I’m a proud woman. I like to handle things myself, without relying on anyone. I don’t like to admit I’m in need of help, ever.
Today, that’s all changed. I’m not happy,my morning is messed up and I’m cranky. Actually, I’m so pissed off that its totally disrupted my whole routine. Why, you ask?
Because (Rogers owned) City TV has fired Simi Sara and Dave Gerry, their Breakfast Television hosts. I found out from a friend in the industry last night. This may not mean much to you, but to me, someone who finds very little of anything that is on TV worth watching or even relatively amusing, ITS HUGE!!!!!!!
Morning TV in this city has, in my opinion, sucked for far too long. Because of this, sometimes I have chosen to listen to Phil Till on NW, because the innuendo between Madryga and Till is quite titillating- dirty older men- but if Madryga isn’t on, the show just isn’t as fun. Sure, there’s Global Morning News, but its not what I would call compelling or even funny morning TV- nothing against the crew, but my parents watch it along with a million other older people. Canada AM has its moments- their weather guy is freaking hilarious- but what it comes down to, is that neither of the shows have what I call….
” The Dave Factor ” . ( insert claps of thunder here)
You heard me right. It’s the Dave Factor.
You can’t teach what Dave Gerry has, and neither can you replace the natural chemistry and comraderie he shares with Simi. Hes dirty, cheeky, naughty, incredibly intelligent … and we love him for it.
He is irreplaceable.
And this morning, when I woke up, I had forgotten that they were let go, and turned on the TV , only to see Tasha in Simi’s seat. Erghhhh. Again, nothing against the rest of the cast- they are fun and round it out well, but like so many other viewers I know, Simi and Dave were the draw, and now that they are gone - thats it for me.
No more BT.
Back to Till and Madryga and overt sexual innuendo to get me going in the morning. Perhaps if Till could get more of those hard hitting editorials in to fire things up, it would be even better.
Last year,while I was competing in CKNW’s Talk Show Idol Contest, I invited Dave, along with New York Times best-selling author, James Finn Garner, as guests to talk about political correctness- or more precisely, how I think we’ve all just gone too far with the whole shebang. I was honoured when he accepted. James and Dave were sooooo funny, and so well-matched in both humour and wit as guests. What started as poking fun at over sensitive members of society, somehow led to a conversation about wearing kilts and letting the air flow around “the boys”. That led to what people might do – or wear- in the privacy of their own home, in the basement, with the curtains closed, in front of their computers………
Had the listeners been able to see the reactions of those in studio who were listening, they would have appreciated how hard it was for me not to lose it on the air. The judges were laughing so hard they were on the floor. Tom Jeffries was cracking up. It was all just so wrong – and yet so damn funny, and it still makes me smile.
Dave! DAVE!!!!! Are you listening? Reading this? Where are you? I need you…… I, I think- wait, no ( gulp) I know - I’m addicted to you in the morning, like some women are addicted to shopping, or chocolate, or men who are bad for them!!! I need help, I admit it. I love it when you talk about your wife and we all know you are going to get trouble when you go home. Or when you go where you KNOW you shouldn’t go and Simi is shaking her head at you to shut up – and then, you boldly go there anyways….. well I… I just love it. You do your own thing Dave, and you do it like no one else.
So, if you are out there reading this, Dave, I hope someone else snaps you and Simi up together, and quickly. I’ll be there to watch or listen, and so will all your fans from BT. Where you go, we will follow. We need you- I need you!!!! I’m experiencing withdrawal symptoms already.
So heres an invitation to come and blog with me if you are up early in the morning with nothing to do. Do a guest blog! Keep us going through the dark and cold times.
There are legions of fans out there like me, who are missing you – and like a good cup of strong coffee that gets you going in the morning……… only a little bit of Dave will do ya.
; )
***** UPDATE: http://lailayuile.wordpress.com/2008/08/14/letter-to-dave-from-a-fan/
Thank you to everyone who has contacted me personally through the contact form to voice their agreement with this blog post. I’m glad to know I’m not alone in my addiction ! Good grief- I never thought I would say that about a television program! Unfortunately, I’ve received so many letters that there is no way I could possibly write everyone back, but I would ask all of you,to take a minute and forward those very same letters to CityTV management so they are aware of your discontent.
It starts here.
It ends here.
Make your voice heard, and do it now.
Then, tomorrow when you wake up, do it again. You get the idea.
You are a viewer who has a direct impact on their advertising revenue. Whos going to advertise if no ones watching?
Spend your coffee money on Speakers corner. Talk about why Dave and Simi must come back, and what it means to you!
Here is a link to their contact page, numbers & address.
Citytv Vancouver
180 West 2nd Avenue
Vancouver, BC
V5Y 3T9
Main Switchboard: 604-876-1344
Toll-free number for B.C. residents only 1-888-336-9978
http://www.citytv.com/vancouver/3488_contactus.aspx
I for one, have no reason to tune in anymore, regardless of who the new hosts will be, or the new direction the show takes. ” If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! “
**** Letter from Dave and Simi on the home page ! http://lailayuile.wordpress.com/2008/09/21/845/
Filed under: Blogroll, CKNW Talk SHow Idol, Credits, Laila Yuile | Tagged: broadcast media, city tv, CKNW, CKNW Talk SHow Idol, dave gerry, Laila Yuile, rogers media, simi sara, vancouver
Thank you so very very much for writing down exactly how I felt this morning. We really need to get this message to Dave and Simi and I don’t know how. But thanks for starting somewhere.
I was in tears this morning and I don’t cry easy – I just loathed that my whole morning routine is gone now.
Joanne
I can’t believe they’re gone! Apparently, it all went down because they haven’t been pulling in the ratings that Global pulls in. Let’s be frank, the only way someone will top Global’s ratings is if all the elderly fall off. No offence, but I agree with Laila. What about the 20 and 30 somethings? What are we going to watch? It’s a complete disruption of the morning routine of many. What will they do with Citycooks? I mean, these weren’t little personalities. If things needed shaking up couldn’t the bigwigs come up with something a little more creative? HAVE WE HEARD OF CREATIVITY? I’m disgusted. I’m even more disgusted that I have to be disgusted about this.
Thank you. You wrote exactly how I felt and I emailed BT and told them too. I had a hard night trying to sleep after I heard and woke up hoping it was a dream. Turned on BT at 6:00am and cried to see that it was true. Dave and Simi gone. No explanation and the rest of the team trying to keep the program going. I can’t imagine how Dawn, Tasha, Kyle, Mark and the rest of the stafff are feeling. I do not know what to do now to get myself off to a good start in the morning. My whole morning routine is gone too. I so enjoyed Dave and Simi as my start to the day. I get up an hour earlier every morning so I get to see more of them before I go to work. I do not believe the reasons that the management at the station reported in the Vancouver Sun Paper. Shame on you! A new direction? Bolderdash, this station has changed Management and owners 3 or 4 times since Dave and Simi have been on BT. I am sure Dave and Simi will move on to bigger and better things and I hope to watch them do it. I will be going the DIRECTION OF A DIFFERENT STATION. I believe that Rogers/Global will take a huge hit for making such a huge mistake.
Donna
Hi all,
I’m so glad I’m not the only one upset about Dave and Simi. They were always a great start to my day. I work in the media and as soon as I heard, I knew the team couldn’t even acknowledge their absence. My 20 something daughter also watched BT and has said more than once that she loves Dave and would be very upset if he was let go. I have tuned in to the other morning shows, and found them too dry and boring. Shame on Rogers!
