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Eurosport commentary

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RedheadDane said:
the delgados said:
Cycle Chic said:
Alberto Contador becomes a Eurosport commentator
How come Spanish Eurosport can afford to pay Contador and yet UK has Kirby.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/alberto-contador-becomes-a-eurosport-commentator/

Because Carlton Kirby covers multiple disciplines. A jack of all trades, if you will.
Contador can do one.

:confused: Doesn't that kinda prove the point, though? Eurosport UK has to employ a guy who can cover multiple disciplines, whereas Eurosport Spain can employ someone who specialises. Contador's bound to have some inside knowledge from the peloton Kirby can't possibly have.

Contador is doing a different job.
Think Sean Kelly or any other cohorts who occupy the passenger seat. They're called colour commentators, and they usually comprise of a former pro. Their job is to chime in every now and then and provide the commentary and insight that Kirby et al lacks. Just like you said.
The difference in pay grades for two entirely different disciplines is bound to be huge. Think leader and domestique. The domestique is just as important as the leader, but the pay grade is and always will be imbalanced (Depending on how you look at it. If I'm a broadcaster who is paying a boat load of money to cover multiple races in different disciplines, Carlton Kirby is worth way more than Contador.)
Cycle Chic is just whining. S/he is is either unwilling to put things into proper perspective or lacks the, uh, intellectual fortitude to understand what the hell s/he's talking about.
Only Cycle Chic can answer the question.
 
the delgados said:
RedheadDane said:
the delgados said:
Cycle Chic said:
Alberto Contador becomes a Eurosport commentator
How come Spanish Eurosport can afford to pay Contador and yet UK has Kirby.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/alberto-contador-becomes-a-eurosport-commentator/

Because Carlton Kirby covers multiple disciplines. A jack of all trades, if you will.
Contador can do one.

:confused: Doesn't that kinda prove the point, though? Eurosport UK has to employ a guy who can cover multiple disciplines, whereas Eurosport Spain can employ someone who specialises. Contador's bound to have some inside knowledge from the peloton Kirby can't possibly have.

Contador is doing a different job.
Think Sean Kelly or any other cohorts who occupy the passenger seat. They're called colour commentators, and they usually comprise of a former pro. Their job is to chime in every now and then and provide the commentary and insight that Kirby et al lacks. Just like you said.
The difference in pay grades for two entirely different disciplines is bound to be huge. Think leader and domestique. The domestique is just as important as the leader, but the pay grade is and always will be imbalanced (Depending on how you look at it. If I'm a broadcaster who is paying a boat load of money to cover multiple races in different disciplines, Carlton Kirby is worth way more than Contador.)
Cycle Chic is just whining. S/he is is either unwilling to put things into proper perspective or lacks the, uh, intellectual fortitude to understand what the hell s/he's talking about.
Only Cycle Chic can answer the question.
Does Carlton Kirby work for Eurosport directly or is he freelance?
 
argyllflyer said:
I think they're all freelancers, no? Up until relatively recently he'd skoot off to Italy to do all the RCS-owned races for the English-speaking market (ES excluded). Ned Boulting has this gig now.

Good question.
I don't know.
Maybe it's different in Europe, but there are some broadcasters in Canada who cover a wide range of sports and they all do it with a single employer. You won't see, say, Steve Armitage (my favourite broadcaster in the entire world, by the way. That guy could light up a friggin funeral. He is amazing.) cover Olympic swimming for CBC and cross-country skiing for Sportsnet.
p.s. Sorry, I just got carried away with memories of Steve Armitage.
Seems argyllflyer has already answered the question.
Looks like they do freelance.
Carry on, good fellows.
 
Re:

argyllflyer said:
In Eurosport-related news, Matt Stephens has quit GCN in order to do more commentary.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BfCUTlslUs
This is actually pretty sad. I really like GCN, not really because of their content, but because the presenters are extremely likable. I'll miss him :(
Then again, he has been very good on Eurosport and if this means he'll commentate a lot more races it's a good thing I guess.
 
Just watching Tour of Romandie and Kirby is actually talking about the riders and race. Its a transformation !! he just spoke about Nathan Brown for a few minutes...I couldnt believe what I was hearing. Its still the same old verbal diarrhoea but at least its about the race and riders and not his idiotic jokes and geographical knowledge.

He really is the laziest commentator and has got away with it for decades on Eurosport.
 
Re:

Cycle Chic said:
Just watching Tour of Romandie and Kirby is actually talking about the riders and race. Its a transformation !! he just spoke about Nathan Brown for a few minutes...I couldnt believe what I was hearing. Its still the same old verbal diarrhoea but at least its about the race and riders and not his idiotic jokes and geographical knowledge.

