Best/worst T&F commentators

[pakillo]

We are coming from different countries and we are of different ages but I guess this is an interesting topic. What do you like, what do you hate? Names, TVs, all...
I think TV commentators play huge role in increasing/repelling potential fans.

I've been following the sport on many different TVs (mostly on Serbian, Italian, Russian, German, Croatian...) and even if I don't understand everything I pretty much know when someone is boring, irritating, bad or good. Not to mention one time when there wasn't the start list for men's 5000m (Golden League meet) and the guy didn't recognize anyone

[Conor Dary]

I think TV commentators play huge role in increasing/repelling potential fans.

I don't think commentators have much impact, unless you are a big fan already.

[LopenUupunut]

I think TV commentators play huge role in increasing/repelling potential fans.

I don't think commentators have much impact, unless you are a big fan already.

Perhaps you just haven't seen anyone good (or bad) enough to make the impact yet

Ours, on the whole, are and have been fairly competent, but I suspect some people here would have trouble adjusting to them, especially Antero Mertaranta and his followers. Let's just say he became a minor celebrity in the Czech Republic thanks to his commentary of Špotáková's last throw at Beijing

[Marlow]

I don't think commentators have much impact, unless you are a big fan already.

Perhaps you just haven't seen anyone good (or bad) enough to make the impact yet

A bad one (Ms. L) is like fingernails on a chalkboard and makes you grit your teeth for the duration. A good one (those Brits on the Universal feel) can enhance your enjoyment by getting excited and provided interesting background and pertinent split/series info. gh on the mike at the OT was a perfect example, esp. in the field events. He made the mDT and wJT (and the rest) very exciting. Once the crowd is into it (because they understand what's developing) it's more than just a track meet; it's high entertainment!

[Conor Dary]

Perhaps you just haven't seen anyone good (or bad) enough to make the impact yet

There are some excellent commentators, such as Peter Matthews. And some lousy ones, Brendan Foster, is the first name that comes to mind.

And in the US, well take your pick. It has pretty much been all over the place. In the glory days of track tv, I really don't remember paying attention to the commentary much, with the exception of Erich Segal, and his buffoonery: 'They are running between 60 and 70 seconds a lap' when talking about the Munich 10,000. The visuals are more than enough.

[Conor Dary]

A bad one (Ms. L) is like fingernails on a chalkboard and makes you grit your teeth for the duration. A good one (those Brits on the Universal feel) can enhance your enjoyment by getting excited and provided interesting background and pertinent split/series info. gh on the mike at the OT was a perfect example, esp. in the field events. He made the mDT and wJT (and the rest) very exciting. Once the crowd is into it (because they understand what's developing) it's more than just a track meet; it's high entertainment!

Well, yes. The mute button was always close at hand when CL was on board.

And I am talking about tv commentators. At a meet a good announcer can add immensely to the experience.

[gh]

The gold standard from a U.S. point of view was Dick Bank (who while in the booth only in a consulting position, grabbed the mike from Bud Palmer in Tokyo in '64 when the latter froze up and wasn't IDing Mills: that was Dick screaming). He went on to honcho CBS's track series which ran in the summers of '69 and '70 as I recall.

[Marlow]

He went on to honcho CBS's track series which ran in the summers of '69 and '70 as I recall.

Which, by the way, were AWESOME. The theme-song was Jefferson Airplane's She Has Funny Cars.

[gh]

three-fifths of a mile in 10 seconds.

[pakillo]

Franco Bragagna (Italian RAI) gets highest rank from me. Great knowledge of the sport, excitement, correct pronunciation of the names, everything.

When I think of 2007 season my association is a Russian pair Olga Bogoslovska and Sergey Tikhonov(I think that's his last name cause Planeta Sport TV doesn't exist anymore on satellite for several years now and they broadcasted so many small meets)- Boring pair but interesting how more interesting and loud they were when they were actually at the stadium at Russian meetings. Contrarily, he used to let the race going on without saying too much and conclude with low-voice "very good" for a great result.

I can't really judge on Australian Bruce McAvaney (that should be his name) cause only watched hours of videos from the 90's but I pretty much enjoyed! (it's been a year since that Youtube channel with precious videos is deleted )

[cullman]

He went on to honcho CBS's track series which ran in the summers of '69 and '70 as I recall.

Which, by the way, were AWESOME. The theme-song was Jefferson Airplane's She Has Funny Cars.

