tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post1853355133895645942..comments2024-03-05T06:32:37.180-05:00Comments on The Daly Planet: Last Chance For RomanceDaly Planet Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13834588435004023666noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-3737761302687331052011-07-30T14:57:24.649-04:002011-07-30T14:57:24.649-04:00Regarding ESPN - it's really simple!
To all t...Regarding ESPN - it's really simple!<br /><br />To all the on-camera talent, repeat after me:<br /><br />"It isn't about me!"<br /><br />There. I don't want to see you. If you are not speaking to clarify something that is happening on the track, or in the pits, I don't want to hear you. I don't care about your win in 1998, the time you rebuilt an engine in 13 seconds,or had Earnhardt,Sr. slap you on the back. If you're an owner, keep it to yourself. If your son is on the track, keep it to yourself. <br /><br />SHOW me what is happening on the track. COVER all 43 drivers, not just those employed by Hendrick (and this counts when Kasey moves over, and I am a HUGE Kasey fan). TELL me what is going on on the track and in the pits and little more than that. KEEP your banter to yourselves. <br /><br />There. That is something ESPN can control. And it would increase the joy of watching races a thousand fold.<br /><br />And JD, thanks for the background info! : D I'm embarrassed to say I had no idea, and thought you were a mega fan who had a really successful blog! Which is true, but with a lot more behind it! :DKimhttp://www.emergiblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-22335813705293435262011-07-28T18:24:36.644-04:002011-07-28T18:24:36.644-04:00J.D.,
Perspective. You give us something no one e...J.D.,<br /><br />Perspective. You give us something no one else is doing: you know the history and the behind-the scenes shenanigans (and you're wise enough to keep the secrets) so you can analyze what happens and why.<br /><br />Thank you.<br /><br />West Coast Kenny<br />Alameda, California<br />(was that the shortest comment I've ever sent you?)Kenn Fonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00381315903467639353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-35936913303020989712011-07-26T19:48:05.270-04:002011-07-26T19:48:05.270-04:00Anon 3:19AM
COSIGN to your post! Awesome deets we...Anon 3:19AM<br /><br />COSIGN to your post! Awesome deets we've been saying for years.<br /><br />WC Diane<br /><br />VERY DEPRESSING to see BSPN adding more JUNK to the broadcast.<br /><br />See, Adding AB means nothing as long as we never see the race at home.<br /><br />TNT was nice (except for their <b>Enhanced Camera junk that ruined the race & NOW ESPN wants to do x 2</b><br /><br />I give up on NASCAR.<br /><br />The techno toys are overwhelming.Sophiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07789033556426951026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-5851092258553508932011-07-26T16:53:31.867-04:002011-07-26T16:53:31.867-04:00I watch the race "at face value" like An...I watch the race "at face value" like Andrew recommends, and it's still a mess. Obviously don't have the expertise that JD does, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist nor a degree in communications from Northwestern to see that ESPN's production of Nascar races are spotty at best. And I don't know what you're watching, Andrew, but ESPN has a love affair with very few drivers and you never hear mention any other name, even if said driver is in the top 10 and having his race of a lifetime. ESPN virtually ignores drivers unless their name is Johnson, Gordon, Busch, Stewart, Hamlin or Harvick. Heck, they even ignore top tier drivers like Kenseth, unless he's actually in first place.<br /><br />ESPN also pre-scripts their races, and even if something extraordinary happens, they will not deviate from their script. And don't get me started on their love affair with technology. Their bumper cams, their in car cams and all the other stuff adds little to the race. <br /><br />ESPN needs to cut the crap and just show us a race as it unfolds. They can't take their poor production techniques and turn it into something worth watching. Like I say, you can take a pig to Neiman's, buy it a $5000 designer dress and Jimmie Choo shoes, slap on some lipstick and powder and call it Cindy Crawford, but that pig is still a sow.Darcienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-44572901772151355162011-07-26T16:06:54.659-04:002011-07-26T16:06:54.659-04:00KoHoSo -- yeah, DW would cry like a baby over poor...KoHoSo -- yeah, DW would cry like a baby over poor digger - it would cut into his t-shirt sales! LOL<br /><br />I predict vertigo and a total lack of interest on my part for the new cameras. Thank goodness I have trackpass even if Racebuddy will be gone until next season.