David 2 Report post Posted July 30, 2008 There's excitement with dignity and class, like Bob Cole and Chris Cuthbert, then there's just yelling for yelling's sake like Thorne does. It's great to get excited, but you have to know how and when to tone it back down. name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>&"> name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" /> You call that excitement? That is one of the most boring play-by-play calls I've ever heard for such an exciting, dramatic moment. "The shot. Went wide. And the game is over." Pardon me if I'm not getting chills. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WisconsinWingNut 0 Report post Posted July 30, 2008 I miss Thorne, too. There's just something about "The Detroit Red Wings are the Stanley Cup Champions!" coming from him instead of nasally 'Doc'. I also think if anyone was biased, it was Clement and not Thorne. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ashenhigh 9 Report post Posted July 30, 2008 (edited) Thorne and Clement were the best, too many memories of them calling our epic victories. Bob Cole on CBC is effing terrible. I watched that youtube video and made some comments on it, the video poster called me a stupid American and told me that I should stick to my own sports... lol...... Edited July 30, 2008 by ashenhigh Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dabura 12,207 Report post Posted July 30, 2008 (edited) When I think of Thorne, I think "DRAMA." When I think of Doc, I think "Guy might as well be an old lady who doesn't believe in the Internet." It's all about Thorne's voice, really. Edited July 30, 2008 by Dabura Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
octopusonice 0 Report post Posted July 30, 2008 When I think of Thorne, I think "DRAMA." When I think of Doc, I think "Guy might as well be an old lady who doesn't believe in the Internet." It's all about Thorne's voice, really. I like Thorne's ability to set the drama. I remember from the 1997 SCF when he said something like "15,395 days", referring to the last time they won a Cup. That made it seem even longer. His calls like the game 7 call in 1996 against St. Louis with Yzerman are classic and I always liked hearing him yell "Shanahan!". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MississippiWing 14 Report post Posted July 30, 2008 Anybody know when his contract with espn expires, i like doc and all but he is not a #1 guy the nhl needs thorne back Thorne is better: I too agree. I like Thorne calling games. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joshy207 156 Report post Posted July 30, 2008 You call that excitement? That is one of the most boring play-by-play calls I've ever heard for such an exciting, dramatic moment. "The shot. Went wide. And the game is over." Pardon me if I'm not getting chills. No, that was not "excitement". Nor was it boring. It actually kinda mirrored the emotion of that moment... as that last-second play developed, I got nervous as Pit approached the net and got that shot off, and when it looked as though they might score, then the buzzer went, I didn't move, breathe, blink, or think for about 5 seconds. All I could do was stare at the screen before the feeling of relief hit me, then the realization that the Wings won. There could have been more emotion in Cole's call, but do we really need some screaming a-hole (Thorne, Emrick, etc) to tell us that the Wings won it? I don't. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doc Holiday 0 Report post Posted July 30, 2008 No, that was not "excitement". Nor was it boring. It actually kinda mirrored the emotion of that moment... as that last-second play developed, I got nervous as Pit approached the net and got that shot off, and when it looked as though they might score, then the buzzer went, I didn't move, breathe, blink, or think for about 5 seconds. All I could do was stare at the screen before the feeling of relief hit me, then the realization that the Wings won. There could have been more emotion in Cole's call, but do we really need some screaming a-hole (Thorne, Emrick, etc) to tell us that the Wings won it? I don't. Sorry but I'm going to have to agree that watching those last few seconds was not exciting with that play by play. I normally like him but that was pretty boring. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joshy207 156 Report post Posted July 30, 2008 Sorry but I'm going to have to agree that watching those last few seconds was not exciting with that play by play. I normally like him but that was pretty boring. The GAME itself wasn't excitement enough for you guys? Like I said, it could have been a better call, yes, but I'd rather have that than Emrick or Thorne screaming. The commentator should be secondary to the game, not the other way around. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doc Holiday 0 Report post Posted July 30, 2008 The GAME itself wasn't excitement enough for you guys? Like I said, it could have been a better call, yes, but I'd rather have that than Emrick or Thorne screaming. The commentator should be secondary to the game, not the other way around. The game was, but after watching that his voice just ruined the big deal. You don't want to listen to some commentator act like he doesn't care. