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Worst TV Announcer

(February 2002)

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MB
Mark B
I heard an announcer who usually does BBC1 (the mature, authoritative one) doing a closedown on BBC2 once (c. 1992) and he said '...but it's time for us to call it a day here on ONE'... it was only just as he was about to say '...so all that remains is for me, [whatever his name was] and everybody here on, did I say, BBC 1? I meant on BBC2 of course, a good night. Good night.'

I don't think it was Andy Cartledge, I honestly can't remember his name though.
GE
geraint
Quote:
Banksey on 5:38 pm on Feb. 2, 2002
Quote:
mike stand on 8:47 pm on Feb. 1, 2002
Some time ago, Banksey started a little thread entitled the Best TV Announcer. It was interesting reading. Now I think its only fair that we hear from those of you who've cringed at some of those 'golden nuggotts' between the programmes.
Surprised


I think this is a first class idea but would like to add that fear of litigation is at the forefront of my mind.

Does Glenn Thompsett really exist or did someone just make him up?  Trish Bertram! Invite her and Charlotte Green (Radio 4 newsreader) to a party and only one of them will turn up.....think about it;)

Almost like Penny Latin and Fiona Bruce Wink

Geraint
TE
TELEVISION SOUTHWEST
Does' Banksey' really exist. I think thats more the question. I mean if you invited him to a party, would all the other guests leave,???????? Who does he work for???Confused
BA
Banksey Founding member
Quote:
TELEVISION SOUTHWEST on 7:46 pm on Feb. 4, 2002
Does' Banksey' really exist. I think thats more the question. I mean if you invited him to a party, would all the other guests leave,???????? Who does he work for???Confused


It's not more the question, it would be 'A question' if the submission included a '?'

Invited to a party assumes he, I mean I have friends who would issue such an invitation and I have none. Funny, have been to a lot of empty rooms full of half finished drinks and cigarettes still burning in the ash trays.

For whom does he work? No one! I (he) was discarded by HTV in January 2000. The experience has left me bitter and twisted and somewhat bemused. Was I really that bad? Mmm, actually come to think of it....I was that bad!

My nomination for worst announcer, BANKSEY! Crimes and on-air errors too numerous to mention.

Tomorrow I intended asking my therapist for my money back but I won't now because, by George I think it's working!
BG
BelfastGav
Getting back onto the title of the thread, it has to be that gimp off 'Big Brother' who now does regular announcing on Channel 4 (he's on tonight).

I'm afraid his affected and accentuated NE accent, Geordie I think, totally grates on me. It is so obviously 'put-on', and I hate it.

Don't get me wrong - I like regional accdents, and I like the Geordie one very much.

But this guy's accent is just an over-blown charicature, and is no more appropriate for being an announcer than would be (say) Ruth Madoc (in Gladys Pew guise, anyway), Billy Connolly, or Frank Carson.
:-(
A former member
What, is Glenn Thompsett an announcer?!?! I thought he was just the king of home shopping TV!
JA
Jason
I agree with you BelfastGav about the C4 announcer -- it is a put on accent, he sounds like Sid Waddell at times, which isn't a compliment.

A pity really, as there are plenty of good real Geordie voices to fill the job if that's what C4 want!

Half of TTTV's annos over the years were desperately trying to cover up their NE accents for example, what is it about announcers that they feel they have to put on a voice? Banksey, you got any theories?

Why can't they be more like Alister Harrison who does Crimestoppers up here? Old Ashington accent and proud of it. Good on him!

Can you imagine Julian Simmons on C4 doing his Corrie accent before every link? Actually no, that'd at least be funny .....
BA
Banksey Founding member
Half of TTTV's annos over the years were desperately trying to cover up their NE accents for example, what is it about announcers that they feel they have to put on a voice? Banksey, you got any theories?

Every year in the Midlands there is a gathering of voice overs called Vox. According to a friend of mine, all the women try to purr like sex kittens and all the men just growl and rumble. Why?
To get the reponse 'Wow! Haven't you got an amazing voice!'
What is an Amazing voice? Not all movie trailers have to be delivered in deep American gravel any more than lingerie commercials have to be voiced by a woman who sounds like she might, y'know, if you bought her some.

