Sports Commentators

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 12 Feb 2006, 15:43

...are a strange breed in terms of qualifications. My favourite is F1 presenter Martin Brundle, because not only do I like his presentation, his occasional bits of insight and on-track banter are excellent.

Quite often though, I've had no clue that the person I'm watching or listening to is an ex of that field - or indeed any field.

There's also the length of time of their career - and when it was - meaning that to some people Sue Barker is the QoS presenter first and a tennis player second - depending on the generation. But the line starts to blur here, as you could easily be an ex Blue-Peter presenter and be in the same job - so there have been occasions where I have been pleasantly surprised to find out that not only can my presenter read an autocue and chat amiably, but they also used to open a can of whupass at the very sport they are amiably autocueing about.

Now, with the advent of "The Games", you can do it in reverse and be a celeb first and move into sport ("Kateeeeeeeeeee HIILL" "Paaaat SHAAARP") !

Also, Princess Anne was famous first for being a hereditary Royal, briefly famous for being horsey and then famous again for being Royal.

I would suggest a standard of badge or medal wearing so that viewers know where they stand. Sports presenters should have to hold (or in the case of Brundle, stand next to) the object of their sport while they are presenting, and also consume or use the products they have endorsed - that way the younger generation could tell, quite easily, exactly who and what Lineker is should he pop up on, say, "A Question Of Sport" - he would have crisps and a ball, and Coe should have his medals on and be holding a noose to denote his time as a conservative.

edit -> removed a few spelling Colemanballs

rathbone · Post by **rathbone** » 12 Feb 2006, 15:52

I know they have only just started, But I am already enjoying the fact that the Winter Olympics coverage is being fronted up by people who know nothing about winter sports. Colin Jackson on ice -- wasn't dancing enough?

Jotbox · Post by **Jotbox** » 13 Feb 2006, 17:56

I couldn't agree more, rathbone.

I tuned in for 20 minutes of the opening ceremony just to enjoy the auditory spectacle (is there a single word for that?) of the sports commentators struggling to add to the images/sounds of fireworks and Pavarotti. In the end, BD felt most comfortable with pointless stats - width of stage, height of flame, etc.