Sigh.therealthing said:Bardet "smells blood and he likes the taste of rabbit"
What???
Ha! Good one!RedheadDane said:You know what? It seems you're essentially the Kirby to Kirby's Si Clarke.![]()
So Kirby is now coming here to justify his pathetic commentary - keep reading Carlton, you,re on borrowed Eurosport time schedule.the delgados said:Ha! Good one!RedheadDane said:You know what? It seems you're essentially the Kirby to Kirby's Si Clarke.![]()
I'm not going to apologize for exposing the philistines among us.
My man Carlton Kirby takes a thorough beating round these parts, a lot of which is unwarranted.
Sure, the guy makes mistakes, but who can blame anyone for, say, not recognizing a rider in a huge pile-up?
I'd be concerned if my man Carlton Kirby was calling a race and said something like, "Oh golly, a crash! A huge crash and I think Greg LeMond is on the ground! Oh, Sean, do you think this will hurt LeMond's chances of winning the 2017 Tour? Sean?"
That would be cause for concern.
Otherwise the mistakes pointed out here aren't a big deal. give the guy a break, for gawdsake. I mean, he's like 112 years old.
Enjoy the man. Enjoy the legend.
Enjoy the raconteur.
Enjoy Carlton Kirby.
Now I'm sad that you didn't include a third option, denoted by Roman Numerals or something elseRedheadDane said:Hey, Cycle Chic - and others - maybe you can tell me if I'm right in this assumption.
It seems your issue with Kirby is not so much that he makes the occasional mistake; everybody does that every-now-and-then, but rather that he:
1: Refuses to accept it when people correct his mistakes.
B: Constantly hypes certain riders; "Si Clarke for MSR" for example.
Of course everyone makes mistakes, I have no problem with a commentator misidentifying the odd rider and so on. I would add to options 1 and B thatRedheadDane said:Hey, Cycle Chic - and others - maybe you can tell me if I'm right in this assumption.
It seems your issue with Kirby is not so much that he makes the occasional mistake; everybody does that every-now-and-then, but rather that he:
1: Refuses to accept it when people correct his mistakes.
B: Constantly hypes certain riders; "Si Clarke for MSR" for example.
You know, I've been paying a lot more attention to analyzing my man Carlton Kirby's in-race description of race tactics since the braying hounds descended on this thread, and I honestly think it's totally unfair to say he's "clueless." That is a classic example of the unfair hyperbolic responses that need to be examined a bit further before throwing him to the forum wolves.StephenC2020 said:Of course everyone makes mistakes, I have no problem with a commentator misidentifying the odd rider and so on. I would add to options 1 and B thatRedheadDane said:Hey, Cycle Chic - and others - maybe you can tell me if I'm right in this assumption.
It seems your issue with Kirby is not so much that he makes the occasional mistake; everybody does that every-now-and-then, but rather that he:
1: Refuses to accept it when people correct his mistakes.
B: Constantly hypes certain riders; "Si Clarke for MSR" for example.
III: He is completely and utterly clueless when it comes to basic race tactics and understanding which riders have a chance given a particular route.
and
IV - He continuously misunderstands the time gaps and other graphics on screen, often forgetting there is a break in front and assuming that the gap to a particular group is from wherever Froome is.
I really do think he is the worst sporting commentator I have ever come across and I like many would rather watch in silence or in a language I don't understand than to his drivel.
Regarding IV (which should probably be called δ, for consistency), that is something a lot of commentators are struggling with. I don't understand how it can be so difficult, nonetheless. Each time a group is shown, a little number is shown on the sign, presenting the group. That number corresponds to the number at the top of the screen, where time gaps are shown, and the jerseys up there also help paint the picture. And all time gaps are always from the front of the race to a particular group. How can that be so difficult to comprehend?RedheadDane said:What about the arguments that he (maybe?) refuses to accept when people correct his mistakes (1), and randomly hype riders (B)?
B: To return to the Simon Clarke for MSR example: What reason could there possibly be to constantly claim that he could win, when his best result has been - what? 100th... Even if he'd finished in the top-20 once it wouldn't make him a favourite.
So, basically, I can see why people gets a little annoyed by hearing that same old song every year, when it's clearly not true.
1: About the refusing to accept it when people correct him: Why? It's one thing to make an honest mistake, but then you should accept that you made a mistake and move on.
And to StephenC2010's point:
IV: Not understanding time gaps is pretty bad. That would be like a football commentator not understanding the goal score...
