Testing, Testing: “Q” with Jian Ghomeshi this week only!
So, we’re trying something new this week on WBEZ. We’re testing out a show on our air and asking you to share your thoughts on it.
Here’s the deal: our friends “up north” at the CBC have a show they think we Americans will love. It’s called “Q“. No, it’s not a call in show with James Bond’s late gadget guru. Rather, it’s a daily arts and culture interview program hosted by Jian Ghomeshi.
Each episode features the well-prepared and conversational Jian interviewing guests like Leonard Cohen, Lily Allen, Woody Allen, Radiohead and Salman Rushdie. You may know “Q” already from their popular podcasts – or from Jian’s infamous interview with the cantankerous Billy Bob Thornton which ignited a flurry of views on You Tube last year. His first guest today: Adam Lambert of American Idol fame. (OK, so you can’t win them all, but you get the idea…)
Anyway, the program has become a huge hit for the CBC, so much so that it’s now the most-listened-to cultural affairs program in the nation.
And now the CBC is teaming up with PRI to offer a special week-long pilot run of “Q” to public radio audiences in the U.S. You can catch it at 3pm M-F this week only on 91.5/90.7 or at www.chicagopublicradio.org.
Here’s where you come in: We want to know what you think of this show.
That’s right. Take a listen, and during the course of the week, let us know your thoughts. Is it good? Is it bad? Is it just OK? Would you like to hear more of it on WBEZ?
Share your thoughts in the comment thread below or via email at feedback@wbez.org.
The CBC and PRI haven’t yet decided to offer this show full-time to public radio stations – and we’re not certain whether we’d take it if they did. That’s where you come in. We’d love to hear what you think – good or bad.
And yes, All Things Considered will be back, as usual, during the 3pm hour beginning next Monday, February 1st.
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“You can’t win them all” with Adam Lambert as the guest? I guarantee you, Adam Lambert will garner more listeners than any other guest of this radio show. I never even heard of this guy until I heard Adam would be a guest(and I’m Canadian) I listened today for the first time and it was enjoyable. A little reserved for my taste but enjoyable nonetheless.
Will “Salmon Rushdie” share his thoughts about fishing? Or is this the British-Indian writer’s Canadian code name? And how many more identically sounding Canadian talk shows are there?
Andrew – forgive the typo; it’s been corrected. I knew there was something fishy about the post…
THE Andrew Patner. Nice to see you around these parts. It’s also nice to see you are still using your 1996 e-mail address. Switch to gmail!
So far, so good. I enjoyed the media coverage (the CNN/Vice Magazine hookup; the Terry O’Reilly interview). Since you normally repeat ATC (and I don’t usually need to listen to the same show twice in one day), this gives me a reason to tune in at 3pm. Thanks for trying to spice things up. :)
Next you’ll be telling me to get one of those cellphone whatchamjigs, Justin! You’re doing a nice job with this site and these ‘blogs.
I could see this show working on the weekend, I do enjoy Definitely Not the Opera. Or it could fit later on the evenings during the week. But I think the schedule is already too heavy with these kinds of shows, the weekdays have The Story, Here and Now, and Fresh Air. And the weekends already have plenty of arts and culture programming. It would be fine with me if this replaced The Story–the show is too slow for the mid-day, I need help waking up at 11am but it just makes me sleepier.
I do hate that this trial run is disrupting All Things Considered at 3pm, even just for the week. And while the Q schedule looks pretty decent for the week, I have absolutely no interest in hearing an interview with Adam Lambert and I definitely don’t ever want to hear the new Adam Lambert song when I tune in to WBEZ. Hopefully, that is an atypical programming decision for this show.
Love it. I first heard of ‘Q’ after the Billy-Bob fiasco, and have been following it online since then. Fantastic to have it delivered straight to my living room!
_Am
As an aside – I was searching all over WBEZ for a place to provide feedback. Why the hell are you posting over here instead of wbez.org? Talk about confusing! Are you trying to limit the responses to people that can actually find this blog?
Guys, you are losing this high fidelity member. I’ll give it another chance, but right now I’m hating it. Then on All Things, you had a bit with Izzy Pop! What the heck! Obviously, you’re looking for a younger market. Can’t blame you but I sure hope they become members, I was sorry when you dropped
Talk of the Nation. But I forgave you. Definitely Not the Opera is definitely not my favorite. Sloooow down the changing of format.
Alright so first of all, this is a very confusing trial. I’ve been listening to ATC at 3pm for ages.. at least 15 years I think.. and all of a sudden there’s something else on in its place? Even more confusing is that none of the schedules online have been updated to reflect this change or to link this blog to comment on the change. I found this link because I complained on twitter. How else are people expected to find out?
Anyway, here’s my feedback. The show’s ok. “ok” doesn’t compare to how incredible ATC is as a show. ATC does deserve to be aired twice. Not everyone can listen to it on the “evening drive” – many of us take the metra or the El home (and who carries FM radios around anymore?). This show, however, doesn’t belong in the prime-time 3pm slot. It would be an interesting substitute for one of the earlier shows (BBC world news?) or maybe instead of one of the evening rebroadcasts (Worldview, eight-fourty-eight).
I’m really hoping that this trial is aborted before the week is over. I really think it’s a bad idea to mess with people’s ATC. In the meantime, I’ll be listening to KCRW news at 3pm online for my fix.
The programming change is totally messing with my afternoon commute (teaching after-school music lessons), but I think the show is alright. I could see myself really enjoying it, but the slightly intrusive scheduling of the show is hampering my objectivity.
Also: I think it has some of the most annoying theme music ever, and I don’t even know why. I literally turned my radio off each time the music returned.
For the record: I’m a young listener.
I think this new show would work at a different time. I don’t like it messing with ATC. It could work on Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
Just chiming in to say that I understand the apprehension about the change. ATC is a great show that I always listen to when I’m in the US on public radio. However Q is an amazing show, I think the real neat aspect of the show is the wide array of guests. Some seem really mundane, but others are very interesting, he gets some really great interviews. If you have an iPhone Check out the CBC Radio app to listen to some of his more interesting guests on demand. Jian Ghomeshi is one of the best interviewers on Canadian radio. His level of preparedness leads to some very insightful questions. I would urge you to evaluate the show based on the show overall, and not so much on the guests on the show for this week. (in the event the guest isn’t someone you’re particularly interested in)
yet another experiment w/ a CBC show? i might be wrong but hasn’t WBEZ had at least two “test runs ” w/ CBC shows since ‘06? there was some show ( which i mercifully can’t remember the name of) that briefly took place of “the world” at 7:00 and then some dreary pseudo-science program that ran on sunday p.m.’s this last year, i’m sure i’ve probably missed more…not to mention the smarmy, “aren’t we cool” DNTO
why the desire to keep reinventing the wheel? what niche would this fill? color me crazy/jingoistic/whatever, but i wonder if all these CBC trials are because their shows are cheaper to purchase…there’s no u.s. lite talk/entertainment shows out there? and why would we need them anyway? please, enough! dick gordon already gives me more than enough flattened vowels to listen to for one day, but that’s another entry altogether…
Please don’t change your schedule! I agree with Tim and don’t like Q at all.
Please make it go away.
I confess I didn’t know who Adam Lambert was when I heard yesterday’s “Q”–but maybe that makes me a good person to comment on the show’s appeal (or lack thereof). When I’m listening to “Fresh Air” and I don’t know who the guest is, I usually listen anyway, because I almost always enjoy the interview and learn something. This was *not* my experience listening to “Q”: the host gushed over his guest, but didn’t ask the kinds of questions that made me want to know more about his work. I couldn’t wait for it to be over, so I changed the station.
