AO tv coverage

[Japes]

Because he spends 90% of the time describing what is occurring on screen. "Big serve there". "Big chance to break at 30-40". "That was a beautiful backhand".

Good commentators enhance what you're watching. Bruce, and Sandy, and the other non-experts just tell you what's happening in front of your eyes.

It's like Channel 7 thinks that if there isn't someone constantly yammering between every point we'll get bored and change channel.

Spot on.

But I suspect, deep down, that the reason it comes to this is because, as soon as they try to offer insightful comments about anything, it becomes obvious how little they actually know.

They always joke around about the "commentator's curse" as though it's just a coincidence that almost everything they try to predict turns pear shaped.

But it's generally not a coincidence at all. Many red-blooded sports fans out there could correctly predict the stuff they wrongly predict, without a problem, in most cases.

 

[peternorth]

renee stubbs the expert?

 

[Rustin Cohle]

Does the same apply to footy?

No, because it's much faster and harder to keep up with in comparison to sports like tennis and cricket.

I remember hearing a great quote about commentary from Richie Benaud. He was talking about cricket but the same rule applies to tennis. It went something like: "a good commentator doesn't describe what the viewer is experiencing, rather he adds to it."

That should be the philosophy of tennis commentators. The game is slow enough for people to understand what is happening without Bruce or Sandy talking them through it.

There's no reason why Courier couldn't anchor the commentary with Hewitt and/or Todd Woodbridge. Bruce is completely unnecessary.

 

[Brad Goodman]

Its an Aussie thing I think. NBL commentary is much more play-by-play than NBA commentary too.

Also, I suggest the Australian Open would be viewed by many casual observers (compared to hardcore fans) who probably don't even know what the colour commentator is saying half the time so maybe that has something to do with it.

 

[hirdy_is_champ]

Not showing the doubles presentations was ridiculous. Woulld it have killed them to stay with the coverage for 5 more minutes? Complete bullshit. I guess its kind of trivial, and in reality the coverage is inifinitely better than it was two years ago, but stuff like this annoys me.

I guess we're nearly finished I'll do a mini review.
Pros: Great use of 7two, keeping us updated with scores, Sam Smith, Todd Woodbridge, Jim Courier, Lleyton are great commentators.
Cons: still flogging the shit out of terrible shows, Hamish McLachlan X 10000, Griggs, McAvaney, pig headedness regarding non anglo surnames, obsession with people in the players box, too much wanking (especially over Bernie).

 

[peternorth]

Its an Aussie thing I think. NBL commentary is much more play-by-play than NBA commentary too.

NBA commentary is first class. we can see what's happening, just put an exclamation mark on something when needed, or explain something after the fact.

nbl commentary sounds like someone trying to maintain your attention in case you turn off.

 

[damochandler]

pros: for 7.7two live coverage while rubbish is on the other channel.
for fox. everything was excelent

cons: for 7. the commentators were horrendous again. bruce is past it and woodbridge might as well go and give every aussie a pat on the back aster every point. hamish is not a commentator and his smugness was pathetic. he shouldn't even have a job in tv

fox. warren smith is just one tool of the century

 

[Gibbsy]

Who remembers a few years ago, I think it may have been 2006 or so, when 7 devoted an entire digital channel to the Australian Open for two weeks? It was damn awesome. Had replays, score updates and quizzes all throughout the day while the live game went on on the main channel. It was digital channel 71.

 

[Ted38]

Always though that it would be hard to find a more nauseating commentator than Bruce McAvaney, but the sound of that bloody Jim Courier is enough to make a blowfly billious. Surely there are many Australian commentators who would play him off a break.

 

[Japes]

Pros: ... Sam Smith, Todd Woodbridge ... are great commentators

Please, please tell me you weren't being serious.

 

[hirdy_is_champ]

Please, please tell me you weren't being serious.

Why? Tell me who's better.

 

[Plugger35]

Always though that it would be hard to find a more nauseating commentator than Bruce McAvaney, but the sound of that bloody Jim Courier is enough to make a blowfly billious. Surely there are many Australian commentators who would play him off a break.