<br /><br />Maybe I'll just opt to listen to the race with AB calling it and not bother with pictures at all. <br /><br />I have no issue with Andrew staying and presenting his opinion. But I'd like him not to assume that JD or any of the rest of us have some nefarious agenda.GinaV24https://www.blogger.com/profile/08428501118097469128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-76196842085465907782011-07-26T15:48:39.763-04:002011-07-26T15:48:39.763-04:00GinaV24...the problem with that is Carl Spackler (...GinaV24...the problem with that is Carl Spackler (Bill Murray) was completely unsuccessful at getting rid of the gopher. I would volunteer my Lab/pit mix to do the job but I don't know if we all want to see DW cry when ol' Buster rips the stuffing out of him.KoHoSohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00457687879505057220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-22322677594494554862011-07-26T15:02:20.692-04:002011-07-26T15:02:20.692-04:00respectfully to all of the posters, while Andrew a...respectfully to all of the posters, while Andrew and I disagree, I don't think he should go away, his comments while contrary to how most of us see the ESPN circumstance, were very respectful. I do question his underlying premises but welcome his dissent.<br /><br />ESPN could greatly improve their broadcasts by changing a couple of things. 1 Restore the prevalence of the camera long shot/eliminate the majority of the useless closeups and in car cameras. 2 focus on the race not the on-air personalities. 3 Actually, listen to their consumers instead of being enamored with their "art" (more on this in moment). Starting acting like real journalist and get out of bed with Nascar.<br /><br /><br />On the "art" thing. I used to work in radio years ago. A lot of the things we did and admired as the "art" of our craft were the very things that drove our customers crazy. I see a lot of the same things going on in television today.old97fannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-54874381705395699712011-07-26T14:46:42.339-04:002011-07-26T14:46:42.339-04:00Anon 1:30 pm -- LOL, Brilliant! Maybe they could h...Anon 1:30 pm -- LOL, Brilliant! Maybe they could hire bill murray to get rid of digger ala caddyshack.GinaV24https://www.blogger.com/profile/08428501118097469128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-76424258044814480172011-07-26T14:44:32.208-04:002011-07-26T14:44:32.208-04:00West Coast Diane -- oh geez, I echo your OH NO! ab...West Coast Diane -- oh geez, I echo your OH NO! about the "new toys". I want to see the race in perspective, not from in car cameras in hi def.<br /><br />this is not the way to win my heart, ESPN!GinaV24https://www.blogger.com/profile/08428501118097469128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-80512444099154227382011-07-26T13:30:01.562-04:002011-07-26T13:30:01.562-04:00What would be cool is if "everything was more...What would be cool is if "everything was more like NASCAR..."<br /><br />They could put cameras in the end of a football. Or a batter's helmet. In the lane to see up the shorts of a free throw attempt. <br /><br />Digger could pop out of a golf hole as the ball is hit on the green. <br /><br />The possibilities are endless.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-4315411204570169172011-07-26T12:40:22.605-04:002011-07-26T12:40:22.605-04:00Marsha...no, no broken hip.Marsha...no, no broken hip.West Coast Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17699630999524810425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-54392817111174897612011-07-26T12:36:32.737-04:002011-07-26T12:36:32.737-04:00So, ESPN is trotting out a bunch of new gimmick ca...So, ESPN is trotting out a bunch of new gimmick cameras to 'enhance' the broadcast. They still don't get it, do they? In all the years I've watched Nascar, all I want to see when I turn on the TV is the race. All of it, including drivers that are having problems, the ones I don't root for, and the ones running laps down. Give me a perspective on the entire field, and I will stay engaged for the entire race. Limit me to just a few drivers, single cars running well ahead of the field, and I lose interest. I want a rundown of all the pit stops, not some silly camera attached to a helmet. 'The Show' is the race, not the gimmicks. Until someone learns that, they are doomed to fail. Has no one noticed that, the more gimmicks, the less viewers? There has to be a connection there.Sallyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03233133246348697023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-1868097509723004882011-07-26T11:52:50.513-04:002011-07-26T11:52:50.513-04:00Oh oh! We are in big trouble:
