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The Guy on the Left: Sports Stories from the Best Seat in the House
If you’re a sports fan, you know James Duthie.
The biggest games, the biggest trades, the juiciest rumours—chances are Duthie is the guy you tuned in to hear talk about them. There are other experts and insiders, stats guys and analysts, but no one else who can talk about sports with the humour, the knowledge, and the charisma Duthie brings to every event he covers. He also makes the best spoof videos.
The Guy on the Left tells the story of Duthie’s career in broadcasting, from a nerdy appearance on a game show to chatting with Tiger Woods in the men’s room at The Masters. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at celebrated moments like Sidney Crosby’s famous game-winning goal at the Vancouver Olympics, but also less celebrated insights, like the disclosure that sports broadcasters often aren’t wearing pants on air.
There are stories about goofing around with NHL superstars like Roberto Luongo and Anze Kopitar. There are also stories about wandering into the wrong house after walking his dog and surprising his neighbour in her underwear.
His stories can also be serious. Tragedy strikes more than once in the sports world. Most notably, he had to go to air on the evening of September 11, 2001. His reflections on the way sport is part of all of our lives, from the athletes and sports figures on the planes to the kids who lost coaches and parents, are a powerful reminder of both the importance of sport and how lucky we all are to be part of it.
Funny, thoughtful, self-deprecating, and wry, The Guy on the Left is everything fans love about James Duthie.
The biggest games, the biggest trades, the juiciest rumours—chances are Duthie is the guy you tuned in to hear talk about them. There are other experts and insiders, stats guys and analysts, but no one else who can talk about sports with the humour, the knowledge, and the charisma Duthie brings to every event he covers. He also makes the best spoof videos.
The Guy on the Left tells the story of Duthie’s career in broadcasting, from a nerdy appearance on a game show to chatting with Tiger Woods in the men’s room at The Masters. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at celebrated moments like Sidney Crosby’s famous game-winning goal at the Vancouver Olympics, but also less celebrated insights, like the disclosure that sports broadcasters often aren’t wearing pants on air.
There are stories about goofing around with NHL superstars like Roberto Luongo and Anze Kopitar. There are also stories about wandering into the wrong house after walking his dog and surprising his neighbour in her underwear.
His stories can also be serious. Tragedy strikes more than once in the sports world. Most notably, he had to go to air on the evening of September 11, 2001. His reflections on the way sport is part of all of our lives, from the athletes and sports figures on the planes to the kids who lost coaches and parents, are a powerful reminder of both the importance of sport and how lucky we all are to be part of it.
Funny, thoughtful, self-deprecating, and wry, The Guy on the Left is everything fans love about James Duthie.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published October 13, 2015
11 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 2, 2021
I feel like I just sat around a campfire with an Ottawa boy who shared some funny and interesting tales from the road as a TSN hockey host. His storytelling is off the cuff and very easy to read.
Whether you’re a 40 year old with 2 kids who is considering quitting your job to become a TSN sportscaster or you’re just a fan of The Panel, this book will amuse and entertain you, although I don’t think you’ll learn too much.
Great read. I’ll be looking for more of Duthie’s fine workmanship soon.
Whether you’re a 40 year old with 2 kids who is considering quitting your job to become a TSN sportscaster or you’re just a fan of The Panel, this book will amuse and entertain you, although I don’t think you’ll learn too much.
Great read. I’ll be looking for more of Duthie’s fine workmanship soon.
December 10, 2017
hilarious throughout, great read if you're an avid TSN viewer
December 15, 2017
As a huge sports fan this was an amazing read, what made it better was that it was a gift from my dad, he got James Duthie to sign it, and James said I could be on the panel.
November 25, 2015
I enjoyed reading this book of Sports Stories by James Duthie. He has worked TSN for years and is a good sports personality for them in what ever they assign him to do for them. I hope that he writes a sequel to this book in the future.
December 7, 2015
What a great read.
I could here his voice telling me his anecdotes. I laughed out loud. Lost track of time.
He is funny and self depreciating, so Canadian.
It was a wonderful way to spend a quiet weekend.
I could here his voice telling me his anecdotes. I laughed out loud. Lost track of time.
He is funny and self depreciating, so Canadian.
It was a wonderful way to spend a quiet weekend.
February 15, 2024
James Duthie is a Canadian treasure. His self deprecating sense of humour is so Canadian. This book tells his story with laugh out loud humour ( my wife can attest to my laughter from the living room). I’m sure Canadians can relate to the book best but the stories of youth are relatable. The things he has experienced in his broadcasting career, and in his personal life are such a fun read. Thank you James.
July 14, 2018
It’s nice to break up a run of Fiction books with a light, biographical read like this.
Hockey, Football, Ottawa, Journalism - this book had a ton of things that interested me! And James is one of my favorite Sports Broadcasters out there.
From the stories told, to the way they were told, this was a very enjoyable read! Any sports lover would enjoy it, and should get a kick out of it!
Hockey, Football, Ottawa, Journalism - this book had a ton of things that interested me! And James is one of my favorite Sports Broadcasters out there.
From the stories told, to the way they were told, this was a very enjoyable read! Any sports lover would enjoy it, and should get a kick out of it!
