MacLean Not Blameless in Hotstove Mess

I’ve always been a huge fan of Ron MacLean.  To me, he’s what all the pompous American studio talking heads (Costas, Brown, Saunders) should aspire to be.  He’s funny, knows the right questions to ask, and is an excellent moderator.  He also can host just about anything and make it look credible, as his stint with Battle of the Blades proved.  Overall, MacLean does a fantastic job.

That said, it needs to be pointed out, he has a more than minor role in the whole “Hotstove has because raving lunacy and no fun to watch” mini-crisis.  MacLean has not only at times provoked Milbury and Pulver to go on their various diatribes, he has let Milbury be the bully, even allowing him to swear on national TV.  I’m no angel when it comes to language, but shouldn’t we keep the swearing away from the kids who watch Hockey Night?

MacLean’s duty should’ve been to dissolve the spat before it got on to a seemingly endless stream of hatred and fury so thick, it started pouring out of the screen.  He should’ve gone to the levelheaded LeBrun to quiet things down for a little bit, and then gone on to a new topic.  I’m sure Hockey Night feels it’s created some “Great TV” with this stuff, but I assure you, it isn’t.

Those are our final thoughts on this whole thing, and we hope we’ll have nicer things to say about the segment next week.

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