Look, among the many Australian failures in the Olympic swimming tournament, we can probably find a place for someone who didn’t actually swim at all, Ian Thorpe.
Thorpie was hired by the BBC, apparently for a reported $10,000 a day, to provide colour and commentary for their swimming coverage.
Read more: Not everything’s barmy on the BBC
The British press is pretty savage about colonials at the best of times, but the criticism of Thorpe was torrid.
First up, they didn’t like what he was wearing: a striped jersey and shirt that had more of a south of France aspect to it rather than the tailored London look.
Second, what he had to say was pedestrian and statements of the obvious.
As an aside, I would make the point that it is rather insulting to the trade of journalism that broadcasters believe that someone who has excelled as a sporting champion will automatically be able to express more interesting insights into tactics and what is actually happening in the pool or on the track than someone who has been trained to be an articulate observer.
When you get a great practictioner who is also a gifted broadcaster, someone like Richie Benaud, then you have broadcasting gold.
But apparently, Thorpe was bronze at the very best.
For along with the pedestrian statements of the obvious, Thorpe had what his audience in the UK said was a ‘look’ problem.
Every sentence, apparently started with a ‘look’ and then the ‘look’ word punctuated the rest of his comment, rather like a series of verbal speed-humps slowing down the flow of words.
The UK Daily Telegraph, a pukka broadsheet that loves to provoke Australians, reckoned that the use of the word ‘look’ is a peculiarly Australian verbal mannerism.
When I read this, I started actually listening to some of the other Australian commentators.
And, look, what I found was that the ‘look’ word was ubiquitous. So there was Tony Jones, for Channel 9, talking about the hockey to Ken Sutcliffe.
Look, I swear every second word was ‘look.’
Believe me, it was not a good look.
Even Grant Hackett, who I thought was doing a good job explaining what was happening (or not happening as far as our swimmers were concerned) in the pool, degenerated into using the ‘look’ word when he trying to buy time for his thoughts to explain the seemingly unexplainable, which was the collapse of James Magnesson’s assault on gold, gold for Australia!
I once wrote an article for the SMH on the rising inflecTION at the end of the sentence.
The experts told me that it had to do with feminism and the delicacy of feminists in countering the argument of their colleagues not to hurt their feelings. So they ended their sentences opposing a colleague’s argument with a sort of rising inflection that left the issue slightly open.
But, look, I don’t think we can blame the use of the ‘look’ word on the feminists.
My theory is that several things are at work with the use and over-use of the ‘look’ word.
First, there is a natural tendency with speakers who are unsure of the validity of their arguments and statements to use a sort of hold word from time to time to give them time for more thinking and to give what they say an element of assurance.
The patrician hypocrite Malcolm Fraser used to punctuate his tedious platitudes with liberal doses of ‘you know.’
Wayne Swan, who was kindly described as the ‘village idiot’ of Australian politics, punctuates his riffs on the Boss and politics and the evils of Tony Abbott with the incessant use of ‘of course’ even when it is plain to everyone (but probably not to him) that what he is saying is nonsense rather than good sense.
So my theory is that ‘look’ is taking over from ‘you know’ and ‘of course’ as the phrase to fill in gaps in a sentence when the bottom seems to be dropping out it.
As a sort of proof of this Zavos Law of Platitudes, I would suggest that the best of the commentators at the Olympics, the ones who are adding great value to the experience of watching while they are explaining what is happening never, never use ‘look’ to grab our attention.
Here I would express my total admiration for the commentary work of Steve Ovett on the Fox Sports network during the track events.
Like so many people, I also supported Sebastian Coe in his spats and contests with Steve Ovett. Ovett came across as a Roundhead and Coe as a Cavalier.
But rather than being a dour, puritanical type Ovett’s commentary reveals a person with a great sense of humour and, more importantly in his job of commentating on the track events, with a profound knowledge of the tactics of racing and the psychology of the runners.
I put Ovett in the same category of practictioner/broadcaster as the great Richie Benaud, the highest possible praise that can be given to a commentator on sports, in my opinion.
Ovett is so good he even makes the Australia’s relative lack of success (with the exception of Sally Pearson) on the track in comparison to the UK men and women almost bearable.
London 2012 Olympics – Day 11 Gallery
[roargal]
johnb747b
Guest
Warren Ryan comes to mind as a commentator who could conceptualise a game for his listeners. He could read the game and pass on his tactical observations. I've never heard Ray Warren make a truly insightful remark on a game.
johnb747b
Guest
Agree with you, Spiro - absolutely! Richie learned his trade from old hands at the BBC. He was a good listener, a willing student of the art. He never describes what our own eyes can see. He knows when to say nothing. His comments are measured and concise. I find often that his remarks give me genuine insights into the game at hand or the game in general. He's far and away the best I've heard. He doesn't hold back from the hard comments that sometimes need to be made but he makes them in gentlemanly fashion. In contrast, Ray Warren calls every damned thing that my own eyes can see. He backs away from comment that might be construed as critical in nature, not wanting to upset anyone. He is far and away the worst sporting commentator I've ever heard. I turn down the sound when he's calling. I'm not missing a thing.
Holbrook
Guest
I have to agree here. Pretty weak to start an article with a criticism of someone you haven't seen perform, Spiro. You left yourself wide open there.
Coconut
Guest
Yeah, nah... look, I think this debaayte has just been gold... I mean Thorpie..... how good is he?!
