Category Archives: Podcast

with Don Landry and Bill Hayes

The Gist Of It – February 29, 2012

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Who would YOU cast in a remake of The Love Boat?

Welcome, welcome, welcome, to another edition of The Gist Of It. Don Landry and Bill Hayes are your hosts for a rip roaring clash of ideas and opinions on a wide range of topics. Like any other red-blooded Canadian, the guys love their hockey. Not so crazy about the NHL trade deadline, though. They talk about the trades, Rick Nash and the state of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Women’s curling is a hot topic, as are the Oscars and a remake of The Love Boat. And a recent study that shows that the richer you are, the more likely you are to lie, cheat and steal.

Segment 1 – The NHL trade deadline. Bill actually pvr’d portions of it. Not Don. He stayed away from his TV. They have ideas on how to revamp the deadline.

Segment 2 – Does Leafs’ General Manager Brian Burke have all his eggs in the Toronto Marlies’ basket?

Segment 3 – Rick Nash and his request to be traded. Don thinks Columbus Blue Jackets’ GM Scott Howson was certainly within his rights to tell people Nash asked for a trade.

Segment 4 – Women’s curling!! Don, of course, is a huge curling fan. Bill tells us he kinda digs The Scotties. They discuss the sex appeal of the sport. And Heather Nedohin’s “S#!+balls!”

[button link=”http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/eh-game/scotties-champ-nedohin-turns-balls-sugar-balls-cash-024641919.html” window=”yes”]To read Don’s blog on Heather Nedohin’s “S#!+balls!” moment, click here.[/button]

Segment 5 – A new study done by big-brain schools in both Toronto and California shows that rich people are more likely to lie, steal and cheat. Certainly, they drive poorly, Don says.

Segment 6 – The Oscars. Crystal, Jolie, and The Dictator. Snarky comments on all of them. And, sure, Don reiterates his dislike of Meryl Streep.

Segment 7 – You know it. It’s time for someone to bring back “The Love Boat.” The guys discuss who they’d cast as The Captain, Gopher, Julie, Doc and Isaac. Why? Ummm… just… because.

Segment 8 – Ever wondered where the word “dude” came from? Bill has. So, he found out.

There it is. Hey, who would you cast as Landry and Hayes in a remake of this podcast?

[box border=”full”]To read: “ESPN Runs For Cover Over Lin, Bretos,” click here.[/box]

The Gist Of It – February 23, 2012

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Mitt Romney: Enraptured by Michigan’s inanimate objects.

On this week’s TGOI, Don and Bill make fun of Mitt Romney. Well, not so much as Mitt makes fun of himself. By, you now, just talking. What about Rob Ford and his vendetta against the now-fired TTC General Manager, Gary Webster? Feel better now that you kicked Poindexter out of the sandbox, Mr. Mayor? ESPN suspends one employee and fires another over Jeremy Lin – related comments, and for some mysterious, twisted reason, Rihanna has decided to do a duet with the guy who assaulted her. What’s love got to do with it? Indeed.

Segment 1 – Is Mayor Ford’s firing of the TTC’s general manager fair or foul? Can he learn to play nice? Does he care? We hear he has a burgeoning radio career….

Segment 2 – Mitt Romney likes everything in Michigan, it seems. The guys have some fun with Mitt’s new found exuberance.

Segment 3 – ESPN suspends an anchor for saying “chink in the armor” at the wrong time. Don takes them to task for what he sees as the wrong decision.

[box border=”full”]To read Don’s column: “ESPN Runs for Cover Over Lin, Bretos,” click here.[/box]

Segment 4 – The NHL’s trade deadline. Dead would be the operative word here. Bill’s tired of the hype. Don just wants the big picture, not a thousand tiny ones.

Segment 5 – Bill thinks Whitney Houston’s funeral should have been more about cautionary tales than album sales. Don’s disappointed in everyone. Except Alicia Keys.

Segment 6 – What in THE hell is wrong with Rihanna? A duet with the guy who assaulted her?! Bill finds it a sad commentary on society itself. Don wonders if Rihanna is to be pitied or pilloried.

And there you have it. Bill Hayes and Don Landry just sittin’ around and jabbering on like the rocket surgeons they are. So many, many problems solved in one tiny, little weekly podcast. See ya next week.

The Gist Of It – February 9, 2012

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Karen Stintz (holding baby) seems to have reservations about Toronto’s transit plan, as Mayor Rob Ford (background) excitedly waves to the crowd

This week on TGOI, The incredible world of municipal politics once again captures the fancy of Don Landry and Bill Hayes. Transit City returns from the dead. At least for now. As well, the guys take you behind the scenes at that Budweiser “Flash Fans” Super Bowl commercial, talk over the relative merits of Mats Sundin and the NHL’s Winter Classic, and discuss the incredible case of a Quebec man who ended up being treated like a terrorist after one little text message. This week’s episode of the Gist Of It has been endorsed by the Donald! (Landry, that is.)

