Commentators: What makes a good one?

[rossdapep]

My ambition is to become a highly respected commentator, so I wanted to get an idea of what people think makes a commentator stand out?

Obviously making sure facts are presented accurately and helping to create a script are important, as to is knowing when to keep your mouth shut (really dislike commentators who don't know when to stop talking).

There seems to be a wave of generic commentators breaking through who continually use football cliches, I'm hoping to be different.

So, I was hoping you guys and gals could explain what you detest or like about commentary.

Personally, my favourite commentator was Barry Davies, really enjoyed his style and voice.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

My ambition is to become a highly respected commentator, so I wanted to get an idea of what people think makes a commentator stand out?

Obviously making sure facts are presented accurately and helping to create a script are important, as to is knowing when to keep your mouth shut (really dislike commentators who don't know when to stop talking).

There seems to be a wave of generic commentators breaking through who continually use football cliches, I'm hoping to be different.

So, I was hoping you guys and gals could explain what you detest or like about commentary.

Personally, my favourite commentator was Barry Davies, really enjoyed his style and voice.

Just beat this guy:

 

[rossdapep]

Just beat this guy:

Oh no not Hudson! He sure makes it interesting

 

[Rocksuperstar]

What type of commentator? You aiming for a play by play role, or you want to be the colour?

 

[rossdapep]

That first few lines on the first video are absolutely amazing!

 

[rossdapep]

What type of commentator? You aiming for a play by play role, or you want to be the colour?

Yeah I'd like to be the colour as I think you can easily over cook play-by-play. I think the girl (apologies, don't know her name and there are many more) on commentary for the game last night was going that way.

 

[tobi]

Commentator or Co Commentator?

- Do your research.
- Have a good voice.
- Have the ability to explain the action in ways anyone can understand.
- Know when to stop talking.
- I always remember certain commentators over others because they have their own catchphrases for certain situation's. Mike Breen is my favourite example, search Mike Breen BANG on YouTube.

There are some football commentators that I like but I tend to prefer NBA and NFL commentator's because they go into detail more.

All of Sky Sports La Liga comms are good and knowledgeable.

 

[Spurger King]

 

[Rocksuperstar]

The best colour men have got bottomless pockets of catchphrases, metaphors and exclamations, but it also takes a certain amount of hard work to know what it is you're talking about. Play by play is easy meat, just call what's going on, but for decent colour you need to know everything about the people you're watching, plus as many random other pieces of information you can lay your hands on - so if it's football, you need to know as much about every player as you can find out that might become relevant during the match, plus an equally large sack of stuff like what they had for breakfast, why he wears them shoes, who does his bloody hair - it all adds up and it might seem pointless but, if you need to fill a gap, there it is.

The most important thing for good colour is doing your homework.

 

[nightgoat]

Have you ever played for Liverpool FC?

 

[Kendall]

For me, they don't even really have to be particularly knowledgeable. IMy preference is about tone of voice and not talking too much.

For example, I like Jonathan Pearce, but when he talks too much he spoils it because he's full of shit. Motson has never been a huge tactical commentator, but has a great voice and just gives us the facts.

Its the guys that waffle on that do my tits in, especially those with monotone voices like Carlisle and Owen.

That woman who was commentating on our Burnley game - I just can't abide by it, not because she's a woman, but because of the pitch when something exciting happens. A woman with a more husky voice, I'd be OK with.

 

[beats1]

Don't be ignorant when talking about players not in the PL and limit your knowledge to just english football

Often english commentators do sound like a douche when talking about players that aren't playing for a big club

Watching football has become so easy now, the least you could do is watch some foreign matches on tv

I heard commentators talk about Greizmann being a nobody before he signed for Atletico, not to mention they talk about players being great if they sign and go on a decent run, instantly acting like that player is world class like Pelle

As @tobi said the la liga commentators are very good

 

[nightgoat]

For example, I like Jonathan Pearce, but when he talks too much he spoils it because he's full of shit.

 

[Amo]

Just beat this guy:

I once heard him say "As leisurely as a daily activity" for a Messi penalty. I was barely 16 but I remember it like it happened yesterday.