I agree with other listeners that 1) there have been too many dumb changes to the schedule during the past several months [I really miss "Talk of the Nation" and think "Here and Now" is lame, lame, lame], and 2) if it’s important to WBEZ to add more “light” programming to its schedule, maybe the evening is the place. *Please* don’t eliminate the 3 p.m. hour of “All Things Considered”!
Please bring back ATC at 3:00. I am not enjoying the new programming and can’t listen later due to school pickup.
lousy candaians. they talk lots bout media coverage of haiti and this lib is talking smack bout how american policy put haiti in this mess. bring back atc. they do the same, but at least they’re americans.
Q is good and I’d be happy to listen to it. However, I strongly agree with those who are demanding that you keep ATC at 3. As a teacher (and young listener) who commutes in the mid-afternoon, I absolutely depend on it. Can you fit Q in but keep ATC where it is?
Enjoyed it. I would like it to be a regular show. I do like ATC at 3 PM so perhaps earlier or on the evening shows.
Q is a fine show, I love Ghomeshi’s articulate interview style. Perhaps another time slot would be better, since ATC has a long established listener-ship. How about scheduling the show in the evening between 8pm-midnight.
I don’t particularly like the show and definitely not at 3pm! Bring back ATC.
Q is excellent! Start it at 11 AM daily or 2 PM daily. Put FreshAir in at 3PM and let ATC run their re-run late!
I like it! Its fresh and fun. I don’t expect to be interested in every guest (Adam Lambert), but I do like the flavor. I always like to hear from Lily Allen. The time slot is perfect for my drive home too. Keep it on the schedule!
I inadvertently came across this show yesterday (Monday) during a non-normal commute for me. What a pleasant surprise! As someone who is currently studying advertising, I thoroughly enjoyed the interview with Terry O’Reilly about advertising and marketing. I didn’t think I was going to like the interview with Adam Lambert, because I’m not an AI fan, but I was once again pleasantly surprised. Jian Ghomeshi asked provoking and insightful questions, and Adam Lambert was actually very well-spoken, and seemed to be learned about music and society. Although I’m still not a fan of his music, he was very interesting to listen to. I’m not sure about the time slot; I, personally, would not be able to listen on a regular basis, since I’m usually either at work or at school during this time, but I think it’s a great show and would make a great addition to the CPR lineup.
While I didn’t mind the show, I was very disappointed not to be able to tune in to ATC at 3:00 – I was very relieved to hear that his is for one week only. As for Q, maybe another time slot would be better…
I still haven’t recovered from the loss of “Talk of the Nation” and “Fresh Air” at 2. So now you test this “foreign” show in ATC’s time slot. You’re losing me if you make this change eventually. I take my little transistor radio with me wherever I go to get ATC. And who needs “Q” if you’re going to shove Boston’s “Here and Now” down our gullets.
P.S. I really preferred the week of “Radio Lab” over your own pretentious “848.”
Hi Everyone,
Many thanks for the feedback thus far; it’s much appreciated. Since there have been a number of comments about All Things Considered, I just wanted to clarify a few things, especially for our many ATC fans:
1) ATC will be back, as usual, at 3pm next Monday
2) There are no plans to replace the 3pm hour of ATC with Q.
3) If we were to add Q to the schedule it’d likely be during a different, non ATC time slot.
So, this is not an “either/or” proposition. Rather, we’re presenting 5 episodes of “Q” at 3pm this week to expose it to a large segment of our audience with the knowledge that the 3pm hour of ATC repeats during the 5pm hour, so listeners still have the chance to catch all of ATC in its entirety this week. I hope that’s helpful – and please continue to keep the feedback on “Q” coming. We greatly appreciate it.
Bring back ATC. This Q show is so so smarmy. Who does this Gomeshi think he is? And it is all about him. I expected him to use that old line “but enough about me, tell me what do you think about me?”
And we think you stink. You can’t interview, have no background and are floundering here until you read or hear your director’s cues.
Not suitable for export, and certainly not public radio.
This show had some interesting guests, but I can’t stand the smarmy host. Looks like he chimed in with comment 14.
Anna summed up my thoughts nicely. It would have been nice to get notice of this before trying to figure out what was wrong with my radio yesterday. I seriously thought my car had broken.
I’m not usually partial to this type of program but I think that Ghomeshi makes the discussion interesting and even challenging at times for the guests. The show seems dynamic enough to cover the more liberal discussion with a guest like Adam Lambert, (whom, by the way, I had absolutely no desire to get to know any better but still enjoyed the interview nonetheless) to the techy stuff without compromising his poise and focus. I think this show is a good fit in the program lineup. But, with one catch…I only get to listen in the early am (5-7) and from 3-4pm so I guess I wouldn’t be very familiar with the rest of the programming anyway. Either way, I enjoyed the 2 episodes of the show so far and am looking forward to the rest of the week. Thanks for the opportunity to listen and speak up.
(glad to hear ATC is not going anywhere)
Hear it on my way to work on Monday and love it!!!
No.
Please, no.
Bring back TOTN.
Stop messing with the lineup just because you can. Sometimes the best decision is no decision at all.
I enjoy the program and would rather hear shows like this than more BBC news programing. There is plenty of hard news out there and it gets depressing.
Q is very interesting and upbeat, I like it! Please keep it around. Or I may have to subscribe to Sirius so I can hear it and others.
I heard so much about this show from my Canuck friends, but I really wasn’t impressed with my first listen. Ghomeshi’s claim to fame is that he was a victim of a ranting guest (Billy Bob). I’m really sensitive to smug and this guy has that in spades.
I’ve listened to it twice now and I don’t care for it. The interviews were a little dull and I didn’t care for the guests that much either.
I was really disappointed with the program changes that took place before the holidays and replaced Talk of the Nation with Hear and Now. I consider that program to be unlistenable. Honestly, it’s not even so much the host, who I’m not crazy about, but the content is just uninteresting to me. I stream Talk of the Nation and my coveted political junkie during this time so it’s not so much a problem just an inconvenience if I’m in the car, which I rarely am.
I digress, the brainchildren at wbez have made up for this past programing mistake by piloting Q at the 3:00 time slot. I’ve only heard two episodes so far but I have really enjoyed it and if the station doesn’t end up picking up the program, I will continue to stream in the future. It’s kind of like a fresh air meets talk of the nation. Looking forward to the rest of the week, thank you for this great experiment.
I can’t use much from this show, so I usually change channels. And I miss talk of the Nation!
Q is one of the best new programs in a long time. canadian culture is extremely interesting, and i look forward to having Q as a regular show.
Please bring back all things considered. I’m trying to listen to this at work and now I’m forced to listen to something else instead. Not a fan!
Not into it. It’s kind of abrasive, amateurish, and doesn’t really seem to fit in with the other programs. Kind of fluffy.
I absolutely LOVE the addition of Q to my day. I am hoping this becomes an added fixture on Chicago Public Radio. I find it fun, informative, and pretty fascinating. Please keep Q around!
I don’t care much for Q, either. And I agree with the several other commenters who asked that “Talk of the Nation” be returned to WBEZ’s airwaves. I miss it very much. I’m also not a fan of “Definitely Not the Opera” and I miss being able to hear “Speaking of Faith” at a time that I’m awake.
I agree with the couple of commenters who also issued a plea to stop making so many programming changes so rapidly. I can’t imagine that “Speaking of Faith” is generating more listeners at 7:00 am than it used to in its afternoon slot, but perhaps I am wrong on that.
