There was a time when Maripier Morin reigned as undisputed queen on TVA.
His popularity, charisma and versatility made him a fixture on the network, appearing on hit shows and capturing the public’s attention.
But the scandal with Safia Nolin, which occurred in the wake of the #metoo movement, changed everything.
TVA, the first to dump her, chose to cut ties with the host. Today, as Maripier rises from its ashes and revives the ratings of Cogeco and Bell, it is clear that TVA made a strategic error with disastrous consequences.
After four years crossing the desert, Maripier Morin came back stronger than ever. At the helm of The Lunch Girls on Rythme FM, she breathes new life into the Cogeco airwaves.
More recently, Bell entrusted him with hosting OD: Temptations in the Sun on Crave, a show that could well save the Occupation Double franchise after a disastrous season of the main show in terms of ratings.
By re-entering the major media, Maripier proves that it is still a safe bet, capable of giving new impetus to productions that are losing momentum.
“There were two really rough years. I have made my way of the cross. I got up after reaching the bottom. I’ve changed, and I think people have seen that.” she says in an interview with La Presse.
“Are there people who are still uncomfortable working with me? Maybe, and I respect that. But honestly, I don’t feel it”
Meanwhile, TVA is struggling to stay relevant in an increasingly competitive media landscape. TVA Sports’ ratings are collapsing, and even TVA’s main network is struggling to maintain its hold on the Quebec public.
By abandoning Maripier Morin, TVA not only lost a talented presenter, but also a strike force capable of turning around projects in difficulty.
Before the scandal, Maripier Morin was omnipresent on TVA. She embodied an image of success and modernity. But as soon as the scandal broke, the network was quick to drop her, leaving no room for redemption.
Today, Maripier has not only overcome her personal challenges, but she has also proven that she deserves a second chance.
Yet TVA chose to remain stuck in its past decisions, missing the opportunity to capitalize on its triumphant return.
This attitude is reminiscent of that of Kent Hughes, GM of the Montreal Canadiens, who refused to select Matvei Michkov under the pretext of an attitude problem.
Today, Michkov is shining in Philadelphia, proving he is a generational talent. TVA, like Hughes, clings to outdated justifications and misses out on talents capable of marking their era.
Maripier Morin has changed profoundly. At 38, she lives in Granby with her partner Jean-Philippe Perras and their two young children, far from the spotlight and the excesses that marked her beginnings.
She will soon celebrate five years of sobriety, a milestone that demonstrates her commitment to herself and those close to her.
Her spirituality and her involvement in anonymous fraternities helped her overcome personal trials, notably the tragic disappearance of her brother Raphaël, who took his own life.
“Spirituality is helping me a lot at the moment to get through the loss of my brother” (credit: La Presse)
“It didn’t make me want to relapse, though. On the contrary, I tell myself that it’s because of that that my brother is no longer here. »
“It just reinforced my fear of substances. And when you have this insidious disease that is addiction, it’s important to always be afraid. The danger that awaits us is precisely feeling too confident . This is where we risk diving again.”
Despite this pain, Maripier continues to move forward with dignity, establishing herself as a model of resilience.
This personal transformation is not only reflected in his private life, but also in his work. On OD: Temptations in the Sun, she presents herself as a caring big sister, refusing to participate in a reality TV show that demeans the candidates.
This respectful and human approach redefines the genre, offering a refreshing alternative to traditional reality television.
By rejecting Maripier Morin, TVA demonstrated an inability to seize recovery opportunities. While Bell and Cogeco are now reaping the fruits of their confidence in it, TVA continues to sink into a downward spiral.
With falling ratings and projects lacking inspiration, the network seems incapable of adapting to current realities.
Maripier Morin could have played a key role in the revitalization of TVA, just as Michkov could have transformed the Montreal Canadiens. But in both cases, decisions based on fear and conservatism prevented these institutions from seizing a golden opportunity. TVA, once the undisputed leader in Quebec, must now deal with the consequences of its lack of vision.
Today, Maripier Morin is proof that it is possible to get up after a fall, to transform your mistakes into strengths and to reinvent yourself.
She embodies hope and resilience in a Quebec in search of inspiring models. TVA, for its part, can only watch from afar this rise that it could have supported.
If TVA wants to regain its place in the hearts of Quebecers, it is high time that it reevaluates its priorities.
Because by abandoning Maripier Morin, the network made much more than a mistake: it turned its back on one of the greatest media personalities of his generation.
While Kent Hughes passed over Matvei Michkov, a young Russian prodigy who will win the Calder.
He too was a victim of his reputation and rumors.
He was the center of much discussion before, during and after the draft. His off-ice reputation, his KHL contract and his interactions with scouts have helped create a polarizing aura around him.
