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Noting the recent popularity of voter-driven entertainment shows, the Mighty 630 threw their microphone into the reality ring with something the creative-types at Corus have dubbed CHED Talk Idol.

The station posted a cattle call on its web site, inviting a devoted listener "that sometimes finds our content or announcers to be a little, well ... frustrating" to host their own show.

CHED might have better luck raising their talk show bar by inviting a devoted listener "who sometimes finds" ... but we digress.

What should be of interest to wagging tongue-wannabes is the invitation to "take over the entire radio industry!" There was no word on the CHED site if discussions of concentrated media ownership or conflict of interest would be be permitted.

Twenty-four seekers of fifteen minutes of air-time fame could expect to be submitted to a series of on-air rounds and judges, culminating in an online voting process that would result in one lucky contestant hosting one full hour of programming on 630 CHED "loaded with music, intro, extros and produced by a studio operator."

But wait, there's more!

According to the site, "630 CHED’s TALK IDOL will receive a contract out lining their employment with Corus Entertainment." No word if terms of the contract exceed the station's notorious Kraft Dinner salary reputation (CHED also reserved the right to conduct an additional submission process if required should ringers enter the fray).

Also no word if CHED's top court jester, Bob Layton, would make a cameo appearance in the Paula Abdul role.

Lesley Primeau - Dave Campbell - Jamie Nye - This could be you - Dan Tencer - Syd Smith

As suggested on the station's site, contestants can expect to have their picture inserted amongst CHED's other unnamed mouths that roar.

On CHED's behalf we've identified their anonymous radio stars (from left): Lesley Primeau, Dave Campbell, Jamie Nye, Insert Your Name Here, Dan Tencer and Syd Smith.

Now, this isn't the first time a local radio station has tried this approach to vetting available talent. Corus sister station Cool 880 weeks earlier launched a similar campaign called So You Want To Be A BOSS Jock? (with weekly winners having a say in the music they play for an hour on Sunday evenings).

COOL 880 did much the same thing a few years ago when they were looking for a pre-game on-air host to work before the Edmonton Road Runner games. A year-long contract was promised but magically the promo died a quiet death leaving people to wonder what happened.

And of course, back in October 2005 one-time math teacher Kory Read won an "open mike" audition as voted by listeners of Sonic 102.9 FM, landing the position of news reader on the Sonic morning show.

So if you're known for having the phrase that pays, submit soon – studio operators are standing by.

radio - edmonton radio news 2007 - outwit, outlast, outtalk