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrossoverThrash 0 Report post Posted July 30, 2008 The GAME itself wasn't excitement enough for you guys? Like I said, it could have been a better call, yes, but I'd rather have that than Emrick or Thorne screaming. The commentator should be secondary to the game, not the other way around. But he never knows whats going on, i think thorne picked his places right. Thorne says stuff at the perfect time to make it that much better even if it is already totally awesome and you dont htink it could possibly get more exciting. Thorne never was more important to the game itself to me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
therock48880 14 Report post Posted July 30, 2008 Nonsense. Like Crymson said.....if anything, Thorne was biased in favor of the Wings. But I doubt either is the case. Thorne was an excellent broadcaster. Simply excellent. Exciteable, but exciteable at the right moments. And his voice is miles better than Emrick's. Anyway, I think the OP's premise is wrong - I don't think Thorne is employed by ESPN any more. Currently Thorne is broadcasting Baltimore Orioles games for the local Maryland station, MASN. I hope you're kidding. Thorne openly and publicly stated that he was an Avs fan and that he felt the Wings bought their championships. Not to mention his complete ignorance of the game itself and the players who were playing. Once Foreskin ran into Homer and Homer dove. Thorne said something to the effect, "Forseberg just knocked over Thomas Holmstrom!!!! And let me tell you, that's not an easy thing to do!!!" He was terrbily excited about it. Of course if he'd had any knowledge of Homer, he would have realized that Homer falls over quite easily. Don't forget, he was also caught lying about the Schilling sock saying Mirabella told him it was ketchup on the sock. Here's some more of his baseball gems from awfulannouncing.com http://awfulannouncing.blogspot.com/2008/0...y-clueless.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,794 Report post Posted July 30, 2008 I hope you're kidding. Thorne openly and publicly stated that he was an Avs fan and that he felt the Wings bought their championships. Not to mention his complete ignorance of the game itself and the players who were playing. Once Foreskin ran into Homer and Homer dove. Thorne said something to the effect, "Forseberg just knocked over Thomas Holmstrom!!!! And let me tell you, that's not an easy thing to do!!!" He was terrbily excited about it. Of course if he'd had any knowledge of Homer, he would have realized that Homer falls over quite easily. Don't forget, he was also caught lying about the Schilling sock saying Mirabella told him it was ketchup on the sock. Here's some more of his baseball gems from awfulannouncing.com http://awfulannouncing.blogspot.com/2008/0...y-clueless.html When did he ever say that? If he was a divealanche homer, he never sounded like it during the broadcasts. Everyone here knows my level of paranoia, and yet even I don't think Thorne was a homer against us. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
19Hockeytown5 0 Report post Posted July 30, 2008 I've always enjoyed Ken and Mickey. Thorne and Clement were awesome because usually they called the big games and have a lot of the big time Red Wings moments.I would love to have them and the excitement they bring back. The Nbc people were so biased towards the Penguins that I honestly was furious just listening to it all series. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
betterREDthandead 58 Report post Posted July 31, 2008 I hope you're kidding. Thorne openly and publicly stated that he was an Avs fan and that he felt the Wings bought their championships. That would be a great thing for you to have a link to. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vladifan 680 Report post Posted July 31, 2008 Man... I really forgot how much I missed Gary Thorne and Bill Clement until hearing all those clips. Much better that Doc and Eddie, imo. Doc's ok, but Thorne just seemed to me to get more excited as the game, and series wore on, and his calls during those big goals always gives me goosebumps. It also helps that he called my 3 favorite Wings goals... "McCarty drops back with Niinimaa in front of him, McCarty draws, McCarty in, McCarty SCORES!!! A magnificent goal, Darren McCarty!" "...Lidstrom shot, Yzerman knocked it down, and a great save, THE GOAL COUNTS, THE GOAL COUNTS, !" "Gretzky had it, lost it, Yzerman picks it up. Yzerman moving, blue line chance, SCORES, STEVE YZERMAN, DETROIT WINS!" Gives me chills just thinking about them... I will never forget the statue of liberty play where Wah the Arrogant thought he was once again, King of the Net. Thank you for the reminder AND the vid. