John Derringer and Corus

MONTYY

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JV brought down the morning show. It was CRAP, she sucked at it. She needed to go.
 

poker

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I listened to Jennifer Valentyne's twitter post in its entirety.

For a bit of context, I used to regularly listen to Derringer in the mornings. From the time he was hired to replace Stern (which I thought was brilliant as I found Stern to be insufferable) until pretty much when they brought Jennifer Valentyne onto the show. To be upfront, I thought that Jennifer Valentyne was terrible in her role. She was not cut out in the least for quick thinking, off the cuff interesting banter like you need in morning radio. Her previous experience was Good Morning Toronto TV shows. (I can't remember which, and I'm too lazy to look it up and I've never been a fan of the format and never watched or listened to it because it's shit frankly.) Thing is in TV morning shows, if you are doing a segment that is being taped, you can just do it over again. Anyway, I used to LOVE when Maureen Holloway was on the air on Q107 in the mornings and (I thought) there was great chemistry between her and Derringer. (Who the fuck knows, it all could just be an act.) When Auntie Mo left for her own show, I was so happy for her to get her own show, but I didn't follow here to 98.10 because they play shit music and Q107 plays at least some good music. So I stuck with Derringer. But I have to say, Derringer without Auntie Mo was like French fries without the ketchup. It just didn't work.

So then Q brought Jennifer Valentyne on board and I thought, "well, Derringer needs a woman to broaden the reach of the show and make for some interesting back and forth" (like Maureen Holloway did), but Valentyne just didn't have the chops. And she certainly could not keep up with Derringer. (Holloway certainly could, but she was seldom in studio, most of the time, she was working out of her house and dialed into all the various corus channels.) I knew the writing was on the wall for Valentyne and was not surprised when she left / got fired. She kind of deserved it for being lousy at her job.

In listening to Valentyne's twitter post, she did not say that Derringer sexually harassed her, but that he was abusive. Big difference. If he was sexually harassing her, he immediately crossed a line. But just being a prick to her? I'm not so sure.

I've worked in some pretty fucked up environments myself. It's definitely never easy. I've been in fist fights with other parties that I was working with, I've been in knock 'em out scream fests (usually about money), I've had to deal with liars, thieves, cheats, verbal abuse, petty rumours, lazy asses, shitty clients who don't pay, subcontractors who fuck up on their bids and expect me to pay more for their fuck ups (if I want them to follow through on their subcontract), I've been threatened with lawsuits, I've launched lawsuits, I've had to deal with clients who were complete rapists (metaphorically speaking) and think that they get everything under the sun and not what's written in the contract, I've been owed millions of dollars from clients and not been paid for over a year, other parties throwing things. It's not safe out there.

Should I have to deal with all of the above?

No. But I put on my big boy pants and pull my helmet on tight and figure out a fucking way around it.

I guess my point is that life is not fair. Nobody ever said it was.

So if Derringer sexually harassed her, he should be fired. If he made inappropriate remarks about her appearance or made her act in a sexually demeaning manner, he should be fired. But if he was just a prick to her, well, I'm sure he's got his side of the story. I will leave that up to corus on that.

And they sure as fuck should not be smoking or vaping in the studio. That has to stop and if it doesn't they should all be fired. That's a toxic ride that no-one should have to put up with.

You said you listened to her post, but never addressed her complaint.
 
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Dave58

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Anyone hear why Kim Mitchell was let go --- way back .
One of the ladies who commented on twitter lumped Kim in with the rest of them
 

james t kirk

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You said you listened to her post, but never addressed her complaint.
Which complaint in particular?

She complained not only about her time at Q107 (presumably) but about her entire career in media, how she was let go from Q107 and then hired on elsewhere in corus only to be fired from that job (She claimed that she was transferred only as a ruse to fire her).

She complained about the vaping several times, which I agree with is intolerable.

She complained about an abusive work environment.

But she did not state that she was sexually harassed.

She complained about how she was treated throughout her career. (She only worked with Derringer for a year or two I believe.)
 

poker

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Which complaint in particular?

She complained not only about her time at Q107 (presumably) but about her entire career in media, how she was let go from Q107 and then hired on elsewhere in corus only to be fired from that job (She claimed that she was transferred only as a ruse to fire her).

She complained about the vaping several times, which I agree with is intolerable.

She complained about an abusive work environment.

But she did not state that she was sexually harassed.

She complained about how she was treated throughout her career. (She only worked with Derringer for a year or two I believe.)
Boom… excessive Vaping in the studio.
 

james t kirk

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Boom… excessive Vaping in the studio.
Yes, I referred to her claim about vaping in the studio in my first post and I agree that it should not be happening. As a nonsmoker, I don't feel that people should be allowed to smoke in public places where other people are exposed to their second hand smoke. Not even outdoors. Same goes for vaping and pot smokers. I see people walking down the street every minute of every day smoking joints and forcing the stench on people who don't like it. If it were up to me, I'd arrest each and every one of them and toss them in jail.

But it begs the question, why did the management of corus permit vaping to happen at all? That should not be hard to control. It's no different than smoking. That needs to stop.

I started to rewatch Valentyne's twitter post again, but again, found she was not happy and claimed it was an abusive environment both at Q107 and in the media in general. But she stopped short of claiming sexual assault or sexual harassment other than being asked to standup and twirl (which she did and it sounds like it was 25 years ago).
 

MONTYY

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Anyone hear why Kim Mitchell was let go --- way back .
One of the ladies who commented on twitter lumped Kim in with the rest of them
They certainly found a convent time to let him go, he had some health issues then they never renewed his contract...then he went on tour. He vanished without a word
 

poker

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Yes, I referred to her claim about vaping in the studio in my first post and I agree that it should not be happening. As a nonsmoker, I don't feel that people should be allowed to smoke in public places where other people are exposed to their second hand smoke. Not even outdoors. Same goes for vaping and pot smokers. I see people walking down the street every minute of every day smoking joints and forcing the stench on people who don't like it. If it were up to me, I'd arrest each and every one of them and toss them in jail.

