Carlton kirby - has to go !!

[superconfex]

Kirby is rubbish. You cannot keep anything he has commentated on as it will annoy you and the delete button becomes active. However he has improve from two years ago when he was suspended for a day when he and Duffys made an utter pigs ear of the Dauphiné.
I believe Duffys hasn’t set foot in a commentator booth since.

 

[Descender]

Kirby bashing the Tour de Suisse because their official website is not in English, but in French and (I quote) in Swiss German. He says his French is pretty handy, his Italian too (we'd have to see that...) but "as soon as we get into dialects...".

Needless to say, the Tour de Suisse's official website is in French and Standard German.

 

[Descender]

 

[Cycle Chic]

And today Carlton Kirby is STUART HALL commentating on ITS A KNOCKOUT (TOUR DE SUISSE)

 

[wirral]

And today Carlton Kirby is STUART HALL commentating on ITS A KNOCKOUT (TOUR DE SUISSE)

I am trying to deflate this thread of whipped-up "Kirbyhate" (That's German, you know) but this last post just cracked me up.

My last comment is Kirby just owned that descent into Grindelwald today. He simply blew all the other commentators away.

 

[avantage]

He is a commentator first, and anybody suggesting any ex pro could do a better job, should try it out.
It's a very hard job, which has to be learned. Many knowledgeable people tried and failed with providing an enjoyable commentary.

Harmon is much better, but I have no problem tolerating Kirby.

Believe me, there're much worse commentators out there!!!

 

[just some guy]

I do think the best combo might be

Kirby doing his colour bits about castles and the like.

Big Maggie and the Scot cant remember his name who is on at the moment ( David I think)

 

[Boardslide]

And today Carlton Kirby is STUART HALL commentating on ITS A KNOCKOUT (TOUR DE SUISSE)

For goodness sake get a life, as other people on here have said turn the sound off or find a foreign stream to watch & listen too. Today's decent was fanastic and made even more exciting with Kirby's commentary. Also if you're in the UK you've only got a few weeks to wait for that really excellent commentry from ITV4 (I don't think) on the TDF. If anything they're worse

 

[Anonymous]

For goodness sake get a life, as other people on here have said turn the sound off or find a foreign stream to watch & listen too. Today's decent was fanastic and made even more exciting with Kirby's commentary. Also if you're in the UK you've only got a few weeks to wait for that really excellent commentry from ITV4 (I don't think) on the TDF. If anything they're worse

Why do i have a feeling that the OP grew up on, and loves Liggett and Sherwen.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

They are doing the English commentary, which is paid for by cable providers and subscribers not just in Britain, but all regions which receive Eurosport channels in English.

Well those other regions can vote with their wallets if they wish.

 

[jobiwan]

Why do i have a feeling that the OP grew up on, and loves Liggett and Sherwen.

I heard Phil yesterday on NBC covering an IronMan competition, at least the cycling part. It was weird to listen to!

I did grow up on Phil and Paul and I watch them in July because it's really the only time I can watch live cycling on TV, and I can deal with them for one month, but not much longer . (Although I CAN'T stand Bob Roll).

THAT SAID, a lot of times they do seem to be exact copies of Stadler and Waldorf!

As for the OP, I agree w/ everyone else who says to just enjoy the race.

 

[Anonymous]

I did grow up on Phil and Paul and I watch them in July because it's really the only time I can watch live cycling on TV, and I can deal with them for one month, but not much longer .

A whole month. Thats three weeks and six days longer than most people.

 

[Mrs John Murphy]

I don't quite get why people are being so defensive about criticism of Harmon, Kirby, Stadler and Waldorf, Duffield etc, or even Kelly, Roche, Smith, Backstedt or Crystal Balls Christy.

I don't doubt that it is 'difficult' talk for 4 hours and not say something stupid once in a while. However, they are professionals, not amateurs dragged in off the street and plonked down in front of a monitor and told 'talk for the next four hours about what you see'.

As professionals they should be prepared and competent at their job - and the ES commentators with the exception of Kelly aren't.

Most people when they **** up in public get slated for it, whether that is a DS, a politician, a rider or a footballer. Commentators are no different and saying 'its a tough job and you couldn't do it better' is a strawman argument. I am quite sure that being President of the US is a difficult job and I couldn't do it better, I am quite sure being President of the UCI is a tough job too, but that doesn't make the criticism of those individuals invalid.

And you know what, if all I was tasked with doing was spending fours a day looking for and jingostically cheerleading for Cuddles, Wiggins, Frodo and the nearest Cack rider, then yes I probably could do a better job.

The odd mistake, difficulty identifying riders, etc fair enough, but when it is four hours littered with avoidable mistakes, stupidity and nationalist cheerleading that is when people get ****ed off. That Kirby/Harmon show absolutely no interest in behaving like professionals and preparing properly to do their job and instead taking the cheap and easy option is why they are so often criticised.

 

[jobiwan]

A whole month. Thats three weeks and six days longer than most people.

I do always have my mute button ready though!

 

[Cycle Chic]

well done mrs murphy - thats put the tricycle riding Kirby supporters right in their place

 

[Andy99]

I personally don't mind Carlton. He is certainly improving all the time.

It can't be easy commentating on a sport that he evidently new little about from the outset. Fair play though, he is picking things up.

I actually used to really rate him as a commentator on the Dakar a few years ago, when Eurosport used to do a really good highlights package.

If some of you know so much, just switch the sound off and talk to yourselves.

And, as for resorting to being vindictive on Twitter - well, I find that really quite sad.

