- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Fox Sports’ US World Cup coverage is an unmissable abomination
Posted on 12/5/22 at 6:52 am
Posted on 12/5/22 at 6:52 am
quote:
Four years on from the dumbumvirate debacle of its coverage in Russia, Fox is back, and worse than ever. In a world of so much flux, in which so many human connections seem so ephemeral, Fox’s commitment to a losing team – Squeaky Stuey Holden on the match call, Lalas spouting nonsense on set, and Rob Stone holding the whole thing together with the desperate energy of a dad using his daughter’s 18th birthday celebration as a showcase for his own comedic talent – is something we can all get behind.
Insults to our collective intelligence have come from all angles: the constant, tedious analogies to American sports (stepovers and feints described as “dekes” and “hesis”, corners constantly compared to “pick and rolls”); the neverending quest to “contextualize” the world game by comparing whole countries to American states (“Qatar is the size of Connecticut,” we were told repeatedly on the opening day); the network’s embrace and promotion of the interminable “it’s called soccer” cause (who cares?); the strange extended segment in the run-up to USA v England about how much Harry Kane likes American football (ditto); the employment of Piers Morgan as a special guest pundit (no thanks).
Donovan, meanwhile, has pulled off the impressive trick of being both exceptionally boring and weirdly aggressive. In a sport that thrives on innovation, Donovan has developed a kind of anti-chemistry in his rapport with English co-commentator Ian Darke – built on dead air, the flat affect of a Benzoed accountant, and negging (sample own from the Spain v Costa Rica match: “Seven nil looks like an NFL score – you wouldn’t know anything about that Ian”) – that feels genuinely fresh.
LINK
19
Posted on 12/5/22 at 7:47 am to Bench McElroy
Guardian coming with fire recently.
Posted on 12/5/22 at 8:04 am to Bench McElroy
quote:
the network’s embrace and promotion of the interminable “it’s called soccer” cause (who cares?
I didn't even know this was aa thing until I saw a bunch of the American fans holding the signs at one of the games.
What a stupid thing to promote.
Posted on 12/5/22 at 8:08 am to Bench McElroy
Unfortunately these clowns have the 2026 WC as well so we are all fucq.
My biggest problems are the coronation of John Strong and Holden as the 1A announcing duo. No, they suck and I would actually take 3rd tier JP Dellacambra over them (more Fox sucking). And as much as I loved Donovan as a player, he's a shite broadcaster.
I found myself watching the Spanish/Peacock broadcast for the US games (I don't speak Spanish) because the feed quality is better and I didn't have to hear John Strong's unprompted escalating voice (45 mins down, 45 TOOOOO GOOOOOO!!!!).
They should seriously just buy out either all of CBS or ESPN's punditry and broom everyone they have currently.
My biggest problems are the coronation of John Strong and Holden as the 1A announcing duo. No, they suck and I would actually take 3rd tier JP Dellacambra over them (more Fox sucking). And as much as I loved Donovan as a player, he's a shite broadcaster.
I found myself watching the Spanish/Peacock broadcast for the US games (I don't speak Spanish) because the feed quality is better and I didn't have to hear John Strong's unprompted escalating voice (45 mins down, 45 TOOOOO GOOOOOO!!!!).
They should seriously just buy out either all of CBS or ESPN's punditry and broom everyone they have currently.
Posted on 12/5/22 at 8:16 am to Bench McElroy
quote:
Insults to our collective intelligence have come from all angles: the constant, tedious analogies to American sports (stepovers and feints described as “dekes” and “hesis”, corners constantly compared to “pick and rolls”); the neverending quest to “contextualize” the world game by comparing whole countries to American states (“Qatar is the size of Connecticut,” we were told repeatedly on the opening day); the network’s embrace and promotion of the interminable “it’s called soccer” cause (who cares?) the strange extended segment in the run-up to USA v England about how much Harry Kane likes American football (ditto); the employment of Piers Morgan as a special guest pundit (no thanks).
