Jay Onrait's “Anchorboy: True Tales From the World of Sportscasting”

Jay Onrait’s book “Anchorboy: True Tales From the World of Sportscasting” is one of the best books I have read in along time.

I am a huge Jay and Dan fan, I actually read the book a couple months ago and wanted to re-read it before I posted about it. I had been anticipating the release of “Anchorboy” before it was released because of all chitchatting about it on the “Jay and Dan Podcast”. I read the book in about a day, the chapters are very short and you don't want to stop reading Jay's story once you start. 

It has taken me so long to post about "Anchorboy" because I had loaned this book out to other people and finally just got it back. My boyfriend then read it in two days (he couldn't put it down) and then I finally got a chance to read it. It is that good.

The book lives up to all the promotion; it is hilarious. I'm not going to give away any of the stories because they are so good you really should buy the book. I have a couple and it has also been my go-to gift lately for pretty much any guy in my family. 

As a broadcasting nerd myself I really relate to Jay’s idea that everyone in our industry truly is nerdy in one-way or another. We all have a thing. It was my favourite thing he talked about in the book. 

I'm not normally a fan of potty talk. I actually usually hate discussions about poop. Jay talks about doody lots. Be warned. He actually makes horribly gross situations hilarious. 

One note: I wouldn't read this book in public places. I was in hysterics throughout the book and would have been pretty embarrassed to have anyone see my laughter tears. It totally would have messed up my mascara.

At this point I feel like I know both Jay and Dan. After listening to every episode of the original Podcast on our last drive across Canada last year and continuing to listen and watch whatever we can from them, I think things would get weird if I ran into them. In a weird way I hope I never work with them only for that reason.

If you are American and a fan of Fox Sports Live you need to read this book to get a little history about our national treasures Jay and Dan. If you are Canadian (like I am) this book is a reminder of an amazing period of sportscasting here in Canada and a sad reminder of what we are missing out on.

Read it, love it and tell me what you think!

Click here to checkout the Jay and Dan Podcast. 

**Again, a big THANK YOU to Jay and Dan. Without Sportscentre I would have missed going to so many morning classes during university. You guys gave me a reason to haul my ass out of bed.

Two of My Favourite Canadians: Jay Onrait and Dan O'Toole

I am not a huge fan of change. I was really unhappy when I learned two of my favourite Canadians were planning on heading south of the border to Ammmurrrica. When Jay Onrait and Dan O’Toole announced they were going to be leaving their program ‘Sportcentre’ on TSN my heart broke. I am a huge sports fan  I would fight the urge to read sports articles and watch game updates just to keep things fresh for the late-night edition of ‘Sportscentre’. Living on the East Coast you have to stay up pretty late to catch the live edition of the show, the live edition is the best run of the show because it roles unedited unlike other editions.

Jay and Dan are hilarious. When my boyfriend and I drove across Canada we listened to all of their Podcasts… yes, every single one. Listening to hours and hours of audio in a short duration of time can convince you that you actually know these people and give you a personal attachment, very strange (and worrying) indeed. The podcasts are part of my emotional reaction to this dynamic-duo moving stateside.

I seriously miss them on ‘Sportscentre’ as well. Seriously, all those crappy things you don't want to do ‘Sportscentre’ makes better. If you have the gumption to get your butt somewhere early in the day you can catch ‘Sportscentre’ in line rather than boring afternoon poker. That is the world I live in, waiting in line at the DMV, waiting out at the service centre, waking up from a hangover, going to the gym; all things made better by Jay and Dan’s presence (and made worse by TSN’s typical afternoon programming).

Seriously, if I could meet any of my media idols Jay and Dan come in second (they are “life partners” so they count as one person in my rulebook) to the almighty, Lorne Michaels.

I miss you Jay and Dan, TSN is  just not the same. I still love the main crew at 'Sportscentre', but they are lacking the Jay and Dan flare... 

This month Jay and Dan made their American debut; below you can check them out working blue in the US.