SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
Mary Carillo and P Mac are 2 of my favorites. Are there any voters over the age of 17 that voted for Mary as the worst?
Who is the WORST commentator??
- Thread starter Shaolin
- Start date
underground
G.O.A.T.
Jim Courier's voice gets to me, it annoys me when he was commentating on ITV during FO.
Where's JMAC? :twisted:
Where's JMAC? :twisted:
TennisNinja
Hall of Fame
I did. But that's only because Pam Shriver isn't there.
superdave3
Rookie
Although I think they finally retired him, I could not stand Bud Collins. He was the only commentator that got excited over a net cord linesman (fortiscue...?). Also, who the heck ever cared about his Uncle Studley at Wimbleton. The only time I wish I had seen him was when he referred to a not so little lady named Betty Stove from and Netherlands after a match as "Big Bad Betty Stove", upon which I guess she threatened him physically if he ever called her that again.
cork_screw
Hall of Fame
Boris Becker is really bad. During the Fed and Nole match, they needed to get another commentator in because he was not saying a single thing. His colleague asked him some direct questions and becker flat out ignored him (if you want to watch it on ESPN 3 in the replay section). And the other commentator was good. In fact, I think the british commentators are some of the best and most insightful. But I really dislike boris becker. When he talks, it sounds very general and obvious nothing really insightful or colorful, very bland and boring. Same thing with navratilova. So in a way it was good that you didn't hear him much, but I just don't understand why they pay him if that's the case, especially if there are much better commentators out there. But there are a lot of no names that when you hear them commentate, you realize they know nothing about tennis and are just adding filler and pointing out the obvious. I think these are cover commentators that are brought in that do a wide range of sports but they got roped in to fill for a particular event.
Luke Jensen is up there though for just an all around annoying person to listen to, he reminds me a lot of how Bill Walton commentates for the NBA. He says really cliche things and generalizes a lot. And makes things sound a lot more grandiose than they really are and at the same time adding a lot of cheesy filler. It actually reminds me of when Mark Cuban was targeting Skip Bayless and saying that when you say the team that's going to win is the team that "wants it more." That it pretty much the same box that Luke Jensen and Bill Walton are trapped in. It's like when they speak they want to make things sound more than they really are, but in many ways they just generalize things with filler and make them sound very cliche and it's not always true. BTW, Chick Hearn (not tennis though) to me is one of the all time greatest commentators. I really miss him. Here's an example, if they were interviewing for a job they would say, "I'm a go-getter" and a "team player." See how cliche that sounds and it really means nothing. It's just wasted words. It's filler to fill in time, and I hate that. Not only that it sounds cheesy and that is the type of dialogue that they go through when you hear guys like Luke Jensen talk.
I really like the two McEnroes, Brad Gilbert and Cahill. These guys are actual tennis analysts and when they say stuff there is meaning and good content. I enjoy it when they bring up occasional anecdotes.
Luke Jensen is up there though for just an all around annoying person to listen to, he reminds me a lot of how Bill Walton commentates for the NBA. He says really cliche things and generalizes a lot. And makes things sound a lot more grandiose than they really are and at the same time adding a lot of cheesy filler. It actually reminds me of when Mark Cuban was targeting Skip Bayless and saying that when you say the team that's going to win is the team that "wants it more." That it pretty much the same box that Luke Jensen and Bill Walton are trapped in. It's like when they speak they want to make things sound more than they really are, but in many ways they just generalize things with filler and make them sound very cliche and it's not always true. BTW, Chick Hearn (not tennis though) to me is one of the all time greatest commentators. I really miss him. Here's an example, if they were interviewing for a job they would say, "I'm a go-getter" and a "team player." See how cliche that sounds and it really means nothing. It's just wasted words. It's filler to fill in time, and I hate that. Not only that it sounds cheesy and that is the type of dialogue that they go through when you hear guys like Luke Jensen talk.
