Latest news with #TimCherry
CBC
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
Don Cherry, 91, signs off from podcast for the final time
Social Sharing Famed Canadian sportscaster Don Cherry signed off from his podcast for the final time. The 91-year-old Cherry had hosted Don Cherry's Grapevine Podcast since August 2023, producing 313 episodes in total. His son and cohost, Tim Cherry, said on the finale that it had racked up 6.5 million downloads. Cherry's bold suits were matched only by his even bolder opinions. But he went too far on Nov. 9, 2019, in a televised rant about people not wearing poppies, seemingly aimed at immigrants. Cherry, who denied targeting new Canadians, was fired two days later. Rogers Sportsnet president Bart Yabsley announced the decision, saying Cherry "made divisive remarks that do not represent our values or what we stand for." For nearly 40 years, Cherry — a pugnacious former minor league defenceman who later coached the NHL's Boston Bruins and Colorado Rockies — made his name on Coach's Corner during Hockey Night in Canada. WATCH | Don Cherry tells CBC he regrets his choice of words: 'I should have said everybody': Don Cherry tells CBC he regrets his choice of words 6 years ago Duration 3:05 Don Cherry speaks to CBC News after being fired for comments he made Cherry had long been known as a controversial voice in hockey circles, but no moment left a lasting mark quite like that day in 2019. "Well, Tim, this is our last show. ... Thanks everybody for listening and toodaloo," Cherry said on his final podcast episode.
National Post
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- National Post
Don Cherry, 91, signs off from Grapevine podcast for final time
'Thanks everybody for listening and toodaloo.' Article content With those six words, one of the most famous, combative and, yes, popular Canadian sportscasters signed off for what sure sounded like the final time. Article content Article content A frail-sounding Don Cherry, the now 91-year-old long-time icon of Hockey Night In Canada icon, ended the final episode of Don Cherry's Grapevine Podcast, which dropped this week. Article content The show, done with his son Tim, included 313 episodes, giving Grapes a forum since he was bounced from Hockey Night back in 2019 after comments in which he used 'you people' in talking about newcomers to the country marking Remembrance Day. Article content The podcast, which Tim Cherry noted had 6.5 million downloads over its run, was an opportunity for Grapes to stay in touch with the hockey world and for his loyal fan base to get a regular fix. Article content During the final episode, which lasted just 15 minutes, Tim asked his father questions submitted by listeners before the quick Grapes sign off. Article content 'We've been listened to all around the world,' Tim Cherry said, in the closing minute. 'It's just amazing how many different countries people download and listen to it.' Article content Though nowhere near as verbose as he was in his heyday, Grapes weighed in on some topics presented to him by his son. Article content On the Panthers winning the Stanley Cup final: 'They were the better team. But there's no way I was going to go against Edmonton.' Article content Article content On the Leafs being seen as the second-best team because they took the Panthers seven games: 'You have to if they went seven games. But it looked awful that seventh game.' Article content On whether Brad Marchand should have won the Conn Smythe trophy as the post-season MVP: 'I thought Marchand was pretty good. They should have given it to both of them. Marchand should have won it.' Article content Though Cherry had his detractors, many would say that Hockey Night In Canada has never been the same since his departure, a broadcast that has lacked a strong identity through a number of personnel changes. Article content The other side of the debate, of course, is that it was time for Cherry to go and the controversial comment was the final straw for the Rogers executives who sent him packing. Article content Though the podcast had its followers, obviously it had nowhere near the impact of Cherry's words delivered from the Hockey Night In Canada pulpit, must-see viewing for hockey fans every Saturday night for decades. Article content
