I received a personal email asking me whom I would like to see host the JUNO Awards this year (2012). I’m not a member, so my opinion doesn’t hold much weight. But I did give it some thought. The JUNO Awards were first televised in 1975, the host being Paul Anka (fitting). Over the years, hosts have not only been music stars but actors, TV personalities, and comedians. Below is a table summarizing the hosts of the JUNOs since 1975, including the host city.
| Year | Location | Host |
| 1975 | Toronto | Paul Anka |
| 1976 | Toronto | John Allan Cameron |
| 1977 | Toronto | David Steinberg |
| 1978 | Toronto | David Steinberg |
| 1979 | Toronto | Burton Cummings |
| 1980 | Toronto | Burton Cummings |
| 1981 | Toronto | Andrea Martin |
| 1982 | Toronto | Burton Cummings |
| 1983 | Toronto | Burton Cummings and Alan Thicke |
| 1984 | Toronto | Joe Flaherty and Andrea Martin |
| 1985 | Toronto | Andrea Martin and Martin Short |
| 1986 | Toronto | Howie Mandel |
| 1987 | Toronto | Howie Mandel |
| 1989 | Toronto | Andre-Philippe Gagnon |
| 1990 | Toronto | Rick Moranis |
| 1991 | Vancouver | Paul Shaffer |
| 1992 | Toronto | Rick Moranis |
| 1993 | Toronto | Celine Dion |
| 1994 | Toronto | Roch Voisine |
| 1995 | Hamilton | This Hour Has 22 Minutes Cast |
| 1996 | Hamilton | Anne Murray |
| 1997 | Hamilton | Jann Arden |
| 1998 | Vancouver | Jason Priestley |
| 1999 | Hamilton | Mike Bullard |
| 2000 | Toronto | The Moffatts |
| 2001 | Hamilton | Rick Mercer |
| 2002 | St. John’s | Barenaked Ladies |
| 2003 | Ottawa | Shania Twain |
| 2004 | Edmonton | Alanis Morissette |
| 2005 | Winnipeg | Brent Butt |
| 2006 | Halifax | Pamela Anderson |
| 2007 | Saskatoon | Nelly Furtado |
| 2008 | Calgary | Russell Peters |
| 2009 | Vancouver | Russell Peters |
| 2010 | St. John’s | None |
| 2011 | Toronto | Drake |
| 2012 | Ottawa | TBA |
| 2013 | Regina | TBA |
As you can see, in the beginning, for feasibility, the show was held in Toronto. In 1991, for the first time, the gala was held elsewhere–in Vancouver. With bigger budgets, it is now being held in various cities. The JUNOs were broadcast on CBC up until 2002 when CTV took over. In general, they prefer big name stars to help draw viewing audiences. So, I’m guessing they’re considering Michael Buble, Justin Bieber, Rachel McAdams, Nickelback, Ellen Page, Ryan Reynolds, Ryan Gosling, Avril Lavigne, Wayne Gretzky, and Jim Carrey.
I prefer the idea of a lesser name star.
Because our blog has a policy of giving priority to promoting Asian and Aboriginal Canadians, it would be cool if a star from one of these realms appeared as emcee. Because the show is being held in Ottawa this year, it would be fitting, though not necessary, if an Ottawan served as host. It should be someone current (i.e. had a hit in the past couple of years). And, it would be preferable to have a fresh face, someone who hasn’t hosted before. One name who fits all of these comes to mind–Kristina Maria. Being from Vancouver though, I can’t help being a bit biased. I would seriously cry if the honours were given to Elise Estrada.
Who should host the JUNOs? What do you think?
Paul
January 21, 2012 at 12:36 pm
If CTV is airing it, I guess that would rule out Strombo as a host?
shawnpt
January 21, 2012 at 12:40 pm
Yes, it probably would. But I think most people would like to see a fresher face anyway.
John K
January 21, 2012 at 3:02 pm
I predict they will ask Feist to host them. There seems to be a lot of media buzz about her these days. Not sure why.
shawnpt
January 21, 2012 at 3:18 pm
You may well be right. Without going too much into it, the media is most often manipulated by vested interests (both governmental and corporate) and fuelled by profit. Many people comment on how they build up a celebrity just to bring him down later. This is because they are more concerned with attracting maximum attention (to sell their stories) than with doing the right thing. When a celebrity has a good chance of moving from middle ground into superstardom, the press likes to hype them. Once they become superstars, watch the press do an about-face and begin the negative smear campaign. I won’t mention any names of Canadian celebrities for which this has happened – you know who. This is not to say that those who work in the media are bad people but that the system design by which the press operates is substantially flawed.