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.
Don Taylor
Guest
Ray - I am watching Broncos v Roosters and although not the reason for contact I am backing The Broncos!!!!! You talked about The Thiaday v Hargraves contact and not sure what you called it but he official contact is called 'Hongi' and believe me as a kiwi experienced the Maori culture - these boys tonight were more involved in handbags than anything to do with the 'Hongi' Don Taylor
Mark
Guest
Ray thanks for ending my career with your Greystanes team you coached with your son in it .. I played for Bonnyrigg Bombers under 15yrs I found out later I had the footy blood in my veins ! As I was adopted . You marked me as I was the only try scorer for me side with your big fridge running through and yelled at him to run straight into me .. I broke my collar bone which never healed . Today I have to watch tv only to be reminded every game that it could of been me on the field once upon a time playing A grade if you didn't mark me all because I score one try against your precious sons and your team!
Ronnie the Eel
Guest
Why are you whingeing about the commentary of one of your own greats for, when he is so biased towards the maroons in his commentary that he makes the pope advocating catholicism look like paris hilton promoting safe sex? When you get Fatty, Ikin and Webcke together in the same room and talking about origin and QLD, now that's the real meaning of disgusting... even worse than the paris hilton sex tape.... ewww...
Q1der
Roar Rookie
Gee Gorilla I must have watched a different game to you. I felt the way Gould carried on after the controversial Origin try and post match commentary with Sterling and co as nothing short of disgusting. I figured that the most controversial thing of the whole game. Unfortunately we in Brisbane have to put up with the likeS of crazy horse Hadley and boof head Vautin. Speaking of commentators I say bring back the Voice the Voss. Leaves a lot the others for dead!
Ronnie the Eel
Guest
Ronnie the Eel
Guest
Yes Sheek, you sound very insightful and knowledgeable about all the football codes, indeed! Your so-called "rickety concept" drew the second biggest crowd at Etihad Stadium ever..... just because supporters of both states become emotionally attached to the outcome and in support of their team for three games per year does not automatically lead to your conclusion that they are "completed deluded by the importance of SOO"... but maybe in your little world it might.... Obviously you don't support or know much about your "rickety" concept of SOO that has been played now for 32 years straight and has a worldwide viewing audience in a game that is played all over the world - can you say the same of AFL? - what happened to the peevish efforts of their SOO with Vic v SA.... it got canned, that's what! And who, outside of Australia, is keen on watching AFL? They have to hybrid the game and play a watered down version of gaelic football just so they can pretend to have international "Test" matches against Ireland... laughable.... Yes, we should be really worried about the encroachment of AFL teams in league territories because these new teams (and some older ones) are performing so well, like GWS, the Gold Coast Suns and the Brisbane Lions (who?)... and thus will attract a massive supporter base...... not.....
Ronnie the Eel
Guest
Agree, oikee, Hadley is up there with the best as well.... Lewis and Locky, Johns and Fittler may have been great players... but they shouldn't ruin their reps. by tring to commentate when they have no talent for it.... I thought Vanilla Gorilla's article read "best comedy duo".... lol.. Yes, I also agree that Ray Warren is probably the best league commentator ever, flollowed closely by Rex Mossop I believe.... I have lost a bit of respect for Ray Warren though, in that the banter between the two you find amusing, I find it disrespectful from Ray toward a great coach in Gould and someone that has a high degree of knowlege of the game by someone who has probably never even kicked a ball.... regardless of who they are, Ray's responses at times are just outright rude! I don't think Phil "eggs" Ray on at all, he just tries to get him involved more and asks him questions and for his opinion, and then it just rankles Ray (maybe he is getting less tolerant in his old age) and then he gets upset and rude to Phil over it - it's ok to do that with your mates after beers, Vanilla, but this is professional sports commentary and lots of people wouldn't appreciate listening to the sort of niggle that goes on all night between those two, but are more interested in the commentary on the game,,,,,, I mainly feel sorry for Sterlo who's in the middle of it!
yewonk
Guest
i used to love rex hunt calling the afl it was the only time i could watch all four quarters he was hilarious similar to roy and hg.
yewonk
Guest
vossy antagonized the hell out of everyone at channel nine so much that told him where to go calling qld cu and ray hadlee took his job just to rub it in.
Dan
Guest
What ever happened to Vossy he was great for the 2nd friday night game, seems to be jobs for the boys at nine hes not even doing stuff you may have missed which was his great segment
stu
Guest
you have got to be kidding. the soft tones then suddenly a blast a excitment before the soft tone returns, there is nothing of quality surounding RW's call, nothing at all.
jamesb
Guest
I don't mind the banter between Rabs and Gus, but sometimes it does go over the top. Like during City v Country, Gus was too busy talking about Tommy Lee Jones movies for 5 minutes.
Arthur Fonzarelli
Guest
Ray Warren is an absolute icon of rugby league, a truly superb caller. Gus compliments him beautifully. Ray Hadley is annoying, calls a game like a horse race. Plus his blatant political agendas as a shock jock sour him as a sports caller. Listening to Ray Hadley call the Rugby World Cup semi final last year totally ruined the game for me.
Tony Archers Maroon Underwear
Guest
Thats Harsh Lockyer knows what hes talking about, it would be good to see how he goes on a non broncos game, Hadley on the other hand has to be the worst commentator ever. Id prefer they overdubbed a mexican soap opera to this dills incessant witless droning.
Meesta Cool
Guest
Unfortunately for all of us, Ray Warren has outlived his ability to make a game interesting. he just talks absolute rubbish that has nothing to do with the game for probably 60% of the broadcast. He should be put out into the longyard, his racing days are over!. If these two are our Best two commentators-- Then we are in a real mess!.
oikee
Guest
:) Yes that sounds like soccer, Gaolllll. The guys in England on Premier sports love the Aussie commentry, and vice versa, i like their guys. And sheek has a point, rugby union has 5 teams in each 3 countries, but taking advantage of this is bear impossible for free to air tv. AFL and the NRL will always be the top 2 sports. They have billion dollar deals on paytv and command 100% of the aussie public. The AFL has the right setup, 5 cities, but i think they also become vunrable because 18 teams has its drawbacks, look at Cronulla, no premiership in 38 years, that can take a toll on any club. Rugby league is pretty strong to sit through this sort of drought. Cronulla has sold out a couple of games this year.
Silvertail
Guest
I think they should stop asking Darren Lockyer questions period! Great footballer but not the sharpest tool in the shed!
Bigbaz
Guest
So sheek ,what is really important ?If a large part of the NSW & QLD population think SOO is important,so what.What is your preference for thier importance meter, world peace,tax reform ,Craig Thompson?Fair dinkum ,it's just footy and most of us understand that.We also understand that commentating is just white noise and take none of it seriously unless ofcourse,we agree with it.
Vanilla Gorilla
Roar Pro
It is very hard to make swimming sounds exciting given the process of overtaking someone takes and extended period of time. The channel 10 coverage is no good either. Here is the constant when an Aussie performs well "She came her and did what she had to do." Of course she did, she didnt come here to run the 100m! It was even worse during the winter olympics
jameswm
Guest
Rabs doing swimming is - well - just a national embarrassment. I cringe the whole time.