Kelli Underwood to commentate on Crows v Geelong - Best wishes

[rickyp]

Well said Toots,

Like I've said in other threads, I found her knowledge on the game to be excellent, however found her to be calling it more like a radio match. If she varied the tone in her voice it wouldn't be so noticeable, but it was her first game so I'll go easy. I didn't mind her, she was better than a lot of other tv commentators, I wouldn't mind if they kept her as well.

 

[Ry009]

Re: Kelli Underwood

Yeah because every other footy commentator in history has been totally brilliant in all facets calling their first game.

Come of it fellas, give her a chance.

Geezus Christ

If an 18 year old first gamer put in a solid performance, did everything required without much flair and made a few mistakes you'd all say "give him a couple of games to iron out those bumps and we'll have a player here!"

If we talk about a commentator instead he puts in a solid performance, did everything required without much flair we all assume that's her best effort and she won't get any better?

YOu people make me sick. She was good - her first outing and she shat all over half of the seasoned commentators on the various panels.

I hpoe she commentates all the time.

Bang on the money.

Just don't get why people always have to tow the typical negative BigFooty line all the time.

Already a s***load better than half the muppets commentating at the moment which include some of her colleagues.

 

[bigtuna]

Have to laugh at the righteous PC brigade questioning anyone who didn't like the call or stated the bleedin obvious that she got the gig because she is female.


SHE WAS NOT A RADIO CALLER, AS A GIMMICK SHE CALLED A HALF OF A GAME. ONCE.


Just a half and it was promoted as a first time a female has called the game. There are plenty of play by play commentators on radio who have done the job for years who never get a chance at a TV gig. So why do you think she got the job? Because of her experience at calling the game on radio? Because of how exceptional she is? Because of a voice thats suited to commentary? No, because she is female.


I think the argument shouldn't be about why she got the job but whether she is any good at it.

 

[Cousin Jed]

Re: Kelli Underwood

Keep her and sack Michael "Oh.....don't tell me he kicked it" Christian.She's way better than him.At least she didn't do the lame Dennis gags or gay up the call like Bruuuuuuuce.

Think you are short a couple of "don't tell me"s there.

 

[shoe]

Is there a point in their anywhere?

No is the answer to your question because most commentators dont get a thread dedicated to them headed "best wishes". I guess in most cases the reasons for the appointment are self evident and such a thread isnt warranted.

I love the way that asking a few questions that dont agree with the PC crew is deemed sexist feet stamping.... I guess coming across someone with an opinion who questions things is reasonably rare in your little world?

Well if you feel so strongly about it, why don't you create a new thread for every new commentator?

You realise that Nathan Buckley was a gimmick too, don't you? He had even less experience than her, if any. Where's his thread?

 

[Eagle87]

Well if you feel so strongly about it, why don't you create a new thread for every new commentator?

You realise that Nathan Buckley was a gimmick too, don't you? He had even less experience than her, if any. Where's his thread?

This is your argument? Really? Thats your best effort?

Nathan is a colour guy, not a play by play caller. Nathan is without question one of the best 5 players of the last decade or so, brought in to add a current perspective to the "colour" aspect of the game - former captain of a club, understands current tactics and articulate... an absolutely obvious choice. Also a regular media performer over more than 10 years.

Unbelievable....

You do know the difference between "colour" and "play by play"?

 

[bigtuna]

Well if you feel so strongly about it, why don't you create a new thread for every new commentator?

You realise that Nathan Buckley was a gimmick too, don't you? He had even less experience than her, if any. Where's his thread?

FFS you are not too bright, are you?

Nathan Buckley is a special comments man, all of them are ex players, lots of them fresh out of the game. There is no gimmick in it. Their experience is their playing career.


The play by play commentators tend to be a mix of explayers and professional journos. All the journos who have tv jobs calling the game did years of calling on radio before getting on tv. Kelli did half a game as a gimmick. Not even one game's experience.

 

[hendo8888]

Re: Kelli Underwood

I was reasonably impressed from a knowledge point of view
19 times out of 20 she got the Crows players name right which is a welcome change to what you expect from other commentators.
When you have Otten and Knights who look the same; Kite and Moran; Cook, Vince and Mackay; Jacky and Petrenko all very similar looking and all relatively unknowns, she did well to know which was which.
Her voice is an issue and does take a bit away from the game, but first up it wasn't too bad.
Hopefully she can work on some excitement and flair, because she definitely knows her stuff.
Probably wouldn't like to have her commentate more than 1 game a week, but she isn't bad at all.

At least she wasn't repeatedly stating how outstanding a kick Chris Knights is like the other commentator was proving he has NFI about our team. Or about the massive raps we all have on Sellar.

 

[Eagle87]

Why did I start a thread and include best wishes? For the same reason that someone would surely have started a thread and extended best wishes when the first Irish player got a game (Jim Steynes?) or when the first South African player gets a game or the first anybody. Not specifically because Kelli is a woman but because it's a new development.

Right, so its a new development - because she is a woman - but you didnt start the thread because she is a woman - even though thats the only new development. Glad we cleared that up.

