SpeakFree Idol Watch

Jeremy Bradley- Ben Mulroney, host of eTalk on CTV is joining us now. Hello, Ben. How are you?

Ben Mulroney- I'm doing great, thanks. How are you?

JB- Ah, well I'm a little sad.

BM- (laughing)

JB- We were just mentioning before going on the air about this Canadian Idol cancellation thing. So, clear this up: is it rumour, is it true? What's going on?

BM- Well, the economy is hitting everybody. And even the most successful people and the most successful shows are taking a bite and so CTV has decided to rest Canadian Idol for a year, from what I've been told. I think it means exactly that - a rest - and they have every intention of bringing it back next year. Also, from what I've been told, other nations have done this as well. They've rested the show for a year for other reasons and it's come back and when it's come back it's come back bigger and more popular than ever before.

JB- So is there a possible return of (former Idol correspondent) Jon Dore?

BM- (laughing) Listen, every time I see him on the street I beg him to come back. I think The Jon Dore Show (on the Comedy Network) is where his heart is right now. But if I could get him just in the audience for a top 10 show, that would make me happy.

JB- What about (former American Idol co-host) Brian Dunkleman? Would you settle for Dunk?

BM- Dunkleman. I've watched him and his post-Idol career - if you could call it that - I found he's been quite spiteful and vengeful towards (Ryan) Seacrest. I just don't think I'd want to have him around.

JB- Have you ever met Seacrest?

BM- I have. I met him once a few years ago at an event in L.A. I think it was at the American Idol finale. And very, very busy guy. He tries to fit about 36 hours worth of work in a 24-hour day.

JB- So he's maybe just a little bit busier than you are.

BM- I wouldn't say that. I think he's a good self-starter, that's for sure. He's elevated trashy television to a high art these days with his production company. But give me some time and I'll give him a run for his money.

JB- But for the record, the show (Canadian Idol) is coming back?

BM- That I don't know. I am the host, I'm not one of the big giant heads upstairs making those decisions. But from what I've been told, they have every intention of bringing back… look, if the economy doesn't improve, if it gets worse next year, I see it wouldn't make any sense to promise to bring it back and then not be able to. So I don't know. And also, you look at American Idol and it's on the air right now but when they started their season with the auditions about six months ago, the economy was not bad. It would be very interesting to see what sort of response they would have today if they hadn't already shot their audition shows. I know they're getting rid of Idol Gives Back, which is a costly show. They're trimming the fat of their show so even the richest and most successful people are feeling the bite of this thing.

JB- Of course the next logical question is, what are you going to do for your summer?

BM- (laughing) See, that's the silver lining, my friend - I actually have a summer this year. I don't know. I might, God forbid, take a vacation! I don't know. I'm going to enjoy it. I might go to cottage country, I might go to Europe. This is the first time I've ever been able to take off more than four days in a row. It's exciting. Knowing CTV, they will find something for me to do.

JB- Yes, co-host The Jon Dore Show. Now, I do have a suggestion for you.

BM- Umhmm.

JB- Watch previous seasons of Canadian Idol on your PVR.

BM- Ah, you know what, that's a good point.