Tuesday, June 17, 2008

U.S. Wimbledon commentators selected

First, the bad news: Dick Enberg, who should have been fired long ago for his inappropriate treatment of Sony Ericsson WTA Tour players, is back for his 25th anniversary of calling Wimbledon matches. "Oh my!" simply does not do justice to this news--more like "Oh please."

In the ESPN booth with the out-of-control Enberg will be Cliff Drysdale, and they will be joined by Mary Joe Fernandez, Mary Carillo, Darren Cahill, Bud Collins, Brad Gilbert (back from a two-year absence), Luke Jensen, and Chris Fowler. Unfortunately, they will also be joined by Patrick McEnroe. And the "roving reporter" will once again be the witty but ultimately annoying and manipulative Pam Shriver (who also deserved to be sacked for her meddling in the 2005 women's French Open semifinal and final).

Some things never change. We can expect mispronunciation of players' names from everyone but Collins and Carillo. We can expect sexism from Enberg and Shriver, with some also tossed in by Fowler and McEnroe. We can expect Fernandez and Drysdale to talk about Sharapova as though she were the world's only perfect human. We can expect Shriver to manufacture "controversies" that do not exist. And we can expect me to tie myself to the chair so that I won't be tempted to throw a brick at the screen every time McEnroe says "Droppa!"

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow...you sound like me...
I hate commentators who mispronounce players names, especially when they have been commentating for so long (you would think they would learn). I also hate when they create things out of nothing, and use weird slang words for things (like droppa). But I also hate when they breathe loudly...haha
We usually have good ones in Australia though, just a couple who annoy me.

Kia said...

Just found your blog a couple of days ago and have really enjoyed the content.

Collins and Enberg can be difficult to listen to but I've been dreading Gilbert's return to my TV since he parted ways w/ Murray...

I'm equal parts annoyed and amused by Shriver, please refresh my memory about her specific antics at RG in 2005.

ken said...

I agree with Kia regarding Gilbert. I was so pleased his coaching duties took him away from the booth.
Looks like my mute button will be getting quite worn this fortnight!

Diane said...

Thanks Kia.

During the semifinal between Mary Pierce and Elena Likhovtseva, the umpire--as usual--was not enforcing the time rule with Pierce (nor were any umpires enforcing it with anyone--they are better about this now). Shriver became more and more agitated, then left the booth and "reported" Pierce to the umpire. No kidding.

As if that were not outrageous enough--when she saw that Pierce was going to win--she went to Carlos Rodriguez to tell him to make sure he kept an eye on the umpire during the final when Pierce played Henin.

Sarah said...

Aw, I actually enjoy the McEnroe/Drysdale team. I love Cliffie to extremes, though, and Mary Carillo, too.

Shriver needs to Go.Away. I'm "meh" about Brad Gilbert...although he pronounces "frustrating" as "fustrating" which is super annoying.

Unknown said...

Is anyone else frustated with Mary Carrillo's inability to shut up for more than half a second.

Anonymous said...

Is anyone as annoyed as I am with the talk going on during the points being played? I find myself yelling at the tv for them to "shut up." Right now I'm watching the men's final and Ted keeps gabbing right through the points. I'm boiling mad.

Anonymous said...

We thought Tracy Austin was stupid but Brad Gilbert abuses the privilege! He slaughters the English language! He has no idea regarding subject agreeing with verb(as if he knows what those terms are---that's called SYNTAX.)Finally, this grade school dropout perseverates on"ALL-SUDDEN" What does that mean?.We'd like to know who hired him and why.We question the quality of that person's decision making ability. The other commentators, with the exclusion of John Mcenroe, know tennis and speak well,too.

Anonymous said...

So glad to find this website. I have been sooo annoyed by the same individuals that have been mentioned. Gosh, can't the (retired) true stars of the sport to commentate??? Please!!!

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