I really like the two McEnroes, Brad Gilbert and Cahill. These guys are actual tennis analysts and when they say stuff there is meaning and good content. I enjoy it when they bring up occasional anecdotes.
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jamesblakefan#1
G.O.A.T.
Please move Gimelstob to the top of the list. Loves to hear himself talk and tries to make himself seem like the smartest person in the world.
Tennishacker
Professional
Guy is sooo annoying!
jamesblakefan#1
G.O.A.T.
Oh and who can forget the fact that he has to polish Roddick's knob every chance he can get, even when he's getting beat down.
maxatp1990
New User
Justin Gimelnob is the worst commentator!! Loves the sound of his own voice and so dull!
fire_eaters
New User
How about pam shriver? I can't stand that bich. Its funny when she's on with chris evert, they seem like they hate each other
Dick Enberg would be my pick. I just hate commentators that are not neutral enough. You can have your favorites, but don't take it too far. The last straw for me was this guy cutting Del Potro short during the presentation at Flushing. I heard Wilander's commentary on the Nadal-Federer Australian Open semifinal on youtube and it made me cringe how biased he sounded. I find Johnny Mac to be pretty bad because he never ever seems to do any homework. Just because you are one of the greats of the game does not give you the right to show up unprepared for your job.
THUNDERVOLLEY
G.O.A.T.
Patrick takes the title; he's the worst example of an "inside man" with an agenda he practically screams from the rooftops. Whether it was stroking all things Roddick several years ago, to his idiotic notion of wanting all juniors to be trained on clay, to celebrating the one-dimensional baseline-centric game, while damning all the serve and volley form, to pumping his borefest of a book, Patrick McEnroe is the last thing American tennis needs.
Thanks to his on-air influence, one would think Amercians want nothing more than flat-footed baseliners in a slow-court world.
Thanks to his on-air influence, one would think Amercians want nothing more than flat-footed baseliners in a slow-court world.
oy vey
Semi-Pro
Yeah this match with Novak was the" popcorn match" LOL
THUNDERVOLLEY
G.O.A.T.
Shriver is light years ahead of Chris as a commentator, which is remarkable, since Evert should be the one to present a greater insight at the majors considering her success at such events.
To me the worst commentators are the ones that never stop blabbering during a match. Unless you have something that adds to the match at hand - let us watch the match in peace.
I'd put Everett, Carillo, Gilbert and Pat McEnroe on the top of my list for that abuse.
Notice in Wimbledon that when Pat and John Mac were together - that John actually seemed annoyed that his brother would never let anyone else up for air?
I'd put Everett, Carillo, Gilbert and Pat McEnroe on the top of my list for that abuse.
Notice in Wimbledon that when Pat and John Mac were together - that John actually seemed annoyed that his brother would never let anyone else up for air?
sportsfan1
Legend
Who's "winning" this poll so far, surprised J Mac isn't even listed in the poll, he should be the pick here.
Fee
Legend
This thread is 8 years old, it needs to be closed and then someone can do a new poll with all the current commentators like Harry Cicma, Brett Haber, Jimmy Arias, both Macs, Shriver, McAtee, Evert, Martina, Mary Jo, Mary C., Justin, Courier, Gilbert, Fowler, Cahill, Koenig, Goodall, Robinson, etc.
woodrow1029
Hall of Fame
Fee
Legend
All those names, and you left out probably the actual worst one, Andrew Castle.
I rarely hear him since he doesn't work in the US. I know others hear him on streams and such.
I'm not impressed with Cicma, I'll leave it at that. I understand why people dislike Justin, but I guess I'm just used to him since that's pretty much the was he is off camera too (and he's so much better now than when he started in 2007).
JMac drives me crazy because he talks way too much, talks during points, and can turn any match into a story about his matches 3 decades ago. Pat Mac also talks too much.
Gilbert's nicknames are annoying and disrespectful, in my opinion. I like Fowler and Robinson because I think they ask good questions to get the more knowledgeable commentators to add insights. I love Darren Cahill, but its awkward when he calls matches with the players that he works with.
