fowler isn't nearly so dismissive when he does college football. in fact, he tends to defer to the other gameday guys who have either coached or played at that level. there is quite a bit of banter back and forth between them, but they always show respect to the players on the field.
that's what bugs me about his tennis commentary. i like him so much on gameday, but i can't stand him during the slams. he's such a kiss-*ss to the players (though he has gotten a lot better at this). but it's like he thinks he's a little too cool for words. i think that's just from hanging out with pmac and gilbert. they all think they are so cute with their little nicknames and whatnot. like they have their fingers on the pulse of everything tennis, and aren't we just so lucky if they share some their knowledge with us!
i hate that fowler (of all of them) has the nerve to criticize and make fun of players who are playing at a level he could only dream about. he has no idea what it takes to get to this level, and it galls me that he thinks he can poke fun at players when they make bad shots or play bad matches. as if he knows anything.
you don't hear commentators in other sports laugh and giggle when athletes make mistakes or botch plays. can you imagine a commentator chuckling when a batter strikes out, a receiver drops a sure touchdown pass, a basketball player makes a crucial turnover, or a striker misses a penalty shot? it doesn't happen cos it's unprofessional. they may roll their eyes in the booth or say something off-air, but never on air. the joke cracking is reserved for us in our living rooms.
