Best commentators/commentaries?

[karne]

Well, I guess the way I phrased it made it sound bad. To put things in context, it was during the group 1 warm-up at the free skate in Sochi. Mao wasn't even on the ice, but I think TAT had so many thoughts and feelings that she wanted to share about Mao's disastrous SP the day before, and this was her first chance. The Russian audience (and the world, for that matter) was probably interested to hear these views as well (given how dramatic it was that Mao had came in as the favorite and was now in 16th), more than one or two generic lines about each of the skaters on ice whom TAT didn't know well anyway.

So? It's still rude! Those skaters in the first group of the FS had still earned their way there and for a lot of them making the Olympics in the first place, and then managing to make the FREE SKATE, was a HUGE deal! They deserve just as much respect from the commentators as anyone else!

 

[Krunchii]

2. place
Surprisingly for even myself, I like the 'official' chinese commentator (a women). She VERY knowledgeable, like REALLY knowledgeable. Never heard someone comementating figure skating that knowledgable, not even BESP guys.
Minus points for her are: Sometimes she talks too much and she's very biased to chinese competitiors, though fair on all other skaters. She does critized chinese skaters when they make mistakes, but is overly thrilled when they do well.
There's also a guy commentating sometimes, but I don't like him. If he's commentating, I would rank the commentary on 7th or 8th place.

This is a good one, I'll admit she's biased and gets overly excited but when she points out elements of skaters she's to the point and not overly chatty. She'll point out the element, whether or not it was well done and her commentary is mostly concise and constructive. I have only listened to her commentating single skaters though and not pairs or ice dance.

 

[Arriba627]

Wow, that's disgusting and rude.

TAT is horrible - ugh, that voice! And then I find myself screaming at my TV "Can't you just shut up." And after reading that she said some stupid comments about Max Aaron, I just decided I'm totally done with her.

 

[Arriba627]

Love the Spanish commentators. Their commentaries on Shoma's GPF LP and Javi's Worlds LP were both SO much fun!

 

[Dee4707]

I was totally impressed with Ben Agosto and his dance commentary this year at Worlds. His voice was nice and he was very informative.

Ryan Bradley was OK but I agree he was very chatty.

The two commentators that I had a hard time listening to were Scott Hamilton (screeches) and Kurt Browning (constant talking).

One of the best all time commentators in my opinion is Debbi Wilkes from Canada.

 

[gravy]

I like Paloma del Rio who does commentary for Spain (artistic gymnastics as well). She's heavily unbiased even with the rise of Javier Fernandez as a major contender; her technical expertise is deep and her knowledge of the history of the sport is unmatched. She kind of reminds me of soccer commentators who are very enthusiastic and never hold back.

Tarasova commentary is OK for entertainment if you like snark and aren't like @karne who gets morally outraged anytime someone says something negative about skaters she likes. I listen more for the gossip, but she isn't really technical.

Even with his biases, Dick Button was and still is the ideal. I have a thing for Terry Gannon as long as he doesn't talk too much. Tanith could be pretty good if she toned down her talking by about 95%.

As for my dislikes, I'd have to give an F to Carol Lane on CBC who is by far the most biased commentator with the most worthless opinions. I still don't even know how she's allowed to commentate when she's coaching Piper and Paul; even TAT isn't that biased. I really liked Mark Hanretty of B.ESP during the few times he commentated 2014-15, but his commentary at Worlds was pretty bad; he was worse than Terry when he talks about the skater fluff no one cares about mixed in with some pretty glaring factual inaccuracies.

I have to add, I remember watching some ice dance commentary with Judy Blumberg that I really liked; highly critical (but accurate) with no sugar coating at all. I think she was never asked to do commentary again when she basically tore Bourne & Kraatz's '98 OD at Worlds to shreds.

 

[LiamForeman]

The standard for me will always be Uncle Dick. I learned everything I know about skating from him. I like when he calls an ugly spin, well, ugly. Sandra Bezic was pretty blunt as well.

NO to Scottie and his screams and prejudices.

I'm not sure what to think of Tara and Johnny. Tara offers nothing, and Johnny offers weirdness.

I really liked Paul Wylie as a commentator, because he's intelligent and explains the points and ultimately the results.

I also have liked John Coughlin, but that's because he's the most beautiful man I've ever seen and I'm his surrogate spouse! lol. But seriously, he's probably skated singles, right? I'd rather hear him than Johnny any day.