Adrian Metcalfe and Ralph Boston also did a bit of announcing on that CBS track series. Bill Toomey also comes to mind.

[JumboElliott]

I like Tim Hutchings, Ato Boldon, Craig Masback, and Toni Reavis. I'm hot and cold on Steve Cram, but that might just be after reading some of his columns. I think he and many other Brits are far too sanctimonious on the issue of doping.

[eldanielfire]

In 2011 Channel 4 in the Uk got the rights for the World Athketics championship from the BBC.

They put a alternative light entertainment presenter with no knowledge of sport or experience of live sporting events to present it. I'd explain how bad it was but my link below is a "toy ahev to see it to believe it" job. He was dropped half way for somebody slightly better, a childrens presenter, slightly better a sin you cna tell he presents eveyrthing to children. The worst thing was they had the knoweldge that Michael Johnson has been the best analyst in Track and Field for yonks now, his sliky smooth voice, his ability to explain Track specific details in eays to udnerstand terms and his obvious passion and honestly is why we wnat toa dopt from form the USA forever. All I could think was Johnson wa swatching this disaster and thinking "WTFing bunch of uneducated amateurs" constantly. And horrific as it was nobody blames their presenters, they were sooooo out of their depth it was a joke. Their boses should have been fired though. Thank God it reverted to the BBC again this year

here are the worst moments in the history of track and field on TV EVER!

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xkswky ... rclass_fun

[bobguild76]

My favorite US announcing came during the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. NBC had the Red, White & Blue package, which was a financial failure, but I loved the reporting. Dwight Stones, Marty Liquori, and Frank Shorter provided the "expert" commentary, but I forget who was the anchor. They were all superb.

The beautiful thing was, they weren't catering to the general audience, and therefore stayed away from fluff commentary. They also provided prime time NBC coverage, and the difference between their live RW&B commentary and the "not quite live" NBC commentary was night and day. I particularly enjoyed the Men's 10k, when Skah & Chelimo lapped Boutayeb, and Boutayeb proceeded to impede Chelimo. Liquori was livid, and said something along the lines of, "Someone needs to jump on Boutayeb and smack him!" Perfect, but not a chance it would be on a prime time NBC show. Of course, NBC would never show a commercial free 10k in the first place.

Other US favorites are Tony Reavis & Craig Masback. I also love the BBC commentary. Knowledgable and articulate, and as a Yank, I love their use of words. "This is a cracking race."

I do not enjoy NBC coverage at all ... but they (NBC) know their audience, which is not us, and they deliver a product that reaches said audience.

[Master Po]

In recent years, I have really enjoyed Tim Hutchings and Peter Matthews. Also, regarding the British presentation of the OG that I viewed online, there were others I really appreciated -- don't know their names -- involved with various events throughout the Games.

Have always appreciated Dwight Stones commentary, but it is limited by the overall generally lousy presentation of T&F on USA broadcasts. He has little time to do much of anything.

[Conor Dary]

The gold standard from a U.S. point of view was Dick Bank (who while in the booth only in a consulting position, grabbed the mike from Bud Palmer in Tokyo in '64 when the latter froze up and wasn't IDing Mills: that was Dick screaming). He went on to honcho CBS's track series which ran in the summers of '69 and '70 as I recall.

I remember when he suddenly disappeared. Something about following Little League baseball or something. All seemed very strange.

PS. I don't think you could call it freezing up on Palmer. More like focused on something else at the time. There was quite a battle between Clarke and Gammoudi going on and suddenly Mills is in the mix, with a lot of lapped runners all over the place.

Anyways, a great audio.

[noone]

I wish I knew the name of the incompetent stadium announcer at the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton. He was a French-Canadian whose command of English was even worse than his T & F knowledge. He would constantly babble on about people having a fight (he meant battle), or else you couldn't even understand him. I kept saying to myself : For God's sake why don't you shut up!

[eldanielfire]

I wish I knew the name of the incompetent stadium announcer at the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton. He was a French-Canadian whose command of English was even worse than his T & F knowledge. He would constantly babble on about people having a fight (he meant battle), or else you couldn't even understand him. I kept saying to myself : For God's sake why don't you shut up!

Ona similar note Deagu 2011 seemed to have all sorts of weird technical failures at the starting line (men's 400m hurdles) and false starts (Men's 100m, women's 400m), I often wonder was there some unusual or rubbish procedure or announcements that seem to interfere with athletes then?

