win a ball from Bowling.com
« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2 3

Author Topic: Worst Commentary on the telecast ever!  (Read 5616 times)

Bashiba

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 9
Worst Commentary on the telecast ever!
« on: December 17, 2007, 01:10:39 AM »
Rob Stone has got to go.  He might be the worst sports commentator in the history of the job.  
Did we really need a half a game talking about the Simpsons.  
Whats a plastic ball for?
That question is the equivalent of someone asking Madden during a game what the yellow sticks on the sideline are for, or why the players where helmets.
These guys just suck, how about some real info about what the bowlers are throwing, surface prep, drillings, grip, etc.
Like when they mentioned Chris Warren was throwing conventional and then never said another word.  Between Warren and Devany throwing Sarge & Conventional it would seem they had something good to work with and ignored it.
How come we don't get a run down of the top 32 anymore?  I guess they are to busy saying Hambone.
A couple weeks ago they had Barnes on with them for a few minutes, and all of sudden it got interesting and we had some real info.  Why can't they get a couple pros to do this each week.
It would have been nice to maybe have some sort of explanation as to why the righties couldn't keep pace other than the usual more traffic/breakdown explanation we all understand.
Sorry had to rant, They were just awful yesterday, and seem to be getting worse.
Please ESPN, Please, get some real pros to do the commentary, and free them up of restrictions on mentioning specific companies so they can at least discuss the gear a little.

Logged

 

Fluff E Bunnie

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5617
Re: Worst Commentary on the telecast ever!
« Reply #1 on: December 17, 2007, 09:26:40 AM »
Stone was laying it on kind of thick yesterday.  I thought Randy was doing the best he could with him.  He did mention that the purists were pulling their hair out.

--------------------
Go Bucs?
Logged

WSUstroker

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2562
Re: Worst Commentary on the telecast ever!
« Reply #2 on: December 17, 2007, 09:28:56 AM »
Psst, ESPN is not going to target the highly knowledgable bowlers with their telecasts.  The majority of people who may watch the show do NOT care about the drilling/surface prep of what is being used.  By spending a majority of the show talking about the little technical things they can go ahead and waive bye-bye to the casual bowling fan.

I can relate that to golf.  For the casual golf fan who might watch for a few minutes between something else, do you think would rather hear about how the dimple pattern on a ProV1 gives an advantage over something else or would they rather hear that Tiger can bomb in 350 yards off the tee?

Casual viewers need something they can understand and relate to.  Televised bowling needs the casual viewers.
--------------------
Dan Chambers
www.absolutebowling.com
Logged

TheDude

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3170
Re: Worst Commentary on the telecast ever!
« Reply #3 on: December 17, 2007, 09:30:17 AM »
what the heck is Hambone?!
--------------------
Timothy @Juniors Pro-Shops
LaSalle, Quebec
Located inside Pont Mercier Lanes.
Edmonton, Alberta.
Located inside Ed's Rec Room.(WEST ED MALL)

Roto-Grip Star Proshops
Storm VIP Shop
Etonic Stabilites Dress wearer.

Montreal, Quebec.
Logged
Timothy @Juniors Pro-Shops
LaSalle, Quebec-Located inside Pont Mercier Lanes.
Keep them honest!

Ebay store updated very often: http://stores.ebay.com/gumby3170?refid+store

chaos10187

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 299
Re: Worst Commentary on the telecast ever!
« Reply #4 on: December 17, 2007, 09:39:35 AM »
I really think you guys are being over critical. Rob Stone at the beginning of the season had no knowledge of bowling, aside from the fact you throw a ball down a lane and knock pins down. Through the weeks he has had fun and he has given an EFFORT to learn the sport to the best that he can.

He made a relationship to the Simpson's because everyone knows who they are, many people have at least watched the show once, and it was relevant to the telecast. Talking about Jason Couch and how he likes Flanders because hes a lefty, then relating that to the 5 leftys on TV.

As far as the plastic ball, let me say not EVERYONE knows the reasons for a plastic ball. The guy who likes to watch bowling, but only bowls once a month with a house ball might not understand the oil and the effect plastic has when on oil like that.

As far as the "Hambone", it is an original idea in bowling. Let me tell you something guys, the sport of bowling is in DIRE need of something new. It's funny, and there is nothing wrong with it. It might catch on and be used, or it might just fade after awhile, either way, why does it make you so angry? Why do you care? They are trying to make it funny and entertaining for everyone. If you want "Technical/Drilling/Surface Prep/Ball Company Info" Come to this forum. The people here know a lot about it and can be helpful.

