Six Nations Punditry/Co-Commentary

Danakin

I've been alternating between RTE and BBC over the weekend and I think theres a very strange mix of very good and very poor punditry and co-commentary on offer.

The RTE panel in general is quite good and entertaining but is ruined in a lot of ways by Tom McGurk and his interrupting of discussion either to go to a break(which I understand) but more annoyingly to try to make the panel be more positive. Yesterday after the game and an average Irish performance he consistently interrupted the constructive criticism of the panel to the effect that they were being too negative. Bill O'Heirlihy does this in the soccer but more to stimulate debate rather than anything else and he then allows the panel to discuss/debate amongst themselves. McGurk also changes topic far too quickly.

The RTE commentary is a weak point I think. Tony Ward can be irritating and bland and the less said about Ryle...Frankie Sheahan is on now though and I really like him as an analyst-very knowledgable, pays attention to both sides(which is a big problem on RTE where they seem to favour one side for analysis during games). He also has front row technical info which is interesting to hear for the uninitiated.

BBC are very mixed too. I'm not sure if the feed is the same across the UK or if each counbtry has its own BBC coverage but if not the Welsh and Scottish must despair of the English bias. Not pro-English bias but just concentration on the English team. Guscott is a very mediocre pundit-I used to like him but he doesn't really offer any real knowledge. He said at half time last night that England were fantastic which he really should have had to give evidence for. Davies is okay,Wood is fairly bland too, but I think Justin Marshall is an excellent addition. Good analysis,articulate and gives a different perspective.

bleg

Liking Frankie's commentary alright.

d'Oracle

I agree with a lot of that bout RTE, OP.
I would add that Uncle Bill waits for his analysts to finish sentances.

And also has some rudimentary understanding of the game.

Although Tony Ward is good for having BOD whackoff sweeps and the like.

I had to listen to the match on radio 1 yesterday, (don't ask) funny stuff I tell you.

Danakin

Love Michael Corcoran on Radio 1 just for the excitement and atmosphere he brings. I'd never rely on him for unbiased analysis though!

Definitely agree about the finishing sentences. Sometimes Hook looks ready to give up completely when he interrupts and I even feel sorry for Hook because of that sometimes.

conneem-TT

I generally listen to the BBC match commentary then switch over for the RTE panel:)

bleg

Frankie after benjamin Fall was called back after running 80 metres for a "try"

"I used to hate when that happened to me"

d'Oracle

Danakin wrote: »

Definitely agree about the finishing sentences. Sometimes Hook looks ready to give up completely when he interrupts and I even feel sorry for Hook because of that sometimes.

The man has poor manners

Teferi

I don't particularly mind the punditry on any channel. I like to play the game "pick the channel with the least amount of wierd camera angles".

BBC are the worst at committing bad camera angle crimes. Sometimes it's hard to see what's going on.

On big game days though I will always watch RTE for the match. If you didn't watch RTE for the decider last year then you missed out on the lads going absolutely mad in the last few minutes and that passion made a lot of difference to viewers at home.

IrishKev

I've really noticed alright that McGuirk is interrupting the panel much more this year (or else I didn't notice it before, but I think it definately has increased) and I find McGuirk in general a lot more annoying this year, I used to think he was great on the panel, and I still do, but he's generally more annoying. Also, has anyone noticed Popey and O'Shea (Pope in particular) laughing and looking off camera a lot more? Conor O'Shea was talking about next week's match there and looked off shot, looked back and almost burst out laughing before controlling himself and regaining seriousness. There must be some new camera staff that like making them laugh or something Oh and Hook seems to be getting more and more irritated by not being able to finish his sentences, I'd say by next week he's gonna explode! He'll never last not getting his word in for a whole two months, it's inevitable

Teferi wrote: »

On big game days though I will always watch RTE for the match. If you didn't watch RTE for the decider last year then you missed out on the lads going absolutely mad in the last few minutes and that passion made a lot of difference to viewers at home.

Yeah I always watch RTÉ, I think the crowd can be heard a lot better on it than BBC, which adds a lot to the game. I switched between channels yesterday for a sec during the Ireland game and BBC just sounded dead, and Ryle Nugent (I dunno why ye all think he's terrible, I enjoy his commentary ) adds more excitement to the whole game.

thomond2006

IrishKev wrote: »

Yeah I always watch RTÉ, I think the crowd can be heard a lot better on it than BBC, which adds a lot to the game. I switched between channels yesterday for a sec during the Ireland game and BBC just sounded dead,

It's the opposite for games outside of Ireland.

IrishKev

thomond2006 wrote: »

It's the opposite for games outside of Ireland.

Hmm, well thinking about it I hate watching games in Rome, they're just terrible watching (the Italian team for one, but the whole stadium I just hate) but the Stade de France sounds very good on RTÉ imo.. see what you're saying about some games, but Paris and Twickenham sound better on RTÉ than BBC I think.

d'Oracle

IrishKev wrote: »

and Ryle Nugent (I dunno why ye all think he's terrible, I enjoy his commentary ) adds more excitement to the whole game.

Because he doesn't get it and he can't open his mouth with out some overused and inappropriate clice coming out.

Aidric

BBC analysis = cardboard.
RTE analysis = take Hook out and you have some genuinely insightful analysis particularly from O' Shea.

Kenteach

I prefer the Irish analysis for most sports, the pundits call it as they see it (whether we agree with them all the time or not is another matter). Definitely getting annoyed with McGurk though, but he has that gig for as long as he wants. And I'd definitely fast track one of the other commentators, as Ryle is abysmal. I've nothing against the BBC coverage, just don't feel as 'attached' I suppose.

chupacabra

Corcoran on the radio is something else

thomond2006

RTE have done a decent webcast, available on the RTE website.

I think we have really begun an RTE crusade against the beloved Stephen Jones!

durkadurka

Sorry folks, i like ryle too, and ralphie. Remember george hamilton in his early days, talking about 'touchdowns'?
Ward seems to be gay for Bod, although that's entirely reasonable i suppose....

death1234567

d'Oracle wrote: »

Because he doesn't get it and he can't open his mouth with out some overused and inappropriate clice coming out.

+1. Nugent is terrible. Worst. commentator. ever.

Co45

I would love to see a panel composing of Gerry Thornley, George Hook and Eddie O'Sullivan. I think it would be comedy gold. Hooky and Steady Eddie constantly having swipes at each other with ice cube Thornley repeatedly coming out with one line gems.