My kids watched BT with me.!! They were as mad as I was. (They are under 12..I am in my 40’s). Dave and Simi and a cup of coffee for me, our mornings were set. I am all over a boycott of BT now. We will no longer be watching BT. EVER!
Mad as hell. Farewell BT. My morings won’t be the same.
Yep, Simi and Dave were the ONLY reason I watched BT in the morning. Love them! Now I have NO reason to watch BT anymore.
big mistake to fire them. I hope it backfires horribly.
I’m furious! Every single morning I get up and watch Simi and Gerry. I thought these guys are so great together I imagined watching these two for years to come.
Will not be watching this station anymore in protest. I don’t see anything else being able to take it’s place.
I am so angry that Dave and Simi weren’t there with me this morning. They were the only reason I would switch on the tv in the morning and just listen to them banter back and forth.
I will not watch this station either and I will try to get as many people to stop as possible.
My wife and I started our day with Simi and Dave and their supporting cast. I can’t believe the BS reason on ratings as the two showsare distinctly different. BT is live entertainment with a news/weather component while the “competitor’ is news/weather…same news/weather and more of the same with little entertainment value. We could watch BT thru the whole show and get some great laughs. The “other show” is wotrthy of a quick shot before you head out the door. We are really going to miss Simi and Dave…
This is the third time this has happened, I loved Fiona and whatshisname, then one morning they were gone. Then the Victoria VTV got my morning eyes for their morning show, it was local (I am in Nanaimo) and fun and entertaining. Then one day…poof …it was gone. Now Dave and Simi are gone too? I know they will show up somewhere else in the broadcasting world, especially Dave, he is so entertaining. Dave is on my list of people I’d like to have lunch with. Sigh, now my morning schedule is totally screwed up. Geez, now what’s gonna make me laugh that early??? Is there a way to email Dave or Simi to say thanks for the smiles?
I am so disappointed as well. The whole team has been so enjoyable together and it was Dave and Simi at the centre, keeping it fun and entertaining for sure! Can’t believe they are gone. I have so enjoyed my mornings and it is really obvious that the team are trying to be upbeat on the air. They must feel awful. Well, if you are reading this Simi and Dave, I hope someone else scoops you both up quick. You were both such bright spots in my mornings. I will be watching this website for updates What is there to watch in the mornings that starts the day off right?
I’m one of the “elderly” referred to in earlier comments and I have always watched Dave and Simi. Great chemistry. Nothing else in the morning matches it. I am going to miss them as well. Hope they move on to bigger and better things.
Well, this proves their viewing audience is among the most diverse.
Sorry to spoil your mornings, but there really isnt anything local that even comes close. Mike and Fiona are great at what they do, but its not for me.
Global? Meh, not so much. Canada AM is what I catch now and then, great features, but still not even close to the laugh factor on BT with Dave.
I have 4 kids from 17 to 7 weeks, and I sit down at the computer every morning at 5:30 to start writing. I have the TV on in the background, and only really start to listen in when Dave comes on. Some of the work I do is heavy and serious, and his appearance always makes me laugh- every day- without fail. I know some people might think thats crazy, but in this day and age, i find it invaluable.
The regular news in the morning is so damn depressing- who wants to start their day that way?
I never thought I would say this, but I’m listening to Phil Till – ( Jon McComb is filling in) – on CKNW this morning. Both are great host, in my opinion, pretty funny, and so is Madryga when he is calling in the weather. I feel bad for the others at BT, but, I’m just not into it now!
I am so glad to see that other people are feeling the same and will refuse to watch BT. Dave and Simi became part of my family’s routine. I hope that they get pick up somewhere.
Such a sad day. I couldn’t believe it yesterday. Today is different. No Simi and No Dave
It’s just not that same at all. It sucks.
On the up side, I’ll be on time to work… if you call that an `up side’.
Six months ago our daughter convinced us to switch to BT since we were Increasingly bored by Global TV’s repetitive traffic/weather/film clips with minimal/biased news reporting. We learned more just by reading BT’s ticker tape. But what hooked us was the repartee between Dave and Simi. Shocked to find them fired. This morning we turned off the TV. Will check out radio.
O.k., I love looking @ Tasha, who does’nt? But come on, Kyle? He is going to take over for Dave Gerry? Kyle has as much personality as my left testicle. Dave is first of all funny, but also very experienced and even sometimes interesting. Certainly way more so than the dry unbuttered toast on Global. This is such typical Rogers. Large corporate big head suits messing with us, when will it stop?
City TV, when and or if you read this, know this, I’m going back to the bro Jake show, we need humor in the morning, Dave = funny, Kyle Donaldson = backup-newsboy. GET IT RIGHT!!!
cc: to above website
I was a happy girl yesterday, a little perturbed that BT would allow Dave and Simi to take vacation at the same time, thus taking the spark out of my morning routine but, I’d get over it. I was midday into my landscaping job when my husband sent me a text. I was too dirty to open the text but spent the next while mulling over what might follow “Dave and Simi laid…” When I had the chance to open the text I was devastated. Poor Yuma!! I don’t want to be dramatic but I LOVED them. Between tears for the loss of them and strong urges to egg Citytv on my way home (Dave, if you want me to, I will) I realised that I need to find a more positive way to deal with this. Many times over the years I was inspired to write a letter to the station to thank BT (Dave and Simi) for starting my day off on the perfect note. Now I regret putting that letter off. I would really like to find a way to thank them now. I run my own landscape company and would gladly put a free day into their gardens (and if they wanted to invite the other over and discuss the news of the day, that would be great) So, Dave and Simi, if you read this, thank you soo much for sharing your wonderful selves with us. It truly enriched my life and your absence feels like I’ve lost the dearest of friends.
I, too, could not believe that Simi and Dave are gone from my mornings. I wondered that the two could be off together but then read the news. It is so sad to see the rest of the crew trying to get through the program, probably wondering if their jobs are next. I truley enjoyed the mornings and now wonder where I will get my spark to start the day. Global is not my answer – find it very boring and depressing. Best of luck to Simi and Dave. I will miss you!
My sis phoned and told me she heard on radio Simi and Dave were fired.
I couldn’t believe it! They were are so entertaining, especially Dave; Simi knows him so well. They are great together! Kyle & Tasha? You have got to be kidding!! Each do well in their own format; not together.
Heard from Citytv, they are going in another direction.
Well, they can go there without me. I’m back to morning radio unless Dave & Simi show up somewhere else. Hopefully.
Bring them back. This is the worst move in local media history. I mean, what are we expected to watch in the morning? Our toenails grow? Cornflakes floating in the bowl ? Jam? Cause thats what watching Globals like- watching jam.
Just my two cents.
Thanks for letting me vent it. I’m boycotting BT .
What an incredibly boneheaded thing to do. Bloody Rogers. They can’t possibly have consulted their viewers first. I’m not in that 20-30 crowd (wish I still was) – I’ve crested 50 and find Global really boring in the mornings. The best thing they can come up with are the BBQ guys and lame bands. With Dave & Simi, I could learn something every morning, and laugh every morning. If Global is smart they’ll find a way to pick them up – then City TV will NEVER gain market share.
“i got the news today, oh boy” – straight from one of the producers.
“Simi and Dave are very talented and we have great respect for them but
the company decided to not renew their contracts. The belief was that
for Breakfast Television to grow, it had to be taken in a new direction.
Media is a business built on calculated risks. We take responsibility
for our decisions and believe we will bring you an even more engaging
and informative program in the future.”
I don’t mean to rag on specific personalities and I do think Doc and Dawn are great but, Tasha and what’s his name?? I’d rather wait for the test pattern on Shaw to clear.
Stupid, Stupid move.
