Commentary on TNT and other WB brands

[argyllflyer]

You can only watch it on youtube if it's not shown on TV in your country. Otherwise it's geo-restricted.

ah right. Well hopefully that means people relying on Eurosport won't miss out if they don't show it.

 

[zlev11]

the main problem with Kirby is that he's such a bad talker. he can barely string together multiple sentences without pausing.....like......this. it's TERRIBLE to listen to.

 

[argyllflyer]

The long stages with no so much happening really requires someone like David Harmon. I really hope he is able to return to the mic at some point.

 

[batchuba]

The long stages with no so much happening really requires someone like David Harmon.

The long stages with no so much happening really requires David Duffield.

It's a pity there is no English speaking commentator who can effortlessly alternate between the roles of erudite gentleman, competent observer, cynical wag and ferocious cheerleader as the occasion requires.

 

[Herr Katt]

The long stages with no so much happening really requires David Duffield.

It's a pity there is no English speaking commentator who can effortlessly alternate between the roles of erudite gentleman, competent observer, cynical wag and ferocious cheerleader as the occasion requires.

Man you should really be swedish. Roberto Vacchi is commentating legend and we're very lucky to have him. He checks of all the points you describe and more.
Häj.

 

[Pricey_sky]

I thought Kirby showed great passion a the finish there. Screaming for Martin to bring it home. He sounded gutted at the end. He has his flaws but today was another reason I actually like Kirby.

 

[Gloin22]

Anyone could do that. IF you want that kind of thing then just hire some Brazillian commentators into cycling or just listen to the Norwegian pair.

 

[Parrulo]

Anyone could do that. IF you want that kind of thing then just hire some Brazillian commentators into cycling or just listen to the Norwegian pair.

Exactly!!! 2 minutes of excitement don't make up for hours of boredom and nonsense.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Kirby is great at calling the sprints and late attacks, if he remembers Samuel Dumoulin isn't in the race. His call of the Iljo Keisse win in Turkey last year was epic.

 

[burning]

If you want excitement, just hire the guys from Radio Popular, they are the best at their type of commentating

 

[manafana]

Kirby is great at calling the sprints and late attacks, if he remembers Samuel Dumoulin isn't in the race. His call of the Iljo Keisse win in Turkey last year was epic.

their was another feed on eurosport for me that day, young lad by himself going beserk was great.

eurosport should have worlds since they cover all the races

 

[zlev11]

kirby/kelly completely missed/ignored the split in the peloton on the descent today, it was infuriating. not that there were really any great camera views of it, but i saw it pretty clearly myself. say what you want about phil and paul, they are far from great lately, but i doubt they would have failed to notice that split and/or not mention it at all. just awful commentating.

 

[Beech Mtn]

Kirby also kept yammering on while the graphics for top 40 stage finishers were on-screen, never commenting on them, nor noticing the time losses by Uran, Konig, Majka, Pinot, Mollema, etc. Not that every one of these were vital, or wholly unexpected, but you'd think a decent commentator would mention the GC shakeup.

But no, for him, apparently the GC significance goes no deeper than who's wearing the red jersey.

 

[batchuba]

kirby/kelly completely missed/ignored the split in the peloton on the descent today, it was infuriating. not that there were really any great camera views of it, but i saw it pretty clearly myself. say what you want about phil and paul, they are far from great lately, but i doubt they would have failed to notice that split and/or not mention it at all. just awful commentating.

This has been one of the absolute worst commentary displays I've ever experienced.

Kirby, basically, doesn't give the slightest ****, because there is no Sky guys in there. He just keeps airily wittering away, occasionally mentioning something which happened a few minutes ago or getting a little enthused when an ( the ) anglophone goes to the front.

Kelly too, has been bad. Usually the reliable voice of reason, he has been confused and distracted too. In fairness though, he often has to try to find a way to drag the conversation back to the present while answering whatever cretinous and irrelevant point Kirby has put forth for prolonged discussion.

Yesterday, while attacks and counter-attacks were coming from the GC group on the final climb, the pair of them studiously ignored it all. They actually became an impediment to understanding, by overwhelming us with a stream of derisory waffling. And far from adding some sense of drama and excitement, they actively drained any sense of occasion from the day.

Kirby has adopted a peculiar bored, glazed-over, near patronizing tone throughout, as if he is watching a charity ride. The team are somehow making good racing a depressing chore. I'm ****ing done with them.

Finding myself a Flemish feed for the next stages. As far as I can make out, the Flemish language is mostly quotes from 1980's Arnold Schwarzenegger movies cobbled together, so its understandable enough.

 

[Hakkapelit]

Finding myself a Flemish feed for the next stages. As far as I can make out, the Flemish language is mostly quotes from 1980's Arnold Schwarzenegger movies cobbled together, so its understandable enough.

This earlier response seems appropriate to repost.

Man you should really be swedish. Roberto Vacchi is commentating legend and we're very lucky to have him. He checks of all the points you describe and more.
Häj.

Although I think he is somewhat better in the Giro (since he is of Italian origin) and the Tour (bysitter chemistry) than in the VueltA. Perhaps not that easy to find a swedish feed though...

 

[argyllflyer]

when the pictures don't tell the story, the commentators need to be far more proactive about telling it, almost as if it were radio. I have been bamboozled at points in recent stages and I really miss David Harmon who could make these kind of stages come alive.

 

[batchuba]

This earlier response seems appropriate to repost.


Although I think he is somewhat better in the Giro (since he is of Italian origin) and the Tour (bysitter chemistry) than in the VueltA. Perhaps not that easy to find a swedish feed though...

Aye, by the sounds of things, it would be worth learning Swedish just to be able to guzzle it. Spose I could shell out for the Eurosport player and choose whichever I wanted..

Incidentally, I (predictably not following through on my empty "threat") did watch the lads again yesterday and were back to "normal" at least. That is to say, they paid some attention to the race.

Meh, maybe the tantrum inducing performance of two days ago was a once off.

 

[gooner]

Eurosport aren't showing the worlds this year looking at their tv listings for the first 2 days of it.

Plus, the UCI website has the BBC down as the broadcaster to show it in the UK.

http://www.uci.ch/Modules/BUILTIN/g...bjTypeCode=FILE&type=FILE&id=ODkxNTE&LangId=1

 

[Poursuivant]

Is Harmon ever coming back?

 

[coinneach]

Is Harmon ever coming back?

sorely missed...I just hope he come back if its right for him
for us, its just entertainment

 

[JRanton]

Is Harmon ever coming back?

I read a tweet from one of the Sky website guys that stated that Harmon definitely won't be coming back. Sounded a bit ominous, hope everything's ok with him.

 

[Poursuivant]

Oh dear. Ditto.

 

[Bernie's eyesore]

If Harmon isn't coming back, let's just hope that Eurosport do the sensible thing and make Rob Hatch their main cycling commentator. Kirby is getting beyond a joke, his Richeze comment yesterday was his worst so far.

 

[Tashkent Terror]

If Harmon isn't coming back, let's just hope that Eurosport do the sensible thing and make Rob Hatch their main cycling commentator. Kirby is getting beyond a joke, his Richeze comment yesterday was his worst so far.

Bad but climbing the "uncategorised 'Cabeza de Carrera'" took the biscuit.

I must say reading the chat regards Dave Harmon is just really saddening, sorely missed as others have noted.

 

[Izzy eviel]

Harmon is busy with life, new love & business interests taking up his time, he's happy. There's an article knocking around the internets.