August 22, 2019
This is no literary masterpiece, sorry James but you won’t need to make room on the mantle for any book awards. But it is a wonderfully entertaining read by a guy who won the lottery in finding a career he loves but takes none of it for granted. If he’s ever in need of a female sports junky extra in a Tsn spoof/prank filler spot, I want in!
April 5, 2018
entertaining stories from the life of a sportscaster
March 13, 2021
Great insight into James' career. It's full of fun stories. Definitely a great read for any Canadian sports fan.
December 31, 2022
A good example of an amazing sport caster and the incredible stories of his career.
October 27, 2024
A good, light hearted read. Lots of cool insights and stories. This dude really is living every dream of a Canadian kid who doesn't make the NHL lol
August 20, 2024
As I read this I sometimes think Duthie missed his calling.
Very funny. Honestly the guy writes just like he speaks which is so refreshing.
He clearly loves what he does and the cast of characters he gets to do it with.
Great behind the scenes look and intimate story telling.
Thanks James for opening up. Enjoyed every page.
And yeah “how do I get a job like yours?”
Very funny. Honestly the guy writes just like he speaks which is so refreshing.
He clearly loves what he does and the cast of characters he gets to do it with.
Great behind the scenes look and intimate story telling.
Thanks James for opening up. Enjoyed every page.
And yeah “how do I get a job like yours?”
January 31, 2016
This book is a must read for any sports fan, especially any Canadian hockey fan. This is the story of James Duthie from TSN. It is written largely as a biography, but as he puts it, it skips the boring stuff. While it follows a linear timeline, it is largely a collection of stories.
What I enjoyed about this book is how the author can tell his life story, but also make you laugh on one page and be ultra serious on another. It takes great skill to be able to shift tones like that and not lose the reader. Most sports broadcaster's biographies fall into one or the other. Either you read Jay Onreit's and are kept laughing throughout or you read a book about the history of ESPN where all the characters seem to be out of a NFL Films production about the struggle of sports.
I watch TSN with regularity, but it appears I didn't pay as close attention to "The Panel" as I should have. The author mentions skits they did that I do not recall. However, in reading this book, it makes me realize what is missing on Rogers broadcasts of the NHL, humor. Thank you James for reminding me what proper hockey broadcasting is supposed to be. I look forward to the return of the national deal to TSN.
At any rate, anyone who wants to be an author, broadcaster, journalist or is simply a sports fan should read this book. Even if you don't know a sniff about hockey, the author does a wonderful job of explaining things.
What I enjoyed about this book is how the author can tell his life story, but also make you laugh on one page and be ultra serious on another. It takes great skill to be able to shift tones like that and not lose the reader. Most sports broadcaster's biographies fall into one or the other. Either you read Jay Onreit's and are kept laughing throughout or you read a book about the history of ESPN where all the characters seem to be out of a NFL Films production about the struggle of sports.
I watch TSN with regularity, but it appears I didn't pay as close attention to "The Panel" as I should have. The author mentions skits they did that I do not recall. However, in reading this book, it makes me realize what is missing on Rogers broadcasts of the NHL, humor. Thank you James for reminding me what proper hockey broadcasting is supposed to be. I look forward to the return of the national deal to TSN.
At any rate, anyone who wants to be an author, broadcaster, journalist or is simply a sports fan should read this book. Even if you don't know a sniff about hockey, the author does a wonderful job of explaining things.
January 19, 2017
If you're a Canadian sports fan - and hockey fan in particular - chances are pretty good that you already know of, and like, James Duthie. If so, there's nothing in this book that is especially surprising (other than the discovery that Darryl Sutter has a sense of humour), but there is plenty that is entertaining. In keeping with his on-air persona, he is funny, self-deprecating and a little weird (in the good way), but also an all-around good guy. If you molded a human being from Canadian stereotypes (minus the lumberjack ones, with all due respect to Duthie), you'd get something pretty closely resembling James Duthie.
In fact, it could be argued that this book has minimal appeal to sports fans outside of Canada, unless you're a well-informed hockey fan (i.e., one who pays attention to more than one team and its players). One of my favourite anecdotes is a small one involving Doug Gilmour being exactly as you'd expect, and I'm a little curious if Tie Domi contacted Duthie about the poop-flinging joke, and if so what he said (Duthie's face has demonstrably not been punched in, so I assume Domi laughed too). I'm also tempted to pull up the Luongo series of sketches on YouTube for old time's sake.
Overall this is an entertaining book by a top-notch sportscaster, and I enjoyed reading it.
In fact, it could be argued that this book has minimal appeal to sports fans outside of Canada, unless you're a well-informed hockey fan (i.e., one who pays attention to more than one team and its players). One of my favourite anecdotes is a small one involving Doug Gilmour being exactly as you'd expect, and I'm a little curious if Tie Domi contacted Duthie about the poop-flinging joke, and if so what he said (Duthie's face has demonstrably not been punched in, so I assume Domi laughed too). I'm also tempted to pull up the Luongo series of sketches on YouTube for old time's sake.
Overall this is an entertaining book by a top-notch sportscaster, and I enjoyed reading it.
