So, If You Are an Expert Commentator for TV MX Coverage...

WhKnuckle
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8/28/2011 8:33am
DC wrote:
Thanks for understanding that, WhKnuckle. I am sure Fro and Weege are bummed and embarrassed that it happened but what can you do? And FTE is...
Thanks for understanding that, WhKnuckle. I am sure Fro and Weege are bummed and embarrassed that it happened but what can you do? And FTE is right about why they didn't retape. The worry was trying to break it all down and get it sent by satellite. There might have been no show at that point.

And if the race were today, it would have been canceled. The whole Southwick crew did a kick-ass job and getting that race in rather than pulling the plug. And there was an amazing amount of fans that came out in a weather advisory to enjoy it. Southwick and its fans are core motocross!

DC
MX Sports
I'm stoked that the race went so well, especially in the weather, and for my money, the riders and spectators were heros to keep on keepin' on, no matter what. In other words, it was A National. And I'm sorry if I made too much of your original post, but it wouldn't be Sunday if there wasn't some kind of family dust-up on VitalMX.
yosmithy
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Austin, TX, USA
8/28/2011 8:44am
I was happy that they still pulled off the race, and even happier that we got any coverage at all, considering they had a major hurricane bearing down on them.

And, no, I'm not kissing the end of the tentacle, I am truly happy we got what we did.


Plus, we can spend the next 20 years making fun of Fro and Weege
WhKnuckle
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8/28/2011 8:50am
yosmithy wrote:
I was happy that they still pulled off the race, and even happier that we got any coverage at all, considering they had a major hurricane...
I was happy that they still pulled off the race, and even happier that we got any coverage at all, considering they had a major hurricane bearing down on them.

And, no, I'm not kissing the end of the tentacle, I am truly happy we got what we did.


Plus, we can spend the next 20 years making fun of Fro and Weege
So we've got that going for us, which is nice...
moto282
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Charlotte, NC, USA
8/28/2011 9:06am
yosmithy wrote:
I was happy that they still pulled off the race, and even happier that we got any coverage at all, considering they had a major hurricane...
I was happy that they still pulled off the race, and even happier that we got any coverage at all, considering they had a major hurricane bearing down on them.

And, no, I'm not kissing the end of the tentacle, I am truly happy we got what we did.


Plus, we can spend the next 20 years making fun of Fro and Weege
X2. I was just happy the race wasn't cancelled. Another weekend off was going to be rough for me lol. Was also nice to see how many fans still showed up in the weather. I was worried it would be empty.

I think Weege and Emig should just say "we're experiencing technical difficulties" when they are having problems like that. IMO that's a better alternative than keeping it vague. I know Emig tried to say that at one point but was cut off because of the racing going on. In any case, I enjoy the broadcasts on Speed and Alli/Fuel TV.

The Shop

jasonv43
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8/28/2011 9:10am
The only thing that really bummed me out about the coverage was I wanted to see Swanepeol's reaction when he came across the finish line in the first moto.

Cameraman blew that though.
8/28/2011 9:12am
Tbteam wrote:
And you have headphones on with producers feeding you real time info, spotters on the track, etc. How the hell do you not know when a...
And you have headphones on with producers feeding you real time info, spotters on the track, etc.

How the hell do you not know when a race begins?

I've never seen anything like that happen in any sport in my life.
Weege wrote:
Like DC said, we actually didn't have any of that stuff--everything went down in our truck and we had zero info until the end of the...
Like DC said, we actually didn't have any of that stuff--everything went down in our truck and we had zero info until the end of the first lap, when we then saw the timing feed from that lap. Even then we couldn't see the racing, we just called Barcia as the leader based on the timing feed. It was like announcing a race with only AMA At The Wire as a guide.

We had that problem all day. The first 250 moto, we didn't have a monitor for a good 10 minutes early in the race and you probably didn't notice. Again, we just kept it vague.

C'mon Edwards, do you really think we were watching the race start, and had people in our ear telling us the race had started, and for some reason we just decided not to say it?
I give the benefit of doubt to you but holy shit, when is the last time you saw ANYONE going that hard on a parade lap?
BC261
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8/28/2011 9:23am
He just explained they were in a sound proof booth with NO monitors and no view of the race.


READ BROTHER
FreshTopEnd
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Sacramento, CA, USA
8/28/2011 9:26am
jasonv43 wrote:
The only thing that really bummed me out about the coverage was I wanted to see Swanepeol's reaction when he came across the finish line in...
The only thing that really bummed me out about the coverage was I wanted to see Swanepeol's reaction when he came across the finish line in the first moto.

