What's up with Kelli Underwood?

[Partridge]

I mean that is true, but I also find her voice unpleasant to listen to (though she's not the only one, JB can be grating too). It's not even the accent, it just sounds rough. But I don't think she should change it. I don't even think that's the main issue though, she just often seems kind of clueless. You can give them some grace, but she should get to know the players/sharpen up if she wants to be respected as a caller. If a male caller made the same amount of blunders we'd be even harsher on him. I have no issues with her as a person and hope she does get better at her craft, because that's kind of what it is.

I don't really hear many complaints about other women in the commentary or presentation team, like Sarah Jones, Kath Loughlan etc.

His name is Dwayne Russell, and we are.

 

[PerthBoy86]

Sarah and Kath are not commentators. In fact Sarah's voice is not that good either. I agree Kelli does shout a bit but they are all no doubt under instructions to build up the excitement, tension, interest, etc, especially when the games are as dull as ditch water. She doesn't make any more mistakes than the men do. The blokes couldn't decide which was Chol and which was Jiath the other night in the Pies Hawks game.

I thought Sarah did some commentary? They have kind of similar voices but Sarah's is less grating. I guess Kath just does the standard panel stuff. It is funny though that quite a few commentators - male and female - have annoying voices.

I disagree with the last sentence. Maybe its not been measured but she definitely does more than most. Most commentators get names etc occasionally, that's fair enough, but its just more routine with her. I'd love to see a good female commentator but shes just not it.

 

[PerthBoy86]

His name is Dwayne Russell, and we are.

True, I guess Dwayne is one.

 

[Spirit Level]

No unconscious bias here, her voice is incredibly grating and she says dumb s**t all the time.

One of the worst commentators in the league (and Dwayne was horrible yesterday as well)

 

[Corn Cobbers]

Used to be the worst, since been overtaken by others, now one of the best (or least worst)

 

[dmc333]

tv networks operate within their own bubble.

It's not only that, the AFL's broadcasting social inclusion clause started this year, so she's less likely to get the arse now.

Unless another female commentator is coming up somewhere, we've got this ear terrorist attacking us for sometime.

 

[Toump Ass]

Calling the game like a character from Kath & Kim

And this is a bad thing, how?

 

[Slime Roy]

The thing that gets me about Underwood and Russell is that Fox Footy MUST know that the general public hates them. I don't see how it's possible that they could be unaware of this. It's the consensus view among AFL fans on social media, on BigFooty, on the AFL Reddit, among talkback callers, and whenever it's brought up in real life people say the same things about them. In the annual Herald Sun fan survey, Dwayne Russell has been regularly listed as one of the least popular for a long time now. Other long-standing callers of the past and present like Anthony Hudson, Dennis Commetti, Sandy Roberts and co and others all have iconic commentary lines that famously captured and enhanced great moments. Russell has been calling the game for decades at this point and while he has many signature lines that people mock ("rolls it....goals it" etc), there isn't a single line of his anyone can point to as being well-remembered for positive reasons. There is nothing positive that can be said about him as a caller. He's just bad at his job.

So why is he still there every week? This is what baffles me. I don't understand how Fox are benefiting from keeping him there. He's hated by almost everyone and he actively detracts from the quality of their coverage, why would they be okay with that? This is an entertainment industry, if the consumers of that entertainment have been telling you for more than a decade that the person you have chosen to commentate that entertainment is incompetent at their job, surely at this point that person's position is untenable? Broadcasters try to improve their product in other ways, why is this area - an area which is highly important to the viewing experience - considered verboten to talk about?

It just does my head in that when it comes to commentators audience feedback is seemingly considered irrelevant.

They were going to sack him but he gave them all Dwaynes World T-Shirts & Grandmother Hams.

 

[largebus]

Referred to Murphy Reid as Harley more than once.
Hardly alone in getting names wrong but it seems to be a chronic thing with her and BT especially

 

[Pistol Night]

Referred to Murphy Reid as Harley more than once.
Hardly alone in getting names wrong but it seems to be a chronic thing with her and BT especially

Is Murphy the one from the Purple team?

 

[Pistol Night]

They were going to sack him but he gave them all Dwaynes World T-Shirts & Grandmother Hams.

If i wore a Dwaynes World t-shirt in public i wouldn't report it or get mad if i got severely bashed. Id join in probably

 

[Psi-Roos]

Until you have to listen to Dwayne Russel commentate EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOUR TEAMS GAMES, you will never know true pain. Kelli is an AFL savant compared to his clueless drivel.

 

[Pistol Night]

Until you have to listen to Dwayne Russel commentate EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOUR TEAMS GAMES, you will never know true pain. Kelli is an AFL savant compared to his clueless drivel.

If we made the GF, Fox had the granny and Dwayne was calling, Id watch Law And Order instead and check the result later rather than have a premiership ruined by a SidestepBottom and Pendleburysthem or some shit

 

[cactuscall]

Is Murphy the one from the Purple team?

Freo, yes. Don't lower yourself to Kelli's standard

 

[Pistol Night]

Freo, yes. Don't lower yourself to Kelli's standard

Its a real back to basics style just naming the team by colour. Unless your colourblind

 

[TheJanuaryMan]

If we made the GF, Fox had the granny and Dwayne was calling, Id watch Law And Order instead and check the result later rather than have a premiership ruined by a SidestepBottom and Pendleburysthem or some shit

Mason misses a goal - CoxItUp

 

[Pistol Night]

Mason misses a goal - CoxItUp

Oh he better Mihocek himself before he wrecks himself. Kill me now

 

[Slime Roy]

If we made the GF, Fox had the granny and Dwayne was calling, Id watch Law And Order instead and check the result later rather than have a premiership ruined by a SidestepBottom and Pendleburysthem or some shit

It seems that's exactly what he wants.. & weirdly the network supports it.

 

[PiCkLeJuiCe]

She's the AFL commentator's version of the Bed Shed woman.

 

[Ross]

Oh he better Mihocek himself before he wrecks himself. Kill me now

You just know he's gagging to use MIHOCHECKMATE if he ever kicks a match winning goal.

 

[Pistol Night]

You just know he's gagging to use MIHOCHECKMATE if he ever kicks a match winning goal.

Another great moment in history id never be able to rewatch

 

[Chip Scab1]

You just know he's gagging to use MIHOCHECKMATE if he ever kicks a match winning goal.

$1.01

 

[Runnin Blue]

Why is this thread not updating to front page when it gets a new post?

Very strange.

 

[imadodgyumpire]

AFL Memes Official FB page.

 

[Mr_Bojangles]

I'm most definitely not checking my privilege here when I say I cannot remember the last time she called one of Geelong's games. Like it used to be getting a Friday Night fixture, a lack of Kelly calls shows your club's current status in the game.