Dublin Dave
Guest
"Ovett broke on the scene as a scruffy, bearded student who waved to the crowd when he thought he’d won – once famously losing as he slowed up and was beaten by a lunge." Couldn't resist posting this. If you want to see it, YouTube has it in all its nostalgic glory! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt7z5aQSpeA Apparently Ovett and Treacy were such good mates that Treacy was Ovett's celebrating partner of choice after he won his gold at the 800m in Moscow. Maybe they enjoyed an orange juice or two together!
Rugby Fan
Roar Guru
Certainly no sign of torrid criticism in today's London Evening Standard either: "Look, he’s the unexpected television star of the Olympics...The Australians may not be having the best Olympics — but one son of the antipodes has played a blinder. In the punditry event, Ian Thorpe, the swimmer formerly known as the Thorpedo, has pulled out PB after PB. Team BBC has a new star, an adopted national treasure." http://www.standard.co.uk/olympics/swimming/ian-thorpe-i-wanted-to-compete-i-tried-to-and-i-didnt-qualify-8014854.html I think that settles it.
Sandy B
Guest
What about the Channel 9 commentary overall. As usual I think that it has been pretty shoddy, with a few gems - James Tomkins at the rowing being one. But the absolute GOLD moment was the conversation they had in the lead up to the 100 m final between Linford Christie, Michael Johnson and Daley Thompson. They were comfortable, open and even had fun in bagging Carl Lewis. Can't remember if it was Karl or Kenny who was the interviewer, but they were great in that they only came into the conversation occasionally and let the big three go for it - brilliant. ( and I would never have thought I would say this about ANY channel 9 sports coverage)
mickh
Guest
It goes something like this......"yeah, nah, look...... the boys done great out there today!"
wallythefly
Guest
Spiro, this is just plain wrong. An editorial in the Times gave him a huge rap. Yes the Times thought Olympic swimming commentary (Thorpe's) was worth writing an editorial on. EVERYONE i've spoken to here has thought he's been an excellent commentator. He's provided insights about techniques and about being in training and big competitions trained journalists (many but of course not all) simply wouldn't know. Sorry but you're wide of the mark on this one...
Dingo
Guest
You obviously haven't read my earlier comment.
Dingo
Guest
"I have writtan article on the destruction of the English Language by some even trained broadcasters as well as the FORMER athlete who thinks that is all it takes to become a broadcaster, but I have not had the courage to have it posted on this site." If you are training people in the use of the English language, I might start training nuclear physicists. I can understand why you haven't had the courage to post it on this website, or any website that requires written English for that matter.
Bakkies
Guest
Thorpe was good. This is his second Olympics for the BBC. Can you blame him for not taking a similar job in Australia
Patrick Effeney
Editor
Wow. My article got a plug... I'm not sure Spiro's spot on with this one though. Most of the media over here have been pretty kind to Thorpie, attire aside.
Scarlet
Guest
Thorpe has gone over pretty well in the UK as he has proven himself to be a knowledgeable, charming commentator, albeit with a strange habit of saying 'look'. Everything that I have read, including in the Telegraph, has been complementary. Spiro, you just can't help having a dig and trying to create a storm in a teacup.
Harry
Guest
Living in England in the late 80's and early 90's, always used to wonder at and admire Richie's subtle but noticebale changes in style and accent when commentating in England compared to his Channel 9 efforts. He is as highly regarded there as he is here, testimony to his superb broadcasting skills.
Harry
Guest
And another opne to agree, I always preferred Ovett to Coe. Watch Ovett in the 800 m final in Moscow (1980) for a thrilling example of desire, talent and performing under pressure come together.
MC
Guest
All cultures have their verbal fillers, the Saffers with an "is it?" and worst of all the Yanks with "Good Question" which you know is the last thing they're actually thinking. These fillers appear to allow time for the speaker to construct their response. The beauty of the english language is it's of the people and evolves with generations. Let's not go down the path of the Ministry of Language like the French. After all Shakespeare was not too shabby about using words nobody had previously heard of. And yes Thorpie, has gone down well here. We have huge respect for all your sporting legends, especially if they've made a career out of stuffing us and then trashing us. Shane Warne is virtually on a retainer with Test Match Special (bbc radio's cricket programme). But then we're the same with Maradonna, Klingsmann et al, I'd struggle to name anyone who hadn't received a warm welcome regardless of country after they'd stopped competing, even if they've been reviled at times in the media.
Coconut
Guest
Yes, the 'look' thing has kind of up sprung up in the Aussie lexicon over the last 10-20 years... it is an interesting sort of verbal filler, all the more so because it doesn't seem to make sense there at the beginning of every statement... I'd like to know how it came to be so commonly used in the Aussie vernacular. But it is annoying, to be sure.
Jocelyn McLennan
Roar Guru
Okay everyone you have convinced me I will post my story
B.A Sports
Guest
Can I be a little controversial? In Australia there is one commentator who for his entire body of work, is beyond criticism, that is Richie, and even though he is on the tail end of his career, we allow him a pass now and that’s ok. But Kenny Sutcliffe - what has happened to this guy?! He um, speaks and um every um second um word is um! It is so frustrating and annoying. He is not alone, lots of the ex-athletes do it, but as a long time pro broadcaster, it is really bad. I enjoy an American show called PTI, with two veteran hosts, Mike Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser. I have watched and listened on my ipod to probably 500 episodes of this show and I have never once heard them "um" or stutter – and I listen for it. They are the benchmark to me that Aussie broadcasters and directors of sports programming in this country should be looking to.