Dollar-a-Day High Fidelity Member who is tiring of losing shows I like and hearing more that I don’t.
I liked the guests a lot; especially Adam Lambert, btw. I would listen to Q. For myself, I wish ATC started at 4pm since it just starts repeating and repeating. Almost no one commutes before 4pm anyway. Unrelated, I also miss TOTN!
It’s fine. Definitely not a fit for the 3 p.m. slot (oh, how I am missing ATC this week), but better than some of your programming. How about 86′ing The Boring with Dick Gordon and replacing it with this? Must admit I’m still feeling very cranky about the loss of TOTN.
Q is good but not in the same league as Fresh Air. I really liked Mosh. Is it back on BEZ?
It’s nothing special. Looking forward to ATC returning to its regular timeslot next week. I understand that Talk of the Nation is an expensive program, so WBEZ may not be able to afford it. But for those that miss Talk of the Nation, you can just go to the NPR website about an hour after it airs, and listen to it there.
This is a worthy addition to the afternoon lineup, with some artists and perspectives beyond those heard on most US-based programming. Suggest you make it a keeper. Just as importantly, I commend your try-it-and-let-us-know-what-you-think approach to potential programming changes. Thanks for making us listeners and members a part of your process.
Q? Please no. Not another news magazine (and one Canadian based to boot). “Here and Now” is more then enough. Bring back Warren Olney and his “Talk of the Nation”. It’s got more meat on the bone then the lite and low calorie “Here and Now”. And how about getting rid of “The Story”? That one’s all mush – no meat OR bone. Need a replacement? I suggest more Bob Edwards. He and Ms. Gross are the best interviewers on the air. Any where, any air. Sure there may be some overlap but they are so good who cares?
Not very good – just media navel gazing. I switched stations.
I’m still diggin’ it. This show has got a nice, snappy pace. Also, I love Canada. I actually like it slotted right after “Fresh Air,” but since others don’t, how about replacing “The Story” with “Q”? Pretty please? :P
I dont care for the Q, please restablish All Things Considered as soon as possible. i just dont listen to the Q, I switch station.
My feeling about Q is that it’s one too many news magazine/interview shows in your afternoon line-up. The interviewer sounds like a male version of the woman on “Here and Now” who, herself, sounds enough like Terry Gross that at times I have to look at the clock to see which show I’m listening to. One show just blends into another which makes the whole afternoon’s schedule less interesting.
However, I’d gladly swap Q for the almost unlistenable “The Story.” Does anyone really like that show?
Your experiment with “Q” combines two of WBEZ’s most annoying tendencies: Your attraction to cheap Canadian fare and your belief that NPR programming is just a dial tone for whatever you decide to throw on the air in its place. I see no reason for “Q” to exist, but if you want it to replace “848,” I’d call that a wash.
Best,
Barry Schechter
Radio Lab!!!!
It would be ok on a weekend time slot, but I would much rather AMERICAN Routes be back on air.
I know its on=line, but that doesn’t help me when I’m in the car. Is it your mission as Public Radio to
remove the musical shows that give people a little enjoyment in a radio wasteland?
First Marian McPartland, then Dick Buckley (ok I know he’s a million yrs old and in poor health)
Not sure why the need to fiddle around with the schedule that people are used to. I understand its a test run and not a permanent change. I know the only
constant in the universe is change, but. Aren’t there other interesting shows that aren’t Canadian? Seems a little irrelevant.
I LOVE “Q”! – This is a great addition to the afternoon line-up!
By the way, I really enjoyed “Radio Lab” too. Excellent stuff!
Sorry… I am not enjoying this… I haven’t been intrigued or interested by much I’ve heard discussed on ‘Q’ this week, and I’m disappointed. Not exactly edgy. Bill Bob Thornton must have been a high point.
Thanks for letting me share.
I just looked up at some of the other comments. I second Ray H — goodness… DOES anyone listen start-to-finish to Dick Gordon? It’s awful to attack someone’s work, but, goodness — if my membership means anything at all — basically, I’m paying for this.
The Q guy and Mr. Gordon… both… their approach, if that’s a fair term, is just drab. Colorless. Flacid.
Maybe the public’s desire for really public-interest coverage of news and culture, just can’t compete with the threat of loss of corporate sponsorships or government support. I don’t know. Or maybe that horse’s already long gone out the barn… Maybe there’s just no money, and this is the best we can do…
I’ll read my weekend NYTimes home delivery and listen to audio books while I work. Thanks, gang.
I heard porftions of the show on Wednesday . . . Awful, slow, boring . . . bad music . . . Give us more of All Things Considered, Please (!)
First of all, very poorly publicized– I turned on the radio just after 3 on Monday and had no idea what was going on. Went to the website, which showed that ATC was “currently broadcasting.” It was CLEARLY not ATC. There was NOTHING on the website easy to find to tell me what was going on. I ended up having to call.
Furthermore, on Monday the broadcast featured music that was impossible to listen to at work.
I teach every day from 4:30 to 6:30 so if I want to hear any of ATC, it’s got to be that 3 p.m. broadcast. I am not going to listen to a podcast of current news at a later date. If you wan to lose me as an ATC listener, this is the way to do it.
Pretty much all of the CBC imports are a disaster. I now turn off the radio, something I have pretty much never done in 20 years or more of listening to WBEZ, at 11 and at 1. Here and Now is just barely tolerable, but The Story is pathetic. If I want to listen to pointless tales about boring people I’ll find the nearest 8 year old and ask about her day.
Jian Ghomeshi smarmy? No, no, a thousand times, no! When I was in Canada a few years ago, I would make sure to be in my car when his show came on. He is a great host. Funny, knowledgeable, engaged … Please, give him a chance. I was so excited when I heard the promo for this show. My beloved Jian–on the radio stateside!!!
Q – I’m your fan.
Please, no more Canadian shows. This one’s not as bad as Definitely Not the Opera, but it doesn’t add anything new to the program line up either. I’m all in favor of not repeating an hour of ATC, but only if there’s something worthwhile to fill the spot.
I really enjoyed the 30 or so minutes I heard this week.
I understand that people don’t like having their schedule messed with, but I’m actually enjoying *not* listening to the same ATC show twice in a row (at 3:00 and then at 5:00). Yes, I know we’ll be returned to our regular schedule next Monday, but I rather hope you find a place for Q somewhere on WBEZ. Perhaps in the evening? I agree with others that it’s light and a little fluffy, but there’s room (I think) for one or two light, fluffy programs on NPR. (While you’re at it, have you considered picking up Radio Lab as a regular show…?)
Just don’t you dare preempt Wait-Wait, or I’ll be picketing your studios…
Q is ok, but why would you want to take away an hour of All Things Considered? ATC seems like NPR’s flagship show, so why rob an hour of it? I’d be ok with Q taking away some other time, perhaps BBC coverage, but not at the 3 pm hour.
I’ve been trying — but I’m really not enjoying Q. Thanks for asking.
Andrew Patner may have the same e-mail address, but Justin Kaufman has the same smarty-pants attitude he honed when he screened calls for Mara Tapp. Be that as it may, I like about 50% of “Q;” even with Canadian friends and relatives (and my weekly addiction to “The Vinyl Cafe), I don’t get all the cultural references. I am also so annoyed about missing the 3 o’clock hour of ATC that I am probably not concentrating fully. I would like the show if it were in another time slot: How about in place of “The Story”? I also find myself zzz’ing off during the show (and that’s plenty dangerous when I’m driving), and would appreciate something a bit more energetic. Most of my friends are public radio listeners (and members of WBEZ), and they are puzzled that this program was plopped in at 3 PM, even for a trial run. I will be volunteering for Wait, Wait this evening, and the attendees inevitably come up to us at the ticket desk and start ranting about anything they don’t like on the radio, so if I hear anything, I’ll pass it on.
