- Joined
- Jul 19, 2018
- Messages
- 142
- Reaction Score
- 478
I’ve been poking around here for a few years with occasional comments, this is my first thread. While in general sports announcing is not exactly the pinnacle of journalistic achievement, I contend that oral WBB coverage is exceptionally abysmal. Allow me to count the ways…
Firstly, I acknowledge that it was not that long ago WBB was not even available for viewing. The opportunity to watch a myriad of collegiate and professional games is unprecedented and I cherish it. Secondly, while many will likely disagree, I must also concede that I fully support the social and political issues that are being intertwined with sports, and is not a focus of my rant. Having said that, in general, WBB coverage has driven me to a remote musical accompaniment in lieu of the broadcast oratory as it does not deliver what I want.
When I watch a game I am seeking real-time play-by-play and details regarding fouls, subs, and frankly, not much else; delivered in a knowledgeable manner in an even pitch. I know that is too mellow for the masses, such that I expect some hype. But c’mon! I yearn for immediate explanations to what I’m watching, not player bio’s better suited to the Hallmark Channel. I have that in my cable package if I want it. I hear repeatedly that the broadcast must relate to a casual viewer, such that completely action-focused presentations will turn-off this segment. I say BS. I contend it is an unsupported example of trying to cater to the masses at the expense of the more hardcore fan. I hear the same for other athletic endeavors, notably Olympic sports. I can relate that I had the opportunity to watch the Rio Olympics on television while in Italy, and while there was a bit of “up close and personal” drivel, for the most part it was all sports, all nations, all participants, all the time, and it was wonderful. NBC should be ashamed.
Foremost, the constant, ceaseless fawning over the athletes is simply over-the-top. Before her injury, Ionescu was being redundantly worshiped as the second coming. For crying out loud, the woman has played in a total of 3 WNBA games, give it a break! If Stewie scores over 20, you can guarantee her 22nd will be accompanied with a full minute of adulation regarding her comeback; her 24th will include another gushing tribute to her college credentials; then when she hits a tre for 27, here comes Holly with her assessment to reiterate everything already just said. Then back to Mary Murphy for a further dissertation of BS’s hardships growing up and how her fam and the game made her stronger. All the while in live action there have been 20 points scored, 3 blocks, 2 steals with successful fast breaks and multiple fouls and subs, all without mention. Then rinse and repeat for the next scorer. I recall watching Big Syl get a shot stuffed by a diminutive guard, certainly a noteworthy moment. Not a word about it as some meaningless discourse was droning on. In the course of one of the endless, excruciating exchanges with Lobo, I don’t recall the exact context, Ruocco alluded: “that’s a play-by-play man’s dream”, referring to himself. I’ve heard play-by-play men, (mostly in the past except for Joe Beninati), and Ryan Ruocco: “you sir, are no play-by-play man!” Repeatedly asking your portended color-commentator partner absolutely inane questions, then siting silently while said partner responds with their equally frivolous and over-complicated answer, while in the meantime all the above action has occurred, then you finally break in and scream: “and Arike hits the 3”, does not constitute play-by-play! Asking Lobo in a guardedly knowledgeable and artificially earnest manner if Natasha Howard’s resurgence will be good for the Storm is not exactly ground breaking stuff that I can’t discern for myself, and certainly unworthy of your viewers missing out on who just picked up their 3rd foul or who caused the turnover. “Back to you John Brickley for a studio update on our halftime show where we will repeat ad nauseam everything we talked about instead of the game during the first half.” Incidentally, Lobo is one of the few I can stomach. I also acknowledge that most current WNBA commentary is being administered off-site.
While not as dangerous as in some rhetoric, holding onto a storyline regardless of reality is easily as rampant in WBB announcing. A recent thread on this site titled “Am I Wrong in Wondering Why Griner Has Not Dominated in the WNBA” makes this point and I agree with the author wholeheartedly. Tune into a Merc game and you’d think Griner had the dominance of a Mikaela Shiffrin or Katie Ledecky, even a female Usain Bolt. It simply isn’t there. A similar example of a falsehood endlessly promoted is Sam Brunelle being ND’s end-all 3-point shooter. I’ve watched and I don’t see it regardless of how often I’m told it.
