Toronto rock radio station 102.1 The Edge revealed its new schedule yesterday while one of the station's former hosts announced a "Hey...I Got Fired" roast in early April.
According to a message sent on the radio's Inside Edge mailing list this morning, Dominik Diamond, Josie Dye and Greg Beharrell will host Edge Mornings (5:30 am to 10 a.m.) with Carlos Benevides the midday host (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.). "Fearless Fred" Kennedy and Melani "Mel" Mariani will host the afternoon drive from 2 pm to 7 p.m. with Adam Ricard hosting the evenings show from 7 p.m. to midnight. The new schedule makes its debut on March 31.
"We're excited to introduce this sharp-witted lineup to both new and long-term listeners of the Edge," the station's Senior Brand Director Blair Bartrem said in a statement posted on the station's site yesterday. "These on-air personalities each bring their own unique voice and distinct sense of humour that will make the station Toronto’s alternative destination for great comedic banter, relevant interviews and amazing music."
The lineup changes comes after a controversial few months for the station regarding former morning host Dean Blundell. As reported earlier this year, Blundell's show was officially cancelled effective Jan. 6 after being suspended in December. The suspension followed homophobic, biased remarks Blundell and his show's producer Derek Welsman made on air regarding a then ongoing trial where Welsman was the jury's foreman.
As for Blundell, he remained relatively quiet in recent weeks but revealed on his site last week plans for a "Hey...I Got Fired" celebrity roast. According to a post on his site, Blundell said "I'm back baby and am ready to party again!" The roast will be hosted by comedian Gerry Dee at Toronto's Sound Academy on April 5. "It will be a chance for some funny f*****s to chirp me live on stage," Blundell wrote. "It won't get better than this."
A question and answer session will also take place with Craig Gass, former Dean Blundell Show co-host Billie Holiday, Barry Taylor, former CFL player (and recent Olympian) Jesse Lumsden and Mike Chalut. Tickets range from $40 to $60.
Blundell also added he would have "some exciting news to share really soon."