Cameraman blew that though.
It was petty subdued all things considered. Threw his goggle down as he was about to enter the mechanics area, and got a big hug from his mechanic. Stellar ride.
cason402
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8/28/2011 9:37am
Tbteam wrote:
Oh, and I'm wondering if they are scrambling to edit and do all new voice overs for the first few minutes. I can just hear Weege...
Oh, and I'm wondering if they are scrambling to edit and do all new voice overs for the first few minutes.

I can just hear Weege going "OHHHH... AND REED IS DOWN IN THE FIRST TURN!" with his voice all full of panic.
maybe you should back off on the caffeine. it's just a dirt bike race.
ns503
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8/28/2011 9:46am
BC261 wrote:
He just explained they were in a sound proof booth with NO monitors and no view of the race.


READ BROTHER
Some read then rant.

Some rant then read.

Some just like to rant and rave without reading.
TerryK
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8/28/2011 9:50am
jasonv43 wrote:
The only thing that really bummed me out about the coverage was I wanted to see Swanepeol's reaction when he came across the finish line in...
The only thing that really bummed me out about the coverage was I wanted to see Swanepeol's reaction when he came across the finish line in the first moto.

Cameraman blew that though.
They showed the whole thing. Were you on a beer run?

And DC, thanks for chiming in. I really respect the way you always have your guys backs.
jasonv43
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8/28/2011 9:57am
jasonv43 wrote:
The only thing that really bummed me out about the coverage was I wanted to see Swanepeol's reaction when he came across the finish line in...
The only thing that really bummed me out about the coverage was I wanted to see Swanepeol's reaction when he came across the finish line in the first moto.

Cameraman blew that though.
TerryK wrote:
They showed the whole thing. Were you on a beer run? And DC, thanks for chiming in. I really respect the way you always have your...
They showed the whole thing. Were you on a beer run?

And DC, thanks for chiming in. I really respect the way you always have your guys backs.
Maybe I missed it. At the finish wasn't the camera guy all over the place trying to find him? I saw when he pulled into the mechanics area.

I might have been all jacked up on Mt. Dew.
Outsider
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Huntington Beach, CA, USA
8/28/2011 10:05am
jasonv43 wrote:
The only thing that really bummed me out about the coverage was I wanted to see Swanepeol's reaction when he came across the finish line in...
The only thing that really bummed me out about the coverage was I wanted to see Swanepeol's reaction when he came across the finish line in the first moto.

Cameraman blew that though.
TerryK wrote:
They showed the whole thing. Were you on a beer run? And DC, thanks for chiming in. I really respect the way you always have your...
They showed the whole thing. Were you on a beer run?

And DC, thanks for chiming in. I really respect the way you always have your guys backs.
jasonv43 wrote:
Maybe I missed it. At the finish wasn't the camera guy all over the place trying to find him? I saw when he pulled into the...
Maybe I missed it. At the finish wasn't the camera guy all over the place trying to find him? I saw when he pulled into the mechanics area.

I might have been all jacked up on Mt. Dew.
Yep, the camera dude missed it... probably couldn't see shit though with the weather.
8/28/2011 10:12am
As long as they don't start throwing out lines like "slicker than a mayonnaise sandwich" or " slicker than a snake oil salesman in the night " I will be happy.
ayearinmx
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8/28/2011 10:21am
i know i feel sorry for anyone who has to rely on the AMA Live timing to "watch" a race, let alone commentate on it..... guess it's kinda like any non-american trying to watch the supercross season
machine
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8/28/2011 10:27am
lostboy819 wrote:
As long as they don't start throwing out lines like "slicker than a mayonnaise sandwich" or " slicker than a snake oil salesman in the night...
As long as they don't start throwing out lines like "slicker than a mayonnaise sandwich" or " slicker than a snake oil salesman in the night " I will be happy.
how bout "nuttier than a squirrel turd"?
dkg
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8/28/2011 3:01pm
New announcer training - handles hurricanes.

downandup
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8/28/2011 3:29pm
yosmithy wrote:
I was happy that they still pulled off the race, and even happier that we got any coverage at all, considering they had a major hurricane...
I was happy that they still pulled off the race, and even happier that we got any coverage at all, considering they had a major hurricane bearing down on them.

And, no, I'm not kissing the end of the tentacle, I am truly happy we got what we did.


Plus, we can spend the next 20 years making fun of Fro and Weege
moto282 wrote:
X2. I was just happy the race wasn't cancelled. Another weekend off was going to be rough for me lol. Was also nice to see how...
X2. I was just happy the race wasn't cancelled. Another weekend off was going to be rough for me lol. Was also nice to see how many fans still showed up in the weather. I was worried it would be empty.