Then there are the screamers. I maintain that there is little broadcasted that is more dramatic than live sports. It’s beyond me why the powers-that-be seem to insist that the delivery be done at a vein-popping pitch. Please simply tell me what’s happening. I’m actually insulted that the networks feel I need a bombastic aural assault to recognize the veracity of the action. Tone it down a bit Seattle’s Dick Fain! You sound more like a lunatic than a sports announcer. Amplitude is good in the halfpipe, I can hear you otherwise on the soundwaves.
If you want to coach, then coach. If you want to announce, then announce. At least Kara Lawson listened. Debbie Antonelli should follow her lead. While her monotone is the antithesis of a screamer, her content is the most drab, obvious factoids that seemingly never end. Yes, I realize “you can’t do that”, and “you must do this”, and “I like this” and “I don’t like that” ad infin. The detail is excruciating as it’s at the expense of any recognition of what’s happening on the floor. If Antonelli’s on the slate, the music’s on before the tipoff on my watch. There are many coaching openings and your talents would be much more valuable out of earshot on someone’s bench!
While almost all are incessant talkers, some are masters. LaChina? Pam Ward? Now those women can talk! And talk and talk and talk. If LaChina is making a point, you can bet that point will be made completely, regardless of how trivial or long it takes and what is happening on the floor. Holy smokes! I appreciate your between-the-game commentary, but that’s where it belongs. BETWEEN the games, not DURING!
When you interview an athlete, please find one that wants to be there, even if they’re not the face of the franchise. I understand that on-screen persona is not important and not what a team recruits, but one-word answers under obvious duress are as painful to watch as the pain exhibited on the face of the interviewee. Surely there is a representative that will at least exhibit some enthusiasm. Generally I feel no more informed for having listened and I’d rather do without.
Thank you for the opportunity for my rant. I’m so grateful WBB is on, so disappointed as to what it could be. I’ve been stewing on this for some time and finally decided to post. While I’ve seen some common discontent on this site, I’m curious if there is much agreement, or if I should suck-it-up and zip it. Pile on!
Firstly, I acknowledge that it was not that long ago WBB was not even available for viewing. The opportunity to watch a myriad of collegiate and professional games is unprecedented and I cherish it. Secondly, while many will likely disagree, I must also concede that I fully support the social and political issues that are being intertwined with sports, and is not a focus of my rant. Having said that, in general, WBB coverage has driven me to a remote musical accompaniment in lieu of the broadcast oratory as it does not deliver what I want.
When I watch a game I am seeking real-time play-by-play and details regarding fouls, subs, and frankly, not much else; delivered in a knowledgeable manner in an even pitch. I know that is too mellow for the masses, such that I expect some hype. But c’mon! I yearn for immediate explanations to what I’m watching, not player bio’s better suited to the Hallmark Channel. I have that in my cable package if I want it. I hear repeatedly that the broadcast must relate to a casual viewer, such that completely action-focused presentations will turn-off this segment. I say BS. I contend it is an unsupported example of trying to cater to the masses at the expense of the more hardcore fan. I hear the same for other athletic endeavors, notably Olympic sports. I can relate that I had the opportunity to watch the Rio Olympics on television while in Italy, and while there was a bit of “up close and personal” drivel, for the most part it was all sports, all nations, all participants, all the time, and it was wonderful. NBC should be ashamed.
