IS
Think both of them have the journalism credentials - but haven't ever heard either of them do TV commentary of any events. It is a skilled job - and very different from radio commentary (where you have to describe what you can see that the listeners can't) or TV presentation.
In the current era of joined up thinking - having him do both the Ten and the ceremonies gives both events a feeling of being "BBC One".
Huw is now the commentator of choice for most BBC One events - and has the balance of journalism and gravitas (for serious stuff), combined with warmth and humour (for lighter moments).
Indeed, the non-sport aspect of the Olympics is very important. IIRC the BBCs coverage of the events at the Munich Olympics in 1972 was (at least initially) covered by sports commentators, and was deemed to be a big mistake
Moscow and Atlanta were also big news stories too - Moscow in 1980 was boycotted by many countries and Atlanta had a bomb. Bejing is probably the most most controversial Olympics since 1980, they can't afford not to have a big news presence
noggin posted:
Think both of them have the journalism credentials - but haven't ever heard either of them do TV commentary of any events. It is a skilled job - and very different from radio commentary (where you have to describe what you can see that the listeners can't) or TV presentation.
In the current era of joined up thinking - having him do both the Ten and the ceremonies gives both events a feeling of being "BBC One".
Huw is now the commentator of choice for most BBC One events - and has the balance of journalism and gravitas (for serious stuff), combined with warmth and humour (for lighter moments).
Indeed, the non-sport aspect of the Olympics is very important. IIRC the BBCs coverage of the events at the Munich Olympics in 1972 was (at least initially) covered by sports commentators, and was deemed to be a big mistake
Moscow and Atlanta were also big news stories too - Moscow in 1980 was boycotted by many countries and Atlanta had a bomb. Bejing is probably the most most controversial Olympics since 1980, they can't afford not to have a big news presence
SP
Whenever I've heard sports presenters commentating on an event such as the Olympics opening ceremony, they almost always slip into that awful Alan Partridge style commentary they've learnt to use when nothing's happening during a sports match or game.
It's those times they've got nothing to say, but feel they must say something, no matter how banal or stupid or cringe-making it is. It usually consists of lots of pointless observations and ludicrous similies and analogies.
It's those times they've got nothing to say, but feel they must say something, no matter how banal or stupid or cringe-making it is. It usually consists of lots of pointless observations and ludicrous similies and analogies.
NG
Exactly.
Two key rules for commentating on these events.
1. Let the action and events breathe. Don't think that you aren't doing your job by not talking continuously. Only say something when you can add something. Don't just talk for the sake of it.
2. Don't describe what the viewer can see. It is television - not radio. (There are issues around ensuring visually impaired audiences don't miss out too much - but that is a balancing act)
Huw is excellent on both these counts - others are not.
noggin
Founding member
Spencer For Hire posted:
Whenever I've heard sports presenters commentating on an event such as the Olympics opening ceremony, they almost always slip into that awful Alan Partridge style commentary they've learnt to use when nothing's happening during a sports match or game.
It's those times they've got nothing to say, but feel they must say something, no matter how banal or stupid or cringe-making it is. It usually consists of lots of pointless observations and ludicrous similies and analogies.
It's those times they've got nothing to say, but feel they must say something, no matter how banal or stupid or cringe-making it is. It usually consists of lots of pointless observations and ludicrous similies and analogies.
Exactly.
Two key rules for commentating on these events.
1. Let the action and events breathe. Don't think that you aren't doing your job by not talking continuously. Only say something when you can add something. Don't just talk for the sake of it.
2. Don't describe what the viewer can see. It is television - not radio. (There are issues around ensuring visually impaired audiences don't miss out too much - but that is a balancing act)
Huw is excellent on both these counts - others are not.
BR
Oh, he's commentating not presenting. Fair enough then, though I hope they focus on the sporting angle more than the political agenda.
Anyhow, it seems questioning the role of Jake Humphrey breaks the "house rules" on the sport editors blog. I've put in an edited version asking why John Inverdale has seemingly been sidelined yet again - I doubt we'll get a response.
I guess if Craig Doyle hadn't quit for ITV he'd probably be there instead of Jake Humphrey. ITV really must be paying him alot - he's sacrificed fronting Six Nations matches and working at events like the Olympics just to host football highlights on ITV4.
Anyhow, it seems questioning the role of Jake Humphrey breaks the "house rules" on the sport editors blog. I've put in an edited version asking why John Inverdale has seemingly been sidelined yet again - I doubt we'll get a response.
I guess if Craig Doyle hadn't quit for ITV he'd probably be there instead of Jake Humphrey. ITV really must be paying him alot - he's sacrificed fronting Six Nations matches and working at events like the Olympics just to host football highlights on ITV4.
DU
To be fair when it comes to opening ceremonies, there is a "script" issued for all broadcasters describing the thinking behind each component.
Whilst of course the commentator could choose to not say any of it, given the artistic nature of these things, understanding what a dance/movement/object represents adds a little more interest for the casual viewer. I think this will be particularly appropriate in Beijing, as the culture is so very different to ours.
Whilst of course the commentator could choose to not say any of it, given the artistic nature of these things, understanding what a dance/movement/object represents adds a little more interest for the casual viewer. I think this will be particularly appropriate in Beijing, as the culture is so very different to ours.
BR
That's the thing - it's his first major tournament.
The main thing I have against him football wise is that he is no where near as good as Manish Bhasin, who appears to have been given the boot to make way for him.
