Elwood Glover

Who was Elwood Glover?

William Elwood Glover was a Canadian radio and television broadcaster who was best known as the host of Elwood Glover's Luncheon Date.

Born in Carmel, Saskatchewan, Glover began his 46 year broadcasting career in the city near his home town, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan at a 250 watt radio station for $5 a week. From there he moved onto Toronto in 1938 to be one of the six staff announcer at CBC. He would remain at the CBC for the next 35 years. 1939 saw him covering the Royal tour. He then went on to be CBC's chief announcer during World War II.

Following the war, Glover was the host of At Ease with Elwood Glover, an afternoon drive show on CBC radio in the 1950s and 1960s. Elwood Glover's Luncheon Date, debuted on the radio in 1956, and was moved to television in 1963. Glover interviewed thousands of guests on Luncheon Date over the next twelve years, including Eartha Kitt, Ella Fitzgerald, and Mel Tormé. A clarinetist and one time bandleader, Glover used his show to highlight Canadian talent. One Canadian guest, Stompin' Tom Connors, was married on Glover's show in 1973.

Fans and critics called Glover "Mr. Bland," "Mr. Cool," "Mr. Nice Guy," or "Mr. Molasses." Glover took it in stride and said, "I'd like to be a more colourful person, but I haven't the makeup for it. I've got this label of a nice guy and it bores the hell out of me. But I hold myself back a little and let my guest shine out."