England in the 90s

[blockerdave]

Tony Lewis has joined the commentary team as Phil Edmonds has got a migraine from listening to Geoffrey’s stories all night.

On the morning of day 2, I’m looking to knock over the last 2 wickets cheaply and get off to a good start in reply...

 

[Dutch]

These vids are such a joy and a real jog down memory lane! Thanks again Dave. You found your niche!

 

[Dutch]

Imagine some life in the commentary like this instead of the wooden stuff we have now.

 

[Ed Smith]

Imagine some life in the commentary like this instead of the wooden stuff we have now.

Its an unreal improvement like

 

[blockerdave]

Imagine some life in the commentary like this instead of the wooden stuff we have now.

One of the things I’ve realised is that the best commentary in cricket is not play by play, it’s analysis. They should remove 60% of “in game” commentary and instead have better instant replays that have analytical commentary on it.

but glad you’re enjoying it - I’m actually loving making it and finding little gems to stick in. When you get the right comment for the action - like with they Taylor dismissal yesterday, it’s amazing

 

[wasteyouryouth]

The big difference is the sound mixing and delivery. The in game commentary sounds like people reading a script in recording studio laid over other sounds. I'm indifferent to Michael Slater as commentator anyway, but there's a huge difference between him in the game and in real life, particularly if there is someone with him in the commentary booth.

You need to either find someone who can 'act' like themselves. Or just higher a couple of actors who can pull it off. Better dialogue would help to. My preference would be scrap commentary and improve in game sounds. It seems like a waste of time to keep putting it in and having it be so poor. I don't think you can record enough to not have it become repetitive within two games either.

 

[blockerdave]

The big difference is the sound mixing and delivery. The in game commentary sounds like people reading a script in recording studio laid over other sounds. I'm indifferent to Michael Slater as commentator anyway, but there's a huge difference between him in the game and in real life, particularly if there is someone with him in the commentary booth.

You need to either find someone who can 'act' like themselves. Or just higher a couple of actors who can pull it off. Better dialogue would help to. My preference would be scrap commentary and improve in game sounds. It seems like a waste of time to keep putting it in and having it be so poor. I don't think you can record enough to not have it become repetitive within two games either.

a lot of commentary is repetitive. How many times does the same commentator say “shot/good shot/great shot/beautiful shot”... “great bowling, wonderful bowling” etc. Even Phil Edmonds says “overs godovers” - something nobody else has ever said - twice in one 30min highlights package I found.

they should absolutely be doing less commentary and make more of in game sound, but they should hugely improve the replay aspect and utilise commentary in replay. This is actually where most commentary is heard, certainly the best, so it will improve the “tv presentation” aspect. Plus it’s easy to skip and that reduces repetition

commentary should also be useful - if I’m batting, how about some comment like the timing is off, it’s really swinging and the batsmen aren’t coping, the bowlers tiring nows the time to get on top, etc. If bowling - oh hes too short, he’s not accurate enough, the batsman has been troubled by the outswinger... it’s not swinging much, time for the spinner

 

[T.J.Hooker]

Personally I'd try recording them without a script, just in a box somewhere actually commentating on a few real games - or "live" recorded footage, at least - and then try and cut out the best / most useful bits.

Agree with Blocker about analysis, as well. Describing stuff as it happens has never worked in any cricket game, that I can remember. But meanwhile there's a lot of stuff that analytical commentary could potentially draw attention to, esp in replays.

 

[wasteyouryouth]

I do think using commentary as analysis and tips would be good. A subtle mention of reverse swing or trying a spinner. But that requires even better implementation than has been achieved.

 

[T.J.Hooker]

I don't envy the guys that have to do the work on it, that's for sure.

Although I guess that's true about literally everything in the game.

 

[blockerdave]

Afternoon session of Day 2.

Don’t do anything silly England...

 

[blockerdave]

Bit of a worry, I’m doing quite well so I can’t find any 90s commentary to fit

 

[Dutch]

Bit of a worry, I’m doing quite well so I can’t find any 90s commentary to fit

Ha ha you'l have to insert your own voice for the country name: "Thats another fine win for (Australia/South Africa/ et cetera....) *insert England here*"

 

[blockerdave]

Ha ha you'l have to insert your own voice for the country name: "Thats another fine win for (Australia/South Africa/ et cetera....) *insert England here*"

I’ve gone quite far down the rabbit hole, watching YouTube and thinking “yeah, that’ll work” and then playing the game and thinking “oh I know just the piece for that!”

the Larkins dismissal triggering the Boycott rant in my last video is one of my favourite bits yet.

 

[Dutch]

I like the Gower dismissal too.