Enjoy the show, though the daytime lineup is getting redudant. Please return ATC to 3 pm!
Q with Jian Ghomeshi–Mr. Moxy Fruvous–excellent show. Ghomeshi has a knack for asking great questions and he’s very articulate; good times. Enjoy it immensely.
I enjoyed the interviews about Louis Armstrong biography very much. Also the Stephen Wright spot was very good. I like the interviewer’s style. I had to really listen to figure out it was a CBC program! I think you should keep it. But maybe in a different time slot – judging by the negative comments here.
Please rethink continuing this program. Thank you
When I first heard this show I thought my radio was messed up because the whole tone and maybe just his voice sounds so much like (sorry…) the dreaded A.M. RADIO! And, PLEASE, definitely don’t mess with ATC at 3:00 p.m. Dump “The Story” and put this guy in his place. (And come on – tell us how much $$ you’re saving by switching to the Canadian shows….) While I’m on a rant, if “This American Life” gets cut to only once/week or (God Forbid) dumped entirely, I will never donate another cent. EVER. It was bad enough when Morning Edition dumped Bob Edwards – at least we can hear him Sunday at 10:00 for 2 solid hours (so far….) On a more positive note: Steve Edwards – I love your music shows!! As far as I’m concerned they can replace ALL of the Canadian stuff with you. And sorry to other Chicago-area listeners but I feel a responsibility to listen to 848, so I can make an informed decision on Feb. 2 when voting. We have to vote at the local level to affect the national, and 848 is one of the few sources of good info about Chicago politics – as well as other non-corrupt parts of Chicago life.
ps: I LOVE RadioLab – can u please add that permanently?
I’m not a fan of Q. I love listening to All Things Considered on my drive home.
Every fund drive we always hear – “ATC is the flagship show of this station” when you want us to donate.
Q is no ATC.
“Q” got off to a rocky start with the ‘hard-hitting’ Adam Lambert interview, but I wonder if even Jian Ghomeshi was gritting his teeth through that one. I lived in Canada for an extended period recently and as a member of the arts community, I did/will continue to enjoy Ghomeshi’s interviews with Canadian artists & performers. So I could live with it if Q came to stay. But I have GOT to say, I am continually frustrated with what I perceive as the low production values on CBC Radio programming. I can’t put my finger on it, but Canadian radio programs consistently sound a bit tinny and flat and oddly-paced. Maybe I’m just used to more polish & pace in my Public Radio, but I defintely hear a difference.
Please don’t change your schedule in order to add Q. Isn’t there another time for it to air?
As to another CBC piece of ‘radio verite’, don’t you guys think it is enough to have ‘Definitely Not the Opera’? I realize it sounds curmudgeonly, but I frankly still miss “Piano Jazz”. WBEZ programming really made an error when they cancelled that; and,the obviously intentional re-scheduling into a Dantesque weekend oblivion of “Waada Ya Know?” was just short of malicious.
I support WBEZ, and give decent sums on an annual basis through my work to the station. However, I find it hard to believe that you cannot find locally based, mid-afternoon social commentary and neo-progressive humor any closer than Ottawa.
This show is merely ok, but with the combination of this, “The Story”, and “Here and Now”; you are skewing far too much into the realm of ‘arts and culture commentary’ and away from actual information that people can use. Ditch Q, The Story and Here and Now – Bring back Talk Of The Nation everyday and try to find something else useful for people who don’t sit in front of the internet all day to get their information fix with.
Mostly just get rid of the Story. God, that show is awful and ruins the whole flow of your daytime programming.
Great show – replace ‘The Story’.
been listening to q all week. love the mix. love the off-the-cuff style. please keep it around. maybe they’ll do a segment on crossfit. :)
-eric
Gave it an honest listen, but honestly not a big fan… I missed ATC at 3pm and the show has a tinny audio quality that was significantly lower than the regular Chicago Public Radio and NPR programming. Also, a side note I loved Fresh Aire twice a day and miss it at 11am…
I agree with a number of other listeners that the show is just “okay”, but not a replacement for any portion of ATC. If you’re intent on scheduling this program, replace one of the evening reruns or “This is the Story” (which could in turn replace one of the reruns).
I really liked LizS’s blog suggestion of bringing back Amercian Routes. (One of your better shows). Maybe it could replaced “Definately Not The Opera”.
Q? Love it!
Q is fine, but we already have so many “Arts and Culture” type programs.
What we need is more “Public Affairs” type programing and there are
many people in Chicago who would like to hear Amy Goodman’s Democracy
Now! on Chicago Public Radio.
Please bring Democracy Now! to Chicago Public Radio.
I think this is an interesting show and Jian is quite the hipster.
If WBEZ is thinking about putting Q on the schedule to replace a weaker show during the daytime (i.e. The Story, Worldview or Here and Now), I would be in favor of the move. Also, this may be a better show to plat in the late night or evening hours in lieu of some of the dull shows that are played then.
I still think WBEZ should bring back Talk of the Nation (at least one of the two hours).
I would definitely listen to Q if it replaced “The Story”.
I read the comements from an “Anna” a couple of days ago. I basically agree with what she said. Please go back to the programming you had. Too many programs from the CBC you now feature are not that pleasing to me.
Steve, are you getting the point yet about The Story? That’s the kind of program that makes public radio easy fodder for lampooning by the likes of Second City and Saturday Night Live. Whether for Q or for something else–and I’ve already registered my own appreciation of Q above–there’s an hour that can be freed for some alternative programming. If you were to receive more than a handful of complaints over dropping The Story, I’d be really surprised.
Like Q, not the time. I am addicted to ATC.
I am not crazy about it. I would rather have the news at that time of day. It seems like it is public radio’s answer to E! I vote no.
It’s a keeper, like all other Canadian programs. I love “Definitely not the opera” and “Vinyl Cafe”. I still miss Ian Brown, I wish you could bring him back. New programs could relpace some of the evening reruns like 8/48.
Not bad. Definitely an improvement over The Story with Dick Gordon. Every time I hear his smarmy voice I turn the radio off!! This would make an excellent replacement. But I also miss Talk of the Nation. Anyway, get rid of The Story!!
I’m enjoying Q, but not in love with it yet. I love Jian’s voice and his poise and way of making conversation. So far, it’s a different version of the same stuff I hear on Fresh Air, which I love. I have been annoyed with the repeat of ATC each day, but that’s because I can listen to public radio all afternoon, so testing this at 3 PM worked well for me. This show is amiable enough and deserves a place somewhere else on the schedule. Let me take this opportunity to comment on the current line-up–I love 848-who said it was pretentious? Well prepared and interesting as well as timely on local issues. I never try to be available for The Story. It’s too sentimental for that time slot. Here and Now’s host is too paripitetic for me–can’t absorb the information because of it. I MISS TOTN. I enjoyed the rhythm of the weekdays before this last big shift, not so much now. ‘Nuff said.
No. No, thank you.
I like everything about the scheduling of another arts program at 3pm. Three and a half hours of ATC is too much. And I like the CBC programs I’ve heard in the past, like Definately Not the Opera and that program about the weekend, may it RIP.
