NBC Skating Commentators Announced: Return of Terry Gannon

[Allskate]

Mike must be a quick learner. Even after several years, many commentators never come to that realization. ;)

He may know the theory, but he hasn't learned how to put it into practice. I've already had enough of him to last me the entire season. He talks too much. I don't need to hear him talk about his great triumph over his stitches or his marriage. And we heard him yammer incessantly about the quad when he kept trying to land it himself. He seems determined to continue in that vein during commentary. During the short program, he didn't talk about any of the other rules or even any of the other rule changes. I never thought I'd say this, but I'd prefer to have Scott commentate. Can't they bring back Paul Wylie?

[neptune]

He seems determined to continue in that vein during commentary.

Michael Weiss was mainlining during the commentary??? :eek: That would be a first. ;)


Can't they bring back Paul Wylie?

Did he decide to leave on his own?

[DBZ]

I hope Tara becomes the new face of skating commentary. She's simply a natural IMO.

I just listened to her commentary of Alissa Czisny's SP at Skate Canada, and it was informative and wonderfully articulate.

She gave an objective (but kind) analysis of the skaters' strengths and weaknesses, as well as technical insight when necessary regarding spins/jumps/etc., not to mention relative background tidbits on the skater to familiarize them to the audience watching at home--all the while without being an intrusive distraction on the performance.

I must say, however, it was quite a trip hearing Terry and Tara in the booth together. I can't believe the little girl he used to commentate on back in the late 90s is now sitting with him doing the same thing. Time just flies.

[Allskate]

Did he decide to leave on his own?

I don't know.

I thought Tara was informative, but talked a little too much and too fast. Maybe it was because she was so excited about the skating. I remember her being better last season. so hopefully she'll be even better as the season goes on. And, yeah, Terry must have thought it was weird that this girl he used to comment on is now all grown up and in the booth with him. :lol:

[oleada]

I've really liked Tanith as a commentator this time around.

She has some interesting things to say and was very informative.

[LadyNit]

I love Terry. And I enjoyed watching Terry and Tanith working the Short Dance. Tanith is a natural. The two of them cover a lot of ground when they do intro fluff segments.

I hope Terry is getting a huge charge out of working with the new wave of skating commentators. Finally, the questions he asks are being answered by people who competed in the current era...not thirty years or more ago. I bet he enjoys interacting with a crowd that has some new thoughts on the world of figure skating.

[love skating]

I loved that Terry said he doesn't get to say "control your own destiny" anymore! :lol:

[Cherub721]

I hope Terry is getting a huge charge out of working with the new wave of skating commentators. Finally, the questions he asks are being answered by people who competed in the current era...not thirty years or more ago. I bet he enjoys interacting with a crowd that has some new thoughts on the world of figure skating.

It's fun when Mike Weiss talks about his experience in a competition from 2000, and Terry actually remembers calling it. I enjoy the rapport Terry has with the newew commentators. If they added Johnny for color commentary, it would be perfect.

[chipso1]

TanithJLB: Trying to decide whether or not I'll get fired if I do the entire Free Dance broadcast as Harry Caray for Halloween....might be worth it.

:lol:

I agree with those that are loving Terry, Tara and Tanith! Way better than Scotty, Tom and Sandra! :cheer:

[A.H.Black]

Did he decide to leave on his own?

Paul Wylie is in charge of Nationals this year. I'm guessing he has a lot on his plate and we won't see him as a commentator this year.

I prefer commentators that-

- Know the rules
- Can speak to the rules
- Do their homework
- Talk about the skaters on the ice and not those coming up later.
- DO NOT talk about themselves - except on rare occasions. This was/is one of Dick Button's strengths. He rarely spoke/speaks about himself and his accomplishments. He left that to others and when he was praised, he quickly deferred the attention to others or to the subject at hand.
- Speak English well enough that they can find appropriate adjectives that apply to the individual skater and not use the same trite phrases (all-around skater) over and over again. Most commentators need a thesaurus.
- Can teach me about skating and tell me something I don't know.
- Don't ALWAYS complain about the judging (we all complain sometimes, but it shouldn't be a constant).


I like hearing Terry again. His knowledge and respect of skating and skaters are obvious and appreciated.

[mikemba]

DO NOT talk about themselves - except on rare occasions. This was/is one of Dick Button's strengths. He rarely spoke/speaks about himself and his accomplishments. He left that to others and when he was praised, he quickly deferred the attention to others or to the subject at hand.


I have to disagree with this. Dick talked about himself a lot. In fact he is the only person I have ever heard who used the term "Button camel" to refer to a particular variation of the camel spin.

Overall, I like Tanith, Michael, and Tara a lot. I think they are all doing a nice job.

[newbatgirl]

- DO NOT talk about themselves - except on rare occasions.

I like hearing Terry again. His knowledge and respect of skating and skaters are obvious and appreciated.

Having just watched the SC coverage I will say that the current line-up of former skaters turned commentators really only talks about themselves when Terry prompts them for the skater's perspective on things, i.e. "You're in the K&C after a performance like that, what are you thinking?"

So far I am loving Tanith and Tara. They seem to know intuitively when to talk and when to stay quiet. Tanith especially has surprised me with how well she anticipates what items need explaining and how to correct herself when she makes an error. I'm impressed. For someone who just retired a few months ago, she has the makings of a good commentator.

Michael still talks a bit too much for my taste and I personally wish he would shut up about the quad.

Terry is made of awesome. His voice alone comforts me. Hearing his voice over skating just makes everything better.

[Theatregirl1122]

I'm so annoyed that I'll have to miss most of the NBC ladies broadcast because of football! I want to hear Terry! But since the ladies happened last week and wasn't very good and the football is happening today and probably will be very good, it's really the only choice.

[HisWeirness]

^ Not sure if this helps but they should be repeating today's NBC show of NHK Ladies FS on Universal Sports TV at 9pm Eastern today.
They will also show it on Wednesday and Thursday.

http://www.universalsports.com/tv-listings/sport=FS/index.html

[Theatregirl1122]

^ Not sure if this helps but they should be repeating today's NBC show of NHK Ladies FS on Universal Sports TV at 9pm Eastern today.
They will also show it on Wednesday and Thursday.

http://www.universalsports.com/tv-listings/sport=FS/index.html

I don't get universal sports. :(