I think Martina is good but she talks over points too much. McAtee does decent interviews, but should not do matches. I like Mary C. and I really like when she works with Justin, they balance each other pretty well.
I love Justin and Leif Shiras together but sometimes they forget they are watching a match and act like brothers joking around in front of the TV. They're pretty close, it shows when they work together.
kanamit
Hall of Fame
Say what you will about Mary Carillo. She earned my unending respect for standing up to Pam Shriver and Mary Jo Fernandez when both them were whining about unfairly Serena was treated after her US Open tirade, and how they felt so sorry for her. It basically cost Carillo her job at ESPN. I believe this was during the 2010 Australian Open.
woodrow1029
Hall of Fame
Yeah, Brad Gilbert is annoying with the names. It's almost like he's trying to be a cheap impersonator of Chris Berman, but Berman is better at it.
I don't like Leif Shiras very much, and I don't know why.
The problem I have with John McEnroe and Martina and Pam Shriver is that anytime there is a situation dealing with a rule (not a line call), but a rule like medical timeouts, or foot fault rules, or toilet breaks, etc., they just automatically assume that the umpire is wrong (sometimes they are, but usually not), and then they will just give out wrong information, instead of actually checking to see what the rule is first. Half of the time only they correct themselves, and then 14 threads start on here about an incorrect ruling when it was actually correct.
Shaolin
G.O.A.T.
J Mac was not included in the poll because he is awesome. I agree with Fee a new poll could be made with more current commentators, esp Evert and Shriver who I think have taken over as worst.
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Fee
Legend
YES! I've nearly broken my TV because of Mac's complete lack of research and understanding about the current rules of the game. And they can get copies of the rulebooks for FREE! They aren't that hard to read, and not really time consuming either. At least Justin does his damn research most of the time, and he's usually quick to admit when he gets it wrong.
I understand the Leif dislike. I used to have it too. When you are around him its easy to get the feeling that he is arrogant because he's a good looking blue eyed blonde, but I've driven him once or twice and he's really not a bad guy. He's a bit standoffish in a cautious way, but I never got a bad vibe from him. Maybe he just liked me for some reason. He says 'and uh' too much in between thoughts. Do not make that a drinking game, you will die by the end of the first set.
sportsfan1
Legend
The posts below summarize exactly why you would rather smash your TV set to pieces than listen to JMac ! J Mac just makes up rules/stories and provides his own opinions on what should be done regarding a match situation rather than provide the listener the correct information on what the rules are.
All those names, and you left out probably the actual worst one, Andrew Castle.
He is terrible, I remember watching one of the early GS finals Murray was in and he bigged him up as Britains biggest chance at a grand slam, first match point against him "and has the Scot blown it?"
In Scotland we always complain that that happens all the time hen Murray's losing but he is the ****ing worst for it does my **** in. And the fact he tries to tell the top players what they're doing wrong!?!?!?! He was a career high ranked world no 80 with 1 round 3 showing at wimbledon, go away andrew!
Paul Murphy
Hall of Fame
Kevin Skinner with daylight in second place.
jamesblakefan#1
G.O.A.T.
I started a new thread, will wait until more people weigh in before I add a poll to that one.
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=434393
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=434393
Start da Game
Hall of Fame
let's just say everybody sucks except
robbie koenig
jason goodall
a few other masters tournaments commentators
johnny mac
todd woodbridge
mark woodforde
robbie koenig
jason goodall
a few other masters tournaments commentators
johnny mac
todd woodbridge
mark woodforde
Yes - kudos to Mary Carillo for standing up to Mary Jo an Pam Shriver - but keep in mind that ESPN are basically shills for the Williams sisters in general. So I blame ESPN more than the individual announcers.
DRII
G.O.A.T.
I like Carillo alot, she adds humor and nice literary references to the discussion.
Is that why she left ESPN, it seems to me that any time Chris Everet joins a broadcasting team, Carillo leaves...
