Music

102.1 the Edge is looking for Dean Blundell's replacement

by Mark Teo

Think you have what it takes to be the next Dean Blundell? Well, you’re in luck.

Since the controversial shock jock had his show cancelled after openly mocking a sexual assault trial, his ex-employers, 102.1 The Edge, quietly replaced him with another morning host, Fearless Fred. However, in an email, the station confirmed to AUX that Fred is an interim replacement—and that the search for a new morning host would start shortly. Then, they quietly posted a job posting seeking a senior morning show announcer on Corus Entertainment’s website.

Here’s how it starts.

• Do you consider yourself creative and innovative?
• Do you have genuine passion for music?
• Are you a proven leader?
• Do you play well with others? 
• Are you a social media animal?

Does that sound like Blundell’s job description? Perhaps. He certainly had a passion for music (or at least The Salads) although few would call his grating humour “creative or innovative,” and he certainly didn’t seem to play well with others—he openly mocked recently deceased hockey players, berated Toronto’s mayor over his weight, and, of course, had his producer mocking homosexuals and sexual assault. This, despite the fact that Blundell alleges that he’s not a homophobe.

Apparently, the job posting was missing one final question: Are you a giant poohole?

But maybe we’re getting ahead ourselves. Next, the posting moves on, asking for seven customized breaks.

• You:  Tell us why you’re the one to quarterback the Edge morning show.
• Musicologist:  Tell the audience something interesting or entertaining they don’t already know about a band or song The Edge plays.
• Toronto-centric:  In an entertaining way, tell the audience something they should know about what’s happening in Toronto.
• Lifestyle Break:  Pick any topic or story that fits the lifestyle of the Edge audience.
• Station Business:  Entice the audience to participate in any promotion or feature you find on www.edge.ca
• Tease break:  Make it impossible for a listener to flip to another station, it should be creative and designed to hook listeners through a commercial break.
• Other:  Blow us away with something we don’t expect.

Easy peasy. If you’re thinking of applying for the position, here’s what to include on your application: Need to tell the Edge something its audience doesn’t know about a popular band? Tell them about Nickelback’s rabid Deviant Art community. Something Toronto-centric? We suggest namedropping the Rob Ford noise tape. For that tease break, we’ll take a cue from Blundell: Talk about “stigmata of the anus,” and audience’s won’t be able to pry themselves away.

Geez, this stuff is easy. We can see how Deaner aced the job interview.

Add that to a resume, three references, and a one-page cover letter—in which you “don’t [have to] worry about using perfect grammar or punctuation. We want the real you, slang and all”—and you’re set. So, what are you waiting for? Apply right here.