Former BT host to be new voice at CJAD
That didn’t take long: It was just two weeks ago that Leslie Roberts announced he would be vacating his mid-morning talk-show slot at CJAD to become the editor at large for a travel website. Although there was considerable speculation that he had been the chosen one to replace Roberts — who, in turn, had replaced Tommy Schnurmacher two years ago — it was officially announced on Monday that Elias Makos would be taking over the coveted 9 a.m. to noon slot as of Dec. 31. The announcement could not have been made any sooner since Makos had just completed his job last Friday as a host and producer on Citytv’s Breakfast Television Montreal. In addition to his role on CJAD, the tech-savvy Makos will be serving as an analyst on CTV Montreal, likely with an emphasis on matters digital — a role he played on CTV Montreal before going to Citytv. “Elias has encyclopedic knowledge of the digital space and is one of the best out there at tracking what’s happening online,” says CTV Montreal news director Jed Kahane. “He’ll give our viewers a different take on the big stories of the day. We’re excited to have him back.” Makos, born and bred in Montreal, is champing at the bit to get behind the CJAD mic and to appear again on air at CTV Montreal. “I am just elated, overjoyed, ecstatic,” he says. “It’s a great day when you can leave one media job here and you’re the one making that call, and then landing two other amazing jobs.” Makos is also abundantly aware that he will have huge shoes to fill in taking over the spot occupied by Roberts and Schnurmacher, both ratings winners in that slot. “CJAD was the soundtrack of my childhood. There were no music stations being played at my house. And I certainly know the history of that station and all those who passed through there.” Nor does Makos plan to change the tenor or format of the mid-morning show. “I won’t be reinventing the wheel per se,” Makos says. “My goal is to try to stay on top of things. What I care about is what people in Montreal are talking about, what they’re dealing with in their dayto-day lives and what is affecting them in their pocketbooks.” CJAD program and news director Chris Bury is obviously confident Makos will make the transition from TV host/producer to radio talk-show moderator. “Elias has big shoes to fill for sure,” Bury says. “Leslie and Tommy are such strong broadcasters. Elias is conscious of that. He has a lot of respect for the time slot, station and listener. But having said that, he’s confident and will bring his own style and approach. “I’m impressed not only by his range of knowledge but also by his instincts for which stories to choose and how to cover them.”