I’m Canadian and absolutly love the show. What you’ll find is some days you’ll love it and others you won’t. However I would be hurt if American didn’t pick it up because I’m afraid that a lot mote of the show would be dedicated to Americans. I have discovered many great Canadian artists through the show and would miss that, especially since so much of our media comes from America.
P.S. Listen Friday, you’ll love Elvira Kurt.
I enjoy all the Canadian programming. – DNTO, etc
This show is swell, I look to WBEZ to let me know what the rest of the world is thinking – that’s why I’m a member.
If it can’t make it in this spot, try to get it wedged in somewhere.
John Kutsch
I really like Q, but it had to grow on me. Of course, i adore Roseanne Cash, so that is greatly influencing my opinion. :)
We’ve been loyal listeners since you went on the air over 30 years ago! I can’t imagine what you’re thinking – Q to take an hour of ATC, and to join the greats of Terri Grosse, The Story, Car Talk, The Story, Bob Edwards Sunday, This American Life, and apologies to those I’ve left out.
No, no, no, please NO. I’ll dust off my CD case that’s in the car, but it won’t be the same as ATC.
With all due respect, this show is the audio version of People magazine. As a longtime NPR listener, I want serious journalism. I’m not interested in lightweight subjects like American Idol winners and Howie Mandel’s phobia. If you’re looking for an hour of programming to replace the first hour of ATC (which is reaired during the third hour) bring back Talk of The Nation.
A little fluffy, bu OK Depends on what you bump. You don’t need BBC news over and over again. How about more local programming?
Q? I could take it or leave it. It seemed a bit redundant in the afternoon schedule. If we have to take it, perhaps it could replace the very boring “Here and Now?” I much preferred the experiment a few weeks ago with RadioLab. I agree with other comments on the following points: the audio of Q was strange, it had a flat, unappealing quality; I very much miss ATC at 3 pm; and I miss TOTN. However, I disagree with other comments because I enjoy BBC News, the Story (yes, the Story), World View and Fresh Air.
I do appreciate that WBEZ is providing listeners a chance to weigh-in on the topic.
Ok show, prefer it to re-running segments of other programs.
I know ATC is so loved, but it’s too often become “small things considered”, with formulaic heart-wrenching stories. Agree with some above that “The Story” is awful.
Q works for me! I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve heard so far, and it’s great to get a little of the CBC’s fantastic programming. Even if they’re really not that far from us, their perspective is refreshing. Keep it!
What’s my opinion of Q? Simple: It is simply dreadful! What’s the point? And here’s a newsflash: WE DONT LIVE IN CANADA! Stop it. Put ATC back NOW!
I find myself NOT listening to ANY afternoon programming after 12 /c of teh horrible schedule changes this week. (plus fresh air at 2? really?) I am assuming WBEZ has noticed a drop in listeners this week – bring back ATC!
if we can voice otehr opinions – put RadioLAB BACK on! and yes – I LOVE “The Story”, but liked it better at 2 when I could actually catch it.
listened 3 x this week: Very disappointing CBC program(Definitely Not the Opera is another). These shows are better suited for 2 AM slots.
Please bring back the 3 PM start for all things considered
I really have been a fan of NPR/WBEZ for many years. I am very disappointed with your recent programing changes. First you dropped Talk of the Nation which was one of your best shows, and now you are tinkering with ATC and substituting a show about media and media people. Are you looking to be a radio version of Entertainment Tonight. That is what we listen to NPR to get away from. You already have Fresh Air which is a well hosted and insightful look at the more POP culture. I do appreciate that you asked for comments this time and didn’t just change the format.
I too am a high fidelity member who is considering looking for my World and Political information elsewhere.
Q is a reasonable weekend show, i.e. a lightweight arts program. It may be on par with the Story, although Dick Gordon has has some really good guests lately. What’s with these CBC shows. Definitely Not The Opera is terrible and well banished to Saturday evening, although Ideas has been interesting. Please bring back Talk of the Nation. I’d like to have both hours of TOTN. Speaking of good shows, the TOTN show with Temple Grandin on 1/27 was wonderful (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123028845). When you look for a show to drop, please let it be “Here and Now” (“There and Goodbye”).
my opinion of ‘Q’, (which i listened to twice), depends very much on where you would be placing it in the wbez lineup. asking listeners whether we like it, WITHOUT INDICATING WHETHER IT WOULD REPLACE AN HOUR OF ATC, or something else, is very sneaky. unfortunately, this sort of sneakiness has happened alot over the last few years at CPR. but that’s another story….
i thought the show was mediocre, at best, though i have no objections to a canadian show per se (news from the CBC is excellent). the host was not terribly interesting and the great energy of an hour of fresh air, for example, was definitely lacking. so if you want to stick it in the middle of the night when i’m sleeping, fine. if you want to replace terry gross or jerome mcdonnell, or an hour of ATC, then i am absolutely opposed. but really, why bother asking us. torey malatia makes decisions all the time that affect listeners without consulting us, and i dont expect this decision will be any different.
I enjoyed what I heard of Q this week. I’m a big fan of Definitely Not The Opera (DNTO, maybe I’m on the younger, looser side of your audience) … Q feels Canadian just like DNTO. I do like it more than The Story, although I have enjoyed that show when the ’story’ was of interest to me. hey haters, nationalism can narrow your mind.
It seems, based on some of the comments, people are getting really crazy about the move on ATC. I wonder if they listen to the stories when you repeat them, which kinda bugs me. Maybe that’s just a sign for me to turn off the radio and try to remember to come back for Marketplace, which I really enjoy. Also really like The World, so glad it’s back at 7pm. I’m a super fan of WBEZ and hi-fi member. Thank you for all the quality (GREAT!!) programming, listening and caring what the listeners think.
I caught part of the Steven Wright interview yesterday on Q. It had its moments but I thought it could have been better. I blame the interviewer. On a positive note I will probably hunt it down and give the entire interview a closer listen.
I found today’s bit with Howie Mandel about the entertainer’s ADD quite tedious.
I agree the concept itself is too middlebrow for me to really embrace it but I am willing to give Q a chance. Obviously Jian G is no Teri Gross. For now I find him quite smarmy. However, I initially found The Story’s Dick Gordon almost unbearable and as the quality of that show has improved, I found it grew on me. So perhaps Q will improve with time as well.
DNTO usually grates my nerves as well.
I listen to NPR every day of the week, I love this change to the pace. Please keep this show in the air.
I caught the airing on Wed. I give it a thumbs-up!
I don’t care for Q. If you need to lose an hour of ATC, I would love to see it replaced with RadioLab.
It’s a refreshing change. I hope you keep it. I’ve really enjoyed it.
Joan Herczeg
‘Q’ is charming, but I find the station as a whole rather word-heavy, the repetition of day programming questionable, and would like to use this opportunity to petition for the return of evening and weekend jazz. Thank you.
I already emailed you what I thought about Q- fairly engaging, miss my ATC and wasn’t happy about a seemingly surprise change to the schedule. But as for those who miss Talk of the Nation? Wrong!! Very glad it’s gone, never liked it at all. And as I mentioned in my direct email – if you’re going to put on a program about music, how about putting on some actual music? Enough all-talk, never did like that move. Music. Music. Intelligent, can’t-hear-it-anywhere-else music.
I’ve only heard the show one day, but it seemed flat and slow to me. I’d much rather see WBEZ use something off of Wisconsin Public Radio’s “Ideas Network” programming, or put together something similar. Although I sometimes enjoy what I hear from CBC, I agree that many of the CBC’s shows seem very similar. Another idea–something from BBC4 or, even better, Deutsche Welle.
