If you happen to be a sports fan of a game that is governed by a clock, take a minute and think about this: How many times have you heard something along the lines of, “Their shots are falling early.” Or, “They’re really moving the ball quickly.” And the announcers make those statements in the opening seconds of the game.
It pisses me off when announcers do that. They don’t know anything about how the game is going in the first minute of a contest but they LOVE to make pronouncements like they know exactly what has happened for the past 45 minutes. I wish they’d keep their darn mouths shut. Let the game play out. Let us watch and judge for ourselves.
Maybe I need to turn the sound off on the tube. I’d probably be happier. But I do like to hear the crowd noise and intensity, and would lose that by turning off the sound.
Last week I was watching Purdue play in the Big 10 basketball tournament. Whoever was announcing said the following 29 seconds into the game (I know the exact time because I wrote it down), “Purdue is going inside early.” Twenty-nine fricking seconds. Oh yeah, I guess you can dictate temp and establish a rhythm that early in a game.
Why do announcers do this? Do their bosses want them to speak more? They already speak enough.
Do they like the sound of their voice? Probably.
Do they feel they have to fill a void? Most likely.
Is it because they earn their pay by talking, so the more they talk, the more they feel they’re earning their paycheck? I don’t know.
Regardless of the reason or rationale, the syndrome of judging (or prejudging) a sports contest happens far too frequently when you listen to an announcer on television. Prognosticating beforehand is bad enough. If you listen to all the predictions, it can get to the point where you wonder why you even watch the game. The announcers have all the answers.
I understand these guys and women have played the game. They have the insider dope. I appreciate that type of information. TELL ME SOMETHING I DON’T KNOW. That’s what I want to hear from an announcer.
Be silent, and when something unusual happens or you can provide a unique perspective, weigh in then. Fill the dead time with odd facts and little known pieces of history.
The announcer who stuns you with some trivia unearthed through solid research is the announcer I want to listen to. Those people do exist.
Even the good ones often make those early game statements. Maybe there should be a silence period for the first 10 minutes of every game. Kind of like going to church and praying or sitting quietly to meditate on a higher power. Let the game come to you. Let the viewer come to his or her own initial conclusions. Then the announcers can weigh in with some perspective.
“It’s clear at the end of the first quarter that Quazzewski just doesn’t have it tonight. He should be benched for Lickbetter.” If you hear that about Quazzewski as the game heads into quarter two instead of after his first incomplete pass, you’re more likely to listen.
So, to all you announcers, “Put a lid on the early pronouncements.” Watch the game and enjoy it for what it is. One play is NOT a trend!
It pisses me off when announcers do that. They don’t know anything about how the game is going in the first minute of a contest but they LOVE to make pronouncements like they know exactly what has happened for the past 45 minutes. I wish they’d keep their darn mouths shut. Let the game play out. Let us watch and judge for ourselves.
Maybe I need to turn the sound off on the tube. I’d probably be happier. But I do like to hear the crowd noise and intensity, and would lose that by turning off the sound.
Last week I was watching Purdue play in the Big 10 basketball tournament. Whoever was announcing said the following 29 seconds into the game (I know the exact time because I wrote it down), “Purdue is going inside early.” Twenty-nine fricking seconds. Oh yeah, I guess you can dictate temp and establish a rhythm that early in a game.
Why do announcers do this? Do their bosses want them to speak more? They already speak enough.
Do they like the sound of their voice? Probably.
Do they feel they have to fill a void? Most likely.
Is it because they earn their pay by talking, so the more they talk, the more they feel they’re earning their paycheck? I don’t know.
Regardless of the reason or rationale, the syndrome of judging (or prejudging) a sports contest happens far too frequently when you listen to an announcer on television. Prognosticating beforehand is bad enough. If you listen to all the predictions, it can get to the point where you wonder why you even watch the game. The announcers have all the answers.
I understand these guys and women have played the game. They have the insider dope. I appreciate that type of information. TELL ME SOMETHING I DON’T KNOW. That’s what I want to hear from an announcer.
Be silent, and when something unusual happens or you can provide a unique perspective, weigh in then. Fill the dead time with odd facts and little known pieces of history.
The announcer who stuns you with some trivia unearthed through solid research is the announcer I want to listen to. Those people do exist.
Even the good ones often make those early game statements. Maybe there should be a silence period for the first 10 minutes of every game. Kind of like going to church and praying or sitting quietly to meditate on a higher power. Let the game come to you. Let the viewer come to his or her own initial conclusions. Then the announcers can weigh in with some perspective.
“It’s clear at the end of the first quarter that Quazzewski just doesn’t have it tonight. He should be benched for Lickbetter.” If you hear that about Quazzewski as the game heads into quarter two instead of after his first incomplete pass, you’re more likely to listen.
So, to all you announcers, “Put a lid on the early pronouncements.” Watch the game and enjoy it for what it is. One play is NOT a trend!