By the way where is your Rob Waters thread from last week? With best wishes? Or wasnt that a new development - perhaps because he ..well, isnt a woman.....

This is something new, Kelli is a pioneer and deserves a chance to show what she can do. As for it being a gimmick by Channel Ten well I think you're wrong because they went out of their way to keep this low key. They haven't promoted Kelli on the basis she's a woman and Kelli did no interviews prior to the game. Just did her homework to prepare for her debut.

She did get a special session with Tim pre-game in which he pumped up her (threadbare) credentials. She is a pioneer? Why? ....

*********************************************************

Should we have woman commentators? I say there's a place just as much as there's a place for guys like Huddo and McAvaney who haven't played at any high level. If they're good commentators they should get a crack. It does sound a little strange to hear a womans voice but we'd get used to that like we do with anything new.

I don't disagree with adding any commentators who are good. With Grybas gone and with Dennis close to retirement and Bruce well past his prime we need that next group of upcoming commentators no doubt.

Good ones are required. Kelli Underwood has done nothing before last night and nothing last night to suggest she is good .... but whatever...

We need new blood. I am heartily fed up with Bruce McAvaney for example. That's not his fault because he's probably still a good commentator but I've heard waaaay to much of him over the years. Other commentators I've never liked.

Agreed.

Fifty percent of football watchers are women. Why can't there be some women commentators if they can do a good job? I'm a man by the way so I'm not pushing a feminist agenda just looking for some variety in the commentary box.

No problems. Based on the same view there should also be women players, if they are good enough.

That said, one would suggest picking a woman player and playing her in a NAB Cup game despite no demonstrated ability would be seen as gimmicky. Which is my point regarding commentators .... not that hard to follow really ....

The bottom line should be is the commentator doing a good job. Is there a good chemistry in the commentary team and I can see plenty of opportunity for that to occur with the right woman mixing it with a bunch of fellas.

Agreed. Certainly there was zero chemistry last night, despite the presence of Luke Darcy, who seems to instantly relate to almost everyone. '

 

[shoe]

Not the sharpest tool are you....

She wasnt trialled because she was a radio commentator. She was trialled because she was a woman.

If she was a quality radio caller with experience and was a rising star in commentary then fair enough but she isnt, she is a bog average caller with an ordinary voice (especially for TV) and you could find any number of callers in radio with better experience, with better credentials and with more talent.

So when trying to form a view as to why a relatively inexperienced caller, with no obvious talent advantage gets a gig, one looks for reasons; the only obvious one was her sex.

I am "hopping about" as you say, because someone else set this up as a topic and it was open for comment. I have raised various questions as to why she is there, I have pointed out her obvious flaws - thats the way discussions go .... you don't like my view so you label me sexist.... thats both piss weak and suggests you dont have much of substance to argue about.

Kelli Underwood isnt very good. That ok with you?

Yeah, sorry, I was stoned while I was posting last night.

Please explain why you have come to the definite conclusion that she was only trialled because she was a woman? Perhaps you should back up your concrete viewpoint with a source.
Or maybe you'll find the only source for your view is your own posts.

It has already been pointed out in the thread that she was trialled because she has a gig at 10 already, and with the 24h sports channel launching in April they need to find how the new guys cope.

As mentioned she has radio calling experience, i'm not sure how you have managed to completely downplay that as a qualification. Do callers need TV experience in order to be called up for a tv gig? The rest of your point is laughable, you are tryign to pass off your personal opinion as fact.
I thought she got a lot better as the game went on personally. I really enjoyed the change.

Kelli Underwood isn't very good, in your opinion. YOU think the flaws are obvious, but all you are doing is outlining your opinion. There are many posters in this thread with different opinions to prove my point.

You are incredibly narrow minded if you think your opinion is the only opinion. That is the reason that I am not attacking your reasons for your view, only the way you are constructing it.

 

[Crosby87]

If she was good enough, I'm all for it. But she wasn't. That's not a slight on her; she obviously needs more experience.

Of course it was a gimmick. She was there because of the novelty of having a female caller. Anyone who disagrees with that fact is clearly delusional. There are far better radio callers that have never even had a shot at calling on TV, and suddenly Kelli Underwood gets a shot out of nowhere?

 

[T-Pain]

Re: Kelli Underwood

just because footy clubs use the excuse of young/inexperienced/still learning for their on-field performance, doesn't mean its acceptable for broadcasters.

 

[bigtuna]

ffs shoe she does not repeat DOES NOT have radio experience. She called half of a game, a half as a gimmick.


if you think she is the greatest caller in the world then ok that's your personal opinion but don't make up stuff to give her credentials she does not have.


she was never a radio caller.

 

[shoe]

FFS you are not too bright, are you?

Nathan Buckley is a special comments man, all of them are ex players, lots of them fresh out of the game. There is no gimmick in it. Their experience is their playing career.


The play by play commentators tend to be a mix of explayers and professional journos. All the journos who have tv jobs calling the game did years of calling on radio before getting on tv. Kelli did half a game as a gimmick. Not even one game's experience.

