Request for Fee

BeHappy · Apr 6, 2008

We all know you personally know Justin Gimelstob.

We all like Justin Gimelstob too.

Could you please respectfully suggest to him to maybe stop trying so hard and to just relax and be himself when he's commentating?

Maybe not talk quite so much or so excitedly?

Give honest analysis of what he sees happening on the court, ie, the how the point went etc.

This is in no maybe meant to be sarcastic or insulting, I genuinely like the guy, I followed his career and watched him whenever I could.He was hilarious on Leno and whenever I heard him speak for that mater.

If you don't feel comfortable saying this to him that's fine, I just thought I'd give it a shot.

Fee · Apr 6, 2008

Perhaps he is being himself.

If you have an issue with his commentating, you can write to his bosses at Fox Sports or at The Tennis Channel, or you can go to his blog at SI.com and write to him there.

Mike Danger · Apr 6, 2008

Drivelstop

BeHappy · Apr 6, 2008

Fee said:
Perhaps he is being himself.

If you have an issue with his commentating, you can write to his bosses at Fox Sports or at The Tennis Channel, or you can go to his blog at SI.com and write to him there.

It looks like you've taken this the wrong way, and I was really hoping you wouldn't.I genuinely like the guy and want him to be successful, if you aren't comfortable broaching this to him then that's fine.

MEAC_ALLAMERICAN · Apr 6, 2008

I don't think she is taking it the wrong way, but she knows Justin on a personal level, on a professional level she is suggesting that you make complaints to the ones that actually pay him.

That's what I got from it. :-?

BeHappy · Apr 6, 2008

MEAC_ALLAMERICAN said:
I don't think she is taking it the wrong way, but she knows Justin on a personal level, on a professional level she is suggesting that you make complaints to the ones that actually pay him.

That's what I got from it. :-?

I hope your right, the first line seemed a bit cold though.

Fee · Apr 6, 2008

Word MEAC, you got it exactly.

Let me put it in simple terms - no, I will not get in the middle of this. You have a message/input/criticism or whatever for Justin YOU deliver it to him (and make sure you sign your full name and city).

The first line was factual - perhaps he is being himself. I did not have any Fox coverage for Miami (2-6 am doesnt count), so I don't know what he did there. The Justin I know is kind of hyper, kind of talkative, especially when it comes to tennis. Sound familiar?

Fee · Apr 6, 2008

Thanks MEAC.

For the record, I love Justin dearly. His friendship is precious to me, he treats me with respect and he spoils me. He ranks almost right up there with my family amongst the important things in my life.

Not sure how every member of this forum would feel to see so much smack talked about someone equally important to them, but Justin is a public figure and people have a right to their opinions, so I have done my best to stay out of it. My only desire is to correct misinformation when I see it, and I haven't seen any around here lately.

With that said, I think it is best if I leave this thread now. If there is anything specific that I should answer to, come to the 'Bistro' thread and let me know.

BeHappy · Apr 6, 2008

Fee said:
Thanks MEAC.

For the record, I love Justin dearly. His friendship is precious to me, he treats me with respect and he spoils me. He ranks almost right up there with my family amongst the important things in my life.

Not sure how every member of this forum would feel to see so much smack talked about someone equally important to them, but Justin is a public figure and people have a right to their opinions, so I have done my best to stay out of it. My only desire is to correct misinformation when I see it, and I haven't seen any around here lately.

With that said, I think it is best if I leave this thread now. If there is anything specific that I should answer to, come to the 'Bistro' thread and let me know.

That's why I didn't want you to take this the wrong way, I wouldn't like people insulting my friends and I didn't want you to think I was.

daddy · Apr 6, 2008

I know I am not the one to talk about this but I can understand her for not wanting to get in the middle of anything. If I was you I would ask the forum members ( not member ) to provide his email or any other way to contact him so I could tell him what I think. Also I doubt talking to whoever pays him would be apropriate action as you know that this will not make any changes at least not recently.

Tshooter · Apr 6, 2008

The guy sucks. And that's apart from the annoying Jersey accent.
I agree with the response though. Contact the people that hired him. Obviously (I think) he's not trying to suck, he just does. That TC uses him over Shiras and/or Arias or any of the team they use in Europe is crazy.

Tshooter · Apr 6, 2008

"but Justin is a public figure and people have a right to their opinions, so I have done my best to stay out of it."

Exactly. I doubt anyone is attacking him personally just his on tube performance.

aceroberts13 · Apr 7, 2008

I don't think it is fee's responsibility to handle this. Just because she knows JG. Like she said you need to file a complaint. Justin hasn't been providing legendary coverage by any means, but he's just a retired tennis player with no broadcast journalism degree. Give him a break.