Honestly, if you don't like the commentary, hit mute. Your rant is falling on deaf ears at ESPN and they don't give a crap if you don't like it.
--------------------
Brian
Northside Pro Shop Staff

Edited on 12/17/2007 10:40 AM
Logged

strikealot

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1485
Re: Worst Commentary on the telecast ever!
« Reply #5 on: December 17, 2007, 09:40:25 AM »
well i would show you but i dont think this is that kind of website....
--------------------
Hard work pays off in the future, laziness pays off now!
myspace profile...
 http://www.myspace.com/chad__gordon  
 
http://

FOS MEMBER BABY
super carbide bomb
tsunami x2
solid cobalt
carbide plus
xxxl

Logged
~<:-0======"IN CG WE TRUST" i chant as i pray to the static weight God...======

Nails

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1703
Re: Worst Commentary on the telecast ever!
« Reply #6 on: December 17, 2007, 09:41:08 AM »
quote:
Rob Stone has got to go.  He might be the worst sports commentator in the history of the job.  
Did we really need a half a game talking about the Simpsons.  
Whats a plastic ball for?
That question is the equivalent of someone asking Madden during a game what the yellow sticks on the sideline are for, or why the players where helmets.
These guys just suck, how about some real info about what the bowlers are throwing, surface prep, drillings, grip, etc.
Like when they mentioned Chris Warren was throwing conventional and then never said another word.  Between Warren and Devany throwing Sarge & Conventional it would seem they had something good to work with and ignored it.
How come we don't get a run down of the top 32 anymore?  I guess they are to busy saying Hambone.
A couple weeks ago they had Barnes on with them for a few minutes, and all of sudden it got interesting and we had some real info.  Why can't they get a couple pros to do this each week.
It would have been nice to maybe have some sort of explanation as to why the righties couldn't keep pace other than the usual more traffic/breakdown explanation we all understand.
Sorry had to rant, They were just awful yesterday, and seem to be getting worse.


Do we really need 5 topics about this every week?  People hated Dave Ryan and prayed for anyone else.  Now we have Rob Stone.  Maybe the grass isn't always greener on the other side after all?  I personally think he's an improvement, butt hat's just one opinion.  His knowledge is low, but he's energetic and learning.  And for the 100th time, the core audience is the average Joe that is happy thinking his inflated THS average gives him a chance at the pro's.  Sure, us nuts on BR would love more technical detail, but it's not going to happen.  I do think they have time for a run down of other top finishers.

quote:
Please ESPN, Please, get some real pros to do the commentary, and free them up of restrictions on mentioning specific companies so they can at least discuss the gear a little.


Have you written to ESPN?  If not, you're wasting your time whining here.  You also won't find equipment mentioned for reasons discussed elsewhere.

--------------------
Telling it like it is.
Logged

C300_Rye

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 875
Re: Worst Commentary on the telecast ever!
« Reply #7 on: December 17, 2007, 09:50:09 AM »
Now while I understand where you are coming from you guys gotta be patient and undertanding. I am a huge fan of bowling and compete on many levels although as a youth I still take it very seriously.

First off, limit your exagerations, they didn't talk about the simpsons for half a game. It was a frame maybe 2 tops. It was a little funny and good to bring in something that may be familar to the general public that doesn't watch bowling all the time.

Second, we all agree that we want the PBA on television right? If so then we need to understand that ratings is the name of the game and to achieve the desired ratings we must get the general non bowling public to tune in every once in awhile at the very least.

Third, if we agree that we need to get the average public to tune in and they do why do you think we would talk entirely about very technical bowling jargon? The question about plastic is a good question by Stone. We get the chance to explain more about our game when Randy answers the question. Haven't you ever had somebody bowl next to you in open play and ask these "dumb" questions? Most people have, most people just dont have the knowledge and this is an outlet we get to use.

