- Joined
- Oct 25, 2012
I watched the Senior Pairs SP this morning, and I just have to pass comment about Lydia and Harry's SP music.
Who on Earth thought it would be a good idea to take Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata", and put the words of "California Dreaming" by The Mamas And The Papas on top of it?!
I love both of them. But not together!
I have to be honest, I was disappointed with the commentary during the Pairs. Jenny Bill and David King are both hugely knowledgable. But, listening to them during that segment, I couldn't help but think that they were holding back, and were tailoring their commentary to be at a level that Claire understood.
I lost count of the number of times that David referred to elements as "tricks".
I absolutely HATE it when people use that term, as it trivialises specialist moves that take the skaters a long time to learn and perfect.

As the old saying goes, "two's company; three's a crowd". I have always believed that to be the case when it comes to commentary teams. And the commentary during the Senior Pairs SP just provided further proof of this.
There were too many people in the commentary box. And unfortunately it was poor Jenny that wasn't getting much of a chance to speak. It was pretty much all Claire and David. Now, I've nothing against David talking a lot when commentating on the category that he competed in. It is his area of expertise, after all. But I would have preferred Jenny to be the one that was talking with him. Because at least she would have brought up more sensible things to discuss than Claire!
But, this is the BBC. They insist on foisting clueless commentators onto us every time they cover a figure skating competition. Claire Youdale for the British Championships. Kat Downes for the World Championships.
Oh, how I miss Sue Barker commentating on figure skating. She may have been a tennis player, but at least she was a true professional that did their research before stepping into the commentary booth. There aren't enough people like that in broadcasting nowadays. (And I'm not just talking about sports broadcasting).
CaroLiza_fan
Who on Earth thought it would be a good idea to take Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata", and put the words of "California Dreaming" by The Mamas And The Papas on top of it?!
I love both of them. But not together!
It's only Claire Youdale doing commentary again on the BIS livestream, still asking endless inane questions of Emily Haywood, former skater & coach. Could BIS really not find anyone with an ounce of Skating knowledge? I presume it'll be her on the BBC Senior coverage aswell? Oh, and she talked during the National Anthem being played aswell.![]()
At last! Jenny Bill has been invited into the Commentary box this evening for Advanced Novice Singles! My sanity is saved! Sending feedback & complaining seems to have worked! British Championships! Great to hear you Jenny!
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I have to be honest, I was disappointed with the commentary during the Pairs. Jenny Bill and David King are both hugely knowledgable. But, listening to them during that segment, I couldn't help but think that they were holding back, and were tailoring their commentary to be at a level that Claire understood.
I lost count of the number of times that David referred to elements as "tricks".
I absolutely HATE it when people use that term, as it trivialises specialist moves that take the skaters a long time to learn and perfect. As the old saying goes, "two's company; three's a crowd". I have always believed that to be the case when it comes to commentary teams. And the commentary during the Senior Pairs SP just provided further proof of this.
There were too many people in the commentary box. And unfortunately it was poor Jenny that wasn't getting much of a chance to speak. It was pretty much all Claire and David. Now, I've nothing against David talking a lot when commentating on the category that he competed in. It is his area of expertise, after all. But I would have preferred Jenny to be the one that was talking with him. Because at least she would have brought up more sensible things to discuss than Claire!
But, this is the BBC. They insist on foisting clueless commentators onto us every time they cover a figure skating competition. Claire Youdale for the British Championships. Kat Downes for the World Championships.
Oh, how I miss Sue Barker commentating on figure skating. She may have been a tennis player, but at least she was a true professional that did their research before stepping into the commentary booth. There aren't enough people like that in broadcasting nowadays. (And I'm not just talking about sports broadcasting).
CaroLiza_fan







ALL THE BEST EVERYBODY!!!