 

[Spurger King]

For example, I like Jonathan Pearce, but when he talks too much he spoils it because he's full of shit. Motson has never been a huge tactical commentator, but has a great voice and just gives us the facts.

Used to like Pearce but I find him a bit embarrassing these days. Listen out for the amount of times he tries to cover for his mistakes next time he's commentating.

Perfect example in a Spurs game recently when Vorm was in goal. He saved a shot, prompting Pearce to say:

"And a comfortable save by Lloris....(long pause as he realises he's got the wrong keeper, and needs to think of a way of wriggling out of it)...similar to that one by Vorm helped Spurs to victory the last time these teams met."

Think it was the same game when Kane scored - the fans started singing (very clearly) "he's one of our own" - followed by Pearce observing "and the fans are singing 'he scores when he wants'."

Also I'll never forgive him for his comment after Gerrard smashed in a goal:

"He hit that how hard? Gerr-ard."

 

[nightgoat]

Used to like Pearce but I find him a bit embarrassing these days. Listen out for the amount of times he tries to cover for his mistakes next time he's commentating.

Perfect example in a Spurs game recently when Vorm was in goal. He saved a shot, prompting Pearce to say:

"And a comfortable save by Lloris....(long pause as he realises he's got the wrong keeper, and needs to think of a way of wriggling out of it)...similar to that one by Vorm helped Spurs to victory the last time these teams met."

Think it was the same game when Kane scored - the fans started singing (very clearly) "he's one of our own" - followed by Pearce observing "and the fans are singing 'he scores when he wants'."

Also I'll never forgive him for his comment after Gerrard smashed in a goal:

"He hit that how hard? Gerr-ard."

Plus Robot Wars.

 

[RuskyM]

Used to like Pearce but I find him a bit embarrassing these days. Listen out for the amount of times he tries to cover for his mistakes next time he's commentating.

Perfect example in a Spurs game recently when Vorm was in goal. He saved a shot, prompting Pearce to say:

"And a comfortable save by Lloris....(long pause as he realises he's got the wrong keeper, and needs to think of a way of wriggling out of it)...similar to that one by Vorm helped Spurs to victory the last time these teams met."

Think it was the same game when Kane scored - the fans started singing (very clearly) "he's one of our own" - followed by Pearce observing "and the fans are singing 'he scores when he wants'."

Also I'll never forgive him for his comment after Gerrard smashed in a goal:

"He hit that how hard? Gerr-ard."

Jonathan Pearce insisting that a computer changed its mind in the France vs Honduras game at the World Cup was one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

 

[StartingPrice]

1) Don't talk shit

2) Pay very close attention to David PleatMeister

Jobsagoodun

 

[SpursManChris]

My ambition is to become a highly respected commentator, so I wanted to get an idea of what people think makes a commentator stand out?

Obviously making sure facts are presented accurately and helping to create a script are important, as to is knowing when to keep your mouth shut (really dislike commentators who don't know when to stop talking).

There seems to be a wave of generic commentators breaking through who continually use football cliches, I'm hoping to be different.

So, I was hoping you guys and gals could explain what you detest or like about commentary.

Personally, my favourite commentator was Barry Davies, really enjoyed his style and voice.

I've always enjoyed good commentary and I listened to a really good interview back in 2007 with Steve Banyard, who has commentated in the past for Premier League Productions who produce the productions of EPL matches for international broadcasters, so living overseas, I have heard him a bit. He has also done the English world feed for the 2002 and 2010 world cups. Strangely enough he appears to have gone missing from the EPL coverage, not sure what he's doing now.
He talks about how he got into the game and gives some good insight into commentary, so maybe you could get something out of listening to it. Hope it helps.

Here is his linkedin profile which outlines his career: https://uk.linkedin.com/pub/steve-banyard/17/ba7/807
And here is the interview: (The interview begins at 7:39) http://worldsoccertalk.com/podcasts/2007/epl-talk-steve-banyard-34747/

 

[GMI]

Being able to pronounce the players names?.