[Daisy]

In 2011 Channel 4 in the Uk got the rights for the World Athketics championship from the BBC.

They put a alternative light entertainment presenter with no knowledge of sport or experience of live sporting events to present it. I'd explain how bad it was but my link below is a "toy ahev to see it to believe it" job.

ORTIS DELEY'S SEVEN BIGGEST TV MISTAKES'
…so, we have a gloriously sunny day here in the studio, erm, we’ve seen some action as well this morning as well, Jessica Ennis. Goodnight.’

‘..history in the making as Oscar Pistorius from South Africa makes history.’‘…time now for another break, erm, and when we come back we’ll of course have, erm, more coverage for you from [pause] here, erm…’

‘…commentators are Rob Walling, Rob Rawling, and [smiling] I keep getting these names wrong, I do apologise, [pause] Rob Walker and John Rawling.’

‘…joining myself and Michael in the studio is the one, the only Tyson Gay. That’s me [pause], Michael Johnson [pause] and Tyson Gay in the same studio.’

‘…now Daegu plays host to the 13th IAAF World Athletic Championships, two hundred, two thousand and eleven.’

‘…and we talk to the hottest athlete of the moment , the honourable Leo [pause] Usain [pause] Bolt. It’s Leo, St Leo, Usain Bolt. We’ll be talking to him.’

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... tarts.html

At the other end of the scale was the late Ron Pickering.

[tm71]

In 2011 Channel 4 in the Uk got the rights for the World Athketics championship from the BBC.
They put a alternative light entertainment presenter with no knowledge of sport or experience of live sporting events to present it. I'd explain how bad it was but my link below...

i just watched it and i must agree that i have NEVER EVER seen anything this bad !
truly unprofessional, where did they find this clown ? and who hired him for this job ?
it makes larry rawson, carol lewis and tom hammond seem like geniuses lol !

[mump boy]

In 2011 Channel 4 in the Uk got the rights for the World Athketics championship from the BBC.
They put a alternative light entertainment presenter with no knowledge of sport or experience of live sporting events to present it. I'd explain how bad it was but my link below...

i just watched it and i must agree that i have NEVER EVER seen anything this bad !
truly unprofessional, where did they find this clown ? and who hired him for this job ?
it makes larry rawson, carol lewis and tom hammond seem like geniuses lol !

Poor Ortis, he came to sit with me and Flump at the UK Trials last summer. He introduced himself said he's seen us about and explained that he was hosting the Channel 4 covergae in Deagu. He said he used to compete in the Dec and was a big track fan but not an expert. Alarm bells rang then !! but he's an experienced presenter who we assumed had been vetted, trained and prepared. How wrong we were

To present live sport you need to know everything inside out so you you can think on your feet, he may have known enough to chat with fans but this clearly isn't sufficient and Ch4 had no business letting on tv. Apart from him and the adverts their coverage was a breath of fresh air and his replacement (after 3 days) Rick Edwards was very good

[mump boy]

My favourite commentators where one morning in Stuttgart '93 when the BBC has Daley Thompson and Kris Akabusi as guests. After making lewd comments about the female long jumpers, especially Larysa Berezhna and calling Leroy Burrell 'the one eyed fat man', they disappeared and where never heard of again

[gh]

I wish I knew the name of the incompetent stadium announcer at the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton. He was a French-Canadian whose command of English was even worse than his T & F knowledge. He would constantly babble on about people having a fight (he meant battle), or else you couldn't even understand him. I kept saying to myself : For God's sake why don't you shut up!

????

There were two French-speaking announcers in Edmonton, and both were from France, and with impeccable credentials regards both knowledge of the sport and speaking ability. I've worked with them at every major international championships since Atlanta in '96. Both also speak a just-fine version of English.

[Powell]

I think TV commentators play huge role in increasing/repelling potential fans.

I don't think commentators have much impact, unless you are a big fan already.

I'd say just the opposite. If you're a serious fan, you pretty much know what's going on just by looking at the screen and you may just as well not pay any attention to the commentary. The less knowledgable viewers, otoh, need some extra guidance, and their enjoyment will largely depend on the commentators.

[Gabriella]

I like Tim Hutchings, Ato Boldon, Craig Masback, and Toni Reavis. I'm hot and cold on Steve Cram, but that might just be after reading some of his columns. I think he and many other Brits are far too sanctimonious on the issue of doping.

