[Rumours] Legard to be replaced for 2011 at BBC?

[Fox89]

I actually think - and a couple of other people have mentioned this - that Martin Brundle is more than capable of taking on the lead commentator role, with another ex-driver alongside as analyst. Brundle has won awards as a broadcaster, and you don't get many ex-sportsmen who do that.

Yes but, in the analyst role. I don't think there are many better in that regard, but I'm not sure he's suited to the lead commentator role. Not that he's 'not good enough to make the step-up', but they're two different styles of commentary.

Also, in regards to getting another radio guy in, I'm surprised there's not a bit more love for Crofty! I think he's great when watching practice sessions.

[Chatters]

I'll give it a shot. Who'll sign a petition?

[Born Racer]

Is there any substance to this thing I read about Crofty and Martin Brundle not getting on? Otherwise, they are an obvious pair. *Edit- in fact, they're N obvious pair even if they don't get on that great, because it would not be difficult for them to have more rapport than Martin and Jonathan.

[Ralf's Girl]

Originally Posted by Fox89

Yes but, in the analyst role. I don't think there are many better in that regard, but I'm not sure he's suited to the lead commentator role. Not that he's 'not good enough to make the step-up', but they're two different styles of commentary.

I know. What I'm saying is that I think Brundle can do either role. You obviously can't have two analysts, that would be ridiculous! I genuinely think Brundle could move to being lead commentator - yes, it would require adapting his commentary style, but I think he could do it.

[Wims]

Crofty is great for practice sessions, but if you listen to him during the races he can get a little bit too much, trying to make everything sound very exciting. At least during the start of the races. Other than that I like him alot, im sure he would do a much better job than Legard

[Born Racer]

I agree that Martin could do the lead commentator role. He could still provide his usual insight. Perhaps a realisation that the format can be re-jigged is the way forward. So you could have Martin on lead vocal, bringing his insight as well, and a more recent F1 driver alongside him.

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by Ralf's Girl

Spot on. His little phrases and idiosyncrasies really annoy me. I find it really irritating when he talks about what "people" and "everyone" think - I know we all generalise sometimes (I just did it then!), but it's so annoying. He isn't the only member of the BBC team to do it, though; Eddie Jordan said during the Spa pre-race show that "everyone wants Mark Webber to win the title". I was jumping up and down going "I don't! I don't!"

If the BBC does decide to replace him, I just hope they don't get another radio guy in. It took Legard most of last season to remember that the audience can see what he's talking about and stop describing everything.

I actually think - and a couple of other people have mentioned this - that Martin Brundle is more than capable of taking on the lead commentator role, with another ex-driver alongside as analyst. Brundle has won awards as a broadcaster, and you don't get many ex-sportsmen who do that.

I'll add my (not inconsiderable) weight to that arguement. There were a few occasions on Sunday where Martin noticeably acted like a commentator. Unfortunately I can't remember any specific instances to enable me to post actual quotes, but I thought he was extremely professional.
(Generally I just enjoy his insights and grid walk, but when Hamilton had his coming together with Massa, Brundle instantly spotted the broken steering arm saying he's out of the race. Jonathon Legless just carried on waffling...)

[chris bailey]

Oh joy! How I missed this thread, I don't know. I thought I was alone in my complete and utter contempt for Mr Legard and his inane ramblings. One more uttering of "pushing on" and I'll have to trash the TV. Maybe an online petition to show the level of feeling? Same thing for Mr "mix my metaphors" Jordan.

How about making Martin Brundle the lead commentator, and rope in Eddie Irvine to be a latter-day James Hunt. What a combination that would be!

[b1ackcr0w]

I'm wondering if DC is being fitted for the role alongside Martin?

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by b1ackcr0w

I'm wondering if DC is being fitted for the role alongside Martin?

Its quite possible, but I really don't think DC would work very well in that role. His skills there aren't as good as Allan McNish, Anthony Davidson or even Karun Chandok.