As for the foreign commentators (I'm American) I do like the British commentators. My Spanish/Italian/French is iffy, but when I understand what they are saying I like them. I have no desire to ever even attempt to learn Russian, but TAT comes across as a good commentator too.

 

[nolangoh]

TAT's random shrieking never fails to make me jump at least once per program that she's commentating on. I'm not Russian, so of course I have no clue as to what she's actually saying, but her enthusiasm can be fun to listen to.

Oh yes TAT's shrieking is the best! I still remember that time during Elena's program at Rostelecom, she basically yelled at every of her jump and I was like lol. And I can only understand the russian expressions "Molodyet" and "Wattak!", which are both complimentary so I feel happy if I hear those words

 

[LiamForeman]

Oh yes TAT's shrieking is the best! I still remember that time during Elena's program at Rostelecom, she basically yelled at every of her jump and I was like lol. And I can only understand the russian expressions "Molodyet" and "Wattak!", which are both complimentary so I feel happy if I hear those words

I do know "spasiba"!!! lol

 

[rosy14]

Oh I wish I could understand Japanese as well... I love Akiko Suzuki's voice and I'm sure she is a great commentator (and I miss her skating so much)
Trust me though, you don't want to understand the RAI commentators. They are extremely biased towards Italians, and towards random skaters they develop a crush on, they say stupid things all the time, and rant about 'feelings' and 'emotions' while the guy is a friggin' ice dance tech specialist!!!!! I want to hear his opinion on the skating not how that performance made him forget it was even a competition and he felt all gooey inside..... but sometimes I force myself to watch them live because they get live input from the judges' computers so they know what gets UR/DG, the levels, and the PCS before they get announced... which is cool because they basically tell you the placement before the scores come out

You're completely right. I cannot stand them anymore and I follow Italian Eurosport (though I don't like one of the commemters, too arrogant), Britosh Eurosport and the Russian TV, although I don't understand Russian, except for a couple of words. But TAT knows how to be understood, when she wants, with her tone of voice. Her silence at Worlds during Kovtun's LP was ...a silence saying thousand words ! And now I know that "karacho" means more or less"good, beautiful, bravo".

 

[Lys]

Rai commentators are good only if you can't understand them
They just keep repeating the same things over and over, using the same two words they know.

But we can't complain, since among languages I can understand, Italian Eurosport commies are absolutely the best
Very knowledgeable and fair to all skaters. Their post-competitions analysis are always priceless.
And the best thing is they are very good and nice when you ask them to explain things on social media and such, especially if you are willing to listen and learn: they have both taught me a lot

 

[yyyskate]

I like CBC, knowledgeable (in all disciplines), humorous, voice (change their tone according to performances ) inevitably biased at times. but they usually back up their bias with substance (not just blind bias or purely propaganda).They are renowned, long time, actively involved figure skating experts.
Eurosports, enthusiastic, always has nice thing to say about every skaters. usually say what they feel at the time, not much rehearse.
Ted Barton, a cute and nice guy.
NHK and SBS dont understand either Japanese nor Korean, but they dont commentating much during performance, basically just point out elements, their voice is also easy to my ear. therefore, not distracting and usually give HD quality videos. therefore, If I wanna appreciate figure skating performance as it is I usually watch theirs(if there is no no_commentary version).
Russian, don't understand Russian as well, but their commentary seems monotone to me, never ending, from start to finish. like some background white noise (not disturbing). their videos are easily available but not always HD. since their videos are usually the early ones, so I watched a lot. Heard that Tat's commentary is quite opinionated and passionate, maybe funny to hear.
NBC Sandra and Scott, maybe not much specific knowledge ,but i like their voice/tone/wording, very good for casual viewers (e.g. once every 4 year viewers), effective at advocate figure skating as needed.
Dick Button, I like him.
Johnny/Tara, NO. never had the desire to watch NBC because of them nowadays, if I have to watch NBC, I will watch them.
The Chinese lady, (kinda disagree with other posters' good review here. I watched a couple of cctv's videos, not much though)she is the one doing the job for many years (she also covers gymnastics, cctv somehow thought these sports are related... so they assign one commentator...). unfortunately she is not a skater (nor a gymnast), mostly likely never stepped on ice. she can only point out the names of elements (slowly improving over the years working on that job), sometimes mistakes (especially about tech). but she did do her homework, in terms of music, and background of skaters. You really don't get much from her commentary, she does not speak at all during performance (which is good). But CCTV is adding invited skaters as guest commentators recently. who can offer some in-depth knowledge . Chinese long-term skating fans usually prefer other versions than CCTV.
Taiwan commentators not much better than CCTV, but they have more skating knowledge than the Chinese lady for sure, at least they had experience with skating. it is fun to listen to them once in a while, they have a cute tone.
French, a bit too much for my ears.
Italian, I like

 

[el henry]

I have tried to watch the Russian stream because I am cheap and it is good and it is free.

