What's Up with Tour of California?
02-22-09, 12:44 PM
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What's Up with Tour of California?
I've been trying to watch the TdC both last weekend and yesterday (Saturday) but the coverage has been horrible. What - did they leave the "A" crews in Europe and hire locals or what?
Coverage drops during the race. They lose their satellite or whatever.
Yesterday they had a two hour show, but the most interesting part - the climb - was about 75% complete when they started the coverage. That's like starting coverage of the Alpe at switchback #18 on TdF.
And Bob Roll - why is his "roll" (no pun intended) so minimal. He's relegated to 1 or 2 spots each telecast talikng about trivial stuff. And his hair - on his first feature yesterday his head was shaved. The next one towards end of telecast he's got hair (well, as much hair as he can grow). Why did they minimize his contributions so he is really, well, not a contributor?
And what about that chick they had doing color spots the first weekend? She has no knowledge of cycling, asked really stupid questions, and was a waste of time. I didn't see her yesterday - did then can her or was I just asleep during her spot.
It's all poorly produced. I am very disappointed in their coverage this year.
Coverage drops during the race. They lose their satellite or whatever.
Yesterday they had a two hour show, but the most interesting part - the climb - was about 75% complete when they started the coverage. That's like starting coverage of the Alpe at switchback #18 on TdF.
And Bob Roll - why is his "roll" (no pun intended) so minimal. He's relegated to 1 or 2 spots each telecast talikng about trivial stuff. And his hair - on his first feature yesterday his head was shaved. The next one towards end of telecast he's got hair (well, as much hair as he can grow). Why did they minimize his contributions so he is really, well, not a contributor?
And what about that chick they had doing color spots the first weekend? She has no knowledge of cycling, asked really stupid questions, and was a waste of time. I didn't see her yesterday - did then can her or was I just asleep during her spot.
It's all poorly produced. I am very disappointed in their coverage this year.
02-22-09, 12:55 PM
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Relax.
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02-22-09, 12:56 PM
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It has been terrible. I was watching stage 7 live, it was building up to be the most exciting finish of the tour and just as they were approaching the last k, the satellite feed was lost and we got helicopter shots of the surrounding area. Awesome.
02-22-09, 01:28 PM
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^^ great coverage, terrible color commentary.
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02-22-09, 01:33 PM
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ride, paint, ride
^^^+1. Andreu is borderline illiterate. But the visuals are great. (of the riders, not Andreu).
02-22-09, 01:37 PM
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Andreau sucks to listen to, but the coverage is so much better than the VS. But I still love Paul, Phil, and Bob.
02-22-09, 01:39 PM
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My favorite was the trophy girl after the prologue not knowing how to kiss Fabian and then the half ass podium ceremony where Fabian was continually pulled off the 1 spot on the podium.
Actually now that I think if it I keep seeing the trophy girls grabbing and moving around the winners like cattle. Ditzes.
Actually now that I think if it I keep seeing the trophy girls grabbing and moving around the winners like cattle. Ditzes.
02-22-09, 01:42 PM
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Apparently you don't remember the coverage ABC had back when Lemond was racing. You were lucky if you got to see 2 minutes of highlights on the 10:00pm news.
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02-22-09, 01:49 PM
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I've been catching it on the tour tracker, its not the oln/vs crew, but its full and constant. When I did watch some on tv as well, yes I had them both going, I caught Bruyneel shaving Bobke's head as a Livestrong associated bet/dare type thing. Imagine: here's Bobke talking with Bruyneel and Lance while getting his head shaved with a shaver/trimmer. Bobke's trying to interview Lance who can't keep from laughing at him. And the best part is that Johan left a strip down the back undone.
ToC starts at 3 est today, time to hit up my link.
ToC starts at 3 est today, time to hit up my link.
02-22-09, 01:51 PM
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just kidding
02-22-09, 01:56 PM
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214/13
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IMHO, the race has a weird vibe. Absolutely terrible early stages weather - Basso, Landis, Hamilton back after doping suspensions. Is it just me or is Hamilton just not credible in a stars and stripes jersey? Armstrong tempering expectations and his attention clearly focused on fighting cancer rather than racing (at least for the time being).
Everyone expects Levi to win.
Everyone expects Levi to win.
02-22-09, 02:49 PM
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And Bob Roll - why is his "roll" (no pun intended) so minimal. He's relegated to 1 or 2 spots each telecast talikng about trivial stuff. And his hair - on his first feature yesterday his head was shaved. The next one towards end of telecast he's got hair (well, as much hair as he can grow). Why did they minimize his contributions so he is really, well, not a contributor?
I think the coverage would be much better if they got rid of Hummer and the Indian chick and brought back Al Trautwig.
02-22-09, 02:51 PM
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Afterburners...good idea
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Definitely a decrease in broadcast quality since the days of the Only Lance Network.
02-22-09, 03:19 PM
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VS is showing the Tour of Qatar right now.
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02-22-09, 03:56 PM
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I think Frankie is OK. Part of the problem is that the ToC doesn't have the same kind of drama as the TdF. There is only one real strong team in this race. In the TdF, the most spectacular stages are the mountain top finishes. The ToC has zero mountain finishes, so it is pretty easy for Astana to control the whole race. You never see any GC contender attacking Levi or Levi having to defend his lead all by himself. Without any real GC drama, Frankie has fill hours at a time with small talk.
There was also the problem with poor video coverage during the first few days of the race, due to bad weather. Then he really had to fill, because he had no idea what was happening out on the road.
There was also the problem with poor video coverage during the first few days of the race, due to bad weather. Then he really had to fill, because he had no idea what was happening out on the road.
Last edited by johnny99; 02-22-09 at 03:59 PM.
02-22-09, 05:05 PM
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Today has been better - an hour in so far. Just reached Palomar summit. They did start covereage just before Palomar so we got to see entire climb.
But where's Roll ? So far just one interview - like a 1 minute spot. What's up with Bob?? Why is he not an integral part of the broadcasting team?
The fans at the race are weird, too. In Europe the make it hard for the riders on the climbs in Europe, but they are cycling fans. The guys on Palomar ain't cycling fans - they're just there to run in front of cyclists and get on TV. You can tell the difference between the Euros and Calis. I saw one of cyclists in lead group actually reach out and clobber one just before the Palomar summit
But where's Roll ? So far just one interview - like a 1 minute spot. What's up with Bob?? Why is he not an integral part of the broadcasting team?
The fans at the race are weird, too. In Europe the make it hard for the riders on the climbs in Europe, but they are cycling fans. The guys on Palomar ain't cycling fans - they're just there to run in front of cyclists and get on TV. You can tell the difference between the Euros and Calis. I saw one of cyclists in lead group actually reach out and clobber one just before the Palomar summit
02-22-09, 05:09 PM
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Another Roll spotting - but only a 45 second spot promo of Pro stems and bars. I guess Pro paid for the spot. Kinda like an infomercial. Bob is not really part of the broadcasting team, which is a shame because Bob rules !!!!
02-22-09, 05:16 PM
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The fans at the race are weird, too. In Europe the make it hard for the riders on the climbs in Europe, but they are cycling fans. The guys on Palomar ain't cycling fans - they're just there to run in front of cyclists and get on TV. You can tell the difference between the Euros and Calis. I saw one of cyclists in lead group actually reach out and clobber one just before the Palomar summit
However, spectators in Europe have been known to swear at, spit at, and even beat up bike racers that they don't like. I hope none of that is happening in California.