[Ralf's Girl]

I desperately hope not. The torture of listening to a Red Bull spokesman for two hours straight would instantly destroy my enjoyment of Brundle's excellent commentary.

[cmifsud]

I'd like James Allen back (the pre Hamilton version thanks!!) and on the following conditions:

1) He never EVER says Sennaesque!
2) He never EVER describes Hamilton's overtakes as "majestic"
3) He never EVER goes crazy like at the end of Hungary 06 when Button won

Other than that, I'd really like to see him back. Here in Australia, before we cross to the BBC feed, we get James Allen's reports from the paddock and they are often pretty good.

[Fox89]

Jonathon Legless just carried on waffling...

*Hamilton skates off the track into the gravel with his broken steering*

Legard: "Oh and that's Hamilton! This doesn't look too good at all!"

I've noticed a lot of things "don't look good at all" to him. Usually things that are on fire, in the barrier, or missing wheels. I always get the feeling he's not 100% sure when he sees these things that the person involved is actually out of the race. Even when he does get the stomach to say "...with Lewis Hamilton out of the race" he always puts a "it seems" on the end.

It doesn't 'seem' that way, Jonathan, it IS that way. He's in the gravel with a wheel pointing the wrong way and his engine off.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Fox89

It doesn't 'seem' that way, Jonathan, it IS that way. He's in the gravel with a wheel pointing the wrong way and his engine off.

He could always jump in Jenson's car.

No one has tried that so far this season. Not even Ferrari. It's banned, apparently.

But yes, it's things like stating the obvious and then leaving some doubt, that really gets on your wick with JL!

[50-SIX]

Originally Posted by Fox89

*Hamilton skates off the track into the gravel with his broken steering*

Legard: "Oh and that's Hamilton! This doesn't look too good at all!"

I've noticed a lot of things "don't look good at all" to him. Usually things that are on fire, in the barrier, or missing wheels. I always get the feeling he's not 100% sure when he sees these things that the person involved is actually out of the race. Even when he does get the stomach to say "...with Lewis Hamilton out of the race" he always puts a "it seems" on the end.

It doesn't 'seem' that way, Jonathan, it IS that way. He's in the gravel with a wheel pointing the wrong way and his engine off.

Murray Walker used to do the same, making obvious errors, but he did it with such charm. His mistakes used to seem to come form over-enthusiasm, coupled with great pasion and excitement that JL doesn't seem to convey, or at least it seems like staged excitement when he tries to sound passionate.

My all time faourite quote of Murrays for its complete 'non-value' content has to be:

"This has been a great season for Nelson Piquet, as he is now known, and always has been"

or

Murray : And Coulthard is now on the inside, AND HE'S GOING THROUGH!!! (add appropriate excitement)
Martin : That's a replay, Murray.

and sooo many more.

Also, everytime I watch this clip (45 sec in ) it never ceases to make me laugh out load:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnXDE...eature=related

OK so stop dreaming of the good old days, back on topic - I agree I think Brundle could do it, but I feel he is best with the odd sensible contribution and dry racing wit. When he says things you just know its no BS and he is a true racer himself, it really comes across. There are several very good commentators that cover the national racing series that could easily step in and do twice the job of JL.

[Fox89]

Murray : And Coulthard is now on the inside, AND HE'S GOING THROUGH!!! (add appropriate excitement)
Martin : That's a replay, Murray.

We still get this every race with Legard!

"And here's Hamilton going through on the inside, maybe?"
"No I think this is a replay".

"Oh and this is...Alonso going past again? So Massa got back through somewhere but Alonso past yet again."
"I think we're looking at a replay there"

And every single time a car gets out of the slipstream "he's coming through here perhaps?! No, not this time!"

[Peter Mallett]

It is after all a people sport. Like it or not half the entertainment comes from opinion. We tend to think of Murray (and in my case) James H as being the pinnacle of F1 commentary teams. Yet the variations in levels of enthusiasm are there to see in Legard and others.

