How dumb are the folks at Versus/NBC?

[Angliru]

is bob roll a close friend of lance?? or else it's even more pathetic

Yes he is but it's still quite pathetic.

 

[Gingerale]

did he really say this crap? people in public telling so much sh*t should be put in a clinic or something

he did. and he has for as long as i've been listening to him. 3 TdF's. the 1st year, i was, whatever, ignore him. last year i actually got annoyed. and now i can't tune him out. muting is not an option. i want to hear everything but not him.

having a recording of the TdF and the pictures, i appreciate. but when bob is lying about saxobank team - he has no information from hernandez, navarro, sorensen - and he slobbers on about contador's team being tired of helping contador, along with the other time negatively obsessing about contador, come on.

he is ridiculous and embarrassing - bob roll maybe he needs time away, get help, then give him another chance. but for now, stop with the contador BS.

liam mchugh was never a pro, i don't like him but he's okay. todd "gogo" is fine or fantastic compared to bob.

 

[screaming fist]

Just looked for some funny Bobke stuff on youtube, but the really pathetic stuff isn't up there. However, him answering a question about compact cranks as the channel's expert was ... errr.. interesting. According to Roll, compact cranks are never used in the pro peloton because of the chain length.

 

[Boeing]

the bobke front jumped the shark back in 99. why do they still play this like it is so fresh?

 

[scullster46]

to the people who were jumping on bobke for his comments on Contador's crash causing the peloton being more nervous, they should read this
"It's complicated, but the main reason is meteorological. The weather conditions have played an important role in the crashes. The number of uphill finishes has put the sprinters in the middle of the GC riders who all have to be at the front as well to not lose time. My first crash on day one also has a big responsibility. After that, everyone has wanted to ride at the front."


http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/contador-promises-battles-but-doesnt-say-where.

However, this doesn't take away from any of the rest of his terrible gaffes. I'm also annoyed how much every single american rider gets hyped up like nothing else. I understand why they need to appease to some of there viewers who wouldn't watch otherwise, but yesterday they were talking about the injured riders and they basically glanced over Vino, then started talking about "poor dave zabriskie" with his broken wrist. The day before when TJVG was in the break was almost unbearable. Sad because I really like him as a rider as well.

 

[mewmewmew13]

yeah, it sucks, but turn off the sound and record it, problem solved really. Roll was a bike racer, thus, guilty until proven innocent in regard to being a moron. Best proof, when LA did his bully thing to shut down Simeoni in 2004 Roll was ecstatic, "that Lance, a true peloton patron...." etc, it was a super low class move and Roll showed his true colors. Not a surprise, but all this being said, I love the pictures, yesterday when Flecha was hit by the tv car , it was spectacular as are all the aerial shots.

I found it sad that they kept replaying the shot of Flecha and Hoogerland being taken out by the car.

Yes, it may have been "spectacular" but when you consider how two individuals were injured and may well have been killed, it seems rather gruesome to keep spinning this clip for someone's 'entertainment ' or whatever...

 

[Gingerale]

to the people who were jumping on bobke for his comments on Contador's crash causing the peloton being more nervous, they should read this
"It's complicated, but the main reason is meteorological. The weather conditions have played an important role in the crashes. The number of uphill finishes has put the sprinters in the middle of the GC riders who all have to be at the front as well to not lose time. My first crash on day one also has a big responsibility. After that, everyone has wanted to ride at the front."


http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/contador-promises-battles-but-doesnt-say-where.

However, this doesn't take away from any of the rest of his terrible gaffes. I'm also annoyed how much every single american rider gets hyped up like nothing else. I understand why they need to appease to some of there viewers who wouldn't watch otherwise, but yesterday they were talking about the injured riders and they basically glanced over Vino, then started talking about "poor dave zabriskie" with his broken wrist. The day before when TJVG was in the break was almost unbearable. Sad because I really like him as a rider as well.

contador goes up in my estimation by offering that his crash and his time deficit is a "big responsiblity." and the pelaton GC rivals are anxious to increase their lead, that's clear. but antsy-to-get-a-lead GC riders and teams have a responsibility too. yes?

bo-abke is tiresome and the guy comes off crazy obsessed. his saxo team idea that contador's team doesn't want to help was a pitiful new low, really. ask richie porte for a statement before shooting the mouth. it just sounds like bob spews what bob wants to be the truth, not what is true. credibility is not a priority. he can't be taken seriously is the result.

i agree team versus didn't treat the crash with a real effort at equanimity. clearly vino and VDB2 were bigger stories than DZ. but heaping attention on the home riders, including phil liggett's favorites is what they do. dauphine was reason to bubble about wiggo. cadel evans is one of their faves and... andy schleck. almost anyone on an american team is fair game for lavishing positive spin. i expect the home fave spin, okay. i gather andy schleck gets thrown the praise he does as he's their preferred between contador and andy. andy is also the one i am supposed to cheer...sure, yes, yes...too bad i'm not a robot.

bob roll is like a political talk show host - pick the one you hate - glen beck, rachel madow, bob roll...lol...the trouble is, this is supposed to be fun it's TdF, not politics. contador is in the race and he's not perfect but certainly no less so than the texan. stop repetitiously canvassing against contador, bobke.

ofc tejay's attention gets a pass from me but that's my bias and it's a good thing i'm not commentating when he won the mountain jersey!

okay. no more canvassing from me... for the day. when bob hits another new low, i don't know

 

[bikebottles]

Things could be worse for us...