Yet, despite this controversy, Michkov is indeed beginning to prove that he is a generational talent, capable of changing the course of a franchise.
Before the draft, Michkov was already seen as an exceptional player, often compared to Connor Bedard in terms of raw talent.
And many are of the opinion today that he will become better than Bedard.
Several factors have led to doubts among NHL teams.
Several rumors circulated about his attitude. Some managers have described Michkov as a “complex”, “independent”, and angry player.
Michkov reportedly limited interactions with certain NHL teams before the draft, preferring to focus on those where he actually wanted to play.
According to some sources, he even refused to meet or provide medical information to certain clubs.
Several analysts saw this behavior as a lack of professionalism, although others interpreted it as a player determined to control his own destiny.
But even with that in mind, Kent Hughes should have selected him. In this way, he would have shown courage towards his abilities and those of the organization to convince the prodigy to play in Montreal.
We’re talking about bogus excuses. Michkov met with CH leaders, even though he refused to meet other teams. He would have agreed to play in Montreal. No matter what anyone says.
It’s like the leaders of TVA who claim that they had no choice in cutting ties with Maripier Morin. In life, we always have a choice. You just need to have courage.
The geopolitical context between Russia and the West added a layer of complexity to the matter. The fact that Michkov has a contract with SKA St. Petersburg until 2026 in the KHL has reinforced fears that he will not be able to join the NHL quickly.
Once again, Daniel Brière had courage. Not Kent Hughes.
Bell and Cogeco showed courage. Not Quebecor and TVA.
The Montreal Canadiens, holder of the 5th pick, had a golden opportunity to draft Michkov. C
However, Kent Hughes and his team preferred David Reinbacher, an Austrian defender with a more classic profile. Hughes justified this decision on several grounds.
Hughes claimed the choice was based on athletic criteria, insinuating that Michkov was too one-dimensional and showed too many defensive deficiencies.
This explanation was criticized, as Michkov was known for his ability to influence a match almost single-handedly, a rare asset.
Although Hughes publicly denied that this influenced his decision, several insiders, including Daniel Brière, suggested that the length of Michkov’s contract in Russia would have been the factor that scared the CH.
David Reinbacher, although less flamboyant, represents a “prudent” choice. The Canadian seems to favor players with a more beige and uncontroversial character, which contrasts sharply with Michkov’s fiery temperament.
Exactly like TVA which prefers beige, odorless, colorless personalities…instead of controversial, but oh so entertaining personalities.
Unlike the Canadian, the Philadelphia Flyers and their GM Daniel Brière assumed the risk. Michkov himself reportedly expressed an interest in playing for the Flyers, and Brière was able to intelligently navigate the challenges associated with his integration. Here is what sets Brière’s management apart:
Brière did not hesitate to publicly express his confidence in Michkov, rejecting criticism of his attitude and highlighting his exceptional talent.
Unlike Kent Hughes, Briere took a direct approach, brushing aside rumors that Michkov didn’t want to play anywhere other than Philadelphia.
Since his arrival in North America, Michkov has proven his detractors wrong. Despite some friction with head coach John Tortorella, he showed his immediate impact on the ice:
In 20 games, he collected 17 points (8 goals, 9 assists), demonstrating his extraordinary offensive potential.
His temperament, criticized by some, proved to be a driving force. Michkov hates losing, a mentality reminiscent of the greatest competitors.
Whether in the world of media or hockey, the inability to recognize the value of a unique talent beyond controversy or challenge is a costly mistake.
TVA, by abandoning Maripier Morin, and the Montreal Canadiens, by avoiding Matvei Michkov, embody two striking examples of decisions guided by fear and an excess of caution.
Maripier Morin, after going through a difficult period, proved that she was much more than a media face.
Her resilience, her charisma and her ability to capture the public’s attention make her a valuable ally for Cogeco and Bell.
Meanwhile, TVA, once the undisputed leader, is struggling to regain its glory. The choice to turn his back on a figure capable of revitalizing his image demonstrates a lack of vision and an inability to focus on redemption and human potential.
Likewise, the Canadian preferred to play it safe by drafting David Reinbacher, a solid but lackluster player, instead of assuming the risk and reaping the rewards of a generational talent like Matvei Michkov.
While Michkov is already starting to justify his star status, he who will win the Calder Trophy, the CH continues to advance slowly in a reconstruction that lacks bite and leadership on the ice.
Both of these decisions reflect a worrying trend toward privileging the comfort of the status quo over the risk-taking necessary to aspire to greatness.
If TVA and the Canadian one day wish to regain their status as icons in their respective fields, they will have to learn to rely on strong personalities, to overcome their fears and to embrace challenges rather than running away from them.
Because real winners, whether in the media or on the ice, are not born with fear of controversy, but with the courage to believe in the exceptional.