One of these days I am going to take a revolver to the screen because I can't stand TAT's constant blathering. Yap yap yap yap yap yap yap yap yap, lady, can you shut the BLEEP up?
(And to hear that she is not even talking about skaters on the ice, I'm sorry, that's not funny, that's not passionate, that's not nothing but rude. An utter lack of class.)

Now all I gotta do is buy me that revolver.....

 

[jcoates]

Best Overall Quality: Tracy Wilson. I'd be fine with NBC canning everybody else and using just her, especially if she had the same freedom to commentate the CTV and TSN give her.
Usually Good: Kurt Browning is mostly good for me, although he does have a way of making backhanded compliments about chief rivals for Canadians he favors.
Hall of Fame: Uncle Dick, Peggy and Terry. Those three together defined the 90s eligible skating boom.
No Longer on Air, But Wish They Were: Toller Cranston (frankness personified) and John Curry (didn't commentate much but some of his work for CBS in on YT and was very insightful)
Best Revelation: John Coughlin has been such a breath of fresh air. Pairs so rarely has a commentator who's actually competed in it at a high level. He should definitely be upgraded to NBC.
Most Entertaining: Tarasova. I live for reading translations of what she says. She and Uncle Dick are almost commentary twins.
Most Enthusiastic: Italian and Spanish commentators. They always put a smile on my face.
Most Irritating: Too numerous to mention.

 

[padme21]

For me the best commentators are British Eurosport hands-down! CBC comes in at a close second! NBC is the worst and I say this as a fellow American. NBC is sooooo bia I can't stand them!

 

[Skater Boy]

I think the British or Canadian commentators are generally the best - they are knowledgeable and most fair and seem professional. Johnny and Tara seem more like personalities trying to make comments but this is a sport and if it is to be taken as a sport they need more skating cred or credibility and sorry they seem more like a former skating princess and essentric side kick in over the top clothing - fun for fluff but not to make skating a credibile sport. Uncle Dickie and Peggy were before my time but sadly do seem out of date especially dickie but they are icons so it is hard to criticise them too much. One thing I found they had favorites as we all do but they were merciless to some - poor RIP Kira Ivanova - wow they could have started a war with the USSR with that poor girl and somehow so biased when Rosalyn Sumners (thank goodness for youtube) skated that heavily downgraded lp at the 1984 olympics. That was disgusting. Sadly they kind like the passe actor or actress, their focus on the position of that darn leg and back position on that layback or flying camel and that spiral. Sometimes you just wanted to force them into a room full of feathers and sequins and leave them there lol. Sandra Bezic wasn't too bad prior to the new scoring system. Scott Hamilton definitely had his favourites. Terry Gagnon was pretty good for a non skater. debbie Wilkes and Ted BArton were knowledgeable and didn't talk too much. John Coughlin I agree was intelligent and incteful. Michelle Kwan is best as a skating personality - kind of the Susan Lucci - very pleasant but not much to add when talking really. Very Miss America type answers or talking. tanith Belbin is great for ice dancing as is Ben AGosto. Jamie Sale and David Pelletier were decent for pairs.

 

[annzee703]

I really was impressed with Ben Agosto's commentary during Worlds this year. He told us what we needed to know and then allowed us to hear the music! I like Ryan Bradley's commentary and didn't find that he talked too much...nothing like the King & Queen of Babylon (they babbled on and on) Tara & Johnny. Good God they don't shut up, especially Tara. The few times I heard Paul Wylie commentating I was very impressed (like Ben, he told us what we needed to know...period). Terry is great. I miss him gently teasing Dick Button.

 

[Arriba627]

I have tried to watch the Russian stream because I am cheap and it is good and it is free.

