Friday February 6, 2004

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday February 6, 2004

Will French schtick choke Cherry?

Don Cherry’s voice is as loud as the garish suits he wears. No surprise there. He’s an outspoken fixture on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada.

He’s spent years perfecting the persona he puts out for public consumption. Sure, hockey’s the topic, but when it comes right down to it, Cherry is an entertainer. He’s a personality. He’s loud, he’s brash, he’s opinionated. He’s also a snappy dresser. That’s Cherry’s schtick.

So should he be assessed a penalty — maybe even a game misconduct — for his latest high-schticking incident?

He’s under investigation by the federal official languages commissioner, who’s looking into alleged anti-French remarks Cherry made on air.

Cherry’s choice of words is often inappropriate, sometimes offensive. He plays the buffoon and occasionally goes too far. Even so, we wouldn’t want to see him benched. But we’d have no problem with a firm warning. (CP)