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I myself don’t like his commentary, he grates like finger nails on polystyrene. He compared Hungerford Stakes day at Newbury. With a Simply Red concert afterwards, you can guess what most racegoers were like. MC Derek just did not stop his "jovial" banter. Stood there watching it with a couple of racing journalists, every one of us of the same opinion…… "shoot him"!
However, as much as us "racing" people dislike Tommo, the day was not really for racing fans. There was no arguing that his rapour with once a year / in a lifetime racegoers was easy to see. If a Thomson side show brings new people back to our sport, then we can surely put up with it now and again. I’ll just take some ear plugs next year.
Tommo is not a top race commentator, does not know as much as Jim (C4) McGrath about racing, is a poor tipster. I don’t like his style of broadcasting. But others do, he is a good presenter for a lot of people and works a non-racing crowd like no other.
Of course DT is going to create a lot of criticism on a racing forum, by me included. But, we were never going to be his greatest fans anyway.
Value Is EverythingA sad state of affairs that on a day when we’ve had a race like the one we’ve seen at Leopardstown today, that there isn’t a single mention in the main section about one of the best horses of the last 25 years, but already we have a thread stretching to 2 pages rehashing one of the most tiresome debates that ever crops up on here.
A sad state of affairs that on a day when we’ve had a race like the one we’ve seen at Leopardstown today, that there isn’t a single mention in the main section about one of the best horses of the last 25 years, but already we have a thread stretching to 2 pages rehashing one of the most tiresome debates that ever crops up on here.
Then start one, dear David, dear David, dear David.
Then start one, dear David, dear David.
Start one.However, if you start one in this section, won’t it be REHASHING the same as everyone’s said in Big Race Discussions?
Possibly better to have similar threads months or years apart like this one, than two identical threads running at the same time.
But, if you want to mend the bucket, then get on and start one David. Better still, go find Liza and tell her all about it.
Value Is EverythingI don’t dislike the guy at all-I like kis deep clear voice-Its a cop thing when your listening to the radio 56 hours per week clarity is everything when lives are, were on the line.
This is a smallish Bud’ism–Before my injury before my sickness–I played 3 other sports very well beside being a cop–Now I got the Name Officer Bud–For my Post work I dis in the Pubs 16oz at a time–
Now the last time I played hockey–Got into this big brawl got kicked out ot the game some other players whom jumped on me—-There is a Pub upstairs–I was nursing a good black eye–3 of the other felles were walking by–I got up ran to the door–Guys–They thought I wanted to fight—I said Hell no!! Buy you a beer—That fight was down there–Pointing to the rink–I said we are here–New world There stays there-Here is here.
Point Don’t let the little stuff bother you–I can listen Via the Net–My 2 kids love him–There friends too–Me I like him–So If he is good for bringing in the youth–We should be able to deal–Done
A sad state of affairs that on a day when we’ve had a race like the one we’ve seen at Leopardstown today, that there isn’t a single mention in the main section about one of the best horses of the last 25 years, but already we have a thread stretching to 2 pages rehashing one of the most tiresome debates that ever crops up on here.
Like any thread nobody has to contribute – what is important to one person may have little interest to another.
What more can be said about Sea The Stars? Many of the threads I have read about him appeared to be just going round in circles.
Ruby Walsh loves Thommo :lol: Ok so he’s a plonker at times but he is good at his job and a very likeable charachter.
If you want to here someone who has got to be the worst commentator on the planet you should tune into SL Radio..I think I’m right in saying it’s the same commentry that’s on ATR?????……..this guy is unreal and is talking about the horses in last place when the rest are 100 yds from the line…he overdoes "Make it sound like a good race" like no one else on the planet could…………horses he says are leading are already stuffed and he’s like 20 seconds behind what’s actually happening….horses are chllenging going into the final furlong and when you wach the race later the thing was in 5th going nowhere…….anyone know who he is? Don’t know where they got him but I hipe he’s replaced asap.
Thommo Rules!!!!
