For God's Sake get rid of Ralph Sheheen already!

Tokyo_Tiddler
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Tokyo_Tiddler 10/14/2018 9:27pm
10/14/2018 9:27pm
3 posts since 2011 and this is the most pressing thing you have to comment on? Do you have a friend that wants Ralph's job? Smile I find it hard to believe that his style is problematic enough to warrant all these threads. I am so busy watching the racing that the commentary is secondary anyway. I think we would benefit more from having better quality video than anything else.
m121c 10/14/2018 9:45pm
10/14/2018 9:45pm
supercuss wrote:
Obviously it's awesome to have a race in the off season with most of the big guns squaring off. That said, after watching the first Monster...
Obviously it's awesome to have a race in the off season with most of the big guns squaring off. That said, after watching the first Monster Cup race of the night, I'm more puzzled than ever that some people still seem to think Ralph is a decent announcer. I'm going to leave Jeff out of it here, he "sets in second" when it comes to the announcing issue.

Once everyone's through the first turn, there are two main things that need highlighting: PASSES and CRASHES. If there's a pass for the lead or in the front pack, stop what you're saying and bloody announce it! The closest anyone got to noting a major pass while it was happening in that first race was Fro's patented "Uh-Oh!" when Marv passed Savatgy, while Ralph was talking about, as usual, pointless stuff.

Year after year almost everyone seems to hate on the announcing, and nothing changes. I get some of the reasons they keep bringing Ralph back, like trying to bring in fans from all the other events he calls. But at some point, casual fans who are actually watching already are just going to turn it off after hearing too much of Ralph's low-rent Troy McClure act. Hardcore fans will of course always watch and just cringe through it.

At the end of the day I suppose it's not that big of a deal, and to be fair to Ralph the second race was much better than the first. I'm just sick of being stoked to watch an event and then hearing that voice and thinking, damn, now I've got to listen to this frickin guy for the next 3 hours...
Motoxdoc wrote:
[b]"For God's Sake"[/b]:huh: It took you only 3 posts to be a vital whinner?! Impressive. I think Ralph Sheehan is EXCELLENT! Instead of complaining, how about...
"For God's Sake"Huh It took you only 3 posts to be a vital whinner?! Impressive. I think Ralph Sheehan is EXCELLENT! Instead of complaining, how about some suggestions? Who would you have replace Ralph?....and what makes you think they are available and better?
"Year after year almost everyone seems to hate on the announcing".....I don't see that!...I believe it's mostly, if not only, the non-racing Vital members.
..and then there's the poster in here that blames Ralph for teams not being able to get outside sponsors! Really?!Whistling
BikeGuy321 wrote:
If you knew nothing about the sport and you heard Emig's broken English and Ralph yelling at the top of his lungs like someone just died...
If you knew nothing about the sport and you heard Emig's broken English and Ralph yelling at the top of his lungs like someone just died, would you really think that highly about the sport? You'd probably assume the average fan had an IQ of 50 and couldn't even afford your products.
Wait, you are faulting the guy for.. being excited about the sport and the racing?

Emig has his issues, you can tell his stutter kills him at the first few rounds before he finds a groove. Ralph might also miss certain ques and mess up certain terminology/aspects of the sport, but what can you expect from a guy who has never raced. However, I give credit to Ralph, announcing Supercross means more to him than just being apart of a broadcasting team, he is genuinely a huge fan of the sport.

They are no Weege/Langston duo, but they aren't terrible. If anyone bothers me its the Race Day Live team... you don't realize just how good Ralph and Jeff are until they take over one of the practice sessions from Blair and Holley. Could also be that the Race Day live camera crew also has a weird fetish for zooming into the rear fenders of the bikes as they go around the track... but that's a can of rant I'd rather not open.

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MX Guy
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MX Guy 10/14/2018 10:36pm
10/14/2018 10:36pm
It’s a motorcycle-circus designed to achieve profit; in order to do so the broadcast planning must adhere to the sponsors’ wishes. Companies pay big money to have their likeness shown to everyone at home and the producers are shameless with shoving “entertainment” down the throats of viewers because that’s how to make the most money. It’s not just meant to be a race, the whole broadcast is a giant block of advertisement. We’re a very, very, very small demographic of mostly young, middle-class, job-working individuals. FELD and Monster want MONEY, pyrotechnics aren’t cheap.
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BikeGuy321
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BikeGuy321 10/14/2018 11:09pm
10/14/2018 11:09pm
I've been watching Supercross since the early 2000's when ESPN did the broadcast. They have always catered to sponsors regardless of the commentators.

