I have also noted his mistakes, but I doubt anyone here who's criticizing him would do any better. Phil and Paul are still remarkably watchable.

I can think of a few good commentators like Chick Hearn - R.I.P, and Marv Albert(probably the best in basketball...his son is just as good). But Phil and Paul are the best...it wouldn't be the same watching the TDF without them. For those that say other wise, are probably just a bunch of trolls. :(

There's two points here.

The first, that Phil has declined significantly, is undisputable. (Three years ago Phil was in charge, now it's pretty clearly Paul.)

The second, whether Phil now stinks - okay, that's more debatable. He still does a good sprint call. I have to rewind the sprints a few times (I love Tivo) just to catch up with all the information he's throwing out.

Most English speaking networks have Phil and Paul commentating. I think they do South Africa and Australia as well as VS and ITV. Eurosport has David Harmon and Sean Kelly. They are great. Sean Kelly has a bunch of fun sayings (certainly). David Harmon is really good too. They used to have David Duffield, but he got put out to pasture. I enjoyed listening to his discussions of French food and wine :)

I'd agree with that. and I didn't mean to suggest he should be replaced.

X2

I watched/listened to stage 17 this morning, and I agree with the original poster - Phil just had no idea what was going on. Paul 'got it' - understood the strategy and everything, but Phil was stubbornly in the closet.

"Schleck just doesn't have it!" -- I only heard that 50 times. Seriously man. The Schlecks were constantly looking behind them and obviously not pushing the pace. Evans would have stuck on Frank's wheel, no doubt.

There was no other way. Phil was totally off-base for an entire 30 minutes.

-bullseye

Phil Ligget is the voice of cycling. It is all about the morning broadcast. I dread Phil & Paul retiring - listening to Bobke call it in the evening - kill me now.

I'm not saying Phil & Paul should go - I like them. I was just amazed that Phil totally blew this stage in such an amazing fashion.

-bullseye

Bobke needs to get a good dentist to start with :P

Yeah there has been some diminishing with Phil, but the other day I listened to the 8:00 prime time version and he is still head and shoulders better than Bob ... who I like a lot ... but a little goes a long way.

Frankly I'm amazed they get as many names as they do. Esp when you consider they are getting a live feed with no control or advance warning over what group or shot is going to show up next. (other than the scenic chateau/castle highlights which they get briefed on in advance)

I love Phil's surprise when he sees a shot of a rider and exclaims, "Well, it's our old friend (Cervais Knaven)."

To the best of my knowledge, Paul & Phil provide live commentary for the entire duration of the races they cover. In previous years you could tap into the live audio and listen to the entire call of each stages. That Versus only uses certain pieces of that feed / tape for it's audiences speaks to their attempt to reach a broad audience that may or may not want to listen to nothing but the call by Phil & Paul.

Anybody who complains about Phil and Paul obviously wasn't around for the days of Sam Posey and Pierre Salinger.

You kids should be thankful for what you've got.

At last! I've been echoing that statement for 3 weeks now! :lol:

A little analysis goes a long way. If Phil & Paul really had to up the level of technical, 'serious' analysis with references to older racers, famous stages etc. - they would shine. I'm sure they can still do it but the VS feed I see is catering to a more general audience with less interest in Sean Yates and the US Postal days than in what sort of hay sculpture is in the helicopter shot.

Watching the America's Cup on VS is quite the same. Hummer, Isler and guests teetering on the edge of annoying babble...with spikes in the intellectual level when guests like Coutts or Cayard come on. Isler's the Sherwen of ACup - been there, done that. Wish they both would get on with more stories of actual races they've been in on the AC/TDF fronts respectively to keep the quality of discussion higher.

Bruyneel has been overshadowed by Bobke too much for my taste. He (Bruyneel) could offer up so much more. Either not interested or the producers have a story line they want him to buy into. Was initially excited to hear Bruyneel this year but, he wasn't all that special this time around.

Phil and Paul are the best. I like Bobke but he frequently screws up his word selection and taken literally, makes no sense. He has too many words in his head and not enough definitions that match. I have met Bobke twice at the tour and he is a great guy but Phil and Paul are institutions who call live cycling 5 hours a day for three straight weeks using a television screen to provide live coverage. Their sprint finish calls are unmatched.

Speaking of which, anyone have the definition of "unrelentless?" Phil keeps using it and I experience momentary confusion every time he does.

Well, it's a little like regardless and irregardless. Not technically correct, but hardly something of much note.

Honestly, if the picayunish things mentioned in this thread are the worst criticisms that can be leveled against these guys, then they're gods. I think they all do a great job.

- Mark