Sportscasters' antics are getting old fast

Washington Times ^ | 3-13-07 | Dan Daly

[JZelle]

Dick Vitale didn't even realize he was on the radio. Billy Packer was more concerned about a Duke player being suspended than about a North Carolina player having his nose splattered across his face. Brent Musberger gave away one of the USC quarterback's hand signals. Lee Corso was last seen wearing a mascot head. Anybody for term limits for TV sportscasters? Some would describe these episodes as senior moments, inasmuch as ESPN's Vitale, CBS' Packer and ABC's Musberger are all 67 and ESPN's Corso an even riper 70. The bigger question, of course, is: Why do these four fogies continue to be so omnipresent? Haven't our broadcasting schools -- or Ex-Coaches Associations -- produced anyone in the last 20 years capable of sitting in these guys' swivel chairs?

[JZelle]

"It was all in jest," Vitale insisted when he told the fans that Florida coach Billy Donovan "grabbed me all alone and said the pro scouts are making a mistake" if they take Joakim Noah over Al Horford in the NBA Draft. "We were having a joking conversation. ... This is a non-story."

Ouch!

[Just another Joe]

Who even has the sound turned up while watching a sporting event anymore?

Not me.

[dfwgator]

[HIDEK6]

All these old guys look like they're embalmed.

[D-Chivas]

[Republicus2001]

maybe they could line up for Keith Olbermann's job as political scientists on an obscure cable news TeeVee Show

[reagan_fanatic]

Aren't you supposed to take your hat off when you're getting your mugshot taken?

[SengirV]

I stopped watching ESPN all together because I couldn't stand Stuart Scott's fake "in the hood" vernacular anymore. That and they had(past tense) a criminal Michael Irvin on all their football coverage. Plus Boomer's schtick was all worn out 20 years ago, yet he is still the face of ESPN?!?!?!? All garbage.

[itsamelman]

[VaBthang4]

ESPN is today what CCNSI used to be [before they folded]...


WHACK!

[day10]

Yessss!

/marv albert imitation

[1rudeboy]

Sportscasting in the U.S. is generally unbearable, for the simple reason (my opinion) that the sportscasters, for whatever reason, feel they need to fill dead air with talk. Especially annoying when the filler gets in the way of something actually happening on the field.

[ssaftler]

Agreed. I also find the best part of the NCAA tournament is that CBS shows all the games. I have been known to turn off games where Dick Vitale is anywhere near the microphone, regardless of who is playing or how good the game may be.

I cannot recall ANY announcer (and that includes the likes of Howard Cosell, Phil Rizzuto or even Chris Vermin) who is more painful to listen to than that bald Chihuahua on speed!

[Rummyfan]

I'll take Keith Jackson or Jon Miller or Vin Scully or the late Jack Buck. The rest of the current crop is disposable. As for Albert, how did he overcome being a pervert to remain as Knicks broadcaster?

Whoa Nelly!

[relictele]

Sportscasting in the U.S. is generally unbearable, for the simple reason (my opinion) that the sportscasters, for whatever reason, feel they need to fill dead air with talk. Especially annoying when the filler gets in the way of something actually happening on the field.

Precisely.

Watch a US golf broadcast and compare it to a UK one (or the Sky European coverage shown on the Golf Channel). Huge difference. Every US network announcer thinks they are profound 100% of the time and they believe they MUST talk about wives, girlfriends, yachts, new houses, etc. etc. If the golf is that boring, perhaps they should move on to another sport!

[Cyclopean Squid]

Just replace Lee Corso with Mel Brooks. They look alike, and Mel is way funnier.

[1Old Pro]

All these old guys look like they're embalmed.

Time to reinsate mandatory retirement at 70.

[Mr. Jeeves]

ESPN's Vitale, CBS' Packer and ABC's Musberger are all 67...

I remember when Musberger was "that young guy" on the CBS NFL pregame shows in the 70's. :(

[GSWarrior]

Packer is horrible, virtually unlistenable. When Vitale is doing color, I turn down the sound because he is unlistenable. However he is a great spokesman for the game.

Neither, IMO, are aware that college hoops exist west of Kansas.

[Republicus2001]

my favorite broadcasts where when the late Don Drysdale was calling a Dodger game. Like all ex-jocks they would be at their best filling dead air with anecdotes from their playing days and other inside stuff. One time at the top of an inning he told a particularly funny story in between pitches to the first batter...it was a long story and he continued thru the next batter...meanwhile the pitcher was getting shelled and Don continued while they brought in a new pitcher, broke for ads, etc... when play resumed he continued and finally came to the punch line...meanwhile the team was still hammering the opposing pitchers and it turned out to be a very long inning... at least forty-five minutes later they recorded the third out and Don let out a few heh-heh-heh's --- sort of chuckling to himself and laughing at his own joke nearly an hour after he began the story!

I miss Big D