"Favourite" Irish Olympic commentary gaffe?

lyverbird1 · 07-08-2012 05:03PM #1

Having just watched a recording of last night's athletics, I was horrified to hear a member of the commentary panel compare the ladies' shot putt winner to a former rugby colleague in terms of looks. One thing to think it but quite another to say it live on TV, especially given he's there to commentate on her sporting prowess and not her looks.

But it was just one moment for me in a litany of embarrassing moments in RTE coverage, ranging from mispronouncing names, forgetting who is who, getting clear results wrong or displaying a hideous ignorance of the rules of the sport in question. It's not all been bad, but there's been far too many mistakes and I was just wondering what other interesting errors people have seen or heard...

Darkest Horse · 07-08-2012 05:43PM

Not two minutes ago, Eamon Coughlan said that a sprinter had "shot his load".

Darkest Horse · 07-08-2012 05:45PM

Also yesterday. (Paraphrasing)

Bill: Jerry, why is it that the Kenyans have had nine medals in the men's steeplechase but only one in the women's?

Jerry: Because it only became a women's event in 2008.

yupya1 · 07-08-2012 05:47PM

It wasnt his fault that she looked like Byrne(and she did), hardly horrifying

waywardsun · 07-08-2012 05:51PM

A guest female runner said that Derval O'Rourke was in bed with her coaches.

lyverbird1 · 07-08-2012 06:05PM

yupya1 wrote: »

It wasnt his fault that she looked like Byrne(and she did), hardly horrifying

Good to know you think it's ok for a professional sports commentator to remark in such a way on an athlete's looks. He said more about her appearance than he did about the fact she had just won an Olympic gold medal. Not acceptable.

KevIRL · 07-08-2012 06:22PM

Not a gaffe, but ask a stupid question....

Day 1 of the athletics.

Bill to David Gillick

"David, you were saying there that this looks like being a fast track, what made you think that?"

David -"Well, the times Bill"

A non Irish funny moment...

Yesterday after Annalise Murphy's medal race a BBC reported went over to some celebrating Belgians on the viewing area. He asks one guy what he thinks

"Fukking unbelievable, unfukkingbeliveable, I cant fukking believe it"

Cue a red face and lots of flustered apologies from the reporter

DEFTLEFTHAND · 07-08-2012 07:16PM

During coverage of the swimming the commentators confused the abbreviation ISL as standing for Israel. In fairness after a brief pause and check of the flag both realised their mistake and apologised to the people of Iceland. :pac:

Jimmy Magee will often make wild gaffes during his inane ramblings whilst on commentary. If you notice he never calls a fight he just pollutes the airwaves with irrelevant rubbish. Lets say you were blind or listening on a radio, he doesn't paint a picture of what's happening in the ring at all.

Dan man · 07-08-2012 07:36PM

Haha....Bill just said...."That was a good swim"....he was talking about Derval's hurdles semi.

Gotta love him!

Crash · 07-08-2012 07:44PM

The 'in my day, only protestants played badminton' bit by Bill was pretty bad.

Dan man · 07-08-2012 08:11PM

YoungTrouble wrote: »

That sounds hilarious.Did you tape it?
If so,PM me for postal arrangements.

No, back in the day before I had Sky Plus.

yupya1 · 07-08-2012 09:07PM

lyverbird1 wrote: »

Good to know you think it's ok for a professional sports commentator to remark in such a way on an athlete's looks. He said more about her appearance than he did about the fact she had just won an Olympic gold medal. Not acceptable.

He made one comment that she looked similar to an old teammate of his that's it. He then went on to tell about her win.
Ok its harsh that she is a woman and his teammate he referred was male but comments or quips are made about sports people all the time, its part of greater coverage and sport turning to "entertainment" probably wrongly in my opinion but unacceptable or horrifying?

Are you horrified when say, Wayne Rooney is called Shrek or that Linford Christy has a big lunch box?
Are you horrified about any comment made about a sports person that does not directly relate to their sport? or just their appearance?

Or are you horrified that he said it... and that you had thought it?

feargale · 07-08-2012 09:23PM

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

During coverage of the swimming the commentators confused the abbreviation ISL as standing for Israel. In fairness after a brief pause and check of the flag both realised their mistake and apologised to the people of Iceland. :pac:

Jimmy Magee will often make wild gaffes during his inane ramblings whilst on commentary. I,f you notice he never calls a fight he just pollutes the airwaves with irrelevant rubbish. Lets say you were blind or listening on a radio, he doesn't paint a picture of what's happening in the ring at all.

You think that's bad ? A few years ago I saw Togo play in the African nations football finals. The abbreviation TOG appeared on screen and the Eurosport commentator thought he was watching Tonga. In one London bout Jimmy started an Irish boxer's opponent as from Tajikstan and transferred him to Afghanistan half way through. I blame the geography teachers.

A Disgrace · 07-08-2012 10:06PM

lyverbird1 wrote: »

Good to know you think it's ok for a professional sports commentator to remark in such a way on an athlete's looks. He said more about her appearance than he did about the fact she had just won an Olympic gold medal. Not acceptable.

It could also have been a not-so-subtle comment questioning her gender, which tbh had me wondering (and anyone else who watched it)

I think you might to lighten up a little, we live in an increasing politically correct world, and it's good to have a little fun sometimes

Pherekydes · 07-08-2012 10:29PM

A Disgrace wrote: »

It could also have been a not-so-subtle comment questioning her gender, which tbh had me wondering (and anyone else who watched it)

I think you might to lighten up a little, we live in an increasing politically correct world, and it's good to have a little fun sometimes

At the expense of somebody else's mother?

A Disgrace · 07-08-2012 10:31PM

Pherekydes wrote: »

At the expense of somebody else's mother?