I have the 1987 US Open Men's Final playing in the background on ESPN Classic.... It brings back some good memories and led me to add to this site that tennis on T.V. has not been the same since the very best team of all-time was replaced... Tony Trabert, John Newcombe and Pat Summerall.... There will never be another tennis broadcast like that again.... The best... and truly....CLASSIC!
RF20Lennon
Legend
Rob Koenig Jason Goodall JMac Cahill all my favs maybe even Pmac
I indicated earlier that the Tennis Channel's line-up is horrendous and that was extremely evident this evening while watching Roger Federer and Phillip Kohlschreiber at the Western & Southern Open from Cincinnati. A Justin Gimelstob broadcast is just ridiculously BAD! DREADFUL is more like it.... It is just embarrassingly bad! His presence just ruins my enjoyment of trying to watch my favorite player play a match. I just find myself asking, "Why?" As in, "Why are you ruining this for me?" Every single point he has to make a comment that is probably unnecessary and ,more than likely, way too much! He acts like he can't believe he got the job and, guess what? Neither can we!!!!!!
World Beater
Hall of Fame
jmac gets worse and worse...
like becker, roddick, agassi.
pmac is good. shriver has no clue.
like becker, roddick, agassi.
pmac is good. shriver has no clue.
cork_screw
Hall of Fame
Tracy Austin for sure. People don't understand how annoying she is because she doesn't get to do any of the big matches. She's equivalent to the secretary whereas pmac and jmac are like the ceos that run the show. If she got to do the big names, especially on the men's side, everyone would have bleeding ears and brain hemorrhages from the crap that comes out of her mouth.
Goosehead
Legend
look everyone..its not far off from being a 10yr old poast..
hello to the good old days.
btw even though im in uk thanks to youtube I hear a lot of bill McKay (rip) and he is a favourite..plus they say he was a good bloke.
I noticed when I poasted the quote didn't have a date..but it was feb 2004.
Here in Australia every summer we have to put up with Bruce McAvaney.
The moron knows nothing about tennis so he spends his time citing meaningless statistics over and over, while sucking up to to the past tennis great who is paired up with him (often Jim Courier).
I wish we had interactive TV where we could turn off the commentary but leave the tennis sounds on.
The moron knows nothing about tennis so he spends his time citing meaningless statistics over and over, while sucking up to to the past tennis great who is paired up with him (often Jim Courier).
I wish we had interactive TV where we could turn off the commentary but leave the tennis sounds on.
FEDEXP
Professional
I don't know that Justin Gimelstob is the worst but watching earlier in the day today he just wouldn't quit going on about Ryan Harrison and all the strides he's made; it was as if he were trying to "will" him to win over the air. I'm American but Harrison is 102 in the world and he was playing David Ferrer so it was ridiculous.
Overdrive
Legend
LOL at Wikipedia on Pam Shriver:
"Shriver has a reputation as one of the worst tennis broadcasters; she has been providing coverage of various events since her 1996 retirement. During Wimbledon 2010, James Blake admonished Shriver for disrupting play with her overly-loud commentary from the box situated above the court behind him. This led to a verbal exchange between the two during the match. USA Today characterized this as an embarrassing and unprofessional performance by Shriver..... She is known for openly criticizing players, her irritating voice, failed attempts at humor, and is personally responsible for ESPN2's drop in ratings during the 2013 Emirates US Open Series."
"Shriver has a reputation as one of the worst tennis broadcasters; she has been providing coverage of various events since her 1996 retirement. During Wimbledon 2010, James Blake admonished Shriver for disrupting play with her overly-loud commentary from the box situated above the court behind him. This led to a verbal exchange between the two during the match. USA Today characterized this as an embarrassing and unprofessional performance by Shriver..... She is known for openly criticizing players, her irritating voice, failed attempts at humor, and is personally responsible for ESPN2's drop in ratings during the 2013 Emirates US Open Series."
cork_screw
Hall of Fame
You cheeky monkey. You wrote that in.
yemenmocha
Professional
Dick Enberg is the worst
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