I received an email this evening.
” Dear Laila,
Thank you for your e-mail.
We appreciate your support in the past and hope you will give our programs a chance in the future but recognize we must deal with the ramifications of our decision.
Again, we appreciate your comments and your time.
Regards ”
Steve Scarrow
Regional Promotions Director
Citytv Vancouver
*********************************
Rather concise.
Big contracts are the first to go in a cost-cutting era – that’s the ” new direction”. What Dave and Simi had cannot be replaced -they are original and unique in their specific combination. It will take someone equally as special and talented to fill those shoes, and that is hard to find.
I’d love to hear everyones favorite moment from the show.
The response given by Steve Scarrow was a blanket response. Everyone who e-mailed city tv and asked about Dave and Simi were sent the exact same e-mail!
Your post is exactly how i feel right now.
i just found out today and am still in the state of shock.
so much for catching bt each morning anymore.
i bookmarked your site. hope you can keep us posted if you find out anything of what happened to the two.
they were like the best morning tv hosts!!! i cant believe this happened.
bizarre watching the best of BTV this weekend – 5 pm sat and 2 pm sun. most of it was Dave and Simi including the intro segments. set your dvd’s, folks,
Wow, thanks Doug! I’m definately taping it, for posterity. I think it will be a bit bizarre. I havent felt like this since Seinfeld finished, and nothings come round to take THAT spot either.
Angel, I see that a lot of their fans are from all over, so if they pop up anywhere, I’ll be sure to let you know. I believe I read that Dave is quite the stone sculptor, and has sold his work in a well known gallery in Whistler.
On a funny note…… I did receive an email from a viewer suggesting we all take turns walking by the windows in front of the studio, with picket signs saying We miss Dave and Simi….hmmmm.
I just got the news tonight, and I’m shocked and saddened. No more citytv for me.
My favourite moments of the show;
*Simi laughing so hard at Dave she starts to cry.
*Hearing about Dave’s meticulously packed lunch and all tales about his angel of a wife.
*I always loved how Dave and Simi held hands while we travelled back in time.
*The discovery of BT followers in Yuma, Arizona (home of the lettuce festival)
*learning, and actually caring about things like a lettuce festival. Dave’s enthusiasm for the quirkiest things was contagious.
*Simi…so professional and proper, trying to keep Dave in line, always failing. How many times did she physically try to cover his mouth to shut him up?
*catching Simi’s quirkiness sneak out from her proper exterior.
*many, many more moments that always made me smile and laugh to myself throughout the day.
sidewalks and public streets are free, last i checked. images of our recently departed hosts could be posted in all manner of strategic locations.
if someone has a design idea for a dave & simi t-shirt, i would be all in and would help to make it happen.
only downside to a public protest is that is might raise ratings, and we know how important THOSE are to (SH)CITY-TV.
That they are Doug, that they are. For a woman, I am not the least bit crafty or have any design skills. Sorry. I do like the idea of a DAVE and SIMI Tshirt though!!!
Jennifer, Great thoughts!! I too, think of Dave often with Simi’s hand on the way, or over his mouth…He is just so, so, BAD…lol. Can you imagine him as your father? He would be the coolest dad on the block, or the most embarressing….
I just finished watching the weekly best of BT you referred to. Oh man, I completely missed that testicle festival thing altogether!!!!
Ohhh, my tummy hurts from laughing. I couldnt believe it, because when I was 18, I spent a summer working on ranch at 70 Mile House ( I’m from PG.) Wonderful summer, lots of cowboys ; ) , starry nights and sore asses- but I digress.
I arrived just at the time of year when the young males ( longhorn cattle) were castrated. What a smell….. yuck. Anyways, silly little young me assumed that the ranchhands just threw the “leftovers” away, but later that same night I ate a lovely dinner of Prairie Oysters, that the owner had prepared for myself, the other greenhorns, and some guests.
I really thought I was eating a freshwater oyster!!!!!! What a discovery for me, because in all my years growing up in PG,fishing and what have you, I had never heard of a freshwater oyster……
Really, you have to imagine my face when someone asked me how I liked the balls. “What balls are those?” I asked.
You know , the balls you had for dinner. “But I didnt have any ‘balls’, I had oysters.”
“Laila.”, he said, ” prairie oysters are the name given to the testicles from the young males we castrated today, because they look kind of like oysters. Thats what you had for dinner……”
Call it my initiation.
I’m Laila Yuile, I ate testicles, and I liked them!!!
Ahhh, I just remembered they arent going to be on tomorrow.
I have a BT memory, Two years ago, I won a contest with them to shoot a nerf football out of a cannon at BC place to win tickets to the Grey Cup. it was on air,and we all had a practice shot between live segments. Everyone was eyeballing it, and their shots were way off the target. Being the geek I am , I did some quick calculations to get the angle I should shoot at, and I was the closest out of all contestants.
Then the cannon failed.
Being live TV, they had to make a quick remedy, and resorted to Bacci with a nerf football.
I sucked. I didnt win . But….. it was a blast seeing Tascha live.
Sniff,. Sniff…. I miss you Dave, Simi…..
Ok, though, everyone, I need you to stick with me now. I have an announcement to make tomorrow. a big one – for me anyways. It is NOT Dave and Simi related, but its funny, its wonderful and its for a great cause. And maybe, just maybe, we can coax Dave and Simi out.
And Dawn Chubai, I like her too. She reminds me of me, with straight hair. I wonder if shes a Leo too?
Hello, Laila,
I think this is a tragedy. My morning is just not right! I tried watching that Tasha and Kyle today, but its like watching college kids play on TV. Shes great at on location spots, but she doesnt have the life experience that made Dave and Simi so funny.
kyle, well, what can I say. Hes great at reading the news.
Bring them baaaaaaackkkk!!!! I’m too old to start all over .
Oh, Laila! This morning really isnt ok!!!! The whole day is out of synch for us. The coffee was off, the TV was off, and we ended up listening to CKNW like you recommended. It was ok, but not as great as Dave. But, we will keep listening to their morning show rather than watch City TV anymore.
Viewers unite!!!
By the way, whats your announcement? Are you getting your own show? That would be great and we would watch you!!!!!!
Hey all, whats up?
Yo laila, whats about you get your own thing going online here ? My lady and I read you every day, you know, and your words are always stretching our minds , making us feel good, you know? You talk about sum deep trash, you know. so, I’m thinking, if we all cant get Dave and Simi back, howz about we get you live? C’mon, treat us all to a little net cast in the morn, a nice rant, or a little sumthin sumthin…..
Anyways, get back at us, cuz we want you!!!
I feel like everyone else this morning. Blah. Ho Hum.
I did try global, but Steve was trying to adlib about some baby whale story and watching him fumble to find something, anything to banter with Kristy about was painful to say the least.
Lynn is just too much in the morning. She needs some new clothes that dont interfere with her hair. and that new traffic KID? where did they get her? She talks and looks like shes in highschool. Good grief, whats a woman to do in the morning?
Thanks for your site, I read a lot of it over the weekend, and enjoyed it all. You really cover a lot of topics, and i loved the post about summer body grooming etiquette!!! I sent it to all my coworkers and friends.
Best, Darlene.
City TV just doesnt get it, do they?
global morning is a completely different type of show than BT. Yes, their ratings may be higher, but you know what? Theyve been the only morning show in the BC wide market for so long, they win by default.
Rogers Media is a cut-throat, money making machine. Did you notice all the crappy pop up ads on the city tv site? Try to leave a comment for them and 4 or 5 different ads pop up to block you.
If i wanted to buy a freaking phone I would go their website- get it???? No bull, this is so crappy.