There are several things to complain about for Fox's WC coverage, but these are pretty damn nitpicky. Seriously, the author of the article is whining about comparing the size of Qatar, a country very few are familiar with, to the size of one of our States, something that most viewers are familiar with? GTFO.
I think the soccer vs football commercials are mostly dumb, but I liked the extended one with Peyton and Beckham.
And I agree about Stu Holden. He's the male version of Beth Mowens.
This post was edited on 12/5/22 at 8:18 am
Posted on 12/5/22 at 8:16 am to Billy Mays
Honestly think Donovan is better on the post and pre game stuff.
Posted on 12/5/22 at 8:40 am to Bench McElroy
quote:
Donovan has developed a kind of anti-chemistry in his rapport with English co-commentator Ian Darke – built on dead air, the flat affect of a Benzoed accountant, and negging (sample own from the Spain v Costa Rica match: “Seven nil looks like an NFL score – you wouldn’t know anything about that Ian”) – that feels genuinely fresh.
Lolll
Donovan is so so bad. His hair on the day the US lost out was a sight to see.
Posted on 12/5/22 at 8:44 am to Billy Mays
quote:
I found myself watching the Spanish/Peacock broadcast for the US games (I don't speak Spanish) because the feed quality is better and I didn't have to hear John Strong's unprompted escalating voice (45 mins down, 45 TOOOOO GOOOOOO!!!!).
This is my biggest ax to grind. He reacts to any ball in the box with the equivalent of “THE BAND IS ON THE FIELD” it feels so forced and out of place.
Posted on 12/5/22 at 9:13 am to Bench McElroy
This article reeks of desperation to whine about something.
HOT TAKE: Fox's coverage is fine. Strong and Stu are good. I like Donovan, he's getting better. I appreciate them bringing on board Darke. I think Rob Stone is a good host. Qatar is the size of Connecticut? Okay, cool. I'm really glad and surprised Fox didn't bring on some hokey Hispanic talent to cater to Mexican fans.
If you want to complain about their coverage, complain about the Qatar fellatio during the opening ceremony. Or Alexi Lalas hate, I can get behind that (time to retire this man as our "national pundit"). Other than that.....I'm enjoying it.
HOT TAKE: Fox's coverage is fine. Strong and Stu are good. I like Donovan, he's getting better. I appreciate them bringing on board Darke. I think Rob Stone is a good host. Qatar is the size of Connecticut? Okay, cool. I'm really glad and surprised Fox didn't bring on some hokey Hispanic talent to cater to Mexican fans.
If you want to complain about their coverage, complain about the Qatar fellatio during the opening ceremony. Or Alexi Lalas hate, I can get behind that (time to retire this man as our "national pundit"). Other than that.....I'm enjoying it.
This post was edited on 12/5/22 at 9:14 am
Posted on 12/5/22 at 9:21 am to Bench McElroy
I don’t mind Lalas. Dempsey is pretty bad on TV.
Posted on 12/5/22 at 9:25 am to Bench McElroy
I’ve actually been pleasantly surprised from what I was expecting
Posted on 12/5/22 at 9:26 am to Ssubba
quote:
Fox's coverage is fine.
To each his own but I’ve gotta disagreed. Personally I love Ian Darkes commentating. It is the bright spot however the pairing with LD is almost unbearable. His voice is so monotone and just….idk drab? His quips don’t match Ian’s style at all.
One thing that sticks out was Landon said he was gunna grab a beer and watch the afternoon match. Ian said I may join you. Landon replied “I didn’t invite you buddy”
Now I know obviously a joke. But Ian laughed and went on with commenting, not a sound from Landon. Later in the broadcast he said something else I can’t remember. And Ian came out and said we’re obviously just having some fun with each other and obviously they were it was just cringe from Landon’s side for me.
Idk that and a nickel is worth a nickel. Just my take Landon’s cringe as well as Strong’s forced voice elevations.
Also just the takes aren’t that great. For example Rashfords free kick goal against Wales you heard everyone glowing ab what a great strike. Ben foster broke it down on his podcast it was completely goalie error. If he was in the right spot he could have just caught it. Why can’t fox have someone tell me that live?
