Patrick McEnroe - worst commentator in the game?
- Thread starter anointedone
- Start date
ferocious4hand
Semi-Pro
I once heard Chang commentating for the Chinese Channel at the Shanghai Masters Cup. I believe he was a guest commentator, being Chinese is not his first language no one understood what he was talking about. He didn't understand the questions that were asked of him by the host commentators and just basically shuts-up.
I think now that he's coaching a Chinese woman and starting an academy over there he's probably more fluent but please stay away from the booth
I think now that he's coaching a Chinese woman and starting an academy over there he's probably more fluent but please stay away from the booth
I like Mary. She has a great insight into this game.
For example, in 90's, when everybody was saying new racquet technology
makes players hit huge serves, she was the only one who said the baseline
game is the one which was truely revolutionized by new racquet tech and
future of tennis will be at the baseline. Look what happens now.
She sometimes offers rare insight.
For example, in 90's, when everybody was saying new racquet technology
makes players hit huge serves, she was the only one who said the baseline
game is the one which was truely revolutionized by new racquet tech and
future of tennis will be at the baseline. Look what happens now.
She sometimes offers rare insight.
Santoro071
New User
PMac isn't the best, but he's far from the worst.
wmrhawk
Rookie
ok. here's my nomination: this is based on 1) absolute commentating performance and 2) relative to the high expectations one would logically have given this person's professional accomplishments. . .
. . . Jimmy Connors.
heard him in the month leading up to the french open on the tennis channel. he did some commentary on the agassi - courier final around 1992, i think it was. for as inspiring as he was as a player, he was just dreadful as a color guy. plus, i think he was paired with d. enberg (distinguished alumnus of central michigan university)
. . . Jimmy Connors.
heard him in the month leading up to the french open on the tennis channel. he did some commentary on the agassi - courier final around 1992, i think it was. for as inspiring as he was as a player, he was just dreadful as a color guy. plus, i think he was paired with d. enberg (distinguished alumnus of central michigan university)
sunflowerhx
Rookie
musicalmedic81
Semi-Pro
I actually like Dick Enberg, he may not know tennis that well, but he knows the big moments and when to throw in an "OH MYYYYY!!!" Love that!
Well Mary Carillo is definately the worlds worst commentator, but in a close second comes Katrina Adams. UGH! She always talks "ala Martina Hingis" and all that crap. I think the only players she likes are the Williams sisters, Martina Hingis, and maybe Anna Chakvetadze.
The best commentators are Pam Shriver, Mary Joe Fernandez, and Darrin Cahill. (Brad Gilbert is good whenever he does it.) I like Pam Shriver because she can usually read the players minds well and sense out injuries. Mary Joe Fernandez is good because you get the feeling that she actually knows what she's talking about and doesn' ramble on like Leif Shiras and Katrina Adams. Darrin Cahil is good because like "MJ" he gives good comments and knows about the game. Somebody needs to tell the ESPN crew that it's Tatiana Golovin, not Golovan.
The best commentators are Pam Shriver, Mary Joe Fernandez, and Darrin Cahill. (Brad Gilbert is good whenever he does it.) I like Pam Shriver because she can usually read the players minds well and sense out injuries. Mary Joe Fernandez is good because you get the feeling that she actually knows what she's talking about and doesn' ramble on like Leif Shiras and Katrina Adams. Darrin Cahil is good because like "MJ" he gives good comments and knows about the game. Somebody needs to tell the ESPN crew that it's Tatiana Golovin, not Golovan.
sunflowerhx
Rookie
For us Brits we grew up with the calming voice of Dan Maskell
Catchphrase was "Oh, I say!" (when commenting on an outstanding shot).
Some quotes
"And here's Zivojinovic, six foot six inches tall and fourteen pounds ten ounces."
"Lendl has remained throughout as calm as the proverbial iceberg."
"The Gullikson twins here. An interesting pair, both from Wisconsin."
"When Martina is tense it helps her relax"
Catchphrase was "Oh, I say!" (when commenting on an outstanding shot).
Some quotes
"And here's Zivojinovic, six foot six inches tall and fourteen pounds ten ounces."
"Lendl has remained throughout as calm as the proverbial iceberg."
"The Gullikson twins here. An interesting pair, both from Wisconsin."
"When Martina is tense it helps her relax"
blakealltheway
New User
I agree with babolatpdtp that Mary Carillo may be one of the worse. McEnroe is not even close to the worse. He is very knowledgable of the game, knows strategy, and knows history. He is not the best, but he also isnt the worse.