Saw this on Jayski&...Oh oh! We are in big trouble:<br /><br />Saw this on Jayski's...just what want more on board cams...NOT!<br /><br />"ESPN will introduce several new production advancements in its NASCAR Sprint Cup telecasts, including the first-ever use of dual path transmission for onboard cameras. The new technology, developed by ESPN and Broadcast Sports International, will allow ESPN to get high definition video from two onboard cameras in the same car simultaneously, where in the past only one of the three cameras mounted in each car could be used at a time. As an example, when a crash is being replayed, viewers will now be able to see two different onboard points of view of a car involved or near the crash, such as the view of the roof camera, face camera or bumper camera."West Coast Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17699630999524810425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-4052888110630028942011-07-26T11:38:48.610-04:002011-07-26T11:38:48.610-04:00As far as following a popular driver around the tr...As far as following a popular driver around the track even if he or she is in 20th........networks are a business and if a large percent of your CUSTOMERS want to know about a certain driver then Business 101 says you talk about that driver. If not then you lose many customers (viewers). <br /><br />Sad to say but many watch only because of one or two drivers not true race fans. May not like it but facts are facts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-50004951888462267482011-07-26T09:47:43.506-04:002011-07-26T09:47:43.506-04:00The Good News: This year, ESPN will have a helicop...The Good News: This year, ESPN will have a helicopter camera for all 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup race telecasts for the first time.<br /><br />The Bad News: ESPN also will introduce a modernized, progressive graphics package for improved readability, the first major graphics overhaul since ESPN returned to NASCAR coverage in 2007as well as a new animation package.(ESPN)(7-26-2011)<br /><br />Lifted from Jayski's <br /><br />MikeMike (Detroit)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-48141228629844897762011-07-26T09:02:18.760-04:002011-07-26T09:02:18.760-04:00The last few years on ESPN, the race broadcast wou...The last few years on ESPN, the race broadcast would get so out of whack that we'd have to wait until Bestwick joined in from the pit studio to iron everything out and clear up what was going on, because the booth was unable to do so.<br /><br />AB moving to the booth is long overdue. A true professional. He understands the ins and outs of NASCAR better than most who have microphones in front of them. AB does not rely on someone else to take notes during a race, I've seen him in action and learned a bunch. Bestwick is able to tell you when someone came in for gas and 2 tires without anyone else telling him. AB will have better information than ANY analyst you out in the booth alongside. He's a radio guy, he knows the importance of painting the picture and knows the sport better than most TV producers, in my opinion.<br /><br /> ALL the networks need to simply cover the race on that particular day. Seems like producers try to "predict" whats going to happen, then they find themselves following that "prediction" or storyline and by the end of the day, the viewer ends up with many stories left untold. Viewers don't appreciate that.<br /><br /> The problem..... the NASCAR community is way too tight. Whether its TV people, drivers, officials, owners, sponsors etc. Broadcasters can't be open and critical of a NASCAR ruling or competitor because their own motorcoach might be right next to THAT person in the lot.<br /><br /> How can a driver feud or a broadcaster say something critical with another driver on the track when they are only steps away from one another each week in the motorcoach lot OR live next to each other on Lake Norman ? <br /><br /> All in all, it has made the TV coverage and the on track product very Vanilla over the years.<br /><br /> We'd all be amazed how good the TV coverage would become, IF the racing / passing improved.