I’m with you Laila , I went to CKNW . Im not watching a cheap version of the old show.
Dave, Simi, if you read this, you made a dude chill in the morning. We miss you.
sent (SH)CITY a brief message today:
“do everyone a favour and either go to test pattern or the holiday log burning”
i wonder what happens to simi’s citycooks and all those vignettes that dave did during the past 20+ years
If all I need is weather, traffic and who got shot dead last night, Global will work just fine. Or I will return to CBC a.m. radio which was my morning news show until I found Simi and Dave. No more BT for me. I will miss Tasha and Dawn and Marc but I only watched BT for Simi and Dave. How stupid can those suits be? I am 58 and Global is dry dry dry. Indeed, what change in direction? How can we get a petition going?
Jean , you said it all. Your first line cracks me up. Keep up the emails, calls and letters to City, and Rogers Media- their owner. Cancel your Rogers mobility contracts and go somewhere else. Or Rogers home phone. Money talks, so do advertising revenues. If no one watches, their ratings- and ad revenue – will drop. I’ll see what else works.
CityCooks will get a new host , I hear.
In a totally different topic, I could use everyones support when I jump off a huge building in Vancouver for charity – wearing a Superhero costume. See the new post on the home page-
http://lailayuile.wordpress.com/2008/08/18/laila-yuile-will-make-the-leap-for-charity-which-superhero-should-she-be/
I dont know what Superhero I should go down as, but as I say, GO BIG OR GO HOME…….
This is the ridiculous email I got from CityTV TODAY after writing on Friday:
Dear Mards,
Thank you for your e-mail. As you may already know now, Simi and Dave’s contracts were not renewed.
Simi and Dave are very talented and we have great respect for them but it was decided that for Breakfast Television to grow, it had to be taken in a new direction.
Media is a business built on calculated risks. We take responsibility for our decisions and believe we will bring you an even more engaging and informative program in the future.
Again, we appreciate your comments and your time.
Regards
Steve Scarrow
Regional Promotions Director
Citytv Vancouver
steve.scarrow@chumtv.com
Phone: 604-872-6164
What a bunch of bullshit. I knew it was more than that! I mean on Thurs., poor Kyle is running back and forth from the news anchor to the round table. Give me a break. We aren’t stupid. BRING BACK DAVE AND SIMI!
I really needed my Dave and Simi t-shirt today. BT was filming next to my job site today (grrrr) and I spent half my morning trying to think of ways to use the opportunity to make a point. If anyone comes up with anything, I am happy to take part in any sort of tribute.
I received my form response from Citytv when I got home with a personalized comment that they would not be willing to forward my letters of thanks to Dave and Simi.
I would also like to comment on this new programming from a less selfish and emotional perspective and would appreciate any feedback from those more in tune with media politics.
I grew up with BT in Ontario (where after a few years it became the top rated morning show.) I remember finding the personalities on most City TV programs as quite odd in comparison to the shiny folk featured on other stations. I soon realised they were everyday, relatable people who were willing to share themselves with their audience. THIS is why I loved City TV. This also began my deep respect for Moses Znaimer who insisted on using everyday people to host his programs.
When I moved to Vancouver in 2000, I missed BT and was overjoyed when they launched City TV Vancouver. I was also pleased that they had chosen the same relatable types to host the show. Fiona and Mike were great and I’m so glad they are still on TV but noone in my many years of watching City has compared to Dave and Simi.
My point is, I believe that the vision that Moses Znaimer had, was the reason for the success of CityTV in Ontario and was just being realised in Vancouver until Rogers came along without insight or respect into this vision. They will likely stack the programs with pretty, plastic people and try to become a copy of of shows in which we’ve already grown bored of. I expect we will likely see the cancellation of BT before we see it top Global in ratings.
Lastly, Thank you Laila for this blog. I discovered it when I googled “Dave + Simi fired” to figure out “what the hell?” and since then I’ve been checking it regularly. Most of my peers are still asleep during BT and it has been so nice to hear from other people who loved Dave and Simi. Please keep us posted on your big jump, you have my support.
Mards,
I received another email as well, apologising for plugging up my email in box…heehe, after I told them about all the emails I received. It ended with the form version.
I’ve been hearing some chit chat about other reasons they may have been let go, that really bug me. It was brought up that it may have been partly due to their appearances???!!! This offends me on sooo many levels – I like how Dave and Simi look !! They are real people, and we relate to them because of that genuine nature. Simi doesnt feel compelled to do the sexy fake thing, she just looks good on her own. Dave is Dave, in all his glory…lol.
If there is any truth to this and Rogers finds some younger, hotter hosts , than Rogers is completely missing the point of why we loved Dave and Simi so very much.
Jennifer, you hit the nail right on the head with your points. And thank you for your donation!!!! It’s amazing what we can do if everyone chips in a few dollars. I hope I make the minimum $1500.00 !!! I’m searching for clips/ memories of Dave and Simi, or either of them, and would like to have a compilation posted here on the blog for everyone to view.
If anyone out there has any links or memories, let me know, and lets put this together!!
And … I really could use some donations everyone. Its for disabled kids!!!! Come on, I’m scared to death of heights and I have never rappelled – ever ! I take the stairs or elevator down, not ropes….. eek!!! Maybe we can get Dave at the bottom to catch me…. that would get me down quicker!!!! Are you listening Dave????
Anyways, read todays post on the home page- I think Dave would have loved the Phallus Festival !
i was advid fan from ontario, i programmed my pvr to record the show so that i can view it in the evening. i am sooooo gonna miss them. the show won’t be the same without them. we need more like dave to make the world laugh. i wonder if sara will continue to do citycooks. good luck to simi and dave , hope to see them soon
Breaking News, a colleague tells me that Tasha Chiu announced on air,this morning, that Friday August 22nd will be her last day.
Well, that leaves Dawn, Mark and Kyle.
Any bets on whos next?
Same colleague tells me that this weeks performance by Kyle was less than stellar- I cant say BECAUSE I DIDNT WATCH!!!!!
In an interesting addition, City TV has been showing up to read this little blog on a daily basis – several times a day at times, since the two were let go. Must be nice to get paid to surf the net!!!
good for Tasha. sounds like she may be leaving on her own terms. either that or they asked her to stay on until they found some new conductors for the train wreck that is now B-TV.
i wonder if mark’s been off interviewing for a better gig?
on another note, had a pecan mudslide last night – sniff!
The only way to make a difference and make the big boys listen is to boycott the local advertisers on City TV. That is where the money is. Mestiso pet spa, cardio camp and Charles Bilash just to mention a few. Money speaks volumes.
That is all upper management understands. The bottom line. No advertisers = No money
You hit it , spot on, Brenda. Thanks for pointing out some large advertisers with them.
Perhaps a few emails, letters and calls to them are in order to express our dis-satisfaction. As their form letters have said, they are ready to accept the ramifications of their decisions. So, lets supply some ramifications people!
Oh, Doug, NOT the pecan mudslide!!!
I was contacted by a fellow the other evening who suggested I start a little morning podcast type show that could be downloaded or viewed on my site. Any interest ?
I also emailed City TV and received the same generic reply as others. My husband and I are in our 70’s and thoroughly enjoyed Simi and Dave. I was surprised at the knowledge of both of them and the rapport between them was so entertaining. They are so different but seemed to enjoy each other so much. It was so nice to see people who are real and not chosen because they looked like “Ken and Barbie”. I tried to watch Global morning news, but they put me to sleep – it is the most boring newscast imaginable. It was so nice to be entertained, get the news and feel good at the end of the program. I sure miss them and now listen to the radio more and watch CNN. I tried watching Kyle, but his voice drove me nuts. I enjoyed Tasha on her off site reporting. She was a delight to watch and will miss her.