I consider myself a pretty diehard fan of MX, so if the broadcast makes it hard for me to enjoy the show I can only imagine how casual fans feel about it.

Everyone who has no problem with the broadcast, watch a round of CMRC Canadian Nationals, The AMA Nationals, and MXGP. If Supercross is the 'Big Show' why does it have such poor, uninspiring commentating compared to every other major series?
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Dirtbikegirl12 10/14/2018 11:39pm
10/14/2018 11:39pm
Yes Ralph and Jeff are both awful. Ricky has his good and bad moments. Jenny is amazing because she is well liked among the riders and always provides good insight. Weege is amazing and imagine how amazing if he announced for Supercross and still had a word of the day. Blair is by far one of my personal favorites.
But recently I noticed Blair is off Twitter. Maybe I missed something. Where in the world is Daniel Blair?
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BikeGuy321 10/14/2018 11:41pm
10/14/2018 11:41pm
Maybe they should stop showing the races live? I wouldn't have a problem with seeing the races on Sunday, if it meant the production was better. We probably wouldn't get the broadcast interupted by Nascar and Professional Darts if they showed the races on Sunday.
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mrbingo_
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mrbingo_ 10/14/2018 11:49pm
10/14/2018 11:49pm
As a friend told me: Can I buy the supercross online season package without commenting?

1. Get rid of Ralph!!
2. Get Jeff back on his anti-stutter-program. That guy is nervous. He made a joke of himself during the MXdN broadcast, compared to Paul Malin
3. Please, do something about the infographics, screens within screens etc. It sucks, and its because the producers are stuck in the 90s!!! Have a look at MotoGP (roadracing), thats how you prooduce moto broadcasting!!
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brimx153
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brimx153 10/15/2018 12:40am
10/15/2018 12:40am
eGGz wrote:
Unfortunately the melodramatic commentary provided by Ralph comes across as disingenuous and contrived.
He basically just mails it in every week.
I don't agree . I think he is giving it 100% . each wk . He is just terrible at his job . Really really terrible. And I can't understand why some people give him a pass or say they don't mind him .
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Dougy1
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Dougy1 10/15/2018 12:49am
10/15/2018 12:49am
Ralph pumps it up I rate him makes it exciting .
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baconandeggs 10/15/2018 2:49am
10/15/2018 2:49am
There's only one man for the job here my friends, lets get him before he dies as he is after all 95 years old now.

Murray Walker step forward. "There have been seven previous winners of the grand prix and Michael Schumacher is four of them!"
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MiguelT.
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MiguelT. 10/15/2018 3:01am
10/15/2018 3:01am
supercuss wrote:
Obviously it's awesome to have a race in the off season with most of the big guns squaring off. That said, after watching the first Monster...
Obviously it's awesome to have a race in the off season with most of the big guns squaring off. That said, after watching the first Monster Cup race of the night, I'm more puzzled than ever that some people still seem to think Ralph is a decent announcer. I'm going to leave Jeff out of it here, he "sets in second" when it comes to the announcing issue.

Once everyone's through the first turn, there are two main things that need highlighting: PASSES and CRASHES. If there's a pass for the lead or in the front pack, stop what you're saying and bloody announce it! The closest anyone got to noting a major pass while it was happening in that first race was Fro's patented "Uh-Oh!" when Marv passed Savatgy, while Ralph was talking about, as usual, pointless stuff.

Year after year almost everyone seems to hate on the announcing, and nothing changes. I get some of the reasons they keep bringing Ralph back, like trying to bring in fans from all the other events he calls. But at some point, casual fans who are actually watching already are just going to turn it off after hearing too much of Ralph's low-rent Troy McClure act. Hardcore fans will of course always watch and just cringe through it.