Foremost, the constant, ceaseless fawning over the athletes is simply over-the-top. Before her injury, Ionescu was being redundantly worshiped as the second coming. For crying out loud, the woman has played in a total of 3 WNBA games, give it a break! If Stewie scores over 20, you can guarantee her 22nd will be accompanied with a full minute of adulation regarding her comeback; her 24th will include another gushing tribute to her college credentials; then when she hits a tre for 27, here comes Holly with her assessment to reiterate everything already just said. Then back to Mary Murphy for a further dissertation of BS’s hardships growing up and how her fam and the game made her stronger. All the while in live action there have been 20 points scored, 3 blocks, 2 steals with successful fast breaks and multiple fouls and subs, all without mention. Then rinse and repeat for the next scorer. I recall watching Big Syl get a shot stuffed by a diminutive guard, certainly a noteworthy moment. Not a word about it as some meaningless discourse was droning on. In the course of one of the endless, excruciating exchanges with Lobo, I don’t recall the exact context, Ruocco alluded: “that’s a play-by-play man’s dream”, referring to himself. I’ve heard play-by-play men, (mostly in the past except for Joe Beninati), and Ryan Ruocco: “you sir, are no play-by-play man!” Repeatedly asking your portended color-commentator partner absolutely inane questions, then siting silently while said partner responds with their equally frivolous and over-complicated answer, while in the meantime all the above action has occurred, then you finally break in and scream: “and Arike hits the 3”, does not constitute play-by-play! Asking Lobo in a guardedly knowledgeable and artificially earnest manner if Natasha Howard’s resurgence will be good for the Storm is not exactly ground breaking stuff that I can’t discern for myself, and certainly unworthy of your viewers missing out on who just picked up their 3rd foul or who caused the turnover. “Back to you John Brickley for a studio update on our halftime show where we will repeat ad nauseam everything we talked about instead of the game during the first half.” Incidentally, Lobo is one of the few I can stomach. I also acknowledge that most current WNBA commentary is being administered off-site.
While not as dangerous as in some rhetoric, holding onto a storyline regardless of reality is easily as rampant in WBB announcing. A recent thread on this site titled “Am I Wrong in Wondering Why Griner Has Not Dominated in the WNBA” makes this point and I agree with the author wholeheartedly. Tune into a Merc game and you’d think Griner had the dominance of a Mikaela Shiffrin or Katie Ledecky, even a female Usain Bolt. It simply isn’t there. A similar example of a falsehood endlessly promoted is Sam Brunelle being ND’s end-all 3-point shooter. I’ve watched and I don’t see it regardless of how often I’m told it.
Then there are the screamers. I maintain that there is little broadcasted that is more dramatic than live sports. It’s beyond me why the powers-that-be seem to insist that the delivery be done at a vein-popping pitch. Please simply tell me what’s happening. I’m actually insulted that the networks feel I need a bombastic aural assault to recognize the veracity of the action. Tone it down a bit Seattle’s Dick Fain! You sound more like a lunatic than a sports announcer. Amplitude is good in the halfpipe, I can hear you otherwise on the soundwaves.
If you want to coach, then coach. If you want to announce, then announce. At least Kara Lawson listened. Debbie Antonelli should follow her lead. While her monotone is the antithesis of a screamer, her content is the most drab, obvious factoids that seemingly never end. Yes, I realize “you can’t do that”, and “you must do this”, and “I like this” and “I don’t like that” ad infin. The detail is excruciating as it’s at the expense of any recognition of what’s happening on the floor. If Antonelli’s on the slate, the music’s on before the tipoff on my watch. There are many coaching openings and your talents would be much more valuable out of earshot on someone’s bench!
While almost all are incessant talkers, some are masters. LaChina? Pam Ward? Now those women can talk! And talk and talk and talk. If LaChina is making a point, you can bet that point will be made completely, regardless of how trivial or long it takes and what is happening on the floor. Holy smokes! I appreciate your between-the-game commentary, but that’s where it belongs. BETWEEN the games, not DURING!
When you interview an athlete, please find one that wants to be there, even if they’re not the face of the franchise. I understand that on-screen persona is not important and not what a team recruits, but one-word answers under obvious duress are as painful to watch as the pain exhibited on the face of the interviewee. Surely there is a representative that will at least exhibit some enthusiasm. Generally I feel no more informed for having listened and I’d rather do without.
Thank you for the opportunity for my rant. I’m so grateful WBB is on, so disappointed as to what it could be. I’ve been stewing on this for some time and finally decided to post. While I’ve seen some common discontent on this site, I’m curious if there is much agreement, or if I should suck-it-up and zip it. Pile on!
Yeah, I think we all know what you're talking about.
How hard is it to loop the pronunciation on your phone and practice it while you're doing routine stuff?
