ITV's presenters - oh dear... (merged)

[spider]

Am I alone in thinking that the ITV F1 presenters are worse than useless.

Jim Rosenthal - the man has less charisma than a piece of cardboard. He simply knows nothing about the sport and can't cope when the producers are speaking into his ear. Any1 who's seen Jeff Stelling from Sky will know a guy who can cope with the pressures of being an anchor man and presenting in an interesting and informative manner. He seems genuinely interested when interviewing (whilst receiving instructions through his ear piece) unlike JR who's interview with Dave Richards was as rude as it was embarrassing - no eye contact, not even the courtesy to reply to what he was saying - just static and completely bland The guy is talentless and has no interest in the sport, how he manages to cover a whole variety of sports is astonishing, especially as there are guys like Ben Edwards in the scene who have knowledge and passion for the sport, but maybe he's be better at James Allen's job?

JA is just as prone to being as unobservant as Murray, but without that 'old enthusiast' charm. Looking at the signatures on this forum I know many feel the same, but surely we could have a more interesting, less nerdy character presenting our sport in the UK - I feel for Brundle, you get the feeling that he looks down on JA slightly. Sorry, 'JA' makes him sound quite cool, which he most certainly isn't...

Then, Louise Goodman. Sorry, useless. I cringe at each of her interviews. Her chat with JB's dad had the question of something like "Jenson did really well today, he was on the same lap as the Ferrari's" - it was delivered in a tone that wasn't meant to be funny, but was something she felt was a clear step forward for Jenson. I mean, you what!? Reminds me of when my nan was surprised I could spell the word 'and' - something so obvious and patronising it was insulting.

I can't believe there isn't some1 more suitable for the interviews, surely F1, the pinnacle of motorsport, can be delivered to us by more suitable people than this current bunch of bananas!?!

[JustinDawkins]

Am I the only one that has noticed tat they have been wearing the same shirt!?!?!?!?

@ Melbourne Blundell was wearing a sort pf yellow ish checked shirt during the qual coverage. Jardine was then wearing it for the post race coverage! Then Jimbo was wearing it for the post race stuff in Malaysia!?!?!

The three of them obviously own it between themselves to keep costs down!

[krt917]

I'm not a huge fan of Rosenthal's and agree that he's hardly the most charismatic figure (Steve Rider was better), but I can cope with him. I can also cope with Louise, who at least has improved since she started. But JA really gets on my nerves. He often gets things wrong, and doesn't have Murray's enthusiasm, unless he's talking about how exciting the different fuel strategies are. I sometimes wonder whether he'd just prefer to see a computer simulaton of the different fuel loads with no overtaking allowed. Perhaps he should be an FIA representative! Martin deserves better.

[1200Datto27]

I'll take the ITV guys over the dross that we locals get given with the AGP, where the commentators do not even know what they are goningon about.

[climb]

Further question: is there any place where F1 has good presenters?
Italy is not in the happy list.

[Adam43]

Eurosport and then Digital+ had great commentators. Ben Edwards is top draw and on Digital+ you could chose a second set of commentators that gave a more chatty coverage. Sublime.

[Mr V]

Ted Kravitz is also awful, he seems to have no clue what so ever.

Whilst waiting for the season to start, i rewatched Japan 03 on video, and ted Kravitz was going on and on about a close battle in the pits between Rubens and DC. Then Martin pointed out that it wouldn't be that close due to the fact that Rubens was 20 seconds ahead of DC

[Mr V]

Originally posted by AdamAshmore
on Digital+ you could chose a second set of commentators that gave a more chatty coverage. Sublime.

Used to love that, for a few reasons....

Matt Lorenzo is better than "the count" as anchor man.

Damon and Perry used to argue their way through the race.

Couldn't stand listening to John Watson.

[spider]

JR does make my blood boil!

Ted is just as bad as the rest of them, what is the point in him anyway, surely the commentators can see everything he sees anyway, plus his and Louises updates throughout the race are simply woeful and opinionated tripe!

