Watching the World Cup on ESPN

AreliusIV · 06-14-2006, 10:13 AM

AreliusIV · 06-14-2006, 10:20 AM

Wanted: Spanish teacher. Must be able to start immediately (non-smoker preferred).

Between ESPN’s news ticker, the massive banner at the top of the screen, the internet pop-up style graphics, the poor picture quality and Dave “Michael Beckham” O’Brien et al behind the microphone, is anyone else tempted to switch to Univision?

Jose Luis Luviano · 06-14-2006, 10:23 AM

Will this help?

fuegote · 06-14-2006, 12:06 PM

Messing's been fun to listen to.

Since the British and Ireland guy are in studio to broadcast their matches, they should have them do them all.

El Chalan · 06-14-2006, 12:31 PM

I have switched to Univision because I was very disappointed with the commentary and approach ESPN has taken. I don't like how the coverage starts with kickoff without a background or national anthems. You don't get a feel for the atmosphere...and the commentary has been lacking.

Deuce · 06-14-2006, 12:47 PM

Univision has the national anthems... team introductions and player background/profiles... Just like the european broadcasts.

ESPN is better this time around but still has a lot to learn!

Aero · 06-14-2006, 01:01 PM

As long as ESPN is broadcasting in HD, that's what I'll be watching. Watching it in HD more than makes up for crappy announcers and not seeing the national anthems.

Although, if Univision did broadcast in HD, I'd probably be watching it there instead because I have not been impressed with ESPN's handling of the whole thing. I can't begin to count the number of times they have made stupid mistakes that just shouldn't be made like popping up the wrong teams in their little stat graphics. I think that they assigned this to interns.

AreliusIV · 06-14-2006, 01:10 PM

My biggest beef with ESPN is that the commentary assumes they are talking to novices.

"Oh, the 'keeper can't pick up the ball."

"John, can you explain to our audience why the 'keeper can't pick up the ball?..."

or:

"Ooo, dangerous play. The player is being called for dangerous play."

"John, could you explain to the audience what you mean by dangerous play?..."

"Well, basically the player lifted his foot high enough for it to be dangerous to the other player."

I get the idea that the dudes at ESPN got together and said, "We will have a lot of cluebobs tuning into this event. Let's educate them."

Other than this, I can't complain about to many other things. I do think it was a mistake to get Dave O'Brien to do play by play. Its obvious he's an outsider. The baseball commentator doesn't know "soccer-talk." I keep waiting for him to say "in the back of the net" when a goal is scored but he just can't seem to get it. Its either "in the back of the goal" or "in the net" or something else.

He is becoming an Owen Hargreaves style cult figure among knowledgable American World Cup watchers.

"David Beckham, who is of course married to Victoria 'Posh' Adams." Nearly.

"Paraguay captain Delio Toledo called Michael Beckham a coward this week." Not to be confused with David Owen, obviously. Guess who said this. Yep, him again.

I'm always glad when I get JP Dellacamara, John Harkes, or some other knowledgeable commentator.

Oh, and I could do without Shep "Dick Vitale Wannabe" Messing. What's up with all the comparisons, analogies, etc. to American sports?

AreliusIV · 06-28-2006, 08:38 AM

PLEASE Show Dave O’Brien A Red Card!

Aerick · 06-28-2006, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AreliusIV

PLEASE Show Dave O’Brien A Red Card!

I'm not sure I agree with this post. Sure, he's no pro at "commentatoring" on soccer, but this is the first year for ESPN, and we should all be grateful we've got all 64 games this year. Next WC, we can work on the commentators. Plus, I find some of his comments enjoyable. Just because he doesn't do it the same way European's do, and in a way that hardcore soccer/football fans are used to, doesn't necessarily make it wrong.