SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted July 31, 2008 (edited) If you are a die hard fan of a team, whether it is the Red Wings or the Minneapolis Hawks pee wee hockey team from the Mighty Ducks movie, you are going to search deep in the cookie jar to find excuses on why announcers hate your team or are biased against your team/for another team. It doesn't matter who the annoucer is. This was taken to a pretty high level by a fair amount of people in here this playoff season. Personally, I don't put much stock into what annoucers say. Not because they are stupid, far from it. They are in the broadcast booth for a reason. I usually just tune annoucers out and just watch the game on TV and not really worry or lose sleep over what they say or if they show good/bad bias towards the Wings or my favorite teams, because they have no bearing on the games itself and how I watch games. Did Thorne and company show Avalanche bias? Perhaps and that can be debated until all the liquor in the universe is consumed, but it was justified as the Avalanche had solid teams when he broadcasted and like it or not, Forsberg was one of the best players in the world at the time. Did it bother me at all? Not really. I did like Thorne's passion when he broadcasted and exciting parts of the games took place. He usually wasn't overally emphatic, but in the moment of a big play you definitely saw his excitement level rise, which I liked. Edited July 31, 2008 by SouthernWingsFan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
therock48880 14 Report post Posted July 31, 2008 That would be a great thing for you to have a link to. I know. I've been looking. I think it was before the 02 season. So far no luck finding it, though. I'll keep checking. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kp-Wings 3 Report post Posted July 31, 2008 (edited) Eddie Olczyk has to be one of the worst color commentators in the game; right up there on the top of the list with Bernie Federko, Terry Crisp, and whoever that guy is in Anaheim. He's so boring and lame, I have to wonder who he slept with to get that job once JD left for St. Louis. Not to mention that his bias for Chicago and Pittsburgh is borderline disgusting. The other annoying thing about him (Doc as well) is their tendancy to veer off into some random, useless, completely idiotic topic of discussion that has nothing to do with hockey at all, while the play is still going on. Seriously: FOCUS ON THE GOD DAMN GAME. Save that stupid crap for the timeouts or break-in-plays; not when the play is still going on. That really makes them look either uninterested, or just plain jackasses. My guess would be the ladder. I would love to see Thorne brought in to cover hockey; he puts the guys on Vs. currently covering it to shame. His excitement for the game is great. Edited July 31, 2008 by Kp-Wings Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
therock48880 14 Report post Posted July 31, 2008 I can't find the link to the Thorne/Avs love affair so you can ignore those comments by me, although I stand by them. The rest of my posts stand though. The guy is not very competent and than can easily be found on numerous websites. Here's another review I found about him: "WORST TV PLAY-BY-PLAY ANNOUNCER: Why is ABC/ESPN enamored of the false enthusiasm, inaccurate calls and overall unlistenable work of Gary Thorne? Thank goodness for the mute button." http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FC..._112904372/pg_5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doc Holiday 0 Report post Posted July 31, 2008 I can't find the link to the Thorne/Avs love affair so you can ignore those comments by me, although I stand by them. The rest of my posts stand though. The guy is not very competent and than can easily be found on numerous websites. Here's another review I found about him: "WORST TV PLAY-BY-PLAY ANNOUNCER: Why is ABC/ESPN enamored of the false enthusiasm, inaccurate calls and overall unlistenable work of Gary Thorne? Thank goodness for the mute button." http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FC..._112904372/pg_5 Is that the opinion of one guy? One guy who thinks there is a paw on the shoulders of the Colorado uniforms? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crymson Report post Posted July 31, 2008 The worst? The Anaheim announcers. I think Columbus and Nashville have the worst. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
irishtemper14+25 11 Report post Posted July 31, 2008 yea my wish would be for fsn be allowed to do the playoff games, I love me some mickey Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
therock48880 14 Report post Posted July 31, 2008 Is that the opinion of one guy? One guy who thinks there is a paw on the shoulders of the Colorado uniforms? It's not difficult to find others who feel the same way about him. From calling "Canseco" "Giambi" to lying about Schilling's sock, the guy is clueless. Those are his most recent moronic moves. His hockey ignorance is being forgotten as time passes but he was just as bad at hockey as he is baseball. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
McCartyFanForLife 17 Report post Posted July 31, 2008 imagine thorne doing play by play to you having sex hmmm.... "Oh man, the story of this intercourse, the redemption of her husband" "uh oh, he's in one of his "modes" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingedone 0 Report post Posted August 1, 2008 I have DVD's made of the 1997, 1998, 2002, and 2008 finals and the Thorn ones are enjoyable to see and hear, no matter how many times I do. I have hardly watched the 2008 again, because it feels like a funeral. There is no, none, zip excitement. I don't know if it is the announcers just so sad Pitt was losing or what, but there is no joy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest nutz2u Report post Posted August 2, 2008 Eddie Olczyk has to be one of the worst color commentators in the game; right up there on the top of the list with Bernie Federko, Terry Crisp, and whoever that guy is in Anaheim. He's so boring and lame, I have to wonder who he slept with to get that job once JD left for St. Louis. Not to mention that his bias for Chicago and Pittsburgh is borderline disgusting. The other annoying thing about him (Doc as well) is their tendancy to veer off into some random, useless, completely idiotic topic of discussion that has nothing to do with hockey at all, while the play is still going on. Seriously: FOCUS ON THE GOD DAMN GAME. Save that stupid crap for the timeouts or break-in-plays; not when the play is still going on. That really makes them look either uninterested, or just plain jackasses. My guess would be the ladder. I would love to see Thorne brought in to cover hockey; he puts the guys on Vs. currently covering it to shame. His excitement for the game is great. What he said, plus Gary Thorne drives me me nuts when he continually says "remaining to go" referring to the time remaining in a period or the game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doc Holiday 0 Report post Posted August 2, 2008 What he said, plus Gary Thorne drives me me nuts when he continually says "remaining to go" referring to the time remaining in a period or the game. I also hate when he says "third period" during the game. Honestly pick another phrase for once! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crymson Report post Posted August 3, 2008 I have DVD's made of the 1997, 1998, 2002, and 2008 finals and the Thorn ones are enjoyable to see and hear, no matter how many times I do. I have hardly watched the 2008 again, because it feels like a funeral. There is no, none, zip excitement. I don't know if it is the announcers just so sad Pitt was losing or what, but there is no joy. From what I noticed, the Versus/NBC PbP guys were downcast and quiet whenever the Wings were clearly winning, and they were ebullient when the opposition was in command. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