<br /><br /> Congrats to AB !!Ken-Michigannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-38096033821917048582011-07-26T08:45:44.450-04:002011-07-26T08:45:44.450-04:00Holy expletives, man - you said everything that ne...Holy expletives, man - you said everything that needed saying. Probably made a few zillion enemies in the process. It is appreciated.Anon/Jnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-66254662858043858932011-07-26T08:44:26.992-04:002011-07-26T08:44:26.992-04:00Sometimes less is more. Most of the stuff, other t...Sometimes less is more. Most of the stuff, other than commercials and some of the talking heads, is a result of technology and gadgets that weren't available in the "good old days" of ESPN coverage. With in-car, bumper, Zoom and dozens of cameras, how is it possible for the director to follow that many monitors and show the best racing and accidents live? As a result, we get everything as a replay. <br /><br />Back in the "good old days", with fewer cameras, they couldn't use one camera to follow one car forever because it was needed to show the race. <br /><br />The networks remind me of a friend who got rid of his simple cell phone and replaced it with one of the new "does everything" devices. he doesn't know how to use it and he is harder to reach than when he had a simple phone. The networks have all of the new gadgets but doesn't know how to use them. KISSOSBORNKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06265276174788619591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-84148463824831196482011-07-26T08:37:50.587-04:002011-07-26T08:37:50.587-04:00Anon 3:19 a.m. I found TDP about half way through ...Anon 3:19 a.m. I found TDP about half way through its first year through a link on Jayski. I thought broadcast quality was terrible, and I saw an article indicating discussion on the subject. I have stayed at the TDP for two reasons: (1) The columns and discussions show me that I am not alone in my views and help my sanity, and (2) It is the only NASCAR related site I have seen where the moderator keeps discussions from descending to the level of a junior high cafeteria food fight.<br /><br />Awesome post! ITA and I'd be willing to bet that you speak for many of us on the reasons why we are all still here.GinaV24https://www.blogger.com/profile/08428501118097469128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-11394090415941407312011-07-26T05:28:44.635-04:002011-07-26T05:28:44.635-04:00Firstly, I want to direct a comment to Andrew:
Fo...Firstly, I want to direct a comment to Andrew:<br /><br />Fox being rubbish does not give ESPN the right to be rubbish too. I will give ESPN a ton of credit for making changes - from Brent and Suzy to AB, and from the Doc to Marty to AB - all positive changes. Fox consistently refuse to change anything, so ESPN wins there.<br /><br />Secondly, some disclosure that may interest Andrew and others:<br /><br />I like ESPN. Even though I live in the UK, I was walking round in ESPN polo shirts (bought from various US Sears stores) years before NASN existed. I like how ESPN do College Football, I used to like Sunday Night Football the best of all, and they finally have MNF on track. I watch Sunday NFL Countdown, College Gameday etc. I like ESPN. That doesn't mean I like what ESPN are doing to Nascar.<br /><br />Thirdly, and most importantly, to Allen and anyone at ESPN reading:<br /><br />You have made good changes to on air personnel. Finally, you have the master doing comms, and Dale and Andy will flourish in this arrangement, the direction of the race still needs fixing. I don't know if AB has the power to fix that, but it desparately needs fixing. Pretend you are sitting at the racetrack and show the race from that perspective. Show a battle for 20th place, rather than "looking in on our insert-sponsor-here fan favorite" (always Jeff Gordon, remarkable), call the restart correctly, call start and parkers, show the racing.<br /><br />And finally, AB, I am sure I don't need to tell you this. LOOK OUT OF THE WINDOW. Tell us what you see, and use that to drive the director to look at what is happening. Don't commentate from the screen - that would make you look as bad as the rest.<br /><br />I am hopeful, but expecting the baloon to burst at some point. Go AB!Delennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14054910856006651253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-28047580208893370682011-07-26T03:19:51.213-04:002011-07-26T03:19:51.213-04:00I know little or nothing about the broadcast busin...I know little or nothing about the broadcast business and have no interest in it. Likewise, I have no interest in cameras or microphones. I have been a NASCAR fan for almost 50 years, and I turn on the TV to......... Watch a race, a contest between cars and drivers. I am not sitting in front of my TV so some technogeeks can try to blow me away with their latest toys. Show me the racing through the field. Every race is a unique, unfolding story; and it is the broadcaster's job to show me the big picture story as it happens. I am not interested in your hi-tech toys,your broadcast personalities, or what you think the story line should be. I am there for the racing, nothing more and nothing less.