Watching coverage of the French Open Tennis championships on the BBC's 'Red Button' service, I find myself increasingly annoyed by the inane ramblings of the commentators.
These goons seem to have little to say and yet take for ever to say it; they exist upon a string of clichés which they trot out ad nauseam. The likes of Andrew Castle and John Lloyd seem incapable of making any sort of honest statements about the performances of the players and, instead, insist on repeating that 'so-and so's level has dropped', or that 'thingumyjig's looking a bit jaded today'. They are masters of stating the obvious and being wise after the event; John Lloyd, in particular, and someone who was a good player in his day, really has no place in the commentary box. Why can't they just commentate, and make some honest statements that reflect what is really happening on court, rather than provide a constant stream of drivel ? The only bright spot is the contribution of Sam Smith, another former player, but who is far less intrusive or cliché driven, and much more informative and viewer-friendly.
I've just watched a large part of one of the least exciting matches ever, between Frenchman Gael Monfils and another Frenchman of whom no one has ever heard. Instead of bemoaning the excrutiatingly dull nature of this match, the commentators did their usual and tried to pretend it was all ever so exciting; given that this tournament is in France and that both contestants in this match were French, anyone would have thought that the total lack of enthusiasm from the crowd might have given the two goons a hint but no, no such luck. They just droned on, and on, and on ............. .
Well done to the Beeb for covering the tournament, but 'Oh Dear !', what a pity about the commentary.
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