I think you might mean Lee Mackenzie?………….In any case the commentator who covered Wolverhampton on Saturday 5th September for ATR (when Fallon had his first winner since his ban) is absolutely terrible and I think thats his name………..he does everything a commentator shouldn’t do IMO particularly sounding like he’s trying to come up with red top tabloid headlines as the race comes to a conclusion………terrible voice and terrible style………outstandingly bad.
I have just listened to last nights Wolverhampton racing and the commentator sounded like Mark Slater and I don’t know if you were listening to the same commentary as me but Mark is not a commentator who fits the description you have given.
Mark is one of the calmest callers on the circuit.
I have just listened to last nights Wolverhampton racing and the commentator sounded like Mark Slater and I don’t know if you were listening to the same commentary as me but Mark is not a commentator who fits the description you have given.
Mark is one of the calmest callers on the circuit.
Sorry, I may be getting muddled, ATR did a montage of the Fallon comeback races over the last couple of days during the Sunday Forum and the commentator I mean ( Lee Mackenzie keeps ringing a bell) was covering the comeback day races not Wolves last night and he was as terrible as always saying during one of the commentaries for example;’…………they didn’t see which way this one went’………….yawn.
Sadly the problem may be that he just hasn’t got the voice for commentating……….IMO of course.Paul, I think they might be on about Lee Mckenzie at Lingfield on Friday – he did get quite excitied in a few of the races.
Personally, I don’t mind it as it all adds to thrill of the game, although his style now is a long way from his days on Radio Solent playing Brotherhood of Man records on a Sunday morning….
He dislikes crticism. I have noticed that he likes to dish it out – if in a somewhat subtle manner – but he just don’t like it up ‘im – especially when reminded ( by Catt this morning ) of his god awful tips. :wink:
I would disagree there – he can and does laugh at himself.
One example that springs to mind was at Huntingdon last year.
He came in the press room and asked the question, "Something signifiant happened here 26 years ago today, does anyone know what it was?"
Quick as a flash (unusual for me), I replied, "The last time you bought a round?"
To his credit he laughed, in fact I think he responded along the lines that it was longer ago than that when he last bought a round.
I can only speak from experience but I have always found him friendly, approachable and helpful.
And if he want’s to open bookies across the land then why not – it pays well and the bookies realise he will get people through the doors for the openings – if he didn’t he would not be asked.
Absolutley agree with you Paul. I met had a blether with him at Towcester one day, delightful fellow could not have been nicer. I can only take as I find but I liked him then and nothing has happend since to change that.
As for someone not taking criticisim, I can think of a certain betting expert who appears on C4 who does not exactly go a bundle on that one either does he?
I find Thommo’s style irritating, but I agree with a lot of the posters on here that the way he MCs a family meeting at somewhere like Wolverhampton on a Saturday night is perfect. That’s when you don’t just want a commentator, you want a personality, and he has that in spades. At least he has enthusiasm, which is surely something to be applauded.
One example that springs to mind was at Huntingdon last year.
He came in the press room and asked the question, "Something signifiant happened here 26 years ago today, does anyone know what it was?"
Quick as a flash (unusual for me), I replied, "The last time you bought a round?"
To his credit he laughed, in fact I think he responded along the lines that it was longer ago than that when he last bought a round.
.To be fair, surely everyone in the world would feign amusement in this situation?
As for opening betting shops – I think it is Thommo who tends to ring up and ask rather than the other way around!
he does everything a commentator shouldn’t do IMO particularly sounding like he’s trying to come up with red top tabloid headlines as the race comes to a conclusion
Bob, I can take criticism but if you listen back to the eight races at Lingfield last Friday I think you will see that this just isn’t true… even when Fallon was beaten on his first ride back! No tabloid headline at all, just "It goes to Mr Mahoganeigh, won by three…" Maybe you don’t like the inflection in my voice as the winning horse crosses the line, but I would say it is good practice to reflect the climax vocally, as a football or cricket commentator would when a goal is scored or a wicket taken.
Everybody has a different idea of how a commentator should do the job, and I appreciate sometimes I may be too excitable for many of you. But you have to take into account the fact that the commentary is also taken by the public address system and betting shops, whose customers may appreciate a different style.