He just said she looked like someone - and she does. He didn't call her a man or anything.

Naomi00 · 07-08-2012 10:47PM

During the sailing the RTE commentator kept saying 'the Chinese girl','the Belgian girl' and 'the Dutch girl' even though their names were on the screen.

The commentating on RTE is cringy, they don't seem to know anything about some sports.

Conchir · 07-08-2012 10:53PM

Jimmy Magee commentating on a fight a couple of nights ago. He said about the black boxer's bright yellow boots, 'if there's a blackout in London tonight, you won't miss him with those boots.' After a pause, 'you mightn't see the rest of him, though.'

It was one of those 'did that just happen' moments, but yes, it did. Video in the link: http://www.balls.ie/2012/08/03/jimmy-magees-casual-racism/

baalthor · 07-08-2012 10:53PM

A Disgrace wrote: »

It could also have been a not-so-subtle comment questioning her gender, which tbh had me wondering (and anyone else who watched it)

I think you might to lighten up a little, we live in an increasing politically correct world, and it's good to have a little fun sometimes

The Paralympics are up next, no doubt you'll wet your pants laughing :rolleyes:

byhookorbycrook · 07-08-2012 10:57PM

Crash wrote: »

The 'in my day, only protestants played badminton' bit by Bill was pretty bad.

There was a guy from History Ireland (I think) in Newstalk today talking about this. Apparently someone researched the small ad on the irish Times and up to the mid seventies Protestant badminton clubs advertised as such on the Times looking for new members.So,a gaffe now in PC and more modern times, but somewhat understandable perhaps for someone of Bill's age.

DEFTLEFTHAND · 08-08-2012 03:05AM

Conchir wrote: »

Jimmy Magee commentating on a fight a couple of nights ago. He said about the black boxer's bright yellow boots, 'if there's a blackout in London tonight, you won't miss him with those boots.' After a pause, 'you mightn't see the rest of him, though.'

It was one of those 'did that just happen' moments, but yes, it did. Video in the link: http://www.balls.ie/2012/08/03/jimmy-magees-casual-racism/

He has prior form in this regard. I remember during a football game he was working on a black player took a ball to the face. Magee's reaction was to wonder whether his lips would swell up even bigger.

WumBuster · 08-08-2012 05:27AM

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

He has prior form in this regard. I remember during a football game he was working on a black player took a ball to the face. Magee's reaction was to wonder whether his lips would swell up even bigger.

I like his personality but I think he's awful as commentator. he dosent describe whats going on enough only going off in tangents with pointless information. Heard Marty Morrissey commentating on one of the fights on the radio and he's much better and is much more in the moment, even if his boxing knowledge isnt quite as good as Magees.

ciaranmac · 08-08-2012 01:51PM

Not my favourite but Mick Dowling describing John Joe Nevin as "a good thinker ... with a T H".

I think my favourite gaffe was George Hamilton on a friendly between Ireland and the Netherlands in the 90s. One of the Dutch players was called Valckx and George referred to him all through the match as "Vollocks". "Koeman passes to Vollocks, yes that is his real name, to Frank de Boer..."

A Primal Nut · 08-08-2012 02:23PM

Jimmy Magee is some craic.

"I asked Lennox Lewis for a comment on Katie Taylor and he summed her up in one sentence: she boxes like a man".

Katie Taylor is in sat nav. (did he mean cruise control?)

"This young lady from Bray, woman from Bray, or is it lady from Bray, I'm not sure?"

A Disgrace · 08-08-2012 02:59PM

baalthor wrote: »

The Paralympics are up next, no doubt you'll wet your pants laughing :rolleyes:

Jesus, no. Why on earth would you compare the two?

CecilBlunt · 08-08-2012 07:23PM

More Jimme from today: If you're watching Katie live or later on DVD.

Conchir · 08-08-2012 09:51PM

Not a gaffe strictly speaking, but Timmy McCarthy's commentating on the basketball is fantastic:

http://www.balls.ie/2012/08/01/timmy-mccarthys-amazing-basketball-commentary-for-usa-vs-tunisia/

Boom-shakalaka.

LiamMc · 09-08-2012 03:12PM

WumBuster wrote: »

I like his personality but I think he's awful as commentator. he dosent describe whats going on enough only going off in tangents with pointless information. Heard Marty Morrissey commentating on one of the fights on the radio and he's much better and is much more in the moment, even if his boxing knowledge isnt quite as good as Magees.

Unfortunately Marty has a notorious quote under his belt aswell.
About 8 or maybe 12 years ago when interviewing the mother of one of the boxers about the athletes childhood " and did he ever lay his hands on you?".
There were complaints.

mitosis · 09-08-2012 03:17PM

Conchir wrote: »

Jimmy Magee commentating on a fight a couple of nights ago. He said about the black boxer's bright yellow boots, 'if there's a blackout in London tonight, you won't miss him with those boots.' After a pause, 'you mightn't see the rest of him, though.'

It was one of those 'did that just happen' moments, but yes, it did. Video in the link: http://www.balls.ie/2012/08/03/jimmy-magees-casual-racism/

It's not racism - the guy IS black and would be hard to see in the dark. Why make more of it than it is. Have people nothing else to do?

mitosis · 09-08-2012 03:26PM

You need to appreciate these people are on for hours at a time, most of it unscripted. I shudder to think what I'd be like in those circumstances.

I might be like a British TV person

"Chile have three options - they could win or they could lose."

“Have you, like this case, been in hospital, denied a drink of water and consequently died. Let us know…”

"That's cricket, Harry, you get these sort of things in boxing."

"That's the fastest time ever run - but it's not as fast as the world record."

Pherekydes · 09-08-2012 05:01PM

"Her head's the same size as when she was a child"

"Favourite" Irish Olympic commentary gaffe?

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