Global’s new national Morning Show: Four people at a desk talking
On Monday, Global television debuted its new national morning show. It was kind of a surprise announcement before Christmas (unlike the local morning shows in Montreal and Halifax, which we’ve been waiting for since 2010), and didn’t get a lot of hype.
Having watched the first episode, it’s easy to see why. Though the idea of something to compete with Canada AM sounds pretty exciting, Global’s national morning show feels like exactly what it is: A half-hour extension to the Global Toronto morning show that doesn’t offer much that would take people away from their laptop screens, recordings of the previous night’s shows, or reruns on cable.
Now, I’ll admit that a lot of what I don’t like about this show is the kind of stuff I don’t like about most morning shows: a lack of actual information and depth, and this idea that we care about the most boring aspects of the hosts’ personal lives or their impromptu, uninformed thoughts about the news. It’s one thing when banter fills the 20 seconds at the end of an hour-long newscast, but to base an entire show off of this sounds like a waste of everyone’s time.
But I’m obviously not the target audience for this show. I might feel differently if I was a stay-at-home mom who apparently wants to watch this stuff.
Rick Campanelli (left), Liza Fromer (right) and random people walking in front of the building in downtown Toronto.
The show, hosted by Liza Fromer, Kris Reyes and Rosey Edeh, airs from 9am to 9:30am, after the local morning show. It airs live at 10am in Atlantic Canada (Global doesn’t have a station in Newfoundland), and tape delayed at 9am in Central, Mountain and Pacific time zones. When a local morning show launches in Montreal, this show will immediately follow it.
I kind of expected that, knowing the importance of first impressions, Global would have pulled out all the stops to ensure that this particular half-hour broadcast would be special. But all it had was chatting and two interviews with Canadian actors.
Here’s how it played out:
The show started off with host Fromer asking guest host Rick Campanelli how his weekend went. Then segued into Fromer having not been able to see Skyfall in a theatre because it was full (even though it’s been out for weeks), and a discussion about how “you can’t have a spontaneous night in Toronto anymore.”
Then it was on to the planned discussions, about the NHL lockout ending (and some commentary on player salaries being higher than they were a generation ago), a leaked photo of Justin Bieber smoking pot (with usual hypocritical trashing of celebrity gossip while at the same time talking about celebrity gossip), and a Hillary Clinton biopic (and who should star as her).
After the first commercial break, an interview with Arctic Air star Adam Beach, in which they talk about the show, about Yellowknife and how different from the rest of Canada the hosts imagine it should be, and a painfully bad attempt by Beach to explain the Idle No More movement.
Another commercial break, and (right after an ad for his show, which airs on Global) a pretaped one-on-one interview via satellite with actor Victor Garber.
One final commercial break, and we get to the social media part of the broadcast and a streeter about what people call unmarried long-term romantic partners. And that’s it. Show’s over.
Technically, the show looks slick enough. It has a storefront location with big windows on one side and a giant screen behind the hosts on the other. It’s all in high definition, and with a real set.
The studio appears to be equipped with two cameras on jibs (they’re seen in each other’s shots), and it looks like the crew just got them because they play with them far too much. Jib and crane shots are fun because the camera appears to fly through the air like magic. But too much use and it gets disorienting. The fact that such a small set would have two of them (it’s not like they have a live audience or anything) seems excessive.
But that’s a minor thing. My issue is with the substance, not the style.
Toronto-plus
As if to drive home the point that this is a half-assed national edition of a local morning show, The Morning Show doesn’t have its own website. Instead, morningshow.ca simply points to the Toronto morning show, which notes that it has a “National” broadcast at 9. There’s no real distinction on their website or on their social media pages between the local Toronto show and the national one.
Maybe that’ll change. Or maybe the people at Global aren’t terribly aware how annoyed the rest of Canada is with how Toronto-centric their national television is getting.
Either way, though it’s nice that Global is increasing its original programming, and giving us something better at 9am than 100 Huntley Street, The Morning Show just doesn’t feel like it’s worth my time, and it’ll be hard to win me back after this first impression.
What do you think? There doesn’t seem to be any way to watch the full show online, but if you have seen it on TV I’m curious what you think of it and whether it’s worth your time.