I'm the opposite; I like Steve Cram but I'm hot and cold with Tim Hutchings. Crammy is excellent IMO. He has that balance between knowledge, enthusiasm, professionalism and being a ruddy great presenter live. Hutchings has improved immensely since the late 90's, but he still comes across a bit iffy to me. I am not a fan of Peter Matthews at all.

I am a bit of a stick in the mud and love my BBC commentary team. Crammy is superb, Stuart Storey & Paul Dickinson I love too. Back in the day Ron Pickering was fantastic, my 'best ever', and David Coleman was sometimes ok, despite his Colemansballs. ("Britain's Olympic Gold medallist.....Daley Cathlon." )
Where the BBC are let down, and generally always have been, is with their trackside interviewers. Jonathan Edwards was rude (better in the studio) Sally Gunnell couldnt say her words properly (in fairness she did get better towards the end but it was too late, she was sacked) and Phil Jones, while knowledgeable and asking the right questions, just doesn't have the personality. Chris Cahill (Boxer) used to be ok, but none of them ahve ever matched the pedigree of the commentary team.

In Channel 4, I actually think Rick Edwards has actually been ok and I understand why they have chosen him, for the younger, casual fan. At the WICh he, Iwan Thomas and Kelly Sotherton did a decent job in the studio, even if Thomas did get a little too energetic.

[pakillo]

I think TV commentators play huge role in increasing/repelling potential fans.

I don't think commentators have much impact, unless you are a big fan already.

I'd say just the opposite. If you're a serious fan, you pretty much know what's going on just by looking at the screen and you may just as well not pay any attention to the commentary. The less knowledgable viewers, otoh, need some extra guidance, and their enjoyment will largely depend on the commentators.

I agree though it's hard not to pay any attention to the commentary especially when it's terrible, incorrect and scandalous. We have one commentator of that kind and I hear some people like him cause he makes them laughing hard (less knowledgeable viewers) but they are actually misguided and even after several suspensions he is still there.

[Trackrunner]

Steve Cram - Excellent. Brings the sport to life.

Carol Lewis - I probably stand alone in this but I find her ditziness endearing. It's like what Carolism will be uttered next. That aside I think she genuinely tries.

Tom Hammond - Men's 100M London call was worst ever. What race was he watching on his monitor? Here comes Tyson he shouts during the race - Tyson never actually led at any point in the race - and Bolt clearly pulling ahead at the 55m mark and he mentions it after the race was done. They could easily have redubbed it considering that it was delayed 'live' but chose not to - probably did not care. And picking Pistorius as his favorite moment from London is the give away that he cares nothing about track.

[Flumpy]

Why has no one mentioned Connie Henry yet?

[mump boy]

Why has no one mentioned Connie Henry yet?

When Valerie took up the PV

[Marlow]

Carol Lewis - I probably stand alone in this but I find her ditziness endearing. It's like what Carolism will be uttered next. That aside I think she genuinely tries.

I'm sure she's a great person and was certainly a great athlete, but her greatest gift is an amazing command of the obvious! As in, "There goes Jeter. She's really picking them up and putting them down. Look at her turnover and stride length. They're better than than the others, so she may win this race." I can't remember anything she said that didn't make me wince. As for trying . . . if that's a viable criterion, then sign me up; I'll try really, really hard, I promise.

[pakillo]

Some bitching about German Eurosport viewtopic.php?f=1&t=47330&hilit=eurosport+sigi+heinrich

[G.Ahearn]

Back in the day . . . was always impressed with Marty Liquori . . . very insightful.

[noone]

I wish I knew the name of the incompetent stadium announcer at the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton. He was a French-Canadian whose command of English was even worse than his T & F knowledge. He would constantly babble on about people having a fight (he meant battle), or else you couldn't even understand him. I kept saying to myself : For God's sake why don't you shut up!

????

There were two French-speaking announcers in Edmonton, and both were from France, and with impeccable credentials regards both knowledge of the sport and speaking ability. I've worked with them at every major international championships since Atlanta in '96. Both also speak a just-fine version of English.

I can't argue with you about their knowledge, and their language mastery is a subjective matter, but I can assure you they (I could swear there was just one guy) detracted from my enjoyment of the event

[Hil-da]

Maybe pertinent - a Youtube video by the guy who did the radio commentary for the BBC in London. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sNLb6NT7xo

[nevetsllim]

Why has no one mentioned Connie Henry yet?

When Valerie took up the PV

She also said Vlasic was the greatest women's high jumper ever.