Beating a dead horse

ando

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Perth, AU

ando 8/21/2023 6:34pm

8/21/2023 6:34pm

plowboy wrote:

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...

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.

ando wrote:

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...

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.

plowboy wrote:

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.  ...

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.

I get it, I really do, but that's not what I'm wanting to hear via in-race commentary. I can listen to podcasts by Ricky or a dozen other media people about how good Jett is. I can also see how good Jett is myself.

What I'm looking for during the race from an expert is why rider A took that line, or how rider B's suspension is causing this to happen, or rider C just made a small mistake there which caused him to lose time. Everyone can see Jett is great, what I want to understand better is why Jett is great, and what the others are doing or not doing to explain the gap. Ricky is not good at it, but that in no way detracts from who he is or what he achieved.

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Herr Lich

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Herr Lich 8/21/2023 6:45pm

8/21/2023 6:45pm Edited Date/Time 8/21/2023 6:48pm

plowboy wrote:

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...

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.

ando wrote:

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...

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.

plowboy wrote:

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...

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.

I agree with Ando. While no one has the experience of winning as much as RC he is completely unable to provide insightful commentary on the racing at hand.

I could deal with his grammatical errors, stutterings and verbal fumblings if he had something to add. That is the difference between him and Stew. Stew makes a lot of mistakes grammatically and so on, and also needs to learn the art of brevity, but quite often comes up with interesting takes on what is happening during the race. RC just reverts to 'he is using all the lines on the track, taking insides, outsides'. I often think anyone watching the race - including those who'd never seen the sport - could provide the same commentary as Ricky if you simply asked them to explain what they're seeing on the screen. RC's problems are also nothing to do with the pressure of live colour commentary. He also adds nothing of note to the discussions on Title 24. The whole show is held together by RV.

RC is the GOAT of motocross, but very close to being the WOAT of commentary (Ralph has got that dubious honour on lock).