But it begs the question, why did the management of corus permit vaping to happen at all? That should not be hard to control. It's no different than smoking. That needs to stop.

I started to rewatch Valentyne's twitter post again, but again, found she was not happy and claimed it was an abusive environment both at Q107 and in the media in general. But she stopped short of claiming sexual assault or sexual harassment other than being asked to standup and twirl (which she did and it sounds like it was 25 years ago).
Because it’s John’s show. Also… probably poor management. I would also suspect it happens in many radio booths.
 
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lomotil

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Corus is going to be paying out some money to JV and or Derringer very soon.
 
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Adam_hadam

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During the morning drive, I always changed the station if the morning crew were talking. The exception is Stu Jeffries on 97.3.
 

underground

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Anyone hear why Kim Mitchell was let go --- way back .
One of the ladies who commented on twitter lumped Kim in with the rest of them
Big Max Webster and most of his solo stuff fan here. Kim was not a good DJ IMHO. He never seemed comfortable and it always seemed like he was acting the part at Q107.
 
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Dave58

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Toreonto Mike on twitter

Q107 has a fill-in morning show today. He's not saying "filling in for John Derringer". I'm told there's an internal Corus meeting at 10am to discuss.

With permission from Colleen, Howard just mentioned John Derringer would call Colleen Rusholme a "c*nt" when she worked on his show. The frequent abuse led to several years of therapy to treat "the PTSD".

I think we also need to highlight she said she went to the CEO who is also a Board member and he did nothing.
 
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silentkisser

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Abuse and harassment, sexual or not, is something no management team should allow. It is grounds to be fired, and it does open up a company to a law suit. It sounds like Derringer was a POS who treated all women co-workers like crap. The reality here is, even if Jennifer Valentyne sucked, she did not deserve the abuse. And, her performance could have been heavily influenced by his shitty behaviour.

The thing about media is these types seem to flourish and become worse as they gain power. Big name morning show host can get away with so much bullshit that an intern would be crucified for in a second.
 

Robert Mugabe

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Big Max Webster and most of his solo stuff fan here. Kim was not a good DJ IMHO. He never seemed comfortable and it always seemed like he was acting the part at Q107.
His true character became revealed if you listen to him talk. Basically a dick.
 

lomotil

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The John Derringer Show on Q107 is suspended pending the results of a third party investigation into the claims
Whether Derringer is guilty or not, the damage is already done as the stories are emerging in social media and in today’s climate the legal liabilities and the exodus of sponsers who will not want to be associated with anything the name, “ Derringer” will force Corus to terminate the show. Corus is now about to face hefty legal costs and payouts.
Corus turned a blind eye to Derringer’s on and off air heavy cocaine habit in the past.
 
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Dave58

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lol............ Had to come over to my alt account for this one. Worked there! Worked with him. I got along with him but saw his abusive behaviour and how he was protected for 11 years. Corus is/was an EXTREMELY toxic workplace. The conduct of certain on air staff was protected and indulged as along as I was there. The names of the men who fostered this environment should be included. I will go first. JJ Johnston, Dave Farough, John Hayes, Mario Cecchini, Ross Winters, Troy Reeb, Brad Phillips, Doug Murphy, Blaire Bartrem ... I could go on. And don'
 

Dave58

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Corus Entertainment is suspending highly-rated Q107 (CILQ-FM) Toronto morning show Derringer in the Morning, following a gender discrimination complaint filed with the Canadian Human Rights Commission by former co-host Jennifer Valentyne.

Over the weekend, Valentyne posted a 13-minute video to her social media channels detailing a toxic work culture during her time with the show from early 2017 to 2019, that included enduring vape smoking by her co-hosts in an unventilated space, and a general lack of respect.

The veteran Toronto media personality alleges that after developing a persistent cough, losing her voice, and despite numerous complaints – including discussing the situation with company CEO Doug Murphy – Corus chose to shuffle her out of the radio show and into a television role with Global News that she had previously been told she “wasn’t a good fit for.” She was part of layoffs at the network a little more than a year later.

In an emailed statement to Broadcast Dialogue Tuesday morning, attributed to Q107, the station said based on new information that’s come to light about the conduct of the Derringer in the Morning team, the show will be on hiatus pending an external investigation.

“We are aware that Ms. Valentyne has voiced concerns about her time in the broadcasting industry, including from her time with us,” reads the statement. “A few years ago, Ms. Valentyne shared certain concerns and we took action to review at that time. There is also a process underway with the Canadian Human Rights Commission. We have had mediated conversations with her, been responsive to proceedings, and we are waiting determination of next steps. We take these matters seriously and look forward to a resolution.”

“Over the past two days we have received new information about workplace concerns in our station,” the statement continues. “We have referred these to our ethics and conduct team and will be conducting an external investigation. Effective immediately and during the course of the investigation the show Derringer in the Morning will be on hiatus pending the conclusion of the investigation.”

“Any concerns involving employee experience are of the utmost importance to us and we are committed to listen, learn and take any appropriate action.”

Some of that “new” information undoubtedly is linked to Derringer’s alleged treatment of other former female co-hosts and colleagues. Following Valentyne coming forward, former Q107 staffers like Jacqui Delaney, Andrea Rooz, and Raina Douris took to social media to relate their own experiences, as outlined by media blogger and podcaster Toronto Mike.
 

tml

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Coming soon...the John Derringer podcast. Look for it on your favourite podcast platforms. :D
 
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