The Morning Show airs nationally from 9am to 9:30am on Global Television (10am in the Atlantic time zone).
Given how Shaw promised the CRTC that they would burn a certain amount of cash on this kind of stuff, and that it probably exists for no other reason than that, you’re taking it way too seriously.
Shaw promised the CRTC local morning shows, but nothing about a national one. Now obviously it doesn’t cost too much to extend a three-hour morning show by half an hour and carry that nationally (which means I can’t imagine them using it as a method to burn the $45 million they’re supposed to spend on morning shows). But nothing about the national part was mandated by the CRTC.
Why wouldn’t the accountants consider it part of burning off that money? Either way, the whole exercise seems more cynical than usual, little to do with expecting actual viewers.
For one, if it’s not considered local programming, it would be hard to justify it to the CRTC. And secondly, does it look like they’re burning a lot of extra money by expanding that show by half an hour?
I give it a month. If that’s indicative of what they’re planning for the Montreal show, lord help us.
Also, that “The Morning Show” graphic looks like it was done in Corel Draw by a grade-schooler. And the name is anything but unique.
Lame.
A little correction…Canada AM hasn’t been a national morning show in a few years. It only airs in Ontario and a few other markets.
Canada AM is replaced by “CTV Morning Live” local morning shows in Western Canada, but Canada AM is still produced as a national morning show, airing on most stations in Eastern Canada, some affiliates, and on CTV News Channel.
I couldn’t agree more with everything you said.
When the Toronto morning show launched last year it promised to be a groundbreaking with free-flowing smart conversation. Cut to the chase and rename the show ‘Liza, and people who agree with her…’ Since this show began it has ‘dumbed down’ to attract more viewers. Daru knew too much, Dave was too smart, who’s next, the boom operator… You had a huge opportunity to have a show that led the way in information and opinion, now what do we get, viral video of the day. I’m not mad, I’m saddened by your choices…. Buh-bye from yeat another loyal viewer from DAY ONE!!!
Why are you dissing 100 Huntley Street? Pretty much the most successful religious organization ever in Canada. Then, again, at 5 am I would prefer the New York Times in my mailbox, but alas I get the Gazette. Now that’s a letdown.
Your new morning program is Sooo unreal.
maybe you should do a real story , like . What is it like to live with no money,no job , no family and you live with a bully that attacks you when she is drunk. Who cares about what is going on in Hollywood. maybe you should look in your own back
yard before telling people of what is going on in Hollywood.
Doesn’t surprise me considering the 9 AM start time. The later the morning show, the more dumb-downed it is. Even The Today Show has a reputation for getting less and less newsy by the hour.
Steve, I think you wrote a good post here, but you need to tackle the root of the disease: corporate media is terrified of offending anybody and this has led to really bad news reporting.
I’m not sure what you mean by “offending anybody”. In any case, it’s a morning show, so it’s going to be fluffy.
Pretty low news reporting here. When all else fails why not spend some time talking about how dumb the university students are in Newfoundland and Labrador. That’s what happened yesterday. Furthermore, they continued to discuss the terrible school system there…informed experts all these Toronto centered media types! Why is Newfoundland television airing this ignorant program?
Going national was a Hail Mary pass for Global. The Morning Show ratings are dismal compared with BT, CP24 and Canada AM so they needed to make a dramatic effort to bump up their ratings. Across Ontario, the show is still in the toilet. They will use their national numbers to give the illusion that their show is being “seen” by more people.
As for content, Liza is a bubblehead who would rather spend 6 hours drinking, smoking and getting drunk at the Four Seasons than doing research for the show (she even tweets about it!). Her hard-living, unprofessional behaviour goes back to BT, something that aggravated her former host Kevin. It’s no secret that Kevin was glad to see her go.
Global went dredgeing when they found her and not surprisingly her fan base is not only small but decidely base.
Man, you people sure spend a lot of energy drudging up hatred. Just change the channel. Everyone gets to watch what they want.
Wow. Dave Gerry booted off another morning show. He had just been ejected from CityTV Vancouver’s Breakfast Television. The man was excellent on it. It was a pleasure to have on in the background… he is an educated broadcaster, came off down-to-Earth, but very dry wit that many female co-hosts just can’t hack.