This is the first time I have responded to any of the complaints about the commentary but we must still remember that this is not the worst case scenario, the worst case scenario would be sitting at home on a sunday afternoon and watching little numbers pop up on a computer screen to see a truly gifted bowler when a title, no excitement, no drama, no visual what so ever. So just keep that in mind when you get ready to complain again. I apologize for the long post
--------------------
Shop BuddiesProShop.com
Formerly Storm717 and Storm750
Logged

SKIDSNAP

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 638
Re: Worst Commentary on the telecast ever!
« Reply #8 on: December 17, 2007, 09:51:33 AM »
I particularly loved hearing Stone screaming like a little girl when Parker had his string going.

If you can't get the players names right or the pin numbers correct you should be back on regional cable. Or on ESPN 8 "the ocho"

I have written to ESPN BTW.
Logged

Bashiba

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 9
Re: Worst Commentary on the telecast ever!
« Reply #9 on: December 17, 2007, 10:01:09 AM »
Yes I did write to ESPN.

And yes I have hit the mute, I do find myself using the DVR to click through the telecast faster then I used to.

I'm sorry I just don't see casual bowling fans watching the show.  Go to your local center during league, ask people if they watched.  I would bet you only the the well above average league bowlers will tell you that yes they watched.

And why would you hire someone that doesn't know anything about bowling to do the telecast?  That makes absolutely no sense.  They don't do it with any other sports.

And even the most casual of bowlers proabably have a pretty good idea what plastic balls are for.  And probably don't care that Jason Couch who isn't bowling likes Ned Flanders.
Logged

Centers

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 880
Re: Worst Commentary on the telecast ever!
« Reply #10 on: December 17, 2007, 10:13:43 AM »
Oh, by the way, 3 in a row is a turkey!!
Logged

dechrist

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1622
Re: Worst Commentary on the telecast ever!
« Reply #11 on: December 17, 2007, 10:15:09 AM »
quote:

And even the most casual of bowlers proabably have a pretty good idea what plastic balls are for.  And probably don't care that Jason Couch who isn't bowling likes Ned Flanders.


I had to explain to my wife what I purchase, and why I purchase the equipment.  I needed to explain that (1) the Maxim that I bought will hook less than my white dot, which was mostly a drilling difference).  I also had to explain that the Black Widow Pearl hooks later and sharper than my Black Widow, and that sometimes I need a different "look" at the pocket.

Casual bowlers are really that, and sometimes just don't know...

Personally, I don't have a problem with Stone.  I got very sick of "60 feet to success".  This isn't your fathers "Pro Bowlers Tour" on ABC.  Like it or not that is the way that it is.  For Bowling to survive, new bowlers need to be attracted.  If Stone helps, then so be it...

--------------------
Dale

My 2007-2008 arsenal is here.

Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.
-- General George S. Patton
Logged

CHawk15

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 764
Re: Worst Commentary on the telecast ever!
« Reply #12 on: December 17, 2007, 10:30:02 AM »
I have to  agree with most of the people here about the TV shows for bowling have to bring in the casual fans.  For the purists out there, the show has to draw in the casual fan or there will be no more TV.  And one more question, do they talk about any of the technical aspects of any sport on TV? ( What shoes do the NBA players wear, which golf clubs a PGA Tour member uses, etc.)  The answer is no, so it shouldn't be any different for bowling.  If you hate the commentary that much, there is a mute button on your TV, use it.  I think that Rob Stone is doing a much better job of that then Dave Ryan.  He is much more entertaining to listen to and his excitement sounds genuine, not forced like Dave Ryan's did.
Logged

Borincano

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1181
Re: Worst Commentary on the telecast ever!
« Reply #13 on: December 17, 2007, 10:45:20 AM »
Rob Stone and Randy Pederson make a good couple. One that knows and the one that does not know but shows emotion on what he sees and likes. HAMBONE is the known 4 bagger, 5 bagger could be a tailbone and 6 bagger a wishbone.

Rob Stone is much better then Dave Ryan. At least I do not hear anymore the 60 feet to success. ICK!!

Give him time and he will come around. Randy could be a good coach to him. That is if he wants to be. If he wants to have a good sidekick Randy can put some knowledge in Stone's head but if you want to be the only hotshot on the show and have the other person thrown out then Randy won't help him.
Logged

Fluff E Bunnie

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5617
Re: Worst Commentary on the telecast ever!
« Reply #14 on: December 17, 2007, 11:17:48 AM »
I am definitely liking the guy better than Ryan but there are definitely some negatives there like not knowing when to cut out the BS when there is a big match going on.
--------------------
Go Bucs?
Logged
Pages: [1] 2 3
« previous next »