A crazy idea

[MissIzzy]

Have just been thinking over the events of today at Worlds, as well as the events of the Grand Prix Finale, of protocols and cries of "gifted" and "wuzrobbed", and then, in the interludes between programs, Chris Howarth and Nicky Slater trying to glance at their computers with the scoring protocol on display, and make observations as to how many points one team lost on a fall, and they can't really properly explain it, because after the scores are announced there's no time; the next skater's on and of course everyone's focus has to be on that.
So here's my little proposal: why not take that a step further, the passing of protocols to the commentators? Why not, when the technical panel call levels, downgrades, and wrong edges, send that immediately to the commentators displays, and they can say, "The spin was Level 1" or "The spiral sequence was Level 3" or "Edge call on the lutz" something quick and not too disruptive that nonetheless gives the audience a *much* better idea of what's going on. Most commentators already name jumps as they happen, so it's not that different from what they're already doing. Or even possibly send them all as soon as the program is done so the elements can be labeled during the replays?
Not to mention it would make the commentators and audience aware when an element has been flagged for review, so they'll know why the scores are taking awhile.

 

[mizu_iro]

That would certainly be a good idea. Or all the commentators could be required to learn COP to a certain extent - the Korean commentators usually make accurate predictions on spin and step sequence levels, and they make sure to announce any oddly low or high levels on elements at the end.

 

[Medusa]

The interesting thing is that the German commentators told the viewer that e.g. Sonia LaFuente's Axel was counted as a single, that Kimmie's flip was downgraded to a double, that Mao lost 1,5 points because of the Flutz - so I guess that they can take a look at the protocols.

It would help a bit - but somehow I think that the system is too hard to understand. I watched the pairs competition with my father today and how do you understand - as a layman - what the difference is between a level 2 and a level 3 step sequence? This system is so hard to understand. Even the downgrades are hard to understand - it's so complicated and you can't see it!

 

[Tinymavy15]

yes, that would be a much better broadcast.

 

[gsrossano]

That already happens. Been that way for several years. Every broadcaster has a video screen with the calls as they go into the computer. Writers even had them at the Olympics.

 

[Matt]

I think that's where FS commentary is certainly heading, if it's not already there across the board