And here I thought Global Toronto was going to develop their talent and build an audience. But if something is not a loud overnight success, it gets changed. Liza comes off like a self-entitled sloth.
There were so many subtle awkward moments in mid-2012 on the show; I had it on in the background. Daru would always look pissed off about a Liza comment. Liza would always have a very terse look when Dave Gerry gave her a little ribbing.
Now both are gone. Show just now feels like a vanity piece for Liza. Rosey seems like a normal person, but I don’t know that she’s a broadcaster. Something oddly attractive about Kris Reyes, but she is so clearly starstruck and can’t believe she’s on TV. Then we have to sit through her film-student quality interviews complete with extreme close-ups of fingers and eyeballs during the interview.
Quality control is complete gone. Guess we’re just all glad the camera is in focus (or maybe we aren’t).
Are you sure Dave Gerry was booted off Global Toronto Morning Show? He’s now doing features on Global Toronto supper hour news program. I only found out Dave was gone from Morning Show, the day after he left. Apparently the day he was gone, Global Toronto Morning Show on-air did give a explanation. They were saying, he wanted to do different things at Global Toronto(could he have been forced out of the Morning Show?). I do remember he was fired as co-host from CityTV Vancouver Breakfast Television several years ago.
Did Daru quit on her own, or was she forced out? Global Toronto Morning Show claims Daru quit on her own without warning.
BTW, you know the Senior Producer of Global Toronto Morning Show comes from Montreal(most recently the Assistant News Director at Global Montreal). Previous to that, she was the Senior Producer for This Morning Live program on Global Montreal(until it was cancelled in 2008). She only took over the Global Toronto Morning Show 6-8 months ago by my estimate.
The executive producer you speak of from Montreal is part of the problem. A leadership vacuum was created when she started due to her ineffective, incompetent and indecisive management style. She’s a lackey for Global management who allows Liza to control the entire show. (Note: the change in content to light fluff, makeup and makeovers etc soon after the changeover) It doesn’t help that she moved her entire family to Toronto and is sacred to death of Liza and her track record of wielding the axe. Currently, most of the producers, crew and talent have no confidence or trust in her as a boss. It is the most fragmented, unhappy and duplicitous television environment of any Toronto morning show.
All problems with the current team and show steam from a lack of leadership and an unchecked ego.
I can’t imagine a successful management team like City or CTV would allow this unrest to fester.
Whatever Global says about the departure of Dave and Daru I’m sure you can read between the lines. Global is not known as a bastion of truth. No one voluntarily gives up a host salary to become a reporter. There is a significant pay differential after all. Once you’ve made it to the boardroom Steve, would you ask to be transfered to the mailroom?
Do you remember the Executive Producer name? It had just slip my memory(that’s why I didn’t mention her name originally). Her background from her Montreal days was majority Lifestyle or Entertainment programming.
Love all these comments .They are more informative and entertaining than the actual show in question. Keep them coming.
What now Rosey’s gone too?
The content is terrible, but Liza Fromer and her poor delivery, and laugh! Unbearable
Unbelievably, poorly researched content. This is just a 30 minute extension of their ridiculous Toronto Morning program, including a continuous reference to local TO happenings. Global only calls it “National” to satisfy a federal requirement for more cross-country programming and an attempted numbers rating boost. Another American import is preferable to this pathetic substitute.
This show is absolutely “meaningless fluff”. Who cares about these people’s opinions on the ridiculous topics like celebrity lives, what they did for the weekend, Big Brother Canada, Toronto, Toronto, Toronto…etc. etc.
Who are these host people anyways?
Liza Fromer and her ridiculous laugh and “air head” style of interviews and interjecting her comments over top of everyone else in the conversations. It’s a waste of a good half hour of morning television before the soaps come on. 100 Huntley Street has more valuable content and conversation than this ridiculous morning show.
Global Execs must think the average Canadian who might be interested in this show is as “air headed” as Liza Fromer herself.
I could watch it when Dave Gerry was on it, but after he got the boot, I couldn’t handle it anymore. Liza needs to learn that another host disagreeing with her opinions does not make them wrong. We WANT to hear different perspectives; not hear you jump on someone who disagrees with you. It is not a fun atmosphere to watch; they all seem kind of down.
