I’ve been good friends with Joseph Planta since the time we first met back in high school. In fact, he was the one that inspired me to start writing in the first place, originally launched my Now That’s Entertainment email column way back in 1999. The Commentary is Joseph’s website wherein he gets to interview a wide range of public figures and write on some interesting subjects. It is with great pleasure that I present to you:

Ten Questions with Joseph Planta


1. The Commentary got its start way back in 1999. Tell us how it evolved from a humble email distribution list to the full-fledged website it is today.

In terms of content, going from a column of my thoughts and opinions sent out to a bunch of friends and colleagues via email to the website that it is today, has largely evolved out of my own habits and interests. For better or worse, I’ve not been good at seizing on what’s popular on the internet, and providing much the same on The Commentary. If anything, I’ve only really done what I’ve been interested in. That’s a good thing in that one isn’t a slave to what’s fashionable, but at the same time, I’m sure I’ve lost or alienated readers because whatever it is I’m interested isn’t of any interest to anyone else. As for the infrastructure, the website is a little different than managing an email outbox. I would have to credit Vishal Dhir with the website, as he’s designed the thing and created the site as it looks, not to mention looked after the hosting, storage and those other things webmasters have to worry about. It was his idea to bring me to the web, and largely his endeavour.


2. I’ve discussed this with you before, but you’ve clearly shifted your energies away from the written column, focusing much more attention on the interview segment. Is this an indication of a future direction for the site? Should we be expecting YouTube-powered interviews at some point?

The interview segment has been a creature of my own interests. People that know me sort of knew early on that broadcasting has been an interest of mine. I suppose it’s from being a fan of a number of broadcasters either in radio or television that the impetus for interview segment began. It’s like one who’s a fan of sport; some perhaps pursue such endeavours hoping they’re as accomplished or talented as those they admire. Any scratch golfer or pick up hockey player can empathise. I’m a fan of Don Imus, and have for years now listened to him daily. I can’t say I emulate him, but some of his format and some of his conversation style was something I wanted to bring to this site. As for attempting something more visual on the site, I don’t foresee that as yet. I don’t think I’d be able to get the sort of guests I’ve had on were I to do video interviews. By that I mean, it’s easier to get someone to pick up the phone, than to get them ready for a camera short, or to get a webcam connection setup. As well, I’m not technically inclined that I’d be able to pull it off.


3. Have you found that traffic has increased, decreased, or stayed the same with the introduction (and increasing focus on) On the Line?

Traffic has increased slightly since the website’s inception, but again, it’s due to my own habits that the readership is what it is. As you’ll note, currently the site has largely been dormant, and that’s due to circumstances of my own more than anything else. I’ve just not had the time to write or do interviews. It’s certainly not a shortage of guests or ideas. As such readership is not as high as it would be if it were updated regularly with new content. The On the Line interview segment has increased the site’s profile, I think. It’s not been a windfall on its own, because a nicely timed column-like George W. Bush kissing Joe Lieberman, or Star Jones-can bring tens of thousands of readers to the site on a given day. I think it’s brought readers to the site who otherwise would not have gone had I not interviewed someone notable they know or heard of. And in terms of profile, I’ve been lucky to have a sort of reliable readership that’s interested in what’s featured, for example, there are people in the political or media fields who check in from time to time, because we talk about them or stuff they’re interested in. Authors come on because we’ve had a lot of authors in the past, and it either sells books or perhaps just gives them another date on their tour schedule. I suppose authors and book people know that it perhaps doesn’t hurt them to come on and talk to me because of the various guests I’ve had on previously.


4. I find it surprising that unlike most other people out there who decide to create a website of their own, you haven’t chosen to monetize The Commentary. Do you think it would “cheapen” the site, or do people just expect to find ads on just about every internet destination these days?

First, I’d think for me, it would be hard to come up with content, while at the same time trying to find, cultivate, and keep sponsors. But, I don’t think it would cheapen the site at all, and perhaps it’s something Vishal Dhir might want to do in the future.


5. What would you say is the greatest thing you’ve learned or gained from doing The Commentary?

I think I’ve learned much over the years, about the serious and not-so serious subjects I’ve written about or discussed, through research or talking to people involved, sources and so on. I also think I’ve learned much about writing, the discipline one needs in doing so-as perhaps you can commiserate with; as well as broadcasting, the art of the interview, and the lost art of the conversation. I also think I’ve been lucky enough to have done the interviews I’ve done. It hasn’t been a total loss getting to talk to politicians and media personalities, celebrities and so forth, I’ve talked to over the last couple of years. I mean, had I not done the interview segment-the website for that matter-I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to talk to the people I’ve grown up watching on television, or reading. If you’d have told me ten or fifteen years ago I would get the chance to ask-Wayne Johnston about how he writes; Peter C. Newman about his many marriages; Sheila Copps about her weight; Kevin Newman on why he thought Margaret Thatcher was sexy; Red Robinson about being handcuffed in the shower by Elvis; Michael Eckford and Fiona Forbes, if they slept with one another; Steve Paikin, what it was like to moderate a federal leaders debate; or Margaret MacMillan about her great-grandfather David Lloyd George, to name a few-I’d have been exceedingly shocked.

Look for part two tomorrow!