Jian Ghomeshi

Jian Ghomeshi

Jian Ghomeshi (born June 9, 1967) is a Canadian broadcaster, writer and musician born in London, England, and raised in Thornhill, Ontario. He is best known as a national on-air personality on CBC Television and CBC Radio, and host of the daily arts program Q on CBC Radio One. He has hosted various series on TV and radio including The National Playlist, ZeD and spent three years as the host of the TV program >play, where he interviewed subjects ranging from Woody Allen to John Lydon. He first came to public attention as a singer and songwriter in the folk rock group Moxy Früvous.

Ghomeshi is of Iranian heritage. He graduated with merit from York University with a degree in political science and history.

Career

Radio and television

He is a regular contributor to CBC News: The Hour. He has hosted documentary specials for CBC Television, and acted as the substitute host on Sounds Like Canada in 2005 and 2006.

In 2002, Ghomeshi was hired as the host of CBC Newsworld's >play, a show about the arts in Canada and abroad. >play ran for three seasons, then was revamped in 2004 to focus on higher-impact specials such as >play Goes to Pot. He also did the weekly entertainment report on the Toronto edition of Canada Now. In January 2005, Ghomeshi became a regular on-air columnist for CBC News: The Hour.

In 2006, he finished a documentary series entitled The End, which described technology's effects on television, radio, and print and the future of the media. He hosted the radio series 50 Tracks and 50 Tracks: The Canadian Version on CBC Radio One and CBC Radio Two. From fall 2005 until spring 2006, he hosted a program on Radio One called The National Playlist.

Since April 16, 2007, Ghomeshi has been the host of Q, a program on CBC Radio One. The show airs all across Canada at 10 a.m and 10 p.m. (10:30 and 10:30 in Newfoundland).

Ghomeshi mixes opinions and interviews with subjects who have included Francis Ford Coppola, Jane Goodall, Bob Geldof, Michael Moore, Radiohead, Jimmy Wales, and former Prime Minister Paul Martin. He also hosted The Great Canadian Music Dream, Idols & Icons, Opening Night.

Ghomeshi's TV and radio credits include appearances on CBS Sunday Morning, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Showbiz Today, All Things Considered, The National, Monday Report, Morningside, Just For Laughs and the Juno Awards.

The Infamous Billy Bob Thornton Interview

On April 8, 2009 Billy Bob Thornton appeared on the national CBC Radio One program Q, hosted by Jian Ghomeshi, with the rest of his musical group the Boxmasters. During the first half of the interview, Thornton sounded nervous and confused, giving erratic answers, such as "I don't know" when asked how long the band had been together. When asked about his musical tastes and influences as a child, he gave his longest answer, but it was about his favorite "Famous Monsters of Filmland" magazine. He also stated that he had "instructed" the show's producers to not ask any questions about his career as a screenwriter and actor. Ghomeshi, in introducing the band, mentioned the acting credentials of Thornton, but never directed his questions about this other career. Thornton, who was visibly upset, then complained about Canadians in general to a national radio audience since they didn't get up and move or throw things at the stage, antiquating Canadians to being like mashed potatoes without the gravy. This caused an outpouring of criticism from across Canada and around the world for the star's outlandish behavior. The following night, Thornton's band opened for Willie Nelson at Toronto's prestigious Massey Hall. A series of boos and catcalls erupted mid-set when Thornton tried to explain he liked Canadians but not the popular CBC radio host.

Ghomeshi described the interview as one of the most difficult interviews he has ever conducted and has been overwhelmed with the international exposure he has recently received, including CNN calling him at home.

Music

He joined Mike Ford, Murray Foster, and Dave Matheson to form Moxy Früvous in 1990, recording seven albums through 2000. He was credited as "Jean", rather than Jian, on the band's first album, but reverted to Jian on subsequent albums.

He released his first solo EP, The First 6 Songs, in July of 2001.

Ghomeshi has also managed musician Martina Sorbara (now of the band Dragonette) and produced for Dar Williams through his production company, Wonderboy Entertainment. He now manages Lights.

Writing

Ghomeshi's opinion pieces have been published in the Sunday Washington Post, The National Post, The International Herald Tribune, The Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star and NOW.

External links

• Official site
• Profile for Q CBC
• Toronto Life profile

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