Both McAvaney and Courier should just shut up and let Hewitt commentate, he's the only one worth listening to, his comments are actually quite insightful.

 

[Xtreme]

Out: Renee Stubbs
In: Jaime Rogers

 

[that_dood]

NBA commentary is first class.

ESPN and TNT, yep. The local commentators for each team, not so much.


Seven Perth have just flashed across saying the news will follow IMMEDIATELY after the match ends. Looks like no presentation or celebrations for WA viewers...

 

[bradrowe#32]

Coverage has been decent, but they really need to stop showing the players' box after every point.

 

[imadodgyumpire]

NBA commentary is first class.

ESPN and TNT,

Love Kevin Harlan.

 

[Japes]

Tell me who's better.

With all due respect, I think the notion that you need to ask that question as a response says a lot in itself.

It shouldn't have to be a relative judgment per se, should it? They're either "great" on their own merits (which was surely what you were saying?), or they're not. And they're not.

 

[Ted38]

Both McAvaney and Courier should just shut up and let Hewitt commentate, he's the only one worth listening to, his comments are actually quite insightful.

You are spot on and quite clearly Hewitt has a future in the commentary box.

 

[damochandler]

bring your kids to work night at 7 worked wonder. the kids used that terrible etcher sketch thing well

 

[PP34]

I really liked Lleyon's commentary. Once he retires seven should ditch Courier and hire Lleyton.

 

[Bombermania]

I agree that Lleyon is a good commentator but I think he works well with Jim Courier for they both know the sport and are streets ahead of the likes of Bruce and Todd.

 

[hirdy_is_champ]

With all due respect, I think the notion that you need to ask that question as a response says a lot in itself.

It shouldn't have to be a relative judgment per se, should it? They're either "great" on their own merits (which was surely what you were saying?), or they're not. And they're not.

I'm not sure what you're trying to say, they are "good" on their own merrits. Sam Smith is very insightful, and I don't see why people dislike Woodbridge. Its not as though they don't know what they're talking about. Would you rather the Hopman Cup commentary of Fred Stolle and Liz Smylie?

 

[getthefooty]

Don't understand the hate for Jim Courier. Sure he's a little smug but his analysis is streets ahead of any other commentator 7 have to offer.

Bruce knows his role and fulfills it. My problem is not with Bruce, but his role. Why do 7 insist on having someone who knows **** all about tennis to sit and tell us that at 2 sets all, 5-6 and 30-30 that it's a 'massive point in the context of the game'??? Same with Sandy Roberts, but even more so. It's just pointless, why not have two experts in the box instead of one.

I used to dislike Roger Rasheed but he's growing on me. Todd I can handle. Sam Smith is better than Renee Stubbs.

 

[love_balls]

Don't understand the hate for Jim Courier. Sure he's a little smug but his analysis is streets ahead of any other commentator 7 have to offer.

Bruce knows his role and fulfills it. My problem is not with Bruce, but his role. Why do 7 insist on having someone who knows **** all about tennis to sit and tell us that at 2 sets all, 5-6 and 30-30 that it's a 'massive point in the context of the game'??? Same with Sandy Roberts, but even more so. It's just pointless, why not have two experts in the box instead of one.

I used to dislike Roger Rasheed but he's growing on me. Todd I can handle. Sam Smith is better than Renee Stubbs.

I agree with all of this.

I think I used to dislike Rasheed because of his inability to construct a sentence and him fumbling over his words. Still does a bit of this but much better than 07/08. John Fitzgerald is underused, and Seven should try to get Darren Cahill back.

There are probably better things to get mad at but I got angry when Seven would switch to a new match and the host would say 'and your commentators are x and Bruce/Sandy/Hamish/Basil. I'm pretty sure all they're there for is to think of something clever to relate My Kitchen Rules with the tennis when they promote it in between games.

 

[MCE]

Maybe he's good at commentating football or something. Seems like a nice guy, so I can imagine enjoying his commentary if the sport was something he had an iota of insight about.

Unfortunately I only ever see him on the tennis and the Olympics, so I've never experienced that.

Huh? You do know this is a footy forum, right?