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vladifan 680 Report post Posted July 31, 2008 Nonsense. Like Crymson said.....if anything, Thorne was biased in favor of the Wings. But I doubt either is the case. Thorne was an excellent broadcaster. Simply excellent. Exciteable, but exciteable at the right moments. And his voice is miles better than Emrick's. Anyway, I think the OP's premise is wrong - I don't think Thorne is employed by ESPN any more. Currently Thorne is broadcasting Baltimore Orioles games for the local Maryland station, MASN. I agree that Thorne is one of the best. Calling ANY kind of live action has to be difficult and with the speed of hockey, almost impossible. Of course he's made mistakes. Who the hell wouldn't under that kind of pressure? But he's still very focused, intense and involved and the resonance in his voice only adds to the drama. I've really never noticed any overt bias on his (or Clement's) part. Doc's OK and I understand he and Eddie had to balance their delivery during the finals but they went overboard in praising the Penguins till it became a whole new and unreal event and had very little to do with what was happening on the ice. Ken and Mickey are also excellent The worst? The Anaheim announcers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
josh 0 Report post Posted July 31, 2008 Man... I really forgot how much I missed Gary Thorne and Bill Clement until hearing all those clips. Much better that Doc and Eddie, imo. Doc's ok, but Thorne just seemed to me to get more excited as the game, and series wore on, and his calls during those big goals always gives me goosebumps. It also helps that he called my 3 favorite Wings goals... "McCarty drops back with Niinimaa in front of him, McCarty draws, McCarty in, McCarty SCORES!!! A magnificent goal, Darren McCarty!" "...Lidstrom shot, Yzerman knocked it down, and a great save, THE GOAL COUNTS, THE GOAL COUNTS, !" "Gretzky had it, lost it, Yzerman picks it up. Yzerman moving, blue line chance, SCORES, STEVE YZERMAN, DETROIT WINS!" Gives me chills just thinking about them... yea im with u he was the best anyone rember nhl 2k5?? that was the best Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SnipeShow 0 Report post Posted July 31, 2008 imagine thorne doing play by play to you having sex Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doc Holiday 0 Report post Posted July 31, 2008 imagine thorne doing play by play to you having sex If anything I think he'd be a booster. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevie for president 42 Report post Posted July 31, 2008 I agree that Thorne is one of the best. Calling ANY kind of live action has to be difficult and with the speed of hockey, almost impossible. Of course he's made mistakes. Who the hell wouldn't under that kind of pressure? But he's still very focused, intense and involved and the resonance in his voice only adds to the drama. I've really never noticed any overt bias on his (or Clement's) part. Doc's OK and I understand he and Eddie had to balance their delivery during the finals but they went overboard in praising the Penguins till it became a whole new and unreal event and had very little to do with what was happening on the ice. Ken and Mickey are also excellent The worst? The Anaheim announcers. Edzo is naturally biased. he coached the pens and i believe he played for them and chicago. im too lazy to look it up. and i thought doc emerick was biased in favor of the wings if anything. i remember him talking about ernie harwell one game. pierre mcquire is just an idiot and mike millbury makes pierre look smart so i dont pay attention to either of them. oh and the avs announcers blow too. imagine rick jeanneret doing national tv! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doc Holiday 0 Report post Posted July 31, 2008 Wow I did not know he was the guy who said "Are you ready legion of doom?!" I figured it was some Philly announcer who was talking about the Flyers playing the Wings in the 97 finals, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Izzy24 44 Report post Posted July 31, 2008 The idea that Thorne had/has an Avalanche bias is absurd. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seeinred 1,488 Report post Posted July 31, 2008 (edited) The idea that Thorne had/has an Avalanche bias is absurd. I may be way off base here, but it always seemed to me that he/everyone at ESPN had a gigantic hard-on for Peter Forsberg, which I could see being interpreted as an Avs bias. Edited July 31, 2008 by SeeinRed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
octopusonice 0 Report post Posted July 31, 2008 Edzo is naturally biased. he coached the pens and i believe he played for them and chicago. im too lazy to look it up. and i thought doc emerick was biased in favor of the wings if anything. i remember him talking about ernie harwell one game. pierre mcquire is just an idiot and mike millbury makes pierre look smart so i dont pay attention to either of them. oh and the avs announcers blow too. imagine rick jeanneret doing national tv! A part of me would like it and another part of me wouldn't. This guy is so much a part of the fabric of Sabres hockey that he really belongs to Buffalo. He's in his late 60s and probably won't be doing games for much longer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites