October 16, 2000
Warren and me - THE COMMENTARY
By Joseph Planta
VANCOUVER -- One of the more memorable moments of this humble correspondent’s life, is particularly funny, because I wouldn’t have known about it if someone hadn’t told me.
One year in merry old high school, we were assigned a project that would delve into a career we were most interested in. Being interested in the world of broadcasting and stifled by the fact mere resources had no insight in the world of an ‘open liner’, I decided that I should go to actual broadcasters in this region and query them on their profession.
Rafe Mair, whom I knew a little bit, got an e-mail from me that contained questions as to the nature of his job. Mr. Mair, to those unknowing, is this province’s highest rated open liner and most recognisable media personality on the airwaves of Marconi’s invention. He replied rather quickly and afforded my endeavour an invaluable resource. Another person, (besides Bill Good,) that was approached with questions from me was Peter Warren.
Warren - if you didn’t know already - is a quite unpleasant fellow on the air. He’s gruff, rude, blunt, short tempered and good at what he does, amongst other things. He made a career hosting an open line show in Winnipeg, and after 27 years of that he retired to our Vancouver Island.
The powers that be at Western International Communications, now Corus after they got swallowed up by Shaw, decided that a weekend open line program emanating from Vancouver would be ideal. Warren, now in semi-retirement was tapped to host, which also included fill-in work for Rafe Mair and Bill Good on CKNW. (As an aside, he fills in for vacationing Rafe Mair who on top of making six figures, gets 12 weeks off from his 2 and a half hour, five day a week job.)
Well, with Rafe Mair’s responses - which included the admission, “I make well into six figures, but I’m the best in Canada.” - I awaited the response of Peter Warren.
One day, during the composing of the so said project, I was approached by the teacher on whether I had sent a letter asking a radio host regarding his job. I paused for a moment wondering if I breached some rule as to keeping my inquisitiveness in check (I also paused, because I never told anyone of my work in getting these “interviews”.) The teacher said, someone else had told her that this so said host used my letter on the air and in his usual style made a fuss of it. He proclaimed emphatically one springy Saturday that he had no obligation to answer such questions and that I was being rather presumptuous in asking such questions.
Being rather puzzled as I wasn’t tuned when his tirade was broadcast, I decided to approach Peter Warren himself as to whether his response to my questions was related to this funny piece of radio heard by someone else other than me or that teacher. The next morning, in my e-mail inbox was a response from Warren that in fact my letter was used as the subject of an editorial and that, “suffice to say I am unable to reply to your request.” It was signed: “WARREN.”
That said, I was surprised that I attracted much debate. After he read my letter on the air, people from across the nation called in and defended me, saying he was being such a jerk for not helping a kid out with his project. I don’t hate Peter at all - although another media personality, in a separate endeavour, confided to me that he thought Warren was an “asshole” - he’s just a guy doing his job and entertaining us in the process. I’m glad to have been a part of his profession for that fleeting moment.
Recently, I wrote him to ask a question only he could answer. Not particularly expecting a response, he answered and did so rather cordially. I won’t say we’re on good terms, but it’s been fun getting to know him.
Questions and comments may be sent to: editor@thecommentary.ca
An archive of Joseph Planta's previous columns can be found by clicking HERE .