A Commentating Double Standard?

[SNY]

Why don't they let Peggy and Susie commentate on the men's skating? Dick and Peter, on the other hand, commentate on both men and women's skating. Do you think Peggy and Susie don't want to do it, or they're not allowed to do it?

[rudi]

Good question.
I don't know the answer, but this is something I have always wondered about as well.

[Alexa]

I notice this situation with Susie more than I do Peggy. I am not sure about this year, but in past years it seemed like Dick and Peggy did both of the disciplines. Because I always wonder why they don't bring Peter into the mix more. In the past, Dick and Peggy often did pairs as well, and I always thought it made more sense for Peter to help with that discipline (just as Susie does Dance commentary).

When they are doing the events Dick and Peggy don't attend, Peter plays the role of Dick (that doesn't sound so good) :lol: --the main skating commentator for all disciplines along with Terry Gannon who goes to all the events.

So, I don't really know why the women are often excluded from commentary of men's skating. But I personally have always found it strange that Peter gets to do all of the outside the US events with Terry, but he is underutilized when the events are in the US.

[Tapper]

Interesting question. I never thought about it myself, but now that you bring it up... I really do wonder what it would be like to hear what Peggy has to say about the men's competition. How would she comment on the skating of Weiss, Tim, Savoi, Weir...

Though it's complex (in my imagination) I would vote that it is the old double standard haunting us...

[duffy76]

I believe that Dick and Peter are considered the play by play commentator, while Susie and Peggy are the color commentators. I'm not sure why they can't be color commentators for all events, though. And I'm not really sure what Terry's role is, although I like him. It's rare for someone to come from traditional sports and embrace skating.

[icedancer2]

Originally posted by duffy76
And I'm not really sure what Terry's role is, although I like him. It's rare for someone to come from traditional sports and embrace skating.

I think Terry kind of plays the objective "3rd person moderator" -- not an expert per se, but a person who has followed skating for a long time and is knowledgable about the sport but not immersed in it personally. I've often wondered if he does some recreational skating himself, or if his family is involved, too.

They have always had someone like that -- I remember Jim McKay and a few others whose names have escaped me throughout the years. There is also someone in Canada who plays the same role, so I think it's pretty common.

Maybe they need someone to keep them from arguing during the competitions/commentary!!

And it would be interesting to hear Peggy's comments on the men's, especially.

[Kemy]

I always thought of Terry as being the "dummy" commentator...no offense.

I think he actually knows the answers to a lot of the questions that he asks, but he just asks them so that the other two can inform the non-expert viewing audience. He probbably is better at thinking up questions that some "regular" folks at home might like to know.

[Tapper]

Originally posted by icedancer2
They have always had someone like that -- I remember Jim McKay....

You mean, I'm not the only one to remember Jim McKay?! Ah those were the good old days... :D

[icedancer2]

Yeah -- I remember another name -- Vern Lundquist!!

I also thought of another one this afternoon -- oh, who was it???

[flippet]

Originally posted by Kemy
I always thought of Terry as being the "dummy" commentator...no offense.

I think he actually knows the answers to a lot of the questions that he asks, but he just asks them so that the other two can inform the non-expert viewing audience. He probbably is better at thinking up questions that some "regular" folks at home might like to know.

I agree that it's rare for a network sports commentator to really seem to not only know his skating stuff, but enjoy it, too. Terry's been doing this for so long that frankly, sometimes I think he knows the answers better than Dick or Peggy. I've seen him trying to throw the others a rope from time to time....and occasionally the others attempt to 'hang' themselves with it. :oops: But he plays his role really well, and for a sports commentator to be pretty much loved by skating fans and not reviled, well it's unusual.

[Rachel]

Originally posted by icedancer2
I also thought of another one this afternoon -- oh, who was it???

John Tesh, the ultimate takling head horror?

[Tapper]

Yikes! Now there's a name one cannot forget. However, I'll admit I cannot remember what the guy looked like. I liked Jim.

Now, John Tesh... I don't remember him. Isn't he the guy who plays the piano? :?? :lol:

[Alexa]

Originally posted by icedancer2
Yeah -- I remember another name -- Vern Lundquist!!

I also thought of another one this afternoon -- oh, who was it???

You weren't thinking of awful Al Trautwig were you? He is another one I can think of but only because I despise his commentary.

[loveskating]

Originally posted by Alexa
You weren't thinking of awful Al Trautwig were you? He is another one I can think of but only because I despise his commentary.

Me too...he wins the "off the wall ignorant" and also mean spirited award!

I love Paul Wylie's commentary...he is intelligent, yet so enthusiastic, and very fair, but he also points out the mistakes, even the fine points, and I so much appreciate that, even when its my favorite...one feels they fully understand why someone won or lost, whatever, and yet one enjoys Paul's enthusiastic love of the sport.

There are too many judgmental things said, too much rooting for or dissing a skater by the commentators...Paul Wylie usually doesn't do that...

[viennese]

SNY asks a classic question -- why is it almost unheard of for women to comment on men's sports?

And if you hear two commentators, it'll be two men, or a man and a woman. Almost never will it be two women.

The answer is, I think, sexism. Subtle, but it is there. We just accept it as tradition.

[jcspkbfan]

I remember one example of the other way around--Brian Boitano's commentary for ABC a few years ago. IIRC, the only discipline Brian commentated on was the men's event. I remember he did a fairly good job (when Dick let him get a word in edgewise--LOL!) and wondered why he never commentated for any of the other disciplines.

[Isk8NYC]

I wish the networks could broadcast the music without commentary, using that second audio setting for televisions. My kids accidentally changed the TV to that setting. The Simpsons came on speaking Spanish and I thought it was a gag for about 5 minutes! Then I realized they were playing with my head. It was funny!

Seriously, it would be nice to hear the music without interruption and really enjoy the skating program. Since the videos/DVDs are usually without commentary, they have the sound and the ability. Ah well, I can dream.

[skipaway]

1996 with Rudy Galindo, was the time I remember Brian Boitano commentating with Dick. I still have that tape, and I still remember myself saying.. Brian, be quiet!!! He, as well as all commentators talked throught the entire program. Still bothers me today.

btw... American Tennis also uses the Men (John McEnroe for example)commentating on both men and women's tennis, while the Women (Mary Carillo) commentate on only women's tennis.
I think it's a sexist attitude on the part of the networks.



skipaway

[Arsenette]

Originally posted by icedancer2
Yeah -- I remember another name -- Vern Lundquist!!

I also thought of another one this afternoon -- oh, who was it???

I keep thinking of Dick Enberg but then say "oh wait... "oh my" is from Tennis!!!" :twisted: