Posts
10048
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Newark, OH
US
Edited Date/Time
1/26/2012 3:02pm
Finally, you went up to the riders on the line and stuck your microphone in their helmets
and got a pre-race sound bite from 'em. Good , sound journalism and genuine
informative entertainment for the fans.
During the race, you did your best, as you should, to keep the fans informed, with
real - time data acquisition - the best that you could.
You asked the questions - you didn't always get the answers.
You did what a real journalist is supposed to do. You're gonna take heat no matter what
you do, Tonight you did well. Real well. Earned your stripes.
Here's the deal, if Erin doesn't go up and ask those questions, dig for information -
she gets labeled as simply "eye-candy" that lurks about as scenery. I think
that journalists in other sports are FAR more intrusive. We, in motocross, hold
our stars in such high-regard, that most of us are fans first and then all other
tasks are secondary, it's high time that people like Erin ask the tough questions -
even at seemingly inopportune times - it' what the basis of real journalism is all about -
getting the STORY, despite the obstacles. I applaud her.
The Shop
The journalists in other sports dig for info, but not during the game, it's just not a allowed. Another difference is, other sports have real journalists, with degrees, not just friends who work for other friends, trying not to piss off teams.
Yeah, well brother this ain't baseball - there aren't press-conferences and interviews
in the locker-rooms either, it is entirely different and if people like Erin want to ask the
questions of the riders, she'll do it when she can - and how is it pertinent whether
she has a degree or not ? And if the riders don't want to answer - they won't, as RV
didn't. And - if they tell her to F off, well, that comes with the territory, too.
She's not perfect, she does her best - for the first time in a long time, I feel like she
finally stepped out and stepped up and decided she needed to perform some solid
inquiries and get to tthe bottom of what is going on, then she won't have to listen to
common goons, like me, who feel like we usually only get half the story in our sport.
A degree would automatically give her credibility. She wouldn't have to try and prove her worth on the start line asking questions.
What did you learn tonite by her asking questions on the start line?? Did it make the race more enjoyable to you by her asking questions on the line?? Did you take away some really good insight on what the riders were thinking?? Did she get to the bottom of anything?? Were there questions out there that she got you the answer to?
Does her best?? When your supposed to be a professional at your craft, you are held to a higher standard. Sometimes your best isn't good enough..
Your "have a degree and be a professional" line is complete BS.
This isn't a news agency.....it is entertainment. Just like other sports.
You are going to sit there an tell me that the color commentators and on air talent for baseball, football, nascar etc are all journaliam majors?
You're really just being foolish and grinding your usual axe.
I am not so sure.
Now if Mrs. Bates has Children and they must be fed and cared for, yes she should be commended for doing whatever it takes to put food on the table.
In an event such as war then I would agree a good honest journalist is the best way to prevent rampant propaganda being the only source of info.
But in a sport where the only thing that really matters is finishing position do we really need trackside commentary?
I was commending her for doing a good job, especially when there posts floating about,
declaring that she was out of line by making the very inquiries and investigating the
side-stories that develop during the course of the night - that contribute to the overall
story-line of the show.
" But in a sport where the only thing that really matters is finishing position do we really need trackside commentary? "
Yes, absolutely we do, case in point - at Indy, when there was a black-flag flown,
NOBODY, including the announcers - were sure of who it was for.... A well informed
fan gets a better understanding and a more fulfilling experience.
It is my problem that I cannot look at this issue and many others, from any point of view other than the riders.
I know these guys are paid professionals, but even a spectator (ugh) should be interested in the best racing possible. Not the most info possible.
There is a very good chance that a tactless question just seconds before the start will have an effect on a riders ability to focus thus effecting the outcome of the race.
In an event as dangerous as SX everyone should put their desire for immediate info aside. If not for the good of racing, for the safety of the racers.
If you missed some juicy tidbit during a race and just have to know what happened there is always facebook and twitter for your voyeuristic needs.
Begone Erin Bates.
As you were,
oG
Pit Row
I'll never understand the commotion - nor the condemnation - of this woman
simply doing her job, To inform the public.
As for interviewing riders on the line and distracting their concentration - HOGWASH.
Then take away the mechanics and their pre-race line-lectures, take away the
gorgeous 30 sec board chick and get all the fans out of the stadium, God forbid
the riders might be spooked by all this other business taking place.
They are professional riders, They deal with distractions. WOW.
She probably figured RV was out of the race and was hoping to get the scoop -
FOR THE FANS.
RV chose not to answer. BFD.
No harm, no foul.
Erin did her JOB.
( imped?)
And I would say, yes, to a champion winning is THAT important. And I am sure if you are married she is a wonderful woman, I was just making a point.
"A degree would automatically give her credibility. She wouldn't have to try and prove her worth on the start line asking questions."
Really? We all know a degree GUARANTEES success and is the only way one can become a true benefit to society. lmao! WOW. FUUUUCCCK OFF!
And they ask questions while they're on the starting grid firing up the engines.
I would of never in a million years guessed the SX had such a closet homosexual following............................
For you guys who think it was wrong for Erin to do what she did. Have a look at those big earmuff things she wears when shes working down by the track during the race. I'll guarantee you somebody was telling her to run over and get an interview with RV. She's been around racing long enough to know what's going on. But like any other person who works for someone else to get their paycheck, she does what the boss tells her to.
If RV is pissed about the TV people costing him time, then he's wrong. If it wasn't for the guys who were plugged into the broadcast commentary coming over and pointing out that the exhaust was plugged with dirt he would have never made it back out. Or at least would have taken longer than they did.
Reminded me of that classic Bradshaw interview after one of his bad races where he had a meltdown on camera.
As for Erin, she does a good job and the starting line interviews were cool.
Post a reply to: Be Proud, Erin Bates.