Azzurri · Apr 7, 2008

For someone BRAND NEW to this commentating business, I thought he handled himself very well. I like that he is a bit different then your typical broadcaster. Why anyone would ask FEE for a "favor" and personally speak to Justin and tell him he sucks is absolutely RIDICULOUS.

Netbudda · Apr 7, 2008

BeHappy said:
Could you please respectfully suggest to him to maybe stop trying so hard and to just relax and be himself when he's commentating?

What makes you feel he is not being himself ? Do you know the guy ? This is just crazy, you want her to deliver your "personal" opinion to one of her friends. Talk about putting her in a crappy situation. Did you stop to think that she might not have the same opinion you do ?

justsomeguy · Apr 7, 2008

Wow, am I really the only one that enjoys JG? I really like the guy. So nice to get a fresh voice in there, and being on tour so recently gives him a ton of insight, facts, and opinions that I just don't hear from the other commentators.

It was like when AA sat in for the Rod match at last years USO. It was cool to hear talk of Fed and Rod from someone with first hand experience.

I hope he has a long broadcasting career. He will only get better.

P.S. Bring Andre back as well!

Djokovicfan4life · Apr 7, 2008

Maybe you could teach him how to say the words "strength" and "forward."

LeftyServe · Apr 7, 2008

You know, he's relatively new at this....I happen to think he's doing a great job...even his awkwardly "inappropriate" comment to Maria Kirilenko about her legs during the Australian was far less obnoxious than the standard noise that's been coming from Mary Carillo for years...

Djokovicfan4life · Apr 7, 2008

LeftyServe said:
You know, he's relatively new at this....I happen to think he's doing a great job...even his awkwardly "inappropriate" comment to Maria Kirilenko about her legs during the Australian was far less obnoxious than the standard noise that's been coming from Mary Carillo for years...

What inappropriate comment?

Rhino · Apr 7, 2008

You too could've known JustinG. When everyone else was targeting Federer and Roddick for autographs, Fee went for JG. I remember a fan seeing Fernando Gonzalez in a kind of big trailer at a tournament. The trailer was full of ATP or tournament people (I guess), Fernando, and also there was JG. The fan walked straight in, handed their camera to JG and said "excuse me mate, could you please take a picture of me and Gonzalez"? JG was really uptight about not being recognized and treated like that instead of a 'tennis star'. The guy had years on the tour being a nobody, this is his moment, let him taste a bit of the glory. So long as he never commentates in Europe I don't care

heycal · Apr 7, 2008

Rhino said:
You too could've known JustinG. When everyone else was targeting Federer and Roddick for autographs, Fee went for JG.

Excellent analysis, Rhino. It's similar to what a buddy of mine would call "playing the margins" when trying to pick up girls. If you target the less attractive ones instead of the prettiest chick in the room that everyone else is after, you'll have a better chance of scoring.

hollywood9826 · Apr 7, 2008

I have not watched any of his commentating. But usually whenever the advice "Be yourself" is thrown out it is because they see him on TV as a player and giving interviews is different than being the man with the mic.

Luke Jensen for instance is completely different in person than when he is on camera. But he cant demolish ribs from applebees on camera now can he

Fee you can tell Justin this though. Retire from commentating and go back on tour. I wanna see him diving all over the place again. he may not have been #1 but he was one of the most entertaing dewds out there.

SteveI · Apr 7, 2008

slappano said:
For someone BRAND NEW to this commentating business, I thought he handled himself very well. I like that he is a bit different then your typical broadcaster. Why anyone would ask FEE for a "favor" and personally speak to Justin and tell him he sucks is absolutely RIDICULOUS.

Slappano,

I agree.. and BTW in the men's final on CBS Mary C. and Mary Jo talked over one complete game. They are not new to the "commentating business". Justin is a fresh, new voice.. give the guy a break. I like his energy. If we had more folks with that sort of energy and passion for the game in the USA, many of us would have not been watching most of a very major USA tennis event on-line. Just my 2 cent for today!

Steve

heycal · Apr 7, 2008

I guess I'm in a minority here, but I barely notice the commentators in the few matches I have a chance to watch. They generally all seem fine to me.

Fee · Apr 7, 2008

heycal said:
Excellent analysis, Rhino. It's similar to what a buddy of mine would call "playing the margins" when trying to pick up girls. If you target the less attractive ones instead of the prettiest chick in the room that everyone else is after, you'll have a better chance of scoring.