At the end of the day I suppose it's not that big of a deal, and to be fair to Ralph the second race was much better than the first. I'm just sick of being stoked to watch an event and then hearing that voice and thinking, damn, now I've got to listen to this frickin guy for the next 3 hours...
Motoxdoc wrote:
[b]"For God's Sake"[/b]:huh: It took you only 3 posts to be a vital whinner?! Impressive. I think Ralph Sheehan is EXCELLENT! Instead of complaining, how about...
"For God's Sake"Huh It took you only 3 posts to be a vital whinner?! Impressive. I think Ralph Sheehan is EXCELLENT! Instead of complaining, how about some suggestions? Who would you have replace Ralph?....and what makes you think they are available and better?
"Year after year almost everyone seems to hate on the announcing".....I don't see that!...I believe it's mostly, if not only, the non-racing Vital members.
..and then there's the poster in here that blames Ralph for teams not being able to get outside sponsors! Really?!Whistling
BikeGuy321 wrote:
If you knew nothing about the sport and you heard Emig's broken English and Ralph yelling at the top of his lungs like someone just died...
If you knew nothing about the sport and you heard Emig's broken English and Ralph yelling at the top of his lungs like someone just died, would you really think that highly about the sport? You'd probably assume the average fan had an IQ of 50 and couldn't even afford your products.
The commentary is dumbed down for the American Masses.
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flatout111
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flatout111 10/15/2018 3:47am
10/15/2018 3:47am
supercuss wrote:
Obviously it's awesome to have a race in the off season with most of the big guns squaring off. That said, after watching the first Monster...
Obviously it's awesome to have a race in the off season with most of the big guns squaring off. That said, after watching the first Monster Cup race of the night, I'm more puzzled than ever that some people still seem to think Ralph is a decent announcer. I'm going to leave Jeff out of it here, he "sets in second" when it comes to the announcing issue.

Once everyone's through the first turn, there are two main things that need highlighting: PASSES and CRASHES. If there's a pass for the lead or in the front pack, stop what you're saying and bloody announce it! The closest anyone got to noting a major pass while it was happening in that first race was Fro's patented "Uh-Oh!" when Marv passed Savatgy, while Ralph was talking about, as usual, pointless stuff.

Year after year almost everyone seems to hate on the announcing, and nothing changes. I get some of the reasons they keep bringing Ralph back, like trying to bring in fans from all the other events he calls. But at some point, casual fans who are actually watching already are just going to turn it off after hearing too much of Ralph's low-rent Troy McClure act. Hardcore fans will of course always watch and just cringe through it.

At the end of the day I suppose it's not that big of a deal, and to be fair to Ralph the second race was much better than the first. I'm just sick of being stoked to watch an event and then hearing that voice and thinking, damn, now I've got to listen to this frickin guy for the next 3 hours...
Motoxdoc wrote:
[b]"For God's Sake"[/b]:huh: It took you only 3 posts to be a vital whinner?! Impressive. I think Ralph Sheehan is EXCELLENT! Instead of complaining, how about...
"For God's Sake"Huh It took you only 3 posts to be a vital whinner?! Impressive. I think Ralph Sheehan is EXCELLENT! Instead of complaining, how about some suggestions? Who would you have replace Ralph?....and what makes you think they are available and better?
"Year after year almost everyone seems to hate on the announcing".....I don't see that!...I believe it's mostly, if not only, the non-racing Vital members.
..and then there's the poster in here that blames Ralph for teams not being able to get outside sponsors! Really?!Whistling
BikeGuy321 wrote:
If you knew nothing about the sport and you heard Emig's broken English and Ralph yelling at the top of his lungs like someone just died...
If you knew nothing about the sport and you heard Emig's broken English and Ralph yelling at the top of his lungs like someone just died, would you really think that highly about the sport? You'd probably assume the average fan had an IQ of 50 and couldn't even afford your products.
Have you ever heard when the Sabres or Penguins back in the day scored a goal? Now THAT is grown men yelling. But it's great. It's excitement. Maybe you want boring Dave Despain back. Yawn.
blockhead17
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blockhead17 10/15/2018 4:42am
10/15/2018 4:42am
Before criticising, sit there and record yourself commentating a race and then listen back.. it’s not as easy as you think.
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motonation24 10/15/2018 4:50am
10/15/2018 4:50am
blockhead17 wrote:
Before criticising, sit there and record yourself commentating a race and then listen back.. it’s not as easy as you think.
Yes it is.
And it’s not our jobs to do it anyway. There are better people out there. I’m sick of shaking my head during each broadcast- it’s befoming a bit of a joke.
Daniel Blair is great !
Jason Weigant and Daniel Blair would be good.
They have had a good run, time to pass on the torch
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blockhead17
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blockhead17 10/15/2018 5:00am
10/15/2018 5:00am
I feel like Ralph would be good for first time watchers tho.. I’m assuming the idea is that Ralph speaks to the first timers and Jeff is supposed to give a racers insight, I Often feel Jeff doesn’t live up to his potential more than Ralph..
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Steve125
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Steve125 10/15/2018 6:10am
10/15/2018 6:10am
Try calling a race when there's a voice in your ear from the control booth instructing you what to talk about because they plan to go to camera 6 then 9 ect... Riders who show up to guest commentate are more raw and interesting because I think they are given free reign to actually talk about what they want. It's an unfair comparison.
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mmain62
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mmain62 10/16/2018 5:31am
10/16/2018 5:31am
I actually enjoy Ralph and think that he is better to listen to than Fro. JMO
stingray
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stingray 10/16/2018 6:00am
10/16/2018 6:00am
mrbingo_ wrote:
As a friend told me: [b]Can I buy the supercross online season package without commenting?[/b] 1. Get rid of Ralph!! 2. Get Jeff back on his...
As a friend told me: Can I buy the supercross online season package without commenting?

