I can't take it anymore???

Question

It is the my first season with NHL Center Ice and I just can't handle these announcers. Some of them are such big homers. For instance, I watched the Flyers/Canes game tonight and every single Cane penalty was absurd and every Flyer hit should have been a penalty. It is like I am paying to watch the game with an opposing fan. Cripes morons, JUST CALL THE GAME. I can even live with the extra excitement they will show when their team scores but call the game accordingly, not like some HOMER.

I know I have a mute button but I am kind of half watching and half listening. Some teams, I must say do an OK job but there are a few that have no right to be on the air. They are stunned.

Anyone else find this to be the case?

LITY- Sounds like a good idea at face value but isn't there like an internet delay that would skew it?

Zap- Just bad all around for the most part. Annoys me to death. Glad to see I am not just being difficult.

TDR- Yeah, Jeanerett is not a homer. He is the King of Homers.

Shotgun- Yes, they are not all bad. Some are very good. Actually, baseball is no different, a few good (Atlanta) but mostly bad (SD)

Answer 1

Welcome to my nightmare. It's not even the homerism that will ultimately set you off. Most of these guys are just flat bad. Some can't pronounce a visitor's name or call the right number half the time.

Others, like the Canes guys, are living on their own planet. I don't even know who the hell that kid is, but he's one awful name dropper without much else to offer. I did think of you when he gave props to Hatcher for his hockey sense because, as he put it, "I grew up with Derian in Michigan".

The Caps' Craig Laughlin is just as bad, although I think his voice is what sets me off. The Bruins have 8 people covering a game, although Brickley and Pederson aren't too bad. Milbury? Koo-koo.

Once you get past the announcing, consider how bad some of the feeds are. Did you notice how dark the video feed was from Montreal? Looked like half the lights were out.

Complaints aside, I'd be stuck watching the Kings all season if not for Center Ice. So, I guess I'll be thankful for being spared that torture and look forward to some 'holy jumpin's from Darren Pang to offset Terry Crisp's continuous assassination of the English language.

Answer 2

I know it doesn't happen all the time but it does happen a lot because games are packaged for the local market and so announcers are playing to the local fans. And it's hard not to do as an announcer. I did play by play for two years for TV when I was in college and since every game we were covering the same team you start to take the point of view of the fans you know are out there. It might be different if you did different teams every game like there is with the extra games on TSN or like Monday Night Football. Otherwise, familiarity and the knowledge of who your audience is tends to temper how you call the game

Answer 3

If it is a local team game....here's what I do.

Put the TV on mute, and then turn on AM sports Radio. Most of the time the radio announcers are much more animated, and call it how they see it because people listening are usually not watching the game.

If it is not a local team game, invite a friend over and drink a lot more than usual.

Answer 4

as a pens fan in the DC area, i do not have this problem. yeah, sometimes it can go in favor of one team or another, but my boy Mike Lang of Penguins radio is always fair and entertaining.

btw, a good suggestion might be to bring up the radio broadcast via NHL.com, you get the team you want for the game you choose, but realize that if you try to mix it with center ice, the audio will be like 30 seconds off.

the audio will be 30 seconds off regardless, but at least then you can enjoy the commentary, right?

Answer 5

Bob..............I feel for you...........but look at my situation. Chicago has no televised games.........every game I watch, I am subjected to having to listen to the opposition's broadcasters.

Tonight I had to listen to Bob Cole. I like Bob, so it was ok. But when we play Nashville or St. Louis....I just want to throw a rock at the TV to shut them up.

However, may I offer an alternative?

You watch the game on Centre Ice
You listen to the game on NHL.com

NHL Centre Ice chooses ONE of the two feeds to show.
NHL.com gives you the option of listening to either broadcast. So, I now 'listen' to the radio broadcast while 'watching' NHL Centre Ice. It's not perfect, but when Chicago scores, I want to hear excitement from the announcer, not have the goal sound like it was a huge mistake.

Answer 6

Believe it or not Bob, it gets worse. There have been many games that I wanted to watch but had to switch to another game because of where the broadcast emanated from and the EXTREME homerisms of the announcers. I could name names but from fear of being tarred and feathered, I will refrain.

Answer 7

Being from Buffalo, I am biased, because we are spoiled here with Rick J, but now we have to deal with Harry, and that is down right like pulling teeth.

I have always found national announcers to be boring and very slanted towards certain teams, and anti other teams.

Answer 8

is it that complicated? it ain't rocket science. you are picking up broadcasts from the local team. you are getting the announcers that are paid by the local team. therefore they are paid to be homers. it has been that way forever in every sport with the exception of nfl football.

Answer 9

I know how ya feel...There's really no one better than Doc Emrick.

Answer 10

your in one HELL of a ranting rage lately lol.





LITY- Smart! good idea. you rock.. lol.