He really is the laziest commentator and has got away with it for decades on Eurosport.

Hey there, Cycle Chic.
Don't sugarcoat things, please tell us how you really feel. I kid.
I'm glad to see my man Carlton Kirby's biggest enemy start to come around and recognize his brilliance.
You're getting there, buddy!
But you still have a long way to go. You're free to dislike his jokes. Whatever floats your boat. But you continue to bash him for his "geographical knowledge."
That is part of his job as a commentator. Stage races are basically travel advertisements. He would not be doing his job if he didn't chime in about a castle or some historical artifact.
 
Re: Re:

the delgados said:
Cycle Chic said:
Just watching Tour of Romandie and Kirby is actually talking about the riders and race. Its a transformation !! he just spoke about Nathan Brown for a few minutes...I couldnt believe what I was hearing. Its still the same old verbal diarrhoea but at least its about the race and riders and not his idiotic jokes and geographical knowledge.

He really is the laziest commentator and has got away with it for decades on Eurosport.

Hey there, Cycle Chic.
Don't sugarcoat things, please tell us how you really feel. I kid.
I'm glad to see my man Carlton Kirby's biggest enemy start to come around and recognize his brilliance.
You're getting there, buddy!
But you still have a long way to go. You're free to dislike his jokes. Whatever floats your boat. But you continue to bash him for his "geographical knowledge."
That is part of his job as a commentator. Stage races are basically travel advertisements. He would not be doing his job if he didn't chime in about a castle or some historical artifact.

Carlton did a fantastic job today showing off his enthusiasm at the finale, fine call of Fraille trying to get points towards the green jersey only to drop off with 500m to go and then the Grindr (TM) going for the sprint.

I mean I'm only a lazy coach potato, I thought they were helping their team mates, but CK's marvellous insight put me straight.
 
Re: Re:

the delgados said:
Cycle Chic said:
Just watching Tour of Romandie and Kirby is actually talking about the riders and race. Its a transformation !! he just spoke about Nathan Brown for a few minutes...I couldnt believe what I was hearing. Its still the same old verbal diarrhoea but at least its about the race and riders and not his idiotic jokes and geographical knowledge.

He really is the laziest commentator and has got away with it for decades on Eurosport.

Hey there, Cycle Chic.
Don't sugarcoat things, please tell us how you really feel. I kid.
I'm glad to see my man Carlton Kirby's biggest enemy start to come around and recognize his brilliance.
You're getting there, buddy!
But you still have a long way to go. You're free to dislike his jokes. Whatever floats your boat. But you continue to bash him for his "geographical knowledge."
That is part of his job as a commentator. Stage races are basically travel advertisements. He would not be doing his job if he didn't chime in about a castle or some historical artifact.

And that just sums up Carlton Kirby !! the bloke has no interest in pro cycling whatsoever.
 
Re: Re:

Cycle Chic said:
the delgados said:
Cycle Chic said:
Just watching Tour of Romandie and Kirby is actually talking about the riders and race. Its a transformation !! he just spoke about Nathan Brown for a few minutes...I couldnt believe what I was hearing. Its still the same old verbal diarrhoea but at least its about the race and riders and not his idiotic jokes and geographical knowledge.

He really is the laziest commentator and has got away with it for decades on Eurosport.

Hey there, Cycle Chic.
Don't sugarcoat things, please tell us how you really feel. I kid.
I'm glad to see my man Carlton Kirby's biggest enemy start to come around and recognize his brilliance.
You're getting there, buddy!
But you still have a long way to go. You're free to dislike his jokes. Whatever floats your boat. But you continue to bash him for his "geographical knowledge."
That is part of his job as a commentator. Stage races are basically travel advertisements. He would not be doing his job if he didn't chime in about a castle or some historical artifact.

And that just sums up Carlton Kirby !! the bloke has no interest in pro cycling whatsoever.

Surely you jest.
With all due respect, Cycle Chic, that is one of the most ridiculous claims you have leveled on my man Carlton Kirby.
The man lights up a race like no other. Don't make me post one of a million clips of him calling the finale of a race, because I will.
You know not of what you speak.
 
Re:

Cycle Chic said:
I would love to watch Kirby take a simple knowledge test on pro cycling....I bet he couldnt name 10 riders and their last race result.

Easy, just ask about Reichenbach, Evans, Clarke, "Turbo Durbo", Dan Martin, Uran, Atapuma, Meintjes, Cummings, Alaphilippe. Probably the only 10 riders he knows about, but still :D
 
Re: Re:

Akuryo said:
Cycle Chic said:
I would love to watch Kirby take a simple knowledge test on pro cycling....I bet he couldnt name 10 riders and their last race result.

