Marilyn Says Goodbye to CityLine

And it's over. As the little gremlin on Just for Laughs wails, "Waaaaaaaaahhhhh...."

Today was Marilyn Dennis' last day as host of CityLine. She told the story on CHUM FM this morning that the day the CRTC announced that CTV could have everything it wanted, except for the Citytv stations, she was hosting Home Day (Thursday mornings). She was called upstairs, and they told her the news and that she was with CTV and they were sure she'd be happy with them. It took awhile to click in that it was over -- her 19-year run as host of CityLine was ending.

Because relations between the two corporate giants -- CTV and Rogers -- was amicable during these mergers and takeovers, they made it possible for her to continue to host for another year. She cannot say yet what she will be doing with CTV, but something is brewing. Citytv meanwhile will have guest hosts for CityLine and will begin auditioning women to take over her spot. I feel sorry for whoever takes it over because Marilyn made the show the success it was. She had a rapport with the viewers you don't usually see on many shows. Oprah is the only other one that comes to mind; still Marilyn is more approachable than Oprah. There's a hint of steel in Oprah you don't sense in Marilyn. Yet Marilyn could not have done both radio and television and brought up a son without a core of strength in her.

Now we wait to find out what CTV has in store for her and just hope they don't do the usual cancel in 3-5 years and then put it in reruns for another 3 years -- the cheap way to do Canadian daytime TV. Meanwhile CBC has had a stellar year with the inaugrul season of Steven and Chris; this might be the opportunity they needed to leapfrog into daytime dominance, but that's only if they take a leaf from Citytv's playbook and stick with their new show too. They too have been commitment-phobic recently.

Farewell Marilyn, and may the television gods bless you again!

Comments

Anonymous said…
Jeanne Becker from Fashion TV ..same thing. it doesn't seem to be on citytv anymore but on star-tv in repeats ...

if your on Canadian tv for more than 10 years . your days are numbered.
Unfortunately, FashionTV was tied to the cable channel that CTV bought from CHUM, so once the fashion cable channel was part of CTV's stable, the original show could no longer be shown on Citytv. Definitely a loss!

I'm hopeful Citytv will create a new fashion show, even better than the original.
Anonymous said…
Actually Marylin is rather miserable in person, have met her on several ocassions and if you talk to most at City Tv they will say she is all ego and really seems to hate people when the cameras are not rolling - I think she easy to replace, someone real, alive and truly excited aboiut life!
Anonymous said…
I've been so busy the past 4mnths so finnally I take the last week off in Aug to relax at home and I find out the terrible news that Marilyn is gone...Life won't be the same she was like Johnny Carson to me, when I was able to watch..starting tunning in when my daughter was born I think 88...Lis
Anonymous said…
I kept tuning in a little late every day and after a couple of months I finally had to face the sad truth that Marilyn must be gone. I am truly saddened. The show will never be the same as she was like one of the family. I hope you will be happy in whatever new adventure awaits Marilyn! I miss you.
Anonymous said…
They have made a big mistake in letting Marilyn Dennis go .... she made Cityline a success and I for one hope they change their minds and bring her back!
B. Jones
Anonymous said…
I've also heard that Marilyn has quite the ego problem. Maybe that's why we haven't seen or heard anything about CTV, maybe they don't need another diva.
I don't believe it. I've been to talk shows where the host has big ego and you can see it in the way he talks (or doesn't) to the audience off camera. Marilyn is the opposite.

Also, CTV and Marilyn are currently developing a show for the new year. Normally, we don't hear about a new show in development until it's fully complete and they are ready to announce an air date. So it's too early yet to have heard anything from CTV.
mj said…
I've just emailed to ask them to bring her back. Who knows - with enough complaints??? Leave your feedback at http://www.citytv.com/toronto/1462_contactus.aspx
Anonymous said…
I was sick in the summer for couple months in and out of the hospital, suppose to rest at home for few more months and the only thing I was happy about that atleast I can watch cityline everyday and to look forward to.
I was shocked when I noticed everyday is different person and they did not even update the audience what the H... they are up to .
Marylin was the perfect one, and no one can replace her.
Sharon
Anonymous said…
sw i am glad to see Marilyn gone, Tracy is wonderful so upbeat and the show is much fresher and more exciting to watch.
One more change get a different woman to do the fashion part. She is to touchy and feely for my likes.
Anonymous said…
Is that you Tracy? Must be. What do you mean,wonderful, upbeat, fresher? Have you actually watched the show lately? Put aside the fact that the new host talks over her guests without even listening to them, talks about her personal life continuously and doesn't really know how to carry an interview, I see why you may find her a breath of fresh air. They should have made the woman who is 'too touchy feely' the host. I really like Lynn Spence. I would tune in to watch her any day.
Maryanne said…
I agree the show is not the same without Marilyn. i tune in now and dont stay for the hour. i dont like hiw the new host interrupts her guests.
Anonymous said…
Judy said....

I'm just floored! I was so hoping, thru Marilyn, to some how link my daughter up with her male specialist in homeopathic help & remedies. She, up here, desperately needs his help regarding female cysts, etc. What will we do now? I just pray, in the Fall, I can continue on with this quest thru her & that he'll also still be available, as well as all the excellent homeopathic info. we all need. Cause we sure aren't getting what we 'need' thru reg medical channels!