March 5, 2010, 4:29 pm
World Cup With an Accent on TV in United States
By JACK BELL
Blimey! Perhaps the network known as ESPN (which began life as the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) should change its name to the ENGLISH Sports Programming Network.

On Thursday, ESPN, which will carry all 64 matches of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa across its family of networks beginning on June 11, unveiled its announcing teams for the tournament. And from top to bottom, the gents’ voices are well known … in Britain. Ian Darke, Adrian Healey, Derek Rae and Martin Tyler will provide the play-by-play match commentary throughout the tournament.

Will it be soccer or football? Pitch or field? Will players wear kits and boots or uniforms and cleats? Stop me before I have an aneurysm.

On June 12, when the United States takes the field against England in Rustenburg, the folks describing the action as it is beamed back to the colonies will be speaking the Queen’s English, sprinkled with the so-called soccer terms that make expatriates so happy and sound like nails on the blackboard to many Americans.

J. P. Dellacamera and John Harkes, who team on Major League Soccer and United States national team games for ESPN, have been relegated, Dellacamera to ESPN Radio, to work the 64 tournament games with Tommy Smyth and his onion bag; Harkes merely to oblivion.

“The group of commentators we have assembled represents some of the finest English-language voices for televised soccer anywhere in the world,” Jed Drake, ESPN’s executive producer, 2010 FIFA World Cup, said in a statement. “They present the sport at its highest level, and their firsthand knowledge of the players who will compete in the FIFA World Cup will greatly inform fans and enhance how we present this global event in the United States.”

These guys might be good and they certainly know their stuff, but is Drake telling American soccer fans that there are not four people in the United States capable of conveying the same information with a global perspective and no foreign accent?

Which voices do you prefer? The Bacardi Breezers (Geezers) or the Yanks? Does it matter? Should ESPN even be using two guys in the booth, or would one informed and knowledgeable announcer be just fine? What would the reaction be in England if Sky Sports or the BBC employed a Yank to call Premier League games or, even worse, the World Cup?

jusnice wrote:Personally, I don't see what the big deal is here...

March 5, 2010, 4:29 pm
World Cup With an Accent on TV in United States
By JACK BELL
Blimey! Perhaps the network known as ESPN (which began life as the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) should change its name to the ENGLISH Sports Programming Network.

On Thursday, ESPN, which will carry all 64 matches of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa across its family of networks beginning on June 11, unveiled its announcing teams for the tournament. And from top to bottom, the gents’ voices are well known … in Britain. Ian Darke, Adrian Healey, Derek Rae and Martin Tyler will provide the play-by-play match commentary throughout the tournament.

Will it be soccer or football? Pitch or field? Will players wear kits and boots or uniforms and cleats? Stop me before I have an aneurysm.

On June 12, when the United States takes the field against England in Rustenburg, the folks describing the action as it is beamed back to the colonies will be speaking the Queen’s English, sprinkled with the so-called soccer terms that make expatriates so happy and sound like nails on the blackboard to many Americans.

J. P. Dellacamera and John Harkes, who team on Major League Soccer and United States national team games for ESPN, have been relegated, Dellacamera to ESPN Radio, to work the 64 tournament games with Tommy Smyth and his onion bag; Harkes merely to oblivion.

“The group of commentators we have assembled represents some of the finest English-language voices for televised soccer anywhere in the world,” Jed Drake, ESPN’s executive producer, 2010 FIFA World Cup, said in a statement. “They present the sport at its highest level, and their firsthand knowledge of the players who will compete in the FIFA World Cup will greatly inform fans and enhance how we present this global event in the United States.”

These guys might be good and they certainly know their stuff, but is Drake telling American soccer fans that there are not four people in the United States capable of conveying the same information with a global perspective and no foreign accent?

Which voices do you prefer? The Bacardi Breezers (Geezers) or the Yanks? Does it matter? Should ESPN even be using two guys in the booth, or would one informed and knowledgeable announcer be just fine? What would the reaction be in England if Sky Sports or the BBC employed a Yank to call Premier League games or, even worse, the World Cup?