One of these days I am going to take a revolver to the screen because I can't stand TAT's constant blathering. Yap yap yap yap yap yap yap yap yap, lady, can you shut the BLEEP up?
(And to hear that she is not even talking about skaters on the ice, I'm sorry, that's not funny, that's not passionate, that's not nothing but rude. An utter lack of class.)

Now all I gotta do is buy me that revolver.....

Thank you. While you're at it, get me a revolver too. We can fight over who gets to go first. Her voice is like nails scratching on a blackboard.:eeking:

 

[TMC]

Rai commentators are good only if you can't understand them
They just keep repeating the same things over and over, using the same two words they know.

I love how enthusiastic they seem to get about the most basic of jumps - although I think it's not enthusiasm as much as a feature of the language:

*crickets*

DOPPIO AXEL!!!!!!!

*crickets*

DOPPIO LUTZ!!!

*crickets*

 

[Eclair]

I like CBC, knowledgeable (in all disciplines), humorous, voice (change their tone according to performances ) inevitably biased at times. but they usually back up their bias with substance (not just blind bias or purely propaganda).They are renowned, long time, actively involved figure skating experts.
Eurosports, enthusiastic, always has nice thing to say about every skaters. usually say what they feel at the time, not much rehearse.
Ted Barton, a cute and nice guy.
NHK and SBS dont understand either Japanese nor Korean, but they dont commentating much during performance, basically just point out elements, their voice is also easy to my ear. therefore, not distracting and usually give HD quality videos. therefore, If I wanna appreciate figure skating performance as it is I usually watch theirs(if there is no no_commentary version).
Russian, don't understand Russian as well, but their commentary seems monotone to me, never ending, from start to finish. like some background white noise (not disturbing). their videos are easily available but not always HD. since their videos are usually the early ones, so I watched a lot. Heard that Tat's commentary is quite opinionated and passionate, maybe funny to hear.
NBC Sandra and Scott, maybe not much specific knowledge ,but i like their voice/tone/wording, very good for casual viewers (e.g. once every 4 year viewers), effective at advocate figure skating as needed.
Dick Button, I like him.
Johnny/Tara, NO. never had the desire to watch NBC because of them nowadays, if I have to watch NBC, I will watch them.
The Chinese lady, (kinda disagree with other posters' good review here. I watched a couple of cctv's videos, not much though)she is the one doing the job for many years (she also covers gymnastics, cctv somehow thought these sports are related... so they assign one commentator...). unfortunately she is not a skater (nor a gymnast), mostly likely never stepped on ice. she can only point out the names of elements (slowly improving over the years working on that job), sometimes mistakes (especially about tech). but she did do her homework, in terms of music, and background of skaters. You really don't get much from her commentary, she does not speak at all during performance (which is good). But CCTV is adding invited skaters as guest commentators recently. who can offer some in-depth knowledge . Chinese long-term skating fans usually prefer other versions than CCTV.
Taiwan commentators not much better than CCTV, but they have more skating knowledge than the Chinese lady for sure, at least they had experience with skating. it is fun to listen to them once in a while, they have a cute tone.
French, a bit too much for my ears.
Italian, I like

were we listening to the same lady? I was talking about her:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSqFBtfnMeA

and I thought it was great how she kept silent during the skate (though she does talk a little too much sometimes) and afterwards explained why the base value of quads have been raised and how UR etc. is going to decrease the score. Also she talks about Patricks SS being 'fluid like water' and recommends that spectators watch figure skating competitions live to get a feel for the speed and SS of the skaters.
I admit I haven't watched many of her commentaries, but those few I watched, I liked. I agree though that her commentary is more suitable for attracting casual viewers, than long-term technically proficient skating fans..

In contrast I can't stand the Taiwanese commentary, here an example at 4cc:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHemgeKMOv8

I find those 'waaah, blabla' extremly annoying, also they were exclaiming how perfect and beautiful that triple was, even though Kanako's hammer toe was pretty apparent . Also she keeps talking during the skate, ugh but fails to mention the important things, like Kanako's UR issues and whether they improved this time etc.

If we were indeed talking about the same commentators, then I just guess different things works for different people .. For example, when I first started to watch figure skating, Uncle Dick was by far my favourite commentator. I learned a lot about spin and spiral positions, as well as jumps from him.
But after I started skating myself, I started to like the BESP guys a lot more!