Danger, Bruce Rainnie, Danger

Bruce and Boomer The new Bruce Rainnie-Kevin “Boomer” Gallant host-weatherman relationship is in its early days, obviously — tonight was their second night together. But already there are danger signs: it’s imperative that Bruce not attempt to out-Boomer Boomer with the witty quips and awkward puns.

For the relationship to prosper, Bruce must play the straight man — the Hardy to Boomer’s Laurel, the Jerry to Boomer’s George, the Desi to Boomer’s Lucy.

There’s not room for two playful buffoons on Compass, and while Bruce need not play things dour, he’s got to play with the wry, bemused comeback, not the pre-emptive outpun.

Stay tuned.

Tuesday, November 18, 2003 - 7:22pm

Comments

Submitted by Bruce (not verified) on Tue, 2003-11-18 20:22.

Hi there, Enjoy reading your site and appreciate your critique. Rest assured, my goal will never be to ” Out Boomer Boomer. ” That would be foolhardy. Remember, though, it is important to be yourself on air, and if that involves an occasional pun or quip, so be it. Some will work, some won’t, but none will be offered in competition with Boomer. He’s and Island staple, I’m an Island rookie. Keep watching, and keep the comments coming. It keeps us on our toes. Thanks, Bruce Rainnie.

Submitted by Ken (not verified) on Tue, 2003-11-18 21:12.

Doug Cameron was funny, Boomer is a clown.

Submitted by Will (not verified) on Tue, 2003-11-18 22:06.

I’m going to have to agree to disagree with you on this one, Peter. I find the back and forth between Bruce and Boomer to be the highlight of the newscast. My Dad and I have hearty chuckles at their banter. It’s nice to see someone give Boomer something to work with.

Submitted by Nils Ling (not verified) on Tue, 2003-11-18 22:39.

I think Bruce will settle in well - he’s got great sensibilities and knows how to find that elusive line. I agree with you, Peter - nobody can out-Boomer Boomer. But I think Bruce already has that figured out, and will strike that tricky balance between tossing out bait and reeling it all in. It’s been two shows and he already feels like an old friend.

Submitted by Alan (not verified) on Wed, 2003-11-19 00:15.

Jeese - maybe it will be Don Cameron and Doug Saunders all over again. They were great. One night they told the story of a bride in Argentina so happy on her wedding night she jumped for joy, up and down, on the bed and then out the window 36 floors. They giggled and during the sports most winning teams, too, were said to be “jumping for joy”. Soon they were moved to the late news, the Maritimes Tonight. But if want you wish for are hearty chukles at banter, shouldn’t be disappointed.

Submitted by Wayne (not verified) on Wed, 2003-11-19 11:41.

From my perspective, it will take some time to be able to offer a critique with credibility about

Submitted by Humblebub (not verified) on Wed, 2003-11-19 11:57.

Wayne - perfect! I am in total agreement.

Submitted by Nils Ling (not verified) on Wed, 2003-11-19 12:20.

I just hope as “Alpha Male” he doesn’t wander around the building peeing on the furniture. We had enough of that with his brother …

Submitted by Nils Ling (not verified) on Wed, 2003-11-19 12:24.

To be fair, though, that was less about “status” than it was about “incomplete toilet training”.

Submitted by Ken (not verified) on Wed, 2003-11-19 12:26.

CBC Peons

Submitted by Ritchie Simpson (not verified) on Wed, 2003-11-19 14:18.

Let’s just hope that, unlike too many on air voices at CBC Charlottetown, he learns the proper pronunciation of Malpeque, Guadet, and the names of at least 8 varieties of Spuds.

Submitted by Nils Ling (not verified) on Wed, 2003-11-19 14:59.

Good luck with the “proper” pronunciation of Gaudet … is it “God-DAY”? “Goodie”? “God-DET”? I’ve heard all three pronunciations, all from people bearing that surname. So let’s not assume there’s a standard. And people will give him grief when he pronounces Doiron “incorrectly” too … is it Dwa-WRONG?” “DWA-ron”? “Duh-WRONG”? And don’t even get me started on “Dalziel” Do people named Dalziel get Heimer’s? And Ken, thank you so much for your contribution to the discussion. So enlightening.

Submitted by Alan (not verified) on Wed, 2003-11-19 15:16.

I vote for: “Goodie”, “Dwoir-ron”, D-L. Dalziel is pronounced as D-L in Scotland, I lived in “Dwoir-ron’s Creek” and Goodie seemed pervasive to the PEI branch.

Submitted by Mandy (not verified) on Wed, 2003-11-19 16:22.

It’s debates like this (over last names and so forth) that make me so proud to be an Islander. No place else can you have hours of fun and heated passionate disagreement over a few simple words. Is it “Wash” or “Warsh”.. “Window” or “Windah”??

Submitted by Rob Paterson (not verified) on Wed, 2003-11-19 17:01.

Ah but what about the PEI vocalizations in interviews - the indrawn breath “huuh!” (can’t spell it - any ideas?) when an interviewee makes what you think of a s good point. Or the “Yes” with the “look” when you mean “no” but don’t want to be rude. I also found various body parts hard to understand like the “pam” of my hand. Meal times - dinner in the middle of the day is common off Island but Lunch as a late snack I have not come across before. It’s hard enough being a regular guy from away but to be on TV everynight must be a hard road

Submitted by Alan (not verified) on Wed, 2003-11-19 18:22.

That is “The Maritime Affirmative” and not just local to PEI. Correlates with “The Scots Toothsuck Inquisitorial”. Boxed midnight “lunches” are pervasive North American, I’d think.

Submitted by Mandy (not verified) on Wed, 2003-11-19 19:50.

Rob do you mean the “Sucked back Yeah”?? the way Islanders tend to say “yes” to things.

Submitted by Nils Ling (not verified) on Wed, 2003-11-19 20:54.

And yet another name for it … the “Aspirated Affirmative” .. “hhhyyyuhh” . It’s common through the Maritimes and even, I found, in Maine, where it is written phonetically as “ayuh”. And I believe I quote Urban Carmichael in saying that “Oilanders took the “air out of slippy and put ‘er into warsh.”

Submitted by Cyn (not verified) on Thu, 2003-11-20 00:02.

Poor Bruce Rainnie. That’s too much for one day. I’ve been here for 23 years and I’m still working on ‘becoming’.

Submitted by Nils Ling (not verified) on Thu, 2003-11-20 00:36.

I don’t even try anymore, Cyn darlin’ … I’m “here on purpose” as David Weale calls it. But I figure we’re in good company - Pat Binns, Stompin’ Tom, even dear Anne of Green Gables are all from away. Adopted children are not loved less.

Submitted by Cyn (not verified) on Thu, 2003-11-20 09:51.

Don’t I know it.