I never targeted anyone and I never asked Justin for an autograph, but I understand that some might need to believe that. It's odd that Justin and I became friends considering that I HATED him the first time I met him in 2002. A year later when Justin decided to be a nicer person, I was already friends with Jan-Michael anyway so I didn't really care. Justin gave me his email address and asked me to keep in touch, but I didn't even contact him for a few months because I didn't know him that well and didn't feel comfortable writing to him. I'm glad I got over that eventually.

DjokoFan, to answer your question, during the AO broadcast Justin did a remote interview with Kirilenko after a match (she had headphones on, was not face to face with them). She said something about working with a new trainer to make her legs stronger and Justin said it must be working because he had noticed her legs the other day and they looked great. I laughed out loud when he said it, but then noticed the look on Maria's face (it was kind of strange, hard to describe). I asked him about that and he swears that Maria saw him an hour or so later and thanked him for complimenting her on TV.

Cfidave · Apr 7, 2008

He never really made it as a profesional tennis player, and I doubt he will make it as a tennis announcer. He is way to partial to his idol, Roddick, and comes across completely biased to any American. He needs to talk less, be more accurate, and stop giving bad advice during play. After two days of him on Fox, I muted the sound, just could not take anymore.

Rhino · Apr 7, 2008

Fee said:
I never targeted anyone and I never asked Justin for an autograph, but I understand that some might need to believe that. It's odd that Justin and I became friends considering that I HATED him the first time I met him in 2002. A year later when Justin decided to be a nicer person, I was already friends with Jan-Michael anyway so I didn't really care. Justin gave me his email address and asked me to keep in touch, but I didn't even contact him for a few months because I didn't know him that well and didn't feel comfortable writing to him. I'm glad I got over that eventually.

Trust me, the posters on here who really know players (i.e. not from hanging out at tournaments so that they can meet players and then bask in it on message boards) never speak of it, but I understand that some might need to believe that.

Azzurri · Apr 7, 2008

heycal said:
Excellent analysis, Rhino. It's similar to what a buddy of mine would call "playing the margins" when trying to pick up girls. If you target the less attractive ones instead of the prettiest chick in the room that everyone else is after, you'll have a better chance of scoring.

Was your buddy a big fan of the movie "Beautiful Mind"?

Fee · Apr 7, 2008

Rhino, you've followed me around this forum for two years trying to belittle my friendships with Justin and Jan-Michael, calling me all kinds of names for no reason, etc, etc, etc. Why is that?

I knew when I went to bed last night that you absolutely could not resist a thread with my name in the title. I was upfront with my connection to JMG because of my website (back when it was still up), I was upfront about my connection the Justin from the beginning because I believe I quoted him as a source for some info way back when.

MEAC_ALLAMERICAN · Apr 7, 2008

Fee said:
Rhino, you've followed me around this forum for two years trying to belittle my friendships with Justin and Jan-Michael, calling me all kinds of names for no reason, etc, etc, etc. Why is that?

I knew when I went to bed last night that you absolutely could not resist a thread with my name in the title.

Rhino has been picking on you? :evil:

Sir Rhino, we're going to need to converse as to why you are picking on Fee.

Fee · Apr 7, 2008

MEAC_ALLAMERICAN said:
Rhino has been picking on you? :evil:

Sir Rhino, we're going to need to converse as to why you are picking on Fee.

It doesn't bother me MEAC, I've had him on ignore for a long time, but this time curiosity got the best of me. I mean really, why does he care?

Azzurri · Apr 7, 2008

I love reading some posters comments that JG and some other former players don't know strategy or what is going on...GIVE ME A BREAK. JG has been a PROFESSIONAL TENNIS PLAYER ON THE ATP TOUR for years! The will beat anyone on this forum NO PROBLEM. Its a joke to read how he doesn't know sh$t..

FEE: next time you email him, please link him to this thread so he can have a good laugh at all the wanna-be, non-professional, 3.5 players on this board that claim to know more about tennis than an ex-pro who is obviously bright and knows a thing or two about the professional game from his vast experience of...gee, I don't know..from PLAYING.

JG seems like a fun guy and is probably the life of the party..do I think he talks too much about Roddick? Yes. But he is best friends with the guy. If your best friend was a top player on the tour you would talk about him too. While I am not a fan of Roddick's, I understand JG loyalty to his friend and respect that. I am the same way. You would be too.

MEAC_ALLAMERICAN · Apr 7, 2008

Fee said:
It doesn't bother me MEAC, I've had him on ignore for a long time, but this time curiosity got the best of me. I mean really, why does he care?

