Whatever Sandra Bussin's possible new show on Newstalk 1010 (CFRB) is called, it won't likely be The Sandra from Toronto Show.This despite the fact the whole pretext for the Beaches-East York councillor's foray into talk radio is a result of her spectacular call-in to possible mayoral candidate John Tory's radio show on the day of Mayor David Miller's announcement he would not run again.
Then, identifying herself only as "Sandra from Toronto," Bussin berated Tory, calling him a "three-time loser," sang Miller's praises, and flatly denied she was an employee of the City of Toronto.
Bussin eventually went on Tory's afternoon drive radio show to make up - after a fashion. On Wednesday, the councillor who also serves as Toronto council's speaker said she's initiated talks with the radio station to have a regular show of her own.
"I did meet with CFRB this afternoon and they were interested in my proposal," she said. "One that has more of a positive twist, to allow councillors to come on to the show and talk about the issues of the day, the things they're working on and are able to resolve. They like the idea. They're going to get back to me."
Bussin said she's hoping for a weekly slot on Thursday, during which she and a co-host would talk with some of her colleagues on council.
Newstalk 1010 Program Director Mike Bendixen confirmed that the station is interested in the show - but he emphasized it's still premature to say whether it's a go or not, and added it was more likely to be taped than live, and air on the weekend.
"We haven't confirmed when we're going to start this - we're still working to nail down all the logistics. Ideally what will most likely end up happening for the short term is our news director will host the show. It needs a professional that's familiar with how radio works to put together a pre-recorded show."
The fact that it's pre-recorded will likely mean the show that originated from Bussin's phone-in will have no callers.
"I don't want to fill up the show with...nonsense calls of some guy who calls in to say 'my streetlamp has been burned out for three days and why haven't you fixed it?'" Bendixen said.
Bussin admitted a generally positive show in which politicians talked with one another about their successes might not have the instant drama of the usual talk radio fare.
"But I'll figure it out," she said. "If it all works out I'll figure out how to inject some excitement."
But she made it clear she wouldn't inject the kind of excitement she did when she called Tory.
"It was pretty volatile and I don't want to go there," she said. "But I think it's time people heard some good things, and that will hopefully be the theme behind the discussions."