Don Cherry put on seven second delay

[bob_barron 0]

CBC puts Cherry on 7-second delay

Last Updated Fri, 06 Feb 2004 20:40:14

 

 

TORONTO - The CBC isn't going to let controversial Hockey Night in Canada commentator Don Cherry say whatever he wants, from now on.

 

Harold Redekopp, the executive vice-president of CBC Television, says the network will put Cherry on a seven-second delay after he made "inappropriate and reprehensible personal" comments during the broadcast on Jan. 24.

 

 

Ron MacLean and Don Cherry on Coach's Corner (file photo)

 

During the first period intermission Cherry spoke out about players wearing visors on their helmets. In full flight he said, "most of the guys that wear them are Europeans or French guys ..."

 

The remark was roundly criticized by French language groups across the country. Canada's Official Languages Commissioner Dyan Adam also noticed. A spokesperson said the commissioner feels it's an "important enough issue that she's going to investigate" whether Cherry's remarks violate the Official Languages Act.

 

In his news release on Friday, Redekopp said CBC Television "categorically rejects and denounces his opinions," while at the same time acknowledging that Cherry has been "an important part of the Canadian hockey scene as a player, coach and commentator over the past five decades.

 

"Fans across the country have tuned in to Hockey Night in Canada's Coach's Corner for over 20 years because of his insights and understanding of the game," the release said.

 

 

But, Redekopp says, Cherry's remarks were "inappropriate and reprehensible opinion as part of his discussion about the use of visors." His comments on Jan. 24, said Redekopp, "stepped beyond the role."

 

Cherry has been in trouble many times before for his controversial comments, which aren't limited to hockey.

 

Last year, he and host Ron MacLean stirred up a hornets' nest when they spent an entire Coach's Corner discussing Canada's decision not to join the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

 

In 1998, CBC ombudsman David Bazay ruled Cherry went too far when he ranted about Jean-Luc Brassard being selected as Canada's flag-bearer at Nagano Olympics. Cherry called the Olympic gold medalist "a French guy, some skier that nobody knows about."

 

Cherry has also taken on Quebec nationalists, saying "they don't like the Canadian flag but they want our money, we bail them out. I've never seen such a bunch of whiners in my life."

 

The CBC will now put Coach's Corner on a seven-second delay. "This practice is common on many live broadcasts and is in effect immediately," Redekopp said.

 

The controversy swept across Parliament on Friday, too. The Bloc Québécois called Cherry's remarks racist. And Denis Coderre the minister responsible for la Francophonie, says he's fed up with Cherry.

 

"Frankly, I think that when you are talking about it and calling the Frenchmen wimps, I mean it's unacceptable."

 

NDP Leader Jack Layton said he was annoyed by the implication about French Canadian hockey players. "One of my most vivid memories is going to the Montreal Forum with my dad, at age six, and seeing Boom Boom Geoffrion, Maurice Richard, the Pocket Rocket [Henri Richard], playing the most amazing hockey. They are some of the greatest hockey players in Canadian history."

 

But Conservative MP Peter MacKay said people are overreacting. "It seems to be more of a commentary on their style of play, as opposed to anything to do with their language or ethnic origins."

 

Coach's Corner won't be seen this weekend. The CBC will broadcast the annual NHL All-Star game. Cherry will return to his regular slot on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14.

 

 

 

Here's a statement from the CBC about Cherry's comments:

 

A Statement from the Executive Vice-President of CBC Television

February 6, 2004

 

I want to make clear the CBC Television position with respect to Don Cherry.

 

Mr. Cherry has been an important part of the Canadian hockey scene as a player, coach and commentator over the past five decades. Fans across the country have tuned into Hockey Night in Canada's Coach's Corner for over 20 years because of his insights and understanding of the game.

 

Mr. Cherry's role on Coach's Corner is, and has always been, as a hockey commentator. However, during the January 24th show he unacceptably stepped beyond that role by expressing an inappropriate and reprehensible personal opinion as part of his discussion about the use of visors.

 

CBC Television categorically rejects and denounces the personal opinions Mr. Cherry expressed during the segment. Comments such as those expressed during the show cannot be repeated and will not be tolerated.

 

CBC Television must manage its airwaves responsibly. In order to do this, CBC Sports will broadcast Coach's Corner on a seven-second delay. This practice is common on many live broadcasts and is in effect immediately.

 

Additionally, CBC Sports management have reviewed the January 24th broadcast with Mr. Cherry, and have his assurances that comments of this nature will not be repeated.

 

Harold Redekopp

Executive Vice-President

CBC Television

[Slayer 0]

Those are considered "inappropriate" type comments?

 

Pussy-ass Canadians

[Guest FrigidSoul]

The French shall now be refered to as "Visor Wearers" in a derogatory manner.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

Was I the only one reading "Harold Redekopp"'s name and thinking "Robocop"?

[A Happy Medium 0]

Yayhoo, new French jokes! Should we start calling them Visorians?

[treble 0]

It's funny that everyone's calling for his head over this, especially considering what he said is pretty much factual.

 

And I don't think he's live every week, anyway. When there's 2 games on at 7, they usually tape it earlier since the intermissions don't match-up.

[The Electrifyer 0]

Holy crap, how many things are going to have a 7-second delay now? CBC has a delay and the Pro-Bowl and Grammy's might have one too. People are getting a little too paranoid about live television now.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

For a sec I thought Mr. Cherry exposed his right tit to a TV audience.

 

Oh, yeah, fuck French hockey players...

[razazteca 0]

The French shall now be refered to as "Visor Wearers" in a derogatory manner.

Damn those frenchies for wanting protect their pretty faces from flying hockey pucks and sticks.

[Brush with Greatness 0]

"most of the guys that wear them are Europeans or French guys ..."

 

Okay, to begin with, how is this, as the Bloc put it, a racist comment? Last I checked, the race of said French players was Caucasian.

 

And secondly what is wrong with this? I mean, for the most part its true. Is French guys a new slur? People are playing it up like he called them frogs or something.

 

Next time I suppose Cherry should just refer to them as French-Canadians or Francophones.

[The Czech Republic 0]

What the hell's an ombudsman?

 

I think that could be used out of context and could probably piss somebody off more than "those French guys."

 

"Friggin' ombudsmen are always worried about their eyes."

 

now THAT hurts.

[Lightning Flik 0]

What the hell's an ombudsman?

 

I think that could be used out of context and could probably piss somebody off more than "those French guys."

 

"Friggin' ombudsmen are always worried about their eyes."

 

now THAT hurts.

Ombudsman is an offical term for "Government Lawyer".

 

Don't correct me on that, fellow Canadians if it isn't totally true. My Aunt IS one and she said that's basically what the job is. It's basically the equivilent.