I like Jake H although I'd never heard of him before the F1 gig, yet he comes across as a consummate professional, knowing what questions to ask and when. DC and EJ provide good entertainment. Charlie Cox would be a retrograde step IMO. He's crass and lacks the flair of Murray who could get away with the "pants on fire" thing.

Never heard Ben thingy.

I like Crofty and of course have the utmost respect for Ant and Karun.

Why not put Lee McKenzie in the Legard slot if there has to be a change? She knows her stuff.

Frankly I'd leave it as is though.

[Dan Fielden]

Originally Posted by Fox89

Also, in regards to getting another radio guy in, I'm surprised there's not a bit more love for Crofty! I think he's great when watching practice sessions.

I like crofty also. Very good alternative.

[Dan Fielden]

Originally Posted by davyboy

Allan McNish, Anthony Davidson or even Karun Chandok.

I think Karun is the best analyst out of the three. He is a fountain of knowledge and he doesn't waffle. He says what needs to be said and he will even keep you informed as to whats going on on-track while he's giving you useull information. Its a hard skill to master. I think he's brilliant however as mentioned before with his age his career would probably be more of a priority than becoming a commentator.

[Sodemo]

Whats Murray up to these days...?

[dyewat808]

Originally Posted by Dan Fielden

I think Karun is the best analyst out of the three. He is a fountain of knowledge and he doesn't waffle. He says what needs to be said and he will even keep you informed as to whats going on on-track while he's giving you useull information. Its a hard skill to master. I think he's brilliant however as mentioned before with his age his career would probably be more of a priority than becoming a commentator.

Definitely agreed. He keeps its sharp and to the point, and what he has to say is interesting, relevant, and informative, and thats what a good commentator should be like.

I would also vote for Ben as a commentator. However, that would probably mean taking him off the BTCC, and I'd rather he was there than in F1 - far more interesting........(probably shouldn't say that in the F1 forum!!!)

Murray though for me was the voice of F1 - today, Ben is as close as you can get.

The other thing with Legard is that he has started muttering far too much. I didn't mind him at the start, but a muffled voice is not a commentator voice.

[TWRv12]

Originally Posted by Marbot

Agreed. Far superior to any other 'front man' used so far.

Originally Posted by Greem

For the non-hardcore F1 fan, Jake is absolutely brilliant. His willingness to demonstrate his lack of knowledge but do it in a way which asks the question that 10 million people want answered is a superlative skill.

Also worth remembering is that he's a safe and well-known face for two or three generations of children who grew up with him doing Children's BBC, many of whom will be casual F1 watchers.

Originally Posted by fourWheelDrift

I agree about Jake, he has been much better in that role than I expected and the fact that he is not an F1 expert works Ok because he defers to the knowledge of the others.

Just dump Jake, hasn't an opinion worth listening to, you have to have expert knowledge of the sport you are hosting. Problem is he sometimes thinks he has an opinion worth listening too. CBBC's feed is his perfect habitat.

The BBC F1 show as motorsport presentation isn't great, just a bit better than ITV, good is too strong a word, as an overall package, its just fair.

In some regards they are strangled by things like the limited pit radio tranmissions, but BBC F1 should be better than it is.

Its also a shame the BBC have little or no coverage of any other kind of motorsport.

[P38 in workshop]

John Watson used to do an excellent job in the days when Eurosport showed GP coverage and I believe his services might be available.

[Speedworx]

If I was the BBC I would swap Croft and Legard. Pit Legard back on the radio duties and bring Croft to the tv.

[chunder]

Be very afraid if you get Cox for this.

You will constantly hear words like shuffle and nightmare in a bubble car that will drive you insane as his bike commentary does!

He is occasionally funny and has a good rapprt with people, but his commentary (hos main job after all) is dire and very limited in knowledge being a driver after all.

Brunders is fine, but Legard needs to go, simply not good enough and still rambling on while things are happening that he doesnt notice and Martin does, then gets almost told off for interrupting!