Rant: RTÉ Coverage of the Olympics

The Volt · 24-08-2008 02:51PM #1

1. Jimmy McGee

He WRECKED my head this morning. Ugh

He just seems to think he has to talk over every second, about absolute rubbish.

"He's done RTÉ proud today"

"Two cities beginning with a B, Beijing and Barcelona."

Surely there's someone fresher and more worthy of a dream job for many. Aspiring to be a broadcaster myself he's a right pain whether he's doing The Premiership or The Olympics.

2. Tracy Piggott

What is she even doing on an Irish broadcast? If I wanted to watch English presenters I'd switch to the BBC

3. Bill

Knows nothing about Sailing, Rowing etc.

"Now explain for the viewers at home exactly what that means"

RTÉ Get your act together.

Rant over.

24-08-2008 02:54PM

Bill is a legend!

ewj1978 · 24-08-2008 02:55PM

tbh I thought some of the presenting in the 7pm show was very good, truthfully I've seen none of the late night live stuff, so's i can't comment on tracy but they guy who was commenting on the swimming was brill.

Rockee · 24-08-2008 02:55PM

Voltwad wrote: »

1. Jimmy McGee

He WRECKED my head this morning. Ugh

He just seems to think he has to talk over every second, about absolute rubbish.

"He's done RTÉ proud today"

"Two cities beginning with a B, Beijing and Barcelona."

Surely there's someone fresher and more worthy of a dream job for many. Aspiring to be a broadcaster myself he's a right pain whether he's doing The Premiership or The Olympics.

Or during Kenny Egans semi-final the other day when he started listing off the 'Great irish Olympians' He mentioned one 'Waye McCullough who won a silver in 1952.' :eek::eek:

Funny that, I remember watching Wayne McCullough win that medal on the TV. Am I that old?

The Volt · 24-08-2008 02:55PM

Deleted User wrote: »

Bill is a legend!

I enjoy RTÉ's analysis of Soccer as much as the next guy but the line's drawn there for me.

Dave! · 24-08-2008 02:56PM

Jimmy Magee should just F*CK OFF! I hate him. There's a thread in Radio... or maybe TV... and the general sentiment is that he just talks sh*te all the time, and should retire.

ewj1978 · 24-08-2008 02:56PM

Rockee wrote: »

Or during Kenny Egans semi-final the other day when he started listing off the 'Great irish Olympians' He mentioned one 'Waye McCullough who won a silver in 1952.' :eek::eek:

Funny that, I remember watching Wayne McCullough win that medal on the TV. Am I that old?

ah senility where would we be without it... no seriously where am I?

taidghbaby · 24-08-2008 03:00PM

well if it werent for jimmy i wouldn now know theres two cities begining with b......

oh wait now belfast, brussells........:o

The Volt · 24-08-2008 03:00PM

Rockee wrote: »

He mentioned one 'Waye McCullough who won a silver in 1952.'

Ironic, The Memory Man my bum

24-08-2008 03:01PM

I thought their coverage was pretty good overall tbh.

Jimmy Magee is a head wrecker though. He talks sum serious s**** just for the sake of talking ! Theres an easy solution though- MUTE BUTTON !:D

ewj1978 · 24-08-2008 03:02PM

Voltwad wrote: »

Ironic, The Memory Man my bum

no really he's got a great memory its just up muddled....

dr.bollocko · 24-08-2008 03:05PM

Just watching it right now, apparently the Thing won a gold medal for Ireland.
Who is that dewd?

cabra64 · 24-08-2008 03:05PM

Kenny Cunningham come out with "Go Go Gadget Legs" to describe Messi going around some brazilian midfielder the other day! i nearly fell off the sofa! Dangerous Descriptive Skills.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 24-08-2008 03:06PM

Voltwad wrote: »

1. Jimmy McGee

"Now explain for the viewers at home exactly what that means"
.

In fairness, any of the viewers who know what that means are watching on a different channel...

Ruu_Old · 24-08-2008 03:16PM

Jimmy McGee has been a sufferer of diarrhoea of the mouth for a long time now.

connundrum · 24-08-2008 03:22PM

Can't believe no one has mentioned yer man Tim McCarthy who was commentating on basketball. I actually was gonna throw the frickin tv out the window listening to him.

Stuck with the beeb for most of the coverage.

I would watch the RTE coverage inthe morning sometimes, only to come in for the evening show to see the same guests in, being asked the same questions by a different presenter.

Gary O'Toole on swimming was spot on btw.

Zaph · 24-08-2008 03:22PM

I think part of the problem with the boxing over the last few days is that they used Magee's commentary on Radio 1, and he obviously felt the need to talk loads to ensure there was no dead air. Unfortunately this was to the detriment of the tv commentary and I'd imagine it sounded even worse on radio. Never thought he was much of a commentator, even when he was at his "peak" 20-odd years ago. He's 73 now, time to pension him off before he spoils the 2012 Olympics for us, although I wouldn't be surprised if he wanted to hang around for that and then retired.

The Volt · 24-08-2008 03:24PM

More of this

Al_Fernz · 24-08-2008 03:25PM

Voltwad wrote: »

2. Tracy Piggott

What is she even doing on an Irish broadcast? If I wanted to watch English presenters I'd switch to the BBC

3. Bill

Knows nothing about Sailing, Rowing etc.

