April 15, 2009

The end of the line for America's most hated soccer commentator?: No more Champions League color commentary or "analysis" from the man referred to affectionately by some as "the biggest tit on the air."

posted by holden to soccer at 02:02 PM - 8 comments

94% angry leprechaun

Instant classic.

posted by irunfromclones at 02:34 PM on April 15, 2009

The only thing that saddens me about this is that I now have to invest in a better cable package in order to watch any football at all, as I've been surviving with only these Champions League broadcasts. Ah well. Besides, I have to watch them on mute most of the time to stop my ears from bleeding.

Also, any bets on whether Porto evens it up in these last 20 minutes?

posted by boredom_08 at 04:12 PM on April 15, 2009

I really don't mind Tommy Smyth. I wouldn't pick him over much anyone else, but it's not as though he's Dick Vitale. I find it far more infuriating that every half-wit Sportscenter anchor (= 99%) insists on using his line during every soccer highlight as though showing 15 seconds of a bicycle kick goal and referencing the sport's most hated color commentator meant they cared about soccer.

posted by yerfatma at 09:04 PM on April 15, 2009

If you'll excuse me for a second; thank fuck for that.

I never thought I'd find a commentator who made me appreciate the work of David Pleat.

posted by Mr Bismarck at 10:41 PM on April 15, 2009

All over the Pacific - which for some bizarre programming reason receives the US ESPN coverage of football - there is much rejoicing.

posted by owlhouse at 06:39 AM on April 16, 2009

I would rather listen to Tommy Smyth read the entire Internal Revenue Code with sound effects than listen to ONE MINUTE of Marcelo Balboa's inane commentary. I watched large portions of the 2006 World Cup Finals on Univision to avoid listening to that d-bag.

posted by lawn_wrangler at 11:38 AM on April 16, 2009

Yeah, let's not go so far overboard on this. I don't care for his clich-ridden commentary too much but have you guys listened to Max Bretos and Christopher 'Don't You Love My Fake Spanish Accent' Sullivan call games?

posted by billsaysthis at 11:53 AM on April 16, 2009

Incidentally, I think that Derek Rae is a good announcer. Classy, well-prepared, knowledgeable and articulate.

posted by lawn_wrangler at 12:19 PM on April 16, 2009

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