<br /><br />In my perfect world, a race broadcast would be transparent. The networks would do such a great job presenting the race that I wouldn't even realize who the broadcasters are, what cameras were used, or what microphones were used. At the end of the race, all I should want to talk about is the various aspects of the racing. The broadcast itself would be an afterthought at best.<br /><br />To all you broadcast professionals, I'm sorry but you are not the star of the show. I tune in to watch the racing, not you trying to impress me. If you have come to my attention, you have failed. In sports and many other professions, there is a saying "The great ones make it look easy." I worked in a profession where getting it right every time was taken for granted. You only came to someone's attention when you failed and something went horribly wrong. The broadcast of a NASCAR race should be viewed the same way by the people who present it.<br /><br />Throw away the bumper cams, roof cams, driver cams, and telephoto lenses. Throw away the camera on the tire-changer's head. They are gimmicks that distract from your primary job of presenting the big picture racing. <br /><br />NASCAR broadcasts should be guided by two old slogans. First, "Less is more." Eliminate the gimmicks you seem to love, and cut back on the number of talking heads. Second, always be guided by the "KISS" principle. "Keep It Simple, Stupid." Every time you stray from the car/driver competition on the track, the broadcast goes downhill quickly.<br /><br />I have been advocating AB be moved to play by play for a long time. I view his reassignment to pxp as an act of desperation rather than a sign that ESPN finally "gets it." The fact that they recently signed Rusty Wallace to a contract extension, continue to think that Brad D adds something to a broadcast, and continue to use Tim B to give inane and insulting tech information all indicate to me that ESPN doesn't have a clue. I invite them to prove me wrong. <br /><br />I found TDP about half way through its first year through a link on Jayski. I thought broadcast quality was terrible, and I saw an article indicating discussion on the subject. I have stayed at the TDP for two reasons: (1) The columns and discussions show me that I am not alone in my views and help my sanity, and (2) It is the only NASCAR related site I have seen where the moderator keeps discussions from descending to the level of a junior high cafeteria food fight.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-48479486019839033442011-07-25T23:51:59.669-04:002011-07-25T23:51:59.669-04:00I hope the song that is played at the end of the ...I hope the song that is played at the end of the season is from the ABC vault with Don Meredith singing "Turn out the lights, the party's over........" <br />And thus ends ESPN's run televising of auto racing.sbaker17https://www.blogger.com/profile/10234130094477084972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-45915257249924520152011-07-25T22:46:36.741-04:002011-07-25T22:46:36.741-04:00I consider NASCAR a family event and watch every s...I consider NASCAR a family event and watch every single race with my mother. Here's what she says at some point during each race weekend:<br /><br />"STOP YACKING AND LET'S GO PEOPLE"adamtw1010https://www.blogger.com/profile/14093765732747032737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-3830228106114146672011-07-25T22:45:32.732-04:002011-07-25T22:45:32.732-04:00I hope you're happy that this song has been go...I hope you're happy that this song has been going through my head ALL day :p.<br /><br />Look forward to Allen & it'll be a breath of fresh air! <br /><br />I'll miss him on the Countdown but would rather have him in the booth FT.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-27268084396481661052011-07-25T19:30:40.930-04:002011-07-25T19:30:40.930-04:00ESPN has a long way to go! TNT is by far the best ...ESPN has a long way to go! TNT is by far the best coverage. I would rather see Mark Garrow do the play by play. Bestwick has the best post race show on Mon. Again, listen to me! Get TRACPASS and listen to the scanners and turn down the TV!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com