"Now explain for the viewers at home exactly what that means"

RTÉ Get your act together.

Rant over.

RTE have to structure their coverage to satisfy as much viewers as possible.

Tracy Piggott was hired because she's a competent presenter. Her nationality isn't an issue to the majority of people who tune into RTE's coverage. I don't think RTE should recruit their presenters based on the preferences of a xenophobic few.

Bill O'Herlihy is RTE's best presenter. His empathy makes him the best. His questions are a reflection of what kind of analysis the majority of viewers want to hear. Most RTE viewers would be unable to grasp any in depth analysis into obscure sports like sailing and rowing. Basic analysis means that more viewers stay tuned in.

You can't satisfy everybody. If you don't like the coverage turn off the TV or switch to the BBC. Demand dictates the type of coverage these events receive.

shels08 · 24-08-2008 03:26PM

:D:DJimmy's a legend:D:D:D

The Volt · 24-08-2008 03:26PM

Al_Fernz wrote: »

RTE have to structure their coverage to satisfy as much viewers as possible.

+1

spadder · 24-08-2008 04:09PM

Jimmy is a great boxing commentator and a gentleman. I met him in kerry a while back, he had great time for the kids and everyone he met.

FlutterinBantam · 24-08-2008 06:14PM

Zaph wrote: »

I think part of the problem with the boxing over the last few days is that they used Magee's commentary on Radio 1, and he obviously felt the need to talk loads to ensure there was no dead air. Unfortunately this was to the detriment of the tv commentary and I'd imagine it sounded even worse on radio. Never thought he was much of a commentator, even when he was at his "peak" 20-odd years ago. He's 73 now, time to pension him off before he spoils the 2012 Olympics for us, although I wouldn't be surprised if he wanted to hang around for that and then retired.

Is a pigs pussy pork????

Mossy Monk · 24-08-2008 06:49PM

Voltwad wrote: »

2. Tracy Piggott

What is she even doing on an Irish broadcast? If I wanted to watch English presenters I'd switch to the BBC

I realised that the post was nothing but a load of **** when I read that. Nice try though. Be careful you don't bump into any foreigners in real life. Cannot have you being upset.

Handsome Bob · 24-08-2008 07:10PM

It would be interesting to see an official count of the amount of times he was confused in regards to which one was John Joe Joyce and which one was John Joe Nevin, Memory Man my ass.:pac:

Toto Wolfcastle · 24-08-2008 07:40PM

Jimmy Magee was commentating on a boxing match the other day and although the USA weren't actually competing he still managed to mention that they were a couple of times.

I wouldn't expect Bill to know a lot about every sport tbh. I find that sometimes he even struggles with the soccer! And anyway, not everyone watching would know about all the sports so it's the duty of the presenter to make sure things are clearly explained. That said I don't really like Bill!

I really enjoyed a lot of RTE's coverage. I loved listening to Sonia, although Jerry whatshisface and Eamonn Coughlan are complete asshats.

I loved Bernard Dunne and Andy Lee on the boxing, and I thought Katie did a good enough job too.

My favourite has to be Gary O' Toole. He really knows his stuff and is a pleasure to listen to.

I've said it elsewhere on boards: George Hamilton annoyed the crap out of me today at the closing ceremony with his lovey-dovey 'flame of joy lingers in their hearts' crap.

Fulton Crown · 24-08-2008 08:06PM

Al_Fernz wrote: »

You can't satisfy everybody. If you don't like the coverage turn off the TV or switch to the BBC. Demand dictates the type of coverage these events receive.

A tad Trite Al if I may say so - the poster is entitled to his opinion - Magee was high as a kite on his own verbosity and a clear case of the fan getting carried away - instead of a more professional approach.

That Lemon O'Muirceartaig who does the GAA suffers from the same syndrome - is it a coincidence that he is over 70 as well...

Always know when your time is up - leave gracefully...make way for the new order.

Mossy Monk · 24-08-2008 08:37PM

Fulton Crown wrote: »

That Lemon O'Muirceartaig who does the GAA suffers from the same syndrome - is it a coincidence that he is over 70 as well...

I would much rather listen to commentary that has some personality.

Red Alert · 24-08-2008 08:47PM

Who actually thinks Tracey Piggot is a decent commentator? She should like Beverly Cooper Flynn with a british accent!

dr.bollocko · 24-08-2008 08:50PM

Red Alert wrote: »

Who actually thinks Tracey Piggot is a decent commentator? She should like Beverly Cooper Flynn with a british accent!

I think she's generally inoffensive but can comes across as bland or banal or like she has a rod up her arse next to the rest of the Irish male RTE clowns.

Al_Fernz · 24-08-2008 09:06PM

Fulton Crown wrote: »

A tad Trite Al if I may say so - the poster is entitled to his opinion

Did I say otherwise?

RTE can justify their coverage of the games based on their viewing figures. If it causes you such annoyance then turn off your TV. You aren't being forced to watch it.

Rant: RTÉ Coverage of the Olympics

Comments