CHED's program director Sid Smyth got his New Year's wish –
and on just the second day of 2008.


Not only could he sleep in for the first time in months, he could do so knowing the CHED Morning News program was back in the capable hands of Gord Whitehead.

After two weeks of "Season's Greetings – I'm coming back," the radio veteran returned to the airwaves and opened his first show in four months nonchalantly with ... what else ... a weather forecast.

The moment was foreshadowed with Bryan Hall showing up late for his 5:55 a.m. sportscast because he was caught off-guard chatting with Whitey.

After a commercial break, the first "on-air welcome back" came from National Bank Financial's Angus Watt. As for himself, Gord only said that he "was back in the saddle after a brief hiatus, as I call it." Kris Burkholder later wished Gord a "Happy New Year and good to have you back" to which he replied a simple "Thank you."

And while Gord was doing his first guaranteed weather bit, Syd Smith popped his head in the studio doors – startling Gord who asked him "Haven't you had enough of this place while I was away at this time that you have to be in here again at twenty-one after six?"

Whitey later gave an extended thanks to Smith for taking on the morning show in addition to his other full-time duties.

But the best line of the morning came at 6:25 when it was time for the Sportsdesk with Bryan Hall. Gord introduced the hair that roared with a bemused "Are you still here?"

While Hallsy said it was good to have his air-mate back, Bryan spent more time noting the coffee had improved with the return of Gord's personal grind to the Corus communal pot.

When it came time to tease listeners of the highlights of the upcoming Dave Rutherford Show, Gord asked fill-in host Rob Breakenridge, "Is (Dave) taking more time off? What's with that guy? That guy takes more time off than anybody I know – except me."

Word had emerged during his absence that Gord had taken the time off to undergo shoulder replacement surgery at the Grey Nuns Hospital. There was also word that Corus had wanted to commit the 38-year broadcast veteran to a longterm contract but Whitey preferred the advantage of leverage a shorter agreement would provide.

It was even suggested Gord had ended up in rehab – a rumour he made light of during the show (opens as a .wav file). Gord generally dismissed the four-month event as a "retirement preview" and a chance to re-charge himself away from shift work.

Whatever the case, mornings on Edmonton radio became a little brighter with the return of Whitehead. But if you asked the modest man himself, he would probably say it was only because of the lengthening days of January.

And likely much to Syd Smith's relief, Gord came back just in time for the BBM ratings period that was to start January 7th.

http://www.lastlinkontheleft.com/r022c0801whiteysback.html