Easy, just ask about Reichenbach, Evans, Clarke, "Turbo Durbo", Dan Martin, Uran, Atapuma, Meintjes, Cummings, Alaphilippe. Probably the only 10 riders he knows about, but still :D

Then trick him by having the questions be about Will Clarke.
 
Smith and Kirby taking Geraint Thomas to task for saying that it isn't a strong Sky team, but that's not what Thomas said: he was talking about Roglic not having a strong team. It is this making a conversation out of an error that I find most annoying in commentary.

(Smith acknowledges the error after the ad break, but no apology for talking nonsense from either of them)
 
Re: Re:

tobydawq said:
the delgados said:
Cycle Chic said:
I would love to watch Kirby take a simple knowledge test on pro cycling....I bet he couldnt name 10 riders and their last race result.

That's not his job!
How many times do I need to repeat this?

Yes it is.

Oh, man. This conversation is getting more and more absurd.
The hypothetical question posed by Cycle Chic has no relation to what Carlton Kirby does.
You see, if knowing the answer to the question was part of the job description, then Kirby answered correctly.
Otherwise he would not have a job.
Seriously, guys, I know you hate Kirby. That's totally cool. His jokes are hit and miss, and yes, he makes mistakes.
But good lord, you need to step up your game when hurling insults at my man Carlton Kirby.
 
Re:

tobydawq said:
I merely stated that a presenter should have a deep knowledge on the subject he is paid to present on international broadcasts. That's hardly an unfair demand.

I agree totally with this...but what is more galling is Kirby insists on being right even when he is wrong
He is talking such *** all the time that he misses so much of the race ...so he makes stuff up...this is where it is galling

Today he said Nieve was dropped from the break ...which we couldnt see at the time and neither could he ....when we did see Nieve was leading the break and had never been dropped

Then later he sarted on about how Dan Martin was bridging across to the leaders and what great shape he was in ...when it was clear Dan Martin was being dropped

He makes lots of mistakes but that would be somewhat ok if he acknowledged his errors ..but he goes on as if he is an authority on the sport when it is clear he is bluffing most of the time

And his new obession is 'Matti' Buchman....for christ sake he nevers stops calling him that as if he were his friend and never stops mentioning him ...poor Buckman

KIrby is quite literally an idiot who thinks he is a genius because he half learned alot of random facts ...his ego demands that he is always right even when he is wrong
 
If you are going to be a commentator for a sporting event you then need to have a deep knowledge of the sport you are commentating on and a knowledge of at least a good number of the athletes competing in that event. This is what they are being paid to do.
 
Re:

tobydawq said:
I merely stated that a presenter should have a deep knowledge on the subject he is paid to present on international broadcasts. That's hardly an unfair demand.

I merely stated that Carlton Kirby either answered the hypothetical question correctly, or his Eurosport employers doesn't give a rats arse if could name ten riders and their last result.
Like I said, to each their own. No one can make you like Kirby, but the vitriol directed toward him is borderline bizarre.
If you feel Kirby should have a "deep knowledge on the subject" then you might want to take it up with the head honchos at Eurosport. Clearly they disagree, otherwise he would not have a friggin job.
Kirby is there for a reason. That being his employers have decided he is good at his job. I'm sure they take feedback from people ranging from those who know next to nothing about the sport and those who know a lot and think he's the best. (I kid about the last part of the sentence.)
Going back to the "Deep knowledge" part, it has been stated on many occasions that it's the job of Kirby's cohort to fill in the blanks. The guy covers a wide variety of sports. His job is not to be a friggin genius in any one. It's the job of the Sean's and Magnus's of the world to fill in the blanks.
Take it easy on my man Carlton Kirby, will ya?
You guys are probably making him cry in his beer.
Carlton? You there?
I love ya, buddy.
Keep up the great work.
 
It's the role of the ex pro in the No 2 seat to fill in blanks, yes, but generally on the tactical / experience side.

I think it is unarguable that the lead commentator SHOULD know more about the stats side of the sport than the average viewer - whether that is by quietly browsing ProCyclingStats.com, or using their own notes, or simply their own memory I don't really care (though the first is very obvious in broadcasts due to its lack of detail beyond result!)

In terms of Kirby, I think he is at times unduly criticised as he is not the cycling fool he is labelled as. He does seem prone to the occasional brain fart though. He is a very good broadcaster and perhaps missed his calling as a sunny afternoon easy listening radio DJ (he did radio shows in the past) but has carved out a niche in sports commentary.
 

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