S3.E1: Newfoundland Confederation and CODCO (feat. Greg Malone)
Season 3, Episode 1
Title: Newfoundland Confederation & CODCO
Time: 61 minutes
Locations: St. John’s, Cape Freels
Story: Newfoundland Adopts Right Hand Drive, Confederation with Canada
Guest: Greg Malone
Listen:
About The Episode:
Part One: Newfoundland Adopts Right-Hand Drive
On January 2, 1947, Newfoundland made a switch that had everyone—drivers, pedestrians, and even horses—feeling a bit jittery.
Just past midnight, the colony's roads transformed as Newfoundlanders were suddenly required to drive on the right side of the road, leaving behind decades of left-side driving.
The change symbolized a shift away from British ties and toward a North American alignment. In retrospect, it was the harbinger of a bigger changes to come.
Part Two: Confederation and Codco, A Chat With Greg Malone
Greg Malone is a Newfoundland legend.
As a member of the Wonderful Grand Band and CODCO, Malone became a fixture in living rooms not only across Newfoundland and Labrador, but across the country. He served-up wickedly funny satire and his celebrity impersonations (ranging from Queen Elizabeth II to Jean Chrétien to Barbara Frum) remain legendary.
“Pleasant Priests in Conversation" from CBC's CODCO remains a notable example of the show's unique blend of controversial satire and social commentary.
Malone’s talents go well beyond television; he’s appeared in films (including The Adventure of Faustus Bidgood, HeyDay! Rare Birds,) directed a docudrama on suffragists in Newfoundland and championed important political causes.
Malone has written two books — a memoir titled You Better Watch Out and piece of historical non-fiction titled Don't Tell the Newfoundlanders.
Don't Tell the Newfoundlanders shares the untold story of Newfoundland and Labrador's entry into Confederation with Canada. Based on official documents and supported with personal interviews, Malone paints a dramatic scene of per-confederation Newfoundland filled with intriguing characters vying for control of the islands resources. Malone’s fresh perspective casts new light on an often misunderstood chapter of Newfoundland and Labrador’s history.
The book forms the basis of a new six-part docu-series set to premiere on Bell’s FibeTV.
On this episode of the podcast Malone discusses his work and the journey from CODCO to Don’t Tell The Newfoundlanders
Part 3: Monstrous Things
As per usual, the episode ends with Monstrous Things — a short segment that recounts sea monster sightings that were reported in the mainstream media.
This edition takes us off Cape Freels where, in 1953 an enormous sea monster was seen by fisherman near Cabot Islands.
Listening Options
You can listen to the episode here or on your favourite platform.
Credits
Tower Bridge Traffic, vinjatovix, freesound.org, creative commons 0
Ocean and Fog Horn, Shepardr, freesound.org, creative commons 0
1957 Ford With Horn, craigsmith, freesound.org, creative commons 0
Horse With Old Cart, bruno.auzet, freesound.org, creative commons 0
Gavel, flubberjam, freesound.org, creative commons 0
New Year’s Eve party crowd; much laughter, craigsmith, freesound.org, creative commons 0
Cork Pop, dr19, freesound.org, creative commons 0
Car Start Drive Away, kbnevel, freesound.org, creative commons 0
Suspenseful Gloomy Crime, Nancy_Sinclair, freesounds.org, creative commons 0
Biplane Warplane WW1, TRP, freesound.org, creative commons 0
Ocean Waves 02, Lucas_Schacht, freesound.org, creative commons 0
Sources & Further Reading
Greg Malone, IMDb
Don’t Tell the Newfoundlanders, The True Story of Newfoundland’s Confederation With Canada, Greg Malone, Penguin Random House
You Better Watch Out, Greg Malone, Penguin Random House
Codco, HeritageNL
The Wonderful Grand Band, Museum of Canadian Music
The Day Newfoundland Started Driving On The Right, Product of Newfoundland
Sea Monster Seen Near Bonavista, Daily News, August 20, 1953
A Christmas voyage gone wrong, the story of the Ellen Munn lives on in song—as a tale of courage, kindness, and the perils of Newfoundland winter.
In 1887, a tragic accident at St. John’s Atlantic Hotel claimed the life of beloved porter William Shea. A mistaken step in the dark led to a 36-foot fall, leaving behind a grieving family and community.
In 1889 there was a mysterious light appeared off the coast of Lawn. It was bright enough that some believed it posed a risk to mariners.
In 1946 a comet crossing earth’s orbit lead to an unforgettable night in Griquet.
Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam
Where the moose and the caribou play?
In September 1775 a horrible hurricane hit Newfoundland, killing thousands of people and spawning ghost stories still told today.