Your advice to commentators at NBC

[childfreegirl]

A couple of things bugged me about the commentating at last year's Nats done by ABC. Well a couple of things crazily consistantly bugged me, let's put it that way.

1. Fourth place is on the podium and gets a medal. It's pewter. Don't say "just finished off the podium in fourth place". Technically that's not correct. In the US, fourth gets a medal and a spot on the podium, next to the third place guy.

2. Repeat after me "at the Junior level". Not "at Junior Nationals last year". "Junior Nationals" is juvenile and intermediate. For example, "she finished second at the junior level last year". Get it straight please.

Anyone else have any advice?

 

[MissIzzy]

Take the time out to research the scoring system and explain it as best as can be done. Don't just boggle when people get hit for wrong edges and cheated jumps-focus on those in the slow-mos right before. Don't insist nobody can understand what is going on-try to *explain* what is going on. It probably is harder when you're broadcasting live, but surely they can do a better job than they did at Skate America.

 

[momjudi]

Don't talk during the skating. You can tell us what the jump was (not everyone can tell the difference between a flip and a lutz) but no need to discuss wardrobe, training habits etc while the skating is going on. Save it for the time waiting for scores.

 

[SailorGalaxia518]

Don't talk during the skating. You can tell us what the jump was (not everyone can tell the difference between a flip and a lutz) but no need to discuss wardrobe, training habits etc while the skating is going on. Save it for the time waiting for scores.

I hear ya

 

[Tinymavy15]

Don't talk during the skating. You can tell us what the jump was (not everyone can tell the difference between a flip and a lutz) but no need to discuss wardrobe, training habits etc while the skating is going on. Save it for the time waiting for scores.

i love costume talk. I am a fashion girl myslef.... so:chorus:

 

[merrybari]

Don't talk during the skating. You can tell us what the jump was (not everyone can tell the difference between a flip and a lutz) but no need to discuss wardrobe, training habits etc while the skating is going on. Save it for the time waiting for scores.

ITA!!

Also be positive even when mentioning a mistake. You can convey an error was made without making it sound like the end of the world or the skater is a dunce or some such.

Too many "skates" are spoiled by the constant chatter - it's even worse when the comments are "ugly." And worse yet when we hear it again and again on the videos after.

 

[skatergirl45]

Explain some of the levels.
EX: She changed edge on that spin, that will give her more points than the previous skater who did not do that.
OR
That jump is under-rotated. He will get a deduction on that jump. It will only be counted as double.

 

[astimegoesby]

I remember the commentators displayed a chart explaining how many points a skater needed in order to win a medal, how many points a skater needed to win gold, and how many they needed to contend for the World title. It was the simplest, most straightforward explanation of the new scoring system I'd ever seen.

I know CoP is actually much more complicated than that, but I think that chart did a good job at explaining what's considered a "good" score and how many points skaters need to win or lose. That's the most basic thing most casual skating fans want to know, and most commentators haven't done a very good job explaining/simplifying it yet.

 

[dutchherder]

I like it when they actually announce what the music is the skaters are using.

I agree with Uncle Dick that they shouldn't use the word "nailed" when a skater successfully completes a jump. :frown2:

 

[psycho]

Talk less, think more.

 

[museksk8r]

Considering it's the same commenting team as the last 2 Winter Olympics, I'm prepared to bite my tongue and possibly wear earplugs. I don't expect it to be pretty.

I just really hope the broadcast coverage is a lot better than last year's where we only got to see short programs from Evan and Johnny and none of the other men, except for a very brief glimpse of Ryan Bradley. It would be nice if the other disciplines had their SPs covered the way that the ladies discipline is covered, especially considering the men are the highlight event of America's Nationals post-Kwan, IMO.

Explain some of the levels.
EX: She changed edge on that spin, that will give her more points than the previous skater who did not do that.
OR
That jump is under-rotated. He will get a deduction on that jump. It will only be counted as double.

I definitely agree with this . . . very good points and it would be great if the commentators took notes and followed your advice. :agree::yes:
Furthermore, it would be great if the judges gave the proper deductions to all skaters who under-rotate, regardless if the skater is making their debut at senior Nationals or if they are favored to win the event. There shouldn't be favoritism or benefit of the doubt given to a skater just because he/she has a big name or an impressive resume. Perfect example: Kimmie Meissner's and Rachael Flatt's 3+3 combos in the SP last year.

 

[Tonichelle]

To Dick and Scott especially - leave the petty bickering (normally started by Button last time) because someone dared to have an opinion different from yours. Leave that to the after competition post talk stuff... not in the middle of the program

To Dick and Sandra - overly biased comments are not pretty. period.

To NBC color commentators - if you breathe a word about scandal I'm going to lose it lol

 

[pista04]

hm

I must say...I love when they discuss things during the skaters skating, as long as they are quiet when the skaters are building momentum for a big jump. And, I think I'm also in the minority in the fact I love fluff. ahahah.

As someone mentioned, I loved when they actually told the audience how points were looked at (blahblah for top 5, blahblah for podium, blahblah to be competitive at worlds, etc.) It helped somewhat for me last year, but this year it probably wont matter because I've learned where they should be for what.

I remember last year they even used myspace terms: (your on my friends list, your on my top 8, your on my top 4, etc.) hahah. it was great

 

[attyfan]

i would tell them that they don't need to comment on every move, but it would be nice if after every program, they took one move (i.e., one foot work sequence, or one spin, etc.) and showed in detail (slow-motion, etc.) why it was (or was not) a high level or why the GOEs should or should not be given. I think it would be great if the viewers (who are not necessarily hard core fans) started learning why one skater's layback gets higher levels than another skater's version of the same move.

 

[Ptichka]

Talk less, think more.

That pretty much sums it up...

 

[R.D.]

any way to actually get this to them...otherwise it all falls on deaf ears.


I'm saying nothing- I'm not picky about the commentators, really. They just need to make sure the general audience is on board with the new scoring system and they can at least know what a "good score" is or is not.

 

[PolymerBob]

I agree with Uncle Dick that they shouldn't use the word "nailed" when a skater successfully completes a jump. :frown2:

I wonder what they can say rather than "nailed". :think: Aced? Exemplified? "Lucked out? Succeded?

 

[redhotcoach]

1. Get the pronounciation of the skater(s) and coach(es) correct - not just your researchers interpretation of it......ie even tho the name is spelled Laframboise - the skater may not pronounce it the french way and may say La fram boisee (like Idaho) --

2. Get the music correct - researchers should check and double check these facts

3. Just because you have a Planned Program sheet in front of you doesn't mean the skater is going to stick with it --- have a researcher on headset that actually recognizes the jumps and spins!!!!

4. Treat the viewing audience as intelligent fans - not idiots that need every little move described. Give us information to let us enjoy the performance, and keep the idle silly talk to a minimum.

5. Most important - Keep your personal bias to yourself!!! Every skater deserves to be treated equally, even if they are not your favorite or the national champion. Not every champion will repeat ..look at Canadians this past weekend!!

 

[demarinis5]

5. Most important - Keep your personal bias to yourself!!! Every skater deserves to be treated equally, even if they are not your favorite or the national champion. Not every champion will repeat ..look at Canadians this past weekend!!

I agree with all of your suggestions and especially Number 5.

 

[Linny]

Announce the winner

Do NOT annouce the winner until the scores come up. Scott announced that Sale and Peltier had won at the Olys - that helped generate the contraversy. With the new scoring system, it is quite possible that the Technical Caller saw something that the commentators did not. So, get excited, but don't jump the gun.

Linny