Since moving to Nova Scotia from the Vancouver area, I have watched BT Halifax, then BT Toronto, and when it starts, BT Vancouver! The 4 hour time difference means I can watch the whole thing, not missing a moment of Dave and Simi. * Now, not so much…I do house work
So, not just younger people like Simi and Dave, some of we older ones do, too.
*Bad decision Rogers, bad, bad, bad!
If you are as angry as I am I encourage you to call everyone of these people and bitch about what has happened to Simi and Dave.
Let them know how you feel and what you want to happen now!
Be sure to email everyone of them, it only takes a couple minutes. I am sure they will love the phone calls too!
Mary Powers (416) 591-7400 x 2511, maryp@chumlimited.com
For Citytv Vancouver
Steve Scarrow (604) 872-6164, Steve.Scarrow@chumtv.com
For A Channel Victoria
Chris Kennedy (250) 381-2482, Chris.Kennedy@chumtv.com
For Citytv Calgary
Bronwen Davies (403) 508-5551, Bronwen.Davies@chumtv.com
For Citytv Edmonton
Pam Hnytka (780) 440-8871, Pam.Hnytka@chumtv.com
For Citytv Winnipeg
Cam Cowie (204) 934-8025, Cam.Cowie@chumtv.com
For CKX Brandon
Alan Cruise (204) 728-1150, Alan.Cruise@chumtv.com
For A-Channel Barrie,
Doug Garraway (705) 734 3300 doug.garraway@chumtv.com
For A-Channel London
Greg Mudry (519) 686-8822 ext 7234, Greg.Mudry@chumtv.com
For A-Channel Ottawa:
Shannon Bain (613) 852-8984, Shannon.Bain@chumtv.com.
Other Questions and Answer Below!
Q: Where are the Speakers Corner booths located so I can go vent about the firing of Dave and Simi?
A: Citytv, 180 West 2nd Avenue, Vancouver
- Marketplace IGA, #110-909 Burrard Street, Vancouver
- Tom Lee Music, 929 Granville Street, Vancouver
Q: Can I get a copy of my appearance on Speakers Corner venting about Dave and Simi?
A: Please send your request to: Bowdens Media Monitoring 1-877-BOWDENS(669-3367) http://www.bowdens.com/
Q: How do I contact CityCooks to bitch that Simi is no longer there?
By email citycooks@citytv.com.
By phone – 604.876.1344
By mail – CityCooks
C/O Citytv
180 West 2nd Avenue
Vancouver, BC
V5Y 3T9
Q: How can I contact BreakfastTelevision to rage??
By Email: breakfasttelevision@citytv.com
By Mail:
Breakfast Television
C/O Citytv
180 West 2nd Avenue
Vancouver, BC
V5Y 3T9
Q: How do I get Citytv to sponsor a community event to bring back Dave and Simi?
A: Send a proposal with all event details to: community@citytv.com
or By Mail – Stuff You Should Do C/O Citytv
180 West 2nd Avenue
Vancouver, BC
V5Y 3T9
What is Citytv’s main switchboard number so I can call and get to the bottom of this shit?
A: Main Switchboard: 604-876-1344
Toll-free number for B.C. residents only 1-888-336-9978
Q: What is the Citytv mailing address for my hate mail?
Citytv Vancouver
180 West 2nd Avenue
Vancouver, BC
V5Y 3T9
Q: What channel is Citytv Vancouver on?
A: Who Cares Now?
Q: Where do I find Citytv Vancouver on Rogers Cable (timeshift)?
A: Who Cares Now?
Q: Where do I find Citytv Vancouver on ExpressVU and Starchoice?
A: Who Cares Now?
Damn it!! I’m as MAD AS HELL! shame on Rogers!!
Shame on Rogers!!
you know I’ve always watched BT everymorning. & Seeing Simi Sarah & Dave gerry with a cup of coffe, telling the News, & making some Jokes at the same time, it just made my morning.
Simi Sarah, Dave Gerry, & Tasha Shiu were the Best Cast out of the entire crew of BT.
They were the ones that made BT the greatest Morning News in Vancouver.
I mean BT was the only morning News I watched every weekeday morning.
& That includes the entire Summer.
But now what!? Rogers fired Simi Sarah & Dave gerry. That’s horrible.
The Worst decision Rogers have ever made for BT.
Simi Sarah & Dave gerry were the best Morning News TV hosts, in the News today. I can’t believe this has happened!
I’m so sad my mornings just won’t be the same anymore.
There’s just not a Morning News program out there, that could ever replace Simi Sarah, Dave Gerry, & Tasha Shiu doing BT every morning.
They were the Best!
& I was looking forward to seeing Simi Sarah & Dave Gerry doing BT for years to come. And Now that dream is gone, dead, terminated, finished, done for!
This is just such a Shock to me, I just never ever expected that they would Fire Simi Sarah & Dave Gerry.
I mean sure I expected that they might fire Dawn Chubai, but I never expected Simi & Dave they’re unreplaceable.
Maybe 2 years from now or 5 years from now they might might fire Simi & Dave, But I never thought it would happen Now!
Damn it !! I’m so sad, My mornings are just not going to be the same anymore (sighs).
(Sadly) Bye bye Simi & Dave I’m sure that I’m really going to miss you all, watching you all in BT every morning, & that includes Tasha Shiu too.
Watching Simi & Dave on BT every morning I don’t know why, but it just made my day everyday, but now, that’s no more. (Sigh)
My husband noticed yesterday that they were running BT re-runs during the day, talk about egg on the face.
They dont want the best hosts in morning tv, but they love having the old episodes at hand for cheap programming fill-ins. I for one, am still not watching even the re-runs. I made hubby turn it off.
WHAT?! Tasha’s left and Dave/Simi fired?! What the hell is going on at CITY TV? At times Simi could be arrogant and bullyish but Dave would come in and save the moment. They had good chemistry! I especially appreciated Dave’s sense of humour ever since the old CKVU days when he did the “Miami Vice” spoof called “Surrey Vice”. THE GUY COULD MAKE ME LAUGH! And now Tasha’s gone? Dave & Simi’s firing probably pushed Tasha over the edge! BT won’t be the same and I won’t be watching! Bye BT,…
I suggest along with sending a scathing e-mail to the BT brass we should also pop one off to global, letting them know about the miriads of new watchers that could go along with hiring a great team like Dave and Simi!! Worth a try anyway!
Im so glad I found this blog. I thought perhaps Dave and Simi were on an extended holiday but no! Fired??? I can’t believe that BT no longer has the best thing going for them. No offense to Dawn and gang, and now Tasha is gone too.. of her own accord or because she too was fired? I have written to BT to let them know how I feel..perhaps it will help, but more than likely it will get filed with no response at all.
Shame on Rogers/BT for letting viewers down. Shame on them for not taking into concideration how people might feel about this. Shame on them for not thinking about ratings. I hope they are eating crow right now and that the feathers choke them!!
I will continue to watch for Simi and Dave/Dave and Simi (there you go Dave) on other stations. I feel bad for Dawn, Mark and gang.. the show won’t be the same for them. They have lost what made the show the most entertaining morning show in western Canada. No more belly laughs at Dave’s antics. How very sad for the rest of us.
Best of luck to Simi and Dave/Dave and Simi!
Well, it looks like the you-know-what is going to hit the fan for a while longer, because as people arrive home from vacation, they are receiving the same shock we first did over a week ago!
