Our Commentary on the Commentary!

[Passion]

All of this really is tough because I really want to start doing commentary.

I always thought "it's not possible because I was not an Olympic gymnast" (or even a GOOD gymnast).

Only kind of related... What is the background of the commentator Blythe on the international feed?

IIRC she was one of the first people to start blogging about gymnastics way back when Gymnastike, the Couch Gymnast, the Gymnternet etc. were first first starting out. She either had her own blog or was part of a collab, I forget. She was part of the group of first bloggers to get media clearance to competitions. Then she was a journalist, she's ghost written a number of gymnast's autobiographies, she's worked for the FIG, and now does broadcasting.

 

[Denn]

These days it feels like you can start a podcast, get fans, attract the attention of the mainstream and segue into a career.

I thought about that, but I also don't want to violate copyright law by doing commentary on a competition that's already out there (without commentary).

Ideas?

@RichardL Thank you, you're sweet. And @Kittentoes I see the like. Thank you, too.

 

[rlayt]

 

[CameliasFingerpaint]

4 year fans LOVE Laurie on twitter.

 

[Hatsumomo]

4 year fans LOVE Laurie on twitter.

I was just reading that. Like if that doesn't make it obvious who the four-year fans are. And I like Laurie overall, but she needs work as a commentator.

 

[JaJa]

View attachment 10915

That was annoying the heck out of me too

 

[Indy]

Question for any of you who are serious figure skating fans (I’m a four year fan there) - do you all like Tara and Johnny or do you find them annoying? I ask because I’m wondering if NBC is trying to find that type of gymnastics commentator in Laurie. I like Tara and Johnny, but I don’t know a flip from a lutz and wouldn’t know if they were just spewing nonsense at me. I just like their enthusiasm. So maybe it’s the same for four year gym fans? They find Laurie cute and bubbly while the gym fans want her gone yesterday.

 

[Indy]

View attachment 10915

But without being reminded of that every 2 minutes how will I know if they’re nervous on beam?

 

[CameliasFingerpaint]

Question for any of you who are serious figure skating fans (I’m a four year fan there) - do you all like Tara and Johnny or do you find them annoying? I ask because I’m wondering if NBC is trying to find that type of gymnastics commentator in Laurie. I like Tara and Johnny, but I don’t know a flip from a lutz and wouldn’t know if they were just spewing nonsense at me. I just like their enthusiasm. So maybe it’s the same for four year gym fans? They find Laurie cute and bubbly while the gym fans want her gone yesterday.

Skating fans can’t stand them. I really
Don’t like Tara but like Johnny. I’m not a hard core fan, though.

All I want are explanations of scoring and technical commentary to better understand.

 

[cftmoonlight79]

I thought Laurie was better today during AA...and by aa I don't mean alcoholics anonymous.

 

[makam]

I thought Laurie was better today during AA...and by aa I don't mean alcoholics anonymous.

She threw out the names of the moves Kaylia did in her ub combo. Did she have them right in the right order, don't know, but she showed she knew more than just oods.

 

[rlayt]

She gushed less today.

 

[rlayt]

2024 Olympics: Gymnast Laurie Hernandez Claps Back at Criticism of Her Paris Commentary - E! Online

Retired Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez called out the "unkind" backlash she received after commentating on the U.S. women's gymnastics team final at the 2024 Paris Summer Games.

www.eonline.com

 

[JaJa]

2024 Olympics: Gymnast Laurie Hernandez Claps Back at Criticism of Her Paris Commentary - E! Online

Retired Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez called out the "unkind" backlash she received after commentating on the U.S. women's gymnastics team final at the 2024 Paris Summer Games.

www.eonline.com

Sorry Laurie. But if you do not want any negative criticism do not be a commentator at the Olympics. If you're carrying the football you are going to be tackled. You do not want any negative comments??? So stay home and do not be a public person. Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesh

 

[KristyJ]

Question for any of you who are serious figure skating fans (I’m a four year fan there) - do you all like Tara and Johnny or do you find them annoying? I ask because I’m wondering if NBC is trying to find that type of gymnastics commentator in Laurie. I like Tara and Johnny, but I don’t know a flip from a lutz and wouldn’t know if they were just spewing nonsense at me. I just like their enthusiasm. So maybe it’s the same for four year gym fans? They find Laurie cute and bubbly while the gym fans want her gone yesterday.

I like Johnny because he's not afraid to point out actual technical and aesthetic details and flaws and respects the audience enough to go into more explanation. I don't necessarily mind Tara, but she does talk too much. I miss the days of Dick Button's commentary, though, and I know a lot of people thought he was too critical, while I usually thought he was spot on. And I am a hardcore fan/formerly competitive figure skater (it was my second sport alongside gymnastics).

 

[MaryClare]

Sorry Laurie. But if you do not want any negative criticism do not be a commentator at the Olympics. If you're carrying the football you are going to be tackled. You do not want any negative comments??? So stay home and do not be a public person. Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesh

Exactly. It’s not a college meet. That’s the environment where people will forgive someone still learning their craft. NBC at the Olympics, people rightly expect a professional, knowledgeable and competent commentator.

But yeah, we know she’s been promoted massively beyond her capabilities

 

[RedBirdie]

2024 Olympics: Gymnast Laurie Hernandez Claps Back at Criticism of Her Paris Commentary - E! Online

Retired Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez called out the "unkind" backlash she received after commentating on the U.S. women's gymnastics team final at the 2024 Paris Summer Games.

www.eonline.com

I think the hilarious part is the "negative" examples in the article aren't.....that bad? And they're certainly not critiques that serious gym fans have about her.

 

[KristyJ]

To be fair, what a weird example for fans to pick. Criticizing her for mentioning that a teammate's fall puts pressure on those to follow? Of all the things to pick, that one is dumb. Are fans also offended by someone stating that when it's cloudy the sky might look grey because that's too negative?

Edit to add- Was typing at the same time as RedBirdie, but that, exactly

 

[RedBirdie]

Probably four year "fans."

 

[BB12]

Wait... those comments from Laurie someone is complaining about aren't even negative.

If anything, I wish commentators were more 'negative' and point out more deductions/mistakes in routines. I get so annoyed when commentators act like a routine is perfect when mistakes are visible and the E scores comes out in the 7s.

Let's treat it like a real sport and educate the audience on why a score is a certain way instead of having to be positive and fluffy about everything.