Matt Lorenzo and Jeff Stelling - surely ITV could poach one of them!?!? Just imagine the salary the Count must be on too?! Makes me weep!

Ben Edwards alongside Martin Brundle - just imagine how good that'd be, with Matt or Jeff as anchor, with Perry McCarthy and Irvine doing the interviews!?

[krt917]

Originally posted by spider
Ben Edwards alongside Martin Brundle - just imagine how good that'd be, with Matt or Jeff as anchor, with Perry McCarthy and Irvine doing the interviews!?

I agree with this, apart from Irvine. Found him pretty irritating, though occassionally interesting, as a driver and I don't quite think he has quite the right approach to do interviews!

[spider]

Irvine would certainly make for a few interesting interviews, I agree tho he can be a tad irritating. Perry though would be bang on! ITV - sign them up!!!

[JohnMiller]

Irvine interviewing Trulli after the race: "So, you're still sh*t then Jarno?"

Irvine interviewing Fisichella after he retires on lap 43: "So, you're still sh*t then Giancarlo?"

Irvine to Heidfeld on the grid: "Do you think you'll ever do anything fecking worthwhile then Nick?"

[Adam43]

Well that would add to the coverage wouldn't it?

[spider]

See - BRILLIANT stuff, no mucking about with 'So, how was your race then...' - straight to the nitty gritty! Oh how I'd laugh at that!

[krt917]

Yes, exactly. And it'd be made worse by the fact that Eddie wasn't exactly a great himself! (not that a great should say those things either, of course!)

[kristof14]

James ALlen hit a new low with his "Jenson Buttonville" comment when Sato's engine gave up!

[Knowlesy]

Hmmm....

Or his Monaco 2003 comment.....

"The sound of the engines echoes round Monaco like ghosts through a town."

[spider]

Fabulous, I bet it'd add to the number of casual viewers tho. You don't want any mumbo jumbo, you want to hear the likes of Webber speaking their mind as he did on Sunday more often.

When you think Louise Goodman is their leading interviewer you've got to ask how/why!?

[spider]

I didn't catch 'Legends' comment on Buttonville - I'm ready to cringe, so please remind me of what HE said...!?

[spider]

Knowlesy that made me laugh, then cringe...awful, truly awful...

[spider]

Imagine the chemistry between Edwards and Brundle - they're enthusiasm and knowledge would be incredible. Had the luck of working with B.Edwards at Brands, during his 1st commentary role (I was a runner, aged 10 in the OLD commentary box!) and I can say he has untold energy and he was one hell of a racer himself, so at least both are ex-racers! Just imagine, Ben, Martin, Perry and Eddie - for those tense moments...

[F1Pete]

I prefer watching the ITV guys rather than the guys on Speedvision. If I watched the last two races on Speed(where I had to get up at 2am), I surely would have fallen asleep during the race. Those guys are extremely boring.

I do find Louise Goodman very annoying because I can barely understand what the hell she is saying because she speaks so fast (compounded with her Brit accent).

Being so used to watching F1 races on ITV over the years, anything less would be uncivilized.

[elspethhardie]

Jenson Buttonville wasnt as bad as monkey off his back as JA discribed Buttons 3rd place!

[Dan Fielden]

The guy who i really like on I.T.V. is Martin Brundle because in effect he is acting as two commentators and has been since 2000 when Murray began to make errors on a regular basis, Martin was always on his toes and quickly rectified the situations. I remember the Italien gran Prix in 01 when murray began to cough in the middle of a sentance and Martin was able to finsh it off as murray moved away from the mike to finish coughing,and whenever something needs to be said he will say it.
don't ditch Martin.
FANTASTIC !!!!

[krt917]

Originally posted by Dan Fielden
The guy who i really like on I.T.V. is Martin Brundle because in effect he is acting as two commentators and has been since 2000 when Murray began to make errors on a regular basis.

I don't think Martin had been born when Murray started making errors on a regular basis!

Seriously though, I agree; Martin is by far the best guy on ITV's lime-up, perhaps followed by Jardine.