 

[Anonymous]

well done mrs murphy - thats put the tricycle riding Kirby supporters right in their place

you really are pretty arrogant arent you.

So far you have made the assumptions that those who dont want Kirby fired

a) Know nothing about cycling
b) ride tricycles.

What makes you so special, an average bike and a gerolstiener shirt dont make you the authority on cycling. Basically you are a troll. You trolled on yahoo forums, you troll on twitter and now youre trolling here.

Have you done that quiz yet?

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Harmon is on record as saying that he commentates to the lowest common denominator and he has no interest in appeasing what he feels are the 'hardcore' minority (ie people like you and I who watch every race, go on forums etc).

If he is trying to pander to the lowest common denominator he does a terrible job, because a lot more of the "smart" fans defend Harmon than defend Tweedledee and Tweedledum on Versus, and he packs more information and knowledge (sometimes misplaced but pretty decent) in his commentary. There was a Vuelta stage when he was talking about an Andalucía-Caja Sur rider winning a stage "in about 2008", "I think into Ávila, but I'm not sure" (he was almost right, Luís Pérez Rodríguez won into Ávila in 2007). That's a lot better than most of us could manage just off the top of our heads - I don't think Eurosport has the budget for a silent statto in the booth. Certainly better than Phil and Paul or Kirby.

Kirby bashing the Tour de Suisse because their official website is not in English, but in French and (I quote) in Swiss German. He says his French is pretty handy, his Italian too (we'd have to see that...) but "as soon as we get into dialects...".

Needless to say, the Tour de Suisse's official website is in French and Standard German.

Ha. Well, that's an egg-on-face moment, though his point about Schwyzertüütsch still stands. I always struggled with that.

 

[Andy99]

you really are pretty arrogant arent you.

So far you have made the assumptions that those who dont want Kirby fired

a) Know nothing about cycling
b) ride tricycles.

What makes you so special, an average bike and a gerolstiener shirt dont make you the authority on cycling. Basically you are a troll. You trolled on yahoo forums, you troll on twitter and now youre trolling here.

Have you done that quiz yet?

How little does she know!

 

[Mrs John Murphy]

I thought we weren't allowed to accuse people of being trolls anymore? Or does that only apply to accusing Armstrong supporters of being trolls?

I didn't realise that you had to pass a test in order to be an approved fan?

LS - Harmon can do it when he puts his mind to it - especially in races with minimal anglophone interest ie the Vuelta last year. But it is more the exception than the rule.

 

[Cycle Chic]

I DO HAVE A BIT OF EXPERIENCE / KNOWLEDGE OF CYCLING ACTUALLY - at this years volta ao Algarve I sat in the front seat of the Omega Pharma team car, following Philippe Gilbert and Adam Hansen in the time trial.

I was also lucky enough to be in the car - front seat again - following Damiano Cunego while he was training in the mountains near to Varese. The motor pacing was the most exciting .....passing Damiano his drinks and changes of clothing was a privilege and experience I will never forget....I was then lucky enough to watch Damiano having a massage and have a coffee with him in his friends kitchen.

So not so average cycle chic - afterall.

 

[Anonymous]

I didn't realise that you had to pass a test in order to be an approved fan?

Was more the point that she said those of us who dont have a problem "clearly know nothing about cycling". was just making a point.

Didnt realise we arent allowed to call people trolls anymore. For troll, replace with troublemaker. My apologies

 

[Anonymous]

I DO HAVE A BIT OF EXPERIENCE / KNOWLEDGE OF CYCLING ACTUALLY.

Ive climbed the stairs at the old wembley and lifted the FA Cup. Doesnt mean I know anything about football.

My issue is more with your assumption that anyone who likes or doesnt dislike Carlton knows nothing about cycling (your words).

That is an iditioc assumption to make.

Anyway, im done with talking with you. Im bored now. ignore button

and actually, i thought his commentary on the descent today in switzerland was superb and really added to it. But of course, I know nothing about cycling.

 

[Andy99]

I DO HAVE A BIT OF EXPERIENCE / KNOWLEDGE OF CYCLING ACTUALLY - at this years volta ao Algarve I sat in the front seat of the Omega Pharma team car, following Philippe Gilbert and Adam Hansen in the time trial.

I was also lucky enough to be in the car - front seat again - following Damiano Cunego while he was training in the mountains near to Varese. The motor pacing was the most exciting .....passing Damiano his drinks and changes of clothing was a privilege and experience I will never forget....I was then lucky enough to watch Damiano having a massage and have a coffee with him in his friends kitchen.

So not so average cycle chic - afterall.

Strewth CALM DOWN dear! Did anyone actually question that?

I think tsf was merely commenting on your patronising assumption that those who are either indifferent or supportive of Carlton evidently know little about our beloved sport...

 

[Mambo95]

I DO HAVE A BIT OF EXPERIENCE / KNOWLEDGE OF CYCLING ACTUALLY - at this years volta ao Algarve I sat in the front seat of the Omega Pharma team car, following Philippe Gilbert and Adam Hansen in the time trial.

I was also lucky enough to be in the car - front seat again - following Damiano Cunego while he was training in the mountains near to Varese. The motor pacing was the most exciting .....passing Damiano his drinks and changes of clothing was a privilege and experience I will never forget....I was then lucky enough to watch Damiano having a massage and have a coffee with him in his friends kitchen.

So not so average cycle chic - afterall.

So what. Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz rode in Christian Prudhomme's car at the Tour. It doesn't make them experts.