What a bunch of BS! This guy clearly has his head up where the sun don't shine. I am a huuge FOOTBALL fan and a passionate Liverpool man (yes, i know we are having a ****e season, i do not need reminding ) and watch a lot of EPL, and then a fair bit of La Liga and Serie A, as well as whatever else is on TV. And then MLS, and any game commentated by an American. Now, they do know a fair bit. But i think any avid footy fan who knows his/her stuff will prefer the english guys (some of them, some others are not that great) as they always talk in the correct way as far as football commentating is meant to be.

Not to mention, what he even mentions in his article, that these commentators have first-hand experience commentating at Premier League games week in, week out! They know many of the players extremely well and will no doubt haver much more informed opinions than many of the American ones i have listened to. The amount of times ive heard an American, and Australian commentators back home, pause because they realize they have no idea what they are gonna say, really irritates me. These guys commentate the most televised league in the world as their job, so they know what they are doing.

That last comment about "how would they feel if a Yank called Premier League games" is stupid as well. They are not coming over here and commentating the MLS, they are commentating the games in South Africa, and probably the same feed will be in England as well. Completely different thing.

Can't wait for the tournament though! Go the Socceroos

Silverfuel wrote:

AussieKnick10 wrote:I am a huuge FOOTBALL fan and a passionate Liverpool man (yes, i know we are having a ****e season, i do not need reminding ) and watch a lot of EPL, and then a fair bit of La Liga and Serie A, as well as whatever else is on TV.

Torres being somewhat healthy hurt. I'm hoping he's fully recovered and they all come back stronger after the World Cup. Fuck Man U!

Is right mate! Torres despite being ravaged by injury still has 20 goals so far, just one sign of his brilliant talent. Team always gets up more when he's on as well. Fully agree, as much as i love the World Cup my first love is Liverpool, and ill be hoping they all have a good cup, but stay injury free and come back ready to bounce back from this season.

jusnice wrote:So, do the Yanks have any chance in their group? Will the home team make any noise other than the crowd?

Yeah, as long as they play well of course, i think they should get through. But the world cup is one of things where anything can happen, so they need to be on top of their game from the opening whistle.

jusnice wrote:Personally, I don't see what the big deal is here...

March 5, 2010, 4:29 pm
World Cup With an Accent on TV in United States
By JACK BELL
Blimey! Perhaps the network known as ESPN (which began life as the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) should change its name to the ENGLISH Sports Programming Network.

On Thursday, ESPN, which will carry all 64 matches of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa across its family of networks beginning on June 11, unveiled its announcing teams for the tournament. And from top to bottom, the gents’ voices are well known … in Britain. Ian Darke, Adrian Healey, Derek Rae and Martin Tyler will provide the play-by-play match commentary throughout the tournament.

Will it be soccer or football? Pitch or field? Will players wear kits and boots or uniforms and cleats? Stop me before I have an aneurysm.

On June 12, when the United States takes the field against England in Rustenburg, the folks describing the action as it is beamed back to the colonies will be speaking the Queen’s English, sprinkled with the so-called soccer terms that make expatriates so happy and sound like nails on the blackboard to many Americans.

J. P. Dellacamera and John Harkes, who team on Major League Soccer and United States national team games for ESPN, have been relegated, Dellacamera to ESPN Radio, to work the 64 tournament games with Tommy Smyth and his onion bag; Harkes merely to oblivion.

“The group of commentators we have assembled represents some of the finest English-language voices for televised soccer anywhere in the world,” Jed Drake, ESPN’s executive producer, 2010 FIFA World Cup, said in a statement. “They present the sport at its highest level, and their firsthand knowledge of the players who will compete in the FIFA World Cup will greatly inform fans and enhance how we present this global event in the United States.”

These guys might be good and they certainly know their stuff, but is Drake telling American soccer fans that there are not four people in the United States capable of conveying the same information with a global perspective and no foreign accent?

Which voices do you prefer? The Bacardi Breezers (Geezers) or the Yanks? Does it matter? Should ESPN even be using two guys in the booth, or would one informed and knowledgeable announcer be just fine? What would the reaction be in England if Sky Sports or the BBC employed a Yank to call Premier League games or, even worse, the World Cup?

Just found this clip. Listen to the commentator. Thats the reason there needs to be English commentators. PK's?!?! WTF! And nobody says ManU during commentary. Its amateur hour. But I guess these guys arent expected to know that.