I think Weege and Emig should just say "we're experiencing technical difficulties" when they are having problems like that. IMO that's a better alternative than keeping it vague. I know Emig tried to say that at one point but was cut off because of the racing going on. In any case, I enjoy the broadcasts on Speed and Alli/Fuel TV.
x2.

The "announcers" should have said they were having problems at the time. What's the big deal about that, why be so secretive? If it's an embarrassment, then just edit it later, problem solved. It can't take all that long to edit it.

Why do we complain about all of this? Because, I for one, want it to be the best it can be. I don't really like watching half assed movies with actors who can hardly act. Motocross is entertainment, and I want the best show possible. The better it gets, the more I will enjoy it. Better announcers = better enjoyment. It's that simple. Afterall, these guys get paid, don't forget!
eb313
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8/28/2011 4:20pm Edited Date/Time 8/28/2011 4:20pm
The announcers aren't actors and they don't get multiple takes to get it right, nevermind. You will never get it anyway................
downandup
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8/29/2011 7:58am
eb313 wrote:
The announcers aren't actors and they don't get multiple takes to get it right, nevermind. You will never get it anyway................
I never said they were actors. I was just saying that they are entertainers. I "get" it.

They can go back and edit it. They had time.

They get paid to do this. I don't like them bringing such a fine sport down.
Weege
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Morgantown, WV, USA
8/29/2011 8:53am
It just doesn't work that way, we can't go back, what's beamed up live is beamed up live. Remember, the races air live internationally at the same time we're doing it for SPEED. NO ONE would have loved to have redone it more than me, since I'm the one who looks like an idiot for something that wasn't my fault.

Worse, the producers didn't even know what had happened. They didn't realize we had messed it up, because while Emig and I were missing the start, they were communicating with officials to find out if Dungey was legal to enter the race late. So they didn't hear us.

I was at the track until 9 pm, until the pits were empty, shooting the Racer X Motocross post show. I was there, willing to put in the time like I am every week. If we could have redone it, I would have.

And I'd like to think that the one major problem I had in three years of doing this show (that's 78 motos so far, 78 hours of TV) isn't exactly bringing down this fine sport.

- weigandt
NetMXer
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8/29/2011 8:58am
The only solution I can think of to make sure this doesn't happen again in the future is to broadcast all motos live every weekend.
pilotdude
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8/29/2011 9:05am Edited Date/Time 8/29/2011 9:09am
Jason Weigandt and Jeff Emig are eminently qualified to do their jobs and do them in an outstanding manner consistently. I have met both of them in person several times and talked with them at length. They love the sport, have outstanding knowledge of it, and give their best in what they do to make the sport better for the viewers.

The armchair cowboys who would freeze up giving a speech about Bambi in front of a 3rd grade classroom have little room to talk about 2 professional broadcasters who have done many, many excellent broadcasts, including LIVE broadcasts where they have literally no room for mistakes.

People here talk as if they've never made mistakes. It is, frankly, embarrassing how stupid people are being here. I'm an airline pilot who has been flying since 1989. I can tell you that most of you would have your blood freeze in your veins if you knew how many times airline pilots make an "oops" mistake that if not caught by either a copilot, another plane's pilot, or an air traffic controller, could easily have been catastrophic.

We are lucky to have Jason Weigandt and Jeff Emig doing the broadcasts and I salute them for their excellence and professionalism.

Armchair warriors who have never twisted a throttle in moto combat or done a broadcast for the Sewing Channel let alone Speed--not so much.
downandup
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8/29/2011 9:16am Edited Date/Time 8/29/2011 9:21am
Weege is totally qualified. Emig, well, ......, let's just say he can ride.

The producers are to blame for this. The announcer should have just said what was really going on at the time. No big deal. (thanks Weege for explaining that it couldn't be edited. Didn't know that, and sorry.)

Why do people keep comparing "the armchair cowboys" to professionals? I know for a fact I couldn't do Weege's job, but I am not getting paid to do so. I can't ride like the racers out there either, but I bench race. I bet many of you complain about the riders, their teams, their bikes, their mechanics, etc...., but are not professionals, correct?

All I am saying is that I want the best, and when it gets confusing like it was Saturday (especially at the start of the race), I don't see why they couldn't just have said that their screens are out and they couldn't see the race? Instead, they said they had "technical problems" (whatever that is?).