Azzurri
Legend
Lately I have heard him say some remarks against Roddick...nothing bad but certainly not praise...I could be wrong.
No Bud Collins is the worst. He reads from his thesaurus in preperation for his pseudo-intellectual prattle in an effort to make the viewer think they are listening to an Oxford educated man.
For excellent commentary Jason Goodall during TMS events.
PMac flaws: too much of a conflict with his DC captain duties. He has to show undue respect to Roddick and Blake.
For excellent commentary Jason Goodall during TMS events.
PMac flaws: too much of a conflict with his DC captain duties. He has to show undue respect to Roddick and Blake.
L
lordmanji
Guest
the reasons alot of you state are so petty and subjective down to his voice and his catchphrase. but of all the full time commentators in the espn stable, he's the best. he's quite objective - i've listened to him commentate for the past two years and he'll rag on american players as much as he'll praise them.
he's very knowledgeable, tries to be objective, tries to be humble and is always looking to explain throwaway comments by other commentators to the viewers. yes, there are times where he can sound and is condescending but he seems to be conscious of this fact and restrains it. i find him the best commentator right now and am very tired of cliff's grouchiness and meandering. i actually think pmac and fowler is an awesome combo. i wouldnt mind seeing cahill and arias more, either.
he's very knowledgeable, tries to be objective, tries to be humble and is always looking to explain throwaway comments by other commentators to the viewers. yes, there are times where he can sound and is condescending but he seems to be conscious of this fact and restrains it. i find him the best commentator right now and am very tired of cliff's grouchiness and meandering. i actually think pmac and fowler is an awesome combo. i wouldnt mind seeing cahill and arias more, either.
drakulie
Talk Tennis Guru
Azzurri
Legend
Couldn't agree with you more. I like PMac and think he knows his stuff. He is objective. So he loves Fed.....
I was going to make the same comment on Drysdale. He is always correcting Drysdale's screwups. I like Patrick and think he is one of best in the business.
I remember the first time I heard Mary Carillo's voice in the late 80's/early 90announcing a match and I thought who is this feminine guy? I was shocked when I found out it was a female.
stormholloway
Legend
People give the commentators so much grief around here. I think they're all doing a great job. The American style is somewhat cheesy, but the knowledge is still there. I prefer the understated British style personally.
Yes Pammy was a great commentator. But she should retire.
Fernandez is okay. Will do. Carillo is good if you like her style. I esp like it when her and Mac go head to head.
Patrick commentates like he's coaching Davis Cup. He's not entertaining like his bro. But he's honest.
Dick Enberg is in a class of his own. He's great! :grin:
Fernandez is okay. Will do. Carillo is good if you like her style. I esp like it when her and Mac go head to head.
Patrick commentates like he's coaching Davis Cup. He's not entertaining like his bro. But he's honest.
Dick Enberg is in a class of his own. He's great! :grin:
mista-k
Rookie
I agree! Navratilova lets you in on her strategies/analysis...thats when you realize she is has a Tennis IQ of 1000/500 + she has won so many grandslams (makes you realize how she strategizes against opponents) I thought Jim Courier (mental warrior) would dish out the same commentating but so far M.Navratilova has my vote...it amazes me...too bad I dont get to hear or see her do commentating much as watching tennis on tv bores me to sleep...oh forgot to mention I like her sense of humor...very lefty like
Brag Gilbert...eh
Cahill...not bad
I think the worst would be Jimmy Arias...always making fun of the underdog and talks AS IF he were....
Dream Commentators: (need some more humor in commentating...)
Marat Safin
Goran Ivanisevic
oh forgot...Jmac aint bad
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stormholloway
Legend
Agreed about Ted Robinson. Too many silly questions.
illkhiboy
Hall of Fame
Gotta Love the DRAKE! I pretty much agree with those lists.
skip1969
G.O.A.T.
you know, i was gonna refrain from chiming in on the "worst commentator" debate, cos it's all so subjective anyway and for the most part i mute the tv when i am watching tennis anyway . . . but not even one day into the us open on usa and i gotta say that these two weeks make the rest of the year's tennis commentating seem like i'm lying on cool, green grass under the shade of a giant tree with rustling leaves in the peace and serenity of the garden of eden (well, before that pesky snake showed up). except for johnny mac and tracy austin, they manage to assemble the same worthless tribe of village idiots every year to cover the most important tourney on us soil:
michael barkann and his moronic interviews and his roaming the grounds like some rabid dog with a mike. the man should never have been given a microphone. ever. i'm surprised he doesn't hump the players' legs when he interviews them.
