I really enjoyed the BBC coverage today, it was worth waiting to see. There is no way on this earth I would ever get SKY. I thought Ben Edwards did a great job, sounded honest and passionate, Brundle had gone flat doing it my opinion so don't miss him. Got to apologise for calling the pits guy a Scot as I think he's maybe an Ulsterman without actually checking that, he sounded like he knew what he was doing even though it was still a bit hard to make out what he was saying at times.
Did you spot any more sideswipes? I picked up on a couple that might have been but they're a bit tenuous and are probably just coincidence. The new grid graphics (showing you who's in which position) are exactly like the 3D model car Ted struggled to point accurately to in the preview show; and there was a shot of Damon Hill, whom Coulthard said looked like he'd dropped his chips or something.
I think Ben Edwards is the best lead commentator since Murray Walker. Martin Brundle is of course, peerless with his informative incite; but he is fundamentally a racing driver, rather than lead commentator. On the other hand, 'Crofty' (as he conceitedly likes to refer to himself), is a bit like a mixture of the sycophantic (but otherwise very knowledgeable) James Allen, and - wait for it - the pathetic radio commentator, who is either from the 1950s or from planet Zlod: Jonathan Legard! Croft does not know when to shut up and is over-excitable. He talks too much (because he likes the sound of his own voice) but worse: he also SHOUTS too much! And, like the useless Legard, Croft sometimes discusses things at length which pay little attention to what is going on, yet has the unfortunate habit of describing what any viewer can see with their own eyes. I am very glad he's gone to Sky. If he'd not, it is likely the BBC would have kept Ben Edwards below what is, in my view, his rightful position. I have been impressed with Jake Humphrey ever since his arrival in F1, and know that after taking on the role and doing some thoroughly professional research, he has become a genuine F1 'fan'. Eddie Jordan has cemented his place in the line-up and has mellowed into a thoroughly watchable character. The same should be said of David Coulthard, although I've often ribbed him about his pronunciation of 'kerbs' and 'KERS'. DC: I'll tell you one more time; it's kerbs, not "care-bs" and no car has "cares"! In spite of your claim, cars couldn't care less - they don't even think! Other thoughts about the Beeb: I found it rather sad (perhaps even amateurish) that Jake Humphrey found himself referring to Alonso as "talking to the world's media" and that they'd hope to have a word with him later. Have the BBC forgotten that they can still claim to be a part of the world's media? More sickeningly, it seems to me they are sidelining themselves deliberately. Perhaps they are too wary of upsetting Murdoch⦠(Ugh: unfortunately, I mean that seriously).
Yes, that's what I thought about the presentation and, as I think DH Canary said, the BBC had this personality from day one of taking over the coverage. They're personal, intimate even. They have this way of coming across as people you really know and make the drivers seem that way too. Sky were so wooden. I don't remember the name of their anchorman but he reminded me of James Murdoch in front of the CSM select committee: not human but automaton. There was something patronising about it too: F1 by numbers for beginners, explaining simple things as if to idiots. The BBC F1 team never insult your intelligence when they're informing but that's a fundamental tenet of the BBC ethos so I suppose they have enough experience. As for more sideswipes, I missed the grid graphic one but I wondered myself about the comment on Damon's glum demeanour; it made me smile anyway. Maybe it's not much fun working for Sky The BBC are distinguishing themselves visually very clearly and the intro to the highlights show you mentioned was another example: where Sky Sports is all saturated colours and pop-up gaudy graphics, the BBC are making extensive use of black and white, arty shots and knowing musical choices; it's very effective IMO and sends a "we may be poor but we've got class" message - very BBC! As for the commentary, Cosi, the self-styled 'Crofty' really gets on my tits too: the 80s DJ voice, the mannered pauses in his speech, all the shouty motormouth ****: it's too much! And I've never forgiven him for when I had to listen on the radio once last year because I was on the motorway and all through the race he kept repeating: "YOU CAN... NOT....... TAKE YOUR EYES........ OFF..... F1!!!!!" I mean, really - on the radio! Ben Edwards was good though; I felt like I'd been listening to him for years, which brings me back to the beginning of my very long post. Another good thread idea, Genji, hehe
Edwards did make a lot of rookie mistakes to be fair. For instance, speaking first after team radios where DC will invariably be the better bet.
Give him time. He's already 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000x better than the Alien (Legard) . probably better than crofty too.
Yeah, he made mistakes but his manner was very easy, his voice seemed to fit and he and DC showed signs of making a partnership; I mean that they were easier with each other than 'Crofty' was with Brundle - or Brundle was with 'Crofty' maybe.
They did seem to get on. Edwards seems to value DC's opinions, and stops talking to allow DC to get his point across, no one was really talking over each other. Does anyone know if the 5live pair are any good? It seems an odd mix, James Allen and Squire by Jaime Alguersuari.
Squire, the début fragrance from Jaime Alguersuari. I haven't heard them yet; must make a point of checking them out.
No, it's his name he used for his number 1 selling DJ act. So he wasn't the best driver on the grid (better than quite a few though), but he's had a number 1 album.
I must say, this is a good post Max. I wrote my previous comment in this thread without reading through existing comments, but I think you've got a very good handle on this; and the way you've described it as feeling like a 'club', is absolutely spot-on.
Thank you I grew up in this 'club' and I felt some kinship with anyone from Murray Walker to Ron Dennis, odd as it may seem. The BBC get this; if Sky want to make a success of their F1 coverage, they need to understand or rather feel this too. And then they need to learn how to televise it. It's called empathy: they don't seem to have it and it can't be bought.
Well said. Sky have a tendency to alienate people with their coverage of sports events. When i was growing up, all important sports events were on the BBC, and all were done in an accessible manner.
Cheers, Kyle. Empathy's important and it's lacking too often now in too many areas of our lives. It's so important to feel a part of it all.
We going to have them on instead of Brundle and Croft for the Korean weekend. Another thing that impressed me, and I've only just realised it, was that the BBC team were on location. Brundle said his move to Sky was nothing to do with money or ego but was solely and emphatically in order to satisfy his craving for the adrenaline rush, which attending only half the races wouldn't. From that I inferred that the BBC team would be in a studio in London for the non-live races, a bit like ITV handled things from time to time. That's now clearly untrue - we got the interviews (Humphrey stalking Raikkonen was a good one - "what did you think?"), we got the grid walk (ish), we got the "in the thick of it" reporting and discussions. There's nothing Brundle would have missed out on other than not being live on TV. I think it's a lighter treatment than they gave it last year and it feels a bit hit and run, guerrilla F1 presentation, but it's all still there.
BBC have now lost horse-racing to Channel 4. The bosses just don't do sport. - Its all culture !!!! You know!! Eastenders.
Great start by the BBC team. I though that Ben Edwards did a great job, also I didn't notice the loss of Martin Brudle because DC filled his role very well. The only downside for me was the pit line reporter, but I'm hoping that he'll grow into his role. I like Eddie Jordon, he always has something to say and start discussions and Jake was good too. I was glad that they still had good access to the drivers, I feared that the drivers might shun them a little but that didn't seem the case. Good start to the new season by the BBC, keep up the good work and I'll looking forward to the next race.
James Allen ‏ @Jamesallenonf1 #f1 Australian Grand Prix Highlights on BBC 1 got a peak audience of 3.2m. = 100k more than live coverage of the race last year. EDIT: Damn it Genji.