The only opportunity for us to see the Tour(s) is on VS. We are grateful that they have had as much coverage since NBC took the station over. The last couple of tours, the coverage was much shorter than before NBC and we are happily surprised that they are showing as much coverage as they are. We hadn't expected this since VS/NBC are selling a special coverage package of the Tour de France as well.

On the other hand, we are completely tired of Paul Sherwin's commentary. He repeats and repeats and doesn't he know that not everyone can be in front? We also think he is obnoxious and rude.

Phil is fun, we like most of his commentary and find him entertaining.

Bob has been OK, we believe that some of the dumbing down has a lot to do with helping new viewers.

 

[Boeing]

The only opportunity for us to see the Tour(s) is on VS. We are grateful that they have had as much coverage since NBC took the station over. The last couple of tours, the coverage was much shorter than before NBC and we are happily surprised that they are showing as much coverage as they are. We hadn't expected this since VS/NBC are selling a special coverage package of the Tour de France as well.

On the other hand, we are completely tired of Paul Sherwin's commentary. He repeats and repeats and doesn't he know that not everyone can be in front? We also think he is obnoxious and rude.

Phil is fun, we like most of his commentary and find him entertaining.

Bob has been OK, we believe that some of the dumbing down has a lot to do with helping new viewers.

who exactly is "we"

 

[mewmewmew13]

who exactly is "we"

"bottle(S)" ?

 

[hfer07]

Bob has been OK, we believe that some of the dumbing down has a lot to do with helping new viewers.

then, you most be a new viewer too, since the dumb commentaries by Bob have indeed gone UP-considering that LA isn't riding anymore...

 

[Dedelou]

who exactly is "we"

Probably everybody minus " They " Since "we" all know "They" have a different opinion

 

[TimChristy]

The Versus commentary aside, I'm so tired of the damn Izod commercial with band singing about a brave new world.

 

[El Imbatido]

Speaking of versus and commercials......i hate the fact that when the come back from ad breaks (or sometimes just randomly) they decide to cover the screen with sponsor ads

This may be the norm in the States but in Australia definitely no way......that pic was from the Dauphine and you probably can't tell but there is a rider attacking under that graphic

 

[US Patent Exploding Cyclist]

The only opportunity for us to see the Tour(s) is on VS. We are grateful that they have had as much coverage since NBC took the station over. The last couple of tours, the coverage was much shorter than before NBC and we are happily surprised that they are showing as much coverage as they are. We hadn't expected this since VS/NBC are selling a special coverage package of the Tour de France as well.

On the other hand, we are completely tired of Paul Sherwin's commentary. He repeats and repeats and doesn't he know that not everyone can be in front? We also think he is obnoxious and rude.

Phil is fun, we like most of his commentary and find him entertaining.

Bob has been OK, we believe that some of the dumbing down has a lot to do with helping new viewers.

WE do not agree.

I feel that they should be replaced. If you pair an ex pro (not Bobke, for all the grief he gets Gogo isn't that bad) with a non cycling commentator (Not Steve Schlanger) that can ask appropriate questions to stear conversation, that would work for the "new" cycling fans, and wouldn't pi$$ off the "old" cycling fans. This set-up worked well for the broadcast of the Philly bike race (except for the Canadian Ex Pro), at least that is what WE thought.

Phil and Paul do fit the above criteria, but are no longer effective as they are getting too old to make out which rider they are talking about. Not to mention their man crushes on specific riders negatively impact their tolerability.

 

[Gingerale]

for those who think bobke is on to something factual when he takes to chuckling his dark fantasy out loud about contador's team. richie porte today:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/porte-predicts-exciting-racing-all-the-way-to-paris

 

[thehog]

WE do not agree.

I feel that they should be replaced. If you pair an ex pro (not Bobke, for all the grief he gets Gogo isn't that bad) with a non cycling commentator (Not Steve Schlanger) that can ask appropriate questions to stear conversation, that would work for the "new" cycling fans, and wouldn't pi$$ off the "old" cycling fans. This set-up worked well for the broadcast of the Philly bike race (except for the Canadian Ex Pro), at least that is what WE thought.

Phil and Paul do fit the above criteria, but are no longer effective as they are getting too old to make out which rider they are talking about. Not to mention their man crushes on specific riders negatively impact their tolerability.

