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While watching Wednesday’s State of Origin, I could not help but realise that Phil Gould and Ray Warren are the greatest commentary duo ever created.
Ray Warren has the best voice in sports commentary.
It sounds like he has been a pack a day smoker since he was born and could easily do voice-overs for motion picture blockbusters. He seamlessly flows from play to play and even if he makes a mistake, it sounds like it was intentional, such is his ability to keep the words oozing out.
His boyish excitement, when the smallest break or simplest of plays results in some slight opportunity, drags you into the game.
Phil provides slightly bogan, marginally simple analysis of what has just happened. Often what he says is obvious or counterproductive and not really needed. He serves little purpose other than to irritate Ray.
This then provides great banter and a listening spectacle for all viewers.
This was displayed a few weeks ago when they started arguing about the fact that the window was open while they were working. They stopped commentating the footy and got stuck into each other about the pros and cons of the opening.
This then flowed straight back into the action that was unfolding in front of them and was highly entertaining.
The commentating to and fro between these two makes the Bill Lawry and Tony Greg disputes look like playground sand kicking.
They do not appear to hate each other; but they have the uncanny knack of rubbing each other up the wrong way.
The quality of commentary is slowly slipping in Australia and New Zealand as the visual component takes over. All to often commentators can rely on the visual stimulus to explain what is going on and how we should feel. They do not need to be inventive or original, just regurgitate what they see.
It explains why radio commentary is superior in terms of evoking emotion. They can not rely on visual props and need to portray a story, be more dramatic, more descriptive.
They turn the field mikes up to give you the feeling of being in the crowd; it makes you feel like your mate is trying to yell at you above the noise.
Ray Warren has the uncanny ability of being able to tell these stories and keep us interested, even though we can all see what he is talking about
We can see what is happening, we know what is going on but we seem to want to hear it from Ray.
Phil egging him on with his continual pestering evokes images of sitting around watching the footy with your mates where two of them have had a few too many sherbets. They have got themselves in a deep heated argument that entertains the whole party, not because it is particularly intelligent, rather its trivial nature and how passionate both parties are.
I can not figure out whether or not they genuinely hate each other, if Ray just wants to do the thing on his own or if Phil Gould is a douche bag.
Either way it makes regular season rugby league a thrill.
Put it this way, once David Attenborough stops narrating for wildlife documentaries I will stop caring about the environment. The same can be said for rugby league. Once Ray goes, I go.
The art of commentary is undervalued and if the right person is not put in place it can really drag down your viewing pleasure. Games can seem dull and emotionless. The spectacle seems sullied by the ramblings of someone who has the linguistic skills of a pubescent teen trying to pick up at the pub.
It lacks a little rhythm and pizzazz.
Just like if the song Smooth Operator did not have saxophone in the background, its just not as sexy.
Next time you are watching the rugby league sit back and listen to these guys. They provide great value. Most notably listen and appreciate Ray Warren for what he is: a story teller, a recognisable voice and a great commentator.
Guys of Ray’s quality are few and far between in TV commentary and you may not hear someone on Channel Nine for a long time that can take you on such an emotional roller coaster.
This is especially the case if you are listening to the cricket all summer, but that is for another time.
Lend Ray your ears, it is an audible delight.
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