I caught part of this show by accident today (I didn’t know about the trial week). For a moment I thought it was Fresh Air, with alternate host…I certainly enjoyed it, the host is an intelligent interviewer, I think it’s worth keeping the show. People seem to be passionate about having ATC at 3pm, so how about airing this show weeknights at 11pm? (that’s after Fresh Air’s rerun).
I think the new show is great. And I appreciate not having to hear the same stories twice on ATC. Thanks!
…and I guess I’ve not been paying close enough attention. I hadn’t noticed TOTN is gone, but only because, as a teacher, I can’t catch it during most of the school year. I was a regular listener on holidays and over the summer months, and I loved it. I agree, as well, that asking for feedback on “Q” without information about the slot for which it might be considered isn’t necessarily going to get you useful feedback, if that is what you’re looking for. As a regular contributor, I guess I have to ask, what are you up to and who do you think is going to keep paying for it?
Sorry–
This show doesn’t cut it. The interviewer is too fluffy. The show is weak.
I simply do not understand why BEZ eliminated jazz and blues, only to keep searching to fill the time with lame shows out of Canada, world music, definitely not the opera and other contrived attempts at entertainment. Late night programing is truly pathetic, and honestly, as one born and raised in Chicago, an embarrassment.
What about recommitting to real American music–jazz and blues? Larry Smith..Blues Before Sunrise… Let’s get back to the best.
Entertaining show, but no replacement for ATC at 3. Maybe at another mid-day or evening time slot. 2 reasons. ATC is more hard news. And it has Melissa Block.
Most things on Q have been done earlier and better on Fresh Air, ATC and on the BBc. We get yesterdays programming.
Q is a slow paced show, has some decent guests, did not like Adam Lambert interview…seemed like a love fest. It’s just too slow.
I prefer the Fresh Air show and style of interviewing…I am always eager to hear who Terry’s guest will be and mostly listen.
I would like to have TOTN back…
Q? Not so much. Please, please, PLEASE no more CBC! “Ideas”, fine, but “DNTO” and, God help us, “Vinyl Cafe” are simply dreadful, and in their smugness not benign enough to just laugh at. Considering the many calls here for more local programming, it’s interesting how different these shows are from the fine ones CPR produces – the CBC shows are wholly self-satisfied, uncritical, and poor-humored. Perhaps I like “Ideas” because it’s rather like the little miracle that was “Odyssey”, though of course Gretchen Helfrich (peace, wherever you are) drinks the milkshake of Paul Whatsit.
I can only hope this is indeed only a test, and a failing one, but I fear it is instead a dire warning.
I already commented on Q, but I hope the powers that be at WBEZ are paying attention to all the pleas to bring music programming back into your daily lineup. The station has suffered since you dropped music and have lamely filled those spots with mediocre programming and repeats. Why is it that the jazz programming on WDCB just seems so lackluster compared to what BEZ used to provide?
So far, I like it. I would rather have “Radio Lab” back. I enjoyed that much more the week it was on in the morning.
Most of the Canadian stuff is good; gives me a view I hadn’t thought of. Like looking at a mirror of America from another vantage point.
There is a 5 minute show by Garrison Kielor I would also like to hear on WBEZ. It is called “Writers showcase”, I think or “Writers something-or-other.” (I used to listen to it on Vermont Public Radio when I had summer work there.)
Also might like to include, “The Splendid Table.”
The Q program would be nice during overnight hours, midnight to 5am. Please leave ATC alone.
Q is good, but maybe in another time slot. It seems too many would be upset at the time change of ATC (although ATC isn’t even on until 4:00 in the eastern time zones, and quite a few central time zone markets, too).
Maybe this would be a good show for 11 a.m. in place of “The Story,” or maybe a good evening show. Yes, evenings would be quite the place for this program. Something good to listen to when you’re winding down for the day…
“There are no plans to replace the 3pm hour of ATC with Q.”
Sorry to hear that. Not so much because Q is so good, but because I’d take ANYTHING to dilute the endless repetition of the same news reports hour after dreary hour, from most of the morning until most of the afternoon. Obviously most listeners love the drip drip drip of canned comment, so I lose on that one.
As to Q itself, I only heard one show and it seemed OK but nothing new or exciting. If we can’t cut down the ATC monotony, it would at least make a good replacement for The Story. But there are probably better choices out there somewhere.
Nope- does not do a thing for me- especially if ATC would be replaced with it— If you do carry it- please only on the weekends… thanks!
Q is ok but not in the same league as Fresh Air. I really liked Mosh and would love to see it return in an evening slot between 7 & 11.
Q is so-so, not nearly as interesting as the brief run of Radio Lab early this month. It would be nice to hear something in the 3:00 hour other than the hour of ATC that airs at 5:00.
I’ll agree with others that Q is just OK, especially if it is actually attracting younger listeners. However, I strongly urge you not to replace the 3 PM ATC with it; it totally disrupts my (and, apparently, others’) listening schedule. It probably belongs in the weekend schedule, at best, but if you insist on weekday afternoons, make it 5 PM, although that will disappoint the evening commute folks. While I’m here, I’ll throw in with the mourners of Talk of the Nation in favor of Here and Now. The latter can be OK, as well, but is no match for TOTN.
I do not like this show at all, and definitely not in the 3:00pm ATC spot. If WBEZ is thinking about adding this to the program schedule, I will considering canceling my Dollar-a-Day membership. I want serious news and analysis and not pop culture fluff.
I appreciate your ongoing search for different programming but this program would not add anything to your daily line up of programming. And in fact, it is quite repetitive as far cultural news programming goes. I much much much prefer ATC in this time slot. As a NPR affiliate station, WBEZ should work on bringing Chicagoans more news which ATC provides.
Q is too provincial. Oh, Canada.
I don’t think these CBC programs work. I intensely dislike Definitely not the Opera, As it Happens and now Q seems to be in the same vein although maybe a tad better.
Must be something about the CBC sensibility, the writing is full of “cute” and “clever” little phrases and puns that are completely lame and annoying. And this is usually layered with an over bubbly host that is sickeningly confident is his/her cleverness.
Put these shows on in the middle of the night and play more music!!
WOW, was I shocked to turn on ATC at 3:00 earlier in the week, only to hear strange voices ~ didn’t know what was happening ~ there was break in the program ~ learned about the “test”. Though I listened only briefly, it didn’t work for me and seemed oddly placed. I turned to another station until 4:00. Don’t mess with the scheduling of ATC. I did like the week-long experiment of “Radio Lab”. Frankly, I’m tired of “all-the-talk” (hosts, guests, call-ins) on WBEZ and really miss interludes of jazz, folk and world music. And all this from a believer in, long-time supporter of, promoter of public radio, especially WBEZ.
enjoyed the week of Q. Canadian broadcasting offers a slightly different and pleasant spin. I liked the choice of people interviewed
Only heard Friday’s, but the music and interview with Leonard Cohen, but seems to have real potential. Brought back great memories of Gretchen Helfrich on WBEZ and Ian Brown on CBC Sunday morning. i
Only heard Friday’s, but the music and interview with Leonard Cohen, but seems to have real potential. Brought back great memories of Gretchen Helfrich on WBEZ and Ian Brown on CBC Sunday morning. I never listen to ATC at 3pm. Please keep up the experiment for at least a little longer.
I like Q. It’s fun and interesting, and I’d much rather have it in the daily lineup than “The Story.”