My mother in law was here over the weekend, from her island paradise home, and had no idea that they had been let go either- channel 13 is one of two stations she can receive on her telly, due to her fairly remote location.
My, what a time she had reading all of your comments and stories, and as she did, her anger mounted and mounted. I’m quite sure City will be getting an earful of angry Welsh woman this morning.
My daughter -against orders not to- turned ont he TV this morning to check out if anyone else was gone. In the 3 minutes we observed the following. Some fellow by the name of James was choking on the weather/traffic. The 5 day forecast didnt show up on the screen. Dawn and Kyle were hosting and Dawn didnt look happy. Her smile was there, but it didnt come close to reaching her eyes like usual. And the music chosen to go to break……… ?
” And it feels like walking on broken glass…” by the Eurythmics.
Fitting choice, I’m sure.
Are you reading this City? Seen enough?
After returning home from vacation , I was very surprized to find changes on our favourite morning show. At finding out today that we have been suffering with Klye till every one retuned(or so we thought) we immediately turned you off…we will find other ways to be painfully wakened , I have 3 children grown and on their own so my raising of values , maturity, and just commen sense is complete. You have a problem with ratings , but who does the surrvey,? and to toss the baby out with the bathwater makes no sense. raise your standards back to Dave and Simi and maybe you will have a chance. Is this why Tasha left as well.?..if so you have depleted you entire basket of what you are worth.
maybe fiona and mike are on their way back? shaw can’t pay much and, if they can curb the urge to turn BTV into a morning boozefest, they might be in the running.
bringing talent in from parts unknown would be another mistake IMO. Dave and Simi had sooo much history with the station. that, i think, is one of the more painful aspects of this “transition”. moving people from morning to news to whatever on the same station is one thing but sacrificing good, local, loyal talent like our friends could only be hatched in some concrete tower in TO.
fie to you, Rogers. oh, and i’ll be late when paying my bill this month and may just hold back a penny, for spite!
make that two pennies.
Ok, Doug, I know i have a one track mind right now, but how about you take those two pennies , add another 98 cents to it, and donate them to my Easter Seals jump. That will make up for you having to pay the rest of your bill to that heartless conglomerate. … ; )
This is the response I got from my email, which I pretty much interpret as a “fuck you too” (not that I used those words in my email to CityTV):
Thank you for your e-mail.
We appreciate your support in the past and recognize we must deal with the ramifications of our decision.
Again, we appreciate your comments and your time.
Regards
Steve Scarrow
Regional Promotions Director
Citytv Vancouver
steve.scarrow@chumtv.com
Phone: 604-872-6164
I suffered all last week wondering what the heck?
Today I learned the sad news to why I was subjected to Kyle Donaldson for six days. I watched BTV for the last time this morning. BTV may you rest in piece.
Dave & Simi – Good Luck to you both! I will look forward to the day you return to the air waves …I hope it’s soon!
I just came across the Dave Gerry fan club on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2239857646&ref=mf It is run by his son and has imput from many of our old BT friends. There are even some great pics of Dave. I’m going to turn one of them into a t-shirt. I joined the group and posted a link to this blog. I hope this can be a way for Dave and Simi to see how much they were cared for.
I have been in denial all week and only this morning have I allowed myself to Google, “What happened to Dave and Simi?”
I was hoping that maybe they’d spontaneously gone on some wacky Dave and Simi vacation. I’d turn the TV on one morning and they’d be back at their desks with clips of their outrageous adventures.
Seriously though, my wife and I had just been remarking on how amazing Dave and Simi were. My greatest fear was that a bigger station would scoop them up and they’d find themselves under a stricter eye. Well it seems that CityTV actually does have a giant pole up its ass after all.
I’m done with CityTV.
Foolish foolish foolish – Has Citytv completely lost their minds? Simi and Dave were the only reason we EVER had the television on in the mornings. They were brilliant together and if you think Kyle and Dawn can hold a candle to the relationship that Simi and Dave had you are totally living in a dream world.
The way the two of them interacted was exceptional and I believe you will come to regret your decision.
The same thing happened in Ottawa years ago with a show called Regional Contact. They cancelled the show and fired the two hosts. They were stunned to discover just how popular the two hosts were and how much the show was loved by the general public who wrote in and phone in by the hundreds. CTV Ottawa had the good sense to admit they had made an error and put both the show and the hosts back on air.
I hope Citytv will have a similar reaction when they hear from those of us who looked forward to Breakfast Television every morning. They have truly made a gargantuan mistake.
Best moment?
Dave running out in the street to save the ducks that were wandering into traffic behind Dawn as she did the traffic. It was both hilarious and touching.
I am sad I won’t have more fav Dave, Simi and Tasha moments in the future….
I feel the same as many of the fans of Dave and Simi feel.
They had a repoire that the other hosts just don’t have.
Good luck to Dave and Simi. I will miss you in the mornings and I will not watch Breakfast Television again!!!
Lisa F.
Goodbye city tv. What a stupid move. Dave and Simi made it worth getting up on a rainy, windy morning.
I found out this morning about Simi & Dave with the same note from Steve Scarrow. To me it is just as bad as the CBC trying not to renew Ron McLean’s Hockey Night in Canada contract. What were they thinking. (apparently not thinking in this case)
I am from the island, and have no earthly reason to watch BT except for Dave & Simi. I will be responding to Mr. Scarrow’s request that I give the new format a try with a big resounding ‘NO”.
I will be looking for Dave and Simi somewhere else soon. I can’t beleive they will be unemployed long. They are too good.
Oh, lo those years ago, back in Toronto waiting for CP24 (the 24 hour news channel) to air one of Dave’s man-on-the-street pieces. I hadn’t any respect for these so-called insights into the minds and hearts of the general public… until I saw what a true improvosizational wit could generate, with only a strange question, and a willingness to push the boundaries.
Now imagine my suprise and glee at learning that, not only would I not have to wait seven days for my fix of Dave Gerry, but I could watch him EVERY MORNING! For FOUR HOURS! Holy cow, Batman, what joy!
An understanding of the ratings is granted, Rogers. I understand that the more-and-more prevailent baby-boomers find Dave’s brand of sometimes politically incorrect humour isn’t necessarily to their liking. That said, I’ll echo comments above: what about we Gen-Y people? What would Moses say? Wasn’t this the station that started Much Music? The New Music? That introduced us to Georgie S. of The Hour fame? Didn’t CITY TV used to mean young, cutting-edge and engaging content?
Oh yeah. Then T. Rogers stuck his finger in the pie, and pulled out a prune.
Hope the new format suits your aging, self-serving demographic, Teddy. And make sure you’ve got that copy of Dave and Simi wishing you that Happy Birthday at the “Rogers Centre”.
It’ll always be the SkyDome to me. And Dave and Simi will always be the quinticential morning hosts. RIP, sir and ma’am. Hope to see you again soon.
Babe and I will miss watching Dave and Simi every morning! Babe pushes me off the couch every morning to watch Dave and Simi! ha ha ha We are both now feeling a bit lost and un-motivated to get up in the morning! With Dave’s sarcasim and Simi pulling Dave out of something he shouldn;t have said! ha ha Always on their toes! Brilliant! Dave and Simi’s smiles and humour was the best part of our morning! Good Luck and I will keep this video now when I wake up!
smiles !!
And good luck to you also Tasha! I will miss your BIG warm smile! You are the best!
Babe and Gylliayn
Cont…..This is the video(above) of Babe my cat watching Simi and Dave!
meow ha ha ha I miss you
Copy n paste!