As far as announcers are concerned, are you able to understand what they are saying? Do they sound interested and indeed interesting? Are they talking at you or to you?

If they are affecting a style (in voice over or announcer mode) it's because they believe that's what's expected of them. It has become clear to me thanks to this forum that what is expected of them from viewers is 'be yourself'. You're right Jason, there is nothing wrong with regional accents in fact I particularly like the Tyneside sound.

The worst announcer? The affected one, the one who can't say why you should watch the programme, the one who gives away the plot, the one who sounds as if they expect you to watch but they will be doing something far more interesting, the one who is trying so hard to sound good they forget that they are in someone's sitting room talking to them, the one who feels they are so uninteresting as a person that they have to adopt an on-screen persona ( sexy, deep, bland, too regional etc.).....The soft southerners, there are too many of 'em.

Your 'friends' make the best announcers, they are the ones who sound as if they've just called you to say 'turn on XYZ now it's great! Got to go I'm going to watch it now, talk to you later'. That poser on the box is the worst.

Comments?
JA
Jason
You really are on the button there Banksey, and I have to say I totally agree with you. Really must start watching HTV Wales more often, I'm not sure if I've actually heard you before.

And just as an example, here's a classic example of what I think makes an excellent announcement; friendly, informative and attracts you to the programme without giving anything away, as well as packing as much info into 8 seconds as I think I've ever heard on an announcement. The year is 1995, the announcer is Kathy Secker (with a feint hint of a NE accent thrown in for good measure) and the film in question is Alien 3 (taken courtesy of Andrew Bowden)

http://home.freeuk.net/bods/tynetees/kathysecker1995.rm
JA
Jamez
Quote:
Banksey on 9:04 am on Feb. 7, 2002
Half of TTTV's annos over the years were desperately trying to cover up their NE accents for example, what is it about announcers that they feel they have to put on a voice? Banksey, you got any theories?



I recorded a voiceover yesterday for an internal radio promotion for my college. For a laugh I put on this really cheesy voice (bit like Smashy & Nicey), and someone said i sounded welsh!! Surprised

James aka Huw soundalike! Very Happy
BA
Banksey Founding member
Quote:
jason on 9:09 pm on Feb. 7, 2002
You really are on the button there Banksey, and I have to say I totally agree with you. Really must start watching HTV Wales more often, I'm not sure if I've actually heard you before.

And just as an example, here's a classic example of what I think makes an excellent announcement; friendly, informative and attracts you to the programme without giving anything away, as well as packing as much info into 8 seconds as I think I've ever heard on an announcement. The year is 1995, the announcer is Kathy Secker (with a feint hint of a NE accent thrown in for good measure) and the film in question is Alien 3 (taken courtesy of Andrew Bowden)

http://home.freeuk.net/bods/tynetees/kathysecker1995.rm



If you didn't know, talent and a genuine gift for good TV presentation runs in the family. Kathy's daughter, Jane Secker can be seen on SkyNews. Doing what she does very well indeed!
LO
logiebaird
[quote] Banksey on 9:04 am on Feb. 7, 2002



The worst announcer? The affected one, the one who can't say why you should watch the programme, the one who gives away the plot, the one who sounds as if they expect you to watch but they will be doing something far more interesting, the one who is trying so hard to sound good they forget that they are in someone's sitting room talking to them, the one who feels they are so uninteresting as a person that they have to adopt an on-screen persona ( sexy, deep, bland, too regional etc.).....The soft southerners, there are too many of 'em.


Comments?  

Sorry Banksie ...are you equating the above to all southern announcers? or just tacking on southern as another adjective of derision?   Who are all 'the southern announcers' ? I hear a rich variety of accents on the BBC and C4/C5 these days and it doesn't bother me ...providing , as you say , they are friendly and informative...as for ITV ...southern for the btm end of the country ofcourse...and northern for the top end ...thats how it should be. If it isn't, it's hardlly the announcers' fault! I wouldn't expect to hear a Scottish accent on Meridian or Carlton, or a 'southern ' accent on Tyne Tees!

(Edited by logiebaird at 10:09 pm on Feb. 9, 2002)

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