Regardless of what you do with Q, please, please, please stop airing “The Story.” I can’t stand Dick Gordon–he interrupts his subject at the dramatic climax of the story he or she is telling, jumping to the end of the anecdote and completely killing the effect or suspense of the subject’s own storytelling style. He did this twice to this same woman in one episode, and I haven’t listened since. Now I just turn the radio off between 11:05 and noon.
That said, I would choose even “The Story” over music.
I found Q mostly inane and boring–especially the interviews with TV actors, etc. Please drop it.
I listened everyday this week. If I don’t stop what I’m doing to listen to content from time to time, there is no interest for me. I can’t even recall quests interviewed. If Q is picked up regularly, I suggest it be aired in the evening sometime after All Things Considered.
Thoroughly enjoyed the Show. First time I heard an interview with Jian Ghomeshi – reminded me of the very thoughtful but relaxed style of Charlie Rose. I don’t work Fridays so this time slot is great for me. I only heard the Leonard Cohen interview and the woman from 24 – actually got me interested in seeing 24 – Jian has a great voice and held my attention during interviews. Hope you keep it on the air – still miss the CBC Sunday morn program – and I’m from Chicago.
As a long-time listener who has survived many fundraisers, I can imagine a voice asking me over the radio how I would feel “if one day you turned on your radio and All Things Considered was not on?”
Well, unfortunately, due to programming changes this week, I was able to discover that feeling – I WAS P**ST-OFF!
This came out of the blue, there was no warning or promotion and it involved a show that may not even be available.
(I need to get a life)
I tuned in for “Q” everyday this week; normally, I don’t turn on the car radio for ATC until 5:30pm.
“Q” is a keeper and I will miss its 3pm broadcast.
BTW: Please consider replacing overnight BBC programming with CBC programming.
Thanks!
I think it’s a weird time slot.
When I lived in LA, I loved listening to their morning music program, Morning Becomes Eclectic — in fact, I still do listen to MBE. I wish WBEZ had a music program in the morning. It just makes more sense with how I like to start my day.
Please keep ATC! I’m sure you’re testing Q because it’s cheaper than ATC, but it’s awful.
The title sounded interesting, the announced topics made me think, good, another interesting show like Fresh Air with Terry Gross. But every time I tried to listen (at least 4), I just couldn’t last more than a minute or two. Sorry, no helpful insights because I couldn’t stand to put the time in. Wait, that is an insight…
I just saw Steve Edwards’ note that you were testing the show out, not the time slot. I’m very glad to know ATC will be on at 3 so I can catch up with news as I get the kids from school. I won’t be listening to Q whatever the time it may run. Thanks for consistently asking for feedback on-air. I can’t remember that happening before.
This program is just okay. “Fresh Air” already does too many “pop star” interviews for my personal taste. I do like the idea of not repeating ATC. The news shows repeat some stories all day long. Thanks for asking.
Comment on “Q”
Excellent. I would seek it out. Hopefully you can find room for it durring 8:00am-5:00pm
The host of Q is so awkward! I cringed while he was interviewing Leonard Cohen on the show today. He kept asking him about death, dying and depression. He kept going back to fear of dying . . . Leonard Cohen is alive! This time slot is not good for Q either. I don;t think I could listen to Jian Ghomeshi every day.
I think Q is ok and certainly losing an hour of ATC is fine, as it repeats until 6:30 PM (3.5 hours). I would look for something different for the 3PM slot tho as Q covers alot of the same subjects as Here & Now and Fresh Air. It does seem to address a younger generation audience if that is what you’re after.
Q: don’t pick this up. Boring interviewees, boring interviews. Stick with Fresh Air and the two hours of ATC.
P.S. As others have noted, The Moth is fabulous (!!) and Radio Lab was great too. Really stuck with me and I’d love to see these on air. Morning Becomes Eclectic from KCRW would be a dream any time of the day.
Please NO MORE Q! ATC has deteriorated so much in the past few years, stuffed with fluff stories that are nothing more than headlines from the internet that I don’t even listen to that anymore. I just turn off the radio and wait for Moneymarket @ 6:30 p.m. And I listen to the Sunday line up of Bob Edwards; Tavis Smiley; the religion show; Weekend Money Market; Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me and The Play’s the Thing on Saturday night. Everyone is chasing the “young demos.” Why? They have NO MONEY to either spend or pledge because they are either unemployed or under employed, so a heads up to all you media execs, quit it! Yes, I belong to the 50-60 age group, but I consider myself keeping up with the times, but not “hip” or “cool.” I could care less about being that (I didn’t care when I was 18 in the 1970s, why should I now?). I’m getting tired of all the media chasing that “special demographic age.” They ain’t ever going to pledge–they don’t think they have to pay for anything. I know. I’ve got a daughter in that demo group and the stories I have heard from her about her college experience leads me to believe that chasing that group will only run any media into the ground. So, as for Q–get rid of it. Please. I know I should support a fellow Indian but he really, really sucks.
Please please please bring back All Things Considered at 3pm. The Q sounds just like every other talk show available all over XM at that hour. I much prefer the best journalism in broadcast. Without it, there was a serious void in my days this week.
On paper, Q is a show I’d normally like. I agree with those who have compared Q with Definitely Not the Opera and I kind of like DNTO. But in terms of how Q is implemented, it doesn’t quite work for me even after three tries. I’m in the same camp with those who aren’t fans of the host’s interview questions and topic picks. I looked up Q and was surprised to find that it’s so popular in Canada–well, that certainly explains why you’d give it a try in Chicago and I’m all for intelligent experimentation like this. But especially as a replacement for the always excellent All Things Considered, my personal feeling is I’d much much rather have ATC back.
Talk of the Nation gone, The Story, an exercise in boredom and inappropriate commentary by the host. Here & Now, usually yesterday’s news. Gratefully, Fresh Air,and now “Q”, some kind of leftover from CBC – please, some one should decide exactly who you want to be, as a high fidelity member, I am rethinking.
I found Jian Ghomeshi as ineffective an interviewer as Dick Gordon. And, as with, “The Story”, I found myself switching dials when, “Q” was on. I gave it a try a few times this week, but, the show is – what I presume to be – an extremely weak take off on the British magazine, “Q”. I’d by far prefer to hear Bob Edwards five days a week if you’re looking to add an interview show. With that said, with all the amazingly, creative, new programming out there, I’d suspect a new, unfamiliar, well interviewed show (read: Steve Edwards any day) is out there, preventing WBEZ from having to – yet again – repeat programming. Thank you for respecting your audience enough to solicit input.
I wasn’t excited about Q. It just didn’t capture my interest.
And it was frustrating to have an abrupt change in schedule. I think most listeners would probably appreciate more of a heads-up when experiments are about to start. It’s good to try out new things, just let us know what to expect!
There is ONE reason I listen to WBEZ. I tune in several times a day Monday through Friday. Along with your NPR news stories, WBEZ is one of the few radio outlets in Chicago where I can usually count on hearing real news about the issues that we face, delivered with a much better than average depth and perspective.
Sorry, I was totally disappointed listening to Q. This show and your other arts, lifestyle, humor, and whimsy shows belong in a time slot later in the evening or on the weekend. We can get fun and fluff from hundreds of other media outlets. Please stop diluting the quality of what you produce.
I quite frankly am astonished at the negative comments being made here. I found Q refreshing and one of those things that consistently stirred “drive-way moments” during this all too brief trial.
I found the interview and performance by Rosanne Cash/John Leventhal particularly good, as was the Woodhands interview/performance. Leonard Cohen is always a treat, and – though I’m not exactly a fan – even Adam Lambert came across as articulate and reasonably intelligent.