THAT’S funny…. I actually remember that clip too, your cat seems to have quite the attitude. I’m sure Babe is quite disgruntled- having been a cat owner in the past myself, I know they are very much creatures of routine at times. Dont mess with the food or entertainment.
It’s funny, but I personally feel bad for eveyone who is just finding out about Dave and Simi. Thank God for the internet, hmm? I, for one, could not live without Google..lol..
I was wondering what was going on in August, thinking: “huh… So Simi and Dave are on holiday, eh?” Then, when I kept seeing Kyle and the ’somewhat boring gang’ (not necessarily useful for a morning television program) I was beginning to wonder. Finally, Tasha was leaving (yet someone else with a bit of pep) and I thought HOLD ON HERE! That’s when, like many of you, I went searching to find the joke of all jokes: Dave and Simi (along with their producer) were fired.
Who was the knuckle-head at Citytv who thought up this brilliant plan? Give that head a good shake – you may want to bang it again your desk a few times because you obviously are thinking straight.
Hey, if someone does design those “Bring back Simi and Dave” t-shirts, I know a few cranky people who would wear them – Maybe we could wear them outside Citytv during BTV… bah ha ha~!
I can’t say it any better than those above, but I CAN say, there’s NO MORE BT FOR ME! Send your comments to CityTV, the bastages!
suzanne, everyone..
I know that everyone would love to hear something from ,or about, Dave and Simi. Rest assured, I’m fairly certain that when the time is right, I will have something to report, but until then, we must be patient and steadfast in the boycott of all things CityTV.
Dave and Simi are the utmost professionals and very respected by their colleagues and peers. Never in a million years would either start discussing this dismissal in a public forum. And who knows, there may be still legal or contract matters to be taken care of ? One can only speculate for now. I do know that all of your fond musings, thoughts and best wishes have been passed on to the pair, and I’m positive they are as thankful for such loyal fans, as we are to have had them in our homes every morning.
After almost 3 weeks without my favourite morning show (I know, I’m slow to realise) it became clear to me that Simi and Dave were NOT on extended holiday at the same time. So, I emailed citytv asking what happened. I, unlike others, received no response. This morning I used google and found this blog. What a shock! What disappointment! Now what do I do? I’m one of those old folks (not the ones who apparently prefer global) who need a smile or several to start my day. I’m afraid Kyle and Dawn just don’t cut it. No more BT for me! Will I have to resort to watching the food network? I am still in denial. Can’t believe they would let these two unique personalities go … and then replace them with inexperience and amateurism. What a shame.
Virginia
After 3 painful and agonzing weeks- (I just figured Dave and Simi were on an extended-well earned vacation- now I realize something is terriby wrong.
I should have known when Tasha just up-ed and left a couple of weeks ago- and I went.. wtf?! I should have known at that point something was not right.
Now after reading while I watched Monday Morning yesterday- the 3rd full week now without Dave and Simi hosting. the remainder of the staff- Dawn, Mark, Kyle.. and especially that ditz filling in for Tasha Chiu.. boy how pathetic she is..
I can only handle so much of Kyle and Dawn- they AINT no Simi and Dave.
I like the rest of you was floored* when I heard the news- I had an absolutely miserable day yesterday- funny thing is this all happened back on August 14th, 2008..
One of the many things I loved every morning- aside from Watching Dave and Simi.. was the fact they always*.. and I do mean Always* read each and every email I ever sent them to read on the air. I was always very impressed by this, and even complimented them.
On May 31st, I sent Dave Gerry and Simi Sara an email- that morning they made me laugh (yet again) so hard- and I realized not even my partner can get me to crack a smile- but Dave and Simi made me do it each and every morning.
I decided to send both Dave Gerry and Simi Sara an email on May 31st. I wanted to thank them for hosting BT.. I told them waking up to them is like waking up to a bright sunshine- no matter what the forcast is like.
I also told both of them- usually a Personality (or Anchor) should consider themselves lucky to have us as the viewers (fans) but I told Dave and Simi- in this case, we as the viewers are LUCKY TO HAVE THEM!!
What floored me, is that Dave Gerry persnally replied to my email- not only that he replied the next day- and when I checked the time stamp I saw it was at 8:40am- so he actually took time out of the broadcast to email me back persnally.
What a nice guy. DAVE.. SIMI.. My mornings are ruined without you there. I HOPE we will continue to see both of you on the airwaves.
If I had the money I would be starting my own TV Station and I couldn’t think of two better or funnier hosts ever. and Im from Toronto.. theres alot of news shows.. BT was by far the best****
I already emailed a 3 page email to City-TV for rogers management to sink their teeth into.. I encourage all of the viewers to do the same!!
Where Simi and Dave go- I will follow.
BT is pathetic now without you two. So from now on I watch DVD’s first thing in the morning because GLOBAL SUCKS.
Signed- what used to be a loyal BT viewer,
Corby
And lailayuile, I wanted to personally thank you for this site- its almost been like I need group therapy sionce all this happened.
Somehow logging on to here the past few days has somehow helped me cope-
and I’m not kidding- my mornings really stink now- and Im not sure what to do with myself..
By thanks again for allowing all of us to vent- it was very thoughtful of you.
Thanks again lailayuile
Corby- misery loves company
I’ve been wondering what happened to Dave and Simi.
At first I thought they were on vacation but I thought , they both had one just recently. Finally I went online to CityTV and couldn’t find a thing about them. It’s like they never existed! So finally I googled, what happened to Dave and Simi, and here I am.
I am 49 years old and hate watching the news since they show the same three things over and over and over again for hours! I live in Sequim, Washington which is close to Port Angeles. Just a ferry ride away from Canada.
I live in the US and I watch Canadian news only to watch Dave and Simi in the morning. Before I started watching them I ‘d just go back to sleep. But Simi and Dave together were my reason for getting up in the morning!!! I always wondered how they could be so good that early in the morning.
I would love to see them have their own show and it wouldn’t have to have anything to do with the news! Someone would be very smart to snatch them two up together. I hope I will know where they go from here. That Dave is such a character and they way those two are together! I miss them terribly.
Thank-you both for making my mornings!
Pauline Babineau
Sequim, Washington. USA
I am super frustrated to get confirmation of my worst fear….No more Simi and Dave?! I just can’t believe Rogers would be SO ignorant and fire them. Those two MADE that show what it is. I watched BT from the VERY beginning and the show took a HUGE turn when they took the helm.
Tasha is awesome and I wish her all the best! I would have run for the hills too if Rogers is going to fire the best talent they have…
We are now left with Kyle and Dawn – come on. Seriously? They are great people, in their OLD roles. They are not meant to anchor.
And Ashley? This girl is an amateur and I’m not watching while she cuts her teeth. It’s painful to watch.
I can’t support CityTV anymore. I’m angry and disappointed. I honestly thought that Simi and Dave were on vacation, or some special assignment…
I really hope that I see them around town so I can personally tell them how awesome they are, and the people who have any degree of intelligence still love them.
Sad time for Vancouver. I am going to keep the TV off in the mornings. The bore-fest on Global will not cut it.
Rogers….figure out your audience. Know how much you have ruined the start to everyone’s day. RUINED it. Nothing but coal for you people this Christmas.
I’m happy to see that I’m not the only one who foolishly kept checking the news just to see if Simi and Dave came back from their abnormally long vacations. When Kyle asked Thor ‘Who’s DB Sweeney?’ during their entertainment segment and Thor decided to drop it… I thought it was time to check what happened with Simi and Dave. I am… both angry and sad. I’ve never seen their chemistry in any news team. I loved Simi. She was so proper and sweet… and when she got mean, well, it was just funny. Dave was hilarious. They knew a little about everything and that made their conversations a joy to hear. They even made my husband laugh and that’s hard to do.