Maybe I expect too much for our sport?

p.s. pilotdude: thanks for the confidence in our airline pilots! (sarcasm)
jasonv43
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8/29/2011 9:17am
Weege wrote:
It just doesn't work that way, we can't go back, what's beamed up live is beamed up live. Remember, the races air live internationally at the...
It just doesn't work that way, we can't go back, what's beamed up live is beamed up live. Remember, the races air live internationally at the same time we're doing it for SPEED. NO ONE would have loved to have redone it more than me, since I'm the one who looks like an idiot for something that wasn't my fault.

Worse, the producers didn't even know what had happened. They didn't realize we had messed it up, because while Emig and I were missing the start, they were communicating with officials to find out if Dungey was legal to enter the race late. So they didn't hear us.

I was at the track until 9 pm, until the pits were empty, shooting the Racer X Motocross post show. I was there, willing to put in the time like I am every week. If we could have redone it, I would have.

And I'd like to think that the one major problem I had in three years of doing this show (that's 78 motos so far, 78 hours of TV) isn't exactly bringing down this fine sport.

- weigandt
78 - 1 is a pretty damn good record I think.

If I see you at Pala, I'm gonna give you one of those hugs where I lift you up off the ground and swing you around in a circle.



Seriously, you and Fro-Montana are good at what you do. Don't sweat it.
Hut
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8/29/2011 9:35am
Face it that was a mess. We are all fans of the sport and we all know how great the coverage has been recently and we do appreciate it, but that was a mess. Tongue No expert here but seems like a bad idea to cover a live outdoor mx race from inside a closed in box.
Hang in there Weege you are great for the sport! Cool
l_man
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8/29/2011 9:48am
Fro and Weege are the Milli Vanilli of our sport;
lip synching the commentary to what they hear on their ear buds.
freeh
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Lehi, UT, USA
8/29/2011 9:56am
Weege wrote:
It just doesn't work that way, we can't go back, what's beamed up live is beamed up live. Remember, the races air live internationally at the...
It just doesn't work that way, we can't go back, what's beamed up live is beamed up live. Remember, the races air live internationally at the same time we're doing it for SPEED. NO ONE would have loved to have redone it more than me, since I'm the one who looks like an idiot for something that wasn't my fault.

Worse, the producers didn't even know what had happened. They didn't realize we had messed it up, because while Emig and I were missing the start, they were communicating with officials to find out if Dungey was legal to enter the race late. So they didn't hear us.

I was at the track until 9 pm, until the pits were empty, shooting the Racer X Motocross post show. I was there, willing to put in the time like I am every week. If we could have redone it, I would have.

And I'd like to think that the one major problem I had in three years of doing this show (that's 78 motos so far, 78 hours of TV) isn't exactly bringing down this fine sport.

- weigandt
Your play by play is fine, as is Emig's color commentary, but please stop your incessant giggling. I get that you are excited to do your job, but it is very annoying and sounds unprofessional, to say the least.

As far as last weekend, well, that was last weekend. Let's move forward and try to understand how those types of technical difficulties can be avoided in the future.
Titan1
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8/29/2011 10:22am
When I was watching on Speed...I was confused, a little embarrased for the sport, and honestly thought Emig and Weege were complete MORONS! BUT, that's only because I'M the MORON who doesn't know anything about broadcasting.

After reading this thread, and the explanations (that Weege and Emig were in a sound proof trailer with no view of the track, and that their monitors were down, and that the producers were trying to find out what was up with Dungey and not paying attention to the race), it all makes sense now.

I'm no longer confused, nor embarrased for the sport...and I actually respect Emig and Weege a bit more considering they called race off the timing...

Anyway..."much ado about nothing" in this thread, as far as I'm concerned.
8/29/2011 10:40am
The only issue I had with the coverage is when one of them said they were right in the hurricane. That statements was about 24 hours early, no big deal. Also a wrong comment about Alessi's goggles. The weather was a mess, things happen. If you couldn't realize in the first turn that it wasn't a parade lap, and let your ears trump your eyes, then maybe you shouldn't watch MX. If that was a parade lap imagine what the race would look like.

Was Dungey's bike not starting bad for the sport? Was the moto 1 factory Honda problems bad for the sport? So the coverage is off a bit, big deal. I remember in the 80's when we were lucky to see a few SX on TV each season. ABC Wide World of Sports had the Superbikers competition.

Congrats to the racers for being out there, MX 338 for putting on an event with a major storm a day away, and the fans for coming out. If the fans came out in the rain in 1978 maybe Pine Top, RI would still be hosting MX races, or at least still be in business.

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