The irony in all of the Contador “lacks control”, “not riding at the front”, “responsible for all the crashes” rhetoric is that the Shack have just about lost their entire team to crashes! Alas that’s just bad luck, not a lack of skill or front riding.

It’s also a shame Tommy Voeckler is now in yellow. Every time Phil mentions Voeckler he has to recount how “7-time winner” Lance Armstrong had to “wrestle” the jersey away from him back in 2004.

 

[thehog]

Bob said on tonight's broadcast that Contador's team-mate attacked when Shleck punctured on the Tourmalet. It was obvious to all viewers that Andy not only rejoined by that point but was at the front. Why say it?

 

[mewmewmew13]

Bob said on tonight's broadcast that Contador's team-mate attacked when Shleck punctured on the Tourmalet. It was obvious to all viewers that Andy not only rejoined by that point but was at the front. Why say it?

I just heard that too, Bob just has to grasp at anything negative about Contador that he can find. desperate.

 

[mewmewmew13]

Gad, what else can come out of Phil's mouth...now he just said that Andy and Frank were exchanging words in front of Contador but it didn't matter because Alberto doesn't understand English.

 

[thehog]

Gad, what else can come out of Phil's mouth...now he just said that Andy and Frank were exchanging words in front of Contador but it didn't matter because Alberto doesn't understand English.

...then he said he doesn't understand German without realising that's not the Shleck's native language.

 

[Gingerale]

watching my dvr'd evening coverage. at least vs did only a brief intro with liam and went right to phil and paul. the less i see and hear bob roll, the better. phil is very funny, lol...contador is in a, "schleck sandwich."

paul sherwin, "he certainly doesn't understand luxembourgoise!" after it was decided between p and p that contador doesn't understand english and german. paul doesn't like contador, that's clear but paul is nothing compared to smirking bobke hating on contador. uhg. it doesn't stop.

on a positive note, god, i love sammy sanchez winning that stage! none of them can ruin that picture!

 

[Granville57]

Gad, what else can come out of Phil's mouth...now he just said that Andy and Frank were exchanging words in front of Contador but it didn't matter because Alberto doesn't understand English.

I caught that too and could hardly believe my ears. The ignorance and stupidity of that remark was high, even by P & P standards.

You know what else I could seriously do without?
The constant on-screen oscillating between miles and kilometers in the lower left-hand corner of the screen. Every five seconds it switches back and forth, and it's distracting as hell.

Have they so little confidence in the American audience to grasp the concept of metric? Most of their statements are in kilometers; all the road signs are in kilometers (obviously); it's simply part-and-parcel of the sport. Live a little, learn a little. God forbid they expand someone's world view in even the most basic manner. Especially given the times we live in: is it even likely that someone watching the Tour de France doesn't have immediate access to the interwebs and could figure it out should they find themselves in desperate need of an explanation?

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

So, I go online and find it for free...morons at NBC, way to **** on people willing to pay....

Blame Comcast. Several years back (2006-2008) Universal was an independent operator (WCSN actually). Sometimes they just gave out live feeds even, with no commentary sometimes. Blending both webcasting, with digital TV feeds. Fairly cutting edge, risky. In 2008 they were bought by NBC, and they got more popular and stepped up, for the better in some ways. Covering events like the Vuelta for example, and hiring people like Todd Gogulski. Early this year Comcast purchased/merged with NBC and with it swallowed what was Universal, basically merging the cycling coverage into Versus (who is Comcast, and has been since they bought OLN).

It's pretty likely there were some hard working, under appreciated workers at Universal (and OLN) for several years. Now, with Comcast owning them, and calling the shots, I wouldn't be surprised if Universal over digital TV is killed off, and the website merged into Comcast, forcing you to pay for everything, every step of the way. As far as media goes, Comcast is the evil empire.

Needless to say, I fully trusted the WSCN guys, I somewhat trusted NBC. I do not trust Comcast.

The only opportunity for us to see the Tour(s) is on VS.

If you can handle webcasting, try Steephill.tv live feeds from all over the world.

Agree on commentators. P&P are long in the tooth. If you listen to Harmon and Kelly on Eurosport, or Schlanger and Gogo on Unviversal (and I'm not a big Schlanger fan) you'll quickly hear how done P&P are. Gogo is the best. Craig Hummer is fair as the everyman in the studio, and was an amateur triathlete I believe. But I so loathe Bob tRoll I can't even listen to him for a few seconds.

 

[CatsNK]

You know what else I could seriously do without?
The constant on-screen oscillating between miles and kilometers in the lower left-hand corner of the screen. Every five seconds it switches back and forth, and it's distracting as hell.

That drives me CRAZY!!!!! It's totally distracting and utterly stupid. I understand cycling in km, not in miles, frankly. Odd as it may seem, since I'm a United Statesian.

Let's hope Universal doesn't start with that crap.