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JS is fantastic in the booth and on his own show because he is himself, he speaks about exactly what comes to his mind and what he feels like AND of course, he is MUCH more analytical that I ever thought. Sh*t, it's amazing to listen to his analysis on bike setups, what the suspension is doing etc. I don't mind at all when he goes a bit over the top, into overdrive.
RC on the other hand, is he getting paid or home schooled to just mention sponsor names and especially spelling out each sponsor? (then again, a podium interview with Justin Cooper is not much more exciting, maybe went to same pr training
)
I really don't remember a time when EVERYONE was happy about moto broadcasts.
Hell, I can't remember any topic on Vital that got 100% support.
I'm gonna remain over here in the "love RC" corner. Lonely but so was Ricky...way out front in the lead.
I enjoyed watching him call the race for Hunter Deagan . LOL.
Honestly I do tend to agree.
Tbh, as long as it's not Ralph - I don't really give a fuck. The years of ralph and emig were AWFUL compared to any of the current configurations. I like Emig, hes a cool dude but good lord those were the times where you had to mute the tv.
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Part of the reason I dig him. He ain't perfect and doesn't pretend to be.
PS...I think I said "Hunter" brothers in a raceday thread. I got some rib pokin' for it but it didn't hairlip the pope and I give Ricky the same pass I give myself. I got a chuckle from the gang and if folks thought less of me...oh well.
Edit...I give RC much respect for being as humble as he is. It would be very easy for an athlete as totally dominant as himself to develop a douchey attitude. He cuts the rider's so much slack and tries to relay to the audience how difficult what they are doing really is.
Long live RC.
5 years is one hell of a bad day.
I remember once upon a time we had Art Eckman and David Bailey
Moto broadcasting in general is cringe. The powers at be literally cater to the non viewer. If you turn into any professional sport the announcers are not explaining the rules of the game. They call the game as if every person watching has played football. Thats how moto needs to be. Treat the audience like they race dirtbikes. The broadcast will improve ten fold. If you dont know the green bike is a kawasaki chances are your not interested in the sport to begin with.
Sorry, but the total number of "core" fans is just too small to make a blip on the needle.
They aren't gonna spend money on production if the ROI isn't there. DC has said it (and was crucified for it). We either take what we got or go back to waiting for cycle News.
Like it or not Deegan and the Lawrences are what we need to get enough viewers for the broadcasters to get the budget they need to go next level.
Hate the game...not the playas.
The sport is what it is. The peak was the mcgrath era. Late night talk shows, espn etc. Were still in the same spot. making a quality broadcast will bring in people. Stuttering and mumbling, wrong names, over sold gimmicks like the drone cam and the on board cameras etc. It all looks like we belong on espn the osho.
You aren't wrong BUT...we have to create enough interest first. Deegan and Jett are interest generators. Cart before the horse deal.
whoa bro, dont knock the drone cam, it is one of the best upgrades to the broadcast in years.
I meant it more in the built in excitement and overselling during the races. The drone cam is good but just go to the shot and call the race.
ahhh makes sense, i'm with you on that
Lol...I was at Hangtown when the drone boy lost his mind. I felt so bad for DC trying to get that mess straightened out. But, the dude wasn't wrong about it being the future.
His mistake was flying it 2 ft in front of the riders goggles.
I had a drone getting way to close while riding at a local track and i swatted that thing away like a fly and it went down!!!! Lol
Hell yeah. Dig it.
I think he is one of the coolest dudes ever. He is by far one of my favorite "Moto Celebrities" I have ever met.
However, I prefer other commentators.
Pit Row
For a subject matter expert commentator I don’t find his technical insights all that insightful. He talks too much about what he likes or doesn’t like, what he did or didn’t do as a rider, and too often his contribution is just agreeing with something already said.
James on the other hand spots small things and comments on how they pertain to the rider on the track or situation and how it is or was affecting their ride that day.
I could possibly overlook Ricky’s other commentary shortcomings if he was delivering some value on the technical side but he just isn’t.
I guess that's my point if they want a wordsmith or commentating pro...then hire one but for us core folks that know the sport...we know Ricky and his legacy. Idgaf if he's a silver tongued devil....he's Ricky Fucking Carmichael. As long as he's passionate about the sport...carry on with yer bad self.
I know who he is and what he’s done; there’s no disputing that.
But right now, 20 years later, while watching a race, I want to get insight into what the current riders are doing and why, not what Ricky would have done.
Don’t get me wrong - he was one fast MF and found a way to win. However the more I hear RC trying to be a technical commentator, the more I’m thinking he didn’t really have a good understanding of why he was that good, or he’s really, really bad at articulating it to an audience. I’ve never listened to him on a podcast or anywhere else so maybe it’s the situation and expectations of the broadcast booth that don’t work well with him.
luv RC but unfortunately................Blair and Stew have raised the Bar and RC don't jump too high!
I have always looked at Ricky's commentary this way....he knows what he would do to beat someone. He has to commentate impartially though. Not many, if anyone, could do what he knows it takes to win. He doesn't belittle riders for their lack of knowledge or skill.
No one you can name has more experience especially at winning than RC. Do not throw out the good in search of perfect.
Brother...name any champ that can fully describe the magic required to be as dominant as RC? And make no mistake...it was magic. Jett is RC reincarnate.
Riding a bike like Ricky and Jett do is not a quantifiable thing. They are melded with the bike and can read the track like it's part of their soul.
We get to see Jett and his magic. Ricky is still here...telling us how magical what we watch really is. Would you rather trust the butcher or the manager? RC has sliced and diced his whole life...I trust him.
Bubba + Weege > Eckman + Bailey
As said , its the constant talking and need to tell stories
Maybe we can start a go fund me to steal Paul Malin from MXGP
feels like I'm reading the Triumph thread with all the whining.
That’s the problem, we wouldn’t be throwing out good. We would be throwing out mediocre…
Dave DeSpain
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