I had no problem with Jian and especially looked forward to the in-studio performances. I hope WBEZ is willing to give it a shot. I think if people kept an open mind, they too would appreciate the breath of fresh air, so to speak.
I prefer Fresh Air
I did not care for Q at all, so much so that I changed the radoi station. At this time of day, my drive home, I like to hear about the real news of the day, not fluff.
Sorry this is not for me.
Ha! Suck it, programmers: nobody likes this show except for Canadians who don’t know what American Idol is. Big as this world is, there’s room for a finite number of arts and culture programs on the radio, at least when I’m not asleep. Are you risking all the overlap for the dubious potential of missing the first and last broadcast of the out-of-tune stylings of “Wooden Hat” or whatever they’re called?
Fresh Air has been moved, Talk of the Nation is gone… The Story is unlistenable, Definitely not the opera is not worth a second try, Here and Now sux. Since the music programming was eliminated, the rest of the schedule has suffered. Did the quality control department get sacked at the same time?
Also, is Vocolo a blog? Why did you have to buy a broadcast tower to set up a blog?
Discovered this show on Friday while stuck in traffic on the Eisenhower. Based on what I heard – an appreciation of J.D. Salinger, followed by “The Loner” by Neil Young (appropriate AND Canadian content!) and a delightful interview with the timeless and ageless Leonard Cohen, I vote ‘yes’ and hope you can find a place for this show as long as it does not replace an hour of ATC. Meanwhile, I was moved to seek out the full version of the Leonard Cohen interview on You Tube. Thank you!
I found Q to be thoroughly enjoyable, with marvelous guests and I love the 3 pm slot. When
ATC comes on so early (3 pm) I feel as though the day is just about over. It means that for
the next 3 1/2 hours I will have little choice but to find some other station once ATC
begins the repeat. I am addicted to radio, but not so much that I can listen to the repeat.
I surely hope you can find another spot for it (replacing BBC perhaps at 10 am). I do
appreciate that you are seeking our input.
I liked what I heard. I mainly loved the interview with Leonard Cohen, mainly because he is he, not because of the man who did the interview, whatever his name is. I do not have a problem with All Things Considered not being broadcast twice or three times each evening.
I’m rethinking my comment. I am listening to the podcast of Q’s interview of Cohen, and I agree with a prior comment that the interviewer is too fixated on Cohen’s thoughts on death. I somewhat understand, since Cohen is a bold man whose insights have fascinated us. I can see that his view of his own death could be of interest, but that is a bit on the pushy and rude side to probe someone on their own death! It is not as if Cohen is some cagey politician whose feet need to be held to the fire. This interviewer sounds so naive and brashly young. Embarrassing.
Just want to say”NO” to “Q” at any time.
We’ve been to CBC already and found it wanting.
I couldn’t believe I had to go to WDCB at 3.
Perhaps you want to reduce my contribution more then I have already done.Please…NO!
god i can’t stand CBC shows…alison cuddy is the only canadian on BEZ worth listening to…
Jian Ghomeshi sounds so young and naive talking to Tom Waits, Garrison Keillor, and Leonard Cohen. Am I just old? The show calls itself one of Canada’s most listened to.
Love those Canadiens! They are so earnest and sincere , and bit flat. It may be my age, but they are somewhat juvenile.
It is an improvement. if it saves money, over rerunning All Things Considered. But I’d prefeer we find/develop something moe compelling and Chicago centered than this…..
I like it. Lot more than the Story. Why? Q moves along variety of topics people, etc. If something is not particularly interesting to me, wait and the next one might be. AAnd like most public radio stuff, I get involved and often learn something I never would have known. The Story seems to me to be too many ‘how I overcame adversity” or ” I had a terrible experience and survived” stories. And most of them are frankly depressing. The news is depressing enough. I don’t need more.
Listening to Q makes me realize how good All Things is.
Although I liked the show Q, I think if WBEZ is going to offer a new program, it would be great if it were a locally based show focusing on the arts community in Chicago. There is so much going on in theater, fine arts, dance, music – classical, jazz, alternative, etc. – do we really require another show relaying celeb and web-headline stories? The arts in Chicago are tremendous – from large institutions like AIC, Lyric Opera, Chicago Symphony and Hubbard Street to small and beautifully managed operations like Lifeline, i.O, Writers Theater, Strawdog, ect. The Cultural Center has events every week; many musical groups perform throughout the greater Chicago area continuously. Although 848 has some coverage, there is ample room for more. WBEZ used to have frequent local arts programming, why not create a daily program that covers Chicago’s vibrant arts community? This would make a wonderful addition to your schedule. Thank you.
Q is mediocre and certainly not for prime time. Might be marginally better than a re-run of 848, Fresh Air, or Worldview but as others have pointed out, just not that original. I loved the CBC weekend show with Arron Brown (?SP) you used to run 4 or 5 years ago, but Q does not come close.
The response given by Jill Pohren concerning viable programing for the 3-4 pm spot, is
by far the best solution/answer given on this entire site. Jill suggests an hour a day
spot lighting the cultural wealth in Chicago. Theaters, movies being made here, musical solos and groups, dance groups, current exhibits at the museums etc. We surely don’t
get enough information on these performers, and venues, without digging deeply. We
can read of the dates in many of the newspapers, but that is a listing only. Many do not
even read newspapers these days. What a service it would be if BEZ were to bring us
interviews and descriptions of upcoming, just completed, on-going entertainment here in
the city as well as the nearby suburbs.
Use “Q” to replace “The Story”.
Q was okay,nothing special. But definitely not for 3PM. I really like getting my news as I’m driving the kids home from school, before the rush of evening activities and homework. I enjoy The Story off and on, really liked Radio Lab when it had it’s short run a couple times. Usually turn off Here and Now, and was really glad when TOTN Science Friday came back. As far as DNTO, I switch to WFMT for folk programing when it comes on. Don’t like it at all.
Listened to Q for a few days. Then I couldn’t take it anymore! Please put All Things Considered back in its rightful home. the Q show just doesn’t pass muster.
It is similar to Fresh Air and Terry Gross does it better. Please don’t replace the 3 pm with anything. ATC is great and should run twice during the afternoon/evening commute. I agree with another post that possibly there is some room for it on the weekends only. or, better yet, replace The Story.
I tried listening to Q several times last week and always ended up reaching for the dial – which is rare for me. I thought the host was decent but there was nothing really to pull me in and keep me interested. Several of the guests were well known only in Canada (i.e. the very long segment with the woman who is now on 24 but used to be on a canadian TV show…). I suspect that WBEZ is trying to find low-cost programming but there must be something more entertaining and informative out there. Please keep searching or keep the old lineup.
I’d be happy if this show stuck around. I’ve liked Jian since his Fruvous days.
Don’t particularly like the show; Terry Gross and Dave Davies (when he fills in) do a much better job interviewing.
I am a Canadian and a long time fan of CBC as well as PRI. But things up here have changed in the last three years or so, and nothing underscores that more than Q and Jian Ghomeshi. The show is lame and Mr. Ghomeshi is too much in love with the sound of his own voice. You might be interested to know that Mr. Ghomeshi already brags “his” show has been picked up by PRI.
I would caution those who honour PRI to be vigilent, demand your standards remain high. Remember, Q will cost you money and it’s not worth a dime.
I can’t believe there is a Canadian in the world who hasn’t heard of Jian Ghomeshi. I just moved to Chicago from Vancouver, and was delighted when I stumbled upon Q on the radio the other day. Keep it. It’s great.
I’m with most other people on this subject. Stop trying to improve public radio and let us die our comfortable deaths.