Segment 1 – Transit City. Is it really back? What’s the next twist in this enduring Toronto saga? Is Karen Stintz ready to run for mayor? Don has an idea for a musical based on the whole sordid tale.

[button link=”http://www.donlandry.com/2012/02/transit-city-the-musical/” window=”yes”]To see Don’s blog “Transit City: The Musical!” click here[/button]

Segment 2  – Bill talks about his inability to feel the love for either team on Super Bowl Sunday. Don makes a crack about Madonna.

Segment 3 – The new age of Super Bowl advertising. It isn’t actually about the number of people who see your commercial during the game, anymore. And, Will Ferrell’s LOCAL beer commercial in Nebraska.

Segment 4 – Don took part in the Budweiser Super Bowl “Flash Fans” commercial, shot at the Port Credit Arena. He takes you behind the scenes and talks about the secrecy that surrounded the ad.

[button link=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0qZYqdsYAg&feature=youtu.be” window=”yes”]To see the Budweiser ad, click here[/button]

Segment 5 – Don is almost giddy with excitement over the prospects of next year’s Winter Classic between the Leafs and Red Wings, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Bill… well… “meh.”

Segment 6 – The Leafs hoist a Mats Sundin banner to the rafters this weekend. Just where does he rank on the list of all-time greats? Should his number 13 be retired?

Segment 7 – The crazy story of a Quebec man who had his door kicked in by law enforcement officers after he sent a text message to his colleagues exhorting them to “blow away the competition” while they were at a trade show in New York.

There you have it. We apologize if we went beyond giving you merely the gist of some topics. Oh, and do yourself a favour. Check out William Shatner’s version of “Rocket Man.”

 

The Gist Of It – February 1, 2012

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Why would Newt Gingrich choose a tune by “Survivor” as a campaign song? Wouldn’t a band named “Celebrity Apprentice” be more appropriate? After all, that appears to be his next stop.

This week’s “Gist Of It” is filled with mistakes. Sure, yeah, some of them are made by Don and Bill, as per usual. However, the guys get to exercise their sanctimony and train it on targets in sports, politics and just plain, ol’ everyday life. Toronto Council continues to entertain, as does the Brian Burke/Don Cherry war. As for the Republicans? Well, they keep ticking off musicians by using their songs without permission. As well, the boys investigate just what your handshake says about you.

Segment 1 – Bill singles out some idiocy. The woman who left her cancer-stricken boyfriend and then demanded he give her the Super Bowl tickets. And the school principal who suspended a student for having hair that was too long.

Segment 2 – A little Super Bowl talk. Well, actually, some talk about the Manning who ISN’T there – Peyton Manning.

Segment 3 – Don Cherry vs Brian Burke. Who ya rootin’ for? Landry thinks Grapes has played this one well.

Segment 4 – Mitt Romney may have hammered Newt Gingrich in Florida, but he shares the embarrassment of having a musician tell him not to play their song at campaign stops. At least Romney’s was a contemporary artist (K’Naan). Gingrich was told to cease and desist by Survivor. Yikes.

Segment 5 – Toronto Council has an automatic cost of living salary increase scheduled to come into play. Will they reverse it? They’d better. Aren’t they telling us (and the unions) that we all have to tighten our belts?

Segment 6 – A Conservative Senator has floated a novel idea about convicted murderers in Canada. That they should be given the wherewithal to kill themselves, if they desire. Hmmm. While that might be an enticing notion on some levels, could we really allow that kind of thing?

Segment 7 – What does your handshake say about you? The guys go over a list of ten different handshakes and what they supposedly mean.

By the way, this week’s episode of TGOI was originally produced in auto tune. Don thought it was way cool and made him sound just like a hip hop version of Rick Astley. But, Bill felt it made HIM sound like a hip hop version of Bob Rae.

 

The Gist Of It – January 25, 2012

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Stephen Colbert mocking Herman Cain. Would Tim Thomas have visited HIM if he were president?

This week’s episode of The Gist Of It could be titled “Goalies And Mayors Behaving Badly.” Bill Hayes and Don Landry discuss Boston Bruins’ goalie Tim Thomas and his choice to skip a trip to the White House. As well, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s decision to compare left-leaning councillors to Joseph Stalin. Which was the poorer decision? The guys also kick around Oscar’s nominees, The NFL’s playoff goats and whether Stephen Colbert is constructively or destructively making a mockery of the U.S. political system. Prince Fielder’s payday, the NHL ALL-Star Game and improving Toronto’s street meat are also included in this tasty and tempting episode of TGOI.

Segment 1 – Don tries to figure out Tim Thomas’ motivations. Thinks that whatever they were, he blew it. Does Bill agree?