Posted on 12/5/22 at 9:29 am to Bench McElroy
The article hit the nail on the head re: Donovan. He and Ian Darke are oil and water.
They didn’t touch on Dempsey, who’s trying too hard to be languid and cool and it comes off as very awkward IMO.
It’s been fine otherwise. Would ESPN be any better? Who knows?
They didn’t touch on Dempsey, who’s trying too hard to be languid and cool and it comes off as very awkward IMO.
It’s been fine otherwise. Would ESPN be any better? Who knows?
Posted on 12/5/22 at 9:31 am to Them
quote:
They didn’t touch on Dempsey, who’s trying too hard to be languid and cool and it comes off as very awkward IMO
Agreed he comes off as very try hard.
Idk why though I feel like that is natural Clint Dempsey. I have no basis for this theory. Other than the “You don’t know where I’m from” story.
Posted on 12/5/22 at 9:33 am to Bench McElroy
I fricking hate John Strong's constant chest pumping for MLS players.
He's pretty decent but for fricks sake. Even the casual here doesn't care if the Ecuadorian mid fielder played for MLS 4 years ago, they want to know more about Caicedo and Estupanian and dudes who are actually worth a shite that play in the big leagues like England.
It is part of the reason they are so slow to criticize a fricking donkey like Jesus Ferreira for literally being a useless waste of space on the field. He plays for MLS and feel that attacking his shite performance hurts the MLS or something.
Fox would be the first douches crying if we went to an all 26 man roster of European based players which should literally be happening already.
He's pretty decent but for fricks sake. Even the casual here doesn't care if the Ecuadorian mid fielder played for MLS 4 years ago, they want to know more about Caicedo and Estupanian and dudes who are actually worth a shite that play in the big leagues like England.
It is part of the reason they are so slow to criticize a fricking donkey like Jesus Ferreira for literally being a useless waste of space on the field. He plays for MLS and feel that attacking his shite performance hurts the MLS or something.
Fox would be the first douches crying if we went to an all 26 man roster of European based players which should literally be happening already.
Posted on 12/5/22 at 9:35 am to Ssubba
quote:
Or Alexi Lalas hate, I can get behind that
Lalas has been one of my favorite commentators in the past two decades. I feel that he is usually more candid than others and often makes good points. This year he seems to have taken a step back a little. I can't put my finger on it, but he doesn't seem as good as he used to be. Maybe it's just the format of the shows that Fox puts on, which seems noticeably different this year...everyone is always standing around and talking...it just seems kind of awkward.
Posted on 12/5/22 at 9:37 am to Ssubba
For me I still can't separate my affections to the GOAT ESPN coverage with MiB, Ballack/Lalas, Bob Ley etc. from generations past - maybe it's unrealistic to believe that level will ever be touched again.
I do think they have some good pieces like Edu, Kate Abdo, and Darke of course but they are being overshadowed by the weaker members of the team.
I do think they have some good pieces like Edu, Kate Abdo, and Darke of course but they are being overshadowed by the weaker members of the team.
Posted on 12/5/22 at 9:52 am to SUB
quote:
Lalas has been one of my favorite commentators in the past two decades. I feel that he is usually more candid than others and often makes good points. This year he seems to have taken a step back a little. I can't put my finger on it, but he doesn't seem as good as he used to be. Maybe it's just the format of the shows that Fox puts on, which seems noticeably different this year...everyone is always standing around and talking...it just seems kind of awkward.
He looks completely disinterested this go around. His lack of passion displayed in 2014 and 2010 is completely absent. Maybe he's more vested in his podcast he's running right now. He could just be tired. That's fine, it's hard to keep up. But maybe he shouldn't be our lead analyst.
Posted on 12/5/22 at 10:08 am to Bench McElroy
The biggest problem with this World Cup is that, by happening in a country with no pageantry during the busiest part of the sports calendar, during the holiday season, it became just another thing that was also happening
Posted on 12/5/22 at 10:27 am to The Boat
quote:
Dempsey is pretty bad on TV.
He's so bad. The guy can barely formulate a sentence.
Page 1 of 3
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News