I think he has an online crush on you.

But he will respond and let you know what's really going down.

Rhino · Apr 7, 2008

MEAC_ALLAMERICAN said:
Rhino has been picking on you? :evil:

Sir Rhino, we're going to need to converse as to why you are picking on Fee.

dude, i can only ever remember making a quip or two ever... but I must have really hit a sensitive area if she still remembers it. I mean it's generally Phil I go for because he is almost fun to wrestle with.

Fee · Apr 7, 2008

Rhino said:
I just speak the truth. I don't pick on you, when have I ever called you names??! I just think the posters here deserve to at least read facts wherever possible. Then again, I've also realized it's not worth trying to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and annoys the pig.

But really - trust me - there are actually true friends of some players on here, but they aren't looking for any fame by association.

...and please stop thinking about me when you go to bed.

Okay, so what you are saying is that you don't believe that Justin and I (or Jan-Michael and I) are friends. Fair enough. That's your choice, and I don't need you to believe me. The 'facts' that you tried to present earlier in this thread are wrong. I met both of them the same way, working at a tournament. So how about you let me present the facts of MY life, especially since you don't know me.

If anyone else has any questions and would like to discuss it with me, please feel free to do so openly in this forum. I have nothing to hide with either of those friendships. I felt it was best to disclose my connection to them early on and to always state my bias upfront in relevant posts. Maybe it wasn't necessary to do that.

Frodo Baggins · Apr 7, 2008

Fee

Wanna know why Justin an You Became Friends!! I know why>Justin Was Jealous of your friendship with Jan Micheal..Not that hard To Figure out

Cute very cute!!! (Eeek If That or When It Happins to me I'll be running):shock

but i'll Secretly enjoy it!!!)

Rhino · Apr 7, 2008

Fee said:
Okay, so what you are saying is that you don't believe that Justin and I (or Jan-Michael and I) are friends. Fair enough. That's your choice, and I don't need you to believe me. The 'facts' that you tried to present earlier in this thread are wrong. I met both of them the same way, working at a tournament. So how about you let me present the facts of MY life, especially since you don't know me.

If anyone else has any questions and would like to discuss it with me, please feel free to do so openly in this forum. I have nothing to hide with either of those friendships. I felt it was best to disclose my connection to them early on and to always state my bias upfront in relevant posts. Maybe it wasn't necessary to do that.

Sorry, I love you really.

Fee · Apr 7, 2008

Frodo Baggins said:
Fee Wanna know why Justin an You Became Friends!! I know why>Justin Was Jealous of your friendship with Jan Micheal..Not that hard To Figure out Cute very cute!!! (Eeek If That or When It Happins to me I'll be running):shockbut i'll Secretly enjoy it!!!)

Nooooooo Do NOT go there. Those two have been 'rivals' with each other since they were about 14 years old. rofl I don't think Justin really knew or cared about JMG, I think we just got along well.

Leelord337 · Apr 7, 2008

BeHappy said:
We all know you personally know Justin Gimelstob.

We all like Justin Gimelstob too.

Could you please respectfully suggest to him to maybe stop trying so hard and to just relax and be himself when he's commentating?

Maybe not talk quite so much or so excitedly?

Give honest analysis of what he sees happening on the court, ie, the how the point went etc.

This is in no maybe meant to be sarcastic or insulting, I genuinely like the guy, I followed his career and watched him whenever I could.He was hilarious on Leno and whenever I heard him speak for that mater.

If you don't feel comfortable saying this to him that's fine, I just thought I'd give it a shot.

*Completely Agree with you* it seems like he is trying too hard. Just compare him to the veteran commentators like the british masters series commentators on TTC. I have to strap in and buckle up before i listen to gimelstob commentate...he is the Rachael Ray of commentating, lol.

Fee · Apr 7, 2008

Leelord337 said:
..he is the Rachael Ray of commentating, lol.

That made me laugh out loud. Thanks.

chiru · Apr 7, 2008

Alright guys, let's not start picking on Fee IMO. While Fee would definately agree that we've had our differences on several topics, I wanna state for the record that I think this whole thread has been a little ridiculous and unnecessarily put Fee in a couple awkward positions.

