Your favorite and least favorite figure skating commentators

[kolyadafan2002]

His bias toward TT skaters is obnoxious. His comment about skating skills just about killed me.

He's probably good for junior Grand Prix's, as he can be nice to all skaters there with some constructive feedback.
For senior skaters, half the time his commentary doesn't make sense to me (Getting information wrong, misnaming jump elements, discussing technique incorrectly, not understanding ISU judging fully, not understanding skating skills/PCS fully, not noticing issues etc). Then there is bias towards his favourites (Most noticeably Sherbakova for me). If he stuck to discussing jump issues etc he'd probably be decent. With juniors he discusses development which is okay.

 

[Jhar55]

I have a better solution here, let's replace both T&J and get NBC Skating commentators that aren't annoying, who don't only care about their own skating from 20+ years ago and never shut up.

Personally, time for both Tara & Johnny pack their skates and move one. I know we’re stuck with them for rest of this season. Maybe few email/ letters to NBC, asking for new commentators. But would depend on their contact if could replace

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Personally, time for both Tara & Johnny pack their skates and move one. I know we’re stuck with them for rest of this season. Maybe few email/ letters to NBC, asking for new commentators. But would depend on their contact if could replace

You just quoted me agreeing with what I said but acting like you disagreed? Colour me confused?

 

[Jhar55]

You just quoted me agreeing with what I said but acting like you disagreed? Colour me confused?

Sorry, didn’t intend to quote you or any one else. I don’t read every post, and just posted my thoughts on the subject.
Sorry for replying so late but when I was reading comments, had some bad family news needed take care of.
Again sorry for posting your same comments.

 

[MiraiFan]

Personally, time for both Tara & Johnny pack their skates and move one. I know we’re stuck with them for rest of this season. Maybe few email/ letters to NBC, asking for new commentators. But would depend on their contact if could replace

And let's get rid of Nasty Liukin for women's gymnastics while we are at it.

 

[yume]

Nelson Monfort and Philippe Candeloro. Too much sexist jokes and rambling.
I used to dislike one of B.ESP uncles (don't know if it's Chris or Simon) because he couldn't let Mao breath without talking about Yuna.

 

[noskates]

I really like Ben Agosto - but I'm watching the Pairs Short and he's woefully inadequate. I don't think he knows a lot about the discipline. The good thing is he isn't talking over the music. Wonder why they couldn't find someone else to do it.

 

[Skater Boy]

Tara's OK. They have Johnny Weir to take up the artistic angle. That used to be Dick Button's job. It's all good.

Speaking of Johnny Weir, what he does best (or at least what he attempts to do) is give an explanation of why a skater missed the jump (she didn't check her shoulder on the landing, etc.), along with why he felt that the performance wasted the music or whatever.

I think maybe why I have an issue with Johnny and Tara is that they come off more as caricatures. Same with Nastia in gymnastics - this may be in part of their fashion choices too. Dick and Peggy as much as there were issues with their commentating. They had their biases and were brutal to some skaters but they had more professionalism in my opinion. They dressed more elegantly. Oh some of the comments about poor Maria Butyrksaya of the "plump" Elena Valova. yikes. Tara and Johnny may be on the Peacock network but they don't have to dress like strutting peacocks. Like look at me screw the actual skating. Who cares about the skating you are here to see "me" Johnny and Tara. Fashionistas first, foremost and always!

 

[Amei]

I think maybe why I have an issue with Johnny and Tara is that they come off more as caricatures. Same with Nastia in gymnastics - this may be in part of their fashion choices too. Dick and Peggy as much as there were issues with their commentating. They had their biases and were brutal to some skaters but they had more professionalism in my opinion. They dressed more elegantly. Oh some of the comments about poor Maria Butyrksaya of the "plump" Elena Valova. yikes. Tara and Johnny may be on the Peacock network but they don't have to dress like strutting peacocks. Like look at me screw the actual skating. Who cares about the skating you are here to see "me" Johnny and Tara. Fashionistas first, foremost and always!

1 of my issues with T&J is that at times its come off as the broadcast is about them not the skaters actually skating the event.

 

[Mathman]

Tara and Johnny may be on the Peacock network but they don't have to dress like strutting peacocks.