The main thing I have against him at the Olympics is he's been put straight into the senior presenting partnership, presenting the evening sessions from Beijing (in the afternoons) - over the likes of the excellent John Inverdale, and even Adrian Chiles.
If he wants to be taken seriously as a sports journalist he's got to completely sever his ties with CBBC - until he does so he's not going to be a respected sports presenter. And lets face it, he's no Des Lynam, Steve Rider or even John Inverdale or Adrian Chiles.
(P.S. Not sure what the odds were on him, but at the moment I'd put Jake Humphrey as the favourite to front F1 next year considering he's BBC Sport's golden boy!)
The main thing I have against him football wise is that he is no where near as good as Manish Bhasin, who appears to have been given the boot to make way for him.
The main thing I have against him at the Olympics is he's been put straight into the senior presenting partnership, presenting the evening sessions from Beijing (in the afternoons) - over the likes of the excellent John Inverdale, and even Adrian Chiles.
If he wants to be taken seriously as a sports journalist he's got to completely sever his ties with CBBC - until he does so he's not going to be a respected sports presenter. And lets face it, he's no Des Lynam, Steve Rider or even John Inverdale or Adrian Chiles.
(P.S. Not sure what the odds were on him, but at the moment I'd put Jake Humphrey as the favourite to front F1 next year considering he's BBC Sport's golden boy!)
CO
I bloody well hope not, otherwise viewers will be switching off faster than the top speed of Hamilton's McLaren!
Brekkie posted:
(P.S. Not sure what the odds were on him, but at the moment I'd put Jake Humphrey as the favourite to front F1 next year considering he's BBC Sport's golden boy!)
I bloody well hope not, otherwise viewers will be switching off faster than the top speed of Hamilton's McLaren!
JO
Practically every sentence there is based on silly assumptions and/or is ironic.
Brekkie posted:
That's the thing - it's his first major tournament.
The main thing I have against him football wise is that he is no where near as good as Manish Bhasin, who appears to have been given the boot to make way for him.
The main thing I have against him at the Olympics is he's been put straight into the senior presenting partnership, presenting the evening sessions from Beijing (in the afternoons) - over the likes of the excellent John Inverdale, and even Adrian Chiles.
If he wants to be taken seriously as a sports journalist he's got to completely sever his ties with CBBC - until he does so he's not going to be a respected sports presenter. And lets face it, he's no Des Lynam, Steve Rider or even John Inverdale or Adrian Chiles.
(P.S. Not sure what the odds were on him, but at the moment I'd put Jake Humphrey as the favourite to front F1 next year considering he's BBC Sport's golden boy!)
The main thing I have against him football wise is that he is no where near as good as Manish Bhasin, who appears to have been given the boot to make way for him.
The main thing I have against him at the Olympics is he's been put straight into the senior presenting partnership, presenting the evening sessions from Beijing (in the afternoons) - over the likes of the excellent John Inverdale, and even Adrian Chiles.
If he wants to be taken seriously as a sports journalist he's got to completely sever his ties with CBBC - until he does so he's not going to be a respected sports presenter. And lets face it, he's no Des Lynam, Steve Rider or even John Inverdale or Adrian Chiles.
(P.S. Not sure what the odds were on him, but at the moment I'd put Jake Humphrey as the favourite to front F1 next year considering he's BBC Sport's golden boy!)
Practically every sentence there is based on silly assumptions and/or is ironic.
NG
I guess if Craig Doyle hadn't quit for ITV he'd probably be there instead of Jake Humphrey. ITV really must be paying him alot - he's sacrificed fronting Six Nations matches and working at events like the Olympics just to host football highlights on ITV4.
Did Craig "quit"? He was hardly overworked by BBC Sport after they axed Sunday Grandstand...
noggin
Founding member
Brekkie posted:
I guess if Craig Doyle hadn't quit for ITV he'd probably be there instead of Jake Humphrey. ITV really must be paying him alot - he's sacrificed fronting Six Nations matches and working at events like the Olympics just to host football highlights on ITV4.
Did Craig "quit"? He was hardly overworked by BBC Sport after they axed Sunday Grandstand...
NG
Though that "script" is, like most event commentary scripts provided, little more than a guide. Very few decent broadcasters will just read it - they will use it as research input, along with lots of other stuff they are provided with.
Sure - the guide script is a useful source of information - however if you were to just have someone just reading that - the coverage would probably be VERY dull, given that the same script is being provided to everyone. The key to commentating, is having research, having notes, and then having the ability to speak coherently using this research background, not from a script.
noggin
Founding member
Dunedin posted:
To be fair when it comes to opening ceremonies, there is a "script" issued for all broadcasters describing the thinking behind each component.
Whilst of course the commentator could choose to not say any of it, given the artistic nature of these things, understanding what a dance/movement/object represents adds a little more interest for the casual viewer. I think this will be particularly appropriate in Beijing, as the culture is so very different to ours.
Whilst of course the commentator could choose to not say any of it, given the artistic nature of these things, understanding what a dance/movement/object represents adds a little more interest for the casual viewer. I think this will be particularly appropriate in Beijing, as the culture is so very different to ours.
Though that "script" is, like most event commentary scripts provided, little more than a guide. Very few decent broadcasters will just read it - they will use it as research input, along with lots of other stuff they are provided with.
Sure - the guide script is a useful source of information - however if you were to just have someone just reading that - the coverage would probably be VERY dull, given that the same script is being provided to everyone. The key to commentating, is having research, having notes, and then having the ability to speak coherently using this research background, not from a script.