Segment 2 – Bill cautions that the seemingly idyllic life of a multi-millionaire athlete may not be all it’s cracked up to be. Don says he’d like to take that risk.

Segment 3 – Toronto Mayor Rob Ford evokes the memory of a mass murderer to slam his political opponents. This might be fairly insulting if it weren’t so damn funny.

Segment 4 – Some critics think Stephen Colbert’s send-up of the Super PAC fundraising system is very funny. Others believe it’s damaging and a step or two over the line. Is Colbert a force for positive change? Or a self-promoting annoyance?

Segment 5 – Prince Fielder gets his cash. Why aren’t the Jays spending more? NFL playoff goats: Fair or foul? And the NHL’s All-Star Game. Are those stars dimming?

Segment 6 – The Oscar race. Bill LOVES Meryl Streep. Don, umm, doesn’t. They make a few picks and Don slams “Moneyball.” Oh, and wants to know why an ape wasn’t nominated.

Segment 7 – Bill thinks Toronto’s street meat industry needs an injection of creativity. And, surprisingly, lets it slip that a place he really wants to visit is Portland. Whaaaa?

 

 

 

The Gist Of It – January 18, 2012

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Miss Wisconsin was named Miss America last Saturday night. So, you know, you’ve got THAT, Packer fans.

This week on TGOI, Bill Hayes and Don Landry wonder if you’ve go the nerve to eat a snack from a place called “Glory Hole Doughnuts.” As well, there’s some discussion as to whether this week’s budget battle at Toronto City Council signals a move to the political centre. The boys hoof around a little NFL playoff talk, and wonder just how big a cup of coffee has to get before we’re satisfied that we’re getting our caffeine fix. What about “Moneyball”? Is it really that great? How hard can it be to quit smoking? And, how much control should the government have over the internet? It’s a lot, we know. But, this showcase can be yours, if the price is right.

Segment 1 – Bill Hayes is sooooo nice, he’ll help you quit smoking. Don wonders if this is the birth of a new running feature on TGOI.

Segment 2 – Don Landry tears into the stubbornness of those on both the left and right of the political spectrum. Time for moderates to shine.

Segment 3 – Bill picks up on Don’s theme of moderation of political thought. Is it pie in the sky?

Segment 4 – Just how big does a damn cup of coffee have to be? And can we come up with a better caffeine delivery system? As well… ever heard of “Glory Hole Doughnuts”?

Segment 5 – Movies. With the Golden Globe Awards in the rearview mirror, the boys look ahead to the Oscars. Don wants to know why “Moneyball” is getting such glowing reviews.

Segment 6 – The NFL playoffs. And get THIS! Tim Tebow isn’t mentioned even ONCE! Bill – a big Packers fan, sorts through the wreckage of his 2012 championship dreams.

Segment 7 – The SOPA saga. Bill thinks it’s censorship. Don thinks tougher reg’s are needed to govern internet piracy. Can Bill bring Don around?

The Gist Of It – January 11, 2012

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Don and Bill return after a Christmas break – actually, they each ditched the podcast because they were on fill-in duty at NEWSTALK 1010, in Toronto – to give you “The Gist Of It.” This week, the boys bounce around the legend of Tim Tebow, Brian Burke’s lamenting of enforcers going the way of the Dodo, and the scourge of politicians crossing the floor. As well – The most dangerous breakfast food is….

Isn’t it time the NHL cracked down on unnecessary breakfast violence?

Segment 1 – Don decries the floor-crossing of a Quebec MP. He wants legislation to ensure it doesn’t happen again without a by-election.

Segment 2 – Bill’s intrigued by the life of a First Lady in the United States. Should she be a kitty or a tigress?

Segment 3 – Football! Tim Tebow continues to have his prayers answered. That will end, Don says, in New England, this weekend.

Segment 4 – Brian Burke’s sad, sad tale of the plight of the NHL enforcer. Boo. Hoo.

Segment 5 – More on Burke and the NHL’s “rats.” Don thinks it’s ludicrous to believe they’re taking over. Bill’s not so sure of that.

Segment 6 – Harper v Putin. Bill’s unmoved. Don says “lace ’em up!”

Segment 7 – How in the hell do you injure yourself eating pancakes? Ask L.A. King forward Dustin Penner.

The Gist Of It – December 7, 2011

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Don’t be fooled by Don’s friendly demeanor. If you make fun of Andy Williams there will be hell to pay.

This week on THE GIST OF IT, Bill Hayes and Don Landry get all Christmassy and stuff. Don smokes a pipe through the whole thing, to feel more like Bing Crosby. Bill wears a dickie under a thin synthetic sweater, because he loves Cousin Eddie from Christmas Vacation. Among this week’s topics: Christmas music and the money it makes, the scourge of the phrase “Happy Holidays,” Alec Baldwin’s reported airline meltdown, those Commies also known as The Muppets, and blocking idiots on Twitter.