Mon. Aug22/13
Had to give my head a shake…thought it was the “View” I was watching…All girls interrupting & talking at once…Liza dominating as usual……(Take a breath)….Hey wait…was that not a host from Calgary Shaw..Yep I saw (Didn’t hear) Gord Gillies!!! Oh well, maybe he’ll be properly introduced tomorrow 9-9:30….after all he is a very popular News Anchor on Calgary/Shaw!!!
Problems at The Morning Show continue, with ratings that continue to drop. The show is currently Ratings is still dead last–averaging below a .2 share in the coveted 35-45 female demographic.
Soon after the show’s launch in 2011 ratings were trending upwards and showed promise for a new morning show especially, from 8-9AM. Viewership however, was disproportionately back-weighed in the final hour. Unlike the first two Liza-centric hours, that did poorly, featuring Liza Fromer’s solo interviews and self-centered chats, the final hour, featuring all four original hosts, was significantly stronger in the ratings.
The failure of the show is that Global did not listen to their viewer. Instead, they decided to focus even more on Fromer. While Fromer’s presence increased, ratings decreased. Global bet the bank on Fromer and failed. The show is a flop. Just how long it will be allowed to flat line is anyone’s guess?
Early last month, the National Global Morning Show added ex-Montrealer Leslie Roberts as a co-host joining Liza Fromer. Has that helped(I haven’t watched the show for a long time)?
Every morning my wife and I tune in for about 3 seconds to see what the ladies are wearing. My wife calls them “the aunties.” She says “turn it to the aunties so I can see their old lady clothes.” They never disappoint. Liza’s usually wearing some horrid mother of the bride thing that make us howl. She’s also always got an expression of superiority on her face, like she’s a bit ticked at something, and pretty much never smiles. The co-hosts meekly let her lead on everything and stay carefully in the background, like they’re all afraid of her The cameras swing around endlessly changing angles until I’m dizzy. I’ve tried listening a few times but the aunties’ living room opinions on totally irrelevant topics make my eyes glaze over with complete boredom. Then I flip between cbc and cp24 to find out what I need to know to start my day. Terrible show, it has no redeeming qualities whatsoever.
Totally agree, not worth getting up for. Liza’s sense of superiority is my reason for tuning out. Surely, Global can do better than Liza and crew. Topics can be of more interest. Too many talk shows on air as it is. Global can certainly come up with something different to fill this airspace. Just no cooking, no talk. Interview one on one would be nice, providing it is not hosted by ‘ the morning show’ hosts.
Today is the 2nd day that Liza mentioned Bethenny’s comment on her “having great boobs.” Really? I cringed when she mentioned it earlier in the week. Today, I was embarrassed for her. Enough Liza….I am no longer tuning in to The Morning Show with Liza…..blech.
i am out in the sticks of sw ont. finally got a real tv , and wife started tuning into this show, and i thought, what a POS. glad to see that others agree! i only watch now to see just how stupid these people are. it is june 2015 ,so i do not expect any improvements. these cretins also appear to be cheerleaders for comrade wynne. cheers infowarrior
It’s absolutely shocking how this morning show has gone from unwatchable to unbearable!
It’s a train wreck, but then again so is Global. They will NEVER have a successful morning show
or newscast because the same people who ran CanWest into the ground and into bankruptcy are
still there running the place. Truly the most incompetent group of managers to ever exist in broadcasting. They should have been shown the door Day 1. Message to Brad Shaw: Open your eyes man!!! Take a good look at the lack of leadership you have running the place. You wonder why Global is hemorrhaging money?
Do not miss Liza Fromer on Morning Show but wish her the best of luck for her future. Many of us wish that Jennifer Valentyne.. would come back on air with her own Talk Show. Great Personality…So Beautiful!!
Liza is so ignorant of world news, and someone please teach her how to do an interview.
Most of morning shows are cringe-worthy, CTV AM was half-decent. Unless you are a housewife, a stay-at-home mom or retired most of people have no time to watch those shows. Most of us work, get up early and must get the kids ready for school, get ready for work etc. The early morning news are a re-hash of the same stuff from the day before, even on news networks such as CNN or CBC News