Well, I guess that’s it then. No more BT. I only watched it because of them. What a shame! They gave me a guaranteed giggle in the morning.
I, too, am glad I’m not the only one who thought they were taking such long vacations, and hoping every day that when I’d turn on BT they would be back. I am horrified and upset that they have been fired. They had such great chemistry and were funny and charming. I will definitely no longer be watching BT — they were the only reasons I tuned in.
No, A-nick-a ( I love your blog, because I have a 10 week old baby along with 3 other kids and relate so much to much of what you write about) ) you are NOT alone… ; )
I truly am amazed at how long this has all lasted! People come home, people wonder whats going on, then it’s over to good old google and Voila! Here you end up to find out the horrible news. Sorry to be the one that broke it to you, but stop by again. Glad to have you!
I was also in the dark about this firing. I have written to all of the above noted addresses in support of Dave & Simi. The decision which discarded these two amazing personalities should make the advertisers very shaky about supporting this kind of poor judgment and management. fewer viewers fewer sales….
Petition to bring back Dave and Simi – go sign it !!!! and pass it on, the link is on my blogroll
http://www.petitiononline.com/btsucks/petition.html
Wow, I’m pretty late to the party. I just found out this morning that Dave and Simi were let go. In a word (sort of), WTF?! I know most management is legitimately incompetent but this is borderline retardation. As a result, I just finished sending my viewership resignation to citytv. My suggestion – they would have been better off financially if they had fired every other so-called ‘personality’ on the show and just left it with Dave and Simi.
I see a lot of people are hoping they get brought back. No thanks. I sincerely hope they get a spot elsewhere. But I will not be turning on the tv in the morning for the foreseeable future.
if you can, on the petition, you may want to correct the spelling of Dave’s last name. it’s Gerry not Garry.
Hi Doug! I didn’t write the petition and have no access to its administration, but I will email the person who started it. Thank you for pointing it out for him.
A letter from Dave and Simi on the home page!
http://lailayuile.wordpress.com/2008/09/21/845/
Rogers is a stupid compnay run by stupid people.
Good Luck Simi, Dave & Tasha……
I too was VERY p-o’d when I found that Dave & Simi were not on BT any longer… at first I thought they were on vacation so I kept watching, but it kept going on and on… no more BT for me either. I wonder how their ratings are now. Hopefully they took a huge hit from Rogers stupidity.
I just returned from a short period in Toronto only to find out that some “Idiot” has fired Dave and Simi from breakfast television.
We moved to Vancouver from Toronto just over 2 years ago and were pleasantly surprised at the chemistry that clicked between these 2 people on air (3 including Tahsa). We were impressed as this was one local show that blew the Toronto version out of the water and this was solely because of there rare chemistry together. I am amazed at how short sighted some people are now a days and this miss guided action only proves the short sightedness of this current management. They should have fired themselves instead!
My wife and myself will no longer be watching breakfast television. Goodbye CityTV!!!
Thanx Dave and Simi !
Cheers
Dave and Jackie
I switched to CityTV because I got tired of the Global Morning News. Simi and Dave were such a great team together!!! The worst thing is, just look at what’s replaced them???
I guess it will be back to Global for me!!! CityTV … you have just lost another viewer!!!
Thank you for the many mornings Dave and Simi!!!!
Good Luck
Finally I have an answer to whatever happened to Dave, Simi, & Tasha. What a shame. In this day of crap TV it was refreshing to watch a trio of personalities who seemed to really enjoy what they did. CityTV what were you thinking????
SOOOO dissapointed. I, too, kept hoping Simi, Dave, and Tasha were just on holidays. Finally did a search to find out what happened to them. They were the reason to watch BT. It is not nearly as enjoyable anymore. I will choose a new station. Such a bummer.
please bring them back..it was what my husband and I looked forward too every morning..I thought they were on vacation…then they never came on…so I just did a search…and found outh the bad news!!!
What were they thinking!!!!
WELL!!! finally the answer—like so many others Wife and I now know what happened. After all the months of wondering I at last googled simi/dave and got the horrible news. Both of us in our 70’s and retired but not numb-brained enough to be able to put up with more than half hour or so of global over n over n over every a.m. So we go looking for reruns of 2&1/2 men for our laughs. They ARE funny but not able to bring up the belly laughs like Dave, with Simi trying valiantly to control him. (happily, mostly unsuccessfully) Just hope we live long enough to see them together again somewhere.
Can you send this on to them lailla?
gerry
No worries, Gerry, they will see it!! Thanks for stopping by, and sorry to have been the bearer of bad news.
You know I have been missing Simi and Dave since they left, and I had searched online for awhile as to why they were gone, now I find this! I am appalled at this company for letting to fine people go like that…they were why I watched BT at all, now I am always flipping channels!!! BT is not appealing at all anymore. I have no reason to watch the show, and this trying other people on as their former roles sucks!!! I am not interested in watching bus routes either!!!!!
I still miss my mornings with Dave & Simi, I would pay to see them. Anyone know what they are doing now?
Just read the other posts from Dave Kodi. Its all in there.
I just saw Dave on Living Vancouver!!! I may be out of the loop and the last person to know he is on the show but nonetheless, I’m so happy he is back in some form. I like the show Living Vancouver and now I like it even more. I’m so glad Dave is working in the public eye again, doing what he does so well and still entertaining us. Yay!
I finally googled Simi and Dave to find out what happened to them, too. I keep seeing Dawn Chubai on Citycooks and wondered if Simi was on a very long vacation or leave of absence. When I realized that Dave Gerry was fired, I was shocked. The BEST part of the show was fired!!!! I must admit I often channel surfed between Global and BT and looked to Global for the news but found the prattle on the show between Steve Darling and any of his cohorts to be so dull. Dave Gerry was so quick-witted and hilarious. He always cheered me up and got me out of bed in the morning in a good mood (tee hee). If BT is changing their format, get rid of all the displays on the screen. It is too busy and I can’t figure out where to look. Most people can’t read and listen at the same time, anyway. Also, BT’s ratings will never match Global’s unless they broadcast across the province. There IS life outside of the lower mainland.
I don’t always wake up early enough to watch tv in the morning, but whenever I do, I turn to BT. I noticed recently that two new people were sitting in on the show. I would just turn the channel and assume that it was just Dave and Simi’s days off or vacation or something. However, it kept happening…Simi and Dave weren’t’ coming back. I just googled the show to find out if they were replaced and maybe moved to other programming. It was to my great shock to learn they’d both been fired. I don’t understand it at all. I have not watched that show once since the host were changed because I’d only watched it for the hosts in the first place! It used to be the most hilarious and interesting morning news program! You could feel the chemistry between Dave and Simi, and Dave was so very very funny. I’d actually have a smile on my face that early in the morning and I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON! I think this was a regretful choice…I just hope Dave gets a job at another station so I can watch him there instead.
Oh and look at that…I think he’s on Living Vancouver. I’ve never seen that show before but I guess I’ll have to take a look now.
I assumed they were both on holidays and took shifts with the other staff, until ten or so months passed by and I started to do some searching. Didn’t realize they were both fired until today.
Those two were the reason why I watched the early morning news.
Not being a morning person, stressed out by school and all, I actually looked forward to their humorous personalities.
GlobalTV on the otherhand is unbearable to watch in the mornings.
Boring, dull, and way too serious, a great way to start off the day yes?
Citytv made a lousy decision. The guy has 20 years of experience and they fire him of all people?! Ridiculous