ted robinson, who seems to have learned nothing over the years. not even how to brush his hair properly. what a smiling imbecile.
bill macatee, who doesn't want to be outdone by chris fowler for champion of filling those annoying quiet moments with something utterly useless to say. so he keeps talking.
al trautwig, who has to be the most exasperating excuse for an analyst. he even sucks during the tour de france, with his rudimentary 'drama in a bottle' technique and his ingratiating, *ss-kissing style. he's like a bad b-movie. or a remake of a remake of a remake. conspicuously unoriginal in every respect.
jim courier, who is apparently allergic to dead air and sees every pregnant pause and his cue to interject another bit of trivia that we could have done without. verbal diarrhea personified.
these people make me want to take back every bad thing i've ever thought or said about the clowns at tennis channel or espn. maybe those guys aren't so bad after all?? well, except for luke jensen. and brad gilbert. and katrina adams . . . hehehe.
michael barkann and his moronic interviews and his roaming the grounds like some rabid dog with a mike. the man should never have been given a microphone. ever. i'm surprised he doesn't hump the players' legs when he interviews them.
ted robinson, who seems to have learned nothing over the years. not even how to brush his hair properly. what a smiling imbecile.
bill macatee, who doesn't want to be outdone by chris fowler for champion of filling those annoying quiet moments with something utterly useless to say. so he keeps talking.
al trautwig, who has to be the most exasperating excuse for an analyst. he even sucks during the tour de france, with his rudimentary 'drama in a bottle' technique and his ingratiating, *ss-kissing style. he's like a bad b-movie. or a remake of a remake of a remake. conspicuously unoriginal in every respect.
jim courier, who is apparently allergic to dead air and sees every pregnant pause and his cue to interject another bit of trivia that we could have done without. verbal diarrhea personified.
these people make me want to take back every bad thing i've ever thought or said about the clowns at tennis channel or espn. maybe those guys aren't so bad after all?? well, except for luke jensen. and brad gilbert. and katrina adams . . . hehehe.
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Bhagi Katbamna
Legend
How can anyone else be the worst when Dick Enberg is still alive?
35ft6
Legend
Me, too. And they're much more candid.
Pisolino227
Rookie
amen. I can't agree enough. Someone needs to tell Pat how stupid that eye dropper line is.
sillymonkey
Hall of Fame
Maria Carillo is by far worse than PMac.
I agree! When she and Cliff Drysdale are put together it's unbearable!!
For us Brits we grew up with the calming voice of Dan Maskell
Catchphrase was "Oh, I say!" (when commenting on an outstanding shot).
Some quotes
"And here's Zivojinovic, six foot six inches tall and fourteen pounds ten ounces."
"Lendl has remained throughout as calm as the proverbial iceberg."
"The Gullikson twins here. An interesting pair, both from Wisconsin."
"When Martina is tense it helps her relax"
Thanks for posting those "bloopers". That's some funny stuff and it sure gave me a chuckle. :grin:
anointedone
Banned
If I had down a poll including all serious candidates for "worst" in the booth, it looks like Carillo would probably win, with P-Mac maybe taking the runner up prize.
J
jsieks
Guest
Patrick the worst? yes! John is second
Patrick's pretending to appear professorial makes one gag.:sad:
Patrick's pretending to appear professorial makes one gag.:sad:
J
jsieks
Guest
Patrick seems to have watched too many sports talk shows and tries to emulate them. His lack of competence with the english language betrays him
J
jsieks
Guest
J
jsieks
Guest
Three in the booth?
Why does every point require a comment from all three people in the booth??
Why does every point require a comment from all three people in the booth??
actually he said that he was positive 10 or 11 days ago and that he is 100% now
mbm0912
Hall of Fame
He looks terrible in this video talking about it:
ESPN’s Patrick McEnroe tests positive for coronavirus
Patrick McEnroe is the latest sports figure to reveal he has tested positive for coronavirus. The former tennis player and current ESPN broadcaster on Tuesday said he went to a drive-through testin…
nypost.com
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
I actually think he's pretty good. On a side note... John McEnroe is the best commentator ever.
Slim Pickens
Rookie
Pam Shriver gets my vote for the worst commentator!!!!