I actually wanted call it δ but was too lazy to go and find the keyboard shortcuttobydawq said:Regarding IV (which should probably be called δ, for consistency), that is something a lot of commentators are struggling with. I don't understand how it can be so difficult, nonetheless. Each time a group is shown, a little number is shown on the sign, presenting the group. That number corresponds to the number at the top of the screen, where time gaps are shown, and the jerseys up there also help paint the picture. And all time gaps are always from the front of the race to a particular group. How can that be so difficult to comprehend?RedheadDane said:What about the arguments that he (maybe?) refuses to accept when people correct his mistakes (1), and randomly hype riders (B)?
B: To return to the Simon Clarke for MSR example: What reason could there possibly be to constantly claim that he could win, when his best result has been - what? 100th... Even if he'd finished in the top-20 once it wouldn't make him a favourite.
So, basically, I can see why people gets a little annoyed by hearing that same old song every year, when it's clearly not true.
1: About the refusing to accept it when people correct him: Why? It's one thing to make an honest mistake, but then you should accept that you made a mistake and move on.
And to StephenC2010's point:
IV: Not understanding time gaps is pretty bad. That would be like a football commentator not understanding the goal score...
to be fair a large percentage of the posters in race threads here confuse the posted time gaps.StephenC2020 said:I actually wanted call it δ but was too lazy to go and find the keyboard shortcuttobydawq said:Regarding IV (which should probably be called δ, for consistency), that is something a lot of commentators are struggling with. I don't understand how it can be so difficult, nonetheless. Each time a group is shown, a little number is shown on the sign, presenting the group. That number corresponds to the number at the top of the screen, where time gaps are shown, and the jerseys up there also help paint the picture. And all time gaps are always from the front of the race to a particular group. How can that be so difficult to comprehend?RedheadDane said:What about the arguments that he (maybe?) refuses to accept when people correct his mistakes (1), and randomly hype riders (B)?
B: To return to the Simon Clarke for MSR example: What reason could there possibly be to constantly claim that he could win, when his best result has been - what? 100th... Even if he'd finished in the top-20 once it wouldn't make him a favourite.
So, basically, I can see why people gets a little annoyed by hearing that same old song every year, when it's clearly not true.
1: About the refusing to accept it when people correct him: Why? It's one thing to make an honest mistake, but then you should accept that you made a mistake and move on.
And to StephenC2010's point:
IV: Not understanding time gaps is pretty bad. That would be like a football commentator not understanding the goal score...![]()
And yeah in fairness to Kirby he is far from the only commentator to have problems with time gaps.
In response to the delgados - I really think my points are fair. I wish the man no ill will whatsoever, I hope he has wonderful and fulfilling life. I would just prefer if he were doing something other than commentating on my favourite sport.
re Simon Clarke: I don't know! Maybe he placed a few Euros-- or pounds or whatever the hell currency the Brits use nowadays--on the guy and is willing him to win. Maybe Clarke sidled up to the Kirbster before the race and whispered a few nothings in his ear about having great legs. Who knows?!RedheadDane said:What about the arguments that he (maybe?) refuses to accept when people correct his mistakes (1), and randomly hype riders (B)?
B: To return to the Simon Clarke for MSR example: What reason could there possibly be to constantly claim that he could win, when his best result has been - what? 100th... Even if he'd finished in the top-20 once it wouldn't make him a favourite.
So, basically, I can see why people gets a little annoyed by hearing that same old song every year, when it's clearly not true.
1: About the refusing to accept it when people correct him: Why? It's one thing to make an honest mistake, but then you should accept that you made a mistake and move on.
And to StephenC2010's point:
IV: Not understanding time gaps is pretty bad. That would be like a football commentator not understanding the goal score...
Every single year? Kirby must really have too much money if he keeps betting on a guy with no chance to win. And I don't think Clarke would continue trying to trick Kirby into thinking he has great legs...re Simon Clarke: I don't know! Maybe he placed a few Euros-- or pounds or whatever the hell currency the Brits use nowadays--on the guy and is willing him to win. Maybe Clarke sidled up to the Kirbster before the race and whispered a few nothings in his ear about having great legs. Who knows?!
Just sit back with some bon bons and enjoy, my friend.
Again, I'm simply referring to (multiple) posts I've seen around here.re Refusing to accept: Honestly, I have no clue what you're talking about. These days Kirby apologizes for stepping on his own shadow. Seriously, it seems he's developed post-traumatic-stress disorder after reading the constant abuse he receives. Poor guy needs to lighten up a little and realize he's a gawddamn legend.
Technically, for me listening to Kirby would be listening in a foreign language. Which I don't really mind, I've listened to Dutch commentating...Oh, I almost forgot. To all those who say they'd rather watch the race on mute or in a foreign language than listen to Kirby, I'm calling BS.