it. Obviously, this just isn't the right cause for you to complain about. Either that or you're a transplanted Torontonian.

[rekounas]

To the "provincialism" crap, that is a load of c##p. I am an Anglo and have been watching the Habs on RDS ever since I got RDS more then 6 years ago. I can't stand listening to Cole. He was a lot worse when he had Neale by his side. Whenever the Leafs are playing against any team, he doesn't know the name of the players, he is always behind the play, at the very least he could learn the goalies name. "The visiting goalie" is not his name. Applauding a great play by a team other then Leafs once in a while would be nice. Not acting like every contact against a Leafs player should be a penalty.

And then there is Cherry. Washington gets into the playoffs and who does he credit? Not the Russian super star. Not the great play of former Habs goalie and Frenchmen Huet. No mention of strong play by rookie Swede Backstrom. Nope! It was all Toronto born Bruce Boudreau. Don't get me wrong, he has done a fantastic job getting the team into the play-offs and probably should be coach of the year. But when you have the most explosive player in hockey, top rookie in the league, and a hot Ex-Hab goalie, man even Cherry could coach that team into the play-offs.

[Dav]

You know, I was wondering why it was that when I turned on my French CBC channel, they weren't playing the Habs vs. Bruins game. I figured it was for the sake of regional zones, but now I take it that TSN/RDS have the broadcasting rights in Quebec? Too bad, those French broadcasters get really excited and Bob Cole seems like he's always 3 plays behind while doing CBC's games. I was really hoping for some nice 'et le but!' moments.

[Matt]

While the Leafs have done poorly since the the lockout, they did happen to do rather well -- compared to the habs -- during Pat Quinn's years. It seems readers here don't seem to understand that there are 8 million people in southern Ontario and about 500,000 enlgish speakers in Quebec. So, the CBC covers the hockey team that can generate the most money, no matter what their standings are. Just look at the ratings and you'll see why they do this. I don't fault them one bit.

And not having the CBC do hockey to let the private sector do games? Only TSN does a comparable job in production and qaulity of broadcast. Sportsnet and Leafs TV is a joke. While I could go without McLean and Cherry, I enjoy the other things HNIC can offer.

[Bruce King]

Leaf fans are obviously CBC fans who won't bite the hand that feeds them. As the song goes "you can't have one without the other" CBC is a Liberal leaning propaganda machine for Toronto and the Leafs and it's all about money contrary to the CBC mandate for serving all canadians equally. It goes without saying, if your a CBC or TML fan under these circumstances then you might well get used to being referred as a hypocrite.

[Hockey Fan, therefore by Definition Not a Leaf Fan]

If I can't get the RDS feed, I will watch the game with NO sound, rather than listen to Cole et al. butcher the game. As for Cole being a living legend, sure he is. He is as much a living legend as a broadcaster as Tie Domi is a living legend as a hockey player.

I can walk into any sports bar, any night of the week, and find someone with a better understanding of the game, and with far better timing, than Cole.

[Jim]

Greetings Damien
The CBC (Can't Broadcast Canadiens) is a joke. I don't know how many e-mail's I sent them since the start of the season on why they continue to show the pathetic Maple Laffs....I live in Southern Ontario and have stopped watching HNIC..if the Laffs were a TV show on their own, it would be cancelled..and Bob Cole has to go......during game 1 during a 3rd period powerplay when Andrei Kostitsyn had the puck he kept on calling him Kostopoulos and when Roman Hamrlik had the puck and shot Cole called him Komisarek!!! But of course Cole would not know the Habs as he only see's the sweaters of the Boo and While...I will be watching with the sound off....Go Habs Go!!!!

[Bobby]

Bob Cole - living legend??? Wow. I don't know why he wanted to do the Montreal/Boston series as it is very plain to see that he dislikes the Habs. Case in point; It's late in the 3rd period, the Bruins are down by 3. The Habs take a penilty and Cole YELLS, "the Bruins aren't out of it yet!!!" Give me a break.