How bad are TBS playoff broadcasts?

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bigpern23

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Aug 1, 2004
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I say "frighteningly awful."

Ernie Johnson is a hoops guy and it shows, Frank Thomas still hasn't looked at a camera and Cal Ripken, while he occasionally gives good info, is horrible with the highlights and doesn't have a smooth delivery.

They missed an out in the third inning of last night's Red Sox game because they were at commercial and their game analysts aren't bringing anything to the table (the pxp guys are fine).

Yeesh, I never thought I would miss a Fox broadcast.
 
bigpern23 said:
Yeesh, I never thought I would miss a Fox broadcast.

You're right on all points about TBS. But TBS doesn't have Joe Buck and Tim McCarver. Advantage: TBS.
 
Dangerous_K said:
bigpern23 said:
Yeesh, I never thought I would miss a Fox broadcast.

You're right on all points about TBS. But TBS doesn't have Joe Buck and Tim McCarver. Advantage: TBS.
Exactly...McCarver is the worst at his craft that I've ever seen...how he has kept his job for so long is a mystery to me. A playoff game without him is a playoff game that will not need constant muting.

Besides the horrific Frank Thomas and the inexcusable miss of Mike Lowell's diving stab, TBS has done a solid job.
 
**** Stockton needs to be taken out behind the woodshed and shot. Offers nothing whatsoever, save mispronounced names.
 
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Oh, how I loathe McCarver, believe me. The whole TBS production just feels thrown together though, and that's inexecusable considering how long they've been broadcasting the Braves.

I hate the idea that any ex-jock can do a studio show. Don't they have screen tests for these guys or anything? I saw a commercial with Tony Gwynn and Ripken and all it did was remind me that Gwynn would likely be a far better option as an analyst. I like Ripken, but he is awfully wooden. I think Gwynn's got a smoother on-air personality.
 
Will someone please tell Joe Simpson (is that the asshat's name?) that every base runner in the postseason is NOT a rally!
Four times during Rockies-Pods ON Monday night and at least 3 times during Phils-Rocks yetsreday. the douchebag said, after the leadoff guy got on "In the postseason, every base runner is a rally."
WTF?
 
bigpern23 said:
They missed an out in the third inning of last night's Red Sox game because they were at commercial and their game analysts aren't bringing anything to the table (the pxp guys are fine).

Yeesh, I never thought I would miss a Fox broadcast.

Fox pioneered the art of missing the first out of an inning due to late-running commercials. TBS just learned from the master. Honestly, how hard would it be to copy the NHL model: have an official in the press box with his finger on a light switch. When the commercial break ends, he turns off the bright red light and the umpire points to the pitcher. Play ball.
 
heyabbott said:
NO TBSHD for me. I'm pissed

Me too, can't find it on my satellite (Dish Network). I get a zillion random HD channels but they can't find room for TBSHD?

And yes, I'm turning into a snob that can't watch many sports anymore unless they're in HD.
 
spnited said:
Will someone please tell Joe Simpson (is that the asshat's name?) that every base runner in the postseason is NOT a rally!
Four times during Rockies-Pods ON Monday night and at least 3 times during Phils-Rocks yetsreday. the douchebag said, after the leadoff guy got on "In the postseason, every base runner is a rally."
WTF?
Simpson was trying, unsuccessfully, to heighten the drama of a playoff game. Wasn't necessary...I'm positive Phils and Rockies fans know they are in the playoffs after such long layoffs.

And am I the only one who thinks Ripken has done a surprisingly fine job?
 
playthrough said:
heyabbott said:
NO TBSHD for me. I'm pissed

Me too, can't find it on my satellite (Dish Network). I get a zillion random HD channels but they can't find room for TBSHD?

And yes, I'm turning into a snob that can't watch many sports anymore unless they're in HD.
My understanding is it's available on DirecTV only at the moment. As to TBS, yes, some (not a lot) of the basketball TNT-ness was attempted, and it does not translate to baseball.
 
Huh, oh sorry I just woke up from the nap induced by the announcers calling the Boston-Anaheim game. I've thought Ripken has been pretty good. I think Johnson is as good a studio man as there is in the biz. I didn't catch much of Thomas yesterday. Overall I'd give the broadcast a C- effort.

As much I don't like Buck and McCarver there is something about the Fox broadcasts that at least lends itself to some sort of importance. I don't know if it's just because that's what channel I'm used to watching big games, but there just is a different feel on Fox. I can't put it into words, but if the Sox play at Yankee Stadium in the next round you'll see exactly what I'm talking about.
 
Better than Fox.

Some of the announcers are good, some suck. Way of the world.

At least there aren't weird robot graphics.
 
playthrough said:
heyabbott said:
NO TBSHD for me. I'm pissed

Me too, can't find it on my satellite (Dish Network). I get a zillion random HD channels but they can't find room for TBSHD?

And yes, I'm turning into a snob that can't watch many sports anymore unless they're in HD.

I'd at least settle for a digital signal instead of the blurry analog basic signal
 
Zeke12 said:
Better than Fox.

Some of the announcers are good, some suck. Way of the world.

At least there aren't weird robot graphics.

It ain't playoff baseball if I don't have Scooter explaining what a circle change is, either.
 
Last night Piniella went out to talk to Marmol and TBS went to commercial, assuming he would make a pitching change. They dicked around long enough that he was actually starting back to the dugout without making the change as they went to break, how they didn't catch that I don't know.

They got about 15 seconds into a Budweiser ad and had to abort and go back to the game. Luckily they didn't miss a pitch.
 

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