January 4, 2016
I have never really read a book in my life where I have not been able to put it down, but this was it. It usually takes me a couple weeks to read one as well, but this book took me less than a day. The Guy On The Left by James Duthie, is an autobiography on the host of NHL on TSN, he has worked for TSN for over 10 years. The book goes into depth of his whole life, but he did a really great job of going over the stuff that people really enjoy, the fun stories and craziness he went through to get into the business and become one of the most respected analysts in the business. I thought I knew a lot about the industry before reading the book but, It taught me so much more
This book could really be for any people who enjoy the game of hockey or any sport for that matter, and who respects the journalism business. This book put my perspective on wanting to become a sports host to another level, it really solidified my love for the business. It was my favourite book of all time and I think I only put it down to go to bed. It was a
This book could really be for any people who enjoy the game of hockey or any sport for that matter, and who respects the journalism business. This book put my perspective on wanting to become a sports host to another level, it really solidified my love for the business. It was my favourite book of all time and I think I only put it down to go to bed. It was a
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2015
Currently my son is at school in the hopes of replacing Mr. Duthie on TSN. Sorry James, you knew it was going to happen some day.
When I saw this book was out I had to get it for my son for Christmas. Well I have had it in my possession since he opened it. I could not put it down. I have been a fan of Mr. Duthie for many years and I must say I totally enjoyed this read.
He has lived the life of every male sports fan on the planet.
This book is hilarious. My wife and kids gave me several strange looks as I would just burst out laughing while reading. Fortunately it is the wee hours of morning when I finished it and they didn't see the tears as I read the last chapter. Bring tissues for chapter 31.
James, and I feel I can call you James as we have been through so much together now. A job well done. Keep up the good work, though your days are numbered as my son is only a year away from taking your job.
A fantastic read if you are a sports fan.
When I saw this book was out I had to get it for my son for Christmas. Well I have had it in my possession since he opened it. I could not put it down. I have been a fan of Mr. Duthie for many years and I must say I totally enjoyed this read.
He has lived the life of every male sports fan on the planet.
This book is hilarious. My wife and kids gave me several strange looks as I would just burst out laughing while reading. Fortunately it is the wee hours of morning when I finished it and they didn't see the tears as I read the last chapter. Bring tissues for chapter 31.
James, and I feel I can call you James as we have been through so much together now. A job well done. Keep up the good work, though your days are numbered as my son is only a year away from taking your job.
A fantastic read if you are a sports fan.
August 17, 2016
Maybe I'm being a tad overly generous with 5 stars ... I'm sure even James Duthie would agree that his book isn't Pulitzer Prize material ... but damn this was a fun book to read. I loved the stories ... I found myself laughing out loud at times (actually a lot of times) and actually choking up on occasion. IMHO, James Duthie is the best sportscaster in Canada (I rue the day TSN lost the Canadian NHL contract to Sportsnet .. phew, blech) and this book supports the notion that he deserves to be where he is and cover the stories he does. I rate this one as a must read for sports fans and a "give it a try read" for non sports fans ... either way you'll be very entertained. I was.
January 18, 2016
Tragic at times, comic most times, normal in parts. What you would expect of a sports broadcaster/spoof skit creator/reality show after game host. It is very broken telephone in he hops from time to time with broken continuity but that is how many people's brain function with triggers that spark another memory. It is after all an autobio so that chances of a movie deal with Matt Damon or not are unlikely but Seth Myers is closest resemblance in facial features and comedic style.
October 16, 2016
Loved this book- it had me laughing out loud and also cringing in embarrassment for James.
As a massive TSN fan, it was intriguing to read about the stories from Duthie's career so far (as well as the behind the scenes of all the hilarious spoof videos). This book was funny and self-deprecating, and surprisingly heartfelt. It's all about the juice.
As a massive TSN fan, it was intriguing to read about the stories from Duthie's career so far (as well as the behind the scenes of all the hilarious spoof videos). This book was funny and self-deprecating, and surprisingly heartfelt. It's all about the juice.
December 29, 2015
Fantastic! If you love sports broadcasting and hockey, you'll love this. I flew through it in less than a day. Funny, witty, and full of lots of great behind-the-scenes stuff about the life of a sports broadcaster. What a job!
November 16, 2015
I hate to give a dumb sports book five stars, but I loved it start to finish. Just really funny the whole way through and it's all behind the scenes TSN stuff and Ottawa stories. Recommended!
February 18, 2025
Review for The Guy on the Left can be found on Hockey Blog In Canada.
December 25, 2015
Funny, self-depreciating humor and with topics that date the same time as your own growing-up with sports period, this book is a great read.
March 13, 2016
Loved this book. He has such a sense of humour and found myself laughing out loud many times
February 23, 2016
i thought that this book would be an interesting read. with lots of sports anecdotes. very poorly written. i was bored and put it down half way thru.
Read
March 25, 2016Loved it and laughed the whole time
December 4, 2023
It's a folksy read no more no less.
Read
December 15, 2017Funny, rambling, and somewhat forgettable. Too humble even for a Canadian, if such a thing is possible.
November 4, 2018
I liked this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews