Yakkety Yak (Don't Come Back)

[SkateFan4Life]

Does anyone out there occasionally feel the same annoyance I feel at the constant, incessant, yakking that's dished out by the "expert commentors" at televised figure skating events?

I realize that the function of the expert is to educate the viewing public on what's going on during the program, and, for the many folks who aren't familiar with the various jumps and spins, this is wonderful. Explain to everyone the technical problems a skater is having - flutzing, etc - and label each jump. OK!

On the other hand, must be listen to a lot of useless yakking between the commentators? It's nice to know that Dick Button, Peggy Fleming, and Terry Gannon are buddies, but for Heaven's sakes, do they need to carry this into the air? Who cares about their personal likes and dislikes? Who cares to hear about a skater's hobbies during a performance? I sure don't. I remember one case that still rankles me a bit - an American skater (I won't name her) was competing, and the above-mentioned trio waxed lyrical on her charitable works and good deeds DURING HER PERFORMANCE. What in the world does that have to do with her performance? Maybe they were trying to contrast her with a certain blond American skater who was associated with an infamous knee bashing of a fellow competitor - who knows.

I've heard that British commentators are known for their understatement. That must be truly refreshing. As it is, we Americans like to TALK so much, and sometimes we just don't realize that sometimes "less is more". I for one have clicked "Mute" on a number of occasions, and I'll probably have to continue to do so.

Just my two cents, of course.

 

[Ladskater]

Does anyone out there occasionally feel the same annoyance I feel at the constant, incessant, yakking that's dished out by the "expert commentors" at televised figure skating events?

I realize that the function of the expert is to educate the viewing public on what's going on during the program, and, for the many folks who aren't familiar with the various jumps and spins, this is wonderful. Explain to everyone the technical problems a skater is having - flutzing, etc - and label each jump. OK!

On the other hand, must be listen to a lot of useless yakking between the commentators? It's nice to know that Dick Button, Peggy Fleming, and Terry Gannon are buddies, but for Heaven's sakes, do they need to carry this into the air? Who cares about their personal likes and dislikes? Who cares to hear about a skater's hobbies during a performance? I sure don't. I remember one case that still rankles me a bit - an American skater (I won't name her) was competing, and the above-mentioned trio waxed lyrical on her charitable works and good deeds DURING HER PERFORMANCE. What in the world does that have to do with her performance? Maybe they were trying to contrast her with a certain blond American skater who was associated with an infamous knee bashing of a fellow competitor - who knows.

I've heard that British commentators are known for their understatement. That must be truly refreshing. As it is, we Americans like to TALK so much, and sometimes we just don't realize that sometimes "less is more". I for one have clicked "Mute" on a number of occasions, and I'll probably have to continue to do so.

Just my two cents, of course.

Ahh...you should tune into the CBC or CTV in Canada. The commentation is kept to minimum during the performance. Any background on the skaters' life is usually saved for after the performance or briefly mentioned before the performance begins.

I agree that too much "yatter" from the "peanut gallery" is annoying.

 

[PrincessLeppard]

You have no idea how hard it was to go from seven years of listening to Simon and Chris on Eurosport (minimal chatter throughout performance, always pointing out at least one positive thing in each skater's performance) to returning to the US and not only having to listen to Dick and Peggy blabber over the music, occasionally not even about the person currently skating, but not being able to see anyone but the top three and the Americans. Darn it, I *like* to watch the skater who comes in 24th!

Laura

 

[chania36]

I am from Canada and when I watch skating on tv and it is the US channel, I like sometimes to have different commentators but boy do I do get upset about all that talking while the skater is performing, I love to watch the Canadian channel because they do not talk almost during so you can appreciate the performance much better, they will say a couple of things but it wont overcome or overshadow the performance.

When I watch US channels, I like the difference in the way of presenting the performance and the commentators, but those 3 persons are the one I get annoyed in listening to, I feel that we are not watching figure skating anymore because you get distracted by all that talking over the performance. It does take your concentration off the performance and the skater. And yes in Canada, we are different in that way but there is other channels in the US that they do commentate skating very well and do not overdue it.

 

[Piel]

I love Dick, Peggy, and Terry. When I atteneded a live compettion I hated not hearing what they had to say. It's like posting here, I am anxious to see if they share my opinions. I never just watch TV without crafting, looking through a magazine, or being on the computer at the same time so I don't find it difficult to follow the skating and the commenatary at the same time. What ticks me off is watching with someone who doesn't usually follow skating or any show for that matter and for them to keep asking questions like during last year's Worlds when my brother-in-law kept asking "When are we going to see that litlle tiny girl that beat Michelle at the Olympics?"

 

[mpal2]

That's nothing Piel,

One of my supervisors asked me if I was going to see Kristi Yamaguchi at Nationals this year! At least she knew the name.