How does a career as a professional athlete qualify you for a job as a tv presenter?
Just like the Ox's glowing resume by your standards, then? Do you enjoy his grunting and half sentences?

I am completely sick of stations giving ex players jobs. I have done and always will consider these appointments as gimmicks, since the player was popular on-field they figure it will transfer over. Half of them can barely construct sentences.

Luckily Buckley is a smart guy and has fitted into the role nicely, but i completely disagree that a playing career automatically qualifies you for tv presenting.

 

[shoe]

ffs shoe she does not repeat DOES NOT have radio experience. She called half of a game, a half as a gimmick.


if you think she is the greatest caller in the world then ok that's your personal opinion but don't make up stuff to give her credentials she does not have.


she was never a radio caller.

Alright then. Sorry for that point. The rest of my points still remain.

 

[bigtuna]

How does a career as a professional athlete qualify you for a job as a tv presenter?
Just like the Ox's glowing resume by your standards, then? Do you enjoy his grunting and half sentences?

I am completely sick of stations giving ex players jobs. I have done and always will consider these appointments as gimmicks, since the player was popular on-field they figure it will transfer over. Half of them can barely construct sentences.

Luckily Buckley is a smart guy and has fitted into the role nicely, but i completely disagree that a playing career automatically qualifies you for tv presenting.

I think you are confusing the two separate roles that make up a commentary team. There are special comments men like Buckley, Watson and Darcy who don't describe the play then there are the play by play callers. Every single special comments man is an ex player. Their experience is that they played. If you don't think that is enough experience than that is another argument.

The play by play callers other than Kelli all have years of calling experience before they make it to tv.

 

[Eagle87]

How does a career as a professional athlete qualify you for a job as a tv presenter?
Just like the Ox's glowing resume by your standards, then? Do you enjoy his grunting and half sentences?

I am completely sick of stations giving ex players jobs. I have done and always will consider these appointments as gimmicks, since the player was popular on-field they figure it will transfer over. Half of them can barely construct sentences.

Luckily Buckley is a smart guy and has fitted into the role nicely, but i completely disagree that a playing career automatically qualifies you for tv presenting.

Look, I dont disagree with the theme of your point.

The reality is that David Schwartz was diabolical on TV. Funnily enough he was given a gig because of a view that he had been a player AND he was considered decent on radio calling VFL games. I only heard him once on radio and thought he was ordinary by the way.

There is no doubt that some ex-players shouldnt be on TV. There is equally no doubt that the colour guys (the experts) are always going to be ex-players/coaches because thats what the role requires.

In Buckleys case, he had been on TV and radio regularly for a number of years and he always presented himself very well in that role. Was always a monty for a permanent gig once he retired.

 

[TigerCleavage]

Re: Kelli Underwood

just because footy clubs use the excuse of young/inexperienced/still learning for their on-field performance, doesn't mean its acceptable for broadcasters.

You can't be serious?
How else are you supposed to bring the next generation of broadcasters through if you don't give them the chance?

 

[ChipDouglas]

Re: Kelli Underwood

She lost me when she asked Darce, "is it time for the Crows to push the panic button in 2009", to which Luke said "No, not when it's round one of the NAB cup".

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

Re: Kelli Underwood

She lost me when she asked Darce, "is it time for the Crows to push the panic button in 2009", to which Luke said "No, not when it's round one of the NAB cup".

Since when did commentators have to understand what's going on? All I will ask is this .. are there other people who could do better .. the answer of course is yes. I thought Australia was past tokenism, but I was wrong.

 

[Cousin Jed]

ffs shoe she does not repeat DOES NOT have radio experience. She called half of a game, a half as a gimmick.


if you think she is the greatest caller in the world then ok that's your personal opinion but don't make up stuff to give her credentials she does not have.


she was never a radio caller.

She has more than that - she also called 2 Swans games on the ABC last year.

 

[purplepassion82]

Re: Kelli Underwood

As a woman I feel a bit torn on this subject. When I heard about her doing it, I thought great, this might bring a different perspective to the game.

However, I couldnt sit through the whole game. Whether this was because of her nasally voice, or that I'm just so used to male commentary I am not sure. Yes she did seem to know the players but seemed a bit behind the eight ball....

I certainly don't think it's a failed experiment but maybe she needs some more experience before the big time....some more NAB calls, some more vfl calls maybe.

Don't write off female commentators in footy though, as I'm sure there will be more coming through the ranks, who i'm sure will do a great job with the right amount of experience.

 

[Puddy]

I thought that she was alright

 

[borgsta2006]

I thought she did a good job. My only qualm with her commentary (and I have done a fair bit of it in athletics and other sports includng footy, is that she tried to describe so much of the action that she got too far behind the play.
Other than that she made no errors in terms of names or anything like that.
I think Channel Ten have done a bold thing and footy will be better for it.

 

[Jabso]

She was ok, needs more time. Tim Lane's patronising comments were stupid for example him saying "Well Kelli we're going to look at the replay".