Segment 1 – Bill trots out his exceptional skills of poetry to salute Herman Cain’s departure from the American political landscape. He IS gone, right?

Segment 2 – The guys explore the possibility that the Muppets are dirty Commies. Plush puppets of the proletarian struggle. Beware of soft, cuddly Bolsheviks, people.

Segment 3 – Oh, Alec. Alec Baldwin is kicked off an American Airlines flight. Embarrassing for him and embarrassing for the other Baldwin brothers, who we assume were right there in their jobs as baggage handlers.

Segment 4 –  Why is blocking a jerk from your Twitter account seen as some kind of unfair censorship? Shouldn’t you have the right to revoke a person’s right to send you insulting messages? #whateverdude

Segment 5 – Okay. Here’s where we start to get Christmassy. Complaining about too much Christmas music too early? Liar! You love it. Bill has data to prove it. This is also where Bill almost meets his maker because he shoots Don a look of scorn when the name Andy Williams comes up.

Segment 6 – Don and Bill argue over the phrase “Happy Holidays.” Bill thinks it ruins Christmas. Don thinks it’s much ado about next to nothing.

Segment 7 – A teacher in Michigan got into trouble when she changed the lyrics of “Deck The Hall,” when having trouble keeping students from giggling when they got to “gay apparel,” in choir rehearsals. Went with “bright apparel.” Uh-oh. It’s still okay to go “dashing through the snow,” isn’t it?

The Gist Of It – November 30, 2011

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Don Landry (L) and Bill Hayes discuss the top rock guitarists of all-time during a paid appearance at a Toronto high school sports banquet

 

This week on The Gist Of It, Don Landry and Bill Hayes marvel over the new Loblaws at Maple Leaf Gardens. Actually, they marvel at the fact that people would line up to be the first in. As well, they discuss the Leafs’ continuing good play, the Grey Cup Game (including Nickelback), Bill’s new favourite website and, once again, the never ending delight that is the Republican Party of the United States Of America. And they argue over Rolling Stone’s list of top 100 guitarists of all time.

 

Segment 1 – Hey, a new grocery store has opened at Maple Leaf Gardens! Don’t you wanna line up in the freezing rain, overnight, so you can be first in?! Us either.

Segment 2 – The Toronto Maple Leafs. If you’re waiting for them to slip back into the pack, mightn’t you be waiting in vain?

Segment 3 – The Grey Cup Game. Don spent a week in Vancouver and gives you his impressions of the game, the festivities and a theory as to why Joe Kapp and Angelo Mosca got into that dust up.

Segment 4 – Want substance? Depth? Then, why are you listening to this podcast? Actually, Bill has a good website for you to check out.

Segment 5 – Rolling Stone’s list of 100 greatest guitarists. They got number one right, but after that? Not so much.

Segment 6 – Try as they might, Bill and Don just can’t take their eyes of the Republican Party. Bill worries about America’s future. Don doesn’t think any of these candidates are worth worrying about.

The Gist Of It – November 16, 2011

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This week, Bill Hayes and Don Landry take a serious run at NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan. No worries, they know the guy handing out suspensions would allow them to, without penalty. Bill wonders if people may be treating Penn State’s Mike McQueary a little too harshly.  As well, there are light hearted discussions about Rob Ford’s ballet career, Herman Cain’s, well, “Herman Cain – ness,” and whether we’re seeing the first few crumbles at the beginning of the fall of the Facebook empire.

Let’s just put NHL goaltenders on the “Endangered Species” list and have done with it.

Segment 1 – The guys ask the question: Are you sure you know exactly how you’d react if you walked into that infamous shower at Penn State?  [button link=”http://www.donlandry.com/2011/11/former-argo-givens-in-a-penn-state-of-shock/” window=”yes”]To read Don Landry’s column on former Argo and Penn State linebacker Reggie Givens, click here.[/button]

Segment 2 – Occupy Toronto. Should demonstrators be kicked out of their tent city at St. James Park? Wouldn’t they be better off moving around anyway? And Don sings some Gordon Lightfoot.

Segment 3 – Toronto Mayor Rob Ford joins the National Ballet of Canada. Obama takes out crocodile insurance. And, who wants to lead the federal Liberals?

Segment 4 – Herman Cain. The comic gift that just keeps on giving. He should get paid for almost single-handedly writing The Daily Show and Colbert Report.

Segment 5 – One of Don’s friends has decided to quit Facebook. Don’s thinking about it, too. Is Facebook’s time starting to fade?

Segment 6 – Boston Bruins’ forward Milan Lucic gets a walk after running Buffalo Sabres’ goalie Ryan Miller, and both Bill and Don think that’s unacceptable.

Segment 7 – Toronto Star reporter Dave Feschuk called Leaf goalie James Reimer’s mom to get a story. Is that okay?