 

[PrincessLeppard]

Piel, are you freakin' kidding me???? I try to attend as many live events as I can so I *don't* have to listen to Dick and Peggy blather. I could care less about their opinions, because they are usually (not always) biased. But I guess I got used to Eurosport, and being able to watch and just concentrate on the performance. I often multi-task, but not when it comes to skating.

Laura

 

[SkateFan4Life]

Ahh...you should tune into the CBC or CTV in Canada. The commentation is kept to minimum during the performance. Any background on the skaters' life is usually saved for after the performance or briefly mentioned before the performance begins.

I agree that too much "yatter" from the "peanut gallery" is annoying.

I sure wish I had access to CBC or CTV, but living in New Jersey, USA, that's not possible. I have cable television - about 85 stations - and this includes a number of foreign news broadcast (short broadcasts, admittedly), but nothing in the way of international sports coverage. It's American, all the way.

I remember that Jim McKay "interviewed" Peggy Fleming's son's shoe at the 1996 Worlds. Talk about trivial talk! Give me a break.

 

[Piel]

It's true Laura, LOL.. I usually agree with them too. I don't like exhibitions too much either for the same reason. I guess I like the validation when their opinion about something is the same as mine. I usually tape all of the competitions so I can always go back and watch with the sound off.

 

[SkateFan4Life]

What ticks me off is watching with someone who doesn't usually follow skating or any show for that matter and for them to keep asking questions like during last year's Worlds when my brother-in-law kept asking "When are we going to see that litlle tiny girl that beat Michelle at the Olympics?"

Well....when are any of us going to see Tara Lipinski skate again? Good question.....

 

[SkateFan4Life]

You have no idea how hard it was to go from seven years of listening to Simon and Chris on Eurosport (minimal chatter throughout performance, always pointing out at least one positive thing in each skater's performance) to returning to the US and not only having to listen to Dick and Peggy blabber over the music, occasionally not even about the person currently skating, but not being able to see anyone but the top three and the Americans. Darn it, I *like* to watch the skater who comes in 24th!

Laura

I totally agree with you. How I would love to see more of the skaters, and not just the Americans and the medal contenders from other countries. And how I would love to be able to sit back and enjoy the performances without the constant chit-chatter between the commentators. Granted, they are there to do a job and to educate the viewing public, many of which probably do not know much about figure skating, but enough is enough already. IMHO, of course.

 

[jesslily]

Just comparing with other sport's commentators, I feel that Peggy Fleming, Dick Button, and Terry Gannon talk just the right amount. Even among figure skating commentators they still talk a lot less than Scott Hamilton, Sandra Bezic, and Peter Carruthers.

 

[SkateFan4Life]

Just comparing with other sport's commentators, I feel that Peggy Fleming, Dick Button, and Terry Gannon talk just the right amount. Even among figure skating commentators they still talk a lot less than Scott Hamilton, Sandra Bezic, and Peter Carruthers.

Oh, boy - don't get me started on my opinion (and it's only my opinion, of course) on Sandra Bezic as a commentator. IMHO, Bezic is nothing short of arrogant and pompous. Her distainful attitude at Salt Lake made me almost want to throw something at my television set. Ugh. Some of my friends refer to her as "HRH", and (IMHO) rightfully, so.

Again, guys, this is only my opinion. Take it with a grain of salt.

 

[Doggygirl]

Count your blessings....

On a very recent thread, there was angst in the US that Short Programs will be nixed, and there will be much less coverage of events this year. I would rather actually get the coverage along with the "blather" than no coverage at all.

Thank God for Eurosport. Even if I can only "hear it" (and since they limit the "blather" it's mostly music during a skater's performance) at least it will be something.

DG

 

[PAskate]

One of the few bonuses of skaters reusing the same music over and over again is that I've discovered a new way to watch on TV. I simply hit the mute button as soon as the commentators get annoying. If the music's familiar enough, you don't miss a thing and you get to enjoy and appreciate the performance. Seriously - it works!

 

[show 42]

I feel that way during exhibitions and show performances, but I don't mind it so much during a competition. I agree some tend to over-kill........I guess just the right amount of chatter would do it for me..............I especially like hearing comments during the skates of young, up and coming competitors, ones I don't know too much about to begin with............42

 

[jesslily]

I feel like at least Peggy Fleming and Dick Button are fairly fair to every competitor. But Sandra Bezic seems like comment based on her personal likeness and the country that the skater comes from.

 

[SkateFan4Life]

I feel like at least Peggy Fleming and Dick Button are fairly fair to every competitor. But Sandra Bezic seems like comment based on her personal likeness and the country that the skater comes from.

I agree with you. Frankly, in my opinion, part of the reason why Sandra Bezic went ballistic over the silver medal placement of Canadians Jamie Sele and Davie Pelletier is the fact that she is a fellow Canadian. Had S & P been citizens of, say Germany, I doubt very much if Bezic's wrath would have been as strong. I think her commentary is extremely biased - can you imagine her as a figure skating judge? It's one thing to privately route for your countrymen, but it's another thing to go overboard the way she does.
Again, this is only my opinion. Take it with a grain of salt.