Broadcaster Simi Sara moves from TV to radio with Talk 1410 show

Lively and enthusiastic may be the two words that best describe Simi Sara, a well-known local TV personality who’s now Vancouver’s newest radio talk-show host.

It’s been nearly a year since Sara said goodbye to Citytv. Although the former CityCooks and Breakfast Television cohost kept busy working part-time, travelling, and spending time with her family, the self-professed news junkie was itching to get back into the swing of things. So, when the chance to host her own show on Talk 1410 presented itself, she didn’t hesitate to jump at the opportunity.

“It turns out that I’m enjoying it immensely,” she told the Straight after one week on the job.

True to form, Sara was driving her son to class as she spoke about some of the challenges she’s faced with her switch to another medium.

“I don’t have to worry about what I look like on the radio,” she said, laughing, when asked about the notoriously early hours of radio work.

While she wasn’t fazed by the prospect of waking up at 4 a.m. to host the morning show, finding a job with accommodating hours was extremely important to Sara.

“It was a big priority for me...to be able to be home with my kids,” she said. “I’ve learned a lot in the last year, and one thing that I’ve learned is that I really want to be home for my kids.”

The show—still in its early stages—has Sara flying solo, talking about issues related to a range of current events. According to the veteran broadcaster, doing the show by herself is “a little scary”.

“Doing four hours of a live show by yourself is a huge challenge, but I get to immerse myself into the world of news,” Sara said. Naturally, the job requires a fair deal of organization and preparation, long before Sara goes live on air.

Sara’s journalism path began in the classrooms of Langara College, where she studied mostly print reporting. But her curiosity about the world of television translated into an internship at Citytv—one she managed to parlay into a part-time job that eventually turned into a 16-year career.

Sara was the first member of a visible minority to win the B.C. Association of Broadcasters’ Broadcaster Performer of Tomorrow award in 1995 and the Broadcaster Performer of the Year in 2003.

She recently had a gig on CBC’s The Point with Aamer Haleem—an experience she described as lots of fun, as well as a helpful introduction to radio broadcasting.

Now, The Simi Sara Show runs from 6 to 10 a.m. on weekdays.

Sara is humble when asked about her successful career.

“It’s really because people have been so good to me through the years that I’m able to still be around,” she said.

Comments

8 Comments

Sue

Oct 14, 2009 at 9:56pm

I look up to Simi Sara and I am happy to see her join a new medium of communication / broadcasting. I think we need more people of visible minority to be in the FOREFRONT and CEO's of these all-blonde/all-white companies. Look at her replacements now...! disgusting.

harmien torenbeek

Dec 29, 2010 at 5:13pm

Sue, visible minority is not so visible on radio is she now.
And as for Simi getting away from CityTv, none too soon. The worst farm-station to come out of Toronto.
I have no idea how she is doing at Talk-1040 for I can't stand 'talk-radio', which outside of CBC, seems to be all we get.

ANDREW POPOVIC

Feb 19, 2011 at 12:16pm

At least Simi is by far and miles ahead of the likes of Green, Adler and the other neo con including Rutherford, Coren and Breakenridge biased lack of LISTENER TALK (they just want to push their agendaa and no matter what the guest has to say 'they' try to convert). REFRESHING!!!

John Schwermer

May 14, 2012 at 10:48pm

Looking forward to your interview with Heidemarie, who disconnected from the money concept fifteen years ago. There is a book "The Man who quit money," and Heidemarie Schwermer is mentioned in it on page 226. Maybe somebody should write a book about her life and call it "The woman who quit money."
Have a great time together in a conversation tomorrow free of charge.

jerry mcphee

Jun 22, 2012 at 6:10pm

Simi seems like a nice woman. However, I find her show boring and without any oomph. Today she had a guest from the Pembina Institute and lobbed one softball question after another at him.

I miss Michael Smith. He was fair but not afraid to ask tough Questions. Sari could take a lesson from him.

Mona

Dec 11, 2012 at 5:20pm

I miss Simi Sara immensely. Now that I know where to find her I will listen to her show on my android.
She is a great inspiration to women.

James Marshall

Nov 3, 2013 at 1:01am

Simi Sara despite her Jack Webster award does not impress me at all. Whenever a caller disagrees with her, he (or she) is gone. Poof!

And while her skin is dark and she is a member of a visible minority. Well, so what! Jack Webster was a member of an audible minority, a guy with an extreme Scottish brogue in British Columbia.

Simi has broadcasting skills. Give her that. Skin color, feminist bias, and a protective slant on subjective preferences does not impressive me.

I met Jack Webster one time and he never cut me off because I did not agree with him. He allowed me to speak without cutting me off.

Ever notice that on her show? Agree with me or you are out of here.

- Jim

Dan

Dec 2, 2014 at 12:25pm

I am so tired of hearing how SHE feels about everything. I have been a loyal listener for 43 years and I now looking for another station to listen to. She has spoiled the sports report as well. Trying to be funny and talk to Dave . Go have lunch and let us hear the sports report and not your report. A few weeks ago the Canucks played the night before , won and you were so busy talking Dave did not even give us the score. Please please please talk less and listen more. Dan