I'm a bit taken aback by the premise of the OP. How can you really expect a friend of someone to go up and be like "oh hey, btw, this one dude on this online forum im a member of thinks you blew, so i thought id pass that along." like really, how did you think that would play out? I know you disclaimed it to death by saying you didnt want Fee to take it the wrong way, but honestly, thats like walking up to a girl and being like "no offense, but you're uglier than my horse's rump, hey hey, why are you reacting? hey i said no offense!?"

okay maybe that was a bit of an exaggeration

but in all seriousness if you have an issue with JG commentating (i didnt watch FSN so i can't say pro or con) you're better served to go through the classical means. just because you know someone who's friends with him shouldn't scream 'oh I know, let's put Fee in an awkward postion...'

i donno, just my $.02

IanRichardson · Apr 7, 2008

I actually kind of like him. He seems real in the fact that he does kind of make mistakes/ stumble a little. He does better than probably any of us would if we had the chance.

Also I like the fact he is fresh off the tour and knows most of the guys and their games better than the people who have been doing it for 20 years, or the ones who have never played competitive tennis with anything but a wooden racquet.

Give the man a break.

Fee · Apr 7, 2008

Thanks Chiru.

You actually said what I did not want to say outright from the very beginning - how do I talk to Justin and say "Hey, anonymous guy on the internet wants you to 'be yourself'" It's just kind of awkward, to say the least.

I have to be honest, when I first saw the title of the thread last night, I was really hoping someone wanted me to explain the entry rankings or something. That would have been really cool.

laurie · Apr 7, 2008

chiru said:
Alright guys, let's not start picking on Fee IMO. While Fee would definately agree that we've had our differences on several topics, I wanna state for the record that I think this whole thread has been a little ridiculous and unnecessarily put Fee in a couple awkward positions.

I'm a bit taken aback by the premise of the OP. How can you really expect a friend of someone to go up and be like "oh hey, btw, this one dude on this online forum im a member of thinks you blew, so i thought id pass that along." like really, how did you think that would play out? I know you disclaimed it to death by saying you didnt want Fee to take it the wrong way, but honestly, thats like walking up to a girl and being like "no offense, but you're uglier than my horse's rump, hey hey, why are you reacting? hey i said no offense!?"

okay maybe that was a bit of an exaggeration but in all seriousness if you have an issue with JG commentating (i didnt watch FSN so i can't say pro or con) you're better served to go through the classical means. just because you know someone who's friends with him shouldn't scream 'oh I know, let's put Fee in an awkward postion...'

i donno, just my $.02

I couldn't have put it any better. Fee has been put in a completely uneccessary awkward position. But she's smart enough to know how to deal with this.

It's easy to get in touch with Justin via the official channels and leave a message for him, if the OP desires.

tacou · Apr 7, 2008

I think Justin's one of the smartest tennis wise commentators, he just harps on a few topics too much and sometimes seems a little bias. I'd rather hear him than 90% of the other commentators.

Frodo Baggins · Apr 7, 2008

Rino An Fee I Like you Both So You know that

Anyways Fee>Pay no heed to Rino He's Jealous cause he aint friends with Any of the Wta Players!!!<Is my Idea!!!

Fee · Apr 7, 2008

Frodo Baggins said:
Rino An Fee I Like you Both So You know that Anyways Fee>Pay no heed to Rino He's Jealous cause he aint friends with Any of the Wta Players!!!<Is my Idea!!!

You're sweet Frodo.

I don't think Rhino is jealous at all, I just think he's skeptical. Nothing wrong with that, it's kind of fun actually. I just hope no one is getting bored reading all this, I feel like I've been repeating myself just a bit here with some of these answers.

Shabazza · Apr 7, 2008

Rant-mode on:

Personal request to a member and/or differences and arguments between 2 members shouldn't be made public.
PM would make these kind of threads obsolete. I don't know why TTW is one of the few message-boards without a "Personal Message" option.

Rant-mode out.

Sorry for going off-topic guys.

chiru · Apr 7, 2008

laurie said:
I couldn't have put it any better. Fee has been put in a completely uneccessary awkward position. But she's smart enough to know how to deal with this.

It's easy to get in touch with Justin via the official channels and leave a message for him, if the OP desires.

Yah I agree. I was a little surprised Fee even responded. I might've played dumb and been like "...yah ima pretend i didnt see that..." but instead handled it as well as possible given the hilarity of the sit.

chiru · Apr 7, 2008

Fee said:
Thanks Chiru.

You actually said what I did not want to say outright from the very beginning - how do I talk to Justin and say "Hey, anonymous guy on the internet wants you to 'be yourself'" It's just kind of awkward, to say the least.

I have to be honest, when I first saw the title of the thread last night, I was really hoping someone wanted me to explain the entry rankings or something. That would have been really cool.

dude, Fee, are we agreeing on something? holy crap!

anyhow I have a message for Justin next time you see him (hopefully this is less awkward): "WE MISS YOU ON THE COURT!"

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