1. Get rid of Ralph!!
2. Get Jeff back on his anti-stutter-program. That guy is nervous. He made a joke of himself during the MXdN broadcast, compared to Paul Malin
3. Please, do something about the infographics, screens within screens etc. It sucks, and its because the producers are stuck in the 90s!!! Have a look at MotoGP (roadracing), thats how you prooduce moto broadcasting!!
Emig was one of my favorite racers growing up, so it pains me to say this, but I have to agree on point #2. It is beyond cringe-worthy hearing him stumble over himself and getting lost in the middle of his thoughts on a consistent basis. I know the guy had legit speech issues to overcome and I respect the fact that he even had the balls to pursue broadcasting, but it doesn't add value to the show imho...

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flatout111
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flatout111 10/16/2018 6:38am
10/16/2018 6:38am Edited Date/Time 10/16/2018 6:38am
Frank wrote:
This it the way this sport should be filmed and broadcast.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqBSotv8dmU



Well. I respect your opinion but I disagree. A good production and presentation is pivotal. Do I think the production crew should quit catering so much to the new fans? Yes. But I do want good pbp, analysis with informative trackside and pit reporting.

I wouldn't like it like the video and also it would do zero to grow the sport to the mainstream.

Watch Art, David, Davey and Marty. That is your blueprint. If you can pull that off live then you have your answer.
psychotronBR 10/16/2018 7:13am
10/16/2018 7:13am
I don't mind Ralph that much, even though i'd much prefer Weege or Malin.

Jeff on the other hand, good god! The way he tramples over his own words, leaves sentences unfinished and repeats himself EVERY SINGLE BROADCAST stuns me. I mean, i hate being so harsh cuz i like the guy, but he's just a bad announcer. Period.
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jonesaustin
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jonesaustin 10/16/2018 7:41am
10/16/2018 7:41am Edited Date/Time 10/16/2018 7:42am
I think Emig is first rate. When he's excited about something on the track it comes from Pro level experience and I think it's pretty awesome actually. I'm also amazed how he's able to do it, having overcome stammering in his early years as a racer. He and Bailey certainly my favorite voices for calling the shots.

Also, can't remember his name but the person calling the shots in 2003-ish time frame was also phenomenal. He was only with us for 3 years I think.
flatout111
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flatout111 10/16/2018 7:46am
10/16/2018 7:46am
jonesaustin wrote:
I think Emig is first rate. When he's excited about something on the track it comes from Pro level experience and I think it's pretty awesome...
I think Emig is first rate. When he's excited about something on the track it comes from Pro level experience and I think it's pretty awesome actually. I'm also amazed how he's able to do it, having overcome stammering in his early years as a racer. He and Bailey certainly my favorite voices for calling the shots.