I am usually quite indulgent of Johnny's get-ups. After all, he doesn't tell me what I ought to wear, so l say live and let live. But his pink Toga-looking top and flame trousers that he just wore for the women's short pro gram at U.S. Nationals -- I may hev e to re-think my position.

Like look at me screw the actual skating. Who cares about the skating you are here to see "me" Johnny and Tara.

Ditto for Tara. I am usually sanguine about Tara going on and on about herself. But this time she took the cake!

 

[heyang]

Favorite. Dick Button. I don't know how he'd doing under the current scoring system, but he often made comments that the skaters used to improve their line, etc. Just felt that he was mostly about the skating performance - I'm sure he had favorites, but he loved the quality of skating moree. Paul Wylie and Brian Boitano - both articulate and obviously knowledgeable.

Least favorite. Scott Hamilton. Definitely had enthusiasm but I thought he also had favorites or didn't explain the quality of a movement well.

 

[Artistry]

I listened to the man doing Rus nationals on youtube in English this year, was really impressed. Russian commentators are biased, but TAT is illuminating to listen to, in the same way Dick Button was.

 

[Amei]

I listened to the man doing Rus nationals on youtube in English this year, was really impressed. Russian commentators are biased, but TAT is illuminating to listen to, in the same way Dick Button was.

Ted Barton probably who you listened to in English on Youtube.

 

[katymay]

My favorite will always be Scott Hamilton.

I am also fine with Tara and Johnny (unpopular opinion, I know), but perhaps the best part of this team is Terry Gannon.

Ted is like a comfortable old shoe, while Canadian nationals was not terribly exciting, I loved hearing Ted's voice again, I've missed him.

Marc from Eurosport is fine, along with the woman who I hear on CBC.ca

Couldn't stand: Dick Button and Peggy Fleming

Also don't care for Tanith, but like her husband.

My favorite would probably be Tarasova but I don't speak or understand Russian. LOL.

 

[surimi]

When watching US nationals I heard Ben Agosto's commentary for the first time. He was good, but I found the incessant exaggerated praise grating. If almost the entire field's elements are fantastic, amazing, gorgeous etc., then what words would remain for the women on the world stage with even better elements? I would have preferred if he held back on gushing - how refreshing it would be for him to call things 'just' clean, well-executed, or some other moderate word more often - and if he must gush, I would be happier if he kept it for slowmo. Apart from that, I like how he introduced the field and kept his commentary brief and professional.

 

[lesnar001]

My favorite will always be Scott Hamilton.

I am also fine with Tara and Johnny (unpopular opinion, I know), but perhaps the best part of this team is Terry Gannon.

I like Scott Hamilton a lot. I hope he is doing some broadcasting for the Olympics.

I like Tara & Johnny too and I think they are more restrained now than initially. I think Terry Gannon is great. I remember he used to have such a good rapport with Dick Button. He could really tap into Dick Button's humorous side.

 

[moonvine]

Different Tara. The commentator is Tara Lipinski, and the one on Ice Talk is Tara Wellman. I believe that Tara Wellman used to do editing or producing when Jackie and Nick were hosting Ice Talk.

Ice Talk is now hosted by both Tara Wellman and Jackie Wong. It’s a toned down Jackie Wong. I preferred Jackie and Nick, but Jackie and Tara are better than Tara and Mirai (in my opinion).

 

[moonvine]

Someone I don’t think has been brought up is Tonia Kwiatkowski, who did some commentary on Ice Network. I remember enjoying it a lot.

 

[moonvine]

I have a better solution here, let's replace both T&J and get NBC Skating commentators that aren't annoying, who don't only care about their own skating from 20+ years ago and never shut up.

Wanna know who shut them up? Miss Gracie E Gold. They did not say a word after she landed that triple triple in her short. It’s like they were stunned into silence.

 

[moonvine]

Favorite. Dick Button. I don't know how he'd doing under the current scoring system, but he often made comments that the skaters used to improve their line, etc. Just felt that he was mostly about the skating performance - I'm sure he had favorites, but he loved the quality of skating moree. Paul Wylie and Brian Boitano - both articulate and obviously knowledgeable.

Least favorite. Scott Hamilton. Definitely had enthusiasm but I thought he also had favorites or didn't explain the quality of a movement well.

Dick Button commented under the current scoring system. Always bemoaning “that ugly catchfoot” all the ladies were suddenly doing because it was worth more points