When you go racing you will notice that racegoers usually react as much to the commentator as they do to the action, and it seems fair to give them value for money by helping to make the day out an exciting one.
Many racecourse management teams, who are among our main clients, understandably like the commentator to help create a buzz amongst the racegoers, and my own feeling is that we are an integral part of the atmosphere. However, I also recognise it is important for us to balance that with impeccable race-reading, sound editorial judgement and common sense. That is is the eternal search for the perfect solution.
I would admit I don’t always get it right but I am only reacting to what I see, and definitely not trying to whip up a sense of hysteria where it isn’t relevant. If I fail your ears I can only apologise.
Pompete is right though – I have spent most of my working life doubling up as a radio DJ (or "presenter" as the BBC calls them), and introducing records in the style of a racing commentator, though an interesting concept, is unlikely ever to catch on!
Lee
I was at Lingfield on Friday and I thought the commentary was top notch. I’m not the biggest fan of the "shouty" style whilst watching on TV either but I have to say it comes across a whole lot better when your listening live on course and certainly adds to the experience. Mark Johnston can overdo it a bit at times but again live at Goodwood the previous Saturday his way of doing things really works when your actually there.
The overall standard of calling at UK racecourses is very high imo.
he does everything a commentator shouldn’t do IMO particularly sounding like he’s trying to come up with red top tabloid headlines as the race comes to a conclusion
Bob, I can take criticism but if you listen back to the eight races at Lingfield last Friday I think you will see that this just isn’t true… even when Fallon was beaten on his first ride back! No tabloid headline at all, just "It goes to Mr Mahoganeigh, won by three…" Maybe you don’t like the inflection in my voice as the winning horse crosses the line, but I would say it is good practice to reflect the climax vocally, as a football or cricket commentator would when a goal is scored or a wicket taken.
Everybody has a different idea of how a commentator should do the job, and I appreciate sometimes I may be too excitable for many of you. But you have to take into account the fact that the commentary is also taken by the public address system and betting shops, whose customers may appreciate a different style.
When you go racing you will notice that racegoers usually react as much to the commentator as they do to the action, and it seems fair to give them value for money by helping to make the day out an exciting one.
Many racecourse management teams, who are among our main clients, understandably like the commentator to help create a buzz amongst the racegoers, and my own feeling is that we are an integral part of the atmosphere. However, I also recognise it is important for us to balance that with impeccable race-reading, sound editorial judgement and common sense. That is is the eternal search for the perfect solution.
I would admit I don’t always get it right but I am only reacting to what I see, and definitely not trying to whip up a sense of hysteria where it isn’t relevant. If I fail your ears I can only apologise.
Pompete is right though – I have spent most of my working life doubling up as a radio DJ (or "presenter" as the BBC calls them), and introducing records in the style of a racing commentator, though an interesting concept, is unlikely ever to catch on!
Lee
Lee please don’t feel the need to apologise at all. I think that as you are providing a public service I hope you agree that people are entitled to have an opinion about what you do and I for one don’t think my opinion is of any greater value or significance than if I had said for example that you were brilliant…..it is just an honestly held opinion that belongs to me but should be water off the proverbial to you whether it be praise or criticism, it is niether right or wrong just opinion based on personal taste.
Even the generally considered best in their fields attract some kind of criticism from some quarter but I think it goes with the territory in any walk of life but especially anything quite public.Appreciate you taking the trouble to reply though.
I remember trying to commentate on a race once! i had just got a video recorder that would let me edit my commentary through a microphone! I chose the 1993 Cheltenham Gold cup,the problem was i had backed a horse called
Royal Athlete
e/w at 150/1, every time he jumped a fence i was going "good lad" without realising it,we got to 3 out and i honestly thought he could win,at that point the commentary went out the window,he did manage to get 3rd place though behind Jodami and The Fellow,i think! When i played it back it was diabolical,almost as bad as Thommo"s! How the hell "Hoilesy" spotted Genki winning the Stewards Cup is amazing! These guys make it look easy, everytime! Incredible!
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