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Do commentators talk too much?

25th May, 2016
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The Rebels face an uncertain future. (AAP Image/Paul Miller)
Roar Guru
25th May, 2016
55
1071 Reads

These days I am becoming more and more irritated by the sports commentators behind the microphones. What are they there to do? What is their function?

Other than the obvious – that being to paint a picture of the game – they have managed to create a non-interruptible one-sided debate with the viewer.

Above all, I find the ‘comments man’ the most irritating.

Watching Super Rugby I find the three who are fighting for the ‘irritation crown’ are Justin Marshall of SkyTV New Zealand and Phil Kearns and his mate Greg Martin of Fox Sports Australia.

In the case of Marshall, he has the tendency to express his opinions on a referee’s ruling and continue expressing it until all meat has been gnawed from the bone.

While his comment or opinion can be worthy, he, like me, the viewer, cannot alter the decision already made by the referee on the field, irrespective personals views.

Marshall’s two counterparts in Australia, Kearns and Martin, in recent years appear to have commented on entirely different games than the ones I have been watching.

I note, however, that this year and with the introduction of Tim Horan to the commentary team, there appears to be a more balanced and toned-down version of what was previously being expressed.

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Both gentlemen still tend to watch games through out-of-focus bifocals judging by the comments they make and opinions that can edge on impartiality.

While it is their job to express their opinion I often find it contrary to my own, which provokes a seething irritation. It can be constant and more warped than straight in its interpretation. Some may say that they are just doing their job with their provocative opinion.

But we should not let the commentators off the hook. Please get on with just calling the game and stop enhancing, highlighting or talking up new players.

These fresh new players will get their chance, but again the deliberate commentator focus of them is becoming excruciatingly embarrassing. Those players, should they be good enough, will be seen by selectors without your help.

Winston McCarthy, New Zealand’s best-known commentator of the 1950s-60s, was well known for making a radio listener believe that the dullest game he was broadcasting was the most exciting game of the century. He had the added advantage that the listener could not see the game. Today’s commentator doesn’t.

Gentlemen, I too can see what you can see, and while your opinion is heard by thousands it is also seen. I sincerely hope you have heard my lone voice in the gale outside your commentary box.

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