Also, can't remember his name but the person calling the shots in 2003-ish time frame was also phenomenal. He was only with us for 3 years I think.
I think you're speaking of Todd Harris.
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mrbingo_
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mrbingo_ 10/16/2018 8:21am
10/16/2018 8:21am
In MotoGP (not MxGP) they have:

* Excited announcers who could put words on what they are seeing, not just "UH OH" "WOAH DID YOU SEE THAT?!"
* On board live cameras (COME ON WTF!!!!)
* On board start replays
* Graphics that are relevant and easly overviewed. (6-20th not flashing around)
* Proper timing graphics and lap time comparasion

Have a look:
https://youtu.be/GD4SWNa8aDE?t=409
Squirrelings 10/16/2018 8:37am
10/16/2018 8:37am
Dirtbikegirl12 wrote:
Yes Ralph and Jeff are both awful. Ricky has his good and bad moments. Jenny is amazing because she is well liked among the riders and...
Yes Ralph and Jeff are both awful. Ricky has his good and bad moments. Jenny is amazing because she is well liked among the riders and always provides good insight. Weege is amazing and imagine how amazing if he announced for Supercross and still had a word of the day. Blair is by far one of my personal favorites.
But recently I noticed Blair is off Twitter. Maybe I missed something. Where in the world is Daniel Blair?
Blair is a good announcer, but if you listen to his podcast, you’ll realize that the average vitard has more knowledge of what’s going on in the sport right now. It’s baffling how many times he has no idea what the listener questions are referring to.
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Rushton597 10/16/2018 8:47am
10/16/2018 8:47am Edited Date/Time 10/16/2018 8:50am
BikeGuy321 wrote:
I've been watching Supercross since the early 2000's when ESPN did the broadcast. They have always catered to sponsors regardless of the commentators. I consider myself...
I've been watching Supercross since the early 2000's when ESPN did the broadcast. They have always catered to sponsors regardless of the commentators.

I consider myself a pretty diehard fan of MX, so if the broadcast makes it hard for me to enjoy the show I can only imagine how casual fans feel about it.

Everyone who has no problem with the broadcast, watch a round of CMRC Canadian Nationals, The AMA Nationals, and MXGP. If Supercross is the 'Big Show' why does it have such poor, uninspiring commentating compared to every other major series?
The Canadian series has some of the most horrible announcing I've ever heard. I really dont know how you could listen to that and think it's anything at all to brag about. EDIT: they referred to maffenbeier as "muffindiver" for literally one whole race two seasons ago. Yes it was sorta funny the first time but.... jesus it was hard to listen to. The least professional sounding announcing ever.
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byke
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byke 10/16/2018 8:54am
10/16/2018 8:54am
Dave Despain and Larry Maiers were a couple of goobers back in the day, but they were likeable goobers. I feel similarly about Ralph.
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flatout111
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flatout111 10/16/2018 8:56am
10/16/2018 8:56am
Dirtbikegirl12 wrote:
Yes Ralph and Jeff are both awful. Ricky has his good and bad moments. Jenny is amazing because she is well liked among the riders and...
Yes Ralph and Jeff are both awful. Ricky has his good and bad moments. Jenny is amazing because she is well liked among the riders and always provides good insight. Weege is amazing and imagine how amazing if he announced for Supercross and still had a word of the day. Blair is by far one of my personal favorites.
But recently I noticed Blair is off Twitter. Maybe I missed something. Where in the world is Daniel Blair?
Squirrelings wrote:
Blair is a good announcer, but if you listen to his podcast, you’ll realize that the average vitard has more knowledge of what’s going on in...
Blair is a good announcer, but if you listen to his podcast, you’ll realize that the average vitard has more knowledge of what’s going on in the sport right now. It’s baffling how many times he has no idea what the listener questions are referring to.
I like Blair a lot and think he has great future in the sport but I do think he needs to do some homework on the history of the sport. Past his racing era he doesn't seem to know a lot.

But he's dedicated and can learn. No worries there.

I think Steve could be an excellent announcer but I doubt it ever happens.
tingo
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tingo 10/16/2018 9:39am
10/16/2018 9:39am
I like Ralph...and turtles.
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GODZILLA
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GODZILLA 10/16/2018 11:16am
10/16/2018 11:16am
In the end, it seems like they're actually getting rid of Emig.
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