Commentators: ABC vs. NBC; Who should do Olympics?

[Tonichelle]

I agree, Toni. I remember about three years ago, Terry Gannon called most of the jumps in someone's performance. I think after watching skating for so long (I don't see him doing any other sports anymore), he has gotten to know the jumps and such.

The ones I miss no longer seem to do skating-- Robin Roberts, Vern Lundquist, and Michael Varsha.

Terry did golf and some random NASCAR event earlier this year... he did some calling on sports this summer as well basketball I think...

Verne would do more if CBS showed more... he used to also commentate the Stars On Ice shows with Peter Carruthers, and that was always fun as well...

oh for the good ol' days

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I agree, Toni. I remember about three years ago, Terry Gannon called most of the jumps in someone's performance. I think after watching skating for so long (I don't see him doing any other sports anymore), he has gotten to know the jumps and such.

The ones I miss no longer seem to do skating-- Robin Roberts, Vern Lundquist, and Michael Varsha.

Terry has learned to see the difference between a loop and a salchow and a flip and a lutz. I learned some time ago that a casual fan can become quite knowledgeable about the intracacies of figure skating if they really love it and want to be able to speak well about it.

I would have no problem with Roberts, Gannon, Lundquist, Varsha doing the commentary if they limit the voice overs.

What I like about Paul is that he says things like "it looks like it was underrotated" or "it seemed to be two footed", and unfortunately, he follows up with 'we'll wait and see what the judges did'. I just wish he would make a definitive statement and not tack on the 'wait for the judges'. But I presume Speedy would be upset if Paul disagreed with the judges and all hell broke loose.

Joe

 

[Ptichka]

But I presume Speedy would be upset if Paul disagreed with the judges and all hell broke loose.

I do not believe Paul owes anything to Speedy. Certainly Scott and Sandra would not have commented on SLC pairs the way they did had that been a consideration. I think what Paul means when he says we'll have to wait for the judges is that they have things like instant replay to verify what really happened.

 

[Dee4707]

What I like about Paul is that he says things like "it looks like it was underrotated" or "it seemed to be two footed", and unfortunately, he follows up with 'we'll wait and see what the judges did'. I just wish he would make a definitive statement and not tack on the 'wait for the judges'. But I presume Speedy would be upset if Paul disagreed with the judges and all hell broke loose.

Joe

Joe, I am becoming a big fan of Paul. I really think he could take Uncle Dick's place. I too like when Paul explains why the jump was bad, such as, he was back on his heel too much. I do think though he disagreed with Oda scores last night and said so. I like that too. It seems like he's feeling more comfortable in that position now.

Dee

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I do not believe Paul owes anything to Speedy. Certainly Scott and Sandra would not have commented on SLC pairs the way they did had that been a consideration. I think what Paul means when he says we'll have to wait for the judges is that they have things like instant replay to verify what really happened.

I agree and especially with SLC, but no one mentioned what happend to Anton during his skate or if they did (I don't remember) anything. Waiting for the judges was to wait for a 2-2 decision. I think the comments made by Bezic and Scott were after the scores not before.

And yes, I was being rash by mentioning Speedy.

Joe

 

[Linny]

Who are our choices?

Olys is on NBC, right? Many of the commentators mentioned are under contract with ABC. I'm not sure, but I don't think they can jump networks that easily.

So, which commentators are not under contract with another network?

Please, not Bezik again.

Linny

 

[Dee4707]

Please, not Bezik again.

Linny

.......or Scott Hamilton.

Dee

 

[Eeyora]

.......or Scott Hamilton.

Dee

or Tom Hammond

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Olys is on NBC, right? Many of the commentators mentioned are under contract with ABC. I'm not sure, but I don't think they can jump networks that easily.

So, which commentators are not under contract with another network?

Please, not Bezik again.

Linny

I did give the example of John Tesch (ABC) who wanted to do the FS Olys on CBS and CBS did not want him. The had their own sports team. It's a contract thing. I'm not even sure if ABC would have allowed him.

Joe

 

[Jhar55]

Well Dorothy Hamill isn't under contract with ABC, CBS or NBC I think she would be good, very soft spoken. Let's see how about Tia and Randy, they could do the pairs.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Well Dorothy Hamill isn't under contract with ABC, CBS or NBC I think she would be good, very soft spoken. Let's see how about Tia and Randy, they could do the pairs.

What is it about any of these skaters that makes a fan think that yes, he/she can do it. I think one has to think about the reality of journalism, and not the medals someone won.

Joe

 

[Tonichelle]

What about Toller Cranston?

or how about Brian Orser or Boitano? both have done commentary in the past... I don't really like Boitano's voice... but without Button to argue points with maybe he'd just commentate and not talk through the whole program

 

[Eeyora]

Personally, Brian is the best out of all of them. I was bummed when he stopped commentating for ABC.

 

[SkateFan4Life]

Whoever does commentate at the Olympics, I would implore them to refrain from the mindless, endless, witless yakking during the performances.

Please, most of us really don't give two hoots about the skater's hobbies, personal goals, families, favorite foods, rock bands, and the like. At least we don't want to hear about this trivia while they are competing at the Olympics!

Guess I'll have to keep clicking on MUTE during the competition, as always!

 

[JOHIO2]

Whoever does commentate at the Olympics, I would implore them to refrain from the mindless, endless, witless yakking during the performances.

Please, most of us really don't give two hoots about the skater's hobbies, personal goals, families, favorite foods, rock bands, and the like. At least we don't want to hear about this trivia while they are competing at the Olympics!

Guess I'll have to keep clicking on MUTE during the competition, as always!

AMEN! Also, as inspiring as their stories may be, I don't want to hear about Irina's illness, Michelle's hip injury or any orphan/Oksana type stories. Just let them skate!

 

[Eeyora]

AMEN! Also, as inspiring as their stories may be, I don't want to hear about Irina's illness, Michelle's hip injury or any orphan/Oksana type stories. Just let them skate!

add T/M to that list with the fall. I have seen it too many times.

 

[heyang]

You forget that NBC is targeting the Olympics at everyone, not just skating fans unfortunately for us. The human interest stories are to make the athlete more intriguing on a personal level. The commentating is for people who don't know the difference.

My friends who don't watch skating regularly, dont appreciate the finer details. I've learned to appreciate them via Buttonisms and other commentary over the years. While commentary is distracting at times, I also find that it sometimes fills some glaring moment - I don't want to hear 'Oh, she fell', but I wouldn't mind hearing 'she fell because....' The general public doesn't understand why the simpler program skated cleanly loses out to an instricately performed program with perhaps 1 fall.

If the commentary creates any increased interest in figure skating, I would be grateful since interest is probably at a low point right now.