Phil and Paul

[Ryongsyong]

chrishent posted this in the comments section on today's stage on CN:



Is this true? If so, they're a lot better than I thought.

It is indeed true. They are broadcasting to at least three different countries directly, and all three channels will be going to commercials are different times, so they will be constantly making sure they stop talking at the right time, and then can remember to update people who might have missed something in Australia without it sounding too weird to the English people who saw it thirty seconds ago, for 3+ hours a day, every day, for 3 weeks. It's a very difficult job at the best of times, let alone with something as complicated as pro-cycling.

Once you know it you can spot it very easily. They'll both stop talking for a slightly unnaturally long couple of seconds, and then carry on again. It sounds a bit odd, but it'll be because some other country has gone off for adverts.

As for people who say it's their fault for being greedy, for most people, as in normal people, not those on cycling-specific message boards, they want to hear them. It's not like they're forcing themselves on the TV stations. They're being employed because they're popular and long-standing.

 

[Rich Gibson]

It is indeed true. They are broadcasting to at least three different countries directly, and all three channels will be going to commercials are different times, so they will be constantly making sure they stop talking at the right time, and then can remember to update people who might have missed something in Australia without it sounding too weird to the English people who saw it thirty seconds ago, for 3+ hours a day, every day, for 3 weeks. It's a very difficult job at the best of times, let alone with something as complicated as pro-cycling.

Once you know it you can spot it very easily. They'll both stop talking for a slightly unnaturally long couple of seconds, and then carry on again. It sounds a bit odd, but it'll be because some other country has gone off for adverts.

....

Yes, I noticed those 3-4 second dead air spots several times today and wondered.

Rich

 

[tobyevans]

It was Rob Hatch and Sean Kelly for all 3 weeks? Or was that option on their website? Back in the day, early 90s, you could pick what language you wanted Eurosport and I think there was a 'no comms' option.

it was on the Android app- you have the list of channels, and down the bottom was pink-branded Giro one. You get the helicopters, motorbikes, dopplered-cheers as they all whizz along, odd bit of shouting from the riders. It's alright, especially if you're actually supposed to be doing something else ... have a text commentary on a browser tab or something, you can look really busy to the untrained eye ...

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Bayern Munich Rundfahrt: classic.

 

[JohnNordin]

Paul and Phil dueling about if the climb is worth 10 or 20 points - they've gone back and forth twice now.

 

[willbick]

Lol Sherwen just called Nibali "Birali"

 

[MellowJohnny]

I quite like them, I like how Phil refers to Peraud as J C Peraud.

 

[bikebottles]

I've about worn out my mute button...Sherwin and his repetitive, self absorbed drivel. At least this year we have a larger group of commentators.

 

[ggusta]

I've about worn out my mute button...Sherwin and his repetitive, self absorbed drivel. At least this year we have a larger group of commentators.

Bring back Moninger and/or Gogulski and I will tolerate P&P until the grim reaper comes for them if we could get rid of tRoll today. Talk about useless. His shtick wore out fast and many years ago.

 

[Pharazon]

I quite like them, I like how Phil refers to Peraud as J C Peraud.

that was only because he tried to say his full name and got a mouth full of marbles when he tried

 

[42x16ss]

If they say RafaEl Majka one more time I'm going to smash my tv in rage...

 

[winkybiker]

They were specially bad today. "The riders crossed into France briefly before crossing back into France."

 

[Tyre Byter]

Bring back Moninger and/or Gogulski and I will tolerate P&P until the grim reaper comes for them if we could get rid of tRoll today. Talk about useless. His shtick wore out fast and many years ago.

While I'm not entirely convinced about the Iceman, I really like Gogo. He and Schlanger make a good team on UniversalSports. I'm not sure NBC liked his mannerisms for a flagship event like the TdF tho. (Their loss...and ours, unfortunately)

You're right about Bobke tho! How does he get away with it?!

But, oddly enough, last year - I think it was during the Vuelta - Schlanger had to attend his kid's First Communion or something, so Bobke and Gogo called a stage. After they sized each other up, it was actually very entertaining to listen to a couple of former pros trading stories. Instead of the usual obnoxious, tongue-tied oaf oozing flubbed pronunciations and crafty non sequiturs, Bobke was actually relaxed and quite funny - intentionally.
It was shocking! Anybody else remember that stage?

...or was I so dead drunk I made it all up?

It just seems there is a different dynamic in play when P &/or P are not in close proximity.

 

[InterestedSpectator]

If they say RafaEl Majka one more time I'm going to smash my tv in rage...

The same applies to Paul who says 'Boom' as in an explosion, even though his colleague one foot away from him says correctly 'Bome' as in 'Rome'.

Perhaps they don't actually listen to one another?

 

[kingjr]

If they say RafaEl Majka one more time I'm going to smash my tv in rage...

Make sure you film it, I'd love to see that.

 

[Tashkent Terror]

Bayern Munich Rundfahrt: classic.

Thanks for putting my mind at rest, was sure I heard that. That one and "famous Eagle of The Mountains" Bahamontes have been good copy from Paul.

 

[I Love To Dope]

whooooops.

 

[Swifty's Cakes]

why do they keep saying majka has to finish in the top 3? he's 31 points ahead so anything above 6th will see him get the required 20 points

 

[Afrank]

why do they keep saying majka has to finish in the top 3? he's 31 points ahead so anything above 6th will see him get the required 20 points

They probably didn't know that the points are doubled for MTF.

 

[willbick]

i gotta say i think Phil has been quite good in this tour. Sure he makes a few howlers but u gotta admit when it comes to summing up the action with a dramatic and poetic flourish he is by far the best comm. Paul is still completely awful

 

[kingjr]

i gotta say i think Phil has been quite good in this tour. Sure he makes a few howlers but u gotta admit when it comes to summing up the action with a dramatic and poetic flourish he is by far the best comm. Paul is still completely awful

Phil tends to be a lot better when his favourite riders aren't in the race.

 

[MacRoadie]

Phil tends to be a lot better when his favourite riders aren't in the race.

Probably much easier to focus and commentate without an erection...

 

[The Barb]

why do they keep saying majka has to finish in the top 3? he's 31 points ahead so anything above 6th will see him get the required 20 points

This irritated me too, because its just lazy.

First Phil was actually saying Majka had to finish second, then he said he had to finish top 3. Then when he was standing on the podium did he think to correct himself. Of course not.

So actually it's not just lazy. It's arrogant and lazy.

 

[42x16ss]

Make sure you film it, I'd love to see that.

The funny thing was, the stage before Phil was callling him Rafal Maj-ka. He went from getting the surname wrong to getting the christian name wrong. Has he been hitting the burgundy so hard he can't stay consistent?

 

[Tonton]

Today: in